Photos: Want a shot at a bigger state softball champion? Come play in the Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational

Reigning Class 4A state champion Jackson highlights a strong field for cross-classification games at the tournament in Auburn

Todd Milles, SBLive Sports | Mar 26, 2022

Photos: Want a shot at a bigger state softball champion? Come play in the Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational /

AUBURN, Wash. - Auburn Riverside softball coach Bryce Strand had a shoot-for-the-stars idea for an in-season invitational tournament back in 2018.

He wanted to invite all reigning WIAA champions to play in his home complex.

But the idea grew to a much bigger field for the annual Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational.

The three-day-over-two-weekends tournament concluded Saturday with 14 games played, which involved three 2020 state champions in Jackson (4A), Montesano (1A) and Adna (2B).

But what makes this format unique is that each school gets two games against a program from a different classification, which is how a 3A Bellevue played a 2B Pe Ell/Willapa Valley and a 4A Puyallup matched up against a 1A Tenino.

Here is a photo gallery from the final day of the Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational: