Gold Rush shortstop Charlie Tartin. Smedes photo.

SPARKS, NV - The Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) association hosted the Western Nationals July 18-23 in beautiful and hot Northern Nevada. Temperatures soared in the 100’s as eleven divisions of men and women battled for tournament titles at one of the highlight events on the senior schedule.

In one of more competitive brackets of the weeklong tournament, the finale of the men’s 70’s Major Division was the third meeting of the tournament for two tough and familiar foes, Fairway Ford and California Gold Rush. Fairway Ford was victorious in round one on Saturday while the Sacramento Gold Rush squad came out on top on Sunday morning.

In the Sunday afternoon championship game the Gold Rush team came out strong scoring five times in the first inning. Fairway came right back as they scored five of their own in the top of the second without making an out. Not to be outdone Gold Rush pushed across four, all with two outs in the bottom half of the frame.

The title game was a seesaw battle with the Fairway Ford team holding a one run lead, 14-13 heading into the open inning. The Ford team was held scoreless in the top half of the inning thanks in part to an outstanding catch by Gold Rush outfielder David Fairfield.

"It was wonderful. At this point in the game it was ok," Fairfield said when, asked how he felt about making a game saving catch.

In the bottom of the inning Gold Rushes’ Jim Smith hit a line drive up the middle scoring two to get the game-winning hit. "It felt great_that’s what I’m supposed to do" said Smith. "I bat four, you’re supposed to hit."

Bob Padola of Fairway Ford said, "It’s been an excellent tournament. It’s very well taken care of as far as umpiring and the fields. Very well run tournament, it’s been fun. The level of competition has been excellent and we’ve enjoyed it immensely."

In the 60 Major Plus division a familiar powerhouse came through to claim another senior title. The Old A’s/Miken 60 year old team continued their successful season long run as they came away with another convincing tournament victory.

On Friday, in the first of three seeding games, the Old A’s suffered one setback as they lost to the Scrap Iron team from Colorado, 19-14. The second game of the day was against Bickerton from Southern California, with the Old A’s winning 27-12.

On Saturday afternoon the double elimination portion of the tournament began with the Old A’s defeating the Scrap Iron team, 17-13. Saturday evening the Old A’s faced The Farm, and defeated them, 12-7 in a tough defensive battle.

On Sunday The Farm advanced through the loser’s bracket to face the Old A’s/Miken team for the championship. After seven full innings the Old A’s emerged victorious, 20-12. The win qualified the Old A’s to play in Seattle during the World Championships in September.