Michigan’s youth softball team found themselves trailing for the first time in the tournament, down 2-0 to Hawaii. That didn’t last long. They responded fast, scoring four unanswered to take a 4-2 lead. With Hawaii threatening in the final moments, the tying run reached second with just one out. A sharp line drive to third looked dangerous, but Addie Taylor made the play of the game. She snagged the ball on the fly, quickly tagged out the runner who had taken off, and shut down the threat with a clean double play. Then she flipped the ball and celebrated with a short dance. Michigan used that momentum to dominate the rest of the tournament. They didn’t lose again and steamrolled their opponents with shutouts on the way to the title. Taylor’s play at third was a turning point in the game and a highlight of the tournament.
