D-12’s Jason Carlson at the plate as teammates look on. Tom Smedes photo.

SPARKS, NV – Local Sparks team D-12, reforming after a year apart for the rest of this year, got off to a good start in the Men’s D division of the 24th Annual Softball West Challenge winning their first four games. They were derailed in the championship by the scrappy Mr. Beverage team that got a little better with each game they played. The final was sweet revenge for Mr. Beverage of Merced, CA as they were defeated by D-12 23-6 in their first game of the day. Wired Extreme of Sparks finished in 3rd. MVP for Mr. Beverage was Barry Priddell and Golden Glove for D-12 was Richie Diaz.

Gilroy’s Team Talamo, a team that looks to move up to D soon, captured the Men’s E Challenge title. Team Talamo defeated a determined Greenwood team for the second time in the tournament in the championship game.

Greenwood, from Gardnerville, NV, after losing to Team Talamo won five straight games in the loser’s bracket to earn the rematch. Talamo took the lead with two runs in the second inning and tacked on runs each inning while holding Greenwood scoreless the rest of the way for a 15-3 final score.

In third place was Carson City’s Frozen Rope who gave Greenwood a run for their money just losing 11-9 in the loser’s bracket final game. Finishing fourth was THB from Sparks, NV.

MVP for Team Talamo was Norberto Garcia and their all tourneys were Leroy Dozal, Art Delvalle and Tomas Carrillo. Greenwoods’ all tourneys were Lou Zepida, Bo Kruger and Evan Berry and their Gold Glove went to Dana Aiono. Frozen Ropes’ all tourneys were Aaron Gonsaless and Mike Scott and for THB Dennis Ferris and Chris Whitcomb received all tourneys.

Heated from Sparks, NV dominated the Coed division of the Challenge Tournament going undefeated. Grass Valley Gang was second and the Susanville NDN’s were third. Heateds’ Raveon Harrowa was the MVP winner while Darren Hamberlin received the Gold Glove award for Grass Valley Gang.