NORTH AMERICAN FASTPITCH ASSOCIATION

CROWNS NEW WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

IN FOUR DIVISIONS FOR 2003

www.nafafastpitch.com

By Jim Flanagan, Editor, Fastpitchwest.com

(Photos Courtesy of Madeleine Flanagan, www.fastpitchwest.com)

The North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) held its 11^th annual “World Series of Fastpitch”, August 14-24, 2003 in Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire, Wisconsin, crowning new champions in four divisions.   The new champions for 2003 are:

“A”                 Jeraldines, Minnesota

“AA”               Bucknell Park, Lacey, Washington

“AAA”            Team Lyons, Fresno, California

“Open”           Kegel Black Knights, Fargo, North Dakota

NAFA was started in 1993 to provide an organization that focused entirely on all levels of play for men’s fastpitch.  The event began initially with two divisions of play, “AA” and “AAA” (equating roughly to ASA “A” and ASA “B”), and has grown to four divisions of play, with the addition of an “A” division for entry level competition a few years ago, as well as the “Open” division added for 2003.   The NAFA World Series has drawn teams from all over the United States and Canada, and even teams from Japan, quickly becoming one of the most successful events for Men’s Fastpitch. 

NAFA has become known for its popular “three game guarantee” format for its double-elimination tournament, recognizing that teams traveling great distances appreciate the opportunity to play at least three games.  The extra bracketing required is complex, but worth the effort for the teams competing.

For the first time this year, the tournament was held in Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire Wisconsin, located about 90 miles east of Minneapolis, St. Paul, hosted by the Chippewa Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Wisconsin is one of the “hot-beds” for men’s fastpitch, known for their warm hospitality and support of the game. With this year’s ISC World Tournament being held just down the road in Kimberly, WI, Wisconsin became the center of the men’s fastpitch world for 2003. 

The 2003 NAFA World Series hosted 135 teams in four divisions, making it the largest men’s fastpitch tournament in the world, playing three hundred games (300) over the course of the eleven (11) day event, concluding on Sunday, August 24, 2003 with the “AAA” Championship game.    

First Ever Internet Audio Broadcast of NAFA World Series

This year marked the first Internet Audio Broadcasts of NAFA World Series games, with selected games from the “AAA” Division World Series, including the championship game were broadcast.   Listeners all over the world are able to listen to the broadcasts, utilizing “streaming audio” technology provided by www.sportsjuice.com, and utilized by many minor league and college baseball teams.  David Blackburn from Southern California pioneered the use of internet audio for men’s fastpitch, broadcasting games from the ISC World Tournament the past couple years.  The technology permits the broadcast of games with a laptop computer, headset and internet connection.  The audio for the “AAA” championship game is available to listen to, at www.nafafastpitch.com

“A” DIVISION

JERALDINES, MN TOPS IN-STATE RIVAL DULUTH FASTPITCH, MN FOR “A’ DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP   

Murphy & Kammueller Combine for Seven Wins; Foley, Christensen and Marchio Play Key Roles in Title Run

The 2003 NAFA World Series began on August 14, 2003, with 79 teams competing in the “A” division.  The two main complexes for the tournament were the four diamond complex at newly built Casper Park in Chippewa Falls, WI, and the existing two diamond complex at Carson Park, about 20 minutes up the road in Eau Claire, WI, which played host to the 2001 ISC World Tournament.  Additional fields at the University were also utilized to accommodate the huge schedule of games.  The “A” division was added in 2000, in recognition of the growing number of “entry level” teams wishing to compete in the NAFA World Series.  This year’s “A” division was so large that it was divided into two divisions, the “Red” and “Blue”, with the top teams meeting up in a championship bracket.

After four non-stop days of games, the “A” division championship game was an “All-Minnesota” final, played by Jeraldines and Duluth Fastpitch.   Jeraldines won out, finishing the tournament with a perfect 7-0 record, behind pitchers Tim Murphy and Kevin Kammueller, who were 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.  The two combined to pitch  shutouts in four of their seven wins.  Murphy snared the Most Valuable Pitching trophy, with a microscopic 0.26 ERA in 27 innings pitched, and a 5-0 win in the Championship game.   Kammueller’s ERA was a stingy 1.94 in 18 innings pitched, and earning him first team All World Honors.

