This tournament is made possible by all the great players, teams, volunteers, and family members – we thank you all!! While we would all like to win it, here are the teams that pulled off the victories Monday, September 5th, 2016:
25+ Cap City Angels
score 9 to 3 : Cap City Angels vs. Santa Clara Twins
35+ Astros
score 6 to 1 : Astros vs. Sacramento Rangers
The 35+ Tri Valley Astros (formally the Tri Valley Shockers) claim another tournament title. This is their second in three years at the Best in The West Tournament. The ‘Stros are also the current defending two-time national Mountain Division World Series Champions. As with their prior championships, the Astros were backed by strong pitching and big bats.
Lou Evans got the tourney started with a win in game one against the Sacramento Rangers giving up two unearned runs and striking out nine in the 8-3 victory. Greg Shepard paced the offense with two doubles. Kyle Madej got the victory in game two giving up two earned runs and striking out five in the 15-2 victory over the Sacramento White Sox. Eric Pickett and Marlen Foster both homered for the Astros. Eric McClain had three hits and two stolen bases from the leadoff spot. Jason Coulie, Demetrius Adams, Dominic Palumbo, and Charles Loseth all had two hits apiece.
In the final round robin game, the Astros locked horns with their league rival (2015 Roy Hobbs Labor Day Weekend and Tri Valley League Champions) Tri Valley Cardinals. In a game that went back and forth, the ‘Stros pulled out a close victory 11-9 in the end. Loseth had three singles and double while Palumbo and a triple, two singles, and a walk.
The playoffs featured two of the top pitchers in the region for the 35+ Astros. Jake Joseph got the victory in the semi-final with eight strikeouts. The Astros got the win 9-4 against the Cardinals with timely hitting and aggressive base running. Loseth kept red hot with a home run and three singles. Jimmy Ryan got things going in the fifth with a beautiful sac bunt that eventually led to four Astro runs in the inning to put the game away. Ryan later added an RBI single in the sixth.
Dominic Palumbo got the start in the championship game and he didn’t disappoint. Dom threw seven shutout innings, struck out eight, and gave up only two hits. Eric Pickett almost hit the Comcast building in deep right field at Davis Playfields and Charles Scuitti had two hits and two RBIs in the 6-1 win over the Sacramento Rangers.
The Co-MVPs of the tourney were Charles Loseth (.765, 13 hits) and Dominic Palumbo (.700). Greg Shepard (.500), Charles Scuitti (.429), and Eric McClain (.400) also had great tournaments at the plate. Eric Pickett had two HRs, Demetrius Adams had four doubles, Palumbo stole four bags, and Loseth knocked in nine to lead the offense. On defense, Mark Murray and Mike Huddleston played great behind the dish and did not give up one pass ball between the two of them. Jimmy Ryan, Charles Scuitti, Lou Evans, and Jason Coulie all made great plays on the field all tournament. The Astros also got great relief pitching from J.D. Taylor, Jason Hamm, Shane Holbrook, Charles Scuitti, and Greg Shepard.
45+ REBL 45s
score 14 to 7 : REBL 45s vs. Seaside Lumber Co.
The REBL 45’s won their 2nd “Best in the West” 45+ Division title in 3 years with a great team effort from the entire roster.
Team highlights include 2 awesome back to back pitching performances (both playoff wins) from Albert Higgs–
not to mention his monster 3 run homer at Clark Field in game 1 of the tourney. Barney Kaufman pitched a
dominating game 3 of the tourney to get the 45’s into the playoffs. Chris Rosales pitched a gutty effort in game
2 that the 45’s won on Billy Dodson’s hustle and Eric Pennes clutch double. Rick Cantor contributed
with a shutdown closing appearance to save game 2. The bats came alive in the playoffs with Alan
MacLeod a scintillating 6-8 and JJ Marek’s 5-7 performance. Alphonso Roman had the big blow in the
championship game with a 3 run triple along with his 5-7 playoff hitting. Matt Drew led off many rallies
and played a stellar SS all tourney long. Tom “Ragnar” Rudstrom also did a great job catching and driving
in runs. Everyone on the roster contributed to the Championship effort and we look forward to coming back
to defend our title in 2017!
55+ Sacramento Tribe
score 9 to 3 : Sacramento Tribe vs. Tri Valley Antiques 55+
60+ Dragons
score 13 to 3 : Dragons vs. Yuba City Reds
The Dragons rode strong starting pitching to the 2016 Labor Day Tournament 60+ championship. Starters Rich Epidendio, Pat Carroll and Steve Chase allowed a total of only three runs in three games to propel the Dragons into the championship game against the Yuba City Reds.
In the final game Dennis Brandlin took over for the Dragons, limiting the Reds to three runs (one earned) over seven innings for the win. Terry Fail closed the game with two shutout innings. Reds starting pitcher Frank Carbulido kept the Dragons in check through five innings, but they broke loose for ten runs in the next three innings against three Reds relievers, rolling to a 13-3 victory. John Angelesco led the Dragons with three hits and two RBIs in the championship game; John Metras and Don Johannsen each had two hits.
For the weekend, Angelesco led the Dragons with six hits; Metras was five for seven. Carroll, Johannsen, Rick Chassey, Frank Tracy, and Mike Buckingham each had four hits for the Dragons. John Ludwig, Carroll, and Buckingham led the team with four RBIs apiece.
The Dragons MVP award went to super fan Ted Brandlin for his never-ending support of the team. It was the Dragons eighth Woodland tournament title in the last nine years.
65+ Sacramento Patriots
score 15 to 7 : Sacramento Patriots vs. Tri Valley Antiques 65+
