2009 ISC Qualifiers

June 30, 2009

Canada East Region – Blair Setford, Vice President – blairjs@rogers.com 905-826-2697
World Tournament – 3 + 2 berths awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 7 + 4 berths awarded from ‘08

World Tournament Qualifiers
June 5 – 7
Legends Tournament – Kitchener, ON
Berths: 1 ISC WT berth to highest finishing Canada East team (additional berths for Canada East teams may be available)
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee and deadline: Contact Larry Lynch
Local contact: Larry Lynch – Llynch@town.mapleton.on.ca
ISC Contact and Rep: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: Bruce Bierman – bierhawk@xplornet.com – 519-632-8773 Home

June 26 – 28
Jarvis Gamblers Tournament – Jarvis, ON
Berths: 1 ISC WT berth to highest finishing Canada East team
Format: Divisional Round Robin
Entry fee: $500 to Jarvis Gamblers Fastball Club
Local contact: Pat Graham – pkgraham24@rogers.com – 519-442-5762
ISC contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Ed Otterman – eotterman@cji.on.ca – 519-429-3223

ISC II Tournament of Champions Qualifiers
May 22 – 24
Atlantic Canada ISC II Qualifier – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Capital City Shootout
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth, regardless of region
Format: 16 teams, pool play with crossover for playoffs
Entry Fee and Deadline: $350, payable to Vimy Legion Outlaws
Local Contact: Colin Strangward colinstrangward@eastlink.ca
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Lloyd Poirier Lloydpoirier@hfx.eastlink.ca

June 19 – 21
Eastern Ontario ISC II Qualifier – Ottawa, ON
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to winner, regardless of region (additional berths may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $350 CDN – May 15, 2009
Local Contact: Allan Read – aread@lwlaw.com
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Steve Bedard – sjbgolf@hotmail.com

June 19 – 21
Southwestern Ontario ISC II Qualifier – Innerkip, ON
Berths: 3 ISC II berths to top 3 teams, regardless of region (additional berths may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $350 CDN – May 15, 2009
Local Contact: Tim Wright – twri7823@rogers.com
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca

July 3 – 5
Oswego CPI ISC II Qualifier – Oswego, NY (Joint Qualifier with US East)
Berths: 1 ISC II to highest finishing Canada East team.
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee: $400US
Local contact: Charlie Walseman Charlie_h_walseman@cargill.com, 518-207-6992 Cell
UIC: Chris Tehonica sfitzger@twcny.rr.com 315-771-9810
ISC Rep: Mike Cutro cootie0604@yahoo.com
Note: Above tournament is a joint qualifier between US East and Canada East and each region will award 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing teams from their respective regions.

July 5
2009 Travel League of Eastern Canada
Berths: 1 ISC II berth to top ISC II team as of July 5 league standings
Format: League play
Entry fee: Part of league entry fee
League contact: David Bakker – bakkers@teksavvy.com
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697

2009 Qualifiers for 2010 Berth
July 24 – 25
Travel League of Eastern Canada Playoff Tournament
Location: Owen Sound
Format: pending
Entry fee: included in league entry fee
Berths: 1 2010 WT berth to winner; 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to top finishing ISC II team
League contact: David Bakker – bakkers@teksavvy.com, Colin Smith – colinsmith@look.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca

July 31 – Aug 2
OASA Intermediate Eliminations
Location: Waterloo, Hillside Park
Format: Double knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $465 Cdn, payable to OASA by June 10, 2009
Berth: 1 for 2010 ISC II ToC
Local Contacts: Brad Thomson, bradthomson41@hotmail.com, 519-954-1269
ISC Contact: Rick Boyd, rdboyd@rogers.com, 519-240-3188
Umpire In Chief: Jim Herbert – jherbert@hotmail.com – 519-631-0511

