HHS Alumni Game kicks off annual Shaina's Challenge

Fastpitch softball is always a big thing in Havre during the summer and this weekend, many local players will gather to celebrate not only the game, but the life of Shania Evans, who tragically passed away several years ago in a car accident.

That's a big reason why the Shania's Challenge men's fastpitch softball tournament is so special and that's also why many local legends of the game, will take to the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field this weekend, where the tournament is being held.

There are going to be a total of seven teams competing in the tournament and the action will get underway tonight at 6 with the Blue Pony girls fastpitch alumni game, which will serve as a pre-cursor to the tournament. It's the first annual game of its kind.

The event, which raises money for the scholarship fund in the name of Evans, who played volleyball at Montana State University-Northern, also donates money to the Havre High girls fastpitch program.

The weekend is also designed to recruit some of the top local softball players to return to Havre and with the Blue Pony alumni game, which features a number of former Havre High softball players, that goal has certainly been achieved.

The players that will participate in tonight's game include Kelsey Evans, Morgan Mazurkiewicz, Sydney Huston, Davee McLeod, Katie Hofer, Karly Evans, Kaci Hipple, Katherine Borst, Erika Han, Paige Henderson, Shania Carlson, Rachel Majeres, Alexandra Kanehailua, Payton Howard, Jaclyn Evans, Masha Barnekoff, Dylann Williams, Scout Boucher and Tori Mazurkiewicz. The teams will be coached by Bob Evans Sr., Danny Wirtzberger and Patch Wirtzberger.

The Alumni Game will precede the tournament, which also begins tonight. It will run through Sunday with the championship game set for 2 p.m. Another may be necessary at 4 p.m. There will be a total of seven teams playing in the tournament and throughout the rosters are some of the biggest names in Havre softball, as well as a number of former Havre North Stars and Havre High greats.

Of course the legendary Gary Joe Evans will lead the Gallery Lounge in action. That team will also feature Cal Wirtzberger, Tony Vigliotti, Andy Smith, Bucky Linstrand, Bob Evans, Bo Evans, Donny Meirhoff, Jake Meirhoff, Brad Schafter, Matt Kretchmer, Mike Coleman, Doug Vandolah and Rusty Evans.

The team representing Havre Ford will have both Danny and Patch Wirtzberger on its roster, as well as Dillon Evans, Ed Norman, Matt Schoonover, John Coleman, Daine Solomon, Brady Kimball, Branum Burch, Ryan Divish, Pat Foster, Steve Steinmetz, Charlie Steinmetz, Jason Christenson and Frank Corwell.

Master Sports will also have a team and its roster has the likes of Billy Evans, Ed Boucher, Sean Mariani, Dan Danielson, John Christian, Brett Patrick, Ryan Callahan, Ricky Brown, Ryne Atnley and Bobby Bergren.

Another team that is filled with former Havre North Stars is Nalivkas, which includes Paul Jensen, John Shennum, CJ Evans, Matt Jensen, Kyle Miller, Jordan Brough, David Denny, Rob The Boy, Shane Kemmer, Eric McLain, Kyle Fanning and Tim McLain.

The other teams that will be in the tournament are a Missoula team sponsored by Tire Rama and a team from Consul, Saskethewan, sponsored by Valley Furniture and a team from Plentywood, sponsored by Bear Paw Credit Untion.

The fourth annual Shaina's Challenge starts tonight at 8, and all the action takes place at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field.