The Copper Country Crush 12U softball team finished as the runner-up this past weekend at the “Battle on the Bluff” tournament in Gladstone, The team includes Morgan Vandiver, Amelia Pennala, Claire Mettlach, Ari Jahfetson, Danica Jahfetson, Taylor Goldsworthy, Abby Hampton, Izi Jahfetson, Ramona Raisanen, Emma Kangas, Vivian Mattson. (Photo submitted)

GLADSTONE — The Copper Country Crush 12U softball team, which is sponsored by Dean Kangas State Farm, GLSV, and Gold Standard, completed at the “Battle on the Bluff” tournament in Gladstone for their final tournament of the season. They went 3-1-1 on the weekend, good for second place in their age group.

With the weekend, the Crush finished the 2025 season with a 20-6-1 record, taking part in five tournaments. They earned one championship, two runners-up, and one third place.

Fifth-inning spurt leads Crush past 906 Fastpitch, 9-1

The Crush defeated 906 Fastpitch 9-1 on Friday at Gladstone, thanks in part to six runs in the fifth inning.

Morgan Vandiver grounded out, scoring one run, Amelia Pennala singled, scoring one run, Claire Mettlach singled, scoring one run, Ari Jahfetson doubled, scoring one run, and Danica Jahfetson singled, scoring two runs.

The Crush got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Vandiver doubled to center field, scoring two runs, and Pennala grounded out, scoring one run.

Mettlach earned the win in the circle. The pitcher allowed six hits and one run over six innings, striking out nine and walking two.

The Crush tallied 10 hits in the game. Vandiver drove the middle of the lineup, leading the team with three runs batted in. The three-hole hitter went 1-for-2 on the day. Taylor Goldsworthy, Danica Jahfetson, and Pennala each collected two hits for Crush.

Crush and Focus Fastpitch Blue end in tie, 4-4

Focus Fastpitch Blue were the first to get on the board in the first inning.

The Crush tied the game in the bottom of the first thanks to a ground out by Pennala, and a passed ball.

They took the lead in the bottom of the second. Goldsworthy singled, scoring two runs, to give Crush the lead, 4-2.

Focus tied the game at four in the top of the sixth with a single down the right field line.

Mettlach pitched four innings in relief. The right-handed pitcher gave up five hits and one run. Pennala led things off in the circle. The righty surrendered six hits and three runs over two innings, striking out one and walking none.

Leadoff hitter Goldsworthy led the Crush with two hits in three at bats. She stole two bases.

The Crush turned one double play in the game.

Ari Jahfetson puts on impressive performance as Crush tops Gladstone, 14-3

Ari Jahfetson collected three hits in three at bats, as the Crush defeated Gladstone Fastpitch, 14-3, on Sunday. Jahfetson doubled in the second inning, hit a home run to left field in the third inning, and doubled in the fourth inning.

The Crush opened the scoring in the first after Abby Hampton singled, scoring two runs.

Crush added two runs in the second after Izi Jahfetson singled to center field.

The Crush scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the third inning. Pennala singled, scoring one run, Hampton drew a walk, scoring one run, and Ari Jahfetson homered over the left field fence, scoring two runs.

They then scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hampton singled, scoring two runs, Ari Jahfetson doubled, scoring one run, Danica Jahfetson grounded out, scoring one run, and Izi Jahfetson tripled, scoring one run.

Mettlach earned the win. She gave up five hits and three runs over four innings, striking out four and walking none.

The Crush piled up 15 hits in the game. Izi Jahfetson, the No. 9-hitter, led the way with four runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Ari and Izi Jahfetson each collected three hits. Hampton and Pennala each also collected multiple hits.

Crush defeats 906 Fastpitch again in pitcher’s duel, 1-0

Both teams were strong in the circle, but the Crush defeated 906 Fastpitch, 1-0.

Mettlach started the game for Copper Country Crush 12U and recorded 15 outs.

The Crush were the first to get on the board in the second when Vivian Mattson grounded out, scoring one run. That stood as the eventual game-winning RBI.

Mettlach earned the win. She surrendered four hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking none.

Ari Jahfetson, the Crush’s No. 7 hitter, led the team with two hits in two at-bats. Mattson led the team with one run batted in. Jahfetson stole two bases.

Crush lose in championship game to Focus Fastpitch Blue, 5-1

The Crush fell to Focus Fastpitch Blue, 5-1, on Sunday at Gladstone in the championship game.

The Crush were the first to get on the board in the first inning when Goldsworthy stole home. Unfortunately, that was the only run they managed.

Focus Fastpitch tied the game at one in the top of the second, then made the score 5-1 in the top of the fourth.

Goldsworthy set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading the Crush with two hits in two at bats. The team turned one double play in the game.