Shaina's Challenge a big hit once again

Despite a lack of cooperation from the weather at times, there was no amount of rain that could have dampened the spirits of the many softball players who turned out for the annual Shaina's Challenge Men's fastpitch softball tournament, which was held this past weekend at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field.

The tournament, which was preceded by an alumni softball game that featured former Havre High graduates that played Blue Pony softball, ran Friday through Sunday and saw a team from outside of Havre take home the championship for the first time.

Tire Rama of Missoula was the eventual champion and, in order to win the title, Tire Rama had to knock off the Gallery Lounge, twice, with the second victory coming in the championship game by the score of 9-1.

Tire Rama started its run to the championship game Saturday morning, thanks to victories over BPCU-Plentywood and Nalivka's Pizza. Following those wins, Tire Rama took on the Gallery and defeated them in the first semifinal to reach the championship series.

After its first loss of the tournament, the Gallery took on BPCU-Plentywood for the right to meet Tire Rama in the championship. After trailing late in the game, the Gallery used a big sixth inning to build a 10-6 lead that they held through the end of the game.

A total of seven teams competed in the tournament, which is used to raise funds for both the Shaina Evans scholarship fund, which goes to a student at Montana State University-Northern, where Evans played volleyball and the Havre High softball association.

Speaking of Blue Pony softball, many of the great players who starred for the team in the past took to the field at Sixth Avenue one more time as the older Blue Pony alumni did battle against the younger Blue Pony alumni.

Unfortunately, the two teams, which were set to play seven innings, didn't make it all the way as the game was canceled due to a down pour after the younger Ponies built a 10-1 lead. The nine-run margin ended up being the final score as the game was called in the sixth inning.

The tournament, which was a big success once again, saw BPCU-Plentywood finish third, ahead of teams representing Master Sports, Nalivka's Pizza, Havre Ford and Valley Furniture which also participated.