Three Rivers Little League Boys and Girls Clinch State Tournament Berths

A pair of teams. One district title each. Now, state.

The 12U boys baseball team and the 8-10 girls softball squad from Three Rivers Little League have secured their spots in next week’s Colorado State Tournament. They didn’t just qualify; they swept the competition at Grand Mesa between June 26 and July 2.

For locals in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Gypsum, Eagle, and Edwards, this isn’t just a banner on the wall. It’s validation of a system that has been producing winners for years.

Let’s look at the boys’ team first. They’ve embraced the nickname “Vikings of the Red,” honoring their coaches’ Norwegian heritage. That’s not just branding; it dictated their strategy. Coach Travis Hjorth told the Post Independent that the team’s game plan is aggressive.

“Instead of waiting around for something to happen, we make it happen now,” Hjorth said. “Once we get ahead, we stay ahead.”

They proved it by rowing through the bracket. They defeated Monument 14-3 to open the tournament. The next day, three pitchers combined for a perfect game in a 15-0 victory over Grand Mesa. They closed out the bracket with three straight wins over Delta, including a 7-4 championship victory on July 2.

The softball squad had a bumpier start but recovered quickly. They dropped their first game to Monument 16-4 on June 27. But they bounced back immediately, defeating Monument twice the following day: a 24-9 route in the morning and a 4-0 shutout in the afternoon championship game.

Practices for these all-star squads began in mid-March, with opening day on April 4. After the regular season league championship wrapped up on May 30, players selected via coaches’ nominations and a tryout on May 17 began intensive training.

“We’ve been training together for over a month now, and it’s during that time that the camaraderie really comes out,” Hjorth noted.

This isn’t a fluke year. Several players on the current 12U roster were part of the 11U team that won the district title last summer. While the 11U age group stops at state, older divisions can advance to regionals and potentially the Little League World Series.

The numbers from recent history back up this consistency. In 2022, Three Rivers sent softball, 12U, and 14U teams to state titles and regional berths. In 2023, the 12U and 13U teams advanced to regionals.

Now, both current squads face the next hurdle: the Mountain Region tournament. This is one of ten U.S. Little League regional tournaments. The state tournament begins on July 23 in Grand Mesa.

If they win at state, they move forward to regionals. If they lose, the season ends for most of these players. For the 12U and older teams, a regional berth keeps the dream alive for July in Williamsport.

The cost of participation is standard league fees, but the logistical load falls on parents driving between Carbondale and Grand Mesa for practices and games. The schedule is tight, but the results are clear.

Three Rivers isn’t just participating anymore. They’re competing at a level that demands attention from the rest of the Western Slope.