Cav’s Kitchen Tournament Team Wins Florida Half Century 70-Year-Old Division

Congratulations to the Marco Island Senior Softball League’s (MISSL) first-ever 70s tournament team, Cav’s 70’s, for winning their bracket in the Florida Half Century amateur softball association tournament held recently in Naples, Florida. The new kids on the MISSL travel team block were thrown to the dogs right away as they were slotted #12 out of 36 teams in the state. Even though the first game was a hard-fought 10-8 loss, Cav’s established its identity as an opponent who refused to quit.

The second game of the tournament was another 10-8 battle; however, this time Cav’s was on top after turning a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the final inning into a game ending double play! On day two, the Cav’s bats heated up as they scored 12 final inning runs to put away Collier County, 28-16. This set up the final versus the South Florida Bulls with the championship at stake.

An early Cav’s lead disappeared as the charging Bulls opened a five-run lead with two innings remaining. Cav’s never blinked as they scored eight unanswered runs to clinch the championship. The team played awesome defense throughout the tournament, with the infield of Dave Johnson, Nick Jacullo, Rick DiStasio, Tom DeAngelo, Craig Cunningham, and Gary Sheridan as well as Gary Grefer turning seven double plays. Dave O’Brien pitched well and received strong outfield play from Dan Gulick, Mike Shone, Ed Seery, and pinch runner extraordinaire, Dave Shultz. Besides being the catcher, I also coached the Cav’s 70’s team with help from Tim McKenna, George Grygorcewicz and Nancy Flynn.

The team thanks its sponsor, Cav’s Kitchen and Cocktails (701 Bald Eagle Dr., Marco Island, Florida) for its support throughout the tournament. For more information on the Marco Island Senior Softball League, please visit the league’s website at www.marcoseniorsoftballleague.com. You can also find information on the MISSL on its Facebook page.