Monday, JULY 15, 2013—Every sport has its rivals, and one of the best rivalries in baseball is Yankees/Red Sox.  The ABL league has its rivals too.  The rivalry between Louis & Jerry’s and McSwiggans Pub is what made the Mike Trout Division Championship game that much better. 

McSwiggans Pub had just came off of a great win that featured a high-powered offense.  They scored 16 runs against the Slingers to get into the championship. But Louis & Jerry’s defense extinguished the blaze with their gloves.  McSwiggans was shut out the first 6 innings and 8 out of the 9 innings.  The only runs put on the board were from McSwiggan Ted Serro’s grand slam in the 7^th inning.

When a base runner did reach first base in the 4^th and 5^th innings, Louis & Jerry’s shortstop Mike Lombardo and 2^nd baseman Raquel Roder turned two double plays.  Also in the bottom of the 7^th inning McSwiggan Corey Brown hit a ball to the gap in right field.  He was going to 3^rd base but right fielder Jude Bracken threw a bullet to 3^rd base to get him out. 

The defensive play of the game for Louis & Jerry’s came in the bottom of the 9^th inning.  McSwiggan Dan Clark hit what looked like a solo homerun to get within striking distance but L & J’s centerfielder Angel Romano jumped on the fence and robbed him from a homerun. 

Earlier in the season Louis & Jerry’s team record was 1 and 4 and their playoff hopes looked slim.  Team captain Anthony Romano assembled from top to bottom, offensively and defensively, a very talented team.  They never gave up and came into the championship game winning 5 in a row. 

One particular player stood out during the season offensively and especially during the playoffs. All-star Jude Bracken during 2 playoff games went 8 for 9 with 6 home runs and 15 RBI.  One word: Impressive. 

Many plays go unnoticed and do not show up in the box scores but are still vital part to a team’s success.  Everyone on the team Louis & Jerry’s knows how to win and has the ability to play the game in a more than impressive fashion.  Their talents proved why they are the team to beat.  Congratulations to them for winning the Mike Trout Division Championship.