Austin U16 softball team finishes 12th at NAFA National tournament

Published 2:44 pm Sunday, July 30, 2017

The Austin U16 softball team finished 12th in the silver bracket at the NAFA National Softball Tournament in Shoreview.

Austin fell to the Wisconsin Shock 9-4 Friday, then it bounced back to win two of three games on Saturday. Austin beat the Moorehead Crush 6-3, it topped the South Dakota Fusion 10-2 and it lost to the Illinois Storm 9-3.

Jordyn McCormack racked up seven hits with a double and an RBI in those four games and Hannah McMasters had six hits and four RBIs.

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“We have to go into the game knowing that all nine batters are going to get up to the plate and get the bat on the ball,” McMasters said. “We have to find the right pitch and be aggressive with it. I’m very proud of the dedication and hard work my teammates put into this season.”

Austin dominated league play this summer and it had to make some adjustments while going against tougher competition in the national tournament. Hannah Rasmussen said she liked how the team came together over the season.

“We had a great season and I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished this year,” Rasmussen said. “A majority of this team is our varsity team so I am excited to see what happens during school ball. We know we can play and keep up with some great teams.”

Austin finished the summer season with a record of 28-6 overall and it won its conference with an 18-0 record in league play. Austin won the league tournament and it won the West Concord Tournament. The team was coached by Dan King and Will Pazurek.

“It was a great way to end my summer ball career,” Rasmussen said. “Thank you to Dan who has put in so much time towards not only me, but the whole team. We wouldn’t be the girls we are today without him. I’m going to miss playing for him. Thanks to Will too, it was great to have him on the field with us.”

Wisconsin Shock 9, Austin 4 (Friday)

Austin hitting: Jordyn McCormack, 2 hits, double, RBI, R; Caitlyn Kaercher, 1 R; Hannah Biwer, 1 hit, 1 R; Hannah Rasmussen, 1 hit, 1 R; Hannah McMasters, 2 hits

Austin 6, Moorehead Crush 3

Austin hitting: McCormack, 2 hits, 2 R; Halie Retterath, 2 hits, RBI, R, BB; Jenna Braaten, 1 hit; Tori Gardner, 1 hit; Jada Kresbach, 2 hits, 1 R, 1 SB; Biwer, 2 hits, RBI, R; Rasmussen, 1 hit, 1 R; McMasters, 1 hit, 2 RBIs

Austin 10, S.D. Fusion 2

Austin hitting: McCormack, 2hits, double, SB; Retterath, 1 hit, RBI, R; McMasters, 1 hit, RBI, 2 R; Braaten, 2 hits, 2 R; Gardner, 1 hit, triple, 1 R, 2 RBIs; Kresbach, 3 hits, 1 R, 2 RBIs; Elora Hughes, 2 hits, RBI, R; Rasmussen, 1 hit, RBI

Illinois Storm 9, Austin 3

Austin hitting: McCormack, 1 hit, 1 R; Retterath, 1 hit, R; McMasters, 2 hits, RBI, R; Kresbach, 1 hit; Hughes, 1 hit

Wisconsin Shock 9, Austin 4 (Friday)

Austin hitting: Jordyn McCormack, 2 hits, double, RBI, R; Caitlyn Kaercher, 1 R; Hannah Biwer, 1 hit, 1 R; Hannah Rasmussen, 1 hit, 1 R; Hannah McMasters, 2 hits

Austin 6, Moorehead Crush 3

Austin hitting: McCormack, 2 hits, 2 R; Halie Retterath, 2 hits, RBI, R, BB; Jenna Braaten, 1 hit; Tori Gardner, 1 hit; Jada Kresbach, 2 hits, 1 R, 1 SB; Biwer, 2 hits, RBI, R; Rasmussen, 1 hit, 1 R; McMasters, 1 hit, 2 RBIs

Austin 10, S.D. Fusion 2

Austin hitting: McCormack, 2hits, double, SB; Retterath, 1 hit, RBI, R; McMasters, 1 hit, RBI, 2 R; Braaten, 2 hits, 2 R; Gardner, 1 hit, triple, 1 R, 2 RBIs; Kresbach, 3 hits, 1 R, 2 RBIs; Elora Hughes, 2 hits, RBI, R; Rasmussen, 1 hit, RBI

Illinois Storm 9, Austin 3

Austin hitting: McCormack, 1 hit, 1 R; Retterath, 1 hit, R; McMasters, 2 hits, RBI, R; Kresbach, 1 hit; Hughes, 1 hit