12U All Stars take third at state

The 12U Columbia Falls All Star baseball team wrapped up its 2014 season with a third place finish at the state tournament this past weekend in Whitefish.

The team posted three wins and two losses during the tournament. Two of their wins came in extra-inning wins against Florence and Mission Valley. Both games were suspended because of daylight and resumed the following morning.

Columbia Falls battled Florence for an entire 11 innings before the winning run crossed the plate, making the final score 8-7. The game against Mission Valley went eight innings before Columbia Falls put the game away, 9-8.

“Both games will be remembered and talked about for years to come, not just by the teams involved but by coaches and fans who were there to witness them,” manager Trevor Kjensrud said.

The team played in five tournaments this season, taking a second at the Father’s Day Tournament in Columbia Falls, fourth at the Jack Zerr Tournament in Whitefish and third at state.

“The team battled and worked hard all year long and grew tremendously each and every week,” Kjensrud said. “Their focus and composure led to a very successful season.”

Members of the team consisted of nine 12-year-olds, Jake Bulawsky, Bobby Dewbre, Jaxon Heinz, Camryn Lingle, JJ Moye Jr., Gage Redd, Ayden Role, Trenton Tyree, Hunter Underdahl; and three 11-year-olds, Chance Butzlaff, Derek Kjensrud, Preston Trenerry and bat boy Easton Kemppainen.

“I want to say a very special thanks to coach Tom Kemppainen and coach Jamie King,” Kjensrud said. “These two coaches didn’t have a player on the team, yet they dedicated their time and energy to teaching and coaching these players how to play the game of baseball. The success of this team, in large part, was because of their efforts.”