Havenwood 6Us Finish Strong Seasons

Havenwood Softball set an all-time high this spring with over 330 girls of all ages participating on upward of 30 teams as the county’s largest softball organization.

Two of the groups that took the early steps in a lifelong love for softball were the 6U Little Birds and 6U Red Wings, who made strides as players and had a fun season of learning the ropes.

The Little Birds team of Emma Carpenter, Avelyn Gilmore, Aaliya Kiser, Andraya Martin, Emily Miller, Callie Richards, Jordan Salgado, Cheyenne Smith, Jordyn Vankirk and Kayley Youngbar showed marked improvement over the year and even had a few standout performances.

Richards, one of the youngest members of the team as a 5-year-old, took home a first-place trophy from Havenwood’s Hit-a-Thon and throughout the season was able to consistently drive pitches without use of a tee. Smith took first place in base running and throwing and second place behind Richards in hitting at the Hit-a-Thon. Gilmore and Miller tied for third in hitting at the Hit-a-Thon.

Head coach Earl Smith, who coached the team with assistants John Vankirk and Lito Salgado, was thrilled by the Little Birds’ progress and shared enjoyment over the course of the season.

“I'm proud of this whole team,” said Smith. “They have all shaped very well, and I’m proud of every player on the team. It’s been a great year.”

The Havenwood 6U Red Wings team of Ryleigh Jones, Josie Ruff, Gabriela Ortiz, Ava Walter, Caliyah Kirby, Lyla Petri, Destiny Arrington, Jerdyn Schiele, Mielle Stearns and Lily Whittington had a similarly successful season playing, learning and having fun.

The team was coached by head coach John Ruff and assistant coaches Dana DeLucca, Sarah Petri and Kirk Petri.

“The 6U Havenwood Red Wings had a very successful and tremendous season,” said coach Ruff. “The girls played hard, improved leaps and bounds throughout the year, and had a whole lot of fun.”