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Marietta hosted its first-ever Ohio Elks men's softball tournament at Hadley Fields 1 and 2 on Saturday and Sunday.

The scheduled two-day and 32nd annual event featured an eight-team field, which included Marietta Elks Lodge 477, Norwalk Elks 730, Lakewood Elks 1350, Elyria Elks 465, Toledo Elks 53, New Lexington Elks 509, Ashland Elks 1360, and Dayton Elks 58.

Rick Corbins of Lakewood was the tournament director.

The Marietta team was 2-2 in round-robin play Sunday, and placed third in upper division double-elimination competition Sunday, dropping a 22-10 decision to Toledo Elks and then a 15-12 decision to New Lexington Elks.

"We lost to a good ball team," said Marietta Elks player/coach Mark Duckworth after the Toledo setback. "They look right today, don't they? To have beaten them coming out of the loser's bracket would have been a monumental task."

In the championship round, Toledo claimed its fifth consecutive state title, defeating New Lexington 18-6. Earlier in the day, Toledo beat New Lex, 9-2, in a winner's bracket tilt.

The winning Toledo team included Chris White, Larry Huth, Jason Hensley, Burt Rogers, Brad Turkski, Mike Murphy, Bob Collins, Chad Collins, Brian Lahna, Paul Orlando, Gil Naugle, and Randy Boisselle.

The Marietta Elks roster consisted of Smitty Vandall, Mike Vuksic, Randy Neader, Chad Hill, Ryan Welch, Eric Brockmeier, Tom Cochran, Scott McKnight, Marcus Groves, Joe Matthews II, Brian Ketelsen, Jim Humphrey, Terry Wallis, Steve Murphy, David Glover and Mark Duckworth.

Former Marietta mayor Joe Matthews threw out the ceremonial first pitch to begin the tournament. Mc-Knight also tossed out a pitch in honor of his late uncle, Roy McKnight.

The format on Saturday was round-robin with Marietta Elks dropping a 14-8 decision to Toledo Elks and a 13-11 decision to New Lexington Elks on Hadley Field No. 2.

These games were also 2008 semifinals due to last year's second day of tournament play being rained out at Westlake. Toledo bested New Lexington, 15-14 in the final at Hadley Field No. 2 to claim the state title.

Sparked by Welch's grand slam in the second inning, the Mariettans posted their first victory of the tourney, a 22-6 triumph over the Ashland Elks at Hadley Field No. 1.

Mike Vuksic was credited as the winning pitcher.

Marietta then defeated Norwalk, 14-2, to cap its play on the first day of the event. Neader, Welch, and Hill each had three hits to lead the winners.

On Sunday, Marietta Elks played Toledo in a winner's bracket game, and lost 22-10. The Mariettans then were ousted from tourney play when they were defeated 15-12 by New Lexington in an elimination game. Eric Brockmeier slugged a two-run homer in the seventh inning for Marietta.

"We fought through it, and tried to win," said Marietta Elks player/coach Steve Murphy after the New Lexington setback. "We played well and hard, and we will not hang our heads. We'll be back in 2010 up in Toledo and we'll try it again.

"It was a great weekend of fellowship with Elk members, and we like traveling around the state and representing Marietta."

Five-time defending champion Toledo Elks will be hosting the 2010 Ohio Elks softball tournament at Club 16.

32nd annual Ohio Elks state softball tournament

at Hadley Fields 1 & 2 (Saturday and Sunday)

Elimination game

New Lexington 15, Marietta 12

Marietta 024 110 4 - 12

New Lexington 520 602 x - 15

Marietta Elks hitting: Randy Neader 2-4; Jim Humphrey 2-4; Ryan Welch 2-4, triple 2 RBIs; Eric Brockmeier 3-4, home run (7th inning), double, 3 RBIs; Chad Hill 3-4, 2 doubles, RBI; Marcus Groves 2-4, 2 RBIs; Mike Vuksic 2-2, RBI; Brian Ketelsen 2-3; Joe Matthews II, RBI