Featured photo of the Minden Recreation Center
The Minden All-Stars went into Monday needing to win three games to claim the Diamond Youth Softball World Series 10U championship in Tioga.
Mission accomplished.
Minden, representing Louisiana, defeated South Carolina 9-4 in an elimination game then handed Texas its first loss 11-2.
That set up a winner-take-all between the teams. The score was tied at 3 after three innings. Minden took the lead with a run in the fourth and added another in the fifth for a 5-3 victory.
The victories over Texas came after Minden suffered its lone loss in the tournament to Texas 3-1 Sunday in the winners’ bracket finals.
Members of the championship team are Brooklyn Sunderland, Laikyn Lewis, Aubrey Chanler, Harper Barnette, Montgomery Ingles, Fallyn Hollingsworth, Evie Vise, Ellie Speer, Jordyn Rabb, Willow Still and Laikyn Hollingsworth,
Minden went 7-1 in the tournament. According to its GameChanger site, Minden finished the season 19-2-1
The Minden 12U team finished third in its tournament, falling to host Tioga 11-8 in an elimination game Monday.
Minden was within one run going into the sixth and final inning. Tioga scored four in the top of the sixth. Minden rallied with two in the bottom of the inning but came up just short.
Members of the team are Kynlee Garms, Layla Holford, Emmaline Harmon, Emma Roppolo, Ava Roppolo, Kynlee Wood, Peyton Wood, Lola Huddleston, Kenzie Pamintuan, Eastyn Pate, Kaylee McDonald and Marian Wimberly.
The 10U team’s run to the championship capped an outstanding showing by Minden in the event. The 8U team finished third Sunday.