Archive for August, 2008

Big “O” Oredockers Capture Local Wisco Championship

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

From the Chektek Alert:

[Chektek, WI] (a little north of EauClaire/Chippewa Falls)

Weighing Systems turned back the challenge of Alliance Realty/Rice Lake Veterans Center 11-3, while Top of the Ladder upended Larson Collision Center 13-6.

A pair of home runs by Eric DeJesus and a pair of doubles by Derrick Bender paced the Weighing Systems’ offense. Justin Quinn and Justin Stanton added a home run and double respectively. A.J. Sandok countered with a triple for Alliance/Vets. Sam Hall got the pitching win for RLWS. The loss went to Jason Hoff, who had relief help from Denny Root.

Four-for-four batting performances by Jacob Winkler and winning pitcher Mark Hall led the Top of the Ladder triumph. Among Winkler’s hits was a double, Hall’s a triple. James Slattery was two for four, both home runs, Derrick Ferguson two for four with one round tripper, and Adam Bayer and Joe Johnston both had a pair of singles. Larson’s did all their scoring in the fifth inning on singles by Tom Sharp, Tony Wampfler, Tom Dettle and Casey Holub and a triple by Randy Meyers. Losing pitcher was Gary Byl.

The Big “O” Oredockers won a pair of games against two different opponents to capture the regular season Major Division championship. The ‘Dockers entered the final week trailing Hogan’s Orangemen in the standings by one-half game.

Big “O” used a 13-hit attack led by the three for three performance of Shane Massey to subdue the Orangemen 12-10. Massey’s hits included a home run and triple, and he turned in a run-saving defensive play in right field.

Winning pitcher Curt Harings and catcher Tucker Diedrich both batted two for four and each had a double. Veteran shortstop Mike Neil also had a home run.

Tim Hall, Keven Jensen and Al Gingras had two hits in three official trips for the Orangemen, both of Hall’s hits being doubles. Playing manager, Scott Musolf was two for four with a triple. Also batting two for four was Andy Mathews. Brandon Willger added a three-run homer and Mike Musolf an RBI double to the Orangemen offense. Losing pitcher, in relief of Hall, was Max Loew.

Big “O” completed their sweep with a 10-4 victory over McCain Foods, as Tom Clark bested Herb Blaisdell in a battle of pitching veterans. Clark also went three for four at bat including a double. Darren Lentz contributed a two-for-four performance to the winning cause while Ben Anderson homered and Byron Townsend doubled.

Steve Rose and Don Dostal were both two for three for McCain’s, who also got a two-for-four performance from Randy Crotteau and doubles from Greg Nelson and Nick Frederixon.

Chetek River’s Edge scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to win over Mary’s Midway Bar Originals, 17-16. Tatum Candler led River’s Edge by collecting two home runs, a double, and a single in four official at bats. Dusty Reul was two for three with a home run and Brian Erickson was two for four with a round tripper.

Jon Haughian and Bob Bartschenfeld both had three hits in three official at bats, Bartschenfeld with a double, Cory Martens added three hits in four at bats including a double, Mike Swanson was three for five with a two-bagger, Jack Gauthier was two for five and Aaron Koening had a double.

Jason Marshall, in relief of Candler, was winning pitcher, Gauthier took the loss.

Men’s Standings
W-L

Major Division

Big “O” Oredockers 8-2
Hogan’s Orangemen …….7-3
Chetek River’s Edge 5-5
McCain Foods 5-5
Mary’s Midway 0-10
Minor Division
Rice Lake Weighing 8-1
Top of the Ladder 6-3
Alliance/Vets 2-7
Larson’s Collision …………2-7

Mascoutah, Belleville Claim Illinois ASA State Titles

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

From the News-Democrat:

Local teams claim state championships
Mascoutah squad takes Class A;
Belleville Stallions top Class B

One week after Pete’s Blues, from Mascoutah, captured the ASA Class A men’s fast-pitch softball state title, the Belleville Stallions went undefeated through their tournament to win the Class B championship.

Both tourneys were played in Altamont.

After dropping their opening round game to the Cerro Gordo Broncos, the Blues (26-15) rattled off six consecutive wins, including four Sunday to claim the crown.

“This team has battled hard all year and has been playing on the last day of every tournament this year, so it was great to watch it all come together in the state tournament,” Blues standout Jim Pecoraro said. “You can run down the list of every player on our roster and name a big play or hit they made to help us win this tournament.”

Three of the Blues’ four victories Sunday required extra innings. Along the way, the Blues knocked off the two-time defending state champion Guaranteed Air Freight, of Vandalia, 3-1 on Sunday.

With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, Blues outfielder Mack Schmitt preserved the tie with a catch that saved a potential home run.

The Blues got the winning run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Steve Linton.

The championship game was a rematch with undefeated Cerro Gordo, and Pete’s survived a tight finish in the first game to win 6-5.

In the second game, Pete’s got to Broncos ace pitcher Brent Stevenson early and held on for a 10-4 win. Jason Iuli went the distance and struck out 11 to lock up the championship.

The Stallions (38-11) opened the two-week Class B tourney as one of the favorites in a 20-team field. They posted an 8-0 shutout over Tri Power Towing, of Altamont, in the first round before surviving a 14-12 win against Wessel’s Coors Light, of Teutopolis.

The Stallions hit seven home runs in the first two games.

They defeated Tropical Snow, of Teutopolis, 9-1 before topping defending Class B state champs Log Cabin, of Villa Grove, 10-2 to advance to the championship round.

Mike Godar went the distance on the mound and also hit two homers with five RBIs.

The Stallions started slowly against Elkville starter Troy Downen, but home runs by catcher Mike Klein and third basemen Steve Godar gave starting pitcher Tim Davis all the support he would need in a 14-7 victory.

The championship was the second for the Stallions in four years. They also won a state title in 2005.

“It was a little different going in as one of the favorites this time,” Stallions infielder and manager Dave Hill said. “When we won in 2005, it was an upset and I think we caught some teams off guard. But this year the goal from the beginning has been to win the state tournament.”

In Class A, infielder Dave Perkins and pitcher Jason Iuli earned most valuable player and most valuable pitcher awards. For the Stallions, pitcher Mike Godar (Alton Marquette) received the most valuable pitcher award, and outfielder Isaac May (Belleville East) was voted most valuable player.

Earlier this summer, the Stallions won the Teutopolis Memorial Day Tournament and the Terry Deering Memorial Tournament in Pinckneyville.

May finished the tourney with a .680 average from the leadoff spot, while Mike and Steve Godar combined to hit seven homers and drive in 18 runs.

Joining Pecoraro (Belleville East) on the all-tourney team for the Blues were outfielder Mack Schmitt (Althoff), catcher Dan Alstat and pitcher Ron Ames (Belleville East).

Stallions all-state representatives were third baseman Steve Godar (Alton Marquette), shortstop Derrick Johnston (Edwardsville), catcher Mike Klein (Mascoutah), and outfielder Chris Viox (Edwardsville).

Belleville will compete at the North American Fast-Pitch Association national tournament in Mankato, Minn. from Aug. 21-24. The Blues will be in Kansas City for the ASA national tourney later this month, and also have earned an invitation to the International Softball Congress Tournament of Champions Sunday through Wednesday in Kimberly, Wis.

The Show Starts Sunday

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Click Logos for official tournament websites.



Seattle Invitational Past Winners

Monday, August 4th, 2008

48 years worth of Champions at the Seattle Invitational. The list is long and distinguished:

SEATTLE INVITATIONAL PREVIOUS WINNERS

Federal Old Line, Seattle 1961
Federal Old Line, Seattle 1962
Portland Ramblers, Portland 1963
Federal Old Line, Seattle 1964
Federal Old Line, Seattle 1965
Rain Out 1966
Dog House, Seattle 1967
Federal Old Line, Seattle 1968
Ole’s Place, Yakima 1969
Portland Lakers, Portland 1970
Pay N’ Pak, Seattle 1971
Pay N’ Pak, Seattle 1972
Pay N’ Pak, Seattle 1973
Pay N’ Pak, Seattle 1974
Pay N’ Pak, Seattle 1975
Victoria Bate, B.C. 1976
Ray Bristow, Lake Oswego, Oregon 1977
Vancouver Thirsk, Vancouver, B.C. 1978
Peterbilt, Seattle & Allomatics, Saskatoon 1979
Westside Federal, Seattle 1980
Peterbilt, Seattle 1981
Peterbilt, Seattle 1982
Pay N’ Pak, Bellevue 1983
Pay N’ Pak, Bellevue 1984
Pay N’ Pak, Bellevue 1985
Pay N’ Pak, Bellevue 1986
Ruth Realty Dukes, Renton 1987
Guanella Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA 1988
Seafirst, Bellevue 1989
Seafirst, Bellevue 1990
Guanella Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA & Regents, New Westminster, B.C. 1991
Page Brake, Salt Lake City, UT & Regents, New Westminster, B.C. 1992
Payless, Victoria, B.C. 1993
Payless, Victoria, B.C. 1994
Payless, Victoria, B.C. 1995
Rain Out 1996
Seattle Fastpitch Club 1997
Miller-Toyota (Salt Lake City, UT) 1998
Miller-Toyota (Salt Lake City, UT) 1999
Miller-Toyota (Salt Lake City, UT) 2000
Portland Merchants, Portland, Oregon 2001
Lucky Star, Seattle 2002
Bucknell Park, Lacey, Washington 2003
Morgan Transfer, Olympia, Washington 2004
Team CR/DeMarini, Portland, Oregon 2005
Richmond Stealers, Richmond, B.C. 2006
Comox Valley Cannons, Courtenay, B.C., 2007
Team Jones, Portland, Oregon, 2008

Team Jones Tops at 48th Annual Seattle Invitational

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Thanks to Charlie Bendock for this report.

Team Jones Defeats Two Generations to Win the 48th Annual Seattle Invitational

Team Jones banged out 14 hits in 5 innings to defeat a weary Two Generations team 11 – 0 and capture the Championship in the 48th Annual Seattle Invitational. Scott Nokes (Tournament Most Valuable Player) got the show on the road with the first of his 4 hits in the game. Team Jones pushed 3 runs across in the first inning and didn’t let up until 11 had scored after 5 innings. Two Generations, the father and son cinderella team of the tournament, was unable to respond as Greg Barker (Tournament Most Valuable Pitcher) struck out 5 of the first 9 batters he faced before twisting an ankle and retiring for the day. The Two Generation team didn’t have any better success against Greg Soule (who replaced Barber), who only allowed them 2 hits the rest of the game.

The Southern Oregon Bandits Defeat the Lacey A’s to Win the 48th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game

The Southern Oregon Bandits, behind the stellar pitching of “ageless” Mike Trotter, defeated the Lacey A’s 2 – 0 to win the 48th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game. The game was a classic fastpitch pitching duel between two hard nosed determined pitchers; Mike Trotter and Sam Aldridge of the Lacey A’s. Both pitchers had been workhorses for their teams throughout the tournament and on Sunday. To reach the Consolation Game, the Lacey A’s had to rebound from a tough 6 – 5 loss to Cleons Auto in the morning to defeat a very stuborn Yakima Heat team (and pitcher Mike Warren) 7 – 6 in 9 innings. The Bandits, after also losing to Cleons Auto, had to defeat a tough Boise River Dogs (2 – 1) and Rose City Merchant team (10 – 2) to reach the Consolation Game. The Bandits reached Aldridge for a run in the 2nd inning and another in the 3rd to secure the victory. A great Consolation Game!

All Star Team

C – Mike Loder (Cleons Auto)
1B – Kurt Wagner (Two Generations)
2B – Ken Cave (Team Jones)
3B – Josh Agnew (Team Jones)
SS – Bill Boyer (Two Generations)
OF – Kyle Decater (Two Generations)
OF – Derrick Decater (Two Generations)
DH – Brad Boyer (Two Generations)
UT – Jason Aponte (Team Jones)
UT – Kasey Knight (Lacey A’s)
P – Jim Decater (Two Generations)
P – Mike Trotter (Southern Oregon Bandits)

MV Pitcher – Greg Barber (Team Jones)
MV Player – Scott Nokes (Team Jones)


Complete scoreboard after the jump

(more…)

Patsy’s Repeats at ASA Men’s Major

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Patsy’s Repeats as ASA Men’s Major Champs

A game winning home run by Thomas Makea coupled with stellar pitching by Adam Folkard led Patsy’s to back-to-back ASA Men’s Major National Championship titles in Steven’s Point, WI.

