Amherst Lightning 14U White crowned tournament champion

The Amherst Lightning 14U White softball team won the Clarence Fastpitch 2006 Tournament Champions on Aunday, Aug. 6. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row Dominique Mantell, Holly Conte; second row Brittany Koshoffer (Cheektowaga), Kerri Dobmeier (Tonawanda), Kaitlyn Luksch (Cheektowaga), Nikki Kraft; third row bat girl Andrea Cohen (Amherst), Megan Hull (Amherst), Hannah Rosolowski (Cheektowaga), Jenna Reilley (Amherst), Morgan Pfuelb (Orchard Park), Jami Cohen (Amherst); fourth row Abby Defrancis (Amherst), scorekeeper Mary Luksch, coach Roy Defrancis, coach Bob Cohen, coach Ed Koshoffer and coach John Dobmeier.

The Amherst Lightning 14U White team earned the title of Clarence Fastpitch 2006 Tournament Champions on Sunday, Aug. 6.

The Lightning, led by manager Bob Cohen and coaches Roy Defrancis, John Dobmeier, and Ed Koshoffer, defeated the Rochester Lady Lions, 7-4, to claim their second tournament championship this summer. Earlier in the day, the Lightning beat Clarence Black 14U and Clarence Red 14U. The girls went 2-1 in round robin play on Aug. 5.

Highlights of the tournament included powerhouse outfielder Jenna Reilley's team leading .529 batting average. Outfielder Abby Defrancis made difficult catches look easy in right field. Kerri Dobmeier's superb play at shortstop ended the Clarence Black's rally in extra innings.

Catcher Nikki Kraft went 3 for 3 with four RBIs in the semifinals. Pitcher Brittany Koshoffer laid down two key bunts and scored twice in the championship game. Left fielder Kaitlyn Luksch hit .500

for the weekend and caught the first and last out in the finals. Also in the championship, first base speedster Dominique Mantell went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, outfielder Megan Hull hit a key two RBI single, and error free fielding at second base by Holly Conte resulted in seven outs.

Third baseman Morgan Pfuelb's bunt brought in the winning run against Clarence. Outfielder Hannah Rosolowski's inning ending catch in the semifinals secured a Lightning win.