By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka Little League has chosen all-star teams for the two upcoming district tournaments and one state tourney that will be played on the Moller Field diamond.
Sitka Little League Major (10-12 years old) softball all-stars host the District 2 tournament on July 2-8 at Moller Field and are primed for a title – they’re the feeder system for the Sitka Fastpitch Softball Club’s Alaska Riptide which recently took first place in a 12-and-under softball tournament in Oregon.
“I think our all-stars’ chances are very good,” Sitka Little League vice president Nikki Balovich said. “We have a very strong team this year. They work well together. Not only have they been practicing softball but practicing their mental game too.”
Each member of the major softball all-stars traveled to Oregon on one of two Sitka Riptide clubs.
A Martin Enterprise batter misses a high pitch against Halibut Point Marine in a recent Sitka Little League Majors baseball game at Vilandre Field. The Sitka Little League has now selected all-star teams for district tournaments in major softball and baseball, and minor baseball. (Sentinel Photo by Klas Stolpe)
The Sitka major softball all-stars are Tessa Anderson (Schmolck Mechanical), Kaelynn Balovich (Schmolck Mechanical), Kaiya Balovich (Schmolck Mechanical), Chalice Brenton (Samson Tug & Barge), Dalila Callahan (Schmolck Mechanical), Lei’a Daly (Schmolck Mechanical), Adriana Denkinger (Samson Tug & Barge), Madison Dill (Schmolck Mechanical), Mecca Goldsberry (Samson Tug & Barge), Alina Lebahn (Samson Tug & Barge), Tadum Markegard (Samson Tug & Barge), Nai’a Nelson (Samson Tug & Barge), and Kayanni Weathers (Samson Tug & Barge).
The Major Softball team will face a formidable, and familiar, foe when they open district play against defending district and state Little League majors softball champion Juneau 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2. A Juneau club team also won a 12-and-under softball tournament in Oregon, but in another division and didn’t face Sitka.
The Juneau team features Kerra Baxter, Cailynn Baxter, Tatum Billings, Chloe Casperson, Jenna Dobson, Bryanna Eakes, Alayna Echiverri, Mila Hargrave, Cambry Lockhart, Jack Lovejoy, Milina Mazon, Jadid Polanco, and Jacqueline Smith.
Also expected to be in contention are the Ketchikan All-Stars featuring Rylea Armstrong, Shyla Abaigan, Stevie Kamm, Vienna Pahang, Mylee Grey, Riley Welk, Molly Sivertsen, Willow Vierra-Sonnenschein, Brenna Winder, Tristin Darlin, Mereane Plummer, and Addison Cockrum.
The winner of the major softball District 2 tourney advances to the state tournament in Anchorage July 11-16. The state champ advances to Regionals at San Bernardino, California, August 4-10, and the World Series is in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 15-26.
The Sitka Little League major (10-12 year old) baseball all-stars will host the District 2 Tournament at Moller Field on July 15-23. The District 2 winner won’t have to travel far since Sitka hosts the state tournament on July 26-31, also on Moller. The state winner advances to Regionals in San Bernardino, California, August 4-10. The World Series is in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 15-26.
Sitka major baseball all-stars are Bryce Calhoun (Halibut Point Marine), Caleb Calhoun (Halibut Point Marine), Josh Gluth (Moose), Evan Grant (Halibut Point Marine), Kai Hirai (Martin Enterprise), Emmit Johnson (Moose), Trey Johnson (Martin Enterprise), Josh McAlpin (Martin Enterprise), Mason McLeod (Martin Enterprise), Samson Smith (Martin Enterprise), Brett Ross (Moose), and Rawl Weathers (Halibut Point Marine).
The Sitka Little League minor (8-10 years old) baseball all-stars don’t have a district or state tournament. They will play in a Special Games tourney at Ketchikan on July 9-13.
Sitka minor all-stars are Weston Allred (Subway), Coulter Bird (Moose), Wyatt Conforti (Stedman Insurance), Jude Gluth (Moose), Guy Goldsberry (Halibut Point Marine), Will Jacobs (Delta Western), Pierce Kohler-Kainulainen (Stedman Insurance), Colten McGraw (Moose), Gunnar O’Jala (Subway), Gavin Silva (Delta Western), and Olen Weathers (Halibut Point Marine).
Sitka Little League junior baseball and softball, and minor (8-10 years old) softball didn’t field enough players for all-star teams.
All-star coaches’ and managers’ names weren’t received by press time and will be included along with team photos in future Sitka Sentinel editions.
