BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Twisters Fastpitch 14U softball team opened the USSSA Midwest Nationals with a 3-0 record Wednesday afternoon.

They knocked off Neosho, Mo.’s Thunderstix 14U 9-4, Millstadt, Ill.’s Hot Shots 14U 4-2 and Ottawa (Kan.) Raptors 14U 9-1.

In game one, the Twisters jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the Thunderstick en route to a five-run victory.

The top of the batting order did the most damage to the Missouri team.

Brady Laucomer, HeLena McGaugh, Avery Fox and Catysta Trevino – No.’s 1, 2, 3 ad 5, respectively, combined for eight of the Twisters’ 11 hits. They also combined to drive in six runs.

Trevino also picked up the win, striking out four over 2 2/3 innings.

In game two, the Twisters broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the fourth.

A wild pitch from the Hot Shots gave the Twisters a 2-1 lead.

Two batters later, E. McGaugh stole home to add to the team’s lead.

The Twisters got one more run in the top of the fifth courtesy of Avery West’s RBI triple.

The team sprinkled six hits throughout the lineup with no one getting more than one.

Fox picked up the win, striking out three in a complete-game effort.

In the final game of opening day, the Twisters raced past the Raptors, 9-1.

Ottawa was first on the scoreboard in the top of the first, but the rest of the game belonged to the Twisters.

They responded with four in the bottom of the first and three in the second. The Twisters capped off the game with two in the home half of the fourth inning.

Ottawa aided the Twisters with eight errors and four base on balls.

Fox and Brylee Dean tallied two hits apiece and combined for five RBIs.

Jaci Piercy got the win, striking out five over five innings.

The tournament continues through the weekend and wraps up Sunday.