PHOTO GALLERY: M.O.T. second at Deakins tourney

    The M.O.T. 11-12-year-old softball finished second in the Lynn Deakins Tournament held in Camden-Wyoming. The girls provided some of the most exciting softball action of the year during this year’s tournament.
    M.O.T. was held in check during the first game held on Saturday, 12-1, by a very good Milford squad. Emily Olszewski pitched the complete game for M.O.T., however, the girls could just not get the bats going during this opening game. The girls then won three straight games in the loser’s bracket of the tournament to reach the championship game.
    On Monday, M.O.T scored 23 runs against Camden-Wyoming to win a close one, 23-19. M.O.T climbed back from two six-run deficits during the game to claim victory in the final inning. Emily Olszewski once again pitched a complete game for M.O.T with everyone contributing to the offense.
    On Tuesday, M.O.T took a 7-4 lead into the sixth inning versus Felton-Harrington only to see it shrink to 7-6. Felton-Harrington still had the bases loaded with one out when Hunter Smith relieved Abby McNorton, who had pitched 5 1/3 innings of strong softball. Hunter Smith got the next batter to ground to herself for a force at the plate for the second out, then got the next batter to ground out to second baseman Hannah Smith who calmly made the last out of the game.
    On Wednesday, the girls found themselves in another battle with Milford, with the winner advancing out of the loser’s bracket and into the Championship game. In a seesaw battle, the game ended up tied 10-10 after six innings of play. In the top of the seventh inning, Milford scored 6 runs to put M.O.T on the ropes.  However, as they did all week long, the girls from M.O.T would not quit. Jenna Hansel provided a key two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning and M.O.T. climbed all the way back to win 17-16 in seven innings.
    Lauren Suess drew the bases loaded walk to secure the victory. Emily Olszewski pitched all seven innings for M.O.T while McNorton had three hits and scored three runs.
    In the championship game on Thursday night, the M.O.T girls ran into a very tough Marydel-Hartly squad and fell 21-7. Marydel-Hartly went 3-0 during the tournament and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 49-14.
    Offensive stars during the tournament for M.O.T included Jessica Halloway, McNorton and Hunter Smith, while the defense was anchored by team captaian Colleen Yerger.
    The team was coached by Chuck Smith, Elmer Smith and John Marchione.