Locals compete in Softball World Series

At San Diego for the Triple Crown Sports-sponsored Fastpitch/Softball World Series, the Mission Valley had a handful of players with either residency or affiliation competing on a pair of teams among the field of competition.

The Missoula-based, Dan Ries-coached 18U MT Avalanche feature Jerny and Rheid Crawford of Arlee, Liev Smith of Charlo and Katelyne Druyvestein of Polson. The Oregon-based, Campbell-coached 18U NW Bullets feature future Lady Griz Grace Hardy of Missoula, whose parents both graduated from Charlo.

Avalanche-Ries went 2-2 in pool play, while NW Bullets-Campbell went 2-1-1. Both teams finished third in their respective pools, which routed them into silver bracket competition. Both teams swept their competition in the qualifying brackets.

The Avalanche went 2-0 in a pair of close games, while the Bullets went 3-0, both advancing into the Silver Championship bracket. Unfortunately, both would sustain losses in the opener of the single elimination championship bracket to end their foray among the field.

Druyvestein was unable to compete Saturday due to a minor hand injury that required some stitches after she slid into third base during the international tie breaker game Friday.