Premier's Great Season Comes to an End

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Published on August 6 2016 5:14 pm
Last Updated on August 8 2016 7:31 am
Written by Greg Sapp

This team photo followed Premier's second consecutive state championship victory.

 

Premier Fastpitch saw its amazing season come to an end Saturday afternoon at the USA/ASA "A" National Tournament.

Premier lost to Ohio Laser Blue 8-0 in the Consolation Bracket championship game in Bloomington, Indiana. Ohio Laser Blue handed Premier both of its losses in the tournament, having defeated Premier 7-2 Friday night. Premier ended up with third place honors.

The Premier squad, coached by Kristi and Danny Paulson, finished the season with a 46-3 record.

The four Effingham County members of the Premier squad that finished in third place at Nationals out of 81 teams were, left to right, Anni Borries, Allison Apke, Kadi Borries and Jenna Woltman . . . photo courtesy of Joseph Garland.

Local team members include recent Teutopolis High School graduates Anni Borries, Kadi Borries and Allison Apke, as well as St. Anthony High School senior-to-be Jenna Woltman.

The Borries twins are headed to play softball at Illinois State University, while Apke will continue her career at Bradley University.

The championship needed two more games to be decided. 

Ohio Laser Blue's Saturday win over Premier moved them into a title game against Carolina Cardinals, which was undefeated in the championship bracket. Ohio Laser Blue held a 4-2 lead until Carolina Cardinals scored twice in the seventh to tie the game and force extra innings. Ohio Laser Blue then scored in the 8th to win 5-4 and force a second game since each team had one loss. 

The second championship game was a dandy, as Carolina Cardinals nipped Ohio Laser Blue, 2-1 to win the national title. Ironically, Premier defeated Carolina Cardinals in the pool play phase of the tournament.