Pete's Blues captures Kelso Klassic

Pete's Blues from Mascoutah, Ill., has been a solid Kelso Klassic participant over the years but had never been able to win the championship.

That changed Sunday as Pete's Blues claimed its first Kelso Klassic title, beating the Memphis (Tenn.) Firebirds 5-1.

Pete's Blues went 5-1 in the 27th annual 14-team men's fastpitch softball tournament played at the Kelso City Park.

The Firebirds emerged from the losers bracket and forced the if-necessary championship game by beating Pete's Blues 3-2 earlier Sunday.

The Firebirds went 8-2, setting a tournament record for most games played. They lost their second contest, then won seven straight before finally falling.

"They were pretty worn out," Kelso Klassic media coordinator Jerry Wolsey said. "Like I said before the tournament, there was a lot of parity."

The Topeka (Kan.) Toros, the favorite entering the tournament, finished third for the second straight year. They fell to the Firebirds 4-2 in Sunday's losers bracket final after handing the Memphis squad a 3-0 quarterfinal loss.

Black Gold, from Hermann, Mo., placed fourth.

The best previous Kelso Klassic finish for Pete's Blues was second place in 2008.

Wolsey knew Pete's Blues would be especially tough after picking up Jeramie Holman, the 2010 most valuable pitcher when he helped lead Aurora (Ill.) to the title. Aurora did not enter this year.

Holman repeated as the tournament's top pitcher, picking up three wins and a save. He allowed four runs and 17 hits in 25 2/3 innings while striking out 47 and walking just one.

"He was very impressive," Wolsey said.

The tournament MVP was the Firebirds' Aaron Fultz. He batted .355 (11 for 31) with two homers and eight RBIs.

Host Kelso Fastpitch went 1-3 in the tournament, suffering all three of its losses by one run. West End Tavern of Altenburg/Frohna, the other local entry, went 0-3.

"We had another great tournament, so many excellent games," Wolsey said.