Connie Mack 16U Firehawks pick up first place tourney honors

The Connie Mack 16U Firehawks beat the Lewiston-Porter Silver Bullets, 11-4, to win the Connie Mack 16U tournament held last weekend. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Abby DeFrancis, Kara Stein, Rachel Schepart; second row - coach Roy DeFrancis, Kaitlin Mergler, Kristy Luce, Lexi Arbogast, Nicole Okonczak, Julie Hagner, Ellen Truty, Mariah Mergler, and coach Tim Okonczak; missing from photo - Courtney Smith and Emily Thompson.

Connie Mack's 16U Firehawks overcame a slow start on Saturday to win the Connie Mack 16U Tournament, beating the Lewiston Porter Silver Bullets, 11-4.

Championship game co-MVP Abby DeFrancis pitched a two-hitter, striking out seven. De- Francis kept the Silver Bullets in check throughout with strong defensive play from the entire Firehawk team.

Mariah Mergler had three RBIs while Lexi Arbogast added two hits, scored three runs and chipped in two RBIs.

Co-MVP Julie Hagner chipped in two RBIs and Kara Stein scored two runs to power the offense. The win avenged an opening day loss to the Silver Bullets.

Connie Mack 16U Firehawk first baseman Courtney Smith, left, tags out Lewiston Silver Bullet Brittany Dibble during the Connie Mack 16U tournament held last weekend. Connie Mack lost to the Silver Bullets, 7-4, but went on to earn first place. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Firehawks 12,

Amherst Thunder 0

To reach the final, the Firehawks shut out the Thunder behind the three-hit pitching of Abby DeFrancis.

The play of the game belonged to the Firehawk defense. With the score 3-0, Ellen Truty cut off a base hit, fired to shortstop Nicole Okonczak who pivoted and threw a strike to Julie Hagner to end the inning, quelling an early Thunder rally. Lexi Arbogast had three hits, scored two runs and had two RBIs while Kara Stein had three RBIs. Okonczak and Hagner also contributed to the offense with a hit and two RBIs each. Truty also added a double and scored a run.

Silver Bullets 7, Firehawks 4

The Lewiston Silver Bullets edged the Firehawks in opening day play.

The Firehawks were led by Courtney Smith and Nicole Okonczak, each with two hits and an RBI. Kara Stein led the defense with three assists at third.

Amherst Thunder 3,

Firehawks 1

The Amherst Thunder nipped the Firehawks behind the pitching of Carli Weber. Weber allowed four hits and struck out four.

Jennifer Kelly doubled and scored a run and Valery Miller also doubled and scored a seventh inning insurance run.

Julie Hagner paced the Firehawks with a three-hit, eight strikeout performance.

Firehawks 9,

Grand Island Vipers 0

To start their run for the championship, the Firehawks bit the Vipers, 9-0, behind the four-hit, seven strikeout performance of Abby DeFrancis.

Kara Stein smacked two hits, scored twice and chipped in two RBIs. Nicole Okonczak added two hits and two RBIs, while Emily Thompson had three hits, knocked in a run and scored. Kaitlin Mergler had a hit and scored a run.

Kristy Luce reached base three times and also scored. Rachel Schepart singled and drove in a run as the Firehawks finally found their hitting stride.