The combined Little League Junior Softball team from the Nunaka Valley, City View and Polar circuits in Anchorage got off to a blistering start at the Western Regionals in Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday.
The Alaskans beat Tillamook, Oregon, 14-1, in six innings and only surrendered a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The temperature was 92 degrees when the game, scheduled for seven innings, was halted by the mercy rule.
"We kind of got things clicking a little bit,'' said manager Jeff Boeckman.
Daisy Page had a lot to do with that. She pitched a complete game and went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run. Julia Tosi went 4 for 5 with a pair of doubles, Christina Rapoza went 2 for 2 and Eva Damrill went 2 for 3.
Alaska, which won the state championship in Juneau last week, next plays Saturday, when it faces a team from Auburn, Washington. Auburn opened Thursday with a 3-0 victory over Fontana of Southern California. The tournament is for girls ages 12-14.
The Western Regional features nine teams playing in two pools of the double-elimination tournament. The regional champion advances to the World Series in Kirkland, Washington, later this month.
Nunaka Valley in 2012 won the World Series in Kirkland.