August 28 – 30 – Note new date
Northern Ontario ISC II Qualifier
Location: Sagamok (Massey), Ontario
Format: Double knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $350 Cdn, payable to ISC Canada East by August 7, 2009, entries capped at 8
Berth: 1 for 2010 ISC II ToC, reserved for Northern Ontario team
Local Contacts: Eric Abitong – change_up99@yahoo.com – 705-865-2165
ISC Contact: Blair Setford, ISC Canada East VP, blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
Umpire In Chief: Larry Pederson bluelight24@hotmail.com 705-897-1444

September 18 – 20
Stratford, ON
2009 Ontario Challenge Cup ISC II Qualifier
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to winner – Canada East teams only
Format: Double-knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $225 CDN – August 31, 2009
Local contact: Murray Patterson – murraypatterson@wightman.ca
ISC Rep: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: Paul Baier – mapbaier@wightman.ca – 519-273-0446

September 18 – 20
McNab/Braeside, ON
2009 Challenge Cup East ISC II Qualifier
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to winner – Canada East teams only
Format: Double-knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $225 CDN – August 31, 2009
Local contact: Harold MacMillan – jh.mac@gozoom.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: George Findley – gfindley@rogers.com

US East Region – Bill Howell, Vice President – bhowell5@yahoo.com – 301-870-5049
World Tournament – 3
ISC II ToC – 7 + 1 berth awarded from ’08

April 17 – 18
War Eagle Classic – Auburn, AL
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US East team
Format: TBD
Entry fee: $225
Contact: Robbie Carter – 334-501-2976
UIC: Sam Kelly
ISC Rep: Robert Gray – rgray77271@aol.com – 334-567-9797

May 22 – 24
Metro Fastpitch Invitational – Linden, NJ
Berths: 2 ISC II ToC berths; one to highest finishing US East team and one to highest finishing team from any ISC Region.
Format: Round robin with 3-game guarantee
Entry fee: $400
Contacts: Gregg Leather – 718-673-0188 or 646-610-6088 – nysoftball@aol.com
Pete Quaranta – 917-797-1172 – Quaranta15@aol.com
UIC: TBD
ISC Rep: Bill Hillhouse – 814-392-3369 – houseofpitching@yahoo.com

June 12 – 14
Boulevard Lounge Invitational – Midland, MI
Berths: 1 WT and 2 ISC II berths to highest finishing US East teams. 2nd ISC II berth is for highest finishing team from any region.
Format: Round robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: TBD
Contact: Kyle Beane – kbeane8@yahoo.com – 810-813-5178
UIC: Joe Squires – heyumpy@yahoo.com – 989-631-7043 H 989-205-5256 Cell
ISC Rep: Kyle Beane – kbeane8@yahoo.com – 810-813-5178 H

June 12 – 14
Blue & Gray Tournament – Montgomery, AL
Berths: 1 WT berth to champion regardless of region (No ISC II berths but participating teams become eligible to be invited to ISC II ToC)
Format: Round-robin – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: $150
Contact: Robert Gray – rgray77271@aol.com – 334-567-9797
UIC: Larry Raines – 334-365-8148 – lwr901@charter.net
ISC Rep: Robert Gray

June-July, 2009
Mid-Atlantic Fastpitch Travel League
Berths: 1 WT and 1 ISC II ToC berth to championship teams
Contact: Bill Howell – bhowell5@yahoo.com – 301-870-5049

July 3 – 5
Oswego CPI ISC II Qualifier – Oswego, NY (Joint Qualifier with Canada East)
Berths: 1 ISC II to highest finishing US East team.
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee: $400
Local contact: Charlie Walseman – Charlie_h_walseman@cargill.com 518-207-6992 Cell
UIC: Chris Tehonica 315-771-9810 sfitzger@twcny.rr.com
ISC Rep: Mike Cutro – cootie0604@yahoo.com
Note: Above tournament is a joint qualifier between US East and Canada East and each region will award 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing teams from their respective regions.

