Bluffton’s 12U softball All-Star team placed fourth in the SCAP state tournament at Beaufort’s Burton Wells Recreation Center from June 24-27, blanking Myrtle Beach 8-0 while dropping contests to Iva and Loris.
Belton defeated Iva in the 12U championship, while Conway ousted Loris for the 10U title, and Seneca bettered Pickens in the 8U championship. Bluffton’s 8U and 10U teams and Beaufort’s 12U squad each went 0-2 in their brackets.
The Bluffton 12U squad opened the double-elimination tournament on June 24 with a 12-0 loss to Iva, as a string of errors accounted for 10 early runs in the first two innings. The offense looked to rebound in the third, but a tremendous Iva pitching staff kept the shutout intact and closed out the run-rule victory. Savannah Johns was 1-for-1 with a double for Bluffton, while both Rebekah Blount and Makenzie Stubbs added a hit each.
The bats came alive in game two on June 25, as Bluffton rolled to an 8-0 victory over Myrtle Beach behind a spectacular performance from Stubbs. The ace pitcher was locked in from start to finish, allowing just one hit and a walk while racking up nine strikeouts. Stubbs also shined at the plate, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs including a game-clinching triple off the fence in the fifth. Finley Javery impressed with a 3-for-3 game, while Rachel Blount and Norah Morante each tallied a pair of hits.
Looking to stave off elimination again on June 27, Bluffton found itself locked in a scoreless duel with Loris after the first three innings. The stalemate was broken in the fourth, as Loris plated four runs to open up a 4-0 lead. Bluffton fought back right away with three in the bottom half, but Loris kept the offense clicking in the fifth and sixth frames, scoring four more runs to pull away and end Bluffton’s tournament run in an 8-3 decision. Stubbs delivered a fantastic effort on the mound, pitching all six innings and striking out seven batters. Blount led the way for Bluffton’s offense, going 2-for-2 with a double.
By Wes Kerr