Although Patsy’s was forced to the “if necessary” game by the never give up Rivershark Twins from Pennsylvania, Makea’s blast in the top of the eighth proved to be difference at Zenoff Park.

Patsy’s largely dominated the competition, outscoring opponents 31-3, but drama took center stage on Sunday afternoon as the Twins, led by pitcher Frank Cox’s three hitter, forced Patsy’s into the if game after a 6-0 victory.

In game two, after five innings of near perfection by both team’s pitchers, the Twins struck first with an RBI double from Steve Mullaley in the bottom of the fifth but Patsy’s bounced back in the top half of the sixth with a two-out, RBI single by Frank DeGroat. The game remained knotted at 1 run apiece until Makea’s dramatic game winning blast. Makea led the offense attack with two hits in the title game and Adam Folkard was dominant throughout the entire Championship picking up three wins and was named the Championship’s top pitcher while Patsy’s Brad Rona was named the MVP hitting .467 and driving in 6 runs.

Championship Game Recap

Patsy’s 2,

Rivershark Twins 1

Patsy’s 000 001 01 — 2 4 1
Rivershark Twins 000 010 00 — 1 4 0

WP–Adam Folkard. LP–Frank Cox. SO–Todd Martin 6, Cox 1; Folkard 8. BB- Cox 1, Folkard 1.

HBP–Patsy’s, Michael Tanner, Louis Joglar. 2B–P, Thomas Makea, Stephen Ratu; Rivershark Twins, Steve Mullaley. HR–P, Thomas Makea.

Records: Patsy’s 5-1, Rivershark Twins 5-2.

YouTube Clips from European Championships

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Here is one reminiscent of the ESPN highlights the other night in Houston, with two runners scoring on the same play. This clip is from August 2, 2008, with Denmark scoring two runs against Great Britain.

Writes British National Team Head Coach Russ Snow:

“It was in the 5th inning of a up to then perfect game by Rich Haldane, and unfortunately we ending up losing 4-3. Still we qualified for the World Championships next year by our 3rd place finish. We are pumped up and looking forward to next year.”

More clips here.

Czech Republic Wins European Championship

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Another Gold Medal for the Czechs


Af: Caroline Damsbo Holme

The game started out well for the Danes, when lead-off batter Martin Sørensen scored a run after he hit a triple. But the Czechs quickly responded by scoring 3 runs. The Czechs ultimately won 7-5, but the last inning was quite dramatic as Denmark scored 3 runs in a two-out rally. But it was not enough – and the Czechs are once again the European Champions!
The game started out even but the Czechs quickly secured a comfortable lead. And this lasted until the very end of the game, when the Danes seemed to realize that this was the last call. With two outs and runners on 1. and 2. base, Alexander Brewerton hit the ball far between center field and left field achieving 2 RBIs. At this point the score was 7-4. The Czech field seemed rattled and an error in the infield let Jesper Sillemann get to 1. base, as Alexander Brewerton scored Denmark’s 5th and last run. The crowd went wild and the Danish supporters hoped that third time might be the charm. But the Czech pitcher then stepped up and ended the game by striking out Danish batter Daniel Julenon.

Final standings

Champion: Czech Republic

2nd Denmark
3rd Great Britain
4th Netherlands
5th Belgium
6th Croatia
7th Israel
8th Slovakia

San Antonio Titans Win Texas ASA Title

Monday, August 4th, 2008

From the The Killeen Daily Herald

SA Titans win state fast pitch title in Killeen
From staff reports

The San Antonio Titans captured the Texas Amateur Softball Association Men’s Fast Pitch State Championship in Killeen on Sunday.

San Antonio cruised through the weekend tournament with four straight victories, including a 7-3 win over the Austin Jokers in the championship game. The Titans used mostly pitching and defense to capture the state title. They did not allow any team to score more than three runs in a single game.

The Killeen squad reached the quarterfinals with a 9-3 victory late Saturday, but fell to the Jokers 3-1 on Sunday in a rematch of the tournament’s opening game. Killeen beat the Austin team on Saturday in a nail-biting 4-3 finish.

