MADDEN CRUISERS PLACE SECOND IN SCSA TOURNAMENT
Dec 24, 2000

Orange, CA (12/23/00) - The Madden Cruisers placed in second, in their second consecutive touranment this past Saturday afternoon. This time, the team played in Fullerton's SCSA tournament at the Yard. This was the second go-round for the team in the SCSA circuit, suffering a quick 3-game demise in their first apperance, which was double elimination. Click here for stats, pictures, and game by game break down from the touranment.

Soles goes yard, scores Cantu & Bolle. (AP) - Dan Romero

The team began the day on a sour note, as leading hitter Jose Gonzales shunned the team and did not show for the tournament. His wear abouts were unknown as he did not contact manager Dan Romero to indicate he would be unable to attend. Regardless, the team pressed on and the Hog Squad in impressive fashion. Unlike their traditionally big-swining wins, the team nickle and dimed with nice line-drives, and only one big fly over the wall. The Cruisers walked away with a 22-6 victory to get things started.

The next game brought on the highly intense HB Smokers. Chanting, growling and smacking their way the whole way through... the Smokers handed the Cruisers their first loss of the day. Things looked to be starting off well, as Jason Sullivan hit an apparent 2 run homer to give the Cruisers a quick 3-0 lead after only 3 batters. However, thanks to a little assistance from a Cup Check player, HB appealed sully's HR, and he was called out because he didn't touch home plate. Tough Break for the Cruisers. Momentum died, and so did the teams bats as HB piled on with a 20-2 victory.

This loss brough to fruition what has grown to be a heated rivalry in the next game. The Replacements came to the yard with a bleeding desire to hand the Cruisers a loss. "I hate these guys." said Replacement third baseman Steve Scherbarth. The smack was flying throughout, as three cases of beer had been bet on the game. John Rodriquez even attempted to forge a bet from Jeremy Roach on the game, willing to lay $200 to Roach's $100, and giving 6 runs. Roach declined. He shouldn't have though, as the Replacements came up big, and gave the Cruisers the game of their lives.

Koogs with a PHAT swing. (AP) - Dan Romero

The final score so a run one victory for the favored Cruisers, at 7-6. The Replacements left with their heads up, feeling they'll be able to take the Cruisers in the next tournament. "Those guys are overrated. I hate them. I know we will beat those clowns next time. We were missing Combsy, and he brings a lot to our squad." said Robert Hausner.

After some re-grouping, the Cruisers knew they still had a chance of making noise in the tournament. The team came out on fire vs. 12-Angry Men in their final round Robin game. 12-Angry men are the current SCSA point leader in the lower D-division which the Cruisers were playing in. Big bats, and a refreshed attitude gave the club a big 17-9 victory, and the #2 seed in the single elimination tournament.

The Cruisers drew the third seed in Cup Check for the Single-Elimination portion of the tournament. These two teams had actually faced before in a Slo-2-Pitch tournament back in October. The Cruisers handed Cup Check a 28-6 thumping that day, so confidence was high. This game turned out to be a much closer battle however. The team was begining to lose players quickly as Eric Bolle had to take off, Jeff Theim left earlier, and of the "bruces" had to leave due to injury after the Replacements game. Regardless, the Cruisers held on to a 13-11 victory, advancing to the championship game vs. the HB Smokers.

Matt "MayDay" Malone tracks down a pop-fly. (AP) - Dan Romero

It looked as if team Madden might have a shot, as they jumped out a quick 2-0 lead off a Jason Sullivan home run. The Smokers responded with 6 runs in the bottom half of the inning, and really looked phenominal. The Cruisers responded with zero runs in the bottom half of the inning, which let the big bats of the Smokers come again. They piled on seven more runs in impressive fashion to take a 13-2 lead. The Smokers then plated 12 more runs, of which 10 came with 2 outs in the bottom of the third to take a comanding 25-2 lead. "I have never seen so many good hitters on one team. These guys were in a league of their own. Really, the could place the ball ANYWHERE they wanted." said manager Dan Romero.

The Smokers wound up with a 33-3 victory in the championship game, but the Cruisers still left on a positive note. The team took their second consecutive second place finish, and came up big in a points earning tournament. The club looks to play another SCSA or NSA tournament this January.