Resmondo/Worth Captures 2009
USSSA Major World Series
By C. Schwartz
The top programs in this 2009 edition to watch were Resmondo/Specialty Tank-Worth, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat, Long Haul/Miken/Phonemasters, T&R Stucco/Worth and Jean Shoppe/Chaneys/Easton.
The tournament began with games on Wednesday and Thursday completing the first round. The ranked teams all advanced to Friday’s semi-final winner bracket games. The top of the bracket featured Resmondo’s squaring off with T&R Stucco/Worth. The lower bracket featured Long Haul/Miken and Dan Smith/Combat.
Resmondo’s powered their way through the winner bracket finals as they downed T&R Stucco with a 27-12 victory. Resmondo was lead by Dennis Rulli, Don DeDonatis Jr. and Andy Purcell. T&R was lead by veteran Rich Gulash and defensive standout Timothy Mattox.
Long Haul/Miken and Dan Smith/Combat played a very competitive battle as well. The game changed leads multiple times until Long Haul outlasted Dan Smith 23-20 to join Resmondo in the winner bracket final. Dan Smith/Combat was led by stars Brian Wegman and Brett Helmer. Long Haul-Miken was lead by JD Genter, Ryan Robbins, and Jeremy Isenhower.
The winner’s bracket final was set between Resmondo/Worth and Long Haul/Miken. Resmondo/Worth was eventually declared the winner with a 7-0 score. They advanced to the finals of the 2009 Major World Series.
The game between Dan Smith/Combat and T&R Stucco/Worth was to determine who would move onto face Resmondo. The game featured a very tightly fought contest. The ball was certainly not flying out of the stadium and both pitchers Mike Browne (Dan Smith) and Mike Rose (T&R) worked the action to their respective defenses. T&R had great infield play from Tim Mattox and Mitch Mabe. Rich Gulash provided the offensive might. T&R Stucco/Worth held off Dan Smith with a 17-13 victory and trip to the Major World Series Championship.
Resmondo/Worth and T&R Stucco/Worth began the Championship game and the contest was close in the early innings. However Resmondo’s prime time players opened the game up by combining base hits with some mammoth home runs over the following innings as they went on to score a 23-7 victory.
“Our organization prides itself on winning and we could not be happy with these results,” said Manager, Frank Webb. “We worked very hard to be World Champions and I am very pleased to see how well our players performed.” The Major World Series CO-MVP was Resmondo’s Dennis Rulli and Andy Purcell. Brian Rainwater of Resmondo was the Offensive MVP. T&R Stucco-Worth’s Tim Mattox was the Major World Series Defensive MVP.
Casey’s Bail Bonds Tracks down a USSSA “C” World Championship
By Fred Myers
They started the tournament off with a convincing 19-4 victory over Marty’s Boys from Loxahatchee, FL.
“The key to winning this game and the entire tournament would be consistent hitting and outstanding pitching,” said Casey’s Manager Tim McQuery. “As a team our batters hit well throughout the line-up and our tournament MVP pitcher Billy Knoppi did an outstanding job all weekend.”
In game two Casey’s sent DCS down to the loser’s bracket with a 20-11 victory. DCS opened the game up with 8 runs but Casey’s clean up batter Pat Paschal crushed a grand slam to cut the lead in half and Casey’s hitters poured on the runs from that point on.
In a tough match up against Hub’s Pub, Casey’s battled until the late innings before scoring a 17-12 win. The score was tied at 12-12 in the seventh inning until Casey’s scored a five spot to snatch the game away.
Casey’s scored a 10-2 victory against Steve’s Drywall and a close 18-17 victory against Syndicate to advance their team through the winner’s bracket.
The winner’s bracket final was set between Casey’s and Wagner Farms however because of a late night storm the showdown was pushed until the morning at 7:00 AM.
Casey’s hitters may have been forced to roll out of bed early for the morning game but their bats woke up quickly as they out hit and out played Wagner Farms for a convincing 18-6 victory.
The championship game was a much closer contest as Wagner Farms shook off their morning rust and battled Casey’s hit for hit as the score went back and forth. But Casey’s defense saved it’s best for last. Whenever Wagner Farms would get a runner to first or second Casey’s infielders would turn a double play to end the threat. By the seventh inning they pull away 12-5 for the victory and the USSSA “C” World Championship.
“Chad Hartsell and our MVP pitcher Billy Knoppi were on a mission and they would not be denied, but in my heart the entire team deserves to be the MVP, they all did their part and the did whatever was asked of them, they are all true world champions.” said Casey’s Manager Tim McQuery.
| Tournament MVP | William Knoppi | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| Offensive Tournament MVP | Chad Hartsell | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Pat Paschal | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Jayson Obermiller | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Adam Yeaney | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Jason Freeman | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Kaeo Rubin | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
| All Tournament Team | Tim Bobeck | Caseys Bailbonds/Castle Heating/Worth |
