The combined Bellevue Thunderbird / Mercer Island Majors Softball All Star team has defeated Montana (12-5), Southern California (6-4) and now Arizona (1-0) to go 3-0 in pool play of the Weatern Regionals of the Little League Softball World Series. The THin MInts, as the team is affectionately known, play Idaho on Friday at 1:00pm, but regardless of the outcome of that game, they have locked up the #1 seed and a spot in the Regional semi-finals this weekend.  They will play the Northern California from Gilroy LL (3-1 in pool play) in the semi-finals on Saturday at 2:00pm, with the winner advancing to the Regional championship on Sunday at 2:00.

The game against Arizona was a thrilling pitching duel with the lone run coming in the first inning as winning pitcher Kaitlin Sahlinger scored from third after drawing an errant throw from Arizona's catcher. Sahlinger's brilliant pitching was only surpassed by the team's perfect defense as they squelched a bases-loaded, no-out threat in the top of the 6th inning.

The Bellevue/Mercer Island team has reached the final four of the Regional tournament along with Alaska, Southern California and Northern California. The winner of the Regionals will go on to the Little League World Series representing the West in the annual tournament for 12 year olds to be played Aug. 13-19 at Alpenrose, near Portland, OR.