HICKORY, N.C. – Another accolade in the already impressive high school career of Bunker Hill sophomore Serena Thurman came on Wednesday evening.

The lefty was named Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Stanford Park Easter Tournament after guiding the Bears to a perfect 3-0 performance.

This year’s field included area teams Bunker Hill, Fred T. Foard, St. Stephens, and Elyria from Ohio.

On the event’s final day, the Bears defeated the Tigers 8-1, and the Indians won 8-0.

A five-run first inning was plenty to set the tone for Bunker Hill.

The first eight batters to step to the plate in the bottom of the first reached base. Kylie Killian singled home Thurman to get the offense going.

Alexis Stuebe followed with an RBI single, Lila Spears drew a bases-loaded walk, and Victoria Bailey doubled home a pair on a line drive to left.

Foard escaped the inning in style by turning a triple-play to end the first.

Kyra Ryhal added more in the bottom of the third when she followed an Anna Sigmon two-out double with a single to center that inflated the lead to 6-0.

The Tigers picked up their lone run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to right.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ryhal doubled home two more to close out the scoring at 8-1.

Thurman went the distance and allowed one hit while striking out nine. She struck out 29 in 21 innings of work in the three tournament games.

St. Stephens closed out the tournament with a 2-1 record. Anicka McFarland stole the show in the finale with a 3-for-4 performance that featured two home runs and six RBIs. In the circle, the senior struck out 14.

Elyria finished third with a 2-1 record while Foard claimed fourth at 0-3.

HighSchoolOT updates weekly NCHSAA playoff projections based on the state’s RPI formula. This information is available for those who are HighSchoolOT Insiders. To become an HSOT Insider or view the most recent projections, click below.