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 Viper News: Super Series Nationals |
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Super Series Nationals
July 2002 - August 2002
The VIPERS traveled to Peoria, Arizona to play in their first National Tournament. The Super Series Nationals featured 40 teams from across the U.S. Split into two divisions; American and National Leagues. The American League consisted of teams with team members from one town or local area. The National division consisted of teams with members from anywhere in that teams State. The Vipers took home 3rd place in the National Division.
The Vipers qualified for the National tournament by placing first in the Firecracker Classic tournament.
Game highlights from the Vipers 3 pool play games and elimination round games are listed below.
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Vipers defeat the San Deigo Hawks!
In their first National Tournament game the VIPERS defeated the San Diego Hawks. Battling 100+ temps. and trying to stay hydrated was the first obstacle the VIPERS had to overcome. After a slow start the VIPERS got the bats going.
Pitching for the VIPERS were Alex Kalogrides (6 K's in 4 innings-including a bases loaded K to end the 2nd inning) and Dan Dyer (4 K's in 2 innings). Catching for the VIPERS(in the heat) was Andrew Kim.
The VIPERS scored their first run in the 1st, after a walk was issued to David Abraham, Alex Kalogrides brought him in with an RBI base hit.
The VIPERS didn't score again until the 4th inning. Julian Flores blooped in a base hit. Nate Garcia moved him over with a hit. Josh Isais laid down a bunt to move both runners over. David Gonzales then scored a run on an RBI fielders choice. Dan Dyer, and David Abraham both had an RBI base hits in the inning. Tommy Medica had a big 2 out base hit in the inning but was left stranded.
Paul Shively crushed a Solo Homerun over the left field fence to lead off the VIPERS half of the 5th inning. Nate Garcia scored the 6th run of the game when he cracked an RBI double to centerfield.
In the 6th, Tommy Medica was hit by a pitch, he was followed by Paul Shively who cracked another ball to left. It bounced over the fence for a ground rule double. After a walk was issued, Alex Kalogrides finished off the VIPERS scoring when he crushed a 2 RBI triple to centerfield.
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Vipers take on the #1 ranked Houston Banditos.
Tuesday morning (7:30am) the VIPERS took tackled one of the toughest teams in the country. They looked forward to the challenge aand held their own. The Vipers came out swinging. They VIPERS loaded the bases in the bottom of the 1st inning scoring 2 runs. Unfortunately, the inning was cut short by a "Close Call" at home plate. So close that...okay, enough about the call at home plate...
The VIPERS gave the Banditos a good game. Pitching for the VIPERS were Yasser Clor, and Jon Karcich. Yasser pitched the first 2 innings and struck out 1. Jon closed out the game on the mound and kept the Banditos guessing. Catching (in the heat) for the VIPERS was David Gonzales.
The VIPERS started the game with a runner on 1st after a walk was issued. Tommy Medica then cracked a single to left and after a pass ball both runners stole a base. Paul Shively was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Dan Dyer was then hit by a pitch and a run walked in. Julian Flores then cracked an RBI base hit to right field. One run came in and as the VIPER on 3rd came home on the play, he slid around and under the tag, placed his hand on home plate but was called out.
In the bottom of the first Catcher David Gonzales held his ground and tagged out a runner at home plate. He then led off the VIPERS half of the 2nd and crushed a ball to Centerfield for a double. Yasser Clor followed with an RBI base hit. Josh Isais came in to run for Yass and stole 2nd base.
In the bottom of the 3rd Catcher David Gonzales picked off a runner attempting to steal off of 1st base.
Jon Karcich came in to pitch in the 3rd. He caught a popup off of the mound, and got a fly ball to left field that Julian Flores tracked down. 1st baseman, Tommy Medica then nailed a runner trying to go home on a base hit for the 3rd out of the inning.
After a walk was issued David Gonzales hit another double to centerfield to score the 4th VIPERS run of the game. That made it 9-4 in favor of the Banditos.
Defensively in the 5th, Kyle Mosbrucker ran down 2 balls in Centerfield for outs. The third out was a ball to Julian Flores in Left Field.
The VIPERS tried to mount another rally in the 6th. Nate Garcia and David Gonzales both had big extra base hits against the Banditos. Unfortunately they were left stranded.
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Vipers defeat the Las Vegas Stingrays!
In their last pool play game the VIPERS defeated the Southern Nevada/Las Vegas Stingrays. Partly cloudy conditions made for a pleasant 99' afternoon! Pitching for the VIPERS were Paul Shively (3K's) and Kyle Mosbrucker(2K's).
The VIPERS went up 1-0 in the first on a triple by Julian Flores and an RBI base hit by Alex Kalogrides.
