TEAMS FROM 16 STATES VIE FOR EASTERN TITLE IN RALEIGH, NC

Sept. 1, 2010 – Senior Softball-USA

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Eastern Nationals drew 56 teams from 16 states here in August.

The teams played for six days at the nine-diamond Walnut Creek Softball Complex – named the Complex of the Year by SSUSA in 2009 – and both the weather and the games were sizzling.

Strategically placed 8-foot coolers helped players get a break from the hot, humid weather. Fortunately, players kept hydrated and there were no serious heat-related illnesses during the tournament.

The tournament is the first step in the Triple Grand Slam, and included a berth in the USA National Championship games at the World Championships in Phoenix in October. Additionally, all winners earned berths in the 2011 Tournament of Champions in Polk County, Fla., in February.

The games matched the weather – sizzling hot – with seven divisions being decided by one run – or an “IF” game.

The Eastern Nationals were sweet indeed for Sweet Construction of New Jersey. Both the Sweet 50 and 55 teams won their division championships. The Sweet 50s defeated Omega of Maryland 22-20 to win the 50 Major Division and the Sweet 55s defeated Turn Two of North Carolina 18-11 in the 55/60 Platinum Division.

In one of the largest divisions, the eight-team 60 AAA, South Florida Heat came out of the losers bracket to double-dip Doc Martens of Michigan 19-17 and 19-18 to win the championships.

In another large division, Carolina Cobras defeated the Bay State Bombers in the 8-team 50/55 Silver Division to force an If game. But Bay State, from Massachuetts, came back to win the division 21-8.

The 60 Bay State Bombers made it through the loser’s bracket to the 60 Major finals, beating Northern Virginia Force 16-8 and forcing an If game. But Virginia Force came back to win the IF game 19-13 and the 60 Major title.

The Chicago Hitmen 60 AAs edged out the Ohio Silverados 55 AAs 21-20 to win the 55/60 AA Division title.

And Center For Sight 80s defeated Nami Construction 75s 22-19 to take the oldest division title.

In the Women’s 50 Division, Dreamgirlz from Virginia capped a perfect tournament with an 11-10 victory over the Maryland Roadrunners in the championship game. And the Golden Girls made it a family affair in the Women’s 55/60 division, with the Golden Girls 55 defeating the Golden Girls 60s 8-7 in the finals.

“Raleigh has been a great host for the Eastern Nationals since 2008,” said Terry Hennessy SSUSA’s chief executive officer, who was on site as the Tournament Director. “In fact, we have already agreed to bring the Eastern Nationals back to Raleigh in 2011. The playing facilities are first-rate, and there’s a never-ending supply of that famous Southern Hospitality.”

Here are the results:

MEN'S 50-MAJOR

1. Sweet Construction 50's (NJ) - USA & TOC

2. Omega / QSE Construction (MD)

MEN'S 50-AAA

1. Carolina A's (NC) - USA & TOC

2. Eagle Tile / Who's On First (MD)

3. ILA Fifty Plus (VA)

MEN'S 55-MAJOR PLUS

1. Black and Blue (IN) - USA & TOC

2. Bass Gloves (VA)



MEN'S 55/60-PLATINUM

1. Sweet Construction 55's (NJ) - USA & TOC (in 55-Major)

2. Turn Two / Vemma / Elite (NC) - USA (in 60-Major+)

MEN'S 50/55-SILVER

1. Bay State Bombers (MA) - USA & TOC (in 55-AAA)

2. Carolina Cobras (NC)

3. New York Motion

Also: Beltway Bandits (VA) - USA (in 50-AA)

MEN'S 55/60-AA

1. Chicago Hitmen (IL) - USA & TOC (in 60-AA)

2. Ohio Silverados - USA (in 55-AA)

3. RIPS Country Inn (MD)

MEN'S 60-MAJOR

1. Northern Virginia Force - USA & TOC

2. Bay State Bombers Plus (MA)

3. Carolina Legends (NC)

MEN'S 60-AAA

1. South Florida Heat - USA & TOC

2. Doc Martens (MI)

3. Georgia/Alabama Masters

MEN'S 65/70-PLATINUM

1. Suncoast Orthopedic Surgery (FL) - USA & TOC (in 70-Major+)

2. Southeast Seventies (FL)

3. Hamels 70 (MD)

Also: Florida Legends / Human Kinetics (FL) - USA (in 65-Major+)

Also: Ed's Aluminum (FL) - USA (in 70-Major)

MEN'S 65-SILVER

1. Syracuse Cyclones (NY) - USA & TOC (in 65-AA)

2. Bostonian Shoes (MA) - USA (in 65-AAA)

3. Blaze Softball (NC)

MEN'S 70-SILVER

1. Carolina Cardinals (NC) - USA & TOC (in 70-AAA)

2. Burlington Classic 70 (NC) - USA (in 70-AA)

MEN'S 75-MAJOR

1. Joseph Chevrolet (KY) - USA & TOC

2. Mitchell's Construction (PA)

MEN'S 75/80 DIVISION

1. Center For Sight 80's (FL) - USA & TOC (in Men's 80's)

2. Nami Construction 75's (NJ) - USA (in 75-AAA)



WOMEN'S 40-MASTERS/50's

1. Dreamgirlz (VA) - USA & TOC (in Women's 50's)

2. Maryland Roadrunners

3. New York Metro's Double Play

Also: Motown Magic 40's - USA (in 40-Masters)

WOMEN'S 55/60's DIVISION

1. Golden Girls 55's (VA) - USA & TOC (in Women's 55's)

2. Golden Girls 60's (VA) - USA (in Women's 60's)

3. Why Nots (NC)