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ISC World 2005 Champions - County Materials
Photo and story compliments of www.theinsidecurve.com
Kiefel Comes Thru For County
8th inning heorics
They might be the best softball team ever assembled but they nearly lost the final game.
They had released Darren Zack just before the tourney as they couldn't use three out of area pitchers.
Their only US born starter was Todd Shultz, USA's lead-off batter. County Materials batted him ninth.
Kris Keifel (#18), who was destined for extra inning heorics, batted eighth in their order.
All nine starters were members of either the Australian, New Zealand or USA national teams.
Darryl Sandback of Team Canada was used sparingly, mostly as a pinch hitter in bunting situations.
But the 3,500 fans in Eau Claire Wisconsin nearly saw them lose one of the most thrilling ISC championship games in memory as the Farm Tavern of Madison Wisconsin nearly upset them.
Madison scored early, notching one run in both the first and second innings. Farm pitcher, Kory Gareau, was pitching a gem and the underdogs coasted on the lead and added another in the top of the 7th for a 3-0 lead.
Then in the bottom of the 7th, Jarrad Martin drew a walk to lead off the inning. Pat Shannon brought the Denmark fans to their feet with a towering homerun and the next batter, Donny Hale hit one even farther to knot the score at three apiece with none out.
County continued their onslaught and loaded the bases as the Farm replaced Gareau with Paul Algar in the circle. With the fans on their feet and screaming, a hard hit ball to the gap in left centre field looked like a winner, but Farm left fielder Rob Gray made a diving catch to send the game into extra innings.
County had replaced starter Lucas Mata with Andrew Kirkpatrick, and the lefty shut down the Farm in the top of the 8th.
Then with two out and two runners on base in the bottom of the 8th - the stage was set for Kiefel, who hit a hard ground ball that bounced high over the third baseman's head, scoring the winning run.
Both clubs had been a perfect 6 wins, no losses before meeting in the final.
The Farm's Kory Gareau was named Most Valuable Pitcher and teammate Colin Abbott Most Valuable Player.
Kiwis in final where;
County Material - World Champions:
Brad Rona 3rd Base
Patrick Shannon Catcher
Tomas Makea Centre Field
Jarrad Martin 1st Base
Donne Hale Right Field
The Farm - 2nd Place:
Paul Algar Pitcher
Kiwi World team honnors:
Jeremy Manley Pitcher
Travis Wilson 2nd Base
Tomas Makea Out Field
Patrick Shannon Catcher
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