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Trophy Hunters

07/13/2015, 2:00pm EDT
By Michael Gallo

Shugs Working on Their Dynasty

CLIFTON, July 12 - Meshuganas and Minotaur stepped onto the diamond for an early morning playoff game set for a best of three, but only two games would be played yesterday. 

In the first game Minotaur's bats were in an extreme lull and they just never woke up. Shugs' pitcher Matt Rheingold and the Shugs' defense shut out Minotaur through 5 innings of play and only allowed four hits. Shugs shortstop Jarred Rupp was dominant defensively all day with insane range of motion and perfect accuracy. 

Shugs would go onto win game one in a 12-0 mercy in the 6th. 

 

 

In the second game Minotaur finally woke up and a battle ensued. Up until the 4th inning Minotaur had a nice lead with a 8-5 score in their favor, but in the top of the 5th Meshuganas showed why they have long been a dominant playoff team as the team got clutch hit after clutch hit for a massive 9 run inning that promptly took the wind out of Minotaur's sails. 

The crippling blow was a well hit opposite field hit to right by Jimmy Russoniello. The bases were juiced and it was a guaranteed hit, but the Minotaur right fielder took a shot to make the out and dove for the ball as opposed to backing up and accepting a double. The dive was not successful and the ball rolled past him for a grand slam. 

Minotaur was not able to recover form the 5th inning onslaught and ended up being swept 2-0 and eliminated from the ABL Spring Playoffs. 

Shugs will go onto face SOPNJ who had a great Spring season with a 19-2 record next weekend. While SOPNJ has had a revival this season they should watch out for the streaking Meshuganas who are the defending ABL Summer Season Champions, and have quite a few titles in their trophy room. 

Shugs are used to the pressure and they thrive in clutch situations. SOPNJ has been amazing though so this upcoming matchup should be a great one. 

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