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Home runs power Marchio Sausage Company past Desperado Sports Tavern in Las Vegas Road Trip tournament

Friday, April 7th, 2017

JOEL COOLEY fired a one-hitter and struck out 13 batters to lead Marchio Sausage Company of St. Paul, Minnesota to a 3-1 victory over Desperado Sports Tavern of Missoula, Montana in the AA / AA-Major Division of the 2017 Las Vegas Road Trip tournament, April 7, at Sunset Park in Las Vegas. Photo By BOB OTTO

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The fences are deep at Sunset Park in Las Vegas – slowpitch softball deep. So hitting home runs over those fences would take mammoth blows – Babe Ruth kind of blows.

But homers can still be had if a ball is hit into the gaps.

Yusef Davis, perhaps the fastest player in the Las Vegas Road Trip X men’s fastpitch tournament, drilled a shot into the right-centerfield gap in the bottom of the first inning that rolled all the way to the fence.

By the time the ball was returned to the infield, Davis had crossed home plate with a solo homer, giving Marchio Sausage Company of St. Paul, Minnesota the early lead over Desperado Sports Tavern of Missoula, Montana.

Then in the third inning, Sam Nieman followed Davis’ lead and drilled another ball into the gap and raced around for a solo home run that helped Marchio hold off Desperado, 3-1, in the first-round of the AA / AA-Major Division, Friday.

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Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball, NAFA, So. Calif. Independent Fastpitch League | No Responses »
Tags: Brandon Dixon, Desperado Sports Tavern, Frank Hendrix, Joel Cooley, Las Vegas Road Trip X, Marchio Sausage Company, Shawn Koster, Sunset Park Las Vegas, Yusef Davis

Newcomer Tin Cup drops close game to Cal State Builders in ISC World Tournament

Sunday, August 9th, 2015

Joel Cooley pitched well for Tin Cup, but lost a tough game to the Cal State Builders in the opening game for both teams in the 2015 ISC World Tournament in South Bend, Ind. Photo by Bob Otto / 2014 NAFA World Series

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Tin Cup of St. Paul, Minn. is making its first appearance in the ISC World Tournament. On Saturday, the ball club comprised of several players under the age of 25, played its first game in the most competitive men’s fastpitch tournament in the world.

The outcome wasn’t what they wanted, but then again a 4-0 loss to the Cal State Builders, one of the better teams in the tournament – and a team fresh off winning the NAFA Open World Series – certainly isn’t anything to be embarrassed about.

The Cal State Builders scored a single run in the second inning and then plated three more in the fourth, to secure its first win in the tournament that features 42 of the best club teams in North America.

Shawn Koster – the Most Valuable Pitcher in the NAFA Open World Series – hurled a three-hit shutout along with 10 strikeouts to pick up the win.

Tin Cup’s Joel Cooley – recognized as one of Minnesota’s top pitchers – allowed just six hits and three earned runs, with six strikeouts to take the loss.

Trevor Knight opened the second inning by blasting a home run, and in the fourth, Scott Anderson hit a two-run triple that sealed the win.

Tin Cup did threaten twice. In the first inning, James Harris and Dave Marchio hit back-to-back singles putting runners at first and third, but Koster got a strikeout to end the inning. Then in the third, Josh Albers doubled with one out, but again Koster toughened, getting a strikeout and infield fly to escape unscathed.

Knight led the Builders, going 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, a double and home run. And Mike Koentopp, Scott Andersen (2 RBI), Guillermo Patat and Ryan Martin each had one hit.

For Tin Cup, Albers, Harris, Marchio each had one hit.

Tin Cup returns to action on Monday, while the Builders face a second strong team when they take on Pennsylvania Power, Sunday, at 8:30 p.m. at the Belleville Softball Complex.

See Complete List Of Teams and Rosters

Posted in 2015 ISC World Tournament | No Responses »
Tags: Cal-State Builders men's fastpitch, Dave Marchio, Guillermo Patat, Joel Cooley, Mike Koentopp, Ryan Martin, Scott Andersen, Shawn Koster, Tin Cup men's fastpitch, Trevor Knight

CR BREWERS KNOCK OFF TOPEKA TOROS TWICE TO CLAIM NAFA WORLD SERIES, AA-MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday, August 7th, 2015

Josh Johnson of El Paso, Texas, was selected the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 NAFA World Series, AA-Major Division after helping the CR Brewers defeat the Topeka Toros twice to claim the title.

