It’s understandable if some of the 14-and-under Parkville Thunder are intimidated by the opposition.

After a highly successful season in the 12-and-under age group last summer during which the squad rolled to a 44-7 record, the Thunder had to defer to their elders when it moved up an age group.

“When you move up, you are going against 15-year olds,” Parkville coach Jack Myers said. “Most of my girls are eighth graders. They are playing against a lot of (high school) varsity players.”

That showed during the season when Parkville had up-and-down performances, although the Thunder has improved recently while it gears up for the Amateur Softball Association National Tournament in Dayton, Ohio on July 29.

After winning the seven-team Forest Hill Frenzy tournament July 19, beating the 18-and-under Forest Hill Black, 6-4, the Thunder has some momentum on its side because of the way it rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the victory. In a six-run fourth inning uprising, designated hitter Holly Pilkerton keyed slapped a two-run single.

Parkville reached the final after rallying against the same team Forest Hill Black in a semifinal.

Macy Rhodes’ double in the bottom of the sixth inning drove in Laura Thacker and Lindsay Meyers to lift the Thunder in that triumph and it opened the tourney with a 7-4 victory over the Forest Hill Red with pitcher Carly Delauder picking up the win. Riding the offense of Courtney McCoy and Kirsten Barstad to a second-place finish in the Freedom Tournament last month was another big highlight for the rejuvenated club.

The 12-and-under Parkville Thunder is also having a fine summer, compiling a 30-4-1 record while winning the Freedom Invitational, Black Eyed Susan tournament and the ASA B State Championship qualifier. The squad was also a runner-up in the Emily Burke Invitational.

“This is by far the best team Parkville rec has ever put on the field,” Parkville 12-and-under coach Kevin Klimko said. “It has definitely been a dream season.”

The Thunder will find out how good it is when competing in the ASA National Tournament in York, Pa., July 24-26. 

Klimko said his team has an outstanding blend of pitching, hitting and defense that should lead to a top finish. Pitcher Lauren Fitch keeps her team in the game just about every time out and she’s supported by the fine glove work of shortstop Beth Madore, third baseman Brooke Samios-Uy and center fielder Payton Pross. Catcher Maya Smith and first baseman Giselle Alvarez lead the offense.

The 10-and-under Parkville Thunder is putting together a solid season as well, fashioning an 18-2-1 record and will make an appearance in the Eastern National Championship in York, Pa. this week.

The highlight of the summer came over Memorial Day weekend when the Thunder won the Pikesville Frenzy tournament by beating Germantown behind the clutch hitting of Brooke Retkowski (2 doubles) and Barbara Foster (3 RBIs, double). Maggie Deckelman's pitching also keyed the win.

The Thunder also placed second in the Forest Hill Frenzy tournament and was third in the Maryland ASA B State Championship qualifier.

“We are using these tournaments to get us prepared for nationals,” said Thunder coach Joe Retkowski, whose team placed ninth in nationals out of 18 squads last year.

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