The famous “42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Classic” was held this past weekend in Maryville, Tennessee outside of Knoxville. In true “Smoky” tradition the top teams dominated as Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Phonemaster’s and Dan Smith/Menosse finished 1st and 2nd. Resmondo “run ruled” their way through their first 4 Conference opponents and never let up more than 14 runs in a game enroute to the finals on Sunday. Things changed in the Championship game on Sunday though when a Dal Beggs homer for Dan Smith capped an incredible 17 run bottom of the first inning after Resmondo had put up 7 in the top half. Then Resmondo left the door open by leaving the bases loaded in the top of the 3rd and trailed 17-15. In the 4th inning, Dan Smith right fielder Ryan Robbins made a great running catch in the gap on a ball hit by Scott Striebel to keep the game tied at 21-21. Resmondo took the lead for the first time in the 5th on a Jeff Wallace 3 run homer to make it 24-23. Then in the top of the 7th with Resmondo leading 31-30, some poor defense by the Dan Smith infield allowed Greg Connell, BJ Fulk, Scott Striebel, Bryson Baker, and Jeff Wallace to all get a chance to hit homer’s and they buried Dan Smith with a 13 run inning and won 44-33. Connell’s homer was a long bomb which made the Smoky crowd gasp as it cleared the left field trees. Resmondo wins their 3rd Smoky in a row and 6th in the last 8 years.
Albicocco’s/The Scene/Worth from New York finished a surprising 3rd when they scored 11 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to defeat Team Combat/Laser Vision out of Seattle, Washington 26-24. The final blow was struck by “rookie” center fielder Steven Lloyd who hit a 2 run walk off homer.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World's Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!
