Lumberjacks surpass goal at tournament

After a top-10 finish, the Martinez Lumberjacks recently returned home from the United States Specialty Sports Association 12 & Under World Series.

The Lumberjacks finished seventh out of 64 at the tournament played in Hutchinson, Kan. from July 12-18.

"We are very pleased with how the team competed," said coach Greg Aplin. "They played their hearts out and have nothing to be ashamed of."

The team made it out of pool play undefeated and knocked off the state champions from Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.

They then lost two games in the double-elimination portion of the tournament to two of the final four teams.

"We lost to some great teams," Aplin said. "That makes it a little easier to take."

The Lumberjacks finished the season ranked third in the nation. The national rankings are based on a point system rather than by who wins the World Series.

"Making it out of pool play was our realistic goal," Aplin said. "We far surpassed that."

Aplin said the Lumberjacks will take about a month off before they begin the USSSA 13 & Under season in August. The travel league spans August-July, giving very little time to relax between seasons.

"Coming pretty close made us very hungry," the coach said. "We want to win the whole thing next year."