WARSAW, Ind. – The CR Brewers battled through the loser’s bracket to defeat the Topeka Toros twice to claim the 2015 NAFA World Series, AA-Major championship, Friday.

The Brewers came into the World Series as defending champions, having won the title in the Quad Cities in 2014.

The Portland ball club began the day with a 1-0 victory over the Cal State Builders, followed by a 6-3 win over the Bruno Merchants. That set up the first meeting with the undefeated Toros who finished round robin play 4-0 to grasp the No. 1 seed.

But the Brewers proved the stronger team on the day, twice knocking off the Kansas club, 4-2 and 2-1, to come away with the championship.

Rob Schweyer got the win in the “if necessary” game with relief help from Josh Johnson, who was selected the AA-Major Most Valuable Player, while his teammate Jorge Segura earned Most Valuable Pitcher honors.

ALL-WORLD TEAM

Brewers: Ryan Daly, Rob Schweyer and Nick Green

Pepperjacks: Rob Doiran

Cal State Builders: Shawn Koster and Kyle Sherwood

Bruno Merchants: Lewis Weldon, Justin Dauvin and Matt Hillier

Topeka Toros: Matt Chambers, Carlos Ucero, Matt Thornton and Rick Manson

Posted in 2015 NAFA World Series | No Responses »
Tags: 2015 NAFA World Series AA-Major Championship, Carlos Ucero, CR Brewers, Jorge Segura, Josh Johnson, Justin Dauvin, Kyle Sherwood, Lewis Weldon, Matt Chambers, Matt Hillier, Matt Thorton, Nick Green, Rick Manson, Rob Doiran, rob Schweyer, Ryan Daly, Shawn Koster, Topeka Toros, Warsaw men's fastpitch

NAFA World Series and Seattle Invitational final results

Monday, August 3rd, 2015

By BENJIE HEDGECOCK
NAFA Executive Director

FIFE, Wash. – NAFA Open World Series / Seattle Invite Results at Dacca Park in Fife, Washington July 31-Aug 2.

Special thanks to our Host Ryan Daly, TD Clark Evans, UIC Pete Davis and his staff and to our scorekeepers and umpires and souvenir staff, beer garden staff, concessions staff and field maintenance staff and to the City of Fife City Council.

HALL OF FAMERS, PITCHERS’ SPEEDS
Team USA Pitcher, Tony Mancha and BC Umpire Dan Young were inducted into the NAFA Hall of Fame on Saturday Night.

Some top pitching speeds in the event were Jorge Segura hitting 80 mph…

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Posted in 2015 NAFA World Series, Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
Tags: Aaron Emory, Cal-State Builders men's fastpitch, Fleetwood Marlins men's fastpitch, NAFA World Series, NAFA World Series Open Division, Pat Sagdal, Rylie Single, Shawn Koster, Surrey Rebels men's fastpitch

Impressive teams and talent in Amigos Men’s Fastpitch Tournament

Thursday, November 6th, 2014

The Amigos Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will feature some of sports’ outstanding pitchers and players, battling for the championship in this sixth annual event.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA – The 6th Annual Amigos Men’s Fastpitch Tournament, Nov. 15-16, offers a who’s who of top teams, featuring outstanding pitchers and players – some of the best talent in the game today.

THE PITCHING

J&B Painting: Devon McCullough, Tony Mancha, Pat Burnes (Mancha, USA Men’s National Team)

East Bay Bashers: Julio Rodriguez, Monty Wells

Taft Buzzards: Jon Gwizdala, Zack Lach

A1 Construction: Shawn Koster, Ed Gasper

CR Portland Brewers: Sebastian Gervasutti, Josh Johnson, Scot Lieph (Johnson, USA Men’s National Team)

