Krushers live up to name in tourney
For Troy’s 16-and-under girls softball team, “Krushers” appears to be an appropriate nickname based on results from last weekend’s tournament.
The Krushers, whose roster has just 10 players, went 3-0 in the round-robin softball tourney by outscoring those opponents, 51-3. Troy defeated Eureka, 21-1, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 12-1, and Priest River, Idaho, 18-1.
In the opener on Friday, the Krushers scored their 21 runs on 22 hits. Several players had multiple hits, including Alyssa Olds (3-4, 4 runs, 2 RBIs), Megan Cummings (5-5, 5 runs), Kimmy Klin (2-2, 4 runs, 2 RBIs), Caitlyn Johnston (3-3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Breanna Opland (3-4, 1 run, 3 RBIs), Jordan Williams (2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Rachel Geuther (2-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI). Other contributors included Taylor Armstrong (1-3, 2 RBIs), Holly Higgins (1-4, 1 run) and Abbey Miller (1 run).
Armstrong pitched three innings with Olds going in the other two.
Troy followed up with a 12-1 victory over Bonners Ferry. The Krushers collected 14 hits in the rout with multiple-hit games by Olds (2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Klin (3-4, 1 run, 4 RBIs), Opland (2-3, 3 runs), Williams (2-4, 1 run) and Higgins (3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs). Others contributing were Cummings (1-4, 1 RBI), Miller (1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Johnston (2 runs).
One of the game’s highlights came on a three-run shot by Klin.
Williams and Armstrong each pitched three innings and Olds took the mound for one inning.
In the third game, the Krushers defeated Priest River, 18-1. Troy collected 16 hits as a team while allowing just two hits. Top offensive players included Klin (3-3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Opland (2-4, 2 runs), Williams (3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Higgins (2-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and Miller (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs). Others contributing were Olds (1-5, 1 run), Cummings (1-1, 3 runs, 1 RBI), Armstrong (1-1, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and Johnston (1-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI).
Klin had a hot bat again with seven total bases on a two-run homer, double and single. Williams had a pair of doubles. Olds also had a two-bagger.
Armstrong went four innings on the mound with Williams pitching the other three.
Troy tuned up for the tournament with a game on Friday against Eureka. The Krushers rolled to an 18-5 victory behind a parade of 17 hits.
Multiple-hit games were turned in by Olds (3-4, 3 runs), Cummings (2-2, 4 runs, 1 RBI), Klin (2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Armstrong (5-5, 2 runs, 6 RBIs), Opland (2-4-, 1 run, 2 RBIs) and Williams (3-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs). Miller, Higgins, Geuther and Johnston each scored runs. Armstrong, Klin, Opland and Williams had doubles.
Armstrong pitched three innings while both Olds and Williams went 2 frames on the mound.
Coach Russ Thompson said that over the team’s four games, Armstrong, Libby’s No. 1 hurler this past season, pitched 13 innings and allowed just three runs, four hits and two walks while striking out 28. Williams pitched eight innings and allowed three runs, six hits and two walks to go along with nine strikeouts. Olds went five innings and allowed two runs, six hits and five walks and had one strikeout.