KA Softball Wins USSSA Class B Nationals

Creative Design 5th At USSSA Great Lakes Class B In Joliet

2005 USSSA Men's Class B National Champions - KA Softball From Chicago

JOLIET: Class B Great Lakes National Tournament held at the Inwood Sports Complex in Joliet over Labor Day Weekend. The champions were led by the play of their shortstop Jamie Mackert who was named as the 'Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Mackert was joined on the All-Tournament team by his teammates; third baseman Mike Rhines (who was named as the Offensive MVP of this tournament), right fielder Dave Shaff, 2nd baseman Ed Stapinski, catcher Don Vleck, Designated hitter Jim Kersten, pitcher Tim Fredenburg and the All-Tournament team manager Ken Adams. Cal's/Bitch's (5-2) from Michigan finished in second place, James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete (3-2) from Ohio was third, Superior Restoration (3-2) from Ohio finished in fourth place with both Creative Design (2-2) from Palos Hills and Showcase/Chanticlear Pizza/TPS from Minnesota tying for fifth place at this tournament.
KA Softball opened their tournament play with a first round game against RMA/CC from Minnesota and defeated them 24-14 to advance into the second round of tournament action.
KA Softball and Showcase/Chanticlear Pizza/TPS tangles with each other in the second round of play with KA Softball coming from behind to win 24-18 to move into the semifinal of the winner's bracket. Showcase/Chanticlear Pizza/TPS made it to this second round game by opening play with a 22-9 win over KC Trucking from Wisconsin in the first round of tournament play to advance into this contest with KA Softball in the second round of action.
In their third contest on Saturday it was KA Softball and fellow Illinois representative Creative Design going toe to toe with KA Softball getting all the better of it winning by the run rule with a walk off home run in the bottom of the fifth inning 19-4. Creative Design made it to this third round game by opening play against Pole Position/C & M/Team Threads from Michigan and posting a 14-13 win onto the bracket board in the first round of play before they took on and defeated Cambridge State Bank from Minnesota 21-13 in the second round of tournament action to advance into this semifinal game of the winner's bracket where they played KA Softball.
On Sunday in the showdown between the last two remaining unbeaten teams it was KA Softball and James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete playing head to head in game that went back and forth was neither team could grab a lead and hold it until the final out had been recorded and when it was the scoreboard read KA Softball 24 and James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete 21. The James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete ball club made it to the winner's bracket finals by opening play with an 18-17 win over Plumbers and Pipefitter's from Michigan in the first round of tournament play. In the second round it was the Ohio ball club taking on Cal's/Butch's in an exciting game and winning 24-23 on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete won their semifinal game of the winner's bracket by disposing of Superior Restoration 21-17 to move into Sunday's winner's bracket final against KA Softball.
KA Softball now had won the winner's bracket and had to wait until the loser's bracket play was completed before knowing which of the remaining teams would earn the right to challenge them in the championship game. That team turned out to be Cal's/Butch's
In the game that decided the championship KA Softball put it all together as they gave those in attendance a hitting show winning 34-19 in five innings to claim the title.
KA Softball did not supply Illinois Softball Report with any team information, stats, highlights or quotes as to how they were able to win the 2005 USSSA Men's National Tournament.
Cal's/Butch's opened tournament play with a 23-11 win over Medtronic from Minnesota in the first round of play before taking on James S. Arnold/Freeze Concrete in the second round and losing to them 24-23.

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