Stealth 14U’s looking sharp on the softball scene

Marion-based softball organization finishes 2nd in back-to-back tourneys

ralphhardin@gmail.com When Ashley Allensworth isn’t working as an assistant softball coach for the Southwest Tennessee Salukis, the former 2006 state champion softball player with the Marion Patriots is is working as a pitching and batting instructor, passing along years of experience to younger generations.

For the past three years, Allensworth’s Stealth Junior Elite Softball organization has become a force in the local and regional softball scene.

“I love working with kids and I love coaching them,” Allensworth said last season. “So, that’s another reason why I started up this whole organization for every age group, to give girls a chance to play competitive ball and not just in local leagues.”

Though the 18U Stealth Elite team is the squad that draws most of the attention from college scouts, the organization’s 14U teams has seen a lot of success in the early going of the fall tournament season.

Coached by Jay Holder, along with coaches Justin Epps and Kevin Murphy, the 14U Stealth squad has finished runner-up in backto- back tournaments.

“We finished second in the the past 2 tourneys…

on August 17th and August 24th,” said Holder.

The girls’ first tournament as a team was two weeks ago at the Gary Turman Memorial tourney in Jonesboro.

“We started the day with a rough loss and played like we were asleep,” said Holder. “Then we played out for the losers bracket to get to the championship. Scored 31 runs over 3 games. All of these girls gave us all they had and came away with second place.”

The team then traveled to Trumann for the Queen of the Diamond tournament this past weekend, where another early loss put the girls in a tough spot.

“Started the day off losing 8-7 in a close game,” said Holder. “Then went on to win the next 3 games. In the championship, won the first game and lost the last one. We took second place, and all 13 of these girls put all effort and did their part.

Very proud of these girls and I’m glad to be coaching them.” While the girls play as a team, they are earning some individual recognition as well. “Anna Murphy, Anna Hitchman, Brianna Morquecho, Carlie Steele, and Jacey Holder all made the 2019 USSSA All-State All-Star teams in Conway,” said Holder.

At the tournament, all of the girls tried out for the Arkansas All-Region team to go to Dallas, Texas to play, with Murphy, Morquecho and Steele being selected.

The Stealth 14U team includes: Kelsey Epps, Jacey Holder, Briana Morquecho, Carlie Steele, Anna Murphy, Robin Daughhetee, Ann Hitchman, Krystyn Hawkins, Annabelle Carlisle, Erika Odle, Lauren Hines, Alexis McDaniel and Olivia Edwards.

Coaches are Jay Holder, Justin Epps and Kevin Murphy.