TORRINGTON – The Torrington Thunder 16U girls’ softball team dominated the scoreboard at its home opener against Bayard, Nebraska, on May 29. 

Torrington kicked off the double-header by edging Bayard out, 7-5, in a close first game at Jirdon Park. Leaving it all on the field in the second game, the Thunder crushed Bayard, 18-1.

Boarding the bus on June 1-2, Torrington posted a 2-3 record at the Girls’ Fast Pitch Summer Kickoff Tournament hosted by Cheyenne and Casper.

Torrington played 308 United in Scottsbluff on Tuesday. Results from the double-header were not available at press time.

Bayard

Following a 1-1 tie between Torrington and Bayard in the first inning of the opening game, Bayard pulled ahead, 3-1, in the top of the third.

Rallying, Torrington battled back in the bottom of the fourth inning with five runs to take control of the scoreboard, 6-3. Bayard tallied two runs in the fifth inning versus one by Torrington, but the effort came up short in bridging the gap and the Thunder won.

Shaylyn Wunder led Torrington at bat against Bayard in the first game with two hits. Aftyn Hager singled in the fourth for two RBI. Tatum Struble drove in one run with a single and Shaylyn Wunder scored after stealing home.

Kennedy Reinhardt stepped up to the mound as pitcher in the first game and struck out 12.

In the second game, Torrington took the initiative with eight runs in the bottom of the second inning. Skyla Wunder set the pace for the Thunder with a triple for three RBI. Reinhardt doubled in the second inning while Ella Anderson, Shaylyn Wunder and Aftyn Hager each hit a single.

Overall, Reinhardt led in hits against Bayard, going 2-3. 

Torrington demonstrated patience while batting in the second game, collecting 15 walks. Sinai Hernandez and Hope Hager both had three walks. Hope Hager stole two bases.

Struble pitched against Bayard in the second game, striking out six.

Summer Kickoff Tourney

The Thunder opened the tournament in Cheyenne with a 7-3 victory against the Colorado Royals. The Thunder fell in the subsequent game to the Colorado Springs Storm, 14-0.

Torrington came up short against the Laramie Lightening, 6-4, in the third game.

Fighting back in the fourth game, the Thunder defeated the I-25 Inferno from Weld County, Colorado, by a 5-3 margin. The tournament ended with Torrington falling to the Colorado Royals, 12-1.

The 16U squad is on the road to play Bayard for rematch on June 12 at 11 a.m.