Bombers Win ISA D National Berth

Twelve Teams Participated At Alpha Park In Bartonville On April 21 & 22

BARTONVILLE: The Bombers (5-1) came back in the 'if necessary game' to defeat Stadium Club (5-2) in a close game 17-16 to win the ISA Men's Class D State and national Qualifier played at Alpha Park in Bartonville on April 21st & 22nd. The champions earned a Paid National berth to play in Bridgeton, MO on September 8th & 9th plus a team trophy. Runner up Stadium Club who forced the 'if game' by winning the first championship game 28-25 over The Bombers earned a paid state berth at the ISA Men's Class D State Tournament to be held at the Brickhouse Complex in Urbana on August 4th & 5th plus a team trophy. Third place from this tournament went to Re Max Area Wide (3-2) with Pottsies (3-2) taking home fourth place from this event.
The Bombers opened tournament play on Saturday morning in this twelve-team event with a first round contest against Top Shottas and posted a 21-15 win onto the bracket board to advance into the second round of the winner's bracket. The Bombers improved to 2-0 when they defeated City Blue 12-10 to advance in Saturday evening semifinal round of the winner's bracket. City Blues had received a first round bye before dropping their opening game to The Bombers.
On Saturday evening it was The Bombers defeating Dave's Pizza 23-6 to advance them into Sunday's winner's bracket finals. Dave's Pizza made it to the semifinals by receiving a first round bye before stopping the Sultan's of Swat 19-3 in the second round of tournament action to earn the right to play The Bombers in a semifinal game.
In the tournament undefeated game The Bombers and Stadium Club squared off with one another in what was to be the first of three meetings on this Sunday with The Bombers gaining the early advantage by winning a close game 26-25 to win the winner's bracket.
Now The Bombers need to sit and wait until the loser's bracket was played out to its conclusion before knowing which of the remaining teams that would emerge to challenge them in the championship game. That team turned out to be Stadium Club and a rematch of the winner's bracket finals was in store in the championship game. Stadium Club came out playing to win and posted a narrow 8-6 win over previously unbeaten The Bombers to level the playing field at one loss each and with this win forcing the need to have the 'if necessary game' played between these ball club in order to determine which of them would leave with the crown from this tournament. In another close game The Bombers found a way to win 17-16 to take home the tip prize from this ISA Men's Class D State & National Qualifier.
Tournament runner-up Stadium Club opened play with a first round contest against Harvey & Stuckel posting a 15-4 win onto the bracket board to advance into the second round of play in the winner's bracket.
Stadium Club continued their strong hitting as they defeated Pottsies 26-14 to move into Saturday evening's semifinal round of the winner's bracket. Pottsies had receive a first round bye before taking on the Stadium Club in their opening game of this tournament.
On Saturday evening the Stadium Club improved their tournament record to 3-0 with a 17-7 win over Re Max Area Wide to earn a spot in Sunday's winner's bracket championship game. Re Max Area Wide had received a first round bye before stopping Kelly 16-6 in the second round of play to earn the right to play the Stadium Club in this semifinal game of the winner's bracket.
On Sunday morning the Stadium Club started their day out by stubbing their toe when they dropped a one run game to the Bombers 26-25 to send them into the loser's bracket finals where they need a quick win to get a second chance at the Bombers and the tournament title.
Stadium Club took care of business in the loser's bracket championship game disposing of Re Max Area Wide 16-6 to get their second shot at the unbeaten Bombers.
Stadium Club continued their excellent play stopping the Bombers in the first championship game 8-6 to force the need of having the 'if necessary game' played between these two ball clubs.
The extra game was a barn burner and when the last out had been recorded into the official scorers book Stadium Club came up one run short on the scoreboard dropping a 17-16 game to the Bombers and with this loss being forced to have to accept second place from this tournament.