A Perfect Game shortstop makes a diving attempt. Smedes photo.

SPARKS, NV – Not a single team walked out of Golden Eagle Park on September 14 without a loss. Parity was the word of the weekend as all four divisions of the 26th Annual Smoke Softball Tournament were pushed to “if” games.

In Men’s D action Perfect Game from Grass Valley, California lived up to their name right until they ran into Sparks, Nevada’s FDI in the championship game. FDI took a longer route to the finals as they lost their first game 9-6 to Team J2P. In the championship game FDI led 6-4 at the bottom of the first and never let down as Perfect Game came up just short going down in defeat 17-16. The if game was a different story as Perfect Game put up eight in the first and never trailed winning easily 18-6.

A Perfect Game/Nevada County Merchants gave the MVP award to Donner Walters with all tourneys given to Evan King, Justin Deme, Matt House and Dan Berry. FDI gave Travis Bartek the Golden Glove award and Anthony Talancon, Lance Datillo and Kyle Walters earned all tourneys. Ryan DeQuin and Santos Gutierrez were all tourney winners for third place Team J2P and fourth place Team Needs One gave Anthony Brunson the nod.

Frozen Rope from Carson City, Nev. played Hayward, California’s Rated X three times over the Sept. 13th-14th weekend in their quest for the E division title. Round one went to Rope as they sent Rated X into the loser’s bracket with a 14-8 win. The Rope squad next sent Ballz Deep from Vacaville, California into the loser’s bracket with a 17-9 thumping. Ballz Deep faced Rated X but were no match losing 10-0 and finishing in third place. This set up round two between Frozen Rope and Rated X in the championship game but the result was much different as Rated X came out on top 10-2. The if game was almost a mirror image of the championship as Frozen Ropes bats stayed cold and Rated X heated up taking the title with a 15-3 victory.

Justin Mike was the Gold Glove recipient from Rated X and Tim Fowler was named as Frozen Ropes MVP. All tourneys were given to Rob Gibbs, Jordon Indalecio, Tony Muton and Matty Martinez from Rated X, Brad Breden, Arron Gonzaless and Jeronimo Tetter from Frozen Rope, Chuck Turner and Danny Jones from Ballz Deep and Lee Dove from the fourth place Desert Mountain Surveying team from Winnemucca, Nevada.

Early-N-Often from Vacaville, CA cruised into the winner’s bracket of the Coed Upper division with a 17-11 win over 5150. In the loser’s bracket the 5150 team from Fairfield, California defeated Concord, California’s Hollen & Jan in a close 8-7 contest to earn another shot at Early-N-Often. In the championship game 5150 kept their momentum going sending the bracket into the “if” game with a 14-7 win over Early-N-Often. In the “if” game Early-N-Often jumped to an early lead and dominated the game winning easily 17-7.

Early-N-Often’s MVP was Adam Mitchel and all tourney’s were Andrea Rodgers, Terry Lewellen, Sammy Lopez and Victoria Cescato. Chris Reid was the Gold Glove selection for 5150 with all tourney’s going to John Brown, Leilani Grinton and Kevin Grinton. Third place Hollen & Jan gave all tourney recognition to DJ Butler and Madi while fourth place Junk from Gardnerville chose Carrien Isham.

In the Coed Lower division Dublin, California’s 30 Pack were unchallenged heading into the championship game against TOTT from San Ramon, California. It was 30 Pack who sent TOTT into the loser’s bracket with an 18-9 victory and the TOTT team had to win three games in the loser’s bracket for a shot at the title. The championship game was back and forth with TOTT hanging on for the 16-15 win to force the “if” game. In the “if” game TOTT was held scoreless the final three innings as 30 Pack took the division with a 15-10 win.

30 Pack’s Dre Ennis was named MVP and TOTT’s Nathan Szutu earned Gold Glove honors. 30 Pack’s All Tourney’s were Willie Rodriguez, Al Becker, Desiree Marquez and Michelle Apodaca. TOTT’s All Tourney’s were James Oxley, Norman Rogers and Trina Valencia. APS from Fairfield, California finished in third naming Stephanie Fragoso and Tim Lowe as their all tourneys. NBA from Fairfield, CA finished in fourth.