Tough competition and scorching heat didn’t stop Wellsville NY-based softball team
Front row: Kylee Whiting, Ande Northrup, Rylee Whiting, Brynn Hallock, Lillian Holevinski, and Adrian Whiting
Back row: Matt Burke, Teagan Burke, Jayna Thomas, Morghyn Ross, Kyla Ziegler, Carilene Sliwa, and Jason Holevinski
From staff reports,
Back in the February, the Dawgs 16u travel softball team won a USSSA National Qualifier to punch their ticket to the 2025 USSSA Eastern Nationals in Ocean City, Maryland.
Head coach Matt Burke was very proud and happy for the ladies:
“This is an amazing accomplishment for our girls!!!”
Fast forward to the last week in July, and the Dawgs took advantage of that opportunity by playing ten games and going through the week undefeated en route to a USSSA 16u National Championship. The 46 team double elimination tournament featured teams from all over the east coast including Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The Dawgs went 2-0-2 in pool play and then won 6 consecutive bracket games for an 8-0-2 record and a USSSA Eastern National title.
Games began Monday afternoon and culminated with the National Championship game Saturday morning. Not only did the Dawgs have to compete against top notch competition, they also had to battle the elements with temperatures hitting a real feel of 112 degrees on the field.
Kylee Whiting and Brynn Hallock
The team was lead by the electric pitching performances of Brynn Hallock (30 strikeouts) and Kylee Whiting (34 strikeouts). The duo combined to throw five consecutive shutouts in bracket play which earned both player the award of Co-Outstanding Pitchers of the Tournament. Hallock and Whiting, two of Allegany County’s best pitchers combined to power the Dawgs through the 46-team tournament.
Offensively, Teagan Burke hit .500 (10-20) with 10 hits 4 doubles, 9 RBI, 6 walks, and 9 runs scored and Morgyhn Ross hit .500 (10-20) with 10 hits,5 doubles, 8 RBI, 6 runs scored and a 3run HR. Both Burke and Ross were named Nationals Tournament Co-Most Valuable Players.
In addition, Jayna Thomas hit .409 (9-22)with 9 hits and 7 runs scored including a 3-3 performance at the plate in the championship game. Rylee Whiting hit .333 (8-24) with 8 hits,9 RBI, scored 9 runs and produced on the base paths with aggressive running.
Defensively, Ande Northrup, Teagan Burke, Addy Mulone, and Rylee Whiting were outstanding in the infield while Carilene Sliwa, Jayna Thomas, Kyla Ziegler, and Brynn Hallock played a flawless outfield.
In addition to her dominance in the circle, Hallock crushed a 3-run HR in bracket play to break the game open in the first inning. Hallock finished the tournament with 8 RBI.
Lillian Holevinski, (8-21) shared the catching duties and contributed 4 RBI including a big hit to drive in two runs in the championship game.
The Dawgs advanced to the title game when Carilene Sliwa singled with two outs in the last inning, stole second and advanced to third. Then, took advantage of an opportunity to race home with a head first slide to score the winning run and send the Dawgs to the finals.
En route to the title, the Dawgs defeated Complete Game Academy, New Jersey Outlaws, St. Mary’s Pounders, Beacon Extreme, Lower Bucks Bombers, and New Jersey Storm.
