The Copper Country Crush 10U Gray softball team features Danika Ekdahl, Haylee Goldsworthy, Ivy Biekkola, Brynlee Hanner, Brielle Sedar, Mia Giachino, Braelyn Huotari, Laila Gauthier, and Clara Blake. (Photo submitted)

MENASHA, Wis. — The Copper Country Crush 10U fastpitch softball teams traveled to Menasha, Wisconsin, over the weekend to compete in the “Frehley Gilmore Spring Thaw Softball Tournament.” The Crush battled hard and finished second in the Silver Bracket in their first tournament of the 2025 season.

First-inning burst enough Crush Black 10U past Crush Gray 10U

Crush Black 9, Crush Gray 2

The Crush Black scored five runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat the Crush Gray, 9-2, on Saturday.

Black got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Gray committed an error, Ivy Markham grounded out, Mckinley Soli doubled to center field. Gray committed two errors, each scoring one run.

Black scored three runs in the bottom of the second on an inside-the-park home run by Raegan Rilei.

Ivy Biekkola stepped in the circle first for Gray. The righty allowed seven hits and eight runs, four earned, over 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking none.

Avery Pietila led things off in the circle for Black. The starter gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out six and walking none.

Brynlee Hanner, Haylee Goldsworthy, Braelyn Huotari, Markham, Mia Giachino, and Laila Gauthier each collected one hit for Gray. Goldsworthy went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.

Gray turned one double play in the game.

Black amassed 11 hits in the game. Rilei provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Black with three runs batted in. The first baseman went 1-for-3 on the day.

Anna Hanson led Black with three hits in three at bats. Pietila collected two hits for Black in three at bats, and she stole three bases.

Black ran wild on the base paths, accumulating seven stolen bases for the game.They were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Markham had the most chances in the field with two.

Biekkola leads Gray past Midwest Warriors

Crush 17, Midwest Warriors 0

Biekkola collected four hits in four at bats, as Gray defeated Midwest Warriors 10U, 17-0 on Saturday. She doubled in the fourth inning, singled in the first inning, singled in the second inning, and singled in the third inning.

Gray jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Biekkola singled, scoring one run, Brynlee Hanner singled, scoring two runs, and an error scored two runs.

Gray added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Goldsworthy doubled down the left field line, Brielle Sedar singled up the middle, Biekkola singled down the left field line, Giachino singled down the left field line, and Huotari singled up the middle, each scoring one run.

A ground out by Goldsworthy, a double by Danika Ekdahl, and an error helped Gray extend their early lead in the third.

Biekkola stepped in the circle first. The righty allowed one hit and zero runs over two innings, striking out five and walking none.

The Midwest Warriors pitching surrendered 11 hits and 10 runs (eight earned) over two-thirds of an inning, striking out one and walking none.

Goldsworthy pitched two innings of no-run ball for Gray. The reliever allowed zero hits, striking out four and walking none.

Gray accumulated 20 hits in the game. Ekdahl, Huotari, and Biekkola each drove in three runs. Hanner, Sedar, Goldsworthy, and Gauthier each collected multiple hits for Gray.

Hanner, Sedar, Biekkola, and Gauthier each stole multiple bases.Gray ran wild on the base paths, piling up 14 stolen bases for the game.They were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Giachino had the most chances in the field with nine.

First-inning spurt leads Gray past Wrightstown 10U Blue

Crush 6, Wrightstown 10U Blue 0

Gray scored five runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat Wrightstown 10U Blue, 6-0, on Sunday in the Silver semifinal.

Biekkola singled, scoring one run. Ekdahl singled, scoring one run. Hanner singled, scoring two runs. Huotari singled, scoring one run.

Gray added one run in the second. Wrightstown Blue committed an error, making the score 6-0.

Biekkola led things off in the circle. The starting pitcher gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking none.

The Wrightstown starting pitcher surrendered six hits and six runs, four earned, over 1 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking none.

Goldsworthy pitched two innings of shutout ball in relief. The right-handed pitcher allowed one hit, striking out three and walking none.

Gray tallied nine hits in the game. Goldsworthy set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading with a team-high two hits in three at bats. Hanner, Ekdahl, Huotari, and Biekolla. each drove in one run for Crush Gray.

Ekdahl and Giachino each stole multiple bases. Gray ran wild on the base paths, tallying seven stolen bases for the game.

Gray has tough game against Winneconne 10U – Black

Crush 3, Winneconne 10

Gray couldn’t keep up with Winneconne 10U – Black, and fell, 10-3, on Sunday to claim the runners-up finish in the Silver Division.

Winneconne Black got on the board in the top of the second inning with two runs.

A single extended the Winneconne Black lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning.

Biekkola opened the game for Copper Country Crush Gray 10U. The hurler gave up four hits and three runs (zero earned) over three innings, striking out five and walking none. Winneconne Black starting pitching surrendered eight hits and three runs over six innings, striking out five and walking none.

Gray collected eight hits in the game. Hanner, Sedar, Ekdahl, Houtari, Biekkola, Giachino, Clara Blake, and Gauthier each collected one hit. Hanner, Ekdahl, and Blake each drove in one run.

Winneconne Black collected nine hits in the game.