Newtown 10 year old and Head O'Meadow Elementary School student Mia McGuigan plays competitive softball for the Rhode Island Thunder Gold 10U travel team out of Monroe, and has established herself as quite the standout on the field.

A softball player since the age of 4, she pitches 47 to 48 miles per hour and has compiled more than 200 strikeouts, which is an impressive feat, especially given she got seriously into pitching only this past September. She is one of just three girls from Connecticut selected for an elite tournament in Florida called USSSA Fastpitch All American Games. McGuigan will play with girls from all over the US and compete in a week-long tournament at the end of July.

McGuigan has had plenty of success this spring and summer, most recently helping the Thunder Gold squad win the Bash at the Beach Tournament in Westerly, R.I. in mid July. A force in the pitcher's circle and at bat, McGuigan made her mark in this tourney. At the plate, she was nearly unstoppable, going 12-for-13 with 13 runs scored, 12 runs batted in, two doubles, one triple, a home run, six walks, and 13 stolen bases. Batting leadoff, she consistently set the tone for the offense.

She was just as dominant in the circle, earning two shutout victories. Over eight innings pitched, McGuigan allowed just one hit, no earned runs, and struck out 16 batters. McGuigan capped off the weekend with an incredible championship game, going a perfect three-for-three with a home run, three runs scored, and two RBI, while also throwing a trio of scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven to secure the 15-0 championship victory over the Fearless One Teal lineup.

The softball standout ended her travel spring season with 233 strikeouts from the circle and a .585 batting average. Dating back to early April, McGuigan compiled some impressive statistics at tournaments throughout the season.

On April 4, in a 10-2 win over the North Jersey Vipers at the Frozen Ropes tourney in New York, McGuigan came in as relief pitcher as her squad went on to win the championship. On April 26th, in a tournament win in East Hartford, she earned the win, allowing five hits and two runs over six innings, striking out 11 and walking two in a 3-2 edging of the Empire State Huskies.

She pitched her first no-hitter and hit her first over-the-fence home run in a 5-0 win over the Connecticut Lightning to capture a tourney title at Panthorn Park in Plantsville on May 10. That was the first of three tourney championships at Panthorn. On June 14, McGuigan did not allow a run and surrendered just two hits, striking out 13 in a 4-0 win over the Panthers; she was lights out on the mound, allowing just 11 hits and recording an incredible 39 strikeouts over four tourney games over two days. On July 12 the team earned a 12-2 win over Grit Softball as McGuigan pitched four hitless, scoreless innings, striking out six and walking five.

“I love competing, making new friends, and being part of a team. My favorite part is pitching, but I also love making big defensive plays and helping my team win," said McGuigan, who plays softball year-round and will be starting volleyball in the fall.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.