With the score 1-1 in the 3rd Dan Dyer made a nice play from behind 2nd base for an out and Shively caught 2 line drives off of the mound for quick outs.
In the 4th, with the score 1-1 the VIPERS caught a runner attempting to steal 2nd base in a run down. The VIPERS offense then answered back scoring 1 run off of 3 walks and a base hit from Dan Dyer.
Mosbrucker came in to pitch the 5th and picked a runner off of 1st base to end the inning. Alex Kalogrides cracked a single in the VIPERS half of the inning but was left stranded.
In the 6th, Tommy Medica had a great play at 2nd base and the VIPERS scored an insurance run. After a walk was issued to Josh Isais, Kyle Mosbrucker cracked a ground rule double down the line in right to bring in the final VIPERS run.
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VIPERS DEFEAT CORONA IN A CLASSIC BATTLE!
In what was called "one of the most exciting games of the tournament" the VIPERS defeated the Corona Wolverines to advance into the winners bracket of the Super Series Nationals. It was a classic battle of 2 well matched teams who ended the game with a new level of respect for each other. The game had everything you could want homeruns, bases loaded strikeouts, key hits, great defense, clutch pitching, great coaching, and extra innings. There was even a field change when it became to dark to play on the practice fields. The all important 8th inning was played under the lights at Padres field #2. A game that involved every player on the roster. It was a classic!
Pitching for the VIPERS were Nate Garcia, Dan Dyer and Alex Kalogrides. Catching for the VIPERS was Tommy Medica.
Corona came out swinging in the top of the first inning. They quickly scored three runs on 3 extra base hits and the VIPERS found themselves in a hole. Josh Isais made a nice dig at 1st base for the 1st out of the inning. Kyle Mosbrucker ran down a ball in deep centerfield for the 2nd out and David Gonzales grabbed a ball in right field for the 3rd out of the inning.
The VIPERS answered back in the bottom half of the inning. With 1 out Tommy Medica had a base hit and stole 2nd base. Alex Kalogrides then stepped in and crushed an RBI triple to left for the 1st VIPERS run of the game. Paul Shively brought Alex in with an RBI sac fly to make it 3-2 Corona. David Abraham then stepped to the plate and crushed a 2 out Solo homerun over the fence in right field. The game was tied at 3-3 after one complete inning.
In the 2nd inning, pitcher Nate Garcia held the Wolverines scoreless. That allowed the VIPERS to take the lead for the first time. Garcia drew a walk and was then sacraficed over to second. Josh Isais then stepped in a cracked an RBI double to center for the VIPERS go ahead run.
The VIPERS held onto the lead in the 3rd inning. Tight VIPERS defense was the key in the inning. Yasser Clor snagged a hard hit ball to third and turned a 5-4-3 VIPERS double play. That was followed by a pop-up to shallow left field that shortstop Paul Shively ran down to end the inning.
A scarry moment for the VIPERS in the bottom of the 3rd, Paul Shively drew a lead off walk, got to first base and started to wobble. He left the game, and spent the rest of the night next to the ice chest. Heat exhaustion and dehydration were big factors to contend with in this tournament. The VIPERS did not score in the bottom of the 3rd.
With the VIPERS concerned about their fallen teamate, Corona jumped back into the lead. They scored 2 runs in the top of the 4th to go up 5-4. Pitcher Nate Garcia then made 2 terrific fielding plays off of the mound to get runners out at home and 1st base. VIPERS shortstop Dan Dyer then made a great play to end the Corona rally.
The VIPERS were unable to score in their half of the 4th and Corona scored yet another run in the top of the 5th to go up 6-4.
A walk turned into a run for the VIPERS in the bottom of the 5th. Aggressive heads up base running by Julian Flores helped the VIPERS produce their 5th run. Julian drew the walk and later stole 2nd base. On an attempted pickoff at 2nd base, the throw went into centerfield, Julian hustled to third and when the throw went wide he scrambled home. The play at the plate was close and the Corona catcher dropped the ball. The score was now 6-5 Corona.
The VIPERS defense held tight in the 6th. David Abraham made a nice play at 2nd base. Shortstop Nate Garcia got a runner out from deep in the hole at short and VIPERS pitcher Dan Dyer left the last Corona hitter standing at the plate looking. A huge K for the VIPERS!
The VIPERS rallied and went ahead in the bottom of the 6th. Dan Dyer blooped in a base hit and stole 2nd base. After a walk was issued to David Abraham, Kyle Mosbrucker laid down a bunt for a base hit. On the throw to first base, Dan Dyer came home for a VIPERS run. David Gonzales then stepped in and hit a hard ground ball for the go ahead VIPERS run.