July 3 – 5
Bluewater Invitational – Port Huron, MI
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC available to teams from any region.
Format: 3-game guarantee – Pool winners advance to elimination round
Entry fee: $375 – $400 depending on number of teams
Contact: Kurt Schieman kurt.schieman@semcoenergy.com
UIC: Roger Vargo – 810-334-9859 – csvargo2003@yahoo.com or phcsa@hotmail.com
ISC Rep: Bill Hillhouse – houseofpitching@yahoo.com 814-392-3369 Cell

July 17 – 19
Pete Schwab Memorial Fastpitch Tournament – Frankenmuth, MI
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II berth to highest finishing US East team. An additional berth may become available to any team from any region.
Format: 16 teams, round robin into 8-team single elimination
Entry fee: $350
Contact: David Lach – lachdavid@gmail.com – 810-623-2276 Cell
UIC: Mike Clark – umpyclark@charter.net 989-790-0844 Home
ISC Rep: Lee Isenhart – isenhartlee_@hotmail.com – 989-835-9146 Home

US Central Region – Dave LeBlanc, Vice President – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
World Tournament – 10 + 2 Host team in ’09 and 1 berth awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 9 + 2 for Host Team and 1 berth awarded from ‘08

May 1 – 3
Hustlehogs Icebreaker – DeKalb, IL
Berths: 1-ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: $200
Contact: Tom Crouch – 815-501-6186 Cell – tcro14@yahoo.com
UIC: Chad Allen – 815-519-8773 – chada14@comcast.net
ISC Rep: Tom Crouch

May 16 & 17
Dick Tracy Invitational – Rockford, IL
Berths: 1 ISC World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berths to US Central teams.
Format: Round robin into single elimination – 4 game guarantee
Entry Fee: $275
Contact: John Reed – 815 563 4303 or 815 563 4318 mrgr@comcast.net .
UIC: Rick Odell 815 633 5695
ISC Rep: John Reed – 815 563 4303 or 815 563 4318 mrgr@comcast.net

May 15 & 16
Villa Grove Invitational – Villa Grove, IL
Contact: John Schweighart – jschwei17@yahoo.com – (217) 649-3387
Format: Round Robin
Entry Fee: $175
Berth: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
UIC: Argie Johnson – 217-493-7872
ISC Rep: Scott Standerfer – Standerfer@mchsi.com

May 22 – 24
Walcott Memorial Day Tournament – Walcott, IA or Moline, IL
Contact: Sean Marten – ssmarten@aol.com 563-391-8307 or Ron Foster – poppafos@hotmail.com – 563-650-2837
Entry fee: $300
Berths: 1 World Tournament berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Round-robin into single elimination
UIC: Cathy Creighton (563)940-9503 CCreig8118@aol.com
ISC Rep: Sean Marten – ssmarten@aol.com 563-391-8307

June 5 – 7
Grafmeier Tournament – Kimberly, WI
Entry fee: $200
Format: Round robin into a top-4 playoff
Berth: 1 World Tournament berth to any team from any region
Contact: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
UIC: Hank St. Clair – hstclair@ameritech.net – 216-533-5209
ISC Rep: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349

June 6 – 7
Sioux Falls Men’s Association Fastpitch Tournament – Sioux Falls, SD
Entry fee: $225
Format: 2-divisions – 3 game guarantee
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team.
Contact: Mike Mueller – muellermomike@yahoo.com 605-321-5411
UIC: Jerry Bills – 605-332-4946
ISC Rep: TBD

June 20 – 21
Eugene Holm Classic – Fargo, ND
Entry fee: $300
Format: Round robin into single elimination
Berths: 1 World Tournament berth to highest finishing US Central team.
Contact: Mike Oehlke – mikoehlke@yahoo.com or tournaments@fargofastpitch.com –
701-367-3545
UIC: Charlie Johnson cjohnson@ulenhitterdal.k12.mn.us
ISC Rep: TBD

