Explosion take first two in Irvine

IRVINE, Calif. — The USA Explosion U18 girls softball team went 2-0 on the opening day of the Champions Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

In the team’s first game, Lexi Knauss — the state Gatorade Player of the Year from Meridian — went 3 for 3 and Kaidron McClafferty struck out three in the win.

Coeur d’Alene High product Kylie Smith, as well as Gracie Dwyer went 2 for 3 in the team’s 6-1 win over the Case Batbusters. Natalie Sell, also of Coeur d’Alene, allowed one hit over three innings and Bri Baldree pitched two innings for the Explosion, who play again today at noon and 2 p.m. in pool play.

Last weekend, the Explosion won the state tournament — the team’s ninth in 12 years — in Caldwell, going 4-0.

Kyla Stern and Makayla Marshall went 3 for 4 in a 24-2 win over Meridian Extreme.

Lake City rising senior Haley Loffer went 2 for 4 in the team’s 7-2 win over Southern Idaho Ice. Smith, Loffer and Stern each went 2 for 4 in an 11-6 win over USA Explosion (Klockzo).

In the championship game, Loffer went 2 for 3 and Knauss went 3 for 4 with a grand slam and two-run home run.