Lady Crushers are state champs

Worth Lady Crushers after winning first place in the ASA 18 under B State Tournament in Bryan on June 21. Groesbeck girls on the team are Cassie Anders, Toni Madison, Tori Pankonien, Keeley Salazar, and Cynamon Walters. See story on page 6B (Courtesy photo) Softball team Worth Lady Crushers won the State Championship in the ASA 18-under B division on June 21 in Bryan. Five Groesbeck players are on the Crusher roster: Cassie Anders, Tori Pankonien, Toni Madison, Keeley Salazar and Cynamon Walters. These five girls also played on the select team last year, taking second place at the National Tournament in the 16-under division. Looking to continue their success, the team has been practicing and preparing. The Lady Crushers team boasts players from five different schools. New to the team this year are two players from Gatesville who helped their team get to the 3A State Tournament this year. The Lady Crushers are coached by Head Coach James Hill and Assistant Coaches John Salazar and Rene Contreras.

The Lady Crushers played three games on Saturday, June 20. They won the first game against the Tigers out of College Station with a score of 7-0. Toni Madison hit two hard doubles to the left side of the field, scoring twice. Cassie Anders hit a big double. The team won its second game against the Hit N Run team out of the Belton area with a score of 7-5. Madison contributed with a sacrifice, a base on balls and another big double to center field. Anders had a sacrifice hit and reached base on a Fielder's Choice, scoring for the team. The Crushers were handed their first loss in the third game of the tournament, going down 8-0 to the Hit N Run Gold team.

On Sunday, the Crushers met the Tigers again, beating them 9-2. Madison hit a big double and triple to left center field, reached base on an error and scored twice for the team. Anders hit a single, reached base and scored once. Salazar reached base on a walk by the pitcher. The Lady Crushers came back to meet the Hit N Run Gold team for the championship game. In this fifth game of the tournament, the Crushers won 12-8. Madison got four hits, three singles and a double, scoring three runs for the team. Anders reached base four times with three singles and a Fielder's Choice, scoring two runs. Salazar reached base three times with a base on balls, Fielder's Choice and reaching on an error. In winning this game, the Lady Crushers forced a second championship game since each team had one loss. In a hard-fought game the Crushers emerged as Champs, winning 7 to 6. Madison had one single. Anders reached base on an error and a base on balls.

The familiar Groesbeck team of Madison at shortstop and Anders at second base saw action for the Lady Crushers. Anders moved to catcher for the championship games. Madison had three to four defensive put outs per game with fivein the final game. Keeley Salazar, who missed the softball season for the Lady Goat team due to injury, saw her return to play in this tournament. She was a pinch runner in the first game. She played in the outfield in game 2-5. Then Salazar came in at second base near the end of game 6, making a couple of good plays to aid the team. Salazar stepped to pitch for the team in the first championship game.

Tori Pankonien saw her first softball action since the end of district play with the Lady Goat team. Working her way back from injury, she pitched to a few batters in the second game of the tournament. On Sunday, Pankonien pitched the entire fourth game, getting the 9-2 win. Then she came in to pitch in the final championship game, leaving in the fifth inning ahead 7-6, the final score of the game. The Lady Crusher team advances to play in the ASA 18-B Southern National Tournament July 3 -- August 2.