Rantoul Spring Swing Tournament
Tournament Recap –
Day 1 – Pool Play
Game 1
Salem Cats 12u Beat BBYSL Blast 12u On Powerful Performance from Khaeler Williams.
Khaeler hit two inside the park home runs and drove in 4 as Salem Cats 12u win over BBYSL Blast 7-4. Blasts were first to get on the board in the first inning when Mila V hit an inside the park home run scoring 3 runs. Salem Cats closed the gap in the bottom of the first inning when Julianna Rushing singled, scoring a run, and Khaeler hit a solo inside the park home run. Salem Cats captured the lead in 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Julianna singled scoring one run and Khaeler hits another inside the park home run scoring 3 runs. Julianna earned the win in the circle as the started gave up 2 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) over 5 2/3 innings striking out 7 and walking one.
Game 2
Kaylee Carroll leads Salem Cats past Mahomet Matrix as she struck out 11 batters, allowed 0 hits and 2 runs over 4 innings while walking four. Gwen Goostree led Salem Cats with 2 hits in two at bats from the leadoff position. Khaeler and Harper McCarthy each drove in one run for Salem Cats.
Day 2 Bracket Play Game 1
Salem Cats Walk It Off Against BBYSL Blast 6-5
The BBYSL Blast struck first in the opening frame from a solo inside‑the‑park home run from Victoria Brown. Khaeler Williams matched the feat with an inside‑the‑park homer of her own in the bottom half, giving Salem a 2–1 edge.
Salem increased the lead in the third after Williams’ deep flyout, Kaylee’s triple to center, driving in a run each. The momentum continued in the fourth when Izzie Hall hit another inside‑the‑park home run, extending Salem’s advantage. An error in the top of the sixth opened the door for the Blast to pull even at 5–5.
But Salem closed the show in walk‑off fashion when Harper McCarthy hits a fly‑ball single to left that brought home the winning run.
Kaylee earned the victory in the circle, allowing four hits and five runs—only one earned—across six innings. She struck out 10 and walked just two in a commanding performance
Game 2 on Sunday
The Salem Cats couldn’t overcome a seven‑run fourth inning by the Rantoul Rush, falling 11–4 on Sunday
Rantoul opened the scoring in the first on a groundout by Henley D. Salem answered in the bottom half, grabbing a 2–1 lead after Shaylee Vest singled to center, Jersey Thorpe drew a walk, and a passed ball brought home another run.
Rantoul reclaimed the lead in the third, 5–4, when Henley ripped a triple down the right‑field line and an error allowed another run to score.
The game broke open in the fourth. The Rush erupted for seven runs on four hits. Julianna Rushing took the loss for Salem, working three innings and allowing six runs—only two earned—on five hits while striking out three and issuing no walks.
Gwen set the pace at the top of the order, going a perfect 2‑for‑2. Vest and Thorpe each drove in a run for the Cats.
