(Jugando a media noche = Playing at Midnight)
[Ensenada, Baja California. Mexico – 5/23/05]- The #19 ranked So Cal Bombers went south of the border this past weekend and played in Ensenada, Mexico. The 2 day tourney was condensed in to a one day tourney because only 5 teams ended up entering the tourney, with the championship game starting at midnight on Saturday night. What a great place to play and great fans for the Mexican teams that rooted on their teams all day. Definitely one of the most hostile environments the Bombers have ever played a tournament! But it made for a great challenge and day of softball! The fields were all dirt with its share of rocks in the field which made it interesting. Also, the bases were rubber squares that the umpires just through on the field when the game started…including home plate!!
On to the games…
Game 1
So Cal Bombers……1
23-under Ensenada…0
Panfilo Valdez took the mound for the Bombers and threw a gem. He needed to because the Bombers could only muster 1 run in the game on a solo home run by Robert Renteria in the top of the 3rd. Valdez struck out 14 in the game and allowed 2 hits.
Renteria 1 X 3 HR, RBI
Game 2
So Cal Bombers……..8
Ensenada All-stars….2
The best hitting output for the Bombers on the day. The Bombers scored 5 in the first inning and 3 in the 2nd to put the game out of reach early. Arturo Solano and Jason Porto hit HR’s for the Bombers and Tony Peeples pitched a complete game striking out 13 and allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs.
Arturo Solana 2X3 HR, 2 RBI’s
Jason Porto 3X4 HR, Triple 4 RBI’s
Todd Garcia 2X3
Game 3
So Cal Bombers 1
Mexican National Team 3
Both the Bombers and the Mexican National Team had advanced to the championship game and this was the last game in the round robin. The National team took the early lead off of starter Travis Price in the first inning and held a 1-0 lead into the 4th. Todd Garcia hit a solo shot to right center to tie the game in the fourth, but the lead vanished in the bottom of the inning when the National Team struck for 2 runs. The National team held off the Bombers to take a 3-1 victory. Travis Price was the tough luck loser going the distance and giving up only 3 hits and striking out 12. It was his first loss of the season.
Todd Garcia 1X 3 HR, RBI
Dan Winnick 2 X 3
Nate Devine 2 X 3 2B
Game 4
Championship game
So Cal Bombers…………1
Mexican National Team…..2 (8 innings)
The best game of the day hands down and the fans loved it. After 16 hours of drinking cold beer they were definitely animated going into the championship. The Bombers got a run in the top of the first on back to back 2 out doubles by Porto and Garcia to take an early 1-0 lead. The National Team bounced back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning at 1-1.
The game went scoreless into the top of the 7th when the Bombers opened the inning with runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out and could not score and the game eventually went to the international tie-breaker in the 8th. The Bombers got the bases loaded with nobody out after a walk to Raymundo Parra and a bunt single by Arturo Solano but could not capitalize. A 1-2-3 double play got the first 2 outs in the inning and then a strikeout ended the top half of the 8th. The National Team only needed 2 pitches to win the game in the bottom of the 8th with a wild pitch moving the runner to 3rd and a single between short and 3rd ended the game. Ponfilo Valdez pitched outstanding in the championship giving up 4 hits and striking out 10
to take the loss.
It was an absolutely outstanding tournament put on by the city of Ensenada and the weather cooperated perfectly with the temperature in the high 80’s. We want to thank the city and hope to be back there next year. The Bombers record on the year is now 23-5.
Team Owner and sponsor Ralph Trejo spoke with the Mexican National team on Sunday about coming to California to play a best of three series with the winner to take home $1000.00. We wait to hear from the team Director and will post any info as soon as possible. Teams to play ISF rules that will be enforced by a adequate umpiring staff.
Information provided courtesy of
Jason Porto and Ralph Trejo Jr.
So Cal Bombers
http://www.bombersfastball.com
maito:info@bombersfastball.com