VANCOUVER, WA - David Douglas Park was the site of the Xtreme Point Challenge NIT. DCS of Vancouver, WA, won the tournament and the berth to the ASA Western National D Softball Tournament to be held in Salem, OR, September 23-26. DCS came storming out of the loser’s bracket and double dipped Train Wreck, also from Vancouver, for the title.

In their first game of the tournament, DCS faced their league rivals, Taylor Made Softball, and came out on top by a score of 12-11. In their second and third games, they succeeded in beating Team Rogue (Grants Pass, OR) 10-3 and Seattle Monarchs (Seattle, WA) 14-12. But in their fourth game, they met a new local team, Train Wreck, who rolled over DCS by a score of 10-9 in nine innings. The loss sent DCS to the loser’s bracket.

On the other hand, Train Wreck kept on rolling and went undefeated into the championship game. In their first game, they faced J&R Eagles (Portland, OR) and came out on top 14-11. In their third game, Train Wreck did it again by steam rolling over Mt. Hood Merchants (Mt. Hood, OR) with an 18-4 victory. With DCS in the loser’s bracket, Train Wreck was the only undefeated team in the tournament, and they waited around to see whom they would play for the championship.

The DCS players had not forgotten that earlier in the day they were sent to the loser’s bracket by Train Wreck. In their first loser bracket game, DCS faced their league rivals, Taylor Made Softball (Vancouver, WA) for a second time, and the outcome was the same, 15-5. The win put DCS back into the championship game, where Train Wreck was waiting.

In the championship game, both teams came out on fire, with the lead changing back and forth. In the end, DCS got revenge by beating Train Wreck 7-6. With the win, DCS forced the "if" and the players were not going to be denied the championship and the berth to the Nationals. They came out swinging and derailed Train Wreck by a score of 14-2. DCS earned their berth the hard way, but to Train Wreck’s surprise, they also earned a national berth. DCS coach, Mike Dalby said, "My players have been playing hard all year and they never gave up. That shows how determined they are to win. Even though we were sent to the loser’s bracket, they showed great heart and came out on top." DSC won a NSA Western World berth a few months ago and decided to set their eyes on the ASA Nationals.

Doug Russell, Train Wreck’s coach, stated that all his players are real excited about the Nationals. "This team has only been together for six months, but they show great promise." They also won a berth to the NSA Western Worlds and plan on playing in both tournaments. "We didn’t win the tournament, but we got our berth and the guys are real happy about it. I hope that we can continue with the winning attitude," said Russell.

The tournament was a great success and all teams had a great time. Other top teams were Taylor Made Softball in third place and Morconcrete (Vancouver, WA) in fourth.