The editor’s team, Long Beach Deadwood banged out 15 hits in their first ever ASA 50-and-over Masters Nationals game at Pioneer Park in Prescott, Arizona, an 8-0, 5 inning run rule victory over Buck’s Bombers of Illinois. Dan Zupp picked up the win, yielding only 4 hits in 4 innings and striking out 5. Deadwood scored 1 in the first, then exploded for 6 runs in the 4th, on 8 hits, and sending 11 men to the plate.
Alan Rohrback, former ISC All-World player for the 1983 ISC World Champion Lancaster Chameleons was 3 for 4, including a double over the center fielder’s head. Former Vista Bomber and Long Beach Nitehawk, Steve Miner, player-manager for Deadwood was 2 for 2, and on base four times, scored twice and drove in a run from the lead off spot to lead the way for the first year Deadwood team.
Deadwood will face the Clearwater Bombers at 9am Saturday morning. Clearwater is the new sponsor for a top finisher in the last two 50-and-overs, the Texas Stars, who finished second last year, and won the 50-and-over in 2003, the last time the tourament was in Prescott.
Barry Woolery was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, Dan Zupp, Jim Brundage and Steve Boyel were 2-for-3,
The tournament continues through the weekend, with the championship game slated for 3pm and a 5pm “if” game, Sunday.
Click here for the ASA 50-and-over Masters Nationals.
Saturday morning update: Deadwood lost their second game of the tournament, 9-5 to the Clearwater Pride. The Pride is made up of most of the Texas Stars that won the 50+ two years ago and were runner-ups last year. Deadwood took a 4-1 lead into the 5th inning and appeared to be headed towards an upset, before a series of miscues proved to be their undoing. Deadwood did score a run in the 7th and had the bases loaded before the side was retired.
Saturday morning update #2: Deadwood bounced back from a loss in their 9am game, with a wild 14-10 win over the Houston Hawks. Deadwood trailed 6-3 early, but recovered to take a 14-8 lead, and 14-10 final.
Saturday afternoon update:With fatigue and the heat setting in, Deadwood was eliminated by the So Cal Masters, 8-3 at Rough Rider Park in Prescott. Ray Smith was the winning pitcher for the Masters, over Deadwood. Steve Miner drove in two runs with a double, while Dan Zupp had long triple to deep centerfield for the ‘Wood.
A first year 50+ team, Deadwood finished the tournament with a 2-2 record, and a tie for 9th place in the tournament. Their two losses were to the eventual 2nd and 3rd place teams, Clearwater Pride and the So Cal Masters.