Pacific State Bank Tigers Baseball Classic
The Pacific State Bank Tigers Baseball Classic is in the history books, but it may wind up in another book before it finally ends—the Guiness Book of World Records. How?
Because the tournament that started on Friday, March 2 hasn’t officially ended. And won’t until possibly May 3 when Pacific plays at the University of San Francisco. If all goes as planned, Pacific and San Francisco will finish the game called by darkness—tied 5-5 in the top of the 13th inning—to officially end the Pacific State Bank Classic.
What was played couldn’t have been more perfect. Daily temperatures were in the low 70s and Klein Family Field was spiffed up like a senior on a prom date. “We had great response from all the teams and as each left, they said they wanted to be in it again next year,” said Pacific baseball coach Ed Sprague. “These tournaments are not easy without sponsors and it’s a tribute to Pacific State Bank the way they stepped up.”
Several things were learned in three days of competition, this a sampling:
- If Pacific’s record could match freshman pitcher David Rowse’s emotions, the Tigers might be undefeated this season;
- Baylor came in ranked No. 24, and left with two losses in three games;
- San Diego State used great pitching to win three games, two in the tournament and one against the Tigers the day before the tourney started. Their starting pitchers gave up one, four, one, and three hits;
- The teams—San Francisco, Baylor, San Diego State and Pacific—were so evenly matched that after two days of baseball, everyone had a 1-1 record;
- And Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer to be on July 28, showed tremendous patience by autographing every bat, baseball, baseball card and program that came his way.
“I thought we played good and we could have played better, but we are seeing progress,” said Sprague. “This team is a little fickle right now, still trying to figure out their personality.”
Maybe they should try to ride Rowse’s big shoulders. In a 3-1 win against No. 24-ranked Baylor, the lefty 
allowed two hits and struck out nine in eight innings. The win was the first over a ranked team since the Tigers beat No. 9 Long Beach State on April 22, 2005.
Face flush with emotion, Rowse often shot his fist into the air in celebration and yelled at himself and teammates running off the field.
“Our players feed off that,” said Sprague. “That’s the type of fire we need each game to be successful.”
And if anyone really is wondering, Guiness has records for the longest cricket match, the longest tennis match and even the longest skis. But nothing for the longest baseball tournament.
Stay tuned!
