Thanks to SCIFL reporter, Ron Rupp:
For the third time this young season the So Cal Hustlers won the SCIFL Tournament Championship game in Santa Fe Springs.
Joe “Papa” Salcido was in the circle for the Hustlers against Bobby Gonzales. In the first inning, with two aboard Jerome Morrison homered for a quick 3-0 lead. The Hustlers came right back in their half of the inning to tie the score utilizing 6 hits, including a triple by Daniel Roth. The score remained tied until the top of the fifth when the Panteras scored 3 runs. The Hustlers picked up a run in bottom of the sixth when Matt Shaw opened the inning with a double and coming around to score on Kasey Shaw’s fielders choice.
The Panteras added an insurance run in the seventh when Mike Manligus tripled in Eddie Arnel.Down three runs in the bottom of the seventh Luis Garcia singled, Ken Shaw was hit by the pitch then Dave Hess followed with a double scoring Garcia. Still with no outs Daniel Roth doubled home Shaw and Hess, to tie the game at seven runs apiece. The Panteras 2 then walked Steve Proffitt to set up the force play still with nobody out, but it wasn’t meant to be for the Panteras 2 as Matt Shaw singled on the first pitch driving home Roth to secure the 8-7 victory and the Hustlers third SCIFL Championship of 2007. Even though the Panteras 2 were unable to hold off the Hot hitting Hustlers, they proved once again they are a team to be reckoned with! This is the second time this year the Hustlers have beaten the Panteras by one run to win the Tournament. Also once again the ageless PaPa Joe Salcido outlasted the youngsters to win yet another Tournament for the Hustlers, what can you do but tip your hat to this man? Congratulations to both the Hustlers and the up and coming Panteras 2.