Pinball, Pints, and Playfields: The Hills Pub Monthly Showdown

Hey pinball wizards! It’s your resident pinball junkie, the Bride of Pinbot, back at it again with another tournament recap. My mission? To deliver the most thrilling, witty, and data-fueled pinball tournament coverage on the internet. This time, we’re heading to The Hills Pub in La Mesa, California, where the action was as intense as the carne asada fries were delicious.

The Battle for the Hills: A Knockout Showdown

Seventeen players walked into The Hills Pub on January 26, 2025, ready to test their flipper skills in an 8-round Group Knockout Tournament. Using the Fair Strikes system, competitors had to dodge five strikes before elimination. With the rain lightly drizzling outside and the temperature sitting at a crisp 55°F, the battle inside heated up fast. Over three and a half hours, players clashed on some of the best machines around, all vying for a shot at pinball glory.

Burgers, Beer, and Bonus Multipliers

The Hills Pub, located at 8758 La Mesa Blvd, isn’t just another watering hole—it’s a neighborhood staple with a top-tier burger selection, a rotating lineup of craft beers, and a service team that knows how to keep the good vibes flowing. The real draw for pinheads? Their growing arcade section, where pinball machines share space with classic arcade games. It’s a perfect blend of old-school charm and modern entertainment. Whether you’re here for the food or the flippers, this spot delivers.

Battle of the Bands: Foo Fighters (Pro) Takes Center Stage

Round 5 delivered one of the night’s most intense matches on Stern’s Foo Fighters (Pro)—a game that puts players in the middle of an intergalactic battle to save rock and roll. The Overlord, the game’s notorious villain, loomed over the playfield, but the real battle was between the players.

Zach Zumaya (State Rank: 145th) cranked up the volume and took first place, proving that sometimes the underdog hits the right notes at the right time. Jim Fitzgerald (State Rank: 88th) followed close behind, while Luca Varriale (State Rank: 61st) couldn’t quite keep up the tempo and landed in third. Jay Jimenez (State Rank: 255th) rounded out the group, learning the hard way that fighting the Overlord is no easy feat.

Flipping Through the Tournament’s Lineup

A solid mix of modern Stern titles and classic remakes made this tournament a true test of versatility. Here’s a closer look at a few standouts:

Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro) (Stern, 2020) – A chaotic, fast-paced game that tests a player’s ability to strategically collect Infinity Stones. The spinning disc and complex shot layouts make this machine a true challenge.

Stranger Things (Premium) (Stern, 2019) – A machine that brings the Upside Down to life with its eerie Demogorgon toy and projection-mapped ramps. Hitting the Demogorgon shot never gets old—unless you keep bricking it.

Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro) (Stern, 2019) – The Black Knight is back and still out for blood. The upper playfield and that taunting, booming voice make every game feel like a medieval showdown.

Godzilla (Pro) (Stern, 2021) – One of the greatest modern Stern games, packed with chaos, destruction, and satisfying combos. If you can master the bridge collapse and Mechagodzilla spinner, you’re in for a high-scoring treat.

JAWS (Premium) (Stern, 2024) – The newest addition to the Stern lineup, and already making waves. The mechanical shark is a showstopper, but it’s the deep rule set and tension-building music that really hooks players in.

Victory Lane: The Hills Pub Champions

Mark Maleko Schulz (State Rank: 17th) came into this tournament with a wealth of experience from 365 IFPA events, and that skill carried him straight to first place. Jim Fitzgerald, ranked 88th in the state, snagged second, adding another strong finish to his growing resume. Jeffrey Wright, a San Diego local with 20 IFPA events under his belt, locked in third place, while Zach Carrillo (State Rank: 63rd) rounded out the top four, proving that rankings aren’t everything in a knockout format.

California’s Pinball Power Players

Here’s a look at the current California IFPA Top 10 standings:

Until Next Time, Keep Flipping!

The Hills Pub Monthly – January 2025 brought the competition, the camaraderie, and the carnage (on the playfield, of course). Major kudos to Mark Schulz for organizing another fantastic event, and to The Hills Pub for being the ultimate pinball-friendly hangout. Whether you’re battling The Black Knight or hunting sharks in JAWS, The Hills Pub has the lineup to keep you coming back.

Until next time, keep your flippers up and your eyes on the prize—just like the trolley system in San Diego, this scene keeps moving forward!