So Cal ASA Association Championship 2004

July 10-11, 2004 @ Santa Fe Springs, CA

Rounders Win So Cal ASA Association Crown with wins over San Diego, Edge and Raymar, earn berth to Nationals in Nebraska

Tom Morton returned to the Rounders for the So Cal ASA Association championship in grand fashion, homering in each of his team's three games, including a 7th inning grand slam against the Edge to overcome a 6-3 deficit, to catapult his team to the So Cal Association title for the second time in three years.

The Rounders entered the weekend in fourth place in the So Cal Alliance, trailing Edge, San Diego and Raymar for the three Nationals berths available from the league.   It was those same three teams that the Rounders drew in the bracket, and defeated enroute to the championship.  Pitcher Mitch Mendenhall returned to form after being hobbled by an ankle injury from a line drive earlier in the year, picking up two wins, and notching a save in the Edge game.  Edge finished as the runner-up to the Rounders, earning the second of two Nationals berths awarded at the tournament.   Mendenhall joined Morton, and Rounder third baseman Mark Villalobos, who also homered in the tournament as All-Tournament Selections.

The Rounders won the tournament in 2002 in Big Bear Lake, and were runner-ups last year to Genesis.  This year's tournament marks three straight years that skipper Ron Kirby's team has earned a berth to the ASA "C" Nationals in the tournament.  

In their first game, the Rounders beat nemesis San Diego and ace Dan Zupp, 4-1.  Morton hit a 2-run homer in the fourth inning while teammate Mark Villalobos added a 2 run shot in the 5th that proved to be the difference in the game, as Mitch Mendenhall retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced, yielding only a 6th inning walk.

The second game proved to be the wildest, with the Rounders hanging on for an 11-10 win over the Edge that saw three lead changes, including the most dramatic, a 7th inning grand slam by the Rounders' Tom Morton to put his team on top 7-6.  The game resembled a knock-down-drag-out heavyweight fight, with both teams battling fiercely to get into the championship game. The Rounders jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, but the Edge drew even on a 3 run homer by Hector Spathias.  The Edge then took a 5-3 lead in the 4th on a two out-bases loaded single up the middle by Raul Ramirez.  Edge extended the lead to 6-3 before the dramatic home run by Morton gave the Rounders back the lead in the 7th, 7-6.  Edge tied the game 7-7, scoring in a close play at the plate on an infield out, sending the game into the tie breaker.   Mike Hemperly's double cleared the bases and gave the Rounders what looked to be a commanding 11-7 lead.  Mitch Mendenhall entered the game in relief, but the Edge was not to go quietly.  They strung together a number of hits, including Raul Ramirez's fourth of the game, but Ramirez was cut down at third base on a perfect throw from left fielder Eric Geierman, an out that proved crucial to the win.  With the score 11-10, and runners at first and third, Mitch Mendenhall then struck out Rick McCarthy to end the game.

The Rounders' momentum carried over to the championship game, where they beat another nemesis, Raymar, 13-4 in 6 innings.  A two run triple by Rounder shortstop Danny Roberts gave the Rounders a 4-0 lead in the second; Eric Geierman drove in one more, while Donald Jewett added another RBI to give the Rounders a 6-0 lead in the second.   Raymar made a pitching change, but Tom Morton greeted reliever Tommy Obregon with three run homer to put the game out of reach, his third home run in as many games.

The Rounders head to Hastings Nebraska, September 1 for the 2004 ASA "C" Nationals, where they will be joined by the Edge, and three more teams from the So Cal Alliance.  Besides the Rounders and Edge, San Diego and Raymar appear to have berths locked up as teams head to the final tournament of the year, later this month in Corona, California.    A battle for the fifth and final berth is shaping up between Palm Springs, Amigos and Black Sox.

Winner's Bracket:

Loser's Bracket:

The Rounders clinched the first So Cal ASA Alliance berth to the ASA "C" Nationals in Hastings Nebraska, September 1-6, 2004 by winning this tournament.

All Tournament Selections for Champion Rounders:

The winner of game 15 will also earn a berth to the Nationals.

Photos and more details on Sunday.