A dramatic finish resulted in Neepawa falling just short of winning the provinical under-16 B girls softball championship on Sunday in Winnipeg. 

 

A Neepawa runner on third base ­- and the potential tying run - was called out at home plate as the Brandon Heat edged Neepawa 9-8 in the championship final.

 

The final saw Brandon start the game strong, scoring five runs in the top of the first before Neepawa roared back, scoring five of their own in the bottom of the inning. 

 

"It kind of went back and forth from there," said Kelly Krzyzaniak, one of Neepawa's coaches, regarding the final. 

 

With the score tied at seven, Brandon would pull ahead in the top of the seventh (final inning) scoring twice en route to the tightly-contested victory.

 

Neepawa advanced to the championship game by defeating Greendell 12-4 in a semifinal. The game included a highlight reel catch by Neepawa's Dana Friesen in centre field, who dove and caught a fly ball that popped out of the left fielder's glove. 

 

Neepawa finished 2-1 in their respective pool, advancing to the playoffs on Sunday. Neepawa would then defeat the Southdale Lakers in a quarter-final. 

 

Greendell won the bronze medal, defeating Parkland in the third place game.