Weather Wreaks Havoc at 2018 ACC

May 1, 2018

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA - In weather reminiscent of an Old Testament deluge, five powerful storms rolled through Northern Virginia in May dropping more than 10 inches of rain – the second most recorded rainfall for that period in the history of the region.

The storms caused flooding throughout the area and soaked one of the largest Senior Softball USA tournaments on the East Coast, the Atlantic Coast Championships here.

Through the Herculean efforts of the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Department, which posted as many as 19 workers on a single field, the entire first session played two of the three days to decide winners in each of the five competing divisions.

The second session saw six of 10 divisions complete abbreviated play to determine winners.

“We would especially like to thank Dave Carver and the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Department for the best response to adverse weather we have ever experienced,” Terry Hennessy, SSUSA chief executive officer, wrote in a letter to the Loudoun County administrator after the tournament.

Hennessy, who was at the tournament, expressed appreciation for the teams in the second session that stuck out all three days, some not even playing one inning.

“We wanted to show our deep appreciation to those teams that stayed in the tournament to the end by offering credits and refunds,” he said.

On the field in the first session, May 15-17, two dozen teams competed at Potomack Lakes Sportsplex in Sterling.

All seeding games on Tuesday, as well as bracket games on Wednesday were able to go off, before the rain came in, cancelling Thursday’s games.

In the six-team Men’s 65 Platinum Division, Northern Virginia Force entered bracket play as the top seed following a perfect 2-0 record in seeding play. In bracket play, No. 4 seed High Street Bucs (MD) won three games, defeating KC Kids (KS), Northern Virginia Force, and Bradford White (PA), to reach the championship game. Bradford White finished in second as the remainder of the bracket was rained out.

The Rochester Brewers (NY) entered the seven-team Men’s 65 Silver Division bracket as the top seed after going 2-0 in seeding play. However, it would be Pill & Pill (WV) taking the eventual top spot, defeating Extra Innings Softball (VA), Syracuse Cyclones (NY), and Rochester Brewers. Rochester would finish in second place.

Continuing with the three-team Men’s 70 Major Division, Spicer Properties (MD) finished first following wins over Jersey Masters (NJ) and Northern Virginia Force.

In the four-team Men’s 70/75 Gold Division, Delaware Auto Salvage recorded wins over Syracuse Cyclones (NY) and Bostonian 70’s (MA), en route to a first-place finish.

The four-team Men’s 75 AAA Division saw Baily Talent Cavaliers 75 (VA) earning the first-place finish following wins over Syracuse Cyclones (NY) and Pittsburgh Gold (PA).

During the second session, May 18-20, six teams were able to clinch their berths to the TOC despite the inclement weather.

Chill 40 Below (MD) and No More (VA) played a best two-out-of-three game series for the Women’s 40 Major Division. No More took the opener, 9-8; while Chill 40 Below bounced back to even the series with an 11-5 win in the second game. Chill 40 Below would go on to take the rubber match, 9-7, to win the division.

The Women’s 40 AAA Division also featured a best two-out-of-three game series, with Fireballs (MA) sweeping Lew’s Crew/Exceeding Expectations (MD) by scores of 18-9 and 11-10, respectively.

In the seven-team Men’s 40 Major Division, Wilson’s Blvd/Power Up (MD) posted a 3-0 record, including an 11-9 win over Rapid Fire (VA) in the championship game.

Y’all Next (MD) defeated Ponce Puerto Rico/First Capital (NY) 15-3 in the championship game of the three-team Men’s 40 AAA Division.

Straight Gas (VA) took the five-team Men’s 50 Major Division with a 13-12 win over RV Carey’s Walkoff (MD).

Finance of America (NJ) won the Men’s 50 AAA Division following its 14-4 win over Chicago Sams/RDD (CT) in the “if” game, after dropping the championship game 13-12. Old Skool (PA) finished in third place.