June 12 – 14
Kelso Klassic – Kelso, MO
Entry fee: $250
Format: Elimination bracket with 3-game guarantee
Berths: 1 World Tournament and 2 ISC II berths for highest finishing US Central teams.
Contact: Larry Eftink – larry_eftink@hotmail.com – 573-450-8887 Cell or 573-264-3714 Home or Rick Heuring gogetterguy@hotmail.com 573-450-8134 Cell 573-264-3643 Home
UIC: Kent Rich – 573-893-6824 H or 573-694-6824 Cell
ISC Rep: Rich Well –rwell@fayette.k12.il.us – 618-283-4258 Home

June 19 – 27 (two weekends)
Iowa ISC Qualifier – Walcott, IA
Berths: 1 ISC World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berth for US Central teams
Format: Double elimination
Entry Fee: $100
Contact: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381
UIC: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381
ISC Rep: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381

June 27 – 29
Eau Claire Classic – Eau Claire, WI
Berths: 1 World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central teams.
Entry fee: $400
Format: Pool play into single elimination
Contact: Stu Taylor stu.taylor@ci.eau-claire.wi.us
UIC: Les Novak bestumpln@aol.com 763-545-6788
ISC Rep: TBD

July 10 – 12
Boys of Summer – Denmark and Circle Tap, WI
Berths: 1 2010 WT berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Round Robin into single elimination
Entry fee: TBD
Contact: Zakk Flash – zakkflash@greenbaynet.com – 920-676-2448
UIC: Hank St. Clair – hstclair@ameritech.net – 216-533-5209
ISC Rep: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349

July 17 – 19
West St. Paul Qualifier – W. St. Paul, MN Sports Complex
Berth: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Double elimination with hard luck round – 3-game guarantee
Entry Fee: $235
Contact: Wayne Ball – 653-457-3933 or Jerry Ball – jball@dart.net – 653-453-9605
UIC: Steve Vail – umpiresteve@yahoo.com – 651-253-5409
ISC Rep: Les Novak – bestumpln@aol.com – 612-750-1340

July 24 (Final League Date)
Tri-County (Midwest) ISC Travel League
Berth: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to league champion
Contact: Ron Foster – poppafos@hotmail.com – 563-650-2837
UIC: Cathy Creighton (563)940-9503 CCreig8118@aol.com
ISC Rep: Wayne Fisher – wpfisher@mchsi.com – 319-3451-1055

US West Region – Chris Santos, Vice President – jcsantos25@msn.com – 303-419-7352
World Tournament – 4 + 2 for ISC II Move-up berths
ISC II ToC – 4

May 22, 23 & 24
Joe Santos Memorial – Pueblo, CO
Berths: 1 WT berth and 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 3-game guarantee
Entry Fee: $300
Contacts: Chris Santos – jcsantos25@msn.com – 303-419-7352
Jerry Santos – jerrysantos66@hotmail.com – 719-240-4771
UIC: Benny “Ginger” Rendon – gingerrendon@hotmail.com – 719-250-6608
ISC Rep: Dick Mason – damson@mrwllc.com – 303-734-4800

May 30 & 31
Best of the West – Santa Barbara, CA
Berths: 2 WT berths and 2 ISC II berths to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee and deadline: $400 – May 1, 2009
Contact: Dave Blackburn – daveb@virtvent.com – 310-266-7803
UIC: Clyde Bennett – clydebennett13@yahoo.com – 805-895-9007
ISC Rep: Dave Blackburn – daveb@virtvent.com – 310-266-7803

June 20 & 21
Portland Demarini Rose Cup – Portland, OR
Berths: 1 WT berth and 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry Fee and Deadline: $400 – May 1, 2009
Contacts: Roger Jones – jonesroger9@earthlink.net 503-887-3200
John Fitzgerald – brjfitzger@cascorp.com
Brian Ree – bree10@comcast.net – 971-253-9030
UIC: Dan Duffy – d2pdx@mindspring.com – 503-520-1319
ISC Rep: Craig Donaldson – cdonalds5@shaw.ca – 778-228-0799

