05/09/2024
https://themercury.com/sports/manhattan-optimist-softball-teams-compete-at-hawaiian-hit-fest-in-kc/article_9e71ef34-e994-5b58-a502-efa992f0ed61.html
2024 Hawaiian Hit Fest CHAMPS!
So proud of this group of girls and the work put in to reach this point! Thank you to parents and assistant coaches for support and a great weekend of ball!
The Mercury omitted the second half of our tournament summary so I'll post the full text below!
Happy to nominate Tati Spead for Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament and Gracie Reidy for Most Valuable Player! Amazing weekend ladies!
Manhattan Optimist MHK Prospects 12U Softball Wins 2024 Perfect Game Hawaiian Hit Fest Championship
The MHK Prospects went 6-1 this past weekend in Kansas City and defeated three straight #1 seeds on Sunday to take the Perfect Game Hawaiian Hit Fest Championship over KC Phoenix by a final of 7-2. Tati Spead earned the victory going five innings, while only
allowing two hits and one earned run in a contest that the Prospects controlled from start to finish. Brynlee Webster added led the Prospects with two RBI while Aslyn Foveaux and Spead each added one a piece. Gracie Ready led the offense with two bunt base hits, while Allison Lyman, Jovie C**n, Foveaux, Webster, and Spead each added singles.
The Prospects defense and pitching shined as they topped the KC Ambush 2011 in the semifinals by a final of 6-1while turning two timely double plays to halt Ambush rallies. Foveaux was perfect at shortstop on five defensive opportunities and snagged a high liner
and doubled up a runner at second, while Enoch made a great charging catch and doubled up a runner at first with a strong throw from right field. Spead again earned the victory in the circle by collecting five strikeouts and allowing just one run on four hits and throwing anincredible 42 of 51 pitches for strikes. C**n led the offense with a two hit, two RBI performance. Lyman and Webster added an RBI single each, while Foveaux, Reidy, and Spead each collected a hit.
The quarterfinal matchup saw the Prospects erase an early 3-2 deficit to win 7-3 over the Lawrence DC Twisters. Spead collected the win in the circle with five strikeouts and three earned runs over four innings. Webster and Spead drove in two runs a piece with timely hits, while C**n and Abbie Benge each added RBI base hits. Reidy added two hits to the charge.
The Prospects opened bracket play with a 6-3 win over the Topeka Arctic Storm. Allison Lyman picked up the win with two strikeouts over 2.1 innings. Spead struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief to earn the save. C**n led the Prospects with a single and two RBI, and Reidy added a bunt single as the Prospects scratched 6 runs across on just two hits and four walks with excellent baserunning and executing small ball.
To open pool play, the top of the lineup started off hot with Lyman, Foveaux, and C**n each providing two hits, doubles and an RBI a piece to fuel an 8-1 victory over KC Xtreme Fastpitch. Webster double and drove in one, and Benge added an RBI single. Olivia Enoch scored twice to aid in the win. Spead picked up the win in the circle scattering four hits over four innings and striking out four.
In the second pool game, the Prospects saw a 5-3 slip away late as the KC Phoenix rallied for four in the final frame to beat the Prospects 7-5 and spoil a great outing by Prospects pitcher Allison Lyman. Lyman struck out 11 batters while allowing four earned runs in five innings. Foveaux led the offense with a two hit, one RBI performance, while Reidy and Josie Mayer each added a single and an RBI. C**n and Spead chipped in a hit each, while Enoch
reached twice on walks.
The Prospects bounced back for a gritty 6-4 win over the Manhattan Optimist Kansas Lady Belles in the final pool game. Webster reached twice on walks, Reidy provided an RBI bunt
single, and C**n provided a line drive for the only two hits. The Prospects capitalized on six walks by stealing five bases, getting a sacrifice from Spead, and timely hitting to put up five
in the third inning which provided enough to hold on for the win. C**n earned the victory providing 3 innings of work, striking out three and allowing three earned runs. Spead came in and closed the door, picking up the save by striking out the side in the final inning.
Spead was awarded the tournament Most Valuable Pitcher, going 4-0 and picking up two saves. Reidy was awarded the Most Valuable Player, due to excellent outfield play and seven well executed bunt singles that contributed to several small-ball fueled Prospects’ wins.
“These ladies showed tremendous heart this week, bouncing back from some disappointment and adversity in our last tournament. They really showed themselves what they are capable of and what they are made of. It’s a great weekend when everyone contributes in some way like they did. Our coaches are so proud of their hard work and improvement, and I’m thankful they got a taste of what’s possible when they work as hard as they have this offseason and at every practice” said head coach Rich Foveaux.
The Prospects are coached by Phil Lyman, Tiarra and Terry Spead, Caleb Enoch, Kevin Sanders, and Foveaux.
MHK Prospects 12U win 2024 Hawaiian Hit Fest Championship
