RANGERS BOW OUT IN SEMIFINALS AT COOPERSTOWN

The Florida Rangers lost a 2-0 heartbreaker to the NY/NJ Cardinals in the 18A division semifinals of the NABA's Hall of Fame Classic at Cooperstown, NJ. The Rangers, managed by Leo Merced, had battled their way into the playoffs with a pair of wins on Saturday. Mike Alfinez, who pitches with the Palm Beach League's Cubs, pitched the team to a 6-4 win over the Main Street Pub A's. Later that day, Kenny Rua of the Royals hurled a one hit shutout in the compeltion of a game suspended by rain on Thursday, opening day of the weekend event. The Rangers picked things up with a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, and added three more runs for a 6-0 victory over Triple Threat from South Jersey. The NY/NJ Cardinals went on to capture the 18A division of the tournament.

The 18AA championship went to the Maryland-based Essex Express. Several Palm Beach League players, along with others who had previous tournament experience with the Rangers in the Puerto Rico tournament, made up the Rangers' Hall of Fame roster. Jose Pena Jr. represented his own Palm Beach League Rangers in Cooperstown. Other included Tom Brodrick and Mike Alfinez (Cubs); Steve Grove and Pat Wilson (Braves); Emilio Vargas (Cardinals); Marcel Castaneda (South Florida Beach Bums) and Kenny Rua (Royals). =============================================================================================================================================================================================