Broken Bow’s Melham Park was the site for the “Spirit of the Sandhills Shootout” girls fast pitch softball tournament this past weekend. The Spirit 18 and under team finished 3-2 at the tournament with both losses coming at the hands of the Ord/Central Valley Sandhills Sharks. The two opened the tournament against one another Saturday morning. The Sharks jumped out early scoring 8 runs in the first inning and cruised to a 10-1 victory. The Spirit would bounce back strong winning their next 3. Bow defeated Cozad 9-4 then followed that up with a thrilling win over York 3-2. The Spirit led 2-1 going to the fifth and final inning and picked up a big insurance run to make it 3-1 entering York’s final at bat. York would score one run in the bottom of the fifth but could not tie as Bow held on for the win. Karina Kitt went all five innings in the circle giving up just 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 8. Mattie Bumgarner led the offensive attack going 2 for 3 at the plate. In the Spirit’s final game Saturday, they would face Broken Bow’s 16 and under team. It was a well played game with the 18 and under team getting the win 4-1.
On Sunday, the Spirit would get a rematch with Ord/Central Valley. Ord would once again come out on top but this one was much tighter. After falling behind 2-0, Bow scored 4 runs in the top of the third to take the lead but Ord answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. That set up a dramatic final inning with Ord/Central Valley scoring in their final at bat and collecting the walk off win. The Spirit pounded out 7 hits in the game led by Emily Trotter who went 2 for 3.
The Bow Spirit 16 and under team finished 3-1 over the weekend. Their only loss was to the Spirit 18 and under team 4-1. The 16 and under team defeated the McCook Rebels twice by scores of 6-3 and 4-2 and also defeated the York Fusion 13-3.