Canada West Region – Ferdi Nelissen, Vice President – ferdi@mts.net – 204-239-5822
World Tournament – 3 + 1 awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 4

May 29, 30 and 31
Rambler Park – Regina Saskatchewan
Berths: 2-ISC II ToC berths to highest finishing Canada West teams
Entry – $350 – guarantee 3 seven inning ball games.
Contact – Harvey Curts – fastball@sasktel.net – 306-545-0682.
ISC Rep: Ferdi Nelissen – ferdi@mts.net – 204-239-5822 (H) 204-871-2072 (C)
UIC: Dave Moore – morred@sasktel.net

June 5, 6 & 7
3rd Annual Saskatoon Diamondbacks Fastpitch Tournament – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Berths: 2 WT berths to highest finishing Canada West teams.
Entry fee: $450
Format: 8-teams – Round robin into a 6-team playoff
Contact – Jimmy Climenhaga @ 306-493-2430 or jclimenhaga@sasktel.net or Collin Schaan @ 306-227-1630 or cschaan@schaanhealthcareproducts.ca
ISC Rep: Todd McCabe – Todd McCabe – todd_mccabe23@yahoo.ca or todd_mccabe23@hotmail.com
UIC: Dave Moore – moored@sasktel.net

Dates: July 10 – 12, 2009
Vancouver Challenge – Vancouver, BC
Berths: 1-2010 WT berth to highest finishing Canada West team.
Entry fee: $350 CDN
Format: Round robin into elimination bracket
Contact: Craig Donaldson – cdonalds5@shaw.ca 604-525-3440 (H) 778-228-0799 Cell
ISC Rep: Craig Donaldson
UIC: Bob Henning

The 43rd Annual Eau Claire Classic will take place June 26-28 in majestic Carson Park in Eau Claire, WI. Carson Park was host to the 2001 & 2005 ISC World Tournaments. We would like to thank the many sponsors and teams that continue to make this event possible.

Teams included in this years event include; Farm Tavern, Midwest Stampede, Albaugh, The Bar of Appleton, The Bar – Green Bay, Minnesota Angels, Wilber Lime, and ASB-Villard.

Attached are the schedules for the tournament, good luck to all teams and thank you for including the Classic as a destination for 2009!

Stu Taylor
Tournament Director
Eau Claire Classic

Pool Play Schedule, courtesy of Alsfastball.com

Elimination bracket, courtesy of Alsfastball.com.

A compliment of the highest order from Al Doran of Al’s Fastball

(click logo to view original news story at Al’s Fastball website)

(Al Doran’s) Weekend Blog June 16, 2009-06-16

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Weekend Blog June 16, 2009-06-16

Well we are a day late and a dollar short, well maybe more than a dollar short, we made a side trip in to Birch Run near Frankenmuth on the return trip from Midland Michigan on Monday. You don’t drive into the second largest outlet mall in the world and get away with only spending a dollar, not in this family. But that is only part of the fun of making the annual trip to Midland for the Explorer’s Boulevard Lounge Tournament.

While on the topic of Birch Run, which is near Frankenmuth, they are hosting the ISC Development tournament there coming up soon, July 10-12 at Heritage Park in Frankenmuth, MI. Both age groups will be there. “We would like to have more American teams enter. I am not sure if the under 23 players stick together or not, but we would like to see more of them, too. We have a team from Wisconsin, Illinois, Newmarket, Munger and Frankenmuth lined up so far for the 23’s, and 8 Canadian and two American teams for the under 19. If there are individuals that would like to come and play from anywhere, we would probably find a spot on a team for them too.” tomstasik@gmail.com

