The Hays Crush T-ball softball team will compete at the Pony Softball National Tournament, which begins Tuesday July 19 at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Team members include (front row, left to right): Katyanna Rios, Sydney Wagner, Jullissa Vasquez and Aly York; (second row) Carlie Bartsch, Allyssa Haughton, Reagan Wick and Erin Madden; (third row) Isabell Harrington, Kendra Lewis, Taylor Gleason, Katelyn Thurman, Isis Rivera, and Akaysha Rodriguez; (back row) assistant coach Scott Wick, head coach Nathan Harrington, assistant coach Jeff Thurman and assistant coach David Lewis. (Photo by Leah York)
by JASON GORDON
The Hays Crush Shetland Softball Team has collected an impressive amount of hardware this season.
The local T-ball softball team comprised of girls ages 5-7 were selected from the Hays Youth Baseball Softball Association to represent their league in postseason All-Star Tournaments.
The team has only been together eight weeks but has compiled an impressive list of credentials.
So far, the Hays Crush has won five tournaments, including the Central Austin Youth League, the Cinco De Mayo Tournament in Austin, the Round Rock All Star Tune Up, the Buffalo Valley All Star Tune Up in Schertz, the Austin Sectional Tournament and most recently the Central Texas Regional Tournament in Castroville.
For the second straight year, Hays Crush has qualified for the Pony Softball National Tournament, which begins Tuesday July 19 with a parade at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock and continues through Saturday July 23.
There will be a National Champion crowned in each age group, with championship games to be played July 23.
Teams of all age groups from many different states and as far away as Puerto Rico and the Philippines travel to compete in the Pony Softball National Tournament.
“Last year a few of these same girls were on the team that qualified for Nationals,” said head coach Nathan Harrington. “This year I told them we’re not just qualifying we’re going to win. If you see any of these talented young ladies around town, congratulate them and ask them ‘who’s the team to beat,’ and they will reply – Crush! I am very proud of all they have accomplished.”
Hays Crush finished sixth at the Pony Softball National Tournament last year.
The team is comprised of Katyanna Rios, Sydney Wagner, Jullissa Vasquez, Aly York, Carlie Bartsch, Allyssa Haughton, Reagan Wick, Erin Madden, Isabell Harrington, Kendra Lewis, Taylor Gleason, Katelyn Thurman, Isis Rivera and Akaysha Rodriguez.
They are coached by Harrington and assistants Scott Wick, Jeff Thurman and David Lewis.
Making a return trip to the Pony Softball National Tournament are Hays Crush players Thurman, Harrington, Lewis, Rodriguez, Rios and Wick.
You can keep up with the progress of the Hays Crush team at Nationals by following them on the Hays Youth Baseball Softball Association’s Facebook page. The page will list game scores and the team’s daily schedule at Nationals.
