RESURRECTED SOUTHWEST CHAMPS TRIPLES TO 71 TEAMS

June 1, 2011 – Senior Softball-USA

LAUGHLIN, Nev. – After a one-year hiatus, the Southwest Championships came roaring back here in April, attracting a record 71 teams from eight states.

“This was an unusual decision for us,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA’s chief executive officer, “because we normally do not resurrect a tournament. “

The Southwest Championship was not held in 2010.

“However, Laughlin seemed like the perfect location at the perfect time of year, so we moved the tournament, gave it another shot – and it paid off, tripling in size,” said Hennessy.

The tournament was headquartered in here and the games were played in Bullhead City and Kingman, Az., amid sunny skies and perfect softball temperatures.

There were several close division finishes, including five “IF” games and a nail-biting 1-run final in the 75 AAA division.

In the 75 AAA, the Redwood City (CA) Chiefs handily defeated Top Gun Brass of San Diego 28-14 in the first of the best-of-three finals. Top Gun came back strong in the second game, but fell one run short, losing 18-17 to the champions, Redwood City.

In one of the largest divisions, in the 50 AAA, Sports Line Bulls of Texas rode easily through the eight-team bracket without a loss. The Bulls defeated SoCal Knights 18-10 to win the championships.

n the 55 AAA division, the New Mexico Desperados began dead last, at No. 8 seed, and proceeded to win it all with four straight bracket wins, including the 24-12 championship victory against CJ&S Express of Arizona.

In the 50 Majors, Westcoast of California defeated Arizona Elite 14-8 in the championships to force an “IF” game. Arizona Elite came back in the “IF” to defeat Westcoast 18-11 and win the division.

Tucson Buds beat the El Paso Wizards 19-14 to win the 55AA and Los Vatos Viejos of Arizona beat Git-R-Done of California 22-17 top take the 60 AA crown.

In the 55 Platinum, R&R Double Nickels of California beat Greco Hitmen of Arizona 27-7 for the victory and in the 60 Majors, Robson.com double-dipped Smith Electric, 27-21 and 19-15, to win the division.

The older R&R team won the 60 AAA division. After losing the championship game 32-30 to Over the Edge, R&R came back in the “IF” game to win the title 25-22.

In the 65 Gold division, the High Desert Roadrunners of New Mexico beat the Sun City West Siderwinders of Arizona 22-21 to force an IF” game. But the Sidewinders came back with a vengeance in the last game, defeating the Roadrunners 32-19 to take the division title.

The older Sidewinders didn’t fare as well, losing 12-6 in the “IF” game to Connection of California in the 70 AAA division finals.

In the youngest division, Old School 40s of California blanked the Saints of Arizona 14-0 to win the 40 women’s title.

Perennial competitors 2nd Wind and California Spirit battled it out in the Women’s 50 division, with California Spirit prevailing 10-6 in the “IF” game.

And the older California Spirit 55s left no doubt about their division championships, beating Arizona Castawaz handily 27-13 for the Women’s 55 title.

For complete game results, see www.seniorsoftball.com, go to Tournaments, then click on Southwest Championships.