The Ruckus softball team members are front row (from left) Amy Hammond, Angie York, Jess Martin, Natasha Sturm and Megan Gambill. Back row (from left) Marsha Martin, Lacey Stone, Alicia Hill, Alicia Tally, Patty Tally, Regina Robinson and Vicky James. Not pictured is Lisa Beatty.

As the end of summer is winding down and youth baseball/softball teams are playing in final all-star tournaments, the local adult softball scene is starting to heat up. Local teams have played in state tournaments, with one team qualifying for nationals, and there are several upcoming local tournaments including two benefit tournaments.

The Ruckus women's softball team, composed from players from Dugger, Jasonville, Linton, Sullivan and Switz City will be traveling to Dothan, Ala. over Labor Day weekend to participate in the Women's D Class East National tournament. The local women earned the national berth with a second place showing at the State Championships in Kokomo a few weekends back.

Things did not look very promising for the ladies as they dropped their first game of the tournament, 7-5, which made for a long journey back into title contention.

That journey began with a wild 18-17 win over team Cherekee in their second game. The local ladies received double satisfaction from the win as Cherekee bounced the ladies out of the tournament last season. The game proved to be a big confidence booster, as they rattled off impressive wins over Indiana Unknown 12-4, Vickers 10-5 and Wildones 17-7 to reach the championship game.

Their win over Wildones was even more impressive than the 10-run victory would indicate, as they dismantled last year's state champs. The win set up a clash against team Blue Thunder, with the local ballers needing to defeat Blue Thunder twice to claim the title.

Hopes for a state title for the local ladies were still alive after they handed Blue Thunder their first loss of the tournament, 8-4 for a winner-take-all second game.

In the title game, defense was the name of the game through the first four innings as the two teams locked horns in a scoreless tie. Ruckus would break the string of goose eggs in the fifth inning with a single run, before Blue Thunder would respond with three in the bottom half.

The offense would get on track in the sixth inning as Ruckus would post a four spot to take a 5-3 lead. Two runs by Blue Thunder in the home half would knot the contest at five apiece going into the seventh inning. The local women looked poised to complete the double dip and claim a paid berth into the nationals as they scored three more runs in the seventh for a 8-5 lead, needing just three outs to pull off the comeback.

Holding a slim 8-7 lead with two outs and runners at second and third, a bad bounce of the ball allowed Blue Thunder to plate the tying and winning runs to end Ruckus' run.

Winning five of seven games in one hot afternoon is nothing to be ashamed of, especially after dropping the first game and having to face elimination in each of the last six games. The ladies are all champs in this sports writer's book and they still have some business to take care of in the weeks to come.

Over on the men's side of the field, team 180 competed in the C Class State Championships at Midwest Sports Park in Indianapolis last weekend. The men, comprised of players from Jasonville, Linton, Sullivan and Flatrock, Ill. were not as fortunate as the women.

In their first game. team 180 Energy Drink fell victim to the luck of the blind draw, or in this instance not so lucky, as they fell to USSSA State Champions, Gabes Pizza, 20-8.

In game two, the team showed a lot of heart falling behind 14-0 entering the fifth innings before falling in heart-breaking fashion, 21-20 to end their tournament run.

The men, who finished third in last year's D Class State Championships, are having a good season in league play, as they boost a 10-1 record at Spencer Park in Terre Haute. The team sits in first place with just four games remaining.

In other softball news, if you do not have any plans set for this upcoming weekend, I highly encourage everyone to make a trip over to Dugger to catch some softball action in the third annual Dylan Woods tournament.

Proceeds from this year's tournament will go to benefit the family of seven year old Jacob Stautz, who was badly burned earlier in the year. There will be two games at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. starting Friday night at the Dugger diamonds. The tournament will resume play at 9 a.m. on Saturday with the championship game to start at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

There will also be a corn hole tournament taking place at the ballpark on Saturday wish a cash prize going to the winner. So come out and support a good cause and enjoy some good games and great softball action. Good luck to all those that are playing, unless you end up playing against my team, then...well still good luck I guess, lol.

There will also be a couple of co-ed tournament coming up in Jasonville. The Shakamak Youth League along with Team 180 Energy Drink will host tournaments on Aug. 15 and Aug. 29 at Hanna Field in Jasonville.

All proceeds for the tournament on Aug. 29 will go to the family of K.J. Helton to help offset medical costs. Helton was severely injured in an ATV accident recently.

For more information on any of these tournament feel free to contact myself. Look forward to seeing everyone out at the ballparks through the rest of the summer and into fall.

Travis David is a sports writer for the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at (812) 847-4487 ext. 20 or tdavid@gcdailyworld.com.