The Rockers (43-11) are led by head coach, Paul Carelton and just completed playing in the 2007 North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) World Series double elimination tournaments “AA” division.
On Friday, August 17, 2007, The Rockers defeated an excellent past NAFA “A” champion squad, Kelder Poured Walls of Scottville, Michigan in an exciting come from behind (down 5-1 in the 6th) win in extra innings 7-6 in the 8th inning. Pitcher, Joe Jaquez came in relief of Mike Milligan in the 5th inning to pick up the win. Mike Abernathy sparked the teams offense with his hitting including a home run and his defense. Kary Moore also added a boost to the team coming off the bench and contributing with 3 hits including scoring the winning run.
Saturday, the River City Rockers jumped all over Ricola of New Jersey/New York 13-0 in 5 innings. Joe Jaquez threw the complete game and picked up the win. The Rockers sticks finally waking up with Scott Harrison, Justin Nicholson and Rusty Newnan hitting home runs. Dave Bostick, shortstop played solid defense shoring up the middle.
In another Saturday, winner bracket game , the Rockers squeaked out a 4-3 victory over Priority Mortgage of Michigan. Mike Milligan went the full distance to pick up the hard fought win. Mario Pereira scored the first run. Mark Summers scored and Greg Rogers hit a double to drive in two runs. Scott Harrison made a spectacular diving catch to secure the victory. Leading 4-1 in the 7th, Priority managed to get the winning run to the plate, but a pop out to 2nd baseman, Mike Abernathy sealed the victory for the Rocker squad.
Northern California’s top ranked men’s fastpitch team, the River City Rockers of Sacramento, CA were now 3-0 heading into the winners bracket final against Sioux Falls, South Dakotas’ Scarlett’s Sox at the NAFA 2007 World Series in Des Moines, Iowa.
The River City Rockers of Sacramento, CA lost an “old school fastpitch game” 1-0 with the Scarlett’s Sox of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Rockers’ Ed Gaspar threw a brilliant game in defeat. He threw a 3-hitter. Kyle Eberts picked up the complete game win for the South Dakota team. A single, then a past ball/wild pitch followed by a single got a run on the board in the fourth for the Sox. The Rockers threatened to score and were led with hits by Greg Rogers, Mike Abernathy, Dave Jordan, Rusty Newnan and Scott Harrison. Center fielder, Scott Harrison made an “ESPY” nominee catch. He sprinted toward the fence and caught a deep drive while falling over the fence, saving a sure home run…”dunna nun”. Dave Jordan with 2 outs in the seventh kept the game alive with a base hit, which brought up Mike Abernathy with a
chance to win it. Not this time, Eberts got the out, the game and basically the championship. This pitching dual was one for the memories and for the second year in a row, the Rockers lost
the winner bracket final by a run to the eventual champion.
The defeat set up a loser bracket final with the Rockers squaring off at 10:45 AM on Monday
morning needing one victory to get to the Championship game. Unfortunately, the Rockers came out flat and committed mistakes in the 1st inning and spotted Priority Mortgage of Grand Rapids, Michigan a 5-0 lead. The Rockers started Joe Jaquez with Greg Rogers as his battery mate. Joe was lifted in the 1st with Ed Gaspar coming in for relief. The Rockers managed to out hit their opponents, but stranded many more base runners and were unable to battle their way back from their early deficit. They lost 8-4 to Priority Mortgage and placed 3rd in the prestigious 2007 NAFA “AA” World Series tournament. The Scarlet’s Sox won the championship and “ring” with a 2-1 victory in the “If” game vs. Priority Mortgage.
All-World awards went to the Rockers’ Mike Abernathy, Scott Harrison and Greg Rogers. The Rockers now head to the ASA “B” National Championships in Altamonte Springs, Florida on August 29- Sept. 4, 2007. They drew a competitive Luna’s Towing team for the 9 AM game on Thursday morning. You can bet the Rockers won’t come out flat for that match up.
Respectfully submitted,
Kary Moore
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