Dirtbags Wins USSSA Class D Elite State Title

Eleven Teams Participate At Rockford On Augsut 20th & 21st

2005 Illinois USSSA Men's Class D Elite State Champions - Dirtbgas From Aurora

ROCKFORD: The Dirtbags from Aurora went 4-0 to win the 2005 Illinois USSSA Men's Class D Elite State tournament played at Harlem Community Center North in Roscoe and Forest Hills Diamonds in Rockford on August 20th & 21st. Money (3-2) from Orland Park finished in second place, Joltin' Joe's (4-2) from Softball City was third, Roundin' Third (3-2) from Chicago took home fourth place with both Squad (2-2) from Joliet and Wheels By R.T./Shoe Carnival (1-2) finishing in a tie for fifth place at this tournament. Fourth Place finisher Roundin' Third accepted the berth to play at the 2005 USSSA Men's Class D World Tournament at Disney World Complex in Florida. The top two teams, Dirtbags and Money both had previously qualified for the World Tournament and third place finisher Joltin' Joe's passed on the berth because of a prior commitment to plat elsewhere.
The champions were led by the play of their pitcher Guy Altier who was named as the MVP of the tournament for his overall outstanding play in this eleven team tournament. He was joined on the 2005 All-State Tournament team by his teammates Chris Glanz, Duane Hirsch, Ryan Bonnamy and James Steben.
The Dirtbags received a fist round bye before opening play with a huge 16-2 win over the Road Dawgs/Heroes and Legends from Joliet 16-2 in the second round of tournament play. The Road Dawgs/Heroes & Legends had won their opener over Team Complete from Ottawa 7-3 to advance into this game with the Dirtbags.
Now playing in a semifinal game of this tournament the Dirtbags and Wheels by R.T./Shoe Carnival hooked up with each other with the Dirtbags coming out on top by a final score of 15-6. Wheels by R.T./Shoe Carnival made it top this game by receiving a first round bye before they defeated the Slugs from Aurora 12-11.
On Sunday playing in the winner's bracket finals it was the Dirtbags verses Money with the winner assured of a spot in the championship game. The Dirtbags came out focused on this game and but on a show for everyone in attendance winning impressively over the Money ball club by a final score of 14-1 in five innings.
Now the Dirtbags needed to sit back and wait until the loser's bracket was completed before they would know who they would be playing in the championship game and when the wait was finally over a rematch with Money awaited the Dirtbags in the finals.
Once again it was all Dirtbags as they won big stopping Money by a final score of 10-2 to claim the title as the 2005 Illinois USSSA Men's Class D Elite State Champion.
The Dirtbags did not supply Illinois Softball Report with any team information, stats, highlights or quotes on how they were able to win this state title.
Runner up Money was led by the play of their right center fielder Dave Berry who was named as the 'Defensive MVP' of the tournament for his glove work in the field. Joining Berry from the Money ball club on the 2005 Illinois USSSA Men's Class D Elite All-State Tournament team were his teammates; Thomas Barrett, Dan Colbert and Tim Chambers.
Money opened play with a first round bye before taking on and defeating Roundin' Third 9-5 in the second round of play. Roundin' Third had also received a first round by in this eleven team event.
In their second game on Saturday it was Money over Joltin' Joe's 18-7 to put them into Sunday's winner's bracket championship game. Joltin' Joe's made it to this semifinal game by opening play with a first round win over Squad 13-12 to move into a second round contest with Blackhawk Athletic Club/Mizuno from Rockford whom hey defeated 17-7 to move into the semifinals of the winner's bracket in this tournament.
On Sunday it was Money against the Dirtbags in the undefeated game and Money could not get anything going as they were steamrolled by the Dirtbags 14-1 to send them into the loser's bracket championship game where they needed to win in order to get a second chance at the Dirtbags and the state title.
In a close and exciting game Money and Joltin' Joe's locked up with each other for the second time in this tournament with Money squeaking out a 13-12 win to earn a second chance at defeating the Dirtbags to win the state title.
This was as close as Money would get on this day as they were defeated by the Dirtbags 10-2 in the championship game to finish in second place at this state tournament.
Money did not provide Illinois Softball Report with any team information, stats, highlights or quotes on how they were able to finish in second place at this state tournament.

Continued: