Bullets 16 Whites, Bullets 12s win district tournaments

ST. PAUL - The Columbus Pinnacle Bank Bullets White 16-and-under softball team went 3-0 on the weekend to win the Class C district championship.

The Bullets started with a 7-2 victory against the St. Paul Slammers. Lana Kozoil and Molly Paul each recorded singles during a four-run fifth inning to lead the offense. Victoria Martinez added three runs. Rachel Stara, who walked four times, earned the win in the circle as she scattered three hits.

Columbus needed just four innings to finish off Central City 10-0 in the next game. The Bullets scored five runs in the first inning before adding three more in the third. Natalie Tworek hit a double and Hannah Kohl notched a triple to lead the Bullets' bats. Rachel Stara added a single and two runs scored. Jill Stara was the winning pitcher as she allowed just two baserunners, one of which was caught stealing, and struck out five batters.

The Bullets met Central City again in the championship game and a similar result unfolded as Columbus won 7-2.

The Bullets scored six runs in the third inning as Koziol and Paul hit doubles during the rally and Stara and Kohl added singles. Stara picked up the win with three strikeouts.

Columbus will play in the state tournament at Hastings from July 6-8.

Fire & Ice 14s

LINCOLN - The Columbus Fire & Ice 14-and-under softball team went 1-2 at the District 9A tournament and finished fourth in the seven-team field.

The Fire & Ice dropped the first game to the Seward Jazz 12-0 as defensive errors contributed to the lopsided loss. Heather Sabata took the loss in the circle, giving up 10 hits, two walks, and striking out two.

The Fire & Ice only managed three hits against tough Jazz pitching. Kayla Ritzdorf, Amber Ewers and Dakota Prokupek accounted for one hit each.

Columbus bounced back with an 11-4 win over the Pias Rockets 14s. Sabata took the win striking out four, walking four and allowing four hits.

The Fire & Ice bats came alive pounding out 14 hits. Ritzdorf and Sabata each collected three hits and a run batted in. Shayna Cepel and Kortney Wallick both added two singles.

Also getting hits were Candace Hitz, Kelcey Wallick, Dakota Prokupek and Chantell Drummond. Drummond led the F&I with three RBIs.

The third game was a rematch with the Seward Jazz, but the result was the same - a 7-0 Jazz win.

Ritzdorf took the loss, giving up six hits and two walks. Sabata pitched three innings of relief, giving up two runs. Ritzdorf and Cepel collected the only two hits for Columbus.

The Fire & Ice advanced to the state tournament in North Platte and will play the North Platte Sensations at 8 p.m. Friday.

Bullets 12s

The Columbus Pinnacle Bank Bullets 12-and-under softball team went 3-1 to win its Class C district tournament last weekend.

The Bullets started with an 18-0 victory against the St. Paul Ladycats. Myrissa Nosal pitched to just 10 batters with one strikeout and one walk. None of the St. Paul runners reached second base. Kaylene Downs, Cassidy Jaster, Lisa Rosno and Tara Hall reached base in each of their four plate appearances.

Nosal led the offense with a triple and single. Michele Jones and Makaela Dallman added two singles.

On Saturday, Columbus topped the Grand Island Scorpions 14-4. Nosal picked up the win in the circle and added a double at the plate. Jaster finished with a home run and single to pace the offense. Rosno chipped in a double and two singles, while Amanda Hall and Dallman each hit a single.

The Bullets lost their first game Sunday to the Scorpions 9-4 as Nosal and Rosno split the pitching duties. Nosal led the offense with a triple and single. Rosno and Jones recorded two singles. Jaster, Hall, Allyson Melcher and Allie Steffen each hit a single.

In the final game, Columbus rallied in the third game against the Scorpions for a 12-0 win. Nosal was the winning pitcher and hit two triples and two doubles. Rosno added two doubles. Jaster, Hall and Melcher recorded two singles, while Downs, Jones and Dallman added a hit each.

The Bullets will play in the Class C state tournament July 8-10 in Auburn.

Lakeview 16s

COLUMBUS - The Lakeview Blue Lightning 16-and-under softball team (17-4-4) swept a doubleheader against Logan View May 19 at the Lakeview field by scores of 5-1 and 10-2.

During the first game, the Blue Lightning offense was led by Dani Went's triple and doubles from Miranda Kasper and Teshia Steuben. Steph Schmidt earned the victory in the circle.

In the second game, Went again paced the offense with a grand slam and two other hits. LeAnn Osten added a triple, and Cheyenne Jaster recorded a double and single. Schmidt again earned the victory for the Blue Lightning.

Lakeview will play at Arlington tonight and Battle Creek Wednesday at the Lakeview field.

The Blue Lightning will also compete at the Class B state tournament this weekend in Hastings.