Announcement
FALL 09-CHAMOS' GUS LOPEZ PITCHES EAST COAST TO NATIONAL TITLE
LOPEZ FIRES GEM ON SAME MOUND HE PITCHED ON AS A PRO
Sunday, November 8 was a sweet homecoming for Gustavo Lopez as the Chamos’ righthander fired a three hitter to lead the East Coast All Stars to the 25 Wood championship in the NABA’s Florida World Series at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Lopez struck out ten in the East Coast All Stars’ 4-2 victory over the New York All Stars. Lopez spent part of the 2002 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League, the most impressive season of his six year minor league career with the Florida Marlins’ organization. The 34-year old Lopez, a native of the Dominican Republic, went 8-3 with a 2.33 ERA in 17 starts that year with Jupiter and was promoted to Portland (Class AA) before hurting his arm, ending his career. Overall, Gustavo won 27 games with a lifetime 3.55 ERA in the Marlins’ farm system, as was regarded as one of their top pitching prospects. Lopez was selected as the championship game’s Most Valuable player. Yestin Polanco, a Chamos’ teammate, and catcher Justin Lloyd (White Sox) also played with the East Coast team, and Leo Merced (Chamos, Rangers) acted as a base coach. .
In the 18 Wood championship, the Hudson Valley (NY) Mariners took the title from last year’s winner, the Orlando Cardinals, topping the Cards 5-2 behind Jay Monti’s two hitter over six innings and a stout three inning relief job by lefthander Jake Slate, who earned the save despite battling leg cramps.
The Palm Beach League’s only entry, the South Florida Beach Bums, went winless in five games. Brian Holden (Rockhounds) turned in a brilliant pitching performance on Thursday, but lost a 2-1 heartbreaker in the Beach Bums’ best game of the tournament. The Beach Bums' bats finally came to life in their final game on Saturday, but they lost a 12-10 decision to the Southeastern Elites of Broward County. Palm Beachers Max Johnson, Rob Wiley and Emilio Vargas played for the Elites. Former Palm Beach Miracle player Jay Caddle managed the team. He is also the League President of the NABA Southeastern Florida League. Several other league players participated in the tournament with out of state teams.
