Haines teams weren’t able to defend the home field in the annual Sunball Softball Tournament, with teams from Juneau taking the title in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
“The games were very good and most were competitive,” said organizer Tom Scovil of the 12-team tournament. “We’ve restricted the competition to mid-range players, so teams were evenly matched and you knew you had a chance going in.”
Parts Plus of Juneau won the women’s title, defeating Haines’ Foggy Babes, 8-7, in the championship game.
Parts Plus lost to the Haines team in the first round of tournament play and had to battle through the loser’s bracket before meeting the Babes again.
They forced the championship to a second game after winning the first in an international tie-breaker.
Gas’n Go of Juneau won the men’s division, defeating Kal Tire of Whitehorse for the title. The Pioneer Bar team of Haines placed third in the six-team tournament, following a 20-9 loss against Kal Tire.
The tournament also featured a first-ever home-run derby. The hitters were given five “outs,” which were awarded each time the ball failed to clear the fence. Jeffery Klanott won the men’s contest, hitting four home runs in nine at-bats.
Jeanine and Lilly Ward tied for the women’s title, each hitting one over the fence.
Dave Berry Jr. and Klanott, both playing for Klukwan, and Kyle Fossman of the Pioneers were named all-tourney.
Women named to the all-tourney team included Lilly Ward, Kim Ferrin and Darlin Bugni of the Foggy Babes and Connie Ward of the Diehards.