Missoula Fighting for World Series Spot

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By A.J. Donatoni

Story Published: Aug 1, 2010 at 8:20 AM MST

Story Updated: Aug 1, 2010 at 8:20 AM MST

Last year, it was Butte. In 2010, it's starting to look like it could be Missoula's turn to take on the world.

A year after falling to Butte's Softball Senior League representative in the West Regional of the Little League World Series, Missoula has a chance this year to reach that stage.

"To be the second team from Montana to go [to the LLWS] would be awesome, " Bailey Deyle said. "I know all the girls are pushing themselves hard to get there."

And so far, so good. At this year's regional in Butte, Missoula is off to a 2-1 start, their only hiccup coming at the hands of the Arizona team on Saturday. The key to the start has been simple, according to the team.

"Our pitching has to keep doing what it's doing," manager Dennis Staves said. "Our pitching right now is doing great. It's controlling these teams pretty well."

"We're coming along great, we're really playing well together," Kelsey Lucostic said."We're new to each other, but we're playing really well together."

And the team didn't look too far for motivation this year. Falling two wins short last year to the team who's hosting the tournament this year will provide any that you need.

"There's definitely motivation, especially for the girls who played last year on Zoo-Town," Lucostic said, "to go all the way after coming ujp short last year."

The regional runs through next Wednesday, if necessary. The championship series begins on Tuesday in a best-of-three format.

A.J. Donatoni
ajdonatoni@maxmontana.com

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