Britton’s U10 fastpitch softball team wrapped up its first season this past week and Coach Jeff Mills termed the initial year a successful one.
The local nine dropped a recent away game at Claremont 14-3 and last week Monday fell to the Honkers in Claremont 13-2. In the Northern Plains League Tournament on Saturday in Aberdeen, Britton dropped decisions to Clark 3-1 and Redfield 9-0 in the double elimination event.
“We had a successful inaugural season of fastpitch softball in my opinion,” said Mills. “We exceeded my goals for the year, finishing the year with nine wins and a better than .500 record. We all learned a lot. I’m excited for Britton’s softball program and where it is headed and feel we can really build on the foundation we started this year and build an even better program for next year.
“The Northern Plains League has been great. U10 softball is a great stepping stone for all-out fast pitch softball rules. We weren’t allowed to steal and there were no walks and the coach came in to pitch after four balls. It kept the game moving and kept the game exciting as there were more hits and made the fielders make plays.
“I was proud of how well our girls were able to make the plays,” concluded Mills. “They improved immensely throughout the season on knowing where to throw the ball and getting the out. Britton’s softball program and the entire Britton baseball and softball program is something the whole community can be proud of!”
Claremont 14-13
Britton 3-2
Claremont put together back-to-back five-run innings to win their home game and used another five-run outburst to break open a 4-2 contest in Britton’s home contest. A second game was scheduled in Britton but cancelled due to rain.
Faustina Rapkoch laced two singles, Hayden Peters tripled and knocked in two runs, Shea Hastings doubled, and Brees Phillips and Alyssa Kanizar had base hits for Britton at Claremont. Rapkoch and Hastings shared the mound duties.
In the Britton game Hastings and Phillips each had two singles and Peters added a safety. Four players handled the pitching duties.
Northern Plains Tourney
Clark 3
Britton 1
Clark jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening inning and Britton wasn’t able to dig out of that hole.
The local nine pushed across a run in the third inning and had runners in scoring position on several occasions but weren’t able to get the timely hit. Sadie Mills tripled and singled and Rapkoch singled twice to lead Britton at the plate. Claire Morrell and Delilah Hockenbrock both added singles. Rapkoch and Mills teamed up on the mound.
Redfield 9
Britton 0
Redfield out-hit Britton 13-2 and blanked the local nine to end its season.
“Redfield came out swinging and hit the ball hard into every corner and gap,” noted Mills. “Their fielding was stout, too, with a second baseman that gobbled up every hit and could throw perfectly to first.”
Rapkoch and Peters both singled for Britton’s only hits. Hastings went the distance on the mound and struck out five.
