Carolina Men's Baseball League Crowns Champions

Semi-finals:
RED DIVISION - Port City Mudcats 8, Break Time Brewers 3. With stellar pitching and flawless defense, the Mudcats stifled the usually high-scoring Brewers. Mudcats’ Andy Jackson pitched 6 strong relief innings to record the victory. He was supported by outstanding team defense. The “Scott Boys”, SS Scott Normandt and LF Tony Scott, each made several great defensive plays to squelch potential rallies and contain the Brewers. CF Frank Kosh also contributed by snagging a sure triple on a drive to right center field. The big blow offensively for the Mudcats was a Home Run by 3B Dave Eason.
BLUE DIVISION - Club Batter Up 7, Old Salts 5. Once again, it was defense or rather the lack of it, that determined the winner. The Old Salts played sloppy defense and lost. Club Batter Up behind the arms of WP Dave Malkmus and closer Jay Slaughter won. Good defense by Chad McCullogh and Ed Fowler helped lead Club Batter Up to the Championship game.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY -
RED DIVISION - Red Sox 11, Port City Mudcats 3. The Red Sox took advantage of a throwing error in the first inning and took an early two run lead. They added three more in the second inning and forged ahead behind the strong pitching of Red Sox’ Brian Cardiero. Whenever the Mudcats threatened, Brian had the answer and kept them at bay. Despite some flashy leather by the “Scott Boys” (Scott Normandt and Tony Scott) the Red Sox offense continued to score until they had a commanding lead. The Red Sox scoring was capped off by a towering Home Run by Rick Parnell who also pitched the final two innings to seal the victory. Congratulations to