The road to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa. continues this week for Hastings Little League. It competes all week at the provincial championship in Trail for the chance to advance to the national tournament in Edmonton Aug. 4 to 11.
"The team is batting well and are defensively solid," said coach Mike Mitzel from the West Kootenay town. "But there's still a lot of game to play. The real test will come in the playoffs."
Hastings, a close-knit team, leads the league in batting average, home runs and RBIs, according to coaches. Mitzel's grandson Steven Moretto leads the team as one of its sluggers, nailing two home runs and six RBIs in the first two games at the provincial tournament.
The pitching leader in wins and strikeouts is also from Hastings.
On Wednesday Hastings plays Dunbar Little League.
Hastings counts two 11-year-old players on an otherwise mature roster and is on a collision course with White Rock Little League, also undefeated headed into provincials. Hastings lost in last year's final to Langley Little League, the team that eventually qualified to represent Canada at the World Series.
