[luckymann]

The defending champions are back, with the Newark Colonials winning the NJL title this year rather than getting in via the WC. Runner-up Concord is back to have another crack and see if they can go one better. Amazingly, the Jefferson 64 sees these two teams in a rematch. Our 1952 conquerors Sandy missed out this year. Bethlehem made up for the disappointment of missing out in 1952 by claiming the PAL title, but again there was drama involved with them needing to beat Williamsport in a tiebreaker.

64-Elgin Blackhawks (IL) v 1-Lake Charles Explorers (LA)
1-Lake Charles Explorers (LA) win series 3-0

63-Fall River Indians (MA) v 2-Yonkers Seahawks (NY)
2-Yonkers Seahawks (NY) win series 3-1

62-Wilmington Quicksteps (NC) v 3-Georgetown Baptists (KY)
62-Wilmington Quicksteps (NC) win series 3-2

61-Renton Fighters (WA) v 4-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)

Game 1: Renton 7, Honolulu 4
After looking in control at 3-0 after 5 we capitulate late, with David Tapia putting in a shocker as he allows 4 runs and we fall behind.

Game 2: Honolulu 11, Renton 9
This time it is our turn to stage a late comeback after Jason Edwards flags in the middle innings to leave us down 9-7 in the middle 8th. But we score 4 in the bottom half and hang on for an extremely unconvincing win. Lanman is instrumental, going 4-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI.

Game 3: Honolulu 4, Renton 1
Eric Edwards gives us a stellar performance, allowing just 3 hits over 7, but again it takes some late magic to get the win. With the score knotted at 1 and one out in the bottom 9th, David Daley walks it off for us with a 3-run HR. Mecham’s .091 BA so far is a huge concern.

Game 4: Renton 3, Honolulu 0
The bats turn frosty as we are shut out on 6 hits to send the series to a deciding Game 5.

Game 5: Renton 4, Honolulu 3
Another disappointing National Championship as we are sent home with a 4-3 loss. Not the way I wanted my tenure with the Seahawks to end, but I’m proud of the lads and what we have achieved these past three years.

61-Renton Fighters (WA) win series 3-2

60-Grand Rapids Brewers (MI) v 5-Cranston Rays (RI)
60-Grand Rapids Brewers (MI) win series 3-2

59-Plano Falcons (TX) v 6-Parkersburg Marblers (WV)
59-Plano Falcons (TX) win series 3-0

58-Irvine Griffins (CA) v 7-Fremont Pathfinders (NE)
7-Fremont Pathfinders (NE) win series 3-1

57-Springfield Stars (OH) v 8-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM)
8-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM) win series 3-1

56-Williamsport Loggers (PA) v 9-Parma Progressives (OH)
56-Williamsport Loggers (PA) win series 3-1

55-Woodbridge Brawlers (NJ) v 10-Waukegan Whistlepigs (IL)
55-Woodbridge Brawlers (NJ) win series 3-2

54-St. Petersburg Pelicans (FL) v 11-Kent Comets (WA)
54-St. Petersburg Pelicans (FL) win series 3-1

53-Columbus Senators (GA) v 12-Newport News Swabbies (VA)
53-Columbus Senators (GA) win series 3-1

52-Virginia Beach Captains (VA) v 13-Fremont Bulldogs (CA)
13-Fremont Bulldogs (CA) win series 3-1

51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) v 14-Austin Outlaws (TX)
51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) win series 3-2

50-Broken Arrow Blades (OK) v 15-Summerville Pines (SC)
50-Broken Arrow Blades (OK) win series 3-1

49-Barre Grays (VT) v 16-Caldwell Larks (ID)
49-Barre Grays (VT) win series 3-0

48-Laramie Gems (WY) v 17-Greenville Greenies (NC)
17-Greenville Greenies (NC) win series 3-2

47-Orem Orisons (UT) v 18-Overland Park Hunters (KS)
47-Orem Orisons (UT) win series 3-1

46-Waterbury Timers (CT) v 19-Jackson Cottons (TN)
46-Waterbury Timers (CT) win series 3-2

45-Ketchikan Bootleggers (AK) v 20-Gilbert Geckoes (AZ)
45-Ketchikan Bootleggers (AK) win series 3-2

44-Concord Graniteers (NH) v 21-Newark Colonials (NJ)
21-Newark Colonials (NJ) win series 3-2

43-Hattiesburg Guards (MS) v 22-Tuscaloosa Entrepreneurs (AL)
22-Tuscaloosa Entrepreneurs (AL) win series 3-2

42-Madison Bulls (WI) v 23-Bend Berserkers (OR)
42-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 3-1

41-Maple Grove Sawmillers (MN) v 24-Savannah Sand Gnats (GA)
24-Savannah Sand Gnats (GA) win series 3-1

40-Great Falls Electrics (MT) v 25-Orlando Palms (FL)
40-Great Falls Electrics (MT) win series 3-0

39-Bismarck Willows (ND) v 26-Bethlehem Steelers (PA)
26-Bethlehem Steelers (PA) win series 3-1

38-Lee’s Summit Lumberjacks (MO) v 27-Ankeny Apostles (IA)
38-Lee’s Summit Lumberjacks (MO) win series 3-2

37-Biddeford Blizzard (ME) v 28-Watertown Bombers (SD)
28-Watertown Bombers (SD) win series 3-1

36-Frederick War Hawks (MD) v 29-Clinton Township C Sox (MI)
29-Clinton Township C Sox (MI) win series 3-2

35-Hammond Horseshoes (IN) v 30-Springfield Rifles (MA)
35-Hammond Horseshoes (IN) win series 3-2

34-Dover Dobbins (DE) v 31-Colorado Springs Oysters (CO)
34-Dover Dobbins (DE) win series 3-2

33-Sunrise Manor Pumas (NV) v 32-Bentonville Trotters (AR)
32-Bentonville Trotters (AR) win series 3-2

A bunch of series go the distance in an exciting Jefferson 64. And there’s a bunch of upsets. A bunch. Georgetown spare us from being the highest seed to bow out, generously losing to Wilmington. Only 4 of the top ten sides progress. Newark knocks off Concord again, winning Game 5 by 7 to 2.