In the top of the 7th Corona tied the game at 7-7. Jon Karcich made a nice play at 3rd base for the first out. Alex Kalogrides came in to pitch for the VIPERS and got 2 HUGE K's with Corona runners on 2nd and 3rd base.
In the bottom of the 7th, with the sun setting quickly, and 1 out, Josh Isais drew a walk. Julian Flores followed with a hit on error leaving the VIPERS with runners on 1st and 2nd. Both runners advanced on a pass ball. VIPERS runners in scoring position with 1 out. Tommy Medica was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Then the Corona defense stepped up. On two hard hit balls the Corona pitcher and shortstop threw home for 2 force outs at the plate. The Corona catcher held his ground and made the plays.
With a tie game, everyone packed up their gear, loaded it on the cart and headed for Padres #2 and the lights. After a 20 minute pause the game resumed. Extra innings, tie score, winner moves into the winners bracket.
Corona took the lead in the top of the 8th, scoring 1 run on 2 hits.
Down by a run, the VIPERS were not ready to quit. They fought back. David Abraham led off with a base hit to left field. Kyle Mosbrucker then laid down a sacrafice bunt. The bunt went down the 1st base line and the Corona fielders bunt rotation left 3rd base open. David hustled his way to 3rd on the throw to 1st. Nate Garcia then stepped in and hit a ball to right field. The ball went over the right fielders head and a VIPERS run crossed the plate. Nate hustled his way to 2nd. Nates hit tied the game at 8-8 with 1 out and a runner at 2nd base. Andrew Kim came in to replace Nate at 2nd base. Andrew showed tremendous heads up base running and scampered down to third base on a Corona pass ball.
Extra innings, tie game, runner on 3rd, 1 out...Suicide squeeze! Andrew starts walking towards home, completely unnoticed by the Corona pitcher. Andrew was halfway down the line when David Gonzales steps in and squares to bunt. The ball rolls down the first base line, perfect execution! Seconds later, Andrew crosses the plate, VIPERS WIN!
What a game!
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Hot Temps and Hot Bats!
VIPERS defeat the Titans!
Thursday morning, in one of the hottest games yet...temps. were approaching the 110' mark by the end of the game...the VIPERS took on the Puget Sound Titans. Pitching for the VIPERS were Yasser Clor(2 innings) and Kyle Mosbrucker(5 innings). Catching (in the extreme heat) was Andrew Kim.
Tommy Medica had a double to centerfield in the first but the VIPERS could not capitalize on it and they left the bases loaded in the top of the first. In the Titans half of the inning, after a lead off walk was issued, catcher Andrew Kim nailed the runner attempting to steal 2nd base and the game remained 0-0.
For the VIPERS in the 2nd inning, Nate Garcia stayed hot with a base hit. Andrew Kim then laid down a beautiful sac bunt to move him over. Unfortunatley, the VIPERS did not score in the inning. The Titans took the lead in the 2nd, 2-0.
The VIPERS got one back in the 3rd. Tommy Medica had a big base hit to right field. Alex Kalogrided followed with a Huge RBI double to centerfield.
Kyle Mosbrucker came in to pitch in the 3rd. Tommy Medica caught a line drive at 1st base for the 1st out. Mosbrucker fielded a bunt down the line for the 2nd out and David Abraham made a nice play at 2nd base for the 3rd out of the inning.
Nate Garcia had yet another base hit for the VIPERS in the 4th inning but was left stranded.
The VIPERS held the Titans scoreless in the 4th with two fly balls and a strikeout to end the inning.
Tommy Medica had a base hit in the 5th for the VIPERS but was left stranded.
The score remained 2-1 Titans until the top of the 6th when the VIPERS opened it up with a 4 run rally. David Abraham led off with a bunt for a base hit. He was followed by David Gonzales who hustled down the line to beat out the throw to first. Nate Garcia then stepped in and hit a 2RBI double up the middle to put the VIPERS in the lead. Jon Karcich had an RBI base hit to left center. Kyle Mosbrucker cracked a base hit. Both Jon and Kyle advanced a base on a wild pitch. An intentional walk was then issued to load the bases and Tommy Medica stepped up and hit a line shot over the shortstops head for an RBI base hit.
With the score 5-2 VIPERS, Jon Karcich made 2 nice plays at 3rd base to end the Titans 6th inning.
The VIPERS scored 2 insurance runs in the 7th. David Abraham had a base hit. David Gonzales had a ground rule double down the line in left field. Nate Garcia brought in a run with an RBI sacfly. Kyle Mosbrucker drew a walk and Jon Karcich brought him in with and RBI base hit.
