By The Canadian Press

BRANDON, Man. - Friends and former teammates of Ashley Neufeld have held an impromptu memorial service in her hometown of Brandon, Man.

Dozens of people marked the life of the star softball player at a local ball diamond, drawing a large heart in the infield dirt and placing flowers at second base.

One of the organizers, Jim Nay, says the community of 40,000 sends its heart out to Neufeld's family.

Nay coached Neufeld, and says she was a determined player who also had a positive attitude and was well-liked.

Neufeld was one of three young women who died after the jeep they were in got submerged in a farm pond in North Dakota.

Neufeld and her two friends, Kyrstin Gemar and Afton Williamson of California, played softball for Dickinson State University.