Havre Daily News Staff
The defending state champion ASA men's fastpitch softball team is the Gallery Lounge of Havre, and the team will head to Billings this weekend to defend its state championship. Last year, the Gallery Lounge beat Master Sports of Havre for the state championship, and both teams should be contenders to reach the title game once again. The state tournament will feature 10 teams, including the two Havre teams. There are also four teams from Billings, two from Missoula and once team from the Helena area. The Gallery consists of Dan and Patch Wirtzberger, Coda Tchida, Scott Miller, Donny and Dilan Saisbury, Eric Fanning and Ben and Mike Erickson, as well as star pitcher Gary Joe Evans. Master Sports is composed of Andy Smith, John Shennum, Matt Kretchmer, Mike Holden, Justin Hofeldt, Cody Gilge, Kyle Sheppard, Mace Mangold, Rick Brown, Ryan Hartwell and Bruce Smith. The tournament, which is a double-elimination format, will begin Saturday morning and run through Sunday afternoon at Stewart Park in Billings.
