From the So Cal Bombers team website, courtesy of Cesar Rodriguez:
2007 Red Rock Comments from Bombers Coach Kelly McGiffin:
From my perspective, it was a good tournament with a good outcome. Just as in 2006, Red Rock’s early competition is important because we have to work on getting at bats and getting innings in for our pitchers.
First and foremost we have to focus on the process in these early tournaments. Getting our work in, establishing how we will go about our business for the year, getting comfortable with one another; and all that was started through the weekend.
The team came together very well and even with a number of new faces, I think to a man, everyone just felt good about the group as a whole. There was a very comfortable feeling among the team members and while it’s hard to explain, it almost felt like we’d been together for a long time.
The newcomers to the Bombers performed very well and are obviously excellent additions. Adam Lalonde became our igniter right off the bat, Landy Rodriguez and Marc Santillano were strong and confident, and not only fit right in but produced some clutch hits. Evan Potskin had fun all weekend and was fun to be around, especially when knocking in some important runs for us in most of our games. And of course Sean Whitten and Darrell Tilley, threw smoke and smiles all tournament.
I think that key thing for me as the coach was that while the new guys fit in right away and performed well, our guys from last year seemed to step up their game too. Partly because they’ve worked hard over the winter, but also I think because we all have just a little more confidence in the group as a unit.
Our infield defense was amazing, I think we turned 6-7 double plays and Butler and Pinocchio put on a clinic up the middle while Santillano, Rodriguez, Devine and Parra all made sizzling plays on the corners. Our pitchers were amazed at the plays behind them and we know it will be one of our strengths.
To a man, all players were solid contributors this weekend, as a team we got some of the work we need to do started, and of course, to top it all off, we won the tournament by beating a very strong (and beefed up) team in the final two games, including some very good pitchers along the way. A good start to what looks to be a very fun season.
Kelly McGiffin