Article: Xpress runs extreme route to win national softball title ; The 14-and-under girls fast-pitch team comes from loser's bracket to win 9 straight games.

The Miami Valley Xpress 14-and-under girls softball team earned its national fastpitch championship the hard way.

The team of high school sophomores from the Dayton-Cincinnati area had to come through the loser's bracket, winning nine straight games. Six of those victories came on the final day, Aug. 4, of the Amateur Softball Association Eastern Regional national tournament in Roanoke, Va.

To add to the degree of difficulty and drama, they had to score in the late innings for 5-4 and 3-2 wins in the championship finals over the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Power.

The tournament, which drew 32 teams from 12 states, is considered one of two ASA national championships. There is another title for teams ...

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