Local family organizes softball tournament to give back to nonprofit

The second annual Hits for Harper Memorial Softball Tournament took place at Harborcreek Community Park.

Proceeds will go to Emma’s Footprints, an organization that supported Ashley Abel and her husband after they lost their daughter Harper.

Harper was born at 34 weeks gestation and survived for 12 hours. She died later that same day.

Abel explained that this tournament is a way for his family to give back and honor their daughter at the same time.

“We both had a preferred treatment, which was a uterine infection. Unfortunately, because she was so small and so early, she only survived 12 hours and the next day Emma’s Footprints was in our room to help us with the funeral and gave her a hug and support and a shoulder to cry on,” said Ashley Abel, Harper’s mother.

This year 18 teams participated in the campaign.