EAGAN, Minn. — The Copper Country Crush 12U softball team played in the Northern NAFA Nationals Tournament over the weekend of July 17-20, where they earned a spot in the Gold Bracket.

Crush falls to St. Croix Boom, 9-3

The Crush had trouble keeping up with the St. Croix Boom in a 9-3 loss. The Boom opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles.

Ramona Raisanen stepped in the circle first for the Crush. The righty surrendered five hits and three runs over three innings, striking out two and walking none.

Raisanen and Ari Jahfetson each drove in one run for the Crush offensively. Emma Kangas and Vivian Mattson each stole multiple bases.

Crush take early lead, never look back in win over Monticello Black, 13-3

The Crush got on the board in the top of the first inning after Amelia Pennala singled, scoring two runs, and Claire Mettlach was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.

The Crush added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Izi Jahfetson walked, and Morgan Vandiver doubled to the left side of the infield, each scoring one run.

They scored six runs on six hits in the top of the fourth inning. Izi Jahfetson singled, scoring one run, Emma Kangas singled, scoring one run, Vandiver singled, scoring two runs, and Raisanen doubled, scoring one run, and one run scored on another play.

Raisanen earned the win for Crush. The right-handed pitcher gave up two hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out four and walking none. Mettlach appeared in relief.

The Crush amassed 10 hits in the game. Kangas and Vandiver were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits while hitting back-to-back. They were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each also drove in three runs. Mettlach, Taylor Goldsworthy, and Vivian Mattson each stole multiple bases.

The Crush had patience at the plate, piling up six walks for the game.

Crush impress in win against Two Rivers Warriors Red, 11-2

Two Rivers Warriors Red got on the board in the first inning.

The Crush took the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Raisanen grounded out, Pennala singled to the left side of the infield.

The Crush scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning. Goldsworthy singled, scoring one run, Kangas singled, scoring two runs, a wild pitch scored one run, and an error scored one run.

Raisanen earned the win. The pitcher allowed five hits and two runs over three innings, striking out four and walking none. Mettlach pitched two innings of no-run ball for the Crush in relief. The pitcher allowed zero hits, striking out none and walking four.

Crush piled up eight hits in the game. Kangas and Pennala each collected two hits. Kangas went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. Morgan Vandiver led the team with two walks.

Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game. Kangas, Vandiver, Mettlach, Goldsworthy, Pennala, and Ari Jahfetson each stole multiple bases. The team stole 22 bases in the game.

The Crush turned one double play in the game.

Goldsworthy strong at the plate as the Crush win over Polar Bear Fast Pitch, 6-5

Goldsworthy collected three hits in three at bats, as the Crush defeated Polar Bear Fast Pitch (PBFP), 6-5. She doubled in the second inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the fifth inning.

The Crush were the first to get on the board in the first inning when Kangas grounded out, scoring one run.

They added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after PBFP dropped a third strike, Izi Jahfetson walked, and Goldsworthy doubled to center field, each scoring one run.

PBFP flipped the game in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs on seven hits to take the lead, 5-4. The biggest blow in the inning was a double on an 0-2 count that drove in two.

Ari Jahfetson singled to the left side of the infield, which helped the Crush tie the game at five in the bottom of the fourth.

The game was tied at five in the bottom of the fifth when Vandiver singled, scoring one run.

Mettlach earned the win. The hurler surrendered zero hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out two and walking none. Raisanen started in the circle. The pitcher allowed 11 hits and five runs over four innings, striking out four and walking none.

Ari Jahfetson led the team with two RBI from the No. 7 spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-2. Vandiver collected two hits in two at bats.

Mettlach and Goldsworthy each stole multiple bases while the team accumulated eight stolen bases for the game. The Crush turned one double play in the game.

The Crush come up short against JC Yellowjackets, 4-2

The Crush got on the board in the first inning after a passed ball scored one run. JC Yellowjackets then tied the game at one in the bottom of the first.

The Crush took the lead again in the top of the third. A passed ball scored one run, to give them the leg up, 2-1.

The Yellowjackets again tied the game at two in the bottom of the third.

A ground out by the Yellowjackets gave them the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth. The Crush didn’t have an answer to regain the lead.

Raisanen led things off in the circle. The right-handed pitcher surrendered seven hits and three runs over four innings, striking out one and walking one.

Raisanen, Goldsworthy, and Danica Jahfetson each collected one hit.

The Yellowjackets amassed 10 hits in the game to earn the win.

Crush defeat Rosemount Gold, 6-1

Rosemount Gold got on the board first in the bottom of the second.

The Crush took the lead, 4-1, in the top of the fourth thanks to singles by Raisanen, Ari Jahfetson, and Mattson.

Raisanen earned the win. The righty allowed five hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out two and walking none. Mettlach started in the circle. The starting pitcher gave up three hits and one run over two innings, striking out three and walking two.

The Crush accumulated 10 hits in the game. Mattson led the team with two runs batted in from the number eight spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Vandiver collected two hits in two at bats. Ari Jahfetson stole two bases.

The Crush turned one double play in the game.

Offense hard to find as Crush fall to Hallie Elite Red, 2-0

Both teams were strong in the circle, but Hallie Elite was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 2-0 victory over the Crush.

Hallie Elite opened the scoring in the third with one run.

Raisanen stepped in the circle first for the Crush. The starting pitcher allowed four hits and one run over four innings, striking out two and walking two.

She also went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead the team in hits.