The Copper Country Crush 12U softball team features Taylor Goldsworthy, Ramona Raisanen, Morgan Vandiver, Amelia Pennala, Emma Kangas, Danica Jahfetson, Vivian Mattson, Izzy Jahfetson, Ari Jahfetson, Abby Hampton, and Claire Mettlach. (Photo provided)

MENASHA, Wis. — The Copper Country Crush 12U fastpitch softball team, sponsored by Dean Kangas State Farm and GLSV, travelled to Menasha, Wisconsin, over the weekend to compete in the “Frehley Gilmore Spring Thaw Softball Tournament”. The Crush battled hard and came out victorious in the Gold Bracket, bringing home the Championship in their first tournament of the 2025 season.

Crush claim victory over Suburban Athletics

Crush 4, Suburban 0

The Crush were triumphant over Suburban Athletics (Neenah) 4-0 on Saturday.

Abby Hampton got Crush on the board after drawing a walk, stealing second base, and using her speed to take third and home on wild throws.

Leadoff hitter Taylor Goldsworthy led the Crush with two hits in three at bats. Morgan Vandiver, Amelia Pennala, and Ramona Raisanen each drove in one run. Vandiver, Taylor Goldsworthy, and Hampton each stole multiple bases, contributing to the 10 bases stolen in the game.

Raisanen was the winning pitcher, giving up one hit over three scoreless innings. Pennala also threw three scoreless innings.

Vandiver’s clutch hitting propels Crush over Menasha

Crush 13, Menasha 0

Morgan Vandiver drove in four runs on three hits to lead the Crush past Menasha, 13-0.

The Crush jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Vandiver and Emma Kangas singled, each scoring one run. Izi Jahfetson drew a walk, scoring one run, and Ari Jahfetson doubled, scoring two runs.

The Crush scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the second inning. Vandiver doubled and Kangas singled, each scoring one run. Danica Jahfetson drew a walk, scoring one run, and a wild pitch scored one run.

The Crush extended their early lead with three runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Goldsworthy and Vandiver.

The Crush collected 10 hits in the game. Kangas, Raisanen, and Goldsworth each had multiple hits. The Crush had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating eight walks for the game. Danica Jahfetson and Vivian Mattson led the team with two walks each.

The Crush ran wild on the base paths, piling up 15 stolen bases for the game.

The winning pitcher was Raisanen. She and Pennala pitched a combined no hitter, striking out five.

Big first inning leads Crush past Appleton Rockers

Crush 8, Appleton Rockers 3

The Crush defeated the Appleton Rockers, 8-3, on Sunday in the Gold Bracket semifinal thanks, in part, to five runs in the first inning.

Goldsworthy led off the game with a solo home run. Kangas singled, scoring one run, Danica Jahfetson singled, scoring two runs, and Izzy Jahfetson doubled, scoring one run.

The Crush accumulated 11 hits in the game. Kangas, Raisanen, and Hampton each collected two hits. Danica Jahfetson and Goldsworth each drove in two runs. Danica Jahfetson, Kangas, and Hampton each stole multiple bases, contributing to the 10 bases stolen in the game.

Raisanen got the win. Pennala pitched the final three innings of the game, giving up only one run on three hits.

Crush score in multiple innings to take down Suburban Athletics in a nail-biter for the championship

Crush 6, Suburban 5

The Crush found themselves trailing for the first time of the tournament in the top of the first inning when Suburban put two runs on the board.

The Crush got on the board themselves in the bottom of the first inning after Raisanen tripled, and Vandiver grounded out, each scoring one run.

They added one run in the third after a single by Goldsworthy.

A strong fifth inning put them up by two runs after a triple by Vandiver, later scoring on a passed ball. Pennala reached base on a walk, to be knocked in on a single by Kangas.

The Crush tallied eight hits in the game. Kangas and Goldsworthy each collected two hits. Kangas, Vandiver, Ari Jahfetson, and Raisanen each drove in one run. Danica Jahfetson, Kangas, Vandiver, and Goldsworthy each stole multiple bases, accumulating 12 stolen bases for the game as a team.

Pennala had a strong outing on the mound getting the win in relief, giving up just one run on one hit over three innings.