59 TEAMS BEGIN TREK FOR TRIPLE GRAND SLAM AT 2016 EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Aug. 1, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. – The 2016 Eastern National Championships was held at Walnut Creek Softball Complex with 59 teams competing. Winners of each division began the first leg of the Triple Grand Slam, which includes winning either the Eastern or Western National Championship, the USA National Championship game and the World Masters Championship.

Kicking off the Eastern Nationals were the Men’s 65 through 80 age divisions, Aug 2-4.

Hamel Builders/Superior (VA) defeated Team Florida in a best two-out-of-three game series, winning game one 20-17 and game two 21-19 to complete the sweep in the 65 Major Plus division.

The 65/70 Platinum division also featured a best two-out-of-three game series between Venom (FL) and HermTech (MA). Venom took the opener 16-10 while HermTech bounced back with a 16-6 triumph in the second game to force the third and deciding meeting. HermTech finished off the division with a 20-2 win in the rubber match. For the US National Game, HermTech earned the berth for the 65 Major division, while Venom will represent the East in the 70 Major Plus division. 

The seven-team 65 AAA division was dominated by Northern Virginia Force, going 2-0 in seeding play to lock up the No. 1 seed, and 3-0 in bracket play to cap off the championship. No. Virginia Force defeated No. 4 seed Ohio Silverados 22-11 in the championship game. Ohio Silverados put on an impressive run in the elimination side of the bracket posting a 4-0 record, including a 3-0 mark on the final day, to play its way back in the championship picture before falling to No. Virginia Force in the final. Spicer Properties (MD) rounded out the top three finishers.

In the 65/70 Silver division, Syracuse Cyclones bested the three-team division, defeating Code Electric/Oaks (NC), in the championship game 19-7. Syracuse Cyclones won the 70 AAA Eastern berth and Code Electric took the 65 AA berth. 

Carolina Blue Sky’s swept Florida Investment Properties (FIP) in a best two-out-of-three game series in the 75/80 Gold division. Carolina Blue Sky's will represent the East in the 75 AAA division, while FIP will represent the 80 Major division.

The Men’s 50 through 60 age divisions continued the championships Aug. 5-7.

Team USA (MD) posted a perfect 3-0 record in bracket play, besting Mid-Atlantic Softball (VA) and TSC Miken Reloaded (GA) in the 50 Major Plus division.

In the seven-team 50 Major division, No. 3 seed, Ohio Elite, posted a perfect 4-0 record to take home the title. After dropping their first two games in the three-game guaranteed bracket, No. 6 seed AB Construction/Nobles Painting (WV), rattled off four straight wins to escape the elimination bracket, before falling to Ohio Elite, 12-10, in the championship game.

No. 2 seed Mizuno/RB Lawncare (NC) posted a 3-0 record in bracket play in the five-team, 50 AAA division.  After losing its opening game in the bracket, Team 757 won three straight games in the elimination bracket, before falling to Mizuno/RB Lawncare in the championship game. Top seed Steel City A’s finished in third place.

Combat/Next Level (NC) , 55 Major Plus, and Hollis Appraisals (FL), 60 Major Plus, played a best two-out-of-three game series in the 55/60 Major Plus division with each team winning a game. Hollis won 19-16 in game one, while Combat won the second game 28-23. There was no third game, with both teams winning Eastern berths in their respective divisions.

Triangle Masters (NC) bested the six-team 55 Major division, going 3-0 in bracket play with defeating CKM Wealth Management (FL) and Florida Automated Shade twice, including 15-13 in the championship game. High Street Bucs (MD) finished in third place.

In the 55 Silver division, the No. 4 seed, Longshoremen (VA), 55 AA, went 4-0 in bracket play, defeating Beltway Bandits (VA), Goodman Tri-County Titles (VA), Precision Ford (NC) and finally Old Stars (IL) 18-13 in the championship. Old Stars was awarded the 55 AAA berth to represent the East. 

The 60 Major and AA divisions each had a best two-out-of-three game series to determine the champions.  Carolina Cobras 60 came back to defeat Hannington’s 60’s (MA) 12-4 and 14-12 after falling 19-7 in game one to win the Major division. Syracuse Cyclones won the AA division, also coming back to wins games two and three, 21-17 and 11-9, after dropping game one 14-7.

In the four-team 60 AAA division, Northern Virginia Force defeated Pill & Pill (WV) 10-8 in the championship game. Top seed Reality Check (NC) finished in third place.

The final groups to play were the Men’s 40’s and the Women’s divisions, who played Aug 6-7.

Mid-Atlantic Elite 40’s (VA). Major, swept Superior 40’s/Potomac Sports (MD), AAA, in the Men’s 40 Masters Gold division, by scores of 15-14 and 21-14. Mid-Atlantic Elite won the 40 Major berth, while Superior 40's/Potomac Sports will represent the East in the 40 AAA division.

In the Women’s 40 Masters Major division, Kryptonite (FL) came out of the elimination side of the bracket to double dip Sweet Ladies Softball (FL) and take home the championship.

In the Women’s 4 Masters AAA/50 division, Dreamgirlz 50s swept Northern Construction Fireballs (MA) in a best two-out-of-three game series. Dreamgirlz won the Women's 50 berth, while Fireballs will represent the East in the 40 AAA division.