Manhattan Optimist Moxie traveled north over the weekend, posting a 4-1 record and earning a share of third place at the USSSA State Games in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Moxie opened tournament play Friday with a pair of victories.

In the opener against Nebraska Reign, Moxie recorded its second no-hit shutout of the summer in a 4-0 win behind a dominant outing from Acelyn Rottinghaus, who struck out seven.

The offense wasted no time as leadoff hitter Reese Grady blasted the first pitch of the game over the scoreboard for a home run. Isla Sallman doubled and drove in two runs while Maleigh Owens added an RBI single. Brooklyn Dye and Hailey Lies each stole two bases.

Moxie followed with a 10-4 victory over Elkhorn Elite Smithhisler.

Lies powered the offense by going 2-for-3 with five RBI, including a grand slam over the center-field fence. Grady finished 3-for-3 with a double, while Dye went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a double and a stolen base. Sallman tripled, while Caitlyn Fleming and Rottinghaus each doubled.

Sallman earned the win in the circle, allowing four runs — two earned — while striking out six. Moxie finished with 10 hits, including six extra-base hits.

Bracket play began Saturday with another dominant performance as Moxie defeated Prodigy Chrastil National 18U, 7-0.

Rottinghaus was nearly unhittable, striking out 10 of the 15 batters she faced while tossing another no-hit shutout. The offense backed her with 10 hits, led by a 3-for-3 performance from Dye, who added a double and RBI. Grady went 2-for-3, while Rottinghaus doubled. Hailey Lies, Fleming, Delayni Clark and Owens each contributed singles.

Rain delays altered the remainder of the tournament and forced several schedule changes, including moving winners-bracket games to Ralston High School and 60-minute game times.

Moxie advanced to the semifinals with a 7-1 win over Impact Athletics 18s.

The team scored in all three innings and held Impact hitless. Fleming delivered one of the biggest performances of the weekend, homering to drive in two runs before adding another RBI on a squeeze bunt. Grady went 2-for-2 with a triple, while Emma Liby doubled home two runs. Kaylee Liby, Clark, Sallman and Dye each added hits.

Rottinghaus earned the win, allowing one run while striking out four. Emma Liby and Fleming shared catching duties throughout the tournament.

Moxie’s tournament run ended in the semifinals with a 5-3 loss to Nebraska Stealth despite out-hitting its opponent 8-4.

Dye finished 2-for-2, while Kaylee Liby also went 2-for-2 and doubled. Sallman and Fleming each recorded doubles, while Grady and Lies added hits. Rottinghaus and Sallman split pitching duties, with Rottinghaus taking the loss.

Moxie improved to 12-3 on the summer season and will travel to Hays this weekend for the Battle on the Plains tournament.