The Laramie Lightning under-18 softball squad completed an unblemished run through pool play at the Wyoming club state tournament Friday and Saturday in Gillette, securing the No. 2 seed in the gold bracket and a 6 p.m. Saturday matchup with Jackson.
Three wins, steady pitching and a big early outburst
The Lightning opened the weekend with a convincing victory and followed with dominant offensive and timely pitching performances to finish 3-0 in pool play.
- Laramie 11, Renegades 1 — The Lightning produced 10 hits, and Brodee Luce delivered a dramatic, inside-the-park solo home run in the third inning. Laramie erased an early 1-0 deficit and rolled to a four-inning run-rule victory. Davanee Hodges reached base three times. Addison Acton threw a complete game, striking out six and allowing one unearned run.
- Laramie 14, Matrix 3 — Laramie erupted for an 11-run first inning, effectively deciding the game early. Rylee Luce had two hits at the top of the lineup. Brodee Luce started on the mound and recorded three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.
- Laramie 5, Wyoming Havoc 4 — In a closer contest, Graisen Hawkins delivered the go-ahead single in the fourth inning. Amanda Kricken completed a six-hit game, allowing one earned run and striking out two.
What this means for Laramie and the tournament
By finishing unbeaten in pool play, the Lightning moved into the gold bracket with favorable positioning, giving them a clearer path toward the state title. The team combined timely hitting with a balance of pitching depth; multiple players contributed in the batter’s box while several pitchers turned in quality appearances.
| Game | Score | Key performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Renegades | 11-1 (4 innings) | Brodee Luce (inside-the-park HR), Addison Acton (6 K) |
| Matrix Fastpitch | 14-3 (3 innings) | Rylee Luce (2 hits), Brodee Luce (3 K) |
| Wyoming Havoc | 5-4 (5 innings) | Graisen Hawkins (go-ahead single), Amanda Kricken (complete game) |
Local impact and next steps
The Lightning’s performance underscores the depth of youth fastpitch talent in Laramie and bolsters the program’s chances as the tournament moves into elimination rounds. The team will face Jackson in the gold bracket on Saturday at 6 p.m.; a victory would keep the Lightning on the path to the state championship round. For families and fans, the team’s continued success may translate into increased attention to Laramie’s fastpitch programs and further opportunities for players to compete at higher levels.
Coaches will likely lean on the pitching options that produced complete and effective outings this weekend while continuing to rotate in hitters who provided run support. The Lightning’s mix of early offensive bursts and late-game composure will be critical as opponents in the gold bracket present different matchups and strategic challenges.
Coverage will follow the Lightning’s progress in the gold bracket; results and context will matter not just locally but for statewide seeding and the development pipeline in Wyoming women’s fastpitch softball.
