Special Olympics of Marshall and Starke County end successful softball season
PLYMOUTH — Special Olympics Marshall and Starke counties had two teams for softball during the year and also fielded a skills team.
The Wildcats softball team finished with 12 athletes coached by Leroy VanDusen & Noel Soria. The Firecats softball team also finished with 12 athletes coached by Sharry Russell and Albert Rose.
Four athletes participated in the Skills Competition and were coached by Sonja Soria and Brice Zeigler. Athletes who participate in skills compete at an individual level. Events for skills athletes include fielding the ball, running the bases (timed), batting, and a softball throw.
Practices for softball were held twice a week, and the teams played five games before sectionals against local counties.
Sectionals were held in St Joseph County on Aug. 24.
The Wildcats had a rough start but were able to turn it around. At the end of the game, they headed into extra innings with a tie of 10-10. Unfortunately, at the end of the extra innings, the score was in favor of the Porter County Legends.
The Firecats competed against the St Joe County Knights on another field. This is the Firecat’s very first year as a team. Unfortunately, they fell short of a win; however, they were still successful in advancing to the State competition.
The MSSO skills athletes all received ribbons in their divisions. All four competed to the best of their ability and brought home three 1st place ribbons and one 3rd place ribbon.
The Firecats advanced to State competition. A total of 29 teams across that state advanced to the Special Olympics Indiana State Softball Tournament. The tournament was held at the Center Grove Lassie League Softball Complex in Greenwood on Sept. 7.
The Firecats fell short to the Wayne County Sluggers in game one. Game two against the St Joseph Co Hurricanes was for the Bronze medal, and the Firecats took a win and took home the Bronze medal at the State Tournament.
Pictued above, Photo One
Photos provided
The MSSO Firecats are front row from left, Lucas Thangam, Michael Seaman, Brandon Head, Aerial Neidig, Dalton Dimmitt, TJ Trusty, Donovan Newton, Kasey Jones, Gavin Gordon, Bobby Bunting, Conor Allen, Steven Reese, Coach Sharry Russell, Asst. Coach Albert Rose. Not pictured Coaching Assistants Brandi Trusty and Adalyn Beran.
Photo two above
The MSSO Wildcats are front row from left, Damian Buckner, Asher Short, Mariah Leininger, Marcy Unternahrer, and Taylor Hesting. Back row, Juniper Masterson, Rhonda Owens(Coaching Assistant), Brittney Riffle, Justus Crum, Coach Leroy Van Dusen, Cash Little, Roger Stoner, Christian Radican, Derick Purvis, Asst Coach Noel Soria.
Photo three above
MSSO softball skills team is Todd Rininger, (front) Makayla Strickland, Coach Sonja Soria, Assistant Coach Brice Zeigler, Valerie Luby, and Denise Cole.