Jeraldines actually beat Duluth twice on the final day of the tournament, with a 4-1 win to capture the winner’s bracket final, followed by the 5-0 championship game win after Duluth Fastpitch defeated third place finisher Communiquest of Michigan.

The championship game was the culmination of the team’s success throughout the tournament, with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Tom Foley and the tournament’s top hitter, Derek Christensen hitting home runs, providing all the offense they would need.   Christensen hit .591 in the tournament, on a 13 for 22 effort, which included a double, two triples and two home runs, along with 9 runs scored and 7 RBI.

Foley captured MVP honors, going 7 for 23, with three home runs, scoring 10 runs, and 8 RBI.  Foley came up big when his team needed it the most, hitting a dramatic, walk-off home run to win the team’s second game of the tournament, 7-6 against the NW Iowa Athletics, in addition to the championship game home run.   Teammate and manager Dave Marchio was equally impressive, being named First Team All World, hitting .444, 12 for 27, with 8 runs and 8 RBI, including 3 doubles, a triple and two home runs.  .    Foley, Christensen and Marchio combined for 32 of the team’s 68 hits in the tournament.  Jeraldines hit .356 as a team.

Winner’s Bracket Final – Red Division Winner v. Blue Division Winner

Jeraldines MN 4, Duluth MN, 1

WP-Kevin Kammueller

Kevin Kammueller started this one for Jeraldines, Greg Crowley for Duluth in the battle of the last two unbeaten teams from the original 79 that started.  Duluth took a 1-0 lead in the 3^rd when Brett Klosowski doubled home Josh Mizerak, who led off the inning with a base hit.  Jeraldines tied the game 1-1 with a run of their own in the fourth.  With two out, Dave Marchio singled, Derek Christensen walked and Tim Murphy stroked an RBI singled to bring Marchio home. The score remained tied at 1 until the sixth, when Jeraldines broke through for three runs, on three consecutive singles by Derek Christensen, Tim Murphy and John Paitish.  Duluth got two aboard in the seventh with two outs, but couldn’t cash them in.  Kammueller and Crowley both tossed 5 hitters, with Kammueller striking out seven.

Loser’s Bracket Final

Duluth MN 2, Communiquest MI 0

WP-Brett Kloslowski

As is often the case in double-elimination tournaments, there is often a loser’s bracket team that gets hot, and defies the odds to make it to the final day.  In 2003, in the “A” division World Series, that team was Communiquest, Michigan.  The team defied not only the odds, but the bracket board, which erroneously showed them for a period of time as having been eliminated in the wee hours of the evening before the final day.  As if to show they were alive and well, the third place finisher went out to post two more wins on the final day before falling to Duluth MN in the loser’s bracket final.

The Cinderella run of Communiquest, MI came to an end in its tenth game of the tournament.  After eliminating Anderson Homes, WI 4-2 by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh, on a 2 run single by shortstop Mike Hoon, for its 8^th win, it faced the only team that had beaten them, Duluth MN, who sent Commiquest to the loser’s bracket with a heart-breaking 1-0, 10 inning defeat.  In this one, a weary Communiquest fell to the same Duluth team, 2-0.   Duluth scored a run in the first on a double by Brett Kosloski, and RBI single by Kevin Kuklauski.  Second baseman Brad Emannuel added another run with a solo home run in the fourth.   Communiquest went down fighting, loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh on singles by Greg Suave, Nick Phillips and Darren Haut, but Greg Crowley pitched in relief of Brett Kosloski, to get the final two fly ball outs and send Duluth into the finals against Jeraldines.

Championship Game - "A" Division:

Jeraldines MN 5, Duluth Fastpitch, MN 0

WP-Tim Murphy (J)  HR-Foley, Christensen (J)

MV Pitcher Tim Murphy started the championship game for Jeraldines, Brett Klosowski for Duluth.  Jeraldines jumped out to a two run lead on the two run homer by the tournament’s leading hitter, Derek Christensen, scoring teammate Tom Foley, who reached on an error.   Jeraldines put the game away in the third, scoring three more runs, running the score to the final 5-0 margin of victory.  Bob Hendricks led off with a walk, and scored on MVP Tom Foley’s third home run of the tournament.   With one out, Derek Christensen double, then scored on a two out triple by right fielder John Paitich.  Duluth threatened in the fifth, with a leadoff single and double by Kyle Danberg, but Murphy escaped the inning, and went on to strike out six enroute to his fourth win of the tournament – and the title for Jeraldines.

