Jim Sherman Northwest Championships Returns to Portland; Attracts 34 Teams

Sept. 1, 2013 – Ross McCulligan

Softball News Report

PORTLAND – The 8th annual Jim Sherman Memorial Northwest Championships returned to Portland this year after a two-years in Washington State.

The Northwest Championships drew 34 teams from California, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Canada here in late August. The Northwest Championships were renamed in 2010 following the death of long-time SSUSA National Director Jim Sherman, who played a pivotal role in helping SSUSA establish CPR certification for tournament directors. The weather cooperated perfectly for the entire tournament as William V. Owens Softball Complex provided an excellent backdrop for some tremendous softball.

The 40-Masters division saw offense and lots of it. Vancouver USA edged out a victory over Team Combat 28-27 in the semifinals and then defeated Team Combat 31-24 for the championship.

The 50 Platinum division consisted of four teams vying for supremacy. Doerflinger, as the second seed, fought their way past Enviro-Vac and Southern Oregon Flatliners in two close games, 16-14 and 14-11. They were then pitted once again against Enviro-Vac but were able to beat them easily, 20-4, to win the division.

The 50/55 AAA division was full of great ball and close games. Alaska Kings, as the No. 1 seed, was knocked into the loser’s bracket in round one. They were able to force an ‘IF’ game by beating The Rock WSC, in the championship. The Rock WSC bounced back to win the game 22-11 for the division championship.

The 55/60 Platinum division was represented by five teams from California, Oregon and Washington. In an unexpected turn of events, No. 5 seed Y-Bar & Grill prevailed against Goodman Racing in the championship, 15-14 and then won the ‘IF’ game, 15-14.

The 55/60 Silver bracket was dominated by Aro Glass Clubbers as the 60 AAA champion. No. 4 seed Vancouver 55 was eventually defeated by Aro Glass after clawing their way through the loser’s bracket, however they were awarded the champions of the 55 AA division.

In the 60 Major division, Enviro-Vac Marauders and Nor Cal Storm competed in a best-of-three format. Enivro-Vac won the first game 18-12. Nor Cal Storm awoke after the first game and they were able to rattle off two victories in a row 22-17 and 29-27 to take the 60 Major title.

In the 60 AA division, Northwest Silver held their opponents to 12 runs or less in three straight games, eventually outlasting Stagecoach 20-12 for the division title.

W.E. Ruth Realty proved themselves just good enough to claim the 65 Major title. In a three-team bracket, as the top seed, W.E. Ruth Realty defeated Minnesota Prize Co. by the slimmest of margins in two straight games. They would prove victorious winning 11-10 and 22-21 for the championship.

The 65/70 Gold division Oregon Roadrunners needed two games to claim the division championship. They defeated PDR/Fastsigns 8-7 in the semifinals and once again in the championship 26-9.

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