WEST WINS 6, EAST TAKES 4 U.S. NATIONAL GAMES

Oct. 1, 2011

PHOENIX – In the 10 US National games played here, pitting the winners of the Eastern Nationals against the champions of the Western Nationals, the outcome was almost evenly split.

Western teams won six divisions and Eastern teams won four US National games.

The US National Games are the second leg of the Triple Grand Slam. To win the Triple Grand Slam, teams must win either the Western or Eastern Nationals, the US National Championship game and the World Championships.

Only three of the 10 teams advanced to win the Triple Grand Slam in 2011.

Hannington’s / Bay State Bombers of Massachusetts won in the 55 AAA division, defeating Sigillo Cellars / Jones of Washington, the Western winner, 26-14 in the US National Game.

The other two Triple Grand Slam winners were Omen Softball of California, which defeated Florida Legends / Human Kinetics 20-12 in the 65 Major-Plus US National game, and Center for Sight of Florida who defeated perennial foe Tiodize D-99 of California 15-6 for the 80 Major US National title..

Five other teams had no opponent in the US Nationals, so were awarded a forfeit for the game and went on to win the World Championships and the Triple Grand Slam: Triple Play 70 AA of California, Hamel Cavaliers 70 AAA of Virginia, the San Francisco Seals 70 Major-Plus, Steel Dawgs 60 AA of Ohio, MTC Softball 55 Major-Plus of California.

In the seven remaining US National Games that were played here, the winners failed to take their division in the World Championships.

In the 50 Major Division, Eastern champ Omega QSE Construction of Maryland defeated Southern Oregon Flatliners 26-22.

In the 50 AAA Division, Western champ 5150 / Viagra Softball of California beat Eagle Tile / Who’s on First of Maryland 30-26.

The West also won in the 50 AA division, with Scrap Iron Northern of Colorado defeating Diamond Resorts International of Virginia 21-10.

MTC Softball 55s of California kept the West streak going in the 55 Major-Plus Division, defeating East champ High Street Bucs of Maryland 27-18.

Triangle Masters of North Carolina exacted some revenge for the East, beating NorCal Reds 39-20 to win the 55 Major US National game.

WE Ruth of Washington returned the favor for the West, defeating Northern Virginia Force 26-17 for the US National title in the 60 Major Division.

And the Bay Supporters of California edged the South Florida Heat for the US title in the 60 AAA Division.