Runner-up Duluth Fastpitch, MN had a great run in the tournament.  In a local news story, Duluth Manager Mike Thomas was quoted as follows:

“Our pitchers threw fantastic, and we played well with the lead all week,” Thomas said. “Our guys haven’t played in many tournaments, and we are young, so we did OK for ourselves. Coming in, I thought we could hang with anybody and we did. We just couldn’t beat Jeraldines.”

Duluth’s only two losses in the tournament were to Jeraldines.  They defeated third place Communiquest –twice, once 1-0 in 10 innings, one of the best games in the tournament, and then again, 2-0 on the final day when a weary Communiquest MI team played its 10^th game of the tournament. 

Jamey Mills (.323, 10 for 31), Brad Emmanuel (.393, 11 for 28)) and Kevin Kuklauski (.379, 11 for 29)) won First Team All World honors, combining for 32 of their team’s 72 hits, with 10, 11 and 11, respectively. Each also homered (Mills with two).  Pitcher Greg Crowley also won First Team All World honors with a 0.49 ERA over 28 1/3 innings, getting the ball in crucial situations throughout the tournament.

Communiquest MI  placed four players on the All World team, workhorse pitcher Shane Wilson, who posted a remarkable 0.88 ERA in 63 2/3 innings, enroute to a 6-2 record, along with Dave Beach (.353, 12 for 34), Timm Richardson, and Nick Phillips (.429, 15 for 35).  Phillips’ 15 hits was tops in the tournament.  If playing ten games wasn’t tough enough for Commuiquest, MI, two of their first three games were 10 inning affairs.  

Jeraldines MN’s Road to the “A” division title:

Photo of 2003 NAFA "A" Champions, Jeraldines, MN

The Final Order of Finish for the top teams in the “A” Division:

Top Individual Award Winners for the “A” Division:

Photo of 2003 NAFA "A" Individual Award Winners

First Team All World Selections for the “A” Division:

Photo of First Team All World, "A" 2003

Second Team All World Selections for the “A” Division:

“AA” DIVISION

BUCKNELL PARK OF LACEY, WA OUTLASTS THE QUAKER PA RIVERSHARKS FOR “AA” DIVISION TITLE   

Trevor Knight Comes Up Big for Bucknell, while “Marathon Man” Pitcher Mike Smith and teammate Paul Batt Make Valiant Effort for Riversharks

Like so many team sponsors, Pat Bucknell of Lacey, Washington has chased the proverbial brass ring of men’s fastpitch, a national championship, for many years.  But Bucknell not only worked to build a winning program with his team (formerly known as the Northwest Merchants), but also played a key role in founding NAFA eleven years ago, serving as Executive Director of NAFA for the past eleven years.   This year’s World Series was a big one for him, as well as his team, as Bucknell had decided to step down as Executive Director at the conclusion of the 2003 NAFA World Series.    For Bucknell – and most especially for his team – the parting proved sweet, as the Bucknell Park team captured the “AA” division national championship.

The title run for Bucknell Park was no easy feat, taking seven games, including an 8-1 loss to the Quaker Riversharks of Pennsylvania in the first championship game, before a 5-3 win against them, the “if” (second) championship game.  Rubber armed Rivershark pitcher Mike Smith (55 1/3 innings) did everything he could to stand in Bucknell Park’s way, to carry his team to the finish line against Buckell Park, pitching every inning of his team’s 8 games.   But in end, it was the rubber match that decided things, the third meeting between these two teams, and getting Bucknell Park their first ever national championship. 

