Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Wiedner, Crush Elite Head For National Tourney
ELITE CRUSH SOFTBALL TEAM GETS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AT NATIONAL TOURNEY
FARMINGTON — In early June, John Sisemore took his girls 18 and under softball team, the Elite Crush, to Kansas City, in hopes of securing a berth in the national tournament.
The Northwest Arkansas girls played well against top- notch competition with teams from Washington, California, Colorado and Kansas in the bracket with the champion getting an invitation to the 18 and under gold national tournament.
Among the teams the Crush played was St. Louis Academy, which according to Oakley Sisemore ( Farmington 2014), was probably the best team they faced, with the Crush victorious in extra innings, 5-4.
“Everyone there were top level ball clubs. I was excited to get to the finals. If you win, you qualify for the nationals in Florida,” Oakley said.
The Crush had only one pitcher available that weekend and the tough competition took its toll, especially when the championship contest against the Miami Express went into extra innings.
“She was getting tired and worn out. She gave us a really good chance to win but we went into extra innings. It kind of came down to whoever got the lucky hit or lucky error,” Oakley said.
“That tournament, we faced a lot of gold national teams. We ended up beating them, which was a big goal for us — what we wanted to accomplish,” said Kelbie Brown ( Prairie Grove 2013), who added, “Losing really hurt a lot.”
John Sisemore agreed calling the 11-10 setback in 12 innings to the Miami Express a heartbreaker.
”It was bittersweet. We made it all the way into the finals. You’re only scheduled for seven innings. In the championship, we went into four extra innings.”
The loss meant no ticket to the gold national tournament and the whole team felt disappointment. Yet, John Sisemore, a man of deep faith, did not stop seeking opportunity for the girls to continue competing with a talented squad that included Payton Wiedner (Farmington 2013), who was voted to the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All- Star game this summer.
Players too found ways to deal with the loss.
Madison Cluck (Prairie Grove 2014) plays the guitar and sings and musical expression has a way of comforting her.
“That’s just one of my hobbies. It’s a stress reliever,” Cluck said. “Being able to do that is a talent. I love music, it’s a huge part of my life.”
Cluck said she kind of does music at church and loves it but doesn’t think she will pursue it outside of a hobby.
Jessica Foster ( Farmington 2013) had to overcome adversity just to get there. She broke her foot 10 games into her senior high school season but has come back and contributed on the playing field as part of the Crush.
After returning to Arkansas, the girls competed in the State 18 and under tournament held at Maumelle and won the championship on June 23 which opened the door for the Crush to compete at another 18 and under national softball tournament to be held at Roanoke, Virg. July 29–Aug. 4.
John Sisemore marveled at how quickly circumstances changed.
“To come home two weeks later and win to qualify for nationals that was bittersweet,” John Sisemore said. “We’d just lost that heartbreaker two weeks ago. We thought we were going to get the qualifier.”
As for her career plans, Cluck has one more year of high school and would like to go get a state championship in high school. She wants to be a coach someday and be a role model and the win is part of her aspirations.
“This with Crush winning state championship, I want to take my career to the next level and help other kids, whether it’s coaching or teaching, you need to really focus on what’s important in life.”
In a separate interview, those sentiments were echoed by Oakley, who will compete for Farmington against Cluck in the U.S. 62 rivalry next spring as both return for their senior years.
“I’d like to win another state championship. Ultimately, I’d like to be a positive leader and show the younger kids coming up the right way to lead,” Oakley said, adding she wants to improve even further in hitting and fielding in all areas of her game.
Before the high school rivalry is renewed, the girls will play as teammates going for the gold at the national 18 and under softball tournament.
“For the most part, they’re all such great kids with good families,” John Sisemore said. “The kids all get along really well. They stay in touch with each other during high school season. Even if they don’t compete against each other, they’re always rooting each other on.”
“We’re at the pinnacle in 18 and under, we’re as high as you can go. We get to go to the national championship.”