The Orange County Alumni Association hosted the 27th annual Sigma Pi World Series Saturday, July 19th in Fullerton. In recent years, the tournament has been held on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. However this year, the tournament moved to the Yard in Fullerton. An interesting change of pace to say the least.
UCLA represented well with two alumni teams and an active team. The active team, without many of their regulars due to the Summer Vacation, wound up going 1-2. They did qualify for the playoffs, but had taken off early.
Alumni Team #1 started got things started nice and early with an 8:45 start time. They went up big on a new Long Beach State #2 alumni team, scoring ten runs in the top of the firsts. The team was able to build up a 17-5 lead through three innings, and seemed well on their way to a mercy rule victory. However, the LBC fought back, and wound up tying the game in the bottom of the 6th at 20-20. Upsilon went up four runs in the 7th and final inning, and needed to just hold on. With one run in, and two outs the LBC hit a two run home-run to make it a one run game. However, a great defensive play by Kevin Rodriguez with the tying run on 2nd base saved the day for Upsilon’s A Team.
The second alumni team got their show on the road directly after the A team played. Only three of their players dared to show up on time: Rex Ray Roberts, Jr., JC Ortiz, and Drew Keicher. The A team had to loan seven players to get things started. Not to worry, Neal Narahara, Sam Ghattas and Nate Murphy all showed up in the 2nd inning to take the baton. This game turned out to be much closer than many onlookers thought it might be. UCLA #2 wound up losing the game by an 8-5 count. A good showing by guys just out to have some fun and put down some frosties!
Their second game was not so good, as the B team found themselves in a 17-0 hole after one inning to the Long Beach State #1 team. The LBC let up a bit from there… however, they did hold on for the 18-3 mercy rule victory after four. innings. #2 didn’t get to play their final game because the UCI active team did not show up. The no show did give team #2 a victory, and actually got them into the playoffs vs. OCAA#3 due to the fact the active team left. They were unable to play due to scheduling conflicts with team A.
The A team got things going again after the B teams’ second loss. They found themselves playing OCAA#7. This team has made the finals the last two years, so they could play. This game started out close, but an eight run 3rd inning gave OCAA #7 a nice lead at 8-4. The continued to build on their lead, and took a 14-6 lead into the 6th and final inning. Kevin Rodriquez delivered a two-out bases loaded triple to make the score a little more respectable. But it was not to be as Upsilon went on to lose by a 14-9 count.
Game three brought on the USC alumni… not much to say here. Since 1999, UCLA has been 3-0 vs. USC, with a combined victory total of 67-9. This game turned out to be much of the same as UCLA put up fourteen runs in the 2nd inning to take a 16-0 lead. The Bruins held on for the 16-1 victory.
With a 2-1 record, the A team earned a berth into the playoffs against Division 3 top seed, Long Beach State Alumni #1. We’ve had some historic and heated battles vs. these guys over the past few years. Last year was the first year we were able to beat them, with a 22-21 victory. The previous years were all close as well with a 9-5 loss in 2001 and a 14-11 loss in 2000. This game proved to be a high scoring affair much like last year. After two innings, the two teams were tied at ten runs a piece. Upsilon was able to build a small lead through 4 and 1/2 innings at 15-12. However, and eight run bottom of the 5th was the back breaker for the LBC. UCLA plated three runs in the top of the 6th, and brought the tying run to the plate. However, the Bruins wound up losing by a 20-18 count.
Once again, the tournament proved to be an outstanding time for everyone. It was great to have a second alumni team out there this year. Hopefully many of the players that could not attend, but wanted to, will be able to play in 2004. This truly is a fantastic brotherhood event and always a fun game to play! If you are interested in playing next year, please e-mail Dan Romero at DRomero@DRom.net
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