Copper Country Crush 8U closes season at Merrill Tournament
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MERRILL, Wis. -- The Copper Country Crush 8U softball team wrapped up its 2026 season July 24-26 at the 21st Annual Fastpitch Tournament in Merrill, Wisconsin, completing the team’s first season competing in travel softball tournaments around Wisconsin.
The Crush played five games over the weekend against Merrill Fastpitch, Everest Fastpitch, Wausau Fastpitch, Ashwaubenon Jaguars Gold, and Polar Bear Fastpitch.
The Merrill tournament capped the first travel season for the 8U players. The roster included Addy Wilson, Savanna Miller, Kennedy Vandiver, Olivia Mattson, Jayla Storm, Bailey Reynolds, Delaney Richard and Milah Dickman.
Copper Country opened the tournament Friday with a 4-1 loss to Merrill Fastpitch, despite outhitting Merrill 7-5.
Storm and Wilson each collected two hits, and Savanna Miller drove in the lone Crush run in the loss.
Saturday, the Crush fell 6-1 to Everest Fastpitch.
Richard drove in the team’s run, while Richard, Miller and Dickman each recorded hits.
Miller provided three innings of relief in the circle, striking out five without issuing a walk.
Later Saturday, Copper Country collected eight hits in a 13-1 loss to Wausau Fastpitch.
Wilson, Dickman and Richard each had two-hit games, with Richard again driving in the Crush run.
The tournament continued Sunday with a 5-1 loss to Ashwaubenon Jaguars Gold.
The Crush received hits from Wilson, Dickman, Bailey Reynolds, Richard and Vandiver, with Richard driving in the team’s run.
Copper Country finished its season against Polar Bear Fastpitch on Sunday.
Richard went 2-for-2 to lead the Crush offensively, while Mattson also recorded a hit. Vandiver started in the pitching circle and Miller worked three innings in relief, striking out four.
Richard had hits in each of the final four games in Merrill and drove in the Crush’s runs against Everest, Wausau and Ashwaubenon. Wilson had multiple-hit games against Merrill and Wausau.
Dickman recorded hits in three consecutive games, and Storm had two hits in the tournament opener. Miller contributed both offensively and in the circle, Reynolds and Vandiver added hits on Sunday, and Mattson recorded a hit in the season finale.
The Copper Country Crush 8U team thanks its 2026 team sponsors, Pat’s Foods and the Mineshaft, for their support. Sponsorship helps the Crush provide local players opportunities to practice and compete at tournaments throughout the U.P. and Wisconsin.