Rush For The Gold 7-Under Tournament A Fine Show (07/27/24)

on 27 July, 2014 at 20:50

It was a great day for youth baseball, on Saturday (July 26), at Paul A. Weaver Park, as the Clarion Gold Rush hosted the 2014 “Rush for the Gold” 7-Under Tournament.

Logan Lutz taking throw at second base (Click on any photo for a gallery.)

Four teams were involved in this year’s tournament, the final one of the season for the local team. In addition to the Gold Rush, Grove City, Karns City and Center Township competed.

The all-day event, featuring games on both the Little League (upper) and Minor League (lower) fields began at 10:00AM. The opening contests saw Grove City and Clarion emerge victorious, with Grove City downing Center Township 9-6, on the upper field and Clarion topping Karns City, on the lower field 18-4.

In the next games, held at 1:00, Clarion and Grove City met on the upper field. In a squeaker, Grove City won by two runs, 13-11. On the lower field, it was Center Township coming out on top of Karns City 14-4.

: Tournament Champions, Grove City: Front (L-R) Riley Sansom, Ben Fisher, Cody Hamilton, Hudson Hohman, Jonathan Husband, Nolan Renick, Paul Wilson Gubba, Hudson Wolbrt, Ethan Adams, Adam Rickel Back (L-R) Coaches: D. J. Adams, Steve Sansom, Jason Hohman, Justin Bell, Manager Jeff Bell, Larry Wolbert, Josh Husband

: Tournament Runners Up, Gold Rush (L-R) Coach Lee Weber, Coach Eric Harrison, Hayden Weber, Matt Alston, Derik Smail, Jessie Siwiecki, Cam Kderle, Aiden Gulson, Noah Harrison, Jayden Siwiecki, Mason Gourley, Logan Lutz, Todd Lutz, Manager Dave Smail

: Center Township (L-R) Coach Jason Spohn, Coach Eric McCall, Noah Glassic, Ethan Geibel, Gavin Tressler, Brayden Hardsock, Ethan Winters, Grayden Brown, Owen Boring, Mason McCall, Troy Spohn, Jack Monaco, Chris Monaco

Grove City won 12-0 over Karns City on the lower field and Clarion came back from several runs down, to top Center Township 11-10, on the upper field, in the 3:00 games. This set a match-up between Clarion and Grove City the 7:00 Championship Game, on the upper field. Grove City was victorious again downing the host, Gold Rush squad, 16-4 to claim the tournament title, with a 4-0 record. The Gold rush went 2-2 for the tournament.

In winning the Championship, Grove City gave their Manager, Greg Bell a nice “retirement” present. Bell has spent over thirty years coaching youth sports at various levels, including 17 years as the head coach of the Grove City High School varsity football team. He stepped down after last season. A friend of Clarion Area head football coach, Larry Wiser, Bell’s outstanding football head coaching career saw him amass over 100 wins. He won three District 10 titles and led the Eagles to the PIAA State Championship game in 2004.

Coach Bell said that he decided to coach the 7-under team this one year so that he could have the opportunity to coach his grandson, but that he wants to step back and just enjoy watching from now on. A nice example of what youth sports is about.

: Karns City: (Front L-R) Aaron Walker, Jacob Jones, Adam Manvel, Shane Peters, Griffin Booher, Koen Williams, Derreck Johns, Tyler Kelley (Back L-R) Coaches: Larry Jones, Jim Hartle, Manager Mike Manuel, Keith Peters, Kris Williams, Scorekeeper Charlie John, Allan Kelly

: Home Run Derby winners (L-R) Jonathan Husband – 2nd, Paul Gubba – 1st, Shane Peters – 3rd

: Coach Bell and grandson

Another fine example of what youth sports is about was also in evidence, throughout the tournament, as the coaching staffs of each team chose a Most Valuable Player, from the opposing team, with the opposing manager presenting the player with an MVP game ball in a mini ceremony, following each contest. The managers shared a few words praising the player’s performance and both teams gave the player a round of applause.

The fine camaraderie was also on display during the home run derby, that was held prior to the Championship game. As players stepped up to the tee, you could hear players from opposing teams cheering them on.

Wolf’s Auto Outlet, Community First Bank, The Lerch Group, Burford & Henry Real Estate, Luton’s Plumbing Heating AC, Computer Support, The Carpet Barn, Jizzy Jam Boutique, Seth McClaine Design

Trophies were given to the top three place finishers in the derby. A trophy also went to the player with the longest “blast.” First place in the derby went to Grove City’s Paul Wilson Gubba, who went 4 for 5, in the final round and had 7 total “homers.” His teammate Jonathon Husband finished second, while Karn City’s Shane Peters finished third. Gubba also had the longest drive, estimated by coaches at around 145 feet.

: Gold Rush Manager, Dave Smail delivering a pitch to one of his players

: Home Run Derby action

: Kids enjoying the fireworks display

During the trophy presentations for first and second place, held after the Championship game, each manager congratulated the other team. Clarion Manager, Dave Smail also took time to thank the numerous volunteers who were involved in making the day a success.

The tournament concluded with a fireworks extravaganza, provided by Matt Siwiecki. Smail thanked Siwiecki for providing the fireworks and then the Grove City contingent, in a show of class shouted in unison, “Thank You, Clarion!!!”

(Great job on a fine tournament to “Rush for the Gold” organizers and other volunteers for an outstanding tournament. Congratulations to all the teams!!!! The Clarion Dugout 8-Under Team will travel to the Curwensville Tournament next weekend and will participate in the Dan Estadt Memorial Tournament at Weaver Park on Labor Day, which will be hosted by the Clarion Wildcats.)