2009 Palm Springs

The So Cal Independent Fastpitch League visited Palm Springs and of course Vicki Oltean for the fifth tournament of the season.  The weather was great with highs in the 80's and the wind was not a factor at the ball parks. 

Twelve teams entered the tournament and were divided into three separate pools. Macabbi USA, San Diego Primetime and the Long Beach Black Sox all posted perfect 3-0 records in the round robin portion of the tournament. 

On Sunday the Black Sox continued their hot streak and went undefeated in single elimination play to be crowned Champions for the third time this season.  Behind the pitching of Ronnie Rupp, Randy Clay and Gerald Pyle who allowed only one one on Sunday and the offense that put together 30 runs on Sunday alone they cruised to the Championship. The Black Sox opened the day against Palm Springs Express and shut them out to face Macabbi USA who they had to take on twice Las Vegas for that Championship.  The Black Sox won for the third straight time with a 9-1 victory to lead them into the Championship game against the Panteras and Travis Price.  The Black Sox's had their ace Ronnie Rupp in the circle.

The game was scoreless through the bottom of the third win Matt Shaw hit a ball just over the leaping Anthony Rocha and the ball hit a sweet spot and took off past the Panteras outfielders allowing Matt to sprint to third.  On the next pitch Manager Fred Hanker came up and hit a double to score Matt.  Ronnie kept the Panteras off base scattering 4 hits through the game.  The Black Sox added two more runs in the sixth on a Gerald Pyle double.

The Panteras entered the Championship game behind the pitching of Price and "Spud" Barker.  On Sunday they faced the So Cal Tribe and Sonny Perkins and came out on top 6-1.  This placed them against Raymar who had upset the top seed Primetime, however, the Panteras scored early and took the advantage to an 11-0 victory to enter the Championship game.