George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
It isn't a new concept that a team from Havre would win the Montana ASA Men's Fastpitch Softball State Tournament. And the name Master Sports certainly isn't new to the Havre and Montana fastpitch scene. But on Sunday afternoon, at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Softball Field, it was a new beginning for Master Sports, and for the state tournament. Master Sports of Havre claimed a 6-3 victory over Havre's Gallery Lounge thanks to pitcher Andy Smith's late three-run homerun, to claim the 2008 Montana men's state championship. The win ended the Gallery's bid to win an unprecedented third straight state title. Smith's three-run homer came off of Havre native and Montana fastpitch legend Gary Joe Evans, who pitched phenomenally throughout this year's tournament. The shot to left field broke a 3-3 tie in what turned out to be a well-played championship game by both teams, and both pitchers. Evans had helped the Gallery to the past two state titles, and it reached the state final this year with an unblemished record in the tournament. Master Sports' only loss came at the hands of Evan and the Galley in pool play on Friday night, but on Sunday, Smith's bat and his outstanding pitching helped lead Master Sports to the state championship. Ironically, Smith caught Evans on past Master Sports teams, and the two have claimed several state titles together, as well as made appearances on the national fastpitch tournament level. The tournament began with pool play on Friday and Saturday. While the Gallery went undefeated, Master Sports was 2-1 and Havre's Taco Johns, led by veteran pitcher John Shennum, went 1-2. Missoula's Silver Dollar was also 1-2 and the Silver Slipper was 0-3. On Sunday, Taco Johns beat the Silver Slipper to advance to the semi- finals where it was beaten by the Gallery Lounge. In the other semifinal, Master Sports took care of the Silver Dollar, setting up yet another all- Havre finale. The 2008 Master Sports state championship team is composed of Smith, Ryan Hartwell, Kyle Sheppard, Nate Baltrusch, Justin Hofeldt, Britt Cotter, Ricky Brown, Cody Rennick, Ben Springer, Trevor Van Kampen and Matt Kretchmer. The team is eligible to compete at an ASA national tournament if it chooses to do so
