March 29-30, 2008

The Stallions faced three of Southern California's best major teams at this weekend's April Fool's Classic in West Covina.  The eventual winner of the tournament, the Placentia Mustangs, beat the Stallions in the opener. The Stallions tied the Glendale Knights in a 9-9 slugfest, and were defeated 6-2 in the playoffs by the West Covina Bandits.  Standout performers included Jackson Celestin, who batted .500 with two RBI, and Emmett Meyer who batted .444.  Cody Lavender pitched well against the Knights, yielding no runs in two innings of relief.

March 15 - 16, 2008, Big League Dreams West Covina

  The Stallions battled stiff competition at the USSSA St. Patrick's day Classic at Big League Dreams, West Covina. The Stallions were locked in close games all weekend.  Cody Lavender answered the call, posting a .545 batting average and driving in 4 runs.  Jackson Celestin hit .333 with 5 RBI.  Excellent pitching performance were logged by Jackson Celestin, 2.81 ERA and Ryan Fuhrman, 1.11 ERA, W.  

(See photos of the action on our photos page)

March 8-9, 2008, Huntington Beach, California

The Stallions won the Select Division Championship at the USTBA Surf City Madness Tournament in Huntington Beach this weekend. The Stallions went 3-1 in the tournament on the backs of strong pitching by Gordon Cardenas (6 IP, 1.17 ERA, 5 K, win), Ryan Fuhrman (6 IP, 1.17 ERA, 6 K, complete game win), Jackson Celestin (3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 K, win) and Cody Lavender (4 IP, 3.5 ERA, 3 K, save). Standout hitters included Hector Lopez, who lead the team with a .385 Average; Cody Lavender, .364 average; Emmett Meyer, .333 average, 5 runs scored; Ryan Weston, 5 RBI, and Cole Freeman who delivered two timely hits in the playoffs. The Stallions dominated the basepaths, stealing 12 bases in 4 games, while only being caught once. Meyer and Weston led the team with 3 steals each.  Several Stallions flashed the leather.  Cole Freeman initiated a triple play off a hot line drive to third, doubling the runner off of third, and tripling the runner off first with an alert throw across the diamond. Meezie Montpas showed his range from second on a fly ball hit down the right field line.  Hector Lopez made a glove hand flip to Emmett Meyer to nail a runner at the plate and stop a rally in the Championship game. 

Palm Desert, California November 23-24, 2007  

            The Stallions finished their 2007 campaign by capturing second place in the Triple Crown Thanksgiving National Qualifier. The performance earned the Stallions a berth to the Triple Crown World Series in Steamboat Springs, Colorado next summer.   

Gordon Cardenas put in an exceptional performance, virtually single-handedly willing the team to achieving the coveted berth. Cardenas led Stallions' batters with a .467 average, stroking 2 doubles and driving in 5 runs.  Cardenas made a circus catch from a full sprint in the semi-final game to complete a double play at third base to retire the Santa Clarita Mudcats and give the trailing Stallions one more at bat. Most fans were not aware that Cardenas' catch came 30 seconds before the game was to time out.  If "the catch" had not been made, the Stallions would have been sent home empty handed.  The Stallions responded by piling up 9 runs in the next inning, and advancing to the Championship game.   

The recently formed Riverside Falcons, who were coached by several former Major League Players, and had the next generation of talent on their roster, out matched the Stallions in the Championship Game.   After having scored 28 runs in the two prior games, the Stallions were shut out entering the final frame of the Championship Game.  Cardenas still did not give up, crushing a ball over the head of the Falcon's speedy center fielder and dashing to third.  Because the ball had not stopped until it reached a sidewalk nearly 300 feet from home plate, the umpire declared a ground rule double and sent Cardenas back to second.  Cardenas promptly stole third and scored on an overthrow, breaking the shut out and ending the outing of the Falcon's exceptional pitcher.   

Other players making substantial contributions in the tournament included Jack Seaton, who led the team with 6 RBI, and Ryan Fuhrman who logged a win off the mound in the final game of pool play on Saturday and who put in a strong performance at catcher during every inning of the playoffs. 

Photos of the action are posted on the "Photos" section of the Stallions website. 

Huntingdon Beach, Nov. 17-18, 2007

The South Bay Stallions kissed their sisters this weekend, posting a 2-2 record. Emmett Meyer had a monster tournament, batting .727, while leading the team in stolen bases (3) and runs scored (5). Jack Seaton put in two lights out pitching performances, earning 2 wins in 7 1/3 innings of work, yeilding zero runs or walks, while fanning 6. Gordon Cardenas posted another very strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 strong innings, fanning 4, and giving up only 3 hits to a disciplined Surf City Vikings team. Standout defensive performances were logged in the outfield by Hector Lopez and Ryan Fuhrman.

Big League Dreams, Riverside, California

September 15-16, 2007

            TheSouth Bay Stallions finished third in the USSSA Fall Classic Tournament.  Jackson Celestin and Jack Seaton postedbatting averages of .500.  Seatonand Cody Lavender lead the team, stroking 3 RBI each.  Seaton picked up a win on the hill, yielding only 2 earned runsin 5 innings of work, and Mackenzie Menthen was lights out, logging a win ofhis own, pitching 6 scoreless innings, and fanning 15.