2013 Santa Fe Springs II Tournament

MACCABI WINS!

It was a typical sunny Southern California weekend for the tournament in Santa Fe Springs.  Eight teams came out to enjoy the sunshine and play some ball.

As Saturday drew to a close, the Pala Braves came away with the #1 seed, going 3-0, only allowing 3 runs all day.  Maccabi USA was also undefeated on Saturday, taking the #2 seed.

Sunday was a day to bet on the favorites.  The championship game was the battle of the top seeds.  The Pala Braves gave up only one run on their way to the championship game on Sunday, beating San Diego Primetime and squeaking out a 1-0 win over the Colton Dirtbags.  Maccabi USA had their bats warmed up Sunday morning, scoring 8 or more runs against both the Panteras and Rude-Pac. 

The Championship game was another defensive and pitching duel.  Ron Rupp took the hill for Maccabi USA, while Sonny Perkins started for the Pala Braves.  Unfortunately for Sonny, he went down with a calf injury early in the bottom of the first inning, with Gerald Pyle taking over on the mound.   Maccabi was able to get on scoreboard in the bottom of the first with runner on second and two outs, as Jason Gluckman hit a run-scoring single, giving Maccabi a 1-0 lead.  Chad Gutierrez tied it up for the Pala Braves with a solo homerun in the top of the third.  The score remained knotted up until the bottom of the fifth.  With a runner on second base, a short grounder towards third base prompted a rushed throw that was a little off-line.  It would’ve sailed into the dugout, if it weren’t for someone standing in the doorway, who, out of self preservation, deflected the ball with a couple of softballs he was holding.  Both runners were awarded an extra base, scoring the runner from second.  That was all Maccabi needed, as Ron Rupp was able to shut down the Pala bats, and take the championship with a score of 2-1.

MACCABI USA

PALA BRAVES