Monday, November 11, 2013---the Fall Coed Softball league has come to an end at Mama Johnson Field in Hoboken, NJ. It would be hard to top this main event with any type of encore because ABL couldn’t have scripted a better final game than one of the best clashes in softball. The #1 seed McSwiggans Pub took on the #2 seed Louise & Jerry's Hit Squad in a best of 3 tug-of-war match up. These two teams know each other quite well during the course of 2013. They have met each other in both the spring and summer championship games. Louise & Jerry’s defeated McSwiggans in the 2013 spring championship. McSwiggans beat Louise & Jerry’s in the 2013 summer championship. With their championship series tied at 1 apiece, this no holds barred, best of 3, Fall championship series couldn’t have been any more intensified.
Game 1: Louise & Jerry’s beat McSwiggans 8 to 7
Louise & Jerry’s won the 1st game of the series in dramatic fashion. Each team matched swing by swing and play by play in the field, starting in the 1st inning with both teams putting up 4 runs. From that point on, teams got the feeling the game was going to come down to just 1 or two plays. McSwiggan shortstop Dan Clark did a great job as the cutoff man, throwing out L & J Stephanie sliding into home plate. L & J’s 3rd baseman John Rivera matched it by making an unbelievable diving catch to stop the ball from going through the hole to get the lead runner out at 2nd base. The game was tied going into the bottom of the 7th inning and L & J had a runner of 1st. The pressure didn’t bother Angel Romano because he hit the game winning RBI double to take the 1st game in the series.
Game 2: McSwiggans ties series winning 13 to 11
McSwiggans jumped out with a 7 run 1st inning in the second game of the series. McSwiggan Bob Szuhany and Susie Bara wasted no time putting numbers on the board. Their quick pace started to slow down because of L & J’s outfielder Erika Lesher. Erika had a great series, making plays in the outfield as well as coming through with the clutch hitting. Louise & Jerry’s started to cut down McSwiggan’s lead by coming through with timely hitting by Lefty. Lefty had a superb offensive series by going 8 for 8 with 5 runs, 3 doubles, triple, 3 homeruns, and 8 RBIs. To counter Lefty’s offensive tear, McSwiggan’s captain Jim Pilla had the perfect solution whenever he needed run support. He called upon an offensive juggernaut, Josh Elmore. Josh is literally a freak of nature at the plate by hitting homeruns with a blink of an eye. In the 1st game Josh tied the things up by hitting one of his many homeruns. It wasn’t any surprise he would do the same in games 2 and 3. Josh finished the series going 6 for 8 with 5 runs, 5 home runs, and 10 RBIs.
Game 3: McSwiggans comes out on top 9 to 7
The final game of the series surpassed expectations with the performances on the field. People would think the players would be fatigued from already playing two games, but they were just getting warmed up. Game 3, the players were on fire with their game play. L & J’s outfielders Erika and Heidi couldn’t have played a more perfect game out there not letting anything drop. McSwiggan captain Jim Pilla showed his heart and determination on the field by hustling to cover 1st base to help complete the double play with Bob and Dan. Just when the fans thought the gameplay has reached its peak, L & J outfielder Jude Bracken climbed the fence robbing a homerun from Josh Elmore. That's probably the best defensive play of the season.
In the top of the 5th inning, L & J Chris Lyons hit a 3 run homerun to take a 5 to 4 lead. McSwiggan Bob tied the game up 6 to 6 with his two run double. With the game tied, McSwiggan Josh Elmore took to the plate. With one swing of the bat he hit a 3 run homerun to take the lead.
McSwiggans Pub and Louise & Jerry’s set the bar in the George Brett Division. These two teams are remarkable on how to play the game. The scores were within 2 runs for all three games. There could only be one winner, and McSwiggans Pub completed a phenomenal season by winning the championship. ABL wants to congratulate and thank them for a season well done!
Tag(s): Home '15 Coed Spring League
