Polo’s Cheyenna Wilkins enjoys softball experience in The Netherlands

Polo senior Cheyenna Wilkins had an unforgettable and successful trip playing for Team USA in The Netherlands at The Cup, an international fastpitch softball tournament featuring some of the top players from America and Europe.

Wilkins, who is committed to continue her softball career at Judson University, said the trip went well for her and the team.

“There was never a dull moment with the girls, and we meshed so well together,” she said. “Overall, everyone had fun.”

Wilkins played for Team Avengers, which featured a number of other players from Illinois and the Midwest. The team played in the same pool as the Czech U18 team, which is qualified for this year’s World Cup Finals and won the final matchup against Team Avengers 6-0. Team Avengers went 3-1-2 and took fifth.

Team Avengers is coached by Jason and Joann Yakey, who also coach Wilkins on the Midwest Aftershock 18u ES team.

Other players from Illinois on the team of nine are Adrianne Baker (Stockton HS), Jenna and Josie Yakey (Belvidere North), Jalyn Yakey (Auburn HS grad), Janae Burke (Boylan Catholic) and Rylie Adams (Harlem).

In the tournament’s first game Jan. 17 against USA’s Team Impact, Wilkins was her team’s winning pitcher and had a double and two RBIs in a 3-2 victory. She received The Cup Star Award as MVP for the game.

She also pitched in a 1-1 tie with Czech U18 the following day. She also pitched a shutout in a 0-0 tie against the Netherlands Red Lions, striking out six with three hits allowed.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, Wilkins was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored in a 4-0 win over USA’s Team Glory. The team’s run concluded with the 6-0 loss to Czech U18, which did not allow a hit.

Wilkins got to talk to older players and also experience the game from a new perspective. She said the competition was tough.

“The women over there play a completely different game than we do over here in so many different aspects,” she said. “The pitchers over there are tough to hit, as most of them do crow hop, and it’s very hard to time up.”

Off the diamond where games were played in Schiedam, Wilkins said she and the team got to walk around Amsterdam, visit Anne Frank’s house and travel to the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre in Paris.

“It was overall an amazing opportunity to be able to represent the USA while playing softball,” she said, “as well as an amazing learning experience for me and the girls I played with. I am very happy to have played with this very talented group of girls.”