2009 SANTA FE SPRINGS II

Panteras score four in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with the championship over Panteras II

The Panteras used the number one seed from the round robin to their advantage in reaching the Championship game. Their first game of the day was against Flor de Cana and they came out on top 12-2 with Robby Epps getting the win.  Travis Price was in the circle in the second game and earned the win, 4-2, over the Long Beach Black Sox. This set up the Championship game with Panteras II and father & son.  Not too mention guys from both teams who play together on other teams during the week or have played for the other squads.

The Panteras had Billy Montana in the circle against Matt Barnes.  Panteras II jumped to a quick 3 run lead in the top of the first which included a two-run shot by Jason Gluckmen that easily carried the home fence and more.  The Panteras brought in Robby Epps to finish the inning and in their half scored once to cut the lead to 2.  Both teams settled down and the game remained scoreless through the sixth. In the fifth both Gerald Pyle came in relief for Barnes and and Travis Price came in for relief in the sixth inning for Epps. 

Panteras II scored a run in the sixth to take a 3 run lead.  The Panteras threaten in both the fifth and sixth innings but couldn't get the runners across the plate.  In the bottom of the seventh they got their lead off batters on base.  A run scored on Jimmy Buentello's base hit leaving runners at first and second.  After an out was recorded, the Panteras had runners at second and third with first base open and Keith Barker at bat.  Keith hit a hard ground ball between first and second scoring the tying runs.  However the ball also got by the right fielder and then it was a foot race to home for Keith and the win by the Panteras.

Panteras II finished second in their pool and were paired off against San Diego Primetime who had beat them in the round robin 1-0.  In the single elimination Panteras II came out on top 2-1 to send them to the semi-finals.  In their next game they faced the Silverhawks and came out on top 4-1. 

Overall, Jason Pruitt of the Silverhawks either was the leader or tied for the lead in all of the major offensive categories. He had 15 hits for a .750 batting average which also included 3 home runs, a triple and 6 doubles. In addition he stole 3 bases.  Not bad for a weekend tournament, way to go Jason.  Four other batters hit for over .600 this weekend; Delroy Waters (Caribbeans) .667, Gerald Pyle, Mike Manlingus (Panteras) and Valentine Douglas (Caribbeans) all with a .600 batting average. 

On the pitching side, Ronnie Rupp (Black Sox) and Travis Price each finished the weekend with 3 wins.  Robby Epps lead the tournament with the lowest ERA at .088 and 24 strikeouts.  Spud Barker (Silverhawks) and Price each had 22 strikeouts.  The complete tournament list will be out shortly as well as the season tournament leaders.

Brackets and stats have been updated on the site.  A link to Maddy's Photos from Sunday's action are up at the Morning Brief on Fastpitchwest to view:

http://fastpitchwest.com/morningbrief/?p=3205