Thanks to Charlie Bendock for some great coverage of this long running tournament.
The Southern Oregon Bandits defeat the Boise River Dogs to Win the 49th Seattle Invitational.
The Southern Oregon Bandits, behind the stellar pitching of the “ageless” Mike Trotter, defeated a very determined Boise River Dogs, 2 – 1 to capture the Championship in the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational at Kasch Park in Everett, WA over the weekend. The game was a classic fastpitch pitching duel between two hard nosed determined pitchers; Mike Trotter and Shane Alder of the River Dogs. Both pitchers had been workhorses for their teams throught the tournament and on Sunday in the 90 degree heat.
To reach the Championship Game, the River Dogs had to defeat a very stuborn team from Spokane, the Generals 7 – 5. After falling behind in the game 5 – 1 in the 2nd inning, a 3 run Home Run by All-Star Nick Harris in the 3rd inning ignited the come back by the River Dogs. Next they had to get by the pre-tournament favorite Team Jones with the 2008 Seattle Invitational Most Valuable Pitcher, Greg Barker.The River Dogs and Shane were up to the challenge, defeating Team Jones 1 – 0. Shane spaced out 5 Team Jones hits and struck out 9 in the victory. The Bandits had an equally tough road to the Championship Game.
In their first game against the Portland Pirates, both teams were tied 2 – 2 going into the 7th before the Bandits pushed across 3 runs in the top half of the inning. Mike came in and shut the door to preserve the 5 – 2 victory. The Bandits then had to defeat a very strong Outlaw team (seeded 2nd after Saturday’s pool play) from Mt Vernon, WA. After 7 innings the game was tied at 3 apiece. After 9 innings it was tied at 4 apiece. In the 10th, the Bandits were able to push across 3 runs to make it 7 – 4. The big blow in the inning was a triple by All-Star Josh McGowan. Mike went the distance in this game striking out 9 Outlaw batters.
The Championship Game was a real battle. The Bandits struck first in the 3rd inning. Consecutive singles by Branden Dixon and Josh McGowan after one out put runners at first and third. A slow roller to second by All-Star D.J. Ryan allowed Dixon to score and make it 1 – 0. The Bandits struck again in the top of the 7th. A lead off triple by Ryan Goodman got the inning started. Shane then struck out Nate Olson, but the ball got by catcher Jamie Kubena allowing Goodman to score making it 2 – 0. However, the River Dogs would not give up.
In the home half of the 7th, with one out, All-Star Brian Stanton doubled. Nick Harris followed with a single to drive in Stanton. Trotter then struck out Brian Blake and got Dan Ryan to groud out to preserve the victory. Just a Great Championship game!
The K-Club Defeats The Sting to Win the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game
The K-Club from Bremerton, WA banged out 13 hits in 4 innings to defeat the favored Sting 11 – 2 and win the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game. The K-Club started fast scoring 6 runs in the first inning as they sent 11 batters to the plate. That was all the cushion that All-Star pitcher Dan Kolda needed as he spaced out 3 hits and struck out 3 in 5 innings to preserve the victory for the K-Club. A real good victory for the K-Club, a young team in its first year of play. Jeremy Welsh (second base) had an outstanding tournament and was selected as an All-Star.