Sports

     It's every ball player's dream. Last inning. Two outs. A chance to win the game.       For Vinton-Shellsburg junior shortstop Ashley Strong, that dream came true Saturday during the North Butler softball tournament. Strong and her Vikette teammates had won two relatively easy games, 12-0 over Clarksville and 8-4 over Lakesville.

 More than 70 boys attended V-S Basketball Camp last week, while the girls attended Tuesday and Thursday fundamentals sessions with coach Deb Hanneman.      Boys coach Joe Johnson is very happy with the participation and says he believes it will translate into higher numbers for the high school teams.     Girls can still sign up for camp, says Hanneman.

     The Vinton-Shellsburg softball team played four games in three days, winning three of them.      The Vikettes won their home tournament on Saturday with two big victories, defeating Dunkerton, 12-0 and South Tama, 9-1.     On Monday, the Vikettes hosted Williamsburg. The Raiders came back from a 4-2 deficit with a 3-run rally in the seventh to defeat the Vikettes 5-4.

     For the fourth year in a row, some of Iowa's best basketball players will join a team with the name "Vinton" in it.       Kent Stufflebeam of Vinton, a long-time Iowabasketball fan, has been following the Primte Time League for several years.       He said a few years ago, he became interested in sponsoring a team, and finding out how much it would cost.

  With a game set on Friday July 8 at 7 p.m. on Center Point's football field, the Vinton Shellsburg Alumni Football team continues to practice weekly as they gear up for a contest against the Stormin' Pointers.  The Vikings' squad consists of former players from three decades of graduating classes.  The game will feature full pads, full contact, and a complete, hard hitting football game.

     Senior pitcher Kody Seaton held the powerful Williamsburg baseball team scoreless, pitching a complete 7-inning game for a 3-0 victory Monday in Vinton.      Seaton also drove in a run with a squeeze bunt in the sixth inning. The score was tied until the bottom of the fifth, when Bryce Burroughs drove in two with a single that bounced out of the glove of a diving Raider outfielder.

The 11U boys baseball team took 2nd in the Lindsey Bash in Vinton this weekend.   (Front Row)  Mason Stainbrook, Jackson Meyer, Mitchell Bos, Blake Bohnsack, Justin Bartz, Carter Weeks (Back Row)  Cole Tharp, Jimmy Becker, Cole Overton, Jace Kelchen, Tanner Cummings   Congratulations Guys!

     Pitching and defense helped the Vinton-Shellsburg 13U baseball team to win its home tournament.      This past weekend, the VS 13U Black team won their home tournament in Vinton by allowing only 3 runs in 5 games. The championship game was between VS and Johnston. Members of the team are pictured left to right: Jonathon Betterton, Kyle Jorgensen, Cole Garwood, Brian Stainbrook, Tyler Rippel, Tyler Stueck, Zach Boisen, Austin Bohnsack, Nick Hyland, Sean Noeller, coaches Dave Boisen, Roger Roseberry, and Tom Stueck.

     Winners of Sunday's feature races at the Benton County Speeday June 12 include:  Modifieds: Tony Olson Hobby Stock: Russell Damme, Jr. Stock Car: Damon Murty Sport Compact: Nate Chandler Sport Mod: Race Hullin

Welcome to another Views from the Grandstand.  The only reason I was able to do this is because my little guy was sick so he didn't play t-ball tonight.  Tonight light rain hung out in the area and actually caused the track to be very racy.  Since the last time I was at the track it appeared like they widened the racing groove substantially.