Little Sumpin: Timmy Parnow, Kat Lawrence, Lou Valencia

Stockton Black Sox: Brandon Sharer, Bobby Alvara, Ken Brose

Da’hui: Rich Snake Rivera, Eddie Rodriguez

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Posted in 2014 NAFA World Series, ASA Softball, Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
Tags: A1 Construction, CR Portland Brewers, Da'hui men's fastpitch, Devon McCullough, East Bay Bashers, Ed Gasper, J & B Painting men's fastpitch, Jon Gwizdala Zack Lach, Josh Johnson, Little Sumpin men's fastpitch, Pat Burns, Scott Lieph, Sebastian Gervasutti, Shawn Koster, Sixth Annual Amigos Men's Fastpitch Tournament, Stockton Black Sox, Taft Buzzards, Tony Mancha

Cal-State Builders / Eventhelper put it all together to win ASA National Championship

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

Antonio “Tony” Mancha of El Paso, Texas, led the Cal-State Builders / Eventhelper.com to the ASA Class A National Championship with his arm and his bat. Photo By BOB OTTO / 2010 NAFA World Series

SALEM, ORE – The hitting was clutch, the defense solid, and the pitching superb. And in fastpitch softball that is a recipe for success.

Often in a big way.

For the Cal-State Builders / Eventhelper.com, none was bigger than winning the 2013 ASA Class A Men’s Fastpitch National Championship at Wallace Marine Park in Salem, Oregon, Sept. 1.

Eventhelper (4-0) swept through the six-team national tournament undefeated, capping their run with a 5-3 victory over the Portland Columbia River Brewers (3-2) in the title game.

PECK AND MANCHA TOUGH

Brandon Peck and Antonio “Tony” Mancha combined to hold off the Brewers through seven tough innings, with Peck picking up the win and Mancha getting the save, along with belting a home run.

“Tony Mancha really brought confidence to this team and awesome leadership,” said first baseman Donovan Chilton III, who was selected an ASA All-American. “And Brandon is a big 6-foot-4 kid from Canada and only 21 years old, who threw just as good as any pitcher out there with lots of movement.”

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Posted in 2013 NAFA, Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
Tags: ASA, ASA Class A Men's Fastpitch National Championship, ASA Class A National Championship, Brandon Peck, Cal-State Builders men's fastpitch, Dave Carlton, Donovan Chilton III, Doug Cain, Eventhelper.com men's fastpitch, ISC, Jeff Twist, Justin Deme, Kevin Kammueller, Kevin Rasmusson, Lacey A's Cardinals, Mark Summers, Mathew Christiansen, NAFA, Pat Sagdal, Portland Columbia River Brewers, Robert Maddux, Scott Lieph, Shawn Koster, Shawn Mandolesi, Tony Mancha

Bucknell Park A’s Double Dip Toros to win AA World Series

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

TOPEKA, KS – The Bucknell Park A’s of Olympia, Washington beat the undefeated host Topeka Toros twice, 9-0 in the first game, and 9-5 in the “if necessary” final to win the NAFA AA World Series, Saturday.

Bucknell’s Shawn Koster and Rob Gunter each picked up a win in the championship games, with Koster selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Pitcher with a 4-0 record in 29 innings, allowing just 21 hits. He also notched 50 strikeouts (second highest among all pitchers) and had a 1.45 ERA.

First baseman and DH Scott Anderson of Bucknell was selected the Most Valuable Player leading the tournament with four home runs – two against the Toros, along with eight RBIs and a hefty .462 batting average.

“The tournament was incredibly exciting as the pitching was excellent and strategy was displayed every round with speed and skill,” said NAFA Executive Director Benjie Hedgecock.

ALL-WORLD TEAM

PITCHERS BRINGING THE HEAT
Pitchers speeds were clocked during the tournament with Tony Mancha and Josh Pettit topping all pitchers at 80 mph.

Other pitchers showing high velocity include, Zane Siolo, 79; Shawn Koster, 77; Chris Bigelow, 75; Garret Hone, 74; Todd Lubkeman, 74; Tony Buckley, 73; Ryan Nichols, 72; David Beets, 74; Eric Steinbeck, 71; Josh Lochridge, 71; Lewis Weldon, 71; German Sacks, 71; Jeremy Kinney, 73, and Jordan Mcdonald, 71.

NAFA Fastpitch

Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
Tags: 2012 NAFA World Series, Bucknell Park A's, NAFA, North American Fastpitch Association, Scott Anderson, Shawn Koster, Topeka Toros men's fastpitch

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