Kickstand claims state 14-inch softball title

The Kickstand softball team from Cedar Rapids claimed top honors at the USA Softball of Iowa – 2021 Men’s 14-inch Slow Pitch State Tournament at Prospect Meadows last weekend (Aug.14-15).

Kickstand captured the Major division title with a perfect 5-0 record. The team from Tiffin that spells it’s name b-a-c-K-w-r-d placed second with a 6-2 mark. Bully’s of Blairstown was third with a 3-2 record.

Tanner Unkel, Logan Ruffridge, Isaah Dickson, Dustin Beguhn and Terrell Sykes of Kickstand made the all-tournament team.  Unkel was named the tournament MVP.

Double Z of Marion took the Class A title with Nick Blanchard, Jake Williams, Ben Stutt, Tyler McCarthy and Tyler Manning making the all-tournament squad. Blanchard was honored as the Class A captain.

Vaughn’s Pub of Marshalltown claimed the Class B championship. Lundy Kurth, Jeremy Butteris, Andrew Branan, Ryan Anderson and Justin Wood from Vaughn’s Pub were selected to the all-tournament team, with Kurth serving as captain.

Twenty-four teams participated in the state tournament, which was held at Prospect Meadows for the second straight year.