By John Benton
TERRE HAUTE — Thank goodness for the efforts put forth by the Crawlworks men’s slow pitch team in the ASA MSP Class D state finals. Without their 6-2 finish, local softball efforts were almost shutout in ASA state tournament play this past weekend.
Starting with the ASA MSP Class B state finals, the Budweiser team suffered through a 0-2 performance. Budweiser lost games to Thornton’s 17-6 and Street Kids 34-1.
Local softball interests didn’t fare much better in the ASA MSP Class C state tournament as both Outkast and 180 Energy finished with 0-2 marks.
Outkast’s performance was with little doubt the most surprising. Having fared well throughout the season, often against teams of similar caliber, the Outkast squad suffered through their first 0-2 tournament since early in the season. Outkast dropped a first-round game to Wall Trucking 12-2 and was eliminated by Brad’s Brass Flamingo 21-20.
180 Energy dropped games to Gabe’s Pizza 20-9 and Rushville Eagles 21-20. In the Rushville game, 180 Energy was behind 16-0 after one inning only to eventually fall short by one run.
As a result of their 0-2 finishes, Budweiser, Outkast and 180 Energy are all eligible to apply for reclassification for the 2010 season.
Another 0-2 mark was recorded by the Robinson’s Heating and Cooling team in the ASA MSP Class E northern state tournament. Scores and opponents were unavailable at press time.
In an effort to rebound from their 0-2 finish, the Robinson’s Heating & Cooling team will participate in the ASA MSP Class E southern state in Bloomington this weekend.
The ASA MSP Class D state tournament hosted by the Avon Softball Complex witnessed the only local softball success in an otherwise unsuccessful weekend. Continuing their successful 2009 season, the Crawlworks team finished 6-2, good enough for a third-place finish in the 18-team affair. In doing so the Crawlworks team recorded wins over Ascot 17-8, Complete Lawn 6-4, Hardesty Insurance 22-21, Mullins Fitness 12-2, P.J. Collectables 9-7 and Straight Line 19-18. Crawlworks was dropped into the losers’ bracket by Straight Line 23-15 and eliminated by Martin Brothers Contracting 18-17.
Also competing in the Class D tournament was Nick’s Chili, aka Terre Haute Pharmacy. Nick’s Chili finished with a 1-2 mark.
As a result of their third-place finish, Crawlworks will move up to Class C in 2010. Nick’s Chili is eligible to apply for reclassification for the 2010 season.
