LASALLE PERU – Two softball teams from the area, the Illinois Valley Aftershock from LaSalle and the Bandits from Peru traveled to Bettendorf, Iowa this weekend to compete in the 12 and under Bracket Buster Tournament. The Aftershock swept the tournament and took first place. The Bandits fell in the final game to Illinois Valley and came home with second place.
Competing at the tournament were both local teams, two Quad City Firebirds teams, and the Running Reds out of DesMoines.
The Illinois Valley Aftershock has players from LaSalle, Peru, Mendota, Earlville, Ottawa, Streator, Oglesby, and Sheffield. Savannah Erickson took the mound for two games including the Championship game and Natalya Solis threw a no-hitter for game two. In the tournament, it was an all-around team-hitting effort. In the championship game, it was the hot bats of Natalya Solis with a 3 RBI triple and Katherine Pierce with a 2-run RBI double. Their 22/23 season started in September and will conclude in July. They are currently 22-4 with 4 tournament wins and 1 runner-up finish. They will be playing in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Photo provided by Illinois Valley Aftershock
This was the final tournament of the season for the Bandits. Finishing the season strong, Tula Rue had a powerful bat during the game with a double, and a couple of singles, she also played at first base. Hannah Heiberger pitched all weekend. Payton Brandt and Harper Sayler both had great defense and hit the ball well throughout the tournament. Photo provided by The Bandits
