The Long Beach Deadwood team won both of their games Saturday, a study in contrasts. The ‘Wood scratched out one run and made it stand up in a 1-0 win over Hellman Motors of Colorado, than won a slugfest, 15-11 against Nevada Power of Reno, CA, to finish 2-0 on the day, win their pool, and capture a first round bye Sunday. The squad will play a 1:15pm semi-final game in the single elimination bracket Sunday, against the winner of the 9:45am quarterfinal between Seattle Fastpitch, WA and Hellman Motors of Colorado.
Paul Castillo provided the offense for Deadwood in the first game, reaching on a base hit, stealing second and coming around to score the game’s lone run. Dan Zupp went the distance, pitching a 5 hit shutout for the win. Castillo also made a game-saving catch for the final out of the game, spearing a liner down the right field line, with a runner aboard.
In their second game, Deadwood staked starter Joe Salcido to a 10-2 lead, but Nevada Reno joined the slugfest, scoring 5 to cut the lead to 10-7. Dan Zupp came on in relief in the fourth inning, and nailed down the win, despite Nevada Reno’s continued scoring. Dan Regas was four for five, including a two out, bases loaded double. Regas had a triple, double and two singles, while Bernie Lopez, a Las Vegas addition to the club, had three RBI. Everyone for the ‘Wood got into the act, with everyone in the lineup getting at least one hit. Dean Bettencourt and Paul Castillo scored three runs each, from the leadoff and nine-spot, respectively. Bettencourt was 3 for 5 in the game.