​MONROE – The champions aren’t ready to relinquish their throne. Ida, the defending champion of the Monroe County Fair Softball Tournament after taking the title last summer, kicked off its title defense in impressive fashion on Sunday, July 12. Under the guidance of coach Travis Lusky, the Ida squad opened with a pair of decisive wins on the tournament’s opening day, cruising past Whiteford 12-2 and then blanking Mason 15-0.
“We have both of our pitchers back,” Lusky said. “If we throw strikes, we’re going to be tough to beat.” That confident statement was backed up by dominant pitching and a solid lineup, featuring a strong core of 12-and-under players. “We’re still a young team,” Lusky noted. “Half of our girls can play again next year.”
The action continued on the Fairgrounds Diamond on S. Raisinville Road, with two elimination games scheduled for Monday. Dundee faced Mason at 4 p.m., followed by Monroe meeting Whiteford at 6 p.m.
On opening day, Monroe rested its offense on a productive day at the plate and timely contributions from its top hitters. Ellie Medley went 2-for-2 with a walk and scored three times to pace the scoring for Monroe. Ellie Jondro doubled and singled, and Aubrey Steffy added two hits as part of a well-balanced effort from the winners.
In the early frames, Dundee got on the board in the first inning with run-scoring singles from Madi Plumb and Olivia Widner, and Ady doubled and scored in the third to spark the offense. Ida’s defense and pitching, however, kept the pressure on and prevented Whiteford from mounting a sustained rally.
Ellie Derian and Logan Everett led Ida’s batting charge, each crossing the plate four times. Everett collected three hits and Derian two, with both players registering triples as part of their multi-hit performances. Sadie Lusky contributed a pair of hits, and Anna Petoskey scored twice for Ida.
For Whiteford, Emma Houghtaling supplied the homered blast to supply their two runs, while Callie Wilder of Mason made a notable catch against Frenchtown in the early action. Brooklyn Kluczynski’s late-inning, bases-loaded single produced the tying and eventual winning runs in one dramatic moment for the host team.
The day also featured strong hitting across the field. Maddison King, Ava Nehrig, and Callie Wilder propelled a seven-run third inning for their squad, with Nehring going 2-for-2 with a walk. Sophie Lynch added two hits for Frenchtown, and Violet Linzell’s opening-inning triple drove in five runs to lead South Rockwood’s offense, with Bryn Evans adding a run-producing triple and Sopha Piepsney delivering a homer for the winners. Charleigh Mullins crossed home three times, and Maggie Jones and Sophia Piepsney handled the pitching duties effectively for South Rockwood.
Monroe’s offense continued to click, with Derian and Everett again pacing Ida by going 2-for-2 with a walk and scoring all three of their plate appearances in the game. Sadie Lusky added a homer and scored twice, highlighting Ida’s power night. On the mound, Ida’s pitchers did not allow a hit and didn’t permit a baserunner in several innings, underscoring the team’s depth and dominance from the circle.
As the tournament moves forward, the defending champions look to build on their early success. The combination of experienced pitching, a youthful but talented lineup, and a depth of hitters gives Ida a strong chance to extend its championship run. With Monday’s elimination games looming and more top-tier teams ready to challenge, Monroe County’s softball showcase remains a battle of precision pitching, timely hitting, and relentless defense. The 52nd annual Monroe County Fair Softball Tournament promises more high-stakes moments as teams vie for a crown Ida is determined to defend.