From the So Cal ASA website:

2006 23 & UNDER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS – YOUNG BUCKS

The Young Bucks of Southern California finished the tournament 4 – 0 and ended two of the games via the run rule. Led by Clyde Bennett and Warren “Pinky” Allsup, this group of young men scored 33 runs while allowing only 4 runs, one earned. This was the second year that the Young Bucks appeared at the 23 & Under Nationals and have earned trips to the Championship game both years. In last year’s contest the Young Bucks defeated LeMay of Minnesota in the Championship game but had to forfeit the “If” game due to their flight back home.

This year Clyde made sure that the team could play the entire tournament as they have flights on the red eye Sunday night so that they would have no problem playing for the title. In this year’s Championship game, the Young Bucks had a rematch against LeMay who worked their way through the loser’s bracket, winning six games in a row. With Anthony Martinez in the circle, the Young Bucks took only the one game to prove that they were the National Champions and defeated LeMay by a score of 3 – 1. Anthony was on his game in the Championship as he pitched a no-hitter, allowing only one run on a walk and passed ball.

The Young Bucks were honored after the tournament as they received their Championship medallions and eight members of the team earned first and second team All-American Honors:
First Team

P – Anthony Martinez

1B – Jason Reynolds

2B – Clay Miller

3B – Kevin Castillo

SS – Jason Obergon

OF – Jose Hernandez

Second Team

OF – Eric Smalling

OF – Isaac Hernandez

In addition to First Team honors, Jason Obergon was also crowned the batting champion for the tournament with a .600 batting average for the tournament. On a somber note, Jason will be leaving Southern California in about a month as he joins the Army and as a tribute to his play, his cleats were left at shortstop after the final game. When he gets back from his enlistment, I’m sure there will be plenty of coaches who will be glad to purchase him a new pair. Stay safe Jason and we look forward to seeing you again shortly.

As for the headmaster of the group, Clyde has played, coached and managed at every level of play in Men’s Fast Pitch softball attending a total of 36 National or World tournaments where he has finished second through fifth a total of 13 times. This tournament marks his first National Championship at any level. If you combine all the playing experience of his Young Bucks team and multiply it by three, they would still not match the amount of years that Clyde and Pinky have in this game. Clyde and Pinky took it upon themselves to raise the money for the Young Bucks to travel to the this tournament through various fundraisers and pretty much out right begging for additional cash. From this squad, they will lose only three players due to age restrictions in 2007 and they will begin the hunt for new recruits in place to defend the title again in 2007. If you know of any players that meet the age bracket or would like to help the Young Bucks with sponsorships for next season, contact Clyde.

Great job Young Bucks. If you wish to send a message to Clyde with a congratulation note, click here. I’m sure he would be happy to hear from you.

GAME THREE

The Young Bucks won again this morning in North Mankato and are in the Championship game. In the final of the winner’s bracket they beat LX, Wisconsin 10 – 1 behind the pitching of Anthony Martinez. In the game Anthony allowed only 3 hits and had 13 strikeouts, with LX only run coming in as unearned.

The bats in the top of the order made a killing with Clay Miller going 3 – 4 and scoring 3 runs, Jason Reynolds going 2 – 3 with 2 RBI’s, Jason Obergon going 2 – 3 with 4 RBI’s, Kevin Castillo 2 – 3 with an RBI and Jose Hernandez also going 2 – 3 with 3 RBI’s.

The Young Bucks await the winner of the loser’s bracket final with LX facing defending champions Lemay, MN who dropped their opening game but have won 5 straight.

GAME TWO

The Bucks won their second game of the day and are in the Winner’s Bracket final on Sunday morning at 11:30 AM local time. Their bats came alive against Cushing of Wisconsin, scoring 18 runs and ending the game in the 4th inning by the run rule. Clay Miller, Kevin Castillo and Eric Smalling each homered in the game and Jerry Sanders limited Cushing to one run and cruised for the win. Their opponent is not yet set as games are still in progress in Minnesota.

GAME ONE

The Young Bucks are in North Mankato, Minnesota to participate in the 23 & Under Nationals and have won their first game 2 – 1 against the Strikers of Stewartville, MN. Anthony Martinez was in the circle for the Young Bucks and pitched a complete game 2-hitter. Anthony had 13 strikeouts and the only run for the Strikers came as an unearned run in the fifth.

The Young Bucks scored all their runs in the first with Clay Miller earning a walk and being sacrificed to second by jason Reynolds. Jason Obergon followed with an RBI single to score Miller. Kevin Castillo followed with an RBI single of his own to complete the Bucks scoring. Martinez earned the win over John Kelly.

Their next game is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time, but they had a 1 hour rain delay earlier in the day. Clyde will be sending in his next report after the game.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 7th, 2006 at 1:48 pm and is filed under Players. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.