Local shorts
Dons prevail
The Dons of Brainerd claimed the 22nd annual Brainerd slow pitch softball tournament, now titled the Hopper Memorial softball tournament, July 7-8. The event was organized by Eric Haapajoki to start a scholarship fund in the name of his father, Jon Haapajoki.
The Dons beat Whities 14-2, 3B Softball 10-6 and the 45 T's 18-10 on Saturday. Then they defeated the Annandale Dawgs 20-6 and McCoys of Little Falls 19-6 early on Sunday. The Dawgs came back and won the first game of the double elimination championship 11-7 before the "Dons" prevailed in the finale 15-4.
Leading the "Dons" to the championship were Dan Eigen (.783, 5 home runs), Ster Spicer (.625, 1), Tony Mathison (.615, 2), Geno Holmgren (.609, 6), Tommy Smith (.577, 1) and Shawn McLain (4 home runs).