The Shawano boys 11U team started off the second weekend of the Shawano Youth League tournament with a bang.
The team, which took first at an Oconto tournament on June 29, defeated Peshtigo 8-3 Friday.
“The hitting, defense and pitching have been coming together,” coach Chris Popp said. “We have four really good pitchers.”
Popp said the challenge Saturday, when temperatures are expected to reach the 90s, will be staying hydrated.
“As long as we play our game and take care of business, we should be alright,” Popp said.
Also Friday, the Shawano Black U12 squad defeated Shiocton 5-0 and Ripon 4-2. The Red squad lost 11-0 to Bonduel and 11-0 to Merrill.
“The Black squad is off to a good start and has some good kids,” SYL president Dustin Beyer said. He said the Red squad played a good Bonduel team in the opening round.
On Saturday, the SYL will launch its first girls 8U softball tournament with five teams: Shawano, Bonduel, Kaukauna, Plover and Greenville.
The Shawano softball team, which opens against Bonduel at 8 a.m., won back-to-back tournaments last month at Little Chute and Kimberly.
“They have some nice girls coming up through the system,” Beyer said. “We are expecting some big things from that squad.”
The tournaments continue through the weekend, with opening pitches slated for 8 a.m. both days.