The VIPERS finished off the Titans in the bottom of the 7th. A fielders choice to shortstop, fly ball to right field and a big K by Mosbrucker on the mound to end the game.
Final Score VIPERS 7 - Titans 3
Final Temp. 110'
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Vipers Lose a heartbreaker to Encinitas!
Friday morning the VIPERS and the Encinitas Reds matched up for a chance to move into the Winners bracket Championship game against the Houston Banditos. Both teams fought hard and gave it all they had. The Reds came out on top 4-3 while the VIPERS had their shot at winning the game. The Reds held the VIPERS to only 3 hits and 1 run until the 7th inning.
Pitching for the VIPERS were Alex Kalogrides, Paul Shively and Dan Dyer.
Alex got things started with 2 huge K's in the first inning leaving the Reds lead of hitter standing on 3rd base. The Reds defense came up big when their right fielder made a hustling diving catch in foul territory for an out in the VIPERS half of the inning. Kalogrides had an infield hit in the inning but was left stranded.
In the Reds half of the 2nd, Tommy Medica threw out a runner attempting to steal 2nd base and Alex got a big K swinging to end the inning.
With the score tied at 0-0 David Gonzales drew a lead off walk. Dan Dyer sacraficed him over and Nate Garcia brought in the run with an RBI base hit to put the VIPERS up 1-0.
Paul Shively came in to pitch the 3rd and held the Reds scoreless. VIPERS catcher Tommy Medica threw out a runner attempting to steal 2nd base. Centerfielder Kyle Mosbrucker made a great catch and Shively fielded a bunt off of the mound for the 3rd out of the inning.
The Reds tied the game up at 1-1 in the 4th. Paul Shively had a base hit in the 4th and with heads up base running advanced to 2nd base but was left stranded.
The score stayed at 1-1 through the 5th. Mosbrucker caught a line drive to first base and Shively got 2 big K's to end the inning.
In the 6th, the Reds mounted a 2 out rally to score 3 runs and take the lead 4-1.
The VIPERS mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 7th. Alex Kalogrides had a base hit. David Abraham was hit by a pitch and Dan Dyer scored Alex with an RBI base hit to left field. Nate Garcia scored David with an RBI base hit and Kyle Mosbrucker was hit by a pitch. Down by 1 run with the bases loaded the hard ground ball to short turned into an inning ending double play.
The Reds moved on to the winners bracket championships where they defeated the Houston Banditos 3-2. They later moved on to the Championship Game where they once again defeated the Banditos 2-1 and claimed the Super Series National Title.
The VIPERS moved on to face the Cougars from Kansas, the Montebello Stars, and the Houston Banditos.
The VIPERS took home 3rd place in the tournament! Losing only to the Banditos who took home 2nd and the Reds who took home 1st!
Great Job VIPERS!
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Vipers defeat Kansas Cougars!
After being knocked into the losers bracket by the Encinitas Reds, the VIPERS took on the Cougar from Kansas. Pitching for the VIPERS were Josh Isais(3 innings) and Nate Garcia(3 innings). Catching for the VIPERS was Andrew Kim.
In the first inning, Dan Dyer made a great catch at 1st base. Threw down to 2nd and ended the inning with a 3-6 double play.
In the 2nd inning, Josh Isais made a nice play off of the mound on a swinging bunt to get an out at 2nd base. Jon Karcich fielded a ball at 3rd base for the 2nd out of the inning and Josh got a big K with runners on to end the inning.
In the VIPERS half of the 2nd inning, Danny Dyer was hit by a pitch. Jon Karcich had a base hit and Josh Isais brought in the first VIPERS run with an RBI base hit. Yasser Clor had an RBI base hit and Andrew Kim brought in the third VIPERS run with an RBI sac bunt.
The Cougars bats came alive in the 3rd. They rallied to score 5 runs and the VIPERS found themselves facing elimination. With the score 5-3 the VIPERS weren't ready to go home yet! They rallied to score 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd and take the lead back. Alex Kalogrides and Nate Garcia had base hits. Paul Shively drew a walk, and Dan Dyer hit a 2 RBI double. Jon Karcich came through with a clutch RBI base hit to score the go ahead run for the VIPERS.
With the score 6-5 VIPERS, Nate Garcia was on the mound. Nate got a big K in the inning and he and Josh Isais combine for 2 nice plays at first base on 2 consecutive bunts.
