The Washington 10U All-Stars head into the state tournament fresh off an exciting ENC Babe Ruth District 6 championship and will lean on their pitching as they go forward in what is expected to be an extremely competitive 10U bracket.
Coached by Joey Winstead, the All-Stars have an assortment of arms they can go to which will be crucial as they progress through the tournament.
“The key to the 10U team will be its pitching and they have three strong arms in Savannah Craft, Mary Emma Holscher and Mary Morgan Beeman,” said Washington Girls Fastpitch Softball League president Greg Dority. “With the pitching limitations in 10U having three strong arms gives them a big advantage.”
Giving the pitchers and advantage is the fact that Washington has several big sticks in its lineup that can post plenty of runs. Though Washington loves attacking with the short game, but the 10U team takes on more of a traditional look and has many feared hitters.
“From an offensive perspective the 10U is very old school in that they hit the ball hard up the middle from every spot in the lineup,” Dority said. “Sluggers Kaylee Elks and Melanie Winstead batting third and fourth have driven it to the fence multiple times this year and if they get hot can carry the entire team. … Grace Bumpass, Jordanya Whitehead and Grace Paszt give us a lot of pop in our lineup.”
Dority said the speedy Bumpass has the potential to be an impact player in the tournament.
“Probably our trump card is Grace Bumpass,” Dority said. “At the 8U tryouts a year ago she was the fastest player we ever clocked. She’s got speed on the bases and she’s very quick on the infield. She made a tough play at third to block the bag and get the final out at the district tournament.”