The Strike Zone Wildcats earned a spot in the Baseball Players Association World Series by winning the BPA 9U Early Bird Tournament in Muncie last weekend.

The Wildcats used a two-out rally in the fifth inning to beat the Indiana Bandits 6-5 to win the title. Strike Zone trailed 5-3 in the fifth with two outs when Christian Brubaker and Ryan Hackworth sandwiched walks around Simon Dellinger’s single. Breaden Klinedinst then delivered the game-winning hit.

The roster includes: Christian Brubaker, Simon Dellinger, Caden Easterday, Ryan Hackworth, Jake Hayden, Breaden Klinedinst, Reese Kuhns, Breaden Pierce, Cole Powers, Bryson Reinig, Blake Scheer, Colten Shuler, Kaleb Study, Luke Watson.

The team is managed by Jeff Reinig. Coaches are Darrell Hackworth, Cameron Brubaker, Tony Powers and B.J. Hayden. The BPA World Series will be played in July in Owensboro, Ky.

Muskie survey planned at Upper Long Lake

Fisheries biologists with the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a study of the muskie stocking program this summer at Upper Long Lake in southwestern Noble County.

The local lake association and the Webster Lake Muskie Club have periodically stocked muskie fingerlings since 1996 to provide muskie fishing opportunities.

Division representatives will be stationed at the lake to count and interview fishermen, and data they gather will be used to determine how many fish are caught, size of fish caught and the level of interest in muskie fishing.

Volunteer Week at state parks begins

National Volunteer Week starts today, and the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs has numerous types of opportunities for the outdoor-minded to give back.

Opportunities include greeting interpretive center visitors, serving as a campground host, demonstrating a craft or skill, assisting with special events, maintaining trails, or monitoring bluebird boxes.

A brochure describing volunteer opportunities at DNR properties is at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2443.htm. Visit www.dnr.in.gov/parklake and click “How You Can Help” to download a volunteer application form.

Hurshtown Reservoir opens for season

Hurshtown Reservoir, a 240-acre lake at 16000 Roth Road near Grabill, opened Thursday.

Besides fishing, Hurshtown features a 2.75-mile walking path, areas for picnics and outdoor volleyball, and rowboat rentals.

Admission is $4 per car for a daily pass, $25 for an annual pass and $13 for a senior annual pass. If you walk in or bike in, admission is 50 cents per person. Rowboats are available for $4 per hour.

The reservoir is open Thursday through Monday until 8 p.m. through May. In June, July and August, the reservoir will be open Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, call 627-3390 or visit www.fortwayneparks.org.