The VIPERS then rallied to score 6 runs in their half of the 4th. Andrew Kim hit a ball up the middle. The throw was way off line and sailed into the Cougars dugout for a 2 base hit. Kyle Mosbrucker came in to run for Andrew and stole home for a VIPERS run. David Gonzales bunted his way to 2nd base and Alex Kalogrides had a base hit. Nate Garcia came to the plate and crushed a clutch 2RBI base hit. Paul Shively scored a run with an RBI sac fly. After a walk was issued, Dan Dyer followed with an RBI triple to the fence in left field. Jon Karcich got an RBI with a sac fly to right.
In the Cougars half of the 5th, Danny Dyer made a great catch in right field and Nate got a KL on the mound.
Andrew Kim started the VIPERS half of the 5th with a base hit up the middle. The throw was again off line and Andrew moved to 2nd base. David Abraham then hit a sac fly to score Andrew and put the VIPERS ahead by 8 runs.
Final Score 13-5 VIPERS!
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Vipers win Quarter Final Game!
Saturday Morning the VIPERS day began with a 6am wake up call, a quick bite to eat in the car and warm ups on the field by 6:30am. With the both the sun and the temperature climbing the VIPERS took on the Montebello Stars. It was a battle for 3rd place in the Super Series National Championships.
Pitching for the VIPERS were Yasser Clor(4 innings) and Dan Dyer(3 innings). Catching(in the heat) for the VIPERS were Tommy Medica and Andrew Kim.
In the first inning the VIPERS squashed a Montebello rally when Kyle Mosbrucker ran down a ball hit to the gap in centerfield, relayed the throw to shortstop Paul Shively who threw home for the first out of the game at home plate. The VIPERS scored 2 runs of their own in the first with an infield hit by Julian Flores. An infield hit by Tommy Medica and RBI base hits from Alex Kalogrides and David Abraham.
Julian Flores caught a fly ball in left for the first out of the Stars 2nd inning. Yasser then turned it on and struck out 2 Stars hitters to end the inning.
In the 3rd, catcher Tommy Medica threw out a runner attempting to steal 2nd base and the VIPERS turned a double play on a pop up to 2nd base and doubled the runner off of 1st base.
The VIPERS scored 3 runs in the 3rd on base hits by Julian Flores, Tommy Medica and Alex Kalogrides. Nate Garcia, Dan Dyer and Paul Shively all had RBI's in the inning.
The VIPERS held the Stars scoreless in the 4th. Yasser struck out 1 and Paul Shively made 2 good plays at shortstop.
The VIPERS scored a run in the 4th with a lead off hit by Kyle Mosbrucker. Julian Flores moved him over with a base hit and Tommy Medica brought him in with an RBI sacfly.
David Gonzales ran down a bloop hit in right field for the first out of the Stars 5th inning. There was a popup to Dyer on the mound and a looking strikeout to end the inning.
In the 6th inning, another scarry moment for the VIPERS when pitcher Danny Dyer went down after a line drive got him in the right leg. Dyer continued in the game and shut down the Stars hitting attack. The Stars thought they scored a run in the 6th on an RBI base hit, however the VIPERS appealed the play and the run did not score. The runner missed 3rd base and was called out at home.
In the 6th inning, David Gonzales hit a double to left field. Yasser Clor scored him with an RBI triple to left. That was the VIPERS final run of the game. Dyer got 2 big K's in the 7th and the VIPERS moved on to the Semi-Final Stadium game against the Houston Banditos.
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Vipers lose in Semi-Finals...
The VIPERS matched up with the Houston Banditos once again in the semi-final game of the Super Series finals. The only team, besides the 1st Place Encinitas Reds, to have to face the Banditos twice in the same tournament. (The VIPERS and the Banditos came out of the same pool play bracket)
The VIPERS began their day with a 6am wake up call, 6:30am warm ups and a 7:30am quarter final game against the Montebello Stars. With temps hovering around the 100' mark by 8:00am the VIPERS and Stars battled for 7 innings. Immediately following that game the VIPERS took on the Banditos in the 10am Stadium game. Unfortunately, for the VIPERS they were out of gas! The combination of the heat and the early morning game were both factors in the loss.
Bright spots for the VIPERS included:
(1) an opportunity to play in the "Stadium" for the first time
(2) an opportunity for each VIPER to have an at bat in the "Stadium"
(3) 2 terrific innings on the mound by Alex Kalogrides who struck out 3 Banditos
(4) an unasisited double play at 3rd base by Jon Karcich
(5) the VIPERS had no "official" hits however they did have 6 base runners and a stolen base in the game
With the Semi-final loss the VIPERS took home 3rd place in their first National Tournament. The Banditos faced the Encinitas Reds for the Championship Saturday night. The Reds came away with the victory and the Super Series 60/90 National Championship Title.
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