Atlantic Coast Championships Returns to Raleigh

May 1, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. – Following a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID, the 2021 Atlantic Coast Championships returned here to Walnut Creek Softball Complex, with 40 teams competing from May 11-16.

The tournament kicked off on Tuesday with 15 teams playing in the Men’s 65-80 age divisions.

Starting off of the four-team Men’s 65 Platinum Division, High Street Bucs (MD) posted a perfect 3-0 record in bracket play, including a 20-4 win over Northern Virginia Force in the championship game.

Northern Virginia Force entered bracket play winless, after going 0-3 in seeding play; however, the team regrouped with a 2-2 record in the bracket, to eventually finish in second place.

Top seed Dan Smith/FAI/Dudley (NC) finished in third place.

In the three-team Men’s 65 AAA Division, top seed Talaga Construction (CT) completed an undefeated week, going 3-0 in seeding, and 2-0 in bracket play, including a 17-15 win over Scrap Iron/M-I Sports (CO) in the championship game.

Spring Ford (PA) finished in third place.

The Men’s 70 Major Division featured a best-of-three game series that went the distance.

Northern Virginia Force took the opening game over Syracuse Cyclones (NY), 11-7; while Syracuse Cyclones fought back with a 16-8 game two win to even the series.

The rubber match was a nail-biter, as Syracuse Cyclones edged out a 14-13 victory to complete the comeback.

In the three-team Men’s 70/75 Silver Division, Code Electric/Oaks Grading Cobras 70 (NC) went 3-0 in bracket play, including a shutout 6-0 win over Syracuse Cyclones 75 (NY) in the championship game.

Carolina Blue Sky’s 75 (NC) finished in third place.

As the highest finishing 75 AAA team, Syracuse Cyclones would also earn a TOC berth.

In the three-team Men’s 80 Gold Division, Hamels (MD) won three straight elimination games, including a double-dip of top seed Peach Tree Restaurant (PA).

After dropping their opening bracket game to Blazers (NC), 20-10; Hamels avenged their loss against Blazers, 19-6; before then taking back-to-back win over Peach Tree Restaurant by scores of 15-6 and 10-8, respectively.

As the highest finishing 80 AAA team, Peach Tree would also earn first place awards.

The tournament continued on Friday with 25 teams taking the field in the Men’s 40 through 60 age divisions.

In the six-team Men’s 40 Major Division, Team E.V.G/Sake (MD) entered bracket play as the No. 2 seed following a 2-0 record in seeding play. However, the team got off to rocky start in bracket play, dropping their first two games in the three-game guarantee bracket.

With their backs against the wall, Team E.V.G/Sake ran the gauntlet, winning five straight games, capped off by a double-dip over Mission: Possible (PA), winning the championship game (26-19) and “if” game (14-11).

Y’All Next (MD) finished in third place.

In the three-team Men’s 40 AAA Division, top seed Rough Ryders (MD) went 2-0 in bracket play, including a 16-13 win over WarPath (MD) in the championship game.

Smokin Aces (VA) finished in third place.

In another three-team division, the Men’s 50/55/60 Platinum Division, Dugout/Mid Atlantic/Dudley 55 (VA) went 2-0 in bracket play, capped off by a 21-15 win over KIKU Imports/MY Buddies 50 (MA) in the championship game.

Omega IT Services, LLC 60 (MD) finished in third place.

In the five-team Men’s 50 AAA Division, Automotive Triage (NC) made an impressive SSUSA debut.

The team entered bracket play as the No. 1 seed following a 2-0 record in seeding play, and then posted a perfect 3-0 record in bracket play to complete the perfect weekend. The 5-0 run was capped off by a 22-11 win over Old Skool/GTS Sports (PA) in the championship game.

OESSCO (VA) finished in third place.

In the three-team Men’s 55 AAA Division, Carolina Legends (NC) rode their home cooking to an undefeated weekend, going 3-0 in seeding and 2-0 in bracket play, including a 25-10 win over Infoquest.com (PA) in the championship game.

Maryland Classics finished in third place.

In another three-team division, the Men’s 60 Major Division saw The Bank (DE) win three straight elimination games en route to the title.

After falling 20-18 against Carolina A’s (NC), The Bank downed top seed Sweet Construction (NJ), 24-16, before double-dipping Carolina A’s, winning the championship (18-15) and “if” (18-11) games.

In the Men’s 60 AAA Division, Crossfit/Great Clips (NC) swept Syracuse Cyclones (NY) in a best of three game series, by scores of 17-14 and 17-13, respectively.