During his seven-hour drive from Ashland, Ohio, Sunday night to his Graniteville home, Rodd Bray, no doubt, was thinking about what could have been.

His team -- the All Seasons Patriots -- had just placed second in the USA Softball Mens 50-and-over Nationals after ripping off a 5-2 record against some of the best teams in the Northeast. The Ohio Battery won the double-elimination tournament.

We lost the first game of the tournament then won five straight in the losers bracket, said Bray. In the championship round, we had to beat the (Ohio Battery) twice. We won the first game (5-2), but lost the second game (14-4).

Bray was 4 for 18 in the windmill tournament.

Those are not great stats, but its tough when you are not playing all the time, said the 53-year-old Bray. Im sore right now more than anything.

The All Seasons Patriots pose with their runner-up trophy.

Bray said the Patriots also competed in the Firecracker Nationals during July 4th weekend, their first tournament since the pandemic struck.

Eltingville resident Robert Santiago is also a member of the Patriots, but did not make the trip to Ohio this past weekend. Most of the Patriots reside in Pennsylvania.

Bray is a regular in many Island softball leagues as well and has established himself as a force on any field, whether its against lot younger competition or players more his age.

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Island softball player is part of runner-up team in USA Mens 50-and-over Nationals - SILive.com