Buster’s Fast-pitch Softball Team Places Fourth at State Tournament

Drifton — The Buster’s Class C fast-pitch softball team headed to Drifton looking to improve on their third place finish from 2009. Unfortunately a first round loss in the 16-team tourney all but dashed their hopes of a state title.

They did manage an impressive run through the consy bracket with four consecutive wins, including a drubbing of the team that had beaten them in the first round, to garner a respectable fourth place finish.

Buster’s got off to a good start in their first game Saturday morning by jumping off to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. Unfortunately the Brew Crew bats were silenced the rest of the way in a 5-2 loss to the Generals. The winners plated all five of their runs in the sixth inning. Brian Barr had three of the six hits for the losers.

Staring at a “two and through” tourney, Buster’s broke out the lumber (metal, really) and blasted Big Joe’s Pub 17-3  in a five inning Mercy Rule win. Buster’s had 18 hits in the game, three each from Brent “Bomber” Thomas and Steve Terry. Brandon Billotte led RBI parade with three.

After relying on the bats for their first consy win, Buster’s turned the ball over to Old Town Softball League ace Bob Culp – who turned in back-to-back gems.

Culp threw a six inning no-hitter in the win over Eagle AA, 7-0. Culp struck out eight and walked one to ruin his chance at a perfect game.

Buster’s went with the hot hand once again as Culp then 1-hit New Holland in a 4-0 whitewashing.

“Bomber” again swung the hot stick by ripping two doubles among his three hits.

Sunday morning saw a revenge game as the Generals took the field against Buster’s looking to beat them twice and knock them out of the tourney. Buster’s got that idea out of the General’s heads right away by plating four in the first and eventually making short work of the game by invoking the 12-run Mercy Rule after only three innings, 12-0.

After four wins in a row, the run ended in a see-saw battle against Memorial. Down 4-2 heading in to their last at-bat, Buster’s plated two runs – only to have Memorial come through with a game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh for the 5-4 win that sent Buster’s home for the tourney.

Buster’s Tournament Summary

Game 1 – Saturday

Buster’s   200  000 0  2  6  1  (losing pitcher – Jeff Tomb in relief)

Generals 000 005 x  5  7  0

Game 2 – Saturday

Buster’s          330 83    17 18 1 (winning pitcher – Tomb)

Big Joe’s Pub 003 00  3   5  3

Game 3 – Saturday

Eagle AA  ooo ooo  0  0  1

Buster’s    130 003  7  8  0 (winning pitcher – Bob Culp)

Game 4 – Saturday

Buster’s            000 111 1  4  11 1 (winning pitcher – Culp)

New Holland 000 000 0  0  1  2

Game 5 – Sunday

Buster’s  426  12  9  0 (winning pitcher – Tomb)

Generals 000  0 1  3

Game 6 – Sunday

Buster’s      000 200 2  4  11  3 (losing pitcher – Culp)

Memorial  100 003 1  5  9  1