Pumas capture OGSL championship

Contributed Photo – Players and coaches from the Purple Pumas Weed Man team celebrate their Orleans Girls Softball League championship win. Sitting from left are Samantha Rogers (OF), Maia Pate (RF), Natalie Baron (OF), Miranda Howell (2B), Emma Foote (OF), Ashlynn Hill (OF). Standing are Head Coach Ken Bieber, Hannah Hinkley (P), Eowyn Pate (C), Mykaela Hill (1B), Julie Porter (LF), Emily Graham (LC), Asst. Coach Matt Howell, Sydney Mulka (SS), Emily Harling (3B), Cadence Hill (RC), Asst. Coach Felicia Dhondt. Missing starters are Olivia Bieber (SS) and Lauren Pilon (RC).

The Purple Pumas (Weed Man) defeated Pink (Champion Moving) 21 to 9 Thursday to capture the Orleans Girls Softball League playoff championship.Both teams had 4 wins and 1 loss during the regular season as they split both meetings against each other.

The Pumas were led by strong pitching from Hannah Hinkley and 8 RBIs from long balls hit by Mykaela Hill.

The team effort featured tight defensive play and hard hitting throughout the entire line up. Julie Porter, Emily Harling, Emily Graham (Flo), Eowyn Pate, Sydney Mulka, Miranda Howell and Cadence Hill all contributed with multiple hits.

Pink had very strong defensive play by shortstop Faith Woody and Ally Knaak as well as strong pitching from Allison Gibson.

“After losing the season opener, I talked to my team and told them they are the best team in this league and I have no doubt that they will go on to win the championship if they believe in themselves, their coaches and play with confidence,” said Coach Ken Bieber. “They responded just as I expected them to…as true champions. They improved and grew together as a team throughout the season and this will be with them for their lifetime. They learned a lot about not giving up, relying on each other as a team and the impact that confidence has in order to achieve success. “