It wasn't an ideal start, but the U13 Wildcats never quite, battling right to the end, claiming victory in the silver bracket of the Peppers Classic in Mankato, Minnesota.
"It's super fun," coach Jason Plett says when looking back over the year to this point. "They're definitely getting closer as a team every game and every practice. There have been highs and lows during games, being it's the U13 age, but it's awesome to see how they pick each other up, work through those tough times and getting better."
Being a close team, Plett says the way the girls push each other while respecting each other has really stood out. "It is interesting, just seeing how these kids of 12 or just turned 13 years old, seeing them grow up. They're being adult like and it's fun to watch."
Coming into the year, many on the team had a basic skill set, but Plett says watching the hard work and passion throughout the year has really allowed for them to find another level or two to their respective games. "It's a testament to the girls and how hard they want to work. They all want to get better. Taking video of them at the beginning of the season in November, just seeing how raw some are and even the retuning players from last year, there's room for improvement. At this point of the season, we're fine tuning things, working on the little things like making ground ball fielding a little easier and quicker, they're absolutely getting better at it and it's great to see."
Things started a little rocky at the most recent tournament, the Peppers Classic in Mankato, Minnesota, but Plett says he couldn't be prouder of how the team responded. "Our Eastman Wildcats, we all went down this past July weekend, and it was so much fun. July 4th was the Friday, so there was a fireworks show, so that was cool. The U13, U15 and U17 age groups all went down and it was very hot. It was +40 with humidity, so it was a little crazy. Our U13 we started off rough, we went 0-3, but all three games were really tight where we could have been 3-0 at the end of the day. Just, each game in one inning we let mistakes catch up to us and they beat us in all three games. We responded by winning our first game Saturday 15-3 over Mississippi Valley Pride. We then fell short the last two games of the day. The heat and the schedule, it just took a toll on the girls."
Despite being down, the team responded on the final day. "Sunday, we had a great, fantastic day," Plett says with a proud smile. "The girls took to heart trying to go over what went wrong on the previous days and how they could get better on the bats and defensively. We went on to go 3-0 on Sunday to claim the first place prize in the silver bracket. In the gold medal game, we beat the Mississippi Valley Pride again 11-5 and the bats were on fire all day Sunday, it was just awesome to see."
Seeing the team celebrate together meant a lot to Plett. "It's really awesome to see them be rewarded for their efforts. Lots of high fives, hugging and smiles, that's the best. To see the smiles of the kids knowing they accomplished something, it fuels their fire to get better and with provincials coming up, so I hope they take it to heart and and bring that."
Having all the Wildcats at the tournament was special for the program, something Plett says helps the U13's see a bit into the future. "It's so great that we go there as an organization, so we can all support each other. We didn't all play at the same complex, but everyone makes effort to go see games whenever they can. Whether it's the older girls being watched by the younger girls, it's great because those older girls are role models. We want our U13 girls to aspire to be like the U17's and those U17's love being leaders and representing themselves and the program. It's a special thing."
The Eastman Wildcats have a doubleheader in Friedensfeld coming up on Friday. Game one is at 6:30 with the second game to follow.