Southern Teams Vie For TOC Berths

Dec. 1, 2014 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The Southern Championships returned here for its 8th consecutive year at the five-field Liberty Park Sports Complex from Aug. 14 to Aug. 17.

Twenty-seven teams attended the tournament representing seven states from America’s southern region including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The tournament’s divisions were well-balanced and competitive with “If” games determining the winners of the 55/60 Gold division, the 60 AAA division and the 65 Gold division.

One team, Edge II, managed an impressive “double dip” comeback to seize the title in the 55/60 Gold division.

Five teams did their best to slow Monster Softball’s winning momentum in the 50 Major division. With Monarchs and Langston bowing out early, Lighthouse defeated a strong Herrington team 16-8 to earn a chance to face an undefeated Monster Softball squad. In their first match-up, Monster Softball barely eked out a 22-21win against Lighthouse. In the second game, Monster softball proved more confident mustering 29 runs to Lighthouse’s 23. An exciting, high-scoring rematch, Monster Softball showed why they deserved the title despite the efforts of some talented southern competitors.

The 50 AAA division saw Magnolia Softball and North Georgia Outlaws vie for the title. After losing the first game 17-12, the North Georgia Outlaws came back to beat Magnolia Softball 16-5. Unable to find any offensive rhythm, Magnolia Softball fell to North Georgia 11-6 in the championship game and the Outlaws took the division title.

The 55/60 Gold division featured some fun and exciting bracket play. Despite an impressive showing by DT Express during seeding games, they couldn’t overpower David Bowen 10-8 or Edge II 21-18 and were eliminated. G.A.S. started strong beating (By) Grace redeemed 23-12 and Edge II 22-21, but failed to thwart the hot bats of David Bowen, losing 24-15. Falling to the elimination bracket, G.A.S. unfortunately faced a resurgent Edge II team that decisively disposed of them 23-10 to earn a spot in the championship game against David Bowen. With two consecutive one-run wins, Edge II narrowly overcame David Bowen’s offensive firepower 21-20 and 22-21 to clinch the championship.

With seven teams competing in the 60 AAA division, 6th seed ATL Recycle seemed poised to upset some top-seeded teams and entertain a shot at the title. After losing to ATL Naturals 21-7, the scrappy ATL Recycle team battled their way through the elimination bracket eliminating AR Naturals 25-13, T.A.G. 22-20 and Randy Smith 19-8. Top seed, Elite 60’s, halted ATL Recycle’s winning streak 20-5 to face second seeded Boys of Summer. In their first match-up, Elite 60’s upset Boys of Summer 18-17, but the Boys of Summer rebounded with a nail biting 13-12 victory to steal the 60 AAA division title.

The 65 Gold division showcased compelling performances by 7th seed, LA Legends, and 8th seed, The Firm. With both teams going winless into the championship bracket, they upended the top two seeded teams to start off bracket play. LA Legends beat 4:13 Rim Fire 20-17 and The Firm upset Sports Lettering 23-22. Rim Fire quickly rebounded from their initial loss by handily defeating Team ABC, Sports Lettering, and Custom Graphics. Almost knocked out by Carriage 20-21, Rim Fire pushed on to spar with the Firm and came out ahead 17-12 to face LA Legends in the championship game. LA legends, playing hot off of a three-game winning streak, stood toe to toe with Rim Fire, but lost 17-16. In an exciting end to the tournament, the two teams battled out the 3rd “If” game of the tournament and LA Legends persevered 16-8 to claim their division title and a T.O.C. berth.

For complete game results, please visit Senior Softball USA’s Southern Championships’ tournament page at: www.seniorsoftball.com.

2014 Southern Championships All Tournament Players include:

Men’s 50 Major – Monster Softball: Danny Cloud, Dane Davidson, Clarence Watkins, Jay Mann, Rex Lee

Men’s 50 AAA – North Georgia Outlaws: Gary Nicholson, Jeffrey Robertson, Gary Berrong, Danny Davis, Danny Galloway; Magnolia Softball: Allen Miles, Alan Johnson, Phillip Spence

Men’s 55/60 Major – Edge Softball: Glen Dale Smith, Ben (Chip) Sheffield, Harold Fincher, Tom Goatley, Rick Goss; David Bowen Sporting Goods: Jeff Cherry, Kevin Hogan, Fred Williams

Men’s 60 AAA – Boys of Summer: Larry Chasteen, Odis Ledbetter, Rex Fletcher, Robert Rook II, David Foster; Atlanta Recycling: Tony Childs, Johnny Stanford

Men’s 65 Gold – Louisiana Legends: Jimmy Robichaux, Jim Gautreaux, Lynn Guidry, Gary Smith, L. Phil Pittman; 4:13’s Rim Fire: Willie Stegall, Ronald (Hootie) Ingram, Gill Gore