MEMBERS OF The 10U Cherry City Crush softball team (pictured from left to right, bottom to top), Alicia Anderson, Jaliene Stewart, Zoe LeBreton, Ashlyn Jones, Ella Smith, Katlyn Vassar, Ani Crichton-Tunai, Lilian Schatz, Kennedy Abbas, Leah Crichton-Tunai, Felicity Harvey and Naomi Heredia gather around for a group shot during practice this week in The Dalles. At 7 p.m. tonight at 16th Street Ballpark, the Crush takes on Hood River. All day, Saturday at Sorosis Park, this traveling team plays games at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS OF The 10U Cherry City Crush softball team (pictured from left to right, bottom to top), Alicia Anderson, Jaliene Stewart, Zoe LeBreton, Ashlyn Jones, Ella Smith, Katlyn Vassar, Ani Crichton-Tunai, Lilian Schatz, Kennedy Abbas, Leah Crichton-Tunai, Felicity Harvey and Naomi Heredia gather around for a group shot during practice this week in The Dalles. At 7 p.m. tonight at 16th Street Ballpark, the Crush takes on Hood River. All day, Saturday at Sorosis Park, this traveling team plays games at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
With a group of 10 returners and two newcomers, The Dalles Cherry City Crush softball team is moving in the right direction ahead of a weekend tournament in The Dalles.
Under the watch of coaches Ryan LeBreton, Jeff Smith, Ryan Vassar and Joe Abbas, the Crush team has gained experience that will prepare them for competitive play for several years down the road.
“They have grown so much in the last year and their skills and abilities are exponentially improving every week,” LeBreton said. “What I love most about these 12 girls is how hard they work. Their desire to get better is incredible for their young age.”
At the 10U level, the Crush athletes establish a base of learning the fundamentals of the game, whether it is hitting, fielding, defense and pitching.
“I look forward to coaching these girls for the next four or five years, then handing them over to the high school program,” the coach said. “I do believe if they stick with it, they will compete in the playoffs in high school.”
LeBreton said pitching and catching are keys to success and that he has seven players in the bullpen three times a week in practice.
“I have 12 athletes, and as a softball coach, that is all you can ask for is great athletes that want to work hard,” the coach said.
When it comes to success on the field, LeBreton gives credit to the parents for entrusting him to teach the fundamentals of the game, the importance of hard work and having a never give up attitude.
“Great parents make a coach’s job easy and I have been blessed in that area,” LeBreton said. “I have been blessed with 11 sets of parents who truly make my job easy by allowing me to concentrate on just coaching, while they help get bases out, support their kids at home with things we have them working on, or just get their kids to practice on time.”
At 7 p.m. tonight, the Crush takes on Hood River.
Saturday at Sorosis Park, the team plays games at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.