A battled-tested Washington 14U team will look to win the war at the upcoming ENC Babe Ruth state softball tournament.
Several of the 14U members played on last season’s 12U All-Stars team that placed fifth at the World Series and the team, coached by Brad Horton, looks poised to make another run at the Big Dance this year.
“A majority of these girls played on the 12U World Series team last year in Florida and in addition they have added Kaitlyn Ivey who played on the 16U team that went to the World Series last year,” said Washington Girls Fastpitch Softball League president Greg Dority.
The 14U All-Stars have top-shelf hitting along with a strong pitching staff and all the right tools to make a good run at state.
“Rachel Lang and Haley Harris are both superior pitchers and there are not many that can equal them on the mound,” Dority said. “(At the plate) each has monster power. Rachel Lang bats from the right hand side and Haley Harris from the left and both of them have gone yard this year and they are two of the most dangerous hitters in the eastern part of the state.”
Surrounding Lang and Harris is a versatile roster that is strong on both offense and defense.
“Meghan Moore continues to upgrade her game each year at shortstop,” Dority said. “Sarah Lynch and Meghan Horton excel at the short game (on offense) and Washington is always on the move on the bases and is always threatening to have a big inning.”
With so many top-notch players in the lineup the key for the All-Stars will be to just to relax and play ball.
“The key for the 14U team is for them to stay focused and do their jobs and treat the state tournament like it’s just another set of games,” Dority said. “They’re that good that if they play their game that there are very few teams in the country that can match them. This is a very strong team.”