LOVELAND, Colo. – The Torrington Twisters 14-and-under softball team posted a 2-1 record in pool play April 22 and won three straight games before falling in the semi-final round on April 23.
“We played really good teams throughout the weekend so we were happy with how we did,” coach Dan Fox said.
Torrington started its run to the semi-finals with a 9-4 win in pool play over the Elite-X Bandits. Avery Fox recorded two hits to lead the Twisters, while Fox, Brady Laucomer and Calysta Trevino all crossed home plate twice. Helena McGaugh and Brittany Lopez each had two RBI.
“I think everybody stepped up but Helena McGaugh in center field looked really good,” Fox said. “Defensively, she really controlled the outfield.”
On the mound against the Bandits, Trevino pitched for two and a third innings, tallying up a 65 percent strike percentage on 51 pitches. She allowed six hits and four runs, only two of which were earned, while striking out three and walking one. Fox came into the game for the final two-thirds inning, where she threw 13 pitches, recorded two strikeouts and a fly out.
Brylee Dean took the mound in the second pool play game and allowed two hits and four runs in a 14-4 win over the Colorado Bulldogs. While on the mound, Dean recorded six strikeouts and five walks.
Dean also had a solid day at the plate, recording two hits, two runs and two RBI. Avery West and Paityn Homan joined Dean as the only Twisters to record two RBI. The trio, along with Mariyah Avila all had two hits. Torrington amassed 13 hits compared to the Bulldogs’ two.
The Twisters fell behind NC Sting-Meza early in their final game on Saturday and ended up on the losing end of a 11-2 decision. Dean recorded the only hit for Torrington, which was a double. On the mound, Fox pitched three innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs, but she did manage to record five strikeouts. Trevino took the mound for an inning, allowing three runs, none of which were earned.

To open bracket play on Sunday, the Twisters took on the Blaze, picking up a 4-3 win after jumping out to an early lead. Torrington outhit the Blaze, 9-5.
“We let a lot of girls play on Saturday and tightened things down just a little bit on Sunday,” Fox said.
Leading the hitting for the Twisters, Laucomer, Dean and Avila each had two hits during the 8 a.m. game. Dean had two RBI during the contest, with the other two coming from Laucomer and Trevino.
Dean spent three and third innings on the mound, rifling 60 pitches to the plate. She allowed three hits and one run, while recording two strikeouts and five walks. Trevino and Fox combined to pitch one and two-thirds innings, recording two hits, two runs and a strikeout.
Brittany Lopez was the star of the game in a 13-4 win over Colorado Crush. In three at bats, she racked up two hits, four RBI and two runs. She had a home run and a double in the win.
“Brittany Lopez did a great job after being rusty from being hurt,” Fox said. “She did a good job.”
Outside of Lopez, Trevino had three RBI and Fox brought two around to cross home plate. Lopez, Trevino and Avila all had two hits apiece.
Fox spent all four innings on the mound for the Twisters. She threw 100 pitches, recording 56 strikes. She allowed five hits and four runs, two of which were earned. She rounded out her stat line with seven strikeouts and four walks.
In the quarterfinals, Torrington picked up a 4-2 win over the Rocky Mountain Thunder. McGaugh and Dean each had two hits and two RBI, both of which tied for the team-lead. One of McGaugh’s hits was a double and Dean had a triple in her stat line.
In a win that went six innings, Trevino got the win pitching four and a third innings, allowing four hits and two runs. Fox came in and picked up the save, pitching for one a two-thirds innings, tallying one strikeout.
The Twisters proved to be no match for Pro Swing Orange in the semi-finals, falling 18-2.
Laucomer and Fox recorded the only two hits of the game for the Twisters, with an RBI coming from Fox and Trevino. Fox Trevino and Dean all spent time on the mound, giving up 16 total hits and 18 runs, 15 of which were earned.
“I think we were wore out and tired,” Fox said. “I just don’t think we were fully ready conditionally. We need to get into more games to get us ready for tournaments.”
The Twisters return to the diamond on May 20-21 in Arvada, Colo.
“We kind of know what everybody’s roles are right now,” Fox said. “I’m very pleased with all the girls. We are going to be ready to go.”