HATS OFF TO THE ROCKETS

July 16, 2012

(Photo submitted)

The Rockets 15- and 16-year-old softball team, which consists of girls from Punxsutawney, DuBois and St. Marys and is managed by Harold Stamler, won the championship at the recent USSSA Tornado Warning Tournament in Pittsburgh.

The Rockets battled back after going 0-4 Saturday to enter the seeded tournament Sunday. On their way to the top, the Rockets defeated the top three seeds, including an 11-3 victory over Pittsburgh Predators 98.

One of many highlights in the championship game was when Ashley Walls drove a full count pitch over the fence for her first career home run — one that happened to be a grand slam.

Pictured here with their medals are (front, from left) Savanna Hallman, Courtney McMahan, Sydney Phillips, Kira Smith, Monica Cameron; (middle) Kiley Schaffer, Lauren Ball, Abbey Bauer, Sarah London, Ashley Walls, Kayla Bittner; (back) and coaches Jerry Walls, Dave London, Dave Kromer and Harold Stamler.