We had a simply great time in Midland this year. The ball was great, the weather was outstanding, and made fools of the weatherman on more than one occasion. I have said it before; Currie Stadium in Emerson Park in Midland, MI is the best fastball stadium in North America. This year’s tournament served dual purposes, it was one of the best Explorer tournaments in years and representatives from the ISC saw the complex and the city in action.
ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister and ISC Vice President Larry Fisher were on hand to inspect the facilities and to meet with the 2010 host tournament committee. See the article from the Midland Daily News (good article by John Kennett)
ISC leader likes what he sees in Midland

(Click Al’s Fastball logo above to read “the rest of the story”)

(more…)

More great coverage by the:

(click banner for original news story)
By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Decatur Pride’s David Boys touches home plate before the tag by Nokomis catcher Jeremy Beasley during the fourth inning of the championship game Sunday at the Kelso Klassic in Kelso, Mo. (Photo by Fred Lynch)

KELSO — The combination of a talent-rich tournament favorite and a bone-tired opponent made for a lopsided Kelso Klassic final.

The Decatur (Ill.) Pride swept to the championship in the 25th annual men’s fastpitch softball event.

Decatur went 5-0 in the 14-team tournament, capped by Sunday’s 8-0, five-inning run-rule victory over Nokomis (Ill.) Bud Light for the title.

“We played well and scored a lot of runs,” winning pitcher Brent Stevenson said.

Nokomis dropped its tournament opener Saturday morning, which made for a grueling weekend.

Bud Light continually staved off elimination with six straight wins, including four Sunday before running into the Pride’s buzz saw.

“They played a great tournament,” Stevenson said. “To come back out of the losers bracket, they showed a lot of courage. You have to tip your cap to them.”

Decatur Pride’s Cole Koester is congratulated by teammate Rick Minton after hitting an inside-the-park home run against Nokomis during the fourth inning of the championship game.
(Photo by Fred Lynch)

The Pride were a national fastpitch power, winning several national titles, before disbanding in 2001. They started up a squad again this year, and were making their first Kelso Klassic appearance as a unit.

“A lot of our guys have been here before with different teams,” Stevenson said. “It’s a good, competitive tournament.”

Rick Heuring, assistant tournament director who founded the event 25 years ago, didn’t hesitate in rating the Pride pre-tourney favorites after scanning their roster.

“They turned out to be everything we thought they would be,” Heuring said. “They’re an outstanding team.”

Led by several outstanding pitchers, including New Zealand natives Stevenson and Jeremy Manley.

Manley, named the tournament’s most valuable pitcher, went 3-0 with two runs allowed and 36 strikeouts in 17 innings.

“It was an enjoyable weekend,” Manley said.

Manley, regarded among the nation’s top pitchers, is not a regular member of the Pride, but “they had some injuries so I just helped them out.”

The veteran Stevenson, also among the nation’s premier hurlers, was a mainstay on some of the Pride’s previous top squads.

Stevenson, who notched Decatur’s other two tournament wins by allowing just one run, fired a two-hitter and struck out five in Sunday’s championship.

David Boys got the Pride started with a two-run homer in the second inning. A six-run fourth inning highlighted by three home runs — from Greg Morganthaler, Cole Koester and Blake Martin — punctuated the romp.

The rest of the tournament was not nearly as easy for the Pride.

It started routinely enough with a pair of 5-1 wins, before Decatur snuck past Pete’s Blues of Mascoutah, Ill., 1-0 in nine innings.

Decatur began Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Black Gold of Hermann, Mo., in the winners bracket final to advance to the title round.

Nokomis completed its trek through the losers bracket with a 5-3 win over Black Gold, before Decatur ended Bud Light’s impressive run.

“We had another great tournament,” Heuring said.

Casey Spears of Nokomis was the most valuable player after setting a tournament record with 15 hits. He batted .577 with 10 runs scored and four RBIs.

The only local entry, host Kelso Fastpitch, went 1-2. The team lost to Decatur 5-1, beat Elkville (Ill.) 8-6 and was eliminated by Nokomis 4-3.