El Paso Serves as Host of 10th Annual Texas State Championships

Aug. 1, 2017

EL PASO – For the first time in its history, the Texas State Championships headed towards the western part of the state, after being held in Dallas (2008-12), Houston (2013-15) and Austin (2016). Thirty-six teams played at El Paso County Sports Complex June 21 – 25.

"I couldn't be happier," said Don Brooks, SSUSA National Director, at the conclusion of the tournament. "Teams were complementary of the complex and fields. The second session was outstanding with high level of competition. Friday was the hottest day of the year, but Saturday and Sunday were beautiful."

The tournament started with the three-team Men’s 65 and two-team Men’s 70/75 Gold divisions.

In the 65 division, Dallas Spurs 65 escaped the elimination side of bracket, defeating San Antonio Silver Streaks 31-27, before going on to double-dip Texas Legends 65 by scores of 26-15 and 35-25, respectively, in the championship and “if” games. Texas Legends edged out Dallas Spurs earlier in the bracket, 23-22.

The hometown El Paso Nine-Elevens swept New Concepts I (NM) by scores of 27-7 and 26-23 to take the best two-out-of-three game series in the 70/75 Gold division.

Moving to the seven-team Men’s 50-AA/55-AAA/60-Major Gold division, the Southwest Outlaws (NM) rebounded from an 0-2 showing in seeding play, by winning four straight games in bracket play, including a 22-12 win over Manifest 50’s (TX). By virtue of their victory, Southwest Outlaws earned a TOC berth for the 55 AAA division. Gonzalez Insulation (TX) finished in third place, and earned a TOC berth as the highest finishing 60 Major team. As a singleton team, Manifet (50 AA), needed to win the bracket outright to earn a TOC berth.

New Mexico Boomers 55 posted a perfect record in the four-team Men’s 55/60 Silver division, going 3-0 in seeding play and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 15-11 victory over Electrifiers (TX). As the highest finishing 60 AAA team, Electrifiers also would earn a TOC bid. New Mexico Boomers earned the 55 AA bid. Texas Thunder 60 finished in third place.

New Mexico Warriors ran through the four-team Men’s 60 AA division, going 3-0 in bracket play, including a 22-8 win over Austin Wizards (TX) in the championship game. Texas Legends 60’s finished in third place.

SBOB/Voodoo Sports (AZ) double-dipped Tucson Hammertime 40’s by scores of 17-16 and 22-9, in the championship and “if” games, respectively, to capture the four-team Men’s 40 Masters Gold division. EPT 40’s (TX) finished in third place.

In the four-team Men’s 50/55 Platinum division, the San Antonio Softball Club ran the table, going 3-0 in seeding play to lock up the top seed, and 3-0 in bracket play to lock up the division and earn the 55 Major Plus bid for the TOC. Fully Loaded (TX) finished in second place and took the 50 Major bid for the TOC as the highest finishing 50 Major team. Texas Bulls 50’s finished in third place.

In the largest division of the tournament, ManCave/WorkSteps (TX) won the eight-team Men’s 50 AAA division, going unbeaten in bracket play, capped off by a 20-14 win over Graywolves (NM) in the championship game. Team SW/Woodies 50 (NM) finished in third place.