Norwood Babe Ruth League 2015 Playoffs
In the D1 playoffs John Lightizer’s White Sox are going for their 6th (yes sixth) Town Championship in a row. The White Sox scored 3 runs in the top of 7th to beat the undermanned Angels in the Elimination game. Mark Benson pitched a complete game for the White Sox to get the win while Billy Tomasello pitched an outstanding game for the Angels. Kevin Igoe’s Angels played without 2 key players Ed Duggan and Danny Quinn who were both injured. Charlie Gover was outstanding for the Angels. Sean Munro had a key hit to lead the last inning rally. The game ended with the bases loaded and a hard hit ball up-the-middle, shortstop Tim Denehy cut it off, stepped on 2nd and then onto first for the game-ending double-play.
In the other elimination game, the George Hawley’s Cubs defeated the Rangers. Cubs Pitcher Matt Rice got the complete game victory and contributed a key 2-run double. Catcher Steve Tribuna also had a 2-run double for the Cubs. For Steve Cline’s Rangers catcher Paul Manning blasted a 3 -run homer in a losing cause.
The White Sox now play Pat McDonough’s regular season champion Giants while the Cubs play Joe Jacobs 2nd place Dodgers in best of 3 series.
D1 Semifinals: Dodgers won best-of-3 series 2-0. In the 1st game, Dodgers’ Paul Murphy and Cubs Michael James hooked up in a pitchers dual. Tied 2-2 heading into the 7th inning the Cubs took a 3-2 lead but the Dodgers won in the bottom half with Kevin Costello driving in the winning run. In the 2nd game, Dodgers won 10-6 breaking open a close 7-6 game with 3 runs in the top of the 7th. Matt Rice and Pat Forrest pitched well for the Cubs while Cam Flahive and Ryan Johnson did likewise for the Dodgers.
D1 Semifinals: Giants won 1st game of the best-of-3 series led by pitcher Michael Dooley. In the 2nd game, Giants tied the score at 3-3 in the top of the 6th only to have the White Sox scored 2 runs in the bottom half to win it. Mark Benson was outstanding in pitching the White Sox to victory. Kyle Mackey pitched well for the Giants. The game ended with the White Sox turning a slick 4-6-3 double play – John Cotter to Tim Denehy to Ryan Martin.
In the D2 semifinals, Mike O’Brien’s 1st place Red Sox defeated Jim Conley’s A’s while Jack O’Donnell’s 3rd place Reds defeated Rocco LoRusso’s 2nd place Rockies.
In the D2 finals, Reds came out hitting and won the 1st game 20-10. In the 2nd and decisive game, the Red Sox rallied for 2 runs in the top of the 7th to tie the game at 8-8 only to have the Reds win it in the bottom half on a walk-off RBI single by Dan O’Toole. Tommy O’Malley pitched an excellent game for the victorious Reds. Reds D2 Town Champs win Bud Williams Trophy