69 Teams Compete in Atlantic Coast Championships

Sept. 1, 2013 – Ross McCulligan

Softball News Report

LOUDON COUNTY, VA. – The Eastern Seaboard drew 69 teams to the 2013 Atlantic Coast Championships, easily making this one of the most popular tournaments of the season.

Excellent weather and fantastic field conditions made for a great, competitive tournament. Two facilities were utilized to accommodate the growing number of teams, Potomac Lakes Sportsplex and Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park. Both facilities were top notch with, “major league quality infields,” according to tournament director Tim McElroy.

The 50 Major division drew eight teams. Mid-Atlantic Softball, hailing from Virginia, showed tremendous run-scoring capability averaging 26.75 runs per game. They were tested in the semifinals by Miami Power but prevailed, 18-17. They would go on to face Miami Power once again in the final, this time winning quite handily, 27-19.

In the 50 AAA division, the Maryland Cougars were knocked into the loser’s bracket by Chesterfield Classics, 20-18. They were able to fight their way into the championship. Chesterfield once again fought hard however the Cougars prevailed in two straight victories, 25-23 and 25-24, to win the division.

The 55 Platinum division consisted of seven teams. Fifth seeded Triangle Masters surprised everyone by getting hot during bracket play and winning four straight to claim the division championship.

In the 55 AAA division, Tri-State Merchants came out of the loser's bracket to force an ‘IF’ game against Old Time Brothers, 23-14. The ‘IF’ was a hard fought defensive battle with Old Time Brothers prevailing, 10-9, to win the division.

The 60 Major-Plus division saw High St. Bucs against Superior Senior Softball. Superior would prove too strong defeating the Bucs, 14-8 and 28-27, to win the championship.

In the 60 Major division, New York Streaks began bracket play as the highest seed, out of six teams. The Streaks proceeded to defeat the Carolina Cobras, Northern Virginia Force, Bayada Diamond Pro and finally the Virginia Vipers in a terrific championship game, prevailing 18-17.

In the 60 AAA division, Chesapeake, hailing from Maryland, outlasted the competition for three straight victories, eventually facing Hamel 60’s in the championships. Hamel’s forced an ‘IF’ game winning the first, 17-12. But Chesapeake came back strong in the ‘IF’ to take the division, 18-15.

The 60 AA division featured a best two-out-of-three series with the Syracuse Cyclones going head to head against the Ohio Silverado’s. In the end, the Silverados made short work of the Cyclones, sweeping them in two straight, 25-14 and 28-16.

The 65 AAA division featured five teams and it had an abundance of close, competitive ball games. In bracket play, Stahl Post knocked top-seeded Spicer Properties into the loser’s bracket.

Mid-Atlantic Cavaliers defeated Spicer, 16-9, to jump into the championship. Mid-Atlantic was able to snag a victory by the slightest of margins, 16-15, to force an ‘IF’ against Stahl Post. Stahl Post, came back in the ‘IF’ defeating Mid-Atlantic, 15-14, to win the division title.

Eight teams made up the 70 AAA division with Money Joe’s grabbing the top seed to begin bracket play. However, Monkey Joe’s would make an early exit after losing two in a row to the Carolina Cardinals and Pittsburg Gold. Vacar Stars defeated the Cardinals, 6-4, setting up a match-up with Bailey Talent Cavaliers in the finals. Vacar Stars made quick work of the Cavaliers with a 21-7, victory in the championship game.

The Women’s 40 Masters division was made up of four teams: Team Works, Lew’s Crew, Desert Falls/Sportsman, and MoTown Magic. Team Works snuck by MoTown Magic 9-8, while Lew’s Crew defeated Desert Falls 19-18 in the first round. Team Works ended up facing Lew’s Crew in the finals with Lew’s Crew forcing an ‘IF’ game in a 17-16 victory. Team Works found their groove in the ‘IF’ and won the championship with a 19-10 victory.

“We would really like to thank Dave Carver from Loudon County Parks and Recreation as well as Randy House for their dedication and hard work, which helped make this tournament a success,” said McElroy.

For complete scores, bracket results, and All Tournament Player lists, please visit the Atlantic Coast Championships Tournament page at www.seniorsoftball.com.