Bucknell’s Trevor Knight was named the “AA” division’s Most Valuable Player, hitting .350 in the tournament, and delivering perhaps the most dramatic  hit of the tournament, a dramatic, 2-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 7^th inning in the winner’s bracket final against the Quaker PA Riversharks.  That game, between the last two remaining unbeaten teams in the “AA” World Series was tied 1-1 going into the last inning, until Knight’s blast catapulted his team into the finals, and put the Riversharks in the position of having to beat Bucknell twice for the title, and requiring the Riversharks’ only pitcher, Mike Smith, then in his sixth game of the tournament, to throw two more if they were to win the tournament.  Smith, amazingly, nearly did just that, beating Bucknell Park 8-1 in the first championship game, before falling 5-3 in the “if” finale.  Scott Anderson of Bucknell Park provided the big blow in that game, a three run blast to give Bucknell at come-from-behind 4-3 lead.

Mike Smith or “Smitty” as his teammates call him, could be seen in between his eight games, with a large ice pack in his right shoulder, smiling at the prospect of going to the mound each time his team survived and advanced.  Smith is a bit like that fellow known as the Bambino….well known for his hitting prowess, so much so that that many forget that he’s quite a pitcher as well.   Smitty posted a 2.15 ERA, entering the “if” game with an ERA well below 2.00, striking out 39 batters along the way.

“AA” Division champion Bucknell Park had four among the First Team All World Selections, Josh Baumgart, Scott Anderson, and pitchers Sisko Sabate (3-0, 1.79 ERA, 32K’s 6 hits) and Sam Aldridge (3-1, 1.62 ERA, 23 K’s).   Aldridge pitched a one-hit shutout against 5^th place finisher, Rep & Baja, WI for one of his three victories.

Kasey Knight and his brother Trevor Knight combined for 14 of his team’s 37 hits, with three of Kasey’s going for extra bases.

First Championship Game - "AA" Division

Quaker PA Riversharks, 8,  Bucknell Park, Lacy WA 1

WP-Mike Smith (R)

After defeating the Quaker Riversharks the night before on the dramatic walk-off home run by Trevor Knight in the bottom of the seventh, Bucknell Park took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning of the (first) championship game.  Bucknell centerfielder Darin Michael led off the third with a single, moved to second when Scott Meyer walked, stole third, and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Sisko Sabate.  But the Riversharks, playing in their sixth game of the tournament stormed back with three of their own in the bottom half of the third.  Mike Smith doubled with one out, Mike Rohrer walked with two out, and both came home on a triple by first baseman Todd Moyer.  One batter later, Moyer scored on a single by right fielder Bob Wengert. 

The Riversharks added another in the fourth on three consecutive singles by Paul Batt, Mike Smith and John Stinner.  The ‘Sharks put the game away with three more runs in the fifth.  Moyer opened the inning with a walk, Derek Zechman reached on a fielder’s choice and both scored on a double by pinch hitter Todd Evans.   An inning later, Quaker closed out the run-rule win when Scott Long singled home Toddy Moyer, who had led off the inning with a double.  Mike Smith was the winner over Bucknell’s Sam Aldridge, surrendering only three hits and striking out five, for his sixth win of the tournament.

Second Championship Game – (the “If” game) - "AA" Division 

Bucknell Park, Lacey WA 5, Quaker PA Riversharks 3

WP-Sisko Sabate (BP)  HR-Scott Anderson (BP)

Once again, Bucknell jumped off to an early lead, scoring one in the first when cleanup hitter (and tournament MVP) Trevor Knight singled home Scott Meyer, who had reached on a single to open the game.  The Riversharks fired back with two in their second, to take a 2-1 lead. Scott Long singled, was sacrificed to second by Chad Oechsle, and then scored on a two run homer by Paul Batt, his third of the tournament.  The ‘Sharks added another in the fifth when first baseman Todd Moyer singled home Mike Rohrer, who had reached on a fielder’s choice.  The Cinderella comeback was not to be though, as “marathon man”/Riversharks pitcher Mike Smith finally tired in the sixth inning (his 55^th).   Trailing 3-1, Bucknell Park reached back for three big runs in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead.  Sisko Sabate opened with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch. Trevor Knight walked, and all three scored on Scott Anderson’s three-run home run, which proved to be the game - - and championship winner.  Bucknell added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, when Sabate singled home Kasey Knight.  Sisko Sabate was the winning pitcher, tossing a four-hitter, striking out four, and retiring the last seven Riversharks in order.

