NETWORK BEATS SACRAMENTO - HEADS INTO FINALS VS. SO CAL TUZOS

The National Network team keeps on rolling. After a first game defeat at the hands of the So Cal Tuzos, Network has won five in a row and will now compete for a chance to repeat as 35A finalists. Waiting in the wings is the powerful So Cal Tuzos who in 6 games have scored 98 runs and given up only 12. One of the wins was against Network, an 11-1 trouncing and payback win from last year's 13-12 thriller defeat in the 2008 finals.

Sacramento won their quarterfinal game in dominant fashion, 10-0 over Colorado. They took that energy into the semis by striking early against Network. With the game tied at one, Network starter Bill Filippone gave up a three-run homer and Network found themselves down for the first time since game one, 4-1.

In the 5th, the pivotal moment in the game occurred and changed the momentum. With two out an the bases loaded, Pat Armstrong launched a bomb into the left centerfield alley to clear the bases and tie the game at four. Singles by Mike Veronesi and Craig Kasin added three more and Network never looked back. Scottie Bailey had three hits, and the hits, walks and steals at the top of our line-up by Jim Davidson and I sparked the team to double digit runs.

On two sad notes, starter Bill Filippone felt a pain in his elbow in the 5th and had to be replaced by Mike Player. Player and Mike Moore did a great job keeping the Bulldogs in check. In the 7th however, Rick Cohen pulled up into third lame and was forced to be replaced. His status for tomorrow's final is questionable.

Tomorrow's Final will take place at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 1:00 PM PCT. Final Game Starter is the hard throwing righthander from Richmond, IN, DJ Austin. Network is confidant that the result against the Tuzos will be different this time around. Stay tuned

Rick