Neighbors Hitmen Win USSSA Class E In Rockford

Thirteen Team Tournament At Forest Hills Diamonds In Rockford

USSSA Men's Class E Champions - Neighbors Hitmen From Rockford

ROCKFORD: Neighbors Hitmen (4-0) from Rockford ran the table on the field of thirteen teams winning the USSSA Men's Class E Great lakes National Tournament Qualifier played at the Forest Hills Diamonds in Rockford on June 23rd & 24th. The champions earned a paid berth to play at the 2007 Great Lakes Class E National Tournament to be held in Rockford over Labor Day Weekend plus a berth to play at the 2007 Illinois USSSA Men's Class E State Tournament to be held in August at Joliet. Tournament runner-up Stateline Motors (4-2) also received a paid berth to play at the 2007 Illinois USSSA Men's Class E State Tournament as will third place finisher Cherry Valley Siding (3-2) from Rockford. Fourth place at this tournament went to Leisure Time (5-2) from Sterling with both EZ Care Services (2-2) from Freeport and Ogle County Physical Therapy (1-2) from Byron tying for fifth place.
Neighbors Hitmen had received a first round bye before taking on and defeating High & Tight 6-4 in the second round of play on Saturday. High & Tight had previously defeated Leisure Time 9-8 in the first round of play to advance into this second round game with Neighbors Hitmen.
On Sunday morning it was Neighbors Hitmen edging out Ogle County Physical Therapy in a one run game 11-10 to advance into the winner's bracket finals. Ogle County Physical Therapy made it this semifinal game of the winner's bracket by receiving a first round bye before stopping Neblocks / TB's from Rockford 17-12 in the second round on Saturday.
In the game that feature the last two remaining unbeaten teams Neighbors Hitmen and Cherry Valley Siding took the field to play one another with Neighbors Hitmen squeaking out a one run win 9-8 to become the last remaining unbeaten team in this three game guarantee formatted tournament. Cherry Valley Siding made it to the winner's bracket undefeated game by opening play with a first round win over EZ Care Services from Rockford 12-9. In the second round on Saturday it was Cherry Valley Siding defeating New Era from Rockford 11-0.
On Sunday morning Cherry Valley Siding met and defeated Stateline Motors in a wild and close game 20-19 to earn a spot in the winner's bracket final against Neighbors Hitmen.
After waiting out the completion of the loser's bracket Neighbors Hitmen found out that they would be playing Stateline Motors in the championship game. In keeping with their style of play Neighbors Hitmen played their third straight one run game edging out Stateline Motors 8-7 to claim the title at this tournament. The Champions went 4-0 winning by a total of five runs over their opponents - two runs in their first game and one run wins in the semifinal, winner's bracket finals and the tournament championship game.
Tournament runner-up Stateline Motors opened tournament play with a first round bye before stopping United Restoration from Rockford in the second round 6-5. United Restoration had posted an 11-9 win over Northern Illinois Optical / Ken Z Roofing from Rockford in the first round of play.
On Sunday morning Stateline Motors was edged out by Cherry Valley Siding Company 20-19 to drop them into the loser's bracket.
Stateline Motors regrouped quickly and started to pound out wins that feature a strong offensive showing as they eliminated EZ Care Services first by a final score of 5-1. Next to exit this tournament at the hands of Stateline Motors was Leisure Time as Stateline Motors posted a 12-7 win onto the bracket board to continue their advance. Sweet revenge was next up for Stateline Motors as they eliminated the team that had put them into the loser's bracket, Cherry Valley Siding winning 16-12 to earn a shot at unbeaten Neighbors Hitmen and the tournament title.
The title game went in favor of the Neighbors Hitmen ball club as they defeated Stateline Motors 8-7 forcing them to accept a second place finish at this tournament.

(Lto R) 2nd Place Stateline Motors & 3rd Place Cherry Valley Siding