The Chinook Girls 10U Softball team overcame a lot during a season that concluded this past week with a 15-0 come form behind win in the Championship game against Triple Dog.

This years squad was made up of team members Jo Kelly, Lou Kelly, Rooney Briere, Mariah Huravitch, Lois McKenzie, Rian Molyneaux, Amanda Finley, Abby Danley, Kendall Fetter, Nora Zellmer, Mason Olsen, Pepper Harwood, Piper Skoyen, Sasha Andersen and Teagan Britt. The girls were coached by Leland Standiford, Jamie Britt, Kelsey Harwood and Matthew Finley.

The team first took the field with 15 girls ready to throw pitch, catch and hit as Head Coach Leland Standiford met them with a smile and laid out the groundwork for them to have a successful season.

With the number of kids out this spring parents quickly stepped up to volunteer and help coach Standiford lead the team. The girls took some time to find their way on the softball field but continued to put in the work at each and every practice.

The first game of the season took place in May, but even as it approached Standiford wasn't sure if his team was ready, "The girls, they stepped right on the field and swung the bat hard. They worked together to make some nice plays and did all that was needed to start the season with a win."

Any season that starts with a win is always a good one and the girls continued to build on their early success. Like all teams they had their ups and downs but as the Havre City League tournament approached, the kids were playing well enough to win their fair share of games.

"You could see it in the girls every week in practice and at the end of games towards the end of the season. They were confident, they were playing well and the improvements made on the field were easy for all to see," said Standiford.

The toughest test Standiford felt the girls faced heading into the first game of the tournament was the realization that the next game could be their last, "They really stepped up, played hard and did everything they could to make sure that they were still playing at the end of the day."

Following a win Tuesday night the girls advanced to the semifinal round Thursday night with first pitch set for 5:00 p.m. "The girls played really well," said Standiford. "It was back and forth all game long and was close. The girls kept their composure and picked up a hard fought 6-6 win in four innings to keep the dream alive."

The Chinook win propelled the girls into the Championship contest against an all to familiar foe, Triple Dog. A year ago in the Havre City League Championship, Triple Dog Brewery came out on top of a hard fought contest against Chinook.

This go around the Chinook team came out focused, mentally tough and were prepared to face any obstacle head on. "It was a hard fought game all night long and the girls were down four runs but they battled back and turned things around," commented Standiford.

Chinook mounted a late comeback after trailing 10-6 in the third inning, " They didn't hang their heads at all. They went to the plate with purpose, swung the bat well and made some magic happen," added Standiford.

The Chinook 10U team rallied for nine unanswered runs and took a 15-10 victory to claim the Havre City League 10U Girls Softball championship.

Coach Standiford was grateful for the season the girls got to experience, "I'm so happy to see all these girls come out and enjoy the sport, work hard and have some success. It takes a lot of things to happen for a championship season to take place. The parents did a great job ensuring all of the kids made it to practice and to each game during the season and tournament. Having volunteers step up to help coach is such a help as well, especially with 15 girls. Wouldn't have happened without all of their help."

Just like any sport, AAU, junior high, high School and beyond each team is new each year and kids have to be replaced on the roster. Several players from this group will move on and play 12U softball next year and the younger kids will once again be called on to fill new rolls and become leaders. "We'll see some move up but we will have a quality group of young pitchers and hitters coming back next year. They learned a lot this season," concluded Standiford.