Minor all-stars off to state on a streak

You might say the Columbia Falls minor all-star baseball team is on a roll.

The team headed into the Western State Tournament in Polson this week after winning three straight tourney titles. The state tournament is Wednesday through Sunday.

In the Dick Lindsley Tournament June 20-22 at the Bob Smith and Cornelia Fields in Whitefish and Columbia Falls, the local all-stars blanked Clark Fork Valley 10-0 in the championship game. That came after Tristin Steinwand hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the team a 7-6 victory over North Bitterroot Valley in the semifinals.

The all-stars also won the Tobacco Valley Tournament June 28-29 in Eureka, beating Whitefish in the title game.

In an international tournament hosted by Kimberly, BC, on July 5-6, the Columbia Falls all-stars faced Lethbridge, Nelson and Kimberly, topping Nelson in the championship game. In the first round, Columbia Falls earned a win over Kimberly.

Members of the all-star team are Steinwand, Dakota Bridwell, Tanner Decker, Quentin Foust, Ben Hansford, Tyler Murphy, Sean Hoerner, Glenn Morden, Colten Parker, Colton Gove, Jake King, Cameron Linstead, Wyatt Green, Erick Franklund and Greyson Bistodeau. Jamie King is the head coach, and his assistants are Trevor Kjensrud and Brian Bistodeau.