The California A’s captured the 2013 Pioneer Days during the title, with a perfect 6-0 record, including three straight wins on Single Elimination Sunday, July 14, 2013. The wins Sunday against Wasatch Properties of Salt Lake City, Utah, Page Brake of Salt Lake City Utah, and the Lacey A’s of Lacey, Washington.
Lucas Mata was named the tournament’s Outstanding Pitcher, while Nate Nukunuku was tabbled as the Most Valuable Player. Nukunuku hit four home runs on Sunday, including three in the 9am game.
The Lacey A’s of Lacey Washington reached the championship game with a dramatic extra inning win over the number 11 ranked team in the, the Pueblo Bandits. Lacey appeared to have the semi final game won in the 7th inning, only to have Pueblo’s Shawn Vanduvall deliver a two-out RBI single to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Two innings later, it was Lacey’s Sean McCauley providing the heroics, with a two-run walkoff home run against one of the world’s best pitchers, New Zealander Jeremy Manley, and send his team to the finals.
McCauley capped his big day Sunday with a championship game home run against another of the world’s best, Lucas Mata.
Semi-Final Game
California A’s 12
Page Brake 4
Winning Pitcher: Derek Mayson
Losing Pitcher: Kevin Black
MVP: Marcus Tan, California A’s
Summary: Page Brake held on for 4 innings until California exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th to eliminate Page with a Run Rule. California moves to the Championship where they will meet the Lacey A’s
Semi-Final Game
Lacey A’s 5
Pueblo Bandits 4
Winning Pitcher: Shawn Koster
Losing Pitcher: Jeremy Manley
MVP: Sean McCauley, Lacey A’s
Summary: Tied at the end of regulation Sean McCauley hit a 2 run homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning to catapult the Lacey A’s into the Championship against the California A’s
Championship Game
California A’s 9
Lacey A’s 1
Winning Pitcher: Lucas Mata
Losing Pitcher: Shawn Koster
MVP: Bobby Rostenhausler, California A’s
Summary: Expert pitching, and great hitting combined as the California A’s go undefeated to earn the Championship Trophy of the 2013 Pioneer Days Men’s Fast Pitch Softball Tournament.
Editor’s note: will have additional information posted shortly, including score sheets from the tournament.