Sunday’s results

Austin Jokers 3, Killeen 1
San Antonio Titans 5, Manor Dirtbags 3
Jokers 7, Dirtbags 2
Titans 7, Jokers 3

Peninsula Merchants Capture 2008 NSA Title

Monday, August 4th, 2008

In a battle of endurance in the 95 degree heat of Rock Hill, S.C., the Peninsula Merchants used some extra-inning heroics to return to national fast pitch prominence with the 2008 National Softball Association World Series championship Sunday afternoon.

Zack Warne’s sacrifice fly in the ninth scored Paul Hall with the game-winning run as the Merchants defeated PA Power 9-8 in nine innings to capture the NSA World Series championship. This marked the first regional-level tournament title since they returned to action in 2007 and their first since the 1989 Amateur Softball Association Central Atlantic Regional.

The Merchants trailed 5-2 heading into the top of the seventh, but exploded for five runs. Larry Hineline started the inning beating out an infield single to deep short. Russ Rostowski drew a walk which preceded a pinch-hit single from tournament MVP Dewey Dyke to score pinch-runner Brian Harrison for a 5-3 deficit. A wild pitch scored Rostowski cutting the deficit to 5-4. After Hall was hit by a pitch, Joe Hineline followed with a single to score Dyke to tie the game at 5-all. Warne followed with a single to score Hall for a 6-5 lead. Ken Musselman drove in the final run with a groundout giving the Merchants a 7-5 lead.

Dyke, who had pitched the previous 4-3 win by the Merchants over PA Power in the winners bracket final, came into pitch the bottom of the seventh and was tagged for a pair of runs to force extra innings tied at 7-all. Warne prevented an if-game from happening making a running catch at the fence in centerfield to end the seventh inning with a runner at third.

In the eighth, Rostowski doubled in a run for the Merchants but PA Power answered with a run. In the ninth, with Paul Hall at second under the international tiebreaker rules with the last man of the previous inning starting at second, Joe Hineline sacrificed him to third and Warne followed with a sacrifice fly for the 9-8 lead.

Dyke shut the door in the bottom of the ninth walking one and inducing a fly ball to Warne in centerfield to close the game.

“With the heat down here, the young guys we have on our bench really came through today,” said winning Peninsula Merchant coach Craig Smith. “PA Power is a class program and it says a lot for the Mid Atlantic Travel League we play in that two of its teams played for this title. Dyke was a workhorse on the mound for us taking 26 innings in winning four games and saving one.”

In the winners bracket final against PA Power on Sunday morning, the Merchants held on after taking a 4-0 lead.

Joe Hineline doubled in Hall in the third for a 1-0 lead. They tacked on three more runs in the fourth, all with two outs. Rostowski delivered the big blow with a two-run single to put the Merchants ahead 3-0. Hall then doubled in courtesy runner Brian Harrison.

PA Power, which defeated the Merchants 7-1 in the final weekend of the Mid Atlantic Fastpitch Travel League last weekend, scored two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh. PA Power had the tying run at third with no outs in the seventh, but winning pitcher Dewey Dyke forced a groundout to third, a strikeout and a comebacker for the final out.

Hall and Rostowski had a pair of hits each for the Merchants. Dyke struck out seven and allowed one earned run for his third victory of the tournament.

Joining Dyke on the All-Tournament team were Hall and Warne.

PENINSULA MERCHANTS 9, PA POWER 8

Merchants 020 000 511 – 9 9 0

PA Power 003 200 210 – 8 9 0

WP: Dyke (4-0); LP: High. Standouts: Merchants, Hall 2 runs, Warne 2-4 (3RBIs), Ken Musselman 1-4 (home run 2nd 1on, 3RBIs), Rostowski 2-3 (run, RBI, double), Dyke 1-2 (run, RBI); PA Power, Zittman 1-3 (2 runs), Martin 2-5 (run), Shelton 2-4

PENINSULA MERCHANTS 4, PA POWER 3

NSA Winners Bracket Final
PA Power 000 020 1 – 3 5 0
Merchants 001 300 x – 4 8 1
WP: Dyke (3-0); LP: High. Standouts: PA Power, Sheldon 2-3 (2 runs, double); Zimmerman 1-3 (triple, RBI), Sauder 1-3 (double); Merchants, Paul Hall 2-4 (run, RBI, double), Joe Hineline 1-2 (RBI, double), Russ Rostowski 2-3 (run, 2RBIs).