Sweet Thunder 14U Claims Western Kansas State Championship
June 19, 2026
The Colby Sweet Thunder 14U softball team put together a dominant four-game run over last weekend, winning all four to collect the Western Kansas State Championship in Hays. Sweet Thunder’s bats were on fire as they outscored their opponents 38-13, combining timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and strong pitching to secure the state title.
Colby began play on Friday with a 9-3 victory over the Purple Panthers. After staying in contention in the opening inning, Sweet Thunder overwhelmed the Panthers in the second. RBI hits by Paige Cox and Korrin Fisher highlighted a four-run frame before Colby improved three more runs in the third and then pulled away in the fourth with two more runs.
Korrin Fisher scored twice while driving in a run, Cashlyn Moss finished with two runs scored, a hit and an RBI, and Paige Cox added a hit, a run and an RBI. Ella Mariman contributed a run, hit and RBI while earning the win in the circle, allowing just three hits and three runs while striking out five over four innings.
Saturday's semifinal matchup against Kansas Heat featured the tournament's biggest offensive performance as Sweet Thunder rolled to a 14-2 victory.
Brynnley McLemore started the scoring in the opening frame with her second home run of the season, a two-run blast that immediately gave Colby the lead. The Sweet Thunder lineup kept the pace, scoring six runs in the third inning before adding five more in the fourth to end the game early.
McLemore recorded three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. Londyn McKee earned 3 runs, 2 hits, and 3 RBIs, Ella Mariman hade 3 hits and 2 runs, Timber Lindberg added 1 hit, 2 RBIs, and the win throwing 5 strikeouts in three innings.
Their next game against the Vipers proved to be Sweet Thunder's toughest challenge of the weekend. Colby trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the third before climbing back with three runs to claim the lead. Kobee Parks hit the go-ahead RBI single before Lindberg added an RBI groundout. Kenley Moss later provided the insurance with a two-run double in the fourth inning as Sweet Thunder secured a 7-3 victory.
Moss led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, Kitana Fisher added 1 hit, 1 run, and 1 RBI, Parks added 1 run, while Mariman collected the win from the circle with 3 strikeouts over three innings.
For their last game of the weekend, the Sweet Thunder defeated the Rebels 8-5. Colby erupted for six runs in the opening inning behind RBI singles from Mariman, Parks, Cashlyn Moss, Kitana Fisher, Cox and Aubree Reinert. Although the Rebels battled back to pull within one run, Sweet Thunder answered with two insurance runs in the fourth to complete the undefeated weekend.
Kitana Fisher led the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs, followed by Cox with 2 hits, 1 run, while Mariman, Parks, Moss and Reinert each earned an RBI. Lindberg tossed all five innings, striking out four while allowing four hits.
Throughout the tournament, Sweet Thunder displayed the balanced attack that has made them successful all season. Different players stepped up in every game, the pitching staff consistently limited opposing offenses, and the defense made timely plays when it mattered most.
The four consecutive victories completed an undefeated weekend and earned Sweet Thunder 14U the Western Kansas State Championship, capping an impressive tournament run for the Colby squad.