2020 Men's Major Fast Pitch National Championship: Aug. 22

August 23, 2020

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Men's Major Fast Pitch National Championship

Recap Day 2 | LINK

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Kegel Black Knights secured their spot in Sunday’s USA Softball Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship Championship Game after claiming a pair of wins and improving to a 3-0 record on Saturday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex.

Kegel Black Knights defeated A-1 Bombers, 14-4, before coming out on top in their game against the NY Gremlins. Four hits from Blaine Milheim and three from Zac Shaw paved the way to victory, while BJ Gulick had a team-high four RBI in their first game of the day. Rob Schweyer issued eight strikeouts and allowed four runs on six hits through five innings of work against the Bombers. In Game 2, the Black Knights’ Chris Heinline exploded for two home runs and plated five runs along with Mark Aranda launching one of his own. Despite trailing 9-8 heading into the last inning, Kegel loaded the bases with one out and Mike Lewis’ two RBI single to left field gave the Black Knights a 10-9 walk-off victory.

Falling to the loser’s bracket after suffering their sole loss of the tournament thus far, the NY Gremlins look to battle back on Championship Sunday. Luis Amaya and Javier Caballeros combined for a 7-0 shutout over Bear Bottom Lodge in their first contest of the day, while seven different Gremlins’ batters collected a hit in the game. In the late evening matchup against fellow undefeated Kegel Black Knights on USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, the NY Gremlins battled hit-for-hit but came up short in the 10-9 late inning loss.

Also staying alive in the tournament are Bear Bottom Lodge and Jay Blank Realty.

Despite dropping into the loser’s bracket with their loss against NY Gremlins, Bear Bottom Lodge posted a 7-0 shutout over Rio Grande Senators where Branden Rutt tallied a home run, and Dusten Rutt (2-for-3) and Kevin Reber (2-for-2) led the offense. Julian Fernandez collected the win in the circle, fanning 10 batters and allowing just three hits in five innings.

Meeting Bear Bottom Lodge in the OGE Energy Field 8 a.m. matchup on Sunday is Jay Blank Realty, who battled through the loser’s bracket by posting three victories on Saturday. Outscoring their opponents 24-0, Jay Blank Realty defeated Bar on the Avenue Buzz, 5-0, Tribal Brothers/TMC, 11-0, and A-1 Bombers, 8-0. Jay Blank Realty’s Sam Kinne, Terry Bruguler and Tyler Bouley each went yard, while Bruguler and Joel Cooley led from the circle.

Concluding their tournament run on Saturday was A-1 Bombers, Bar on the Avenue Buzz, Ray Rays Sports Bar Misfits, Rio Grande Senators, Seadogs, Tribal Brothers/TMC, and Wabash Pride.

Admission, which will be sold at the gate of the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, is $5 per-day for spectators, with free admission for children five-and-under. Additional information including the tournament schedule and rosters can be found at USASoftball.com.
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