Warren Wave 10U takes 5th in nation

GURNEE – The Warren Wave 10U Silver softball team recently captured fifth place at the ASA Northern National Fast Pitch Championships, capping off the most successful 10U season the Warren Wave travel organization has experienced, team officials said.

During the summer, the 10U Silver squad took the championship trophy at the Trevian Tournament and took second place at the Glenview Thunderbolt Classic. Both showings earned the team bids to the ASA Northern National Tournament, which took place Aug. 3 to Aug. 7 in Rochester, Minn.

It was the first time a Warren Wave 10U team won an ASA qualifying tournament and earned a bid to nationals, team officials said.

"This was a great accomplishment for our program and especially these players," said Tom Beck, team manager. "They have worked extremely hard all season, and their efforts paid off. At nationals the tournament had to combine three "A" level teams into the "B" tournament … and these three "A" teams finished first, second and third. That sure puts in perspective on our fifth place finish and how well our team competed all week in the tournament. I can't wait to see these kids play next year."

The 10U team had some big wins during the tournament, including a decisive 16-4 win over St. Peter's Diamondators from St. Peter, Minn., and the final win against the North Scott Lightning from Eldridge, Iowa, to put the Wave in fifth place.

The Lightning was a tough back-and-forth battle, but in the end, the Wave prevailed with strong defense and hitting, bringing home a 9-7 victory.

Of the three losses the Wave team had in the entire tournament, two of the losses were to "A" teams, and one was to the eventual tournament champion, team officials said. The tournament capped off the most successful 10U season the program has experienced.

The 10U Silver players include Megan Shanders (3), Kelly Beck (4), Chloe Bonke (14), Rachel Becker (15), Ally Kolar (17), Caitlyn Britton (21), Kelsey Ulrich (22), Taylor McIntosh (26), Claire Swedberg (32), Jessica Dettwiller (36), Elena Martinez (55), Elise Egofske (61) and Rebecca Geiyer (99).

Four other Warren Wave travel teams earned bids to various national tournaments, including 12U Silver, 14U Silver, 15U Silver and 18U Silver.

For more information, visit www.warrengirlssoftball.com.