S.D. team headed to Vegas
Flash to compete in 18-under tourney
For the third year in a row, the South Dakota Flash 18-under fastpitch team is playing in the national tournament. The tournament starts today and goes until Sunday in Las Vegas.
The Flash, among 130 teams playing for the championship, are guaranteed to play four games - two in pool play and at least two in the double-elimination championship bracket. "We'll go down and compete to the best of our ability and see what happens," manager Mark Loe said. The Flash (37-15) are the same group that won the two previous 16-under state tourneys and went on to nationals. USD recruit Missy Blackburn has been the team's dominant pitcher, while also batting .377, third best on the squad. Center fielder Becca Herther also pitches for the Flash, which has gone 16-1 so far in July. For the national tourney, the team has added Rapid City Stingrays hurler Ashley Meyer to their roster. Ironically, the Flash beat Meyer and the Stingrays 2-1 in the state tourney title game a week ago. Loe said the squad's two most consistent hitters, who are both long-ball threats, are shortstop Kassie Loe (.480) and right fielder Shelby Thompson (.366). The rest of the lineup consists of
Katie Threadgold (.362) at first, Karly Williams (.318) at second, Rachel Soyland (.337) at third, Jessica Halsne (.300) catcher and Theresa McMahon (.236) in left field. The other team member, Allison McEntee (272), had surgery on a torn MCL last Monday but is traveling with the team.
Coach Loe said McEntee also had ACL surgery two years ago and then tore her MCL during basketball season. She continued to play basketball and softball before her surgery.
"This is a great group of girls," Loe said. "They all get along so well and they never quit. Even if they get behind, they still play hard with a smile on their face." Seven of the girls will be playing college ball next spring. In addition to Blackburn at USD, Thompson, McMahon and Meyer will be at Augustana, Loe at Mount Marty, Soyland at Nebraska and Halsne at Minnesota.
