Fire & Ice shortstop Alejandra Garcia fields a grounder. Ed Andersen photo.

STOCKTON, CA - As softball tournaments go, the California Grapettes June Classic is a big one. With high school softball over and summer time just ahead, managers and coaches are assembling their all-star and travel squads and looking to enter events to challenge whoever among them think that they are the best.

The early season June Classic is a nice test for all involved. Six divisions, 118 teams, from 10U through 18 Gold found their way to the greater Stockton, California area to start on their individual quests for 2006 softball greatness.

The tournament was played June 3rd-4th with games being played at Louis Park, Arnaiz Park, Oak Park and the Regional Sports Complex in Stockton, the Lodi Sports Complex in Lodi and Northgate Park in Manteca. Fabulous California weather, enthusiastic softball fans and talented young ladies of all ages came together for a weekend of sun and fun.

The 18 Gold division had twenty-four quality squads battle for top honors. Pitching excelled in this bracket as runs were tough to come by. The SJ Sting went 6-1, including 4-0 in single elimination play, to claim the tournaments most coveted title. The Sting outlasted pool play number one seed Wildcats, who finished with a tournament record 5-1-1 to end up second. Sorcerers-PA finished third at 4-2 and the SJ Sharks were fourth at 4-1-1.

The 18U bracket were certainly topsy-turvy as three undefeated pool teams, CA Sting, Wolfpack and SJ Sting, were all bounced in the opening round of single elimination play. First place went to SV Blitz from Hanford, CA as they defeated All-American 7-0 in the championship game and finished with a 6-2 tournament mark. All American was undefeated until the match up with the SV Blitz and came in second with a 6-1 record. The Grapettes-CB finished third at 3-3-1 and CA Spin was fourth at 3-3.

In the thirty-team 16U division competition was fierce but two squads battled their way to a championship game that was a true match up of heavyweights. The High Sierra Diamonds and Team Sorcerers came into the finale with perfect 7-0 tournament records. The HS Diamonds outlasted the Sorcerers in their march to a tournament best 8-0 record, as the Sorcerers finished second at 7-1. Third place went to SJ Sting at 4-1-1 and Strike Zone was fourth with a 5-2 tournament record.

Eighteen teams played in the 14U division and Northern Nevadas’ American Attack posted a perfect 7-0 record to dominate the bracket and take home first place hardware. American Attack defeated Clovis Rockets-W in the championship game. The Rockets finished at 3-4, as they were a number five seed in pool play going winless in their three pool play games. Third place was a tie between the Mize Diamonds and Strikkers who were both undefeated at 5-0 before losing in their semi-final round games.

In the 12U bracket twelve teams squared off and this entertaining bracket saw an undefeated team crowned champion. The Mavericks posted a perfect 6-0 tournament mark as they rolled to the Classic title. Second place went to the Breeze at 4-3. Strike Zone went 5-1 as their lone loss came in the semi final to the runner up Breeze. Fourth place went to the Salinas Storm who finished at 3-3.

The 10U division bracketed ten teams and the Lady Canes went 5-0 to capture the division first place trophy. The SJ Lady Sharks came in second place after recording a 3-2 tournament record. Foothill Gold finished in third place with a 3-1 record and the Strike Zone rounded out the tournament field in fourth place with a 1-1-2 tourney mark.