Valley Furniture wins men's slowpitch title

A Havre men’s slowpitch softball team laid claim to a state championship last weekend in Helena, and is now headed to a national tournament.

The Valley Furniture men’s slowpitch team captured the Montana ASA State Men’s E-Division championship last Sunday in Helena, and advanced to the ASA National Tournament in Kent, Wash.

The squad had to win six games on Sunday to capture the state title. The team went undefeated Saturday, defeating Double Tap of Helena 5-3, DP All-Stars of Kalispell 20-1 and McQueens of Butte, 9-1. Sunday, Valley lost to T-Bone Farms of Helena, 7-6, but would rebound to beat that team 15-12 and 11-6 in two championship games. In between, the team defeated Team Salvo of Missoula 15-3, Smokin’ Bases of Helena, 15-3 and RK Drywall of Butte, 15-12 in the loser-out bracket.

The 2013 Valley Furniture state championship team is composed of Ricky Brown, Brett Patrick, Todd Roe, Marshall Cartwright, Ben Merja, Ryan Callahan, Dale Britt, Pete Stiffarm, Shawn Mariani, Ed Boucher, Larry Olson, Shane Kemmer, Nick Heninger and Billy Evans.

The Valley Furniture squad will travel to Kent, Wash., for the Western National Tournament Aug. 30-Sept. 1.