The Copper City Softball All-Stars are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.
The honors come after the Butte girls put on a tremendous show at the District 2 tournament in Anaconda.
The 12U girls took home the District 2 championship and will represent the league in the State tournament July 5-7 in Billings. The 10U stars placed second in the tournament.
In the 12U competition, the Butte girls went undefeated against Dillon, Anaconda and Garden City from Missoula. Team members are Natalie Osterman, Reagan Warren, Ellison Graham, Braelynn Schelin, Rigby Bauer, Kodee Badovinac, Brea Henderson, Cliry Conway, Taylor Regan, Evyn Tippett, and Jordyn Giop. The team’s manager is Amanda Badovinac. Assistant coaches are David Schelin and Joe Warren.
In an exhilarating display of grit and perseverance, the 10U year-old Stars fought their way to an impressive second-place finish. Despite their young age, with more than half of the team being only league age 9 (and one 8-year-old), these determined athletes proved that size does not define the strength of one’s spirit. As William Shakespeare once said, “Though she may be little, she is fierce,” and this team exemplified that spirit throughout their journey.
Their remarkable journey began in their first game together as a team, when they found themselves trailing Anaconda 10-1 in the fourth inning. However, rather than succumbing to defeat, they rallied together with unwavering determination and scrappy play to advance baserunners, put the ball in play and make smart decisions at the plate, together with big hits from both Kensie Evans and Kayoni Kinard to display their never-give-up attitude and turned the game around, eventually logging a 17-10 win.
Throughout the tournament, this extraordinary group of young athletes continued to display their relentless spirit and unwavering tenacity, rallying while behind in each of the next three games.
They faced numerous challenges along the way but never let adversity deter their focus. It was a testament of their hard work and determination as they pushed through the games, with snow flying on the first day of summer.
Throughout the four games played in the tournament, the girls remained consistent and determined, chipping into leads with singles and smart base running after walks or being hit by a pitch. In the Championship game, a memorable moment occurred with 8-year-old Oakley Stajcar completed all three outs in the top of the inning, including two line drive shots and a hard-hit grounder with her touching first base for the out. Though they fell short in the championship, their incredible journey and impressive second-place finish shows that age is no barrier when it comes to fierce passion for the game they love.
Team members are Dylan Butler, Cendyl Campbell, Kynsie Evans, Josie Foley, Brinkley Greer, Kaitlyn Kachmarik, Kayoni Kinard, Emersyn Lacey, Reese Powers, Brixley Schelin, Braelynn Schwartzmiller, Oakley Stajcar, Myla Swanson. The coaches are Rebecca Schwartzmiller, Melissa Swanson and Alicia Kachmarik.
Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, teamed up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City in an effort to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.
The top photo features all the player from the Copper City Softball 12U and 10U All-Star teams.
The ButteCast with Bill Foley 