ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) For the first time, the Stateline is home to the National Softball Association Fast Pitch World Series. 85 teams from six states are in Rockford and Beloit to compete for the North-Central "B' and "C" championships.
The Rockford Xtreme 18u travel team has been mostly together since its origins in 2012. Many of the players on the team are playing in their final two tournaments with the squad.
""It's a pretty big deal. Especially having it be the first one," said recent Auburn grad Jordan Rindels. "It's our last year together from the original team that we've had for six years. So I think that's pretty significant for us to finally get to do it on our last year together."
Saturday, team Xtreme had a chance to win a World Series title.
Heading into the championship series, Rockford went unbeaten, defeated Summit City (IN) Select in Friday's semifinal to guarantee a spot in the title game. However, it was Summit City that came out on fire on a very hot day at the ballpark. The team from Indiana scored six runs in the sixth to pull away in Game 1, then blanked Rockford 8-0 in Game 2 to win the 18u "B" World Series.
Head coach Mike Intravaia said it's been a great group to coach.
"We have just been blessed to have good ball players, great parents and support," said Intravaia. "We've just kept them together which is very rare. Usually people are looking to go here and there, but we've stayed together. It's been an awesome team, an awesome experience for all these girls."
Gloss