RAPID CITY - For a group of girls who have known nothing but success at the Scheels Rushmore Classic Softball Tournament, Sunday was a bittersweet day.

The U-18 Rapid City Stingrays were looking for the three-peat at the tournament after dominating at the U-14 and U-16 levels on their way to tournament titles the last few year. However, for some of the players this was the last time they would get to play in front of their home crowd with a Stingray uniform on.

"This is kind of sad because we have been together since we were little," said Jessica Dvorak, a five-year veteran of the team. "It is kind of hard saying goodbye to everybody but we are just trying to have a great year."

The team was making sure that it went out with one of its best performances as the Stingrays breezed through pool play on Saturday, allowing just one run in three games to advance to the championship round on Sunday.

"We play pretty good defense and we have a really good pitcher," Stingrays head coach Billy Lemmon said. "Sometimes that is the way it goes and it is nice when it happens like that."

There are few pep talks that are needed to get this team ready to win its home tournament.

"It is very important to us because the whole team loves playing ball and we all get along," said Dvorak. "Everyone has a positive attitude and we all stick together which helps out.

"We are a strong team and we try to do our best. Our goal is to get better each time out."

The team has been led by pitcher Ashley Meyer, who has overpowered opposing hitters in giving up just one run.

"My dad came back and he has been working with me which has been fun, but other than that it is just good defense behind me and a good team," said the Rapid City Stevens graduate, who spent last season at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. "The college game is different, but when you get to those tournaments in Colorado and places like that it is very competitive."

Meyer posted a 24-3 record in her first year in college, collecting 16 shutouts along the way.

Meyer, who will attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls in the fall, has joined the Stingrays for a few tournaments during the summer and has enjoyed the experience even if it is a different kind of challenge.

"I absolutely love playing for Billy and these guys," she said. "I just wanted to have a fun season. I love being here and I absolutely love the tournament. It is such a friendly community."

The Stingray offense has been able to get the offense going during the tournament, which has allowed Meyer to relax and put all of the pressure on the other team.

Lemmon said he has six or seven core players that have been with the team since it began its string of success at the tournament, and even though he is losing some key players their playing careers are far from over.

"About 75 or 80 percent of the girls are looking to play at the next level, and, fortunately for me, I have found a group of girls that softball is all they want to do," Lemmon said.

The Stingrays came into the Rushmore Classic after finishing fifth out of 19 teams at a Colorado tournament and will have little down time with another tournament in Westminster, Colo., beginning today through Sunday.

"There are over 200 teams and it is a big showcase that gives the girls a lot of exposure," Lemmon said.