Article submitted by Kristian Pälviä (Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation). Enköping, Sweden, 2009-03-10

For the 18th consecutive year, the Swedish softball season started with the SIM Cup, played indoors in Enköping, Sweden on March 7-8.

Eight female fastpitch teams played a total of 20 games over the two day tournament, which started with a round robin pool play on Saturday and playoffs on Sunday.

For the second consecutive year, Skövde Saints finished on top at the SIM Cup, after narrowingly beating Söder Black and Blue in the final, with the final score at 2-1. Söder beat Skövde in the group pool play, but the reigning champions held back Söder in the final. In the bottom of the final frame and with Skövde on top 2-1, Söder had runners on first and third but thanks to a strong defensive play from Saints shortstop Ann-Sofie Rickardsson, Skövde could secure their second straight indoor championship.

The bronze medals were awarded to Sundsvall Mosquitoes, beating Enköping Wildcats by 2-1.

All results:
Group A: Enköping - Göteborg 4-3, Leksand-Sundsvall 5-12, Sundsvall-Enköping 4-2, Göteborg-Leksand 2-1, Enköping-Leksand 2-1, Sundsvall-Göteborg 6-0.
Group B: Söder-Karlslund 6-0, Skövde-Norrköping 7-0, Karlslund-Skövde 1-7, Norrköping-Söder 3-10, Skövde-Söder 0-2, Karlslund-Norrköping 9-2.

Quarterfinals: Sundsvall - Norrköping 9-3, Söder-Leksand 8-0, Enköping-Karlslund 2-1, Skövde-Göteborg 11-0
Semifinals: Söder - Enköping 3-1, Sundsvall - Skövde 0-4.
Bronze game: Enköping - Sundsvall 1-2
Final game: Söder - Skövde 1-2

SIM Cup Best pitcher: Priya Mohlén, Skövde
SIM Cup Best batter: Amanda Karlsson, Skövde
SIM Cup Most Valuable Player: Ulrika Fräsen, Söder

The outdoor softball season starts May 1st and ends with the best-of-five finals in late September.