Local softball team takes second place in state all-star tournament
Owen Babe Ruth 12U finishes with strong postseason showing
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 25, 2025
The Owen Babe Ruth 12U Softball All-Star Team Halford finished the spring season as the 2025 WNC 12U State Runner-Up. The team included, from left to right: Back row, Assistant Coach Alyson Reynolds, Aviana Alday, Aubrie Cook, Avery Lesley, Cora Menzel, Head Coach Lisa Halford, Allie Luther, Shaylee Branch, Marleigh Austin and Assistant Coach Ian Monley. Front row, Emorie Courtney, JoJo Tressler, Josi Wood and Scout Neder.
With a roster of 13 players, ages 12 and under, a softball team representing the Owen Babe Ruth League brought a state runner-up banner a collection of hardware back to the Swannanoa Valley.
The Owen 12U All-Star Team Halford, featuring the top players from the Black Mountain-based organization’s two 12U softball squads, closed out the month of June with strong postseason showing.
Led by head coach Lisa Halford and assistant coaches Ian Monley and Alyson Reynolds, the team entered the tournament with varying levels of on-field experience, but a shared commitment to playing with maximum effort.
“A lot of these girls had either played only a couple of years or came into the season having never played softball before,” Halford said. “They were really nervous going into the all-star tournament, but they were also super hopeful. But, no matter how much pressure they were under, they never even thought about giving up.”
The Owen 12U All-Star Team Halford opened the postseason with a third-place finish in a North Buncombe invitational tournament, before falling to fourth in the subsequent matchup hosted at Veterans Park in Black Mountain.
The players, including pitcher Shaylee Halford, catcher Kate Baxter and middle infielders Aviana Alday and Allie Luther, were enthusiastic as they entered the state tournament, according to the coach.
“They lost a tough game against Fairview in the opening round, but they knew if they could come back from it they could finish second,” Lisa said. “Our coaches were all impressed, because they ended up playing the hardest we’ve seen a team play in a long time.”
Team Halford responded with back-to-back victories over Erwin and North Buncombe to bring a WNC 12U Softball State Runner-Up banner back to the Swannanoa Valley.
“To see these girls come in, stay positive throughout the entire tournament and ultimately come back to bring recognition to the Owen Babe Ruth League was truly impressive,’ the head coach said. “Almost all of these players are coming back this fall, and we’re all excited to see what they can accomplish in the future.”