Dripping Royalty take softball tourney championship

The Thursday night adult softball league held their end of the season J Hudson Memorial tourney over two Thursday nights. It was a double-elimination tourney among the five teams. The league champions, Dripping Royalty, were able to hold off all comers and repeat as the tourney champions. The traveling trophy has been awarded since 1982.

The opening night was full of surprises, with the Sons of Pitches bearing the brunt of the major surprise. They had finished second in league play and looked to be the main challenger to the Royalty but picked the wrong time to be lifeless and dropped their two games to be eliminated first. The Lastros, the last place team slipped up on the Pitches with a 6-5 opener. Meanwhile, the T-Baggers were squeezing by the Zeros 8-5. In the first elimination game the Zeros managed to ease past the Pitches 12-10. Royalty was able to get past the T-Baggers 8-1. The Zeros then got a second chance at the T-Baggers but fell short in the 5-3 loss. Royalty was able to double the Lastros in their 6-3 win.

Leading hitters: 3- Aaron Casner, Charlie Lenhard, Ryan Slaughter, Chris Ausmus, Jake Bell, Freddy Cantu. Homeruns: Ryan Slaughter 2, Freddy Cantu, Jarred Robinson, Charlie Lenhard, Jacob Dotson, Cody Ross, Braden Frickel.

Only three teams remained for the final night of play. The first matched the T-Baggers and the Lastros. The T-Baggers came out hitting and subdued the Lastros 19-8 to gain the finals against the Royalty. The lead changed hands several times before Royalty scored seven in the fifth to put daylight in their lead and took the title with the 14-9 triumph.

Leading hitters: 4- Nolan Mast; 3- Jarryd Nolen, Mike Lateur, Matt Hodges, Jeff Root, Kevin Conrad, Trey Ross, Austin Kent. Homeruns: Eddie Villarreal, Austin Kent, Nolan Mast, Mike Lateur.