MANSFIELD — Jeff Montgomery and his crew worked overtime Saturday but it was worth it.
Softball is back at Cyclops Circle.
The 10-team Cyclops Bash for Cash got off to a late start because of Friday’s heavy rains and didn’t conclude until the sun was setting. By all accounts, the event was a resounding success as winner’s bracket champ Whitetail Pallets knocked off BCU Electric 17-13 in the finals.
The start of the tournament was delayed approximately two hours while the fields were made ready for play.
“When we got here this morning they were like lakes,” said Montgomery, who has led the charge in the revitalization effort at the four-field complex on the city’s north side. “We started working on them right away and got them in pretty good shape.”
One of the most entertaining games of the tournament featured BCU Electric and the Richland County Merchants in the opening round. BCU rallied for the win over the reigning GSL Class D state champs. The teams met again in the loser’s bracket with BCU knocking RCM from the tournament.
“I would rather be playing in the championship game right now, but just to see softball being played here is amazing,” said Montgomery, who plays for RCM. “The complex has gone a long time without having a lot of movement so to see not only the adults but also the kids out here is awesome.
“It’s great being able to bring the championship atmosphere back to the facility.”
Ashland-based Whitetail stormed to the championship game through the winner’s bracket. The team handed BCU its first loss in the winner’s bracket quarterfinals.
BCU knocked off Mutiny in the loser’s bracket final to reach the championship game, only to come up short in the finals.
“There were a lot of great teams here,” Montgomery said. “A lot of people don’t realize the caliber of softball being played in the area.”
