Seven Champs Reign In Girls Softball Tournaments Conclude During Weekend Of Action

The contrast was stark - the former manager of a Caribbean World Series champion now coaching 9- and 10-year-old girls.

But there stood Casey Parsons, in the heat of a Valley summer instead of the Dominican Republic, exhorting his team on to similar results.

All-Lines Insurance, in the 10U East Division of Spokane Valley Girls Softball was one of seven champions decided last weekend during conclusion of tournaments Saturday and Sunday at East Valley Middle School.

“We were coming home after that game,” said Parsons’ wife, Penne, “and I said, ‘Not much has changed. There you were taking a bunch of kids in the Caribbean and trying to win a championship and now you’re doing the same with these kids.”’

Parsons, who managed as high as AAA professional baseball, said the thrill was the same.

“I tried to teach the kids a little bit about the game and have some fun,” said Parsons. “I had no aspirations other than the joy of watching them play. I could have cared less if we won.”

By season’s end the wins came, including five straight in the tournament including 17-15 over Stranberg Electric for the title.

Pitching was the key to E.S.S.’s 14-0 season in the 10U West. Where Parsons discouraged windmilling to give his players defensive practice, E.S.S. coach Mike Montgomery had two pitchers, Kayla McComas and his daughter Spring Montgomery who dominated the league with their fastpitch style.

“Pitching was certainly the key to our success as well as basic improvement, primarily hitting so we were able to score a lot of runs,” said Montgomery.

E.S.S. was scarcely challenged in the tournament, winning by an average of eight runs per game, including 12-4 over Pioneer Title for the crown.

E.S.S. was one of three East Valley area teams to win championships. Three sisters, Erin, Gina and Megan Bourgeous were a party to each. And there were other sister success stories in two instances.

Erin Bourgeous played for E.S.S., Gina for 12U East titlist IHOP and Megan for 14U West champion Walt’s Mailing.

Kali Duley and Jennifer Norwood played for E.S.S. Meghann Duley and Amanda Norwood played for IHOP.

IHOP nipped A-1 Dog Grooming, which had won five straight games in the loser’s bracket, 15-14 for the title.

The champs broke a 12-all tie with three runs in the seventh and held on when pitcher Amanda Norwood got final strikeout.

Meghann Duley, Norwood, Bourgeous, Kim Grover and Blayne Orton have all been part of three successive championships.

“We went 2-3, then won nine in a row,” said coach Mike Duley. “The kids just kept improving and improving and didn’t let up.”

Walt’s Mailing took the long way to the championship, losing 12-11 to Kwik Kopy in the semifinals then winning three straight games on Sunday, over Burger King and twice over Kwik Kopy, 18-15 in an international tie breaker, and 9-8.

“We were out there for nine hours,” said coach Jan Jenkins. “I knew the girls were hot and tired but I had to throw down the gantlet.”

Other champions were New Images Video which went unbeaten in four games, including 8-6 and 21-6 over unbeaten Adept Escrow in the semifinals and finals. New Image finished with a 13-1 record.

Spokane Golf Cart, which had broken even during the season, also won four in a row in tournament, beating Zip’s 30-28 for the 14U East championships. F&F Foundations completed a 14-0 season, beating Walt’s Mailing in the semifinals and finals of the 16U tournament.

It was the second straight title for both teams.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SOFTBALL TOURNEY RESULTS 16U League Winner’s Bracket: F&F Foundations 14, Walt’s Mailing 13. Loser’s Bracket: Discount Muffler 18, Toby’s Auto Body 4. Walt’s Mailing 11, Discount Muffler 6. Championship: F&F Foundation d. Walt’s Mailing, score unavailable.

14U West Winner’s Bracket: Kwik Kopy 12, Walt’s Mailing 11. Loser’s Bracket: Burger King 18, Dakotah 14. Walt’s Mailing 25, Burger King 17. Championship: Walt’s Mailing 18, Kwik Kopy 15. Walt’s Mailing 9, Kwik Kopy 8.

14U East Winner’s Bracket: Spokane Golf Cart 21, Hoffman’s 19. Loser’s Bracket: Zip’s 20, A&L Transmission 14. Zip’s 16, Hoffman’s 15. Championship: Spokane Golf Cart 30, Zip’s 28.

12U West Winner’s Bracket: New Image Video 8, Adept Escrow 6. Loser’s Bracket: Eagle Mountain Homes 18, Power Bar 15. Adept Escrow 9, Eagle Mountain 4. Championship: New Images Video 21, Adept Escrow 6.

12U East Winner’s Bracket: IHOP 18, Valley Electric 16. Loser’s Bracket: A-1 Dog Grooming 13, Carpet One 9. A-1 Dog Grooming 8, Valley Electric 7. Championship: IHOP 15, A-1 Dog Grooming 14.

10U West Winner’s Bracket: E.S.S. 17, Pioneer Title 4. Loser’s Bracket: Budget Car Rental 12, Olympic Sports 8. Pioneer Title 20, Budget Car Rental 4. Championship: E.S.S. 12, Pioneer Title 4.

10U East Winner’s Bracket: All Lines Insurance 15, Award Masters 10. Loser’s Bracket: Stranberg Electric 20, Valley Garbage 19. Stranberg Electric d. Award Masters, score unavailable. Championship: All Lines Insurance 17, Stranberg Electric 15.