Harrisburg Catalyst wins six games Sunday to claim title

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota USA Softball State Tournament was played this weekend. Seven teams battled to be crowned state champion and that includes one team who worked their way through the losers bracket to claim the title.

The Catalyst National 18U softball team suffered a opening round loss in bracket play on Saturday, sending them to the loser’s bracket and an elimination game on Sunday.

“We kind of started off rough as a team, but we had a comeback as a team to pull ourselves together. We didn’t play so hot on Saturday, but our mindset the next day kind of helped us through it,” Catalyst player Ella Langenhorst said.

Catalyst would go on a run Sunday, winning four straight games to reach the state championship.

“With every win, we got together and we said, ‘we’re going to win this. We’re not going to come and get second, we’re going to get first’,” Catalyst player Jocelyn Nilson said. “We put in all this hardwork and we want it to pay off.”

They needed to win twice and they did just that earning a 5-1 win and a dominant 16-3 victory over Brookings to cap off a six win day and earn the title of state champs.

“It was really crazy and a lot of games, but they’re super gritty. We had the parents fueling them with food and water. They just wanted it,” head coach Cylie Halvorson said.

Catalyst is coached by two current college softball players in Cylie Halvorson and Emilee Boyer. Halvorson started at SDSU, but is now playing for Arkansas, while Boyer plays at West Texas A&M.

“They’re always there if you have questions and they make sure that you know what’s going on. They help you with anything that you need and really, they just push me to be a better player and same with the team,” Nilson said.

Now, the team is heading onto the Northern Regional giving them the opportunity to extend their season.

“A lot of these girls, it’s their first time winning a state title, so I’m just really happy that it’s their last summer and they get to go out with a bang,” Halvorson said.

“This year, it’s really bittersweet because obviously it’s a lot of our last state tournaments and the fact that we pushed through so many games, means so much,” Nilson said.

Catalyst will now play in the PGF Midwest Regional Championships which begins July 22 in Peoria, Illinois.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.