The Road to the “AA” Title for Bucknell Park:

Runner-up Quaker Riversharks also placed four on the First Team All World squad.  Paul Batt’s tournament was nothing short of incredible.  He hit .609, to earn honors as the leading hitter in the tournament, going 14 for 23, with a double, three triples and three home runs.  (That’s thirty (30) total bases, if you’re counting.)  Batt scored 7 runs, and drove in 11 more, as a one-man wrecking crew.

Teammate Chad Oechsle was 9 for 20 (.450), while Todd Moyer had 7 hits, including a double, triple, 4 RBI and 5 runs scored.    To no one’s surprise, Rivershark Mike Smith was named the Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament, posting a 6-2 record, winning more games than any other team, save champion Bucknell Park, which matched his six win total.

Jon Kegel’s young Black Knight team finished third in the “AA” division, finishing 5-2, with four of those wins notched by young pitcher Bryan Newton. First team All World Selections Adrian Brown (7 hits), and Ron Sklebar (.350 avg.) led the way for the Knights.

One other “AA” game certainly worthy of mention, the 3-0, 14 inning win by Wilbur Lime WI over Wilkomm, Mobil, just one run shy of the NAFA World Series record for extra innings. Jeff Killian’s three run homer in the top of the fourteenth finally put an end to the contest.  Wilkomm’s Todd Lubkeman went the distance, striking out 9, while Wilbur Lime split the workload.  Jim Murphy threw the first seven, with Craig Thompson going the second seven, and picking up the win.  Both teams had runners on throughout the game, but just couldn’t push them across.  The game drew one of the better crowds at the tournament, as the last game of the evening, and will certainly be remembered by those who saw it.   Lubkeman, the hard luck loser for Wilkomm had an outstanding tournament, tossing a no hitter and striking out 17 in one game. 

Order of Finish for Top "AA" Teams

Individual Award Winners - ”AA"

First Team All World - 2003 NAFA World Series - "AA"

Second Team All World - 2003 NAFA World Series - "AA"

“OPEN” DIVISION

YOUTH SERVED AS YOUNG KEGEL BLACK KNIGHTS VICTORIOUS IN FIRST EVER NAFA “OPEN” DIVISION WORLD SERIES

Darcy Byrne Shines in Championship Game, While Teammates Eric Lewis, Duane Clarkson and Kevin Hamm Display Power

Youth was served in 2003 as Jon Kegel’s young Black Knight squad came away with the first ever NAFA “Open” Division championship trophy.

During the first five years of NAFA’s eleven year history, competition was held in two divisions, “AA” and “AAA”.  In 1998, NAFA added an “A” division, with the number of teams growing rapidly, and now exceeding the number of “AA” and “AAA” teams combined.  

This year, NAFA decided to add an “Open” division, for teams competing at the highest levels.   The “open” division started out small, with five teams competing, and the young Kegel Black Knights coming away with the championship trophy.    The teams included nationally ranked Heflin Gremlins with All World pitcher Paul Algar, as well as Kegel, Bucknell Park, the California Crew and Hobnobber Tavern of Seattle Washington.  The teams squared off in round robin competition, with the top four advancing to a single elimination round.    Heflin and Kegel drew the top seeds, with 3-1 records, while Bucknell Park and California Crew finished 2-2 for the other two spots.

Open Division Pool Play Standings (Final)

In the semi-finals, three-seed Bucknell Park, fresh off their “AA” Championship win, upset the top seeded Heflin Gremlins for a spot in the championship game.  Meanwhile, the Kegel Black Knights, which finished third in the “AA”, eliminated the California Crew in the other semi-final.  

Championship Game – “Open” Division

Kegel Black Knights 8, Bucknell Park 1

WP-Darcy Byrne  HR- Lewis (KBK),

The  Kegel roster for the “Open” division had one key ingredient missing from their “AA” roster: ace Darcy Byrne.   When the first ever-NAFA Open Division championship game got underway, it was Byrne that got the starting nod from Jon Kegel.  Like the Black Knights, Bucknell Park’s open roster also included players not eligible for “AA”, including big Stoney Burke, who was tapped as the starter for the title matchup.

Kegel jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead on singles by the Giesbrecht boys, Rob and Nathan.  Nathan’s RBI single came with two out.    Kasey Knight reached for Bucknell in the bottom of the first, but was cut down stealing by catcher Kevin Hamm.  The Black Knights scored three more in the second inning, on a triple by Kevin Hamm, followed by three more hits, a single by Rob Giesbrecht, RBI single by Jon Lewis, and double by centerfielder Duane Clarkson, which scored two.  Stoney Burke gave way to Sam Aldridge for Bucknell Park, but Kegel continued its scoring outburst, adding another in the third, on singles by Eric Lewis, Kevin Hamm and Mike Wells, and two more in the firth, on a two run homer by Eric Lewis.  Bucknell finally pushed a run across in the bottom of the fifth, but not enough to avoid the run-rule victory by Kegel.

Kegel’s Darcy Byrne was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Pitcher, with a perfect 3-0 record and 1.11 ERA, including the championship game win.   Teammate Duane Clarkson was named the Most Valuable Player, with an impressive 11 RBI, and the home run in the championship game.   Leadoff hitter Rob Giesbrecht gave the Kegel team a clean sweep of the individual awards, winning the Outstanding Hitter trophy on the strength of his .471 batting average.  Giesbrecht had two homers, 4 RBI and scored seven runs.  Kegel’s Adrian Brown (.462) and Eric Lewis (.467) earned All World Honors for the open division champions.    “AA” division Most Valuable Player, Trevor Knight of Bucknell Park continued his hot hitting, earning First Team All World honors with a .438 avg.    Pitchers Paul Algar (Heflin), Sam Aldridge (Bucknell Park), and Ed Gasper (California Crew) earned First Team All World pitching honors.

Californians Nate Devine (.333) and Mark Vail (.462) had outstanding tournaments, also earning first team honors.  In the semi-finals, Vail hit a line drive down the left field line, in what some said was the hardest hit ball of the tournament.

Individual Award Winners -”Open"

First Team All World - 2003 NAFA World Series - "Open"

Second Team All World -  2003 NAFA World Series - "Open" Division

“AAA” DIVISION

TEAM LYONS, FRESNO CALIFORNIA REACHES TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN AFTER NARROWLY MISSING TITLE IN 2002

Ace Tony Peeples and Catcher Todd Garcia Deliver When It Counts for “AAA” Champions from Fresno, CA

Team Lyons, of Fresno, California arrived at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin for the “AAA” World Series with some unfinished business.   Lyons finished second in the 2002 NAFA “AAA” World Series, missing a national title by the narrowest of margins, losing 1-0 to All Seasons, PA in the championship game.  In reaching the title game in 2002, the Lyons team put on an awesome display of power, setting a NAFA World Series record with fifteen (15) home runs.  Ace pitcher Tony Peeples notched six wins along the way, surrendering only a lead off home run to MVP Dan Loney in the title game.   One week after returning from the 2002 NAFA “AAA” World Series, Team Lyons captured the ASA “A” National Title.  It fit nicely on the mantle alongside the NAFA “AA” National Championship Trophy, but the spot for the “AAA” trophy remained – waiting – but empty.   Unfinished business.  A clear purpose.  Unmistakable determination and focus.

Well, perhaps it’s time to build another mantle, as this one is full.  Team Lyons delivered on its bid to return to the NAFA World Series, and capture the “AAA” National Championship.   The veteran team from Fresno swept through the “AAA” division with a perfect 6-0 record behind pitchers Tony Peeples (4-0) and Doug Sleep (1-0).  (Sleep toiled 10 innings in game two with Peeples picking up the win in relief.)

In the pitcher’s circle for the championship game was Tony Peeples, pitching as well as he had all year, nailing down the 5-1 victory against the runner-up Kegel Black Knights.  For Peeples, it was no doubt a satisfying win, his tenth in two years at the NAFA “AAA” World Series.  But Peeples would probably have traded the other nine wins for this one.  This one put a punctuation mark on the impressive performance by Peeples and his team, and gave them the one thing they came to Chippewa Falls for -- the championship trophy.

“Defining Moments”

Team Lyons Narrowly Escapes with Win over RWP, MN, 3-2 in 12 innings

Unbeaten they may have been, but Team Lyons narrowly escaped an early round loss to one of the best teams in the “AAA” Di