South Lebanon TNT, Pennsylvania was crowned as champion of the 2007 ISC II Tournament of Champions, topping the Lumberkings of Bakersfield California, 4-2 in the final on Saturday, August 18, behind the pitching and hitting of Jeremy Tracy, and the record setting offensive output of teammate Jay Herr. Herr shattered the ISC II home run record of four by smashing seven home runs — two in the semi-final including a walk off 8th inning home run, and one more in the championship game against Bakersfield. Herr had 16 RBI in the tournament and was hitting .571 going into the final day. Tracy was named the tournament’s top pitcher, while Herr garnered an armful of awards, including best hitter, RBI champion and the Most Valuable Player award.
Bakersfield CA reached the championship game by defeating in-state rival A-1/Taylor Farms of California, 5-4, in 8 innings, a game in which the Lumberkings trailed 3-1 going into the final inning, and which had three consecutive bases loaded frames by the two clubs.
South Lebanon PA reached the title game by defeating the # 1 ranked Niagara Snappers, on Herr’s no-out home run in the bottom of the tie-breaker inning, after Niagara had taken a one run lead in the top of the inning.
In a division long dominated by Ontario area teams, the 2007 title game marked the first all American final. Three of the final four teams hailed from the states and six of the final eight came from the U.S.
The 2008 ISC II Tournament will be held in Appleton Wisconsin.
Watched for Blair Setford’s final recap of the 2007 ISC II Tournament of Champions, here at “The Deuce” blog.