Local women’s team has dominated tournament run
The third time was the charm for Hardies Electric of Hillman. Hardies earned first place in the Nautical Festival women?s softball tournament this past weekend with a 10-4 victory over Burkes and Burns of Mt. Pleasant. While members of the Hardies team, formerly known as Bruder?s Farm, have had fine showings in the Nautical tournament before, they?ve never finished first. Two years ago they took third and last year a second against the same team they faced this year in the finals. ?It was sweet revenge,? said co-manager Vicki Bruder, who coached with her husband Butch.
Their daughter, Holly Bruder, was named the tournament MVP, batting a robust .631. She also turned in a fine defensive performance at third base and ran the bases aggressively. Hardies, which went 6-0 in the largest women?s tournament ever in Rogers City, scored 69 runs on 71 hits and allowed only 14 runs. Sherri Bruder took all six wins on the mound with a strong relief performance from her cousin, Nikki (Wisniewski) Turner.
Michelle Manning, Sara Townsend, and Brandi Brower all tipped the scales with .550 battin
?Defensive obviously played a key role in the games,? said Bruder. Outstanding diving catches and snags in the outfield by Heather Bruder, Jenna Felice, and Dani Pease kept runners off the bases. ?Infield knockdowns and stops by Jenny Taylor, Brower and Holly Bruder allowed for several double plays. A number of putouts at the plate were routine with Carolyn Whyte covering the catching position.? The Bruders plan on bringing the team back next year to defend their title.
Tournament organizer Frank Wozniak was commended for running a fine tournament and ?providing an opportunity for some outstanding softball action.?