From the SCIFL official news blog:
(click here to view photo of LB Black Sox)
Ron Rupp did what he has so many times before which is pitch out of a jam with the game on the line. In the 1st, 4th and 6th innings Rupp stranded runners in scoring position making huge pitches when he needed them and holding The Panteras scoreless in those crucial innings. The Panteras pitcher Jesse Duncan also pitched very well in defeat. The Sox tallied 2 unearned runs in the 3rd which proved to be the difference in the game as the Sox prevailed 4-3 in what has proven to be a great rivalry between the two teams. The game was tied 0-0 thru 2 innings. In The Panteras third Anthony Rocha hit a long home run to straight away center field giving The Panteras a 1-0 lead. Rocha was 3-4 on the day continuing his ownership of Sox ace Ron Rupp. The Sox countered in the third inning when Chris Martinez singled and Andy Martinez singled. With one out Fred Hanker lined out to third and Chris Minogue followed with a long fly ball to left which was misplayed and fell for a error scoring the Martinez brothers. The score was now 2-1 Long Beach after 3 innings.
In The Panteras 4th Rod Rainey singled followed by another single by Mike Mangalis giving The Panteras runners on first and second with no out. Ron Rupp proceeded to retire the next 3 hitters with no further damage. In the 6th inning with the score Long Beach ahead 2-1 The Panteras rallied again. With 2 outs Mike Mangalis singled his second hit of the game. Dee Neebles followed with a single. Ron Rupp than struck out Tony Acedo on a disputed third strike call to end the inning. In the bottom of the 6th inning Long Beach threatened. Andy Martinez singled his 3rd hit of the game. Fred Hanker followed with a double down the left field line putting runners on second and third with no outs. Chris Minogue than rapped a clutch single to score Martinez and Hanker giving Long Beach a 4-1 lead.
In The Panteras 7th they once again rallied with 2 outs. Anthony Rocha doubled to right. Jesse Duncan homered to deep center making the score 4-3 Long Beach. Rupp than reached down and struck out Eli Salazar on a questionable called strike on a 3-2 pitch to end the game giving the Sox the championship and a perfect 5-0 record. Ron Rupp led the Sox going 7 innings allowing 3 runs and striking out 7. He also was 1-1 at the plate with a sacrifice bunt. Andy Martinez was 3-3 with 2 runs scored and Chris Minogue was 1-3 with 2 RBI’s. Fred Hanker was 1-2 with a run scored as was Chris Martinez. For The Panteras Anthony Rocha was 3-4 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Jesse Duncan went 7 strong innings allowing only 7 hits and 2 earned runs with 3 strikeouts. He also was 1-4 at the plate with a home run and 2 RBI. Mike Mangalis had a solid day going 2-3 in the loss. The game marked another in the many close contests the two teams have played in their friendly rivalry.