Fernie Ramirez’s Panteras posted a 10-spot in the 5th inning, to break a 3-3 tie in the championship game with Rude Pac. Anthony Rocha started the inning off with an inside-the-park-home-run, sliding in safely on a bang-bang play that set the wheels in motion for the Panteras. Rocha drove in another run in the same inning, as the Panteras pulled away for a 13-3 run rule victory. Bobby Lara picked up the win, over a tired Doug Rooney in the championship game. The two teams were playing their 7th game of the weekend, and Rude Pac was down to just nine players, and no relief for Rooney.
The Panteras eliminated San Diego Primetime in the quarterfinals, and topped the Long Beach Black Sox 6-2 in a semi-final game behind the pitching of Jesse Duncan.
Rude Pac opened the weekend as the #9 ranked team in California, and made a strong case that they belong in that top 10 with their runner up finish in Palm Springs. The champion Panteras entered the weekend unranked, and will certainly must be considered for a spot on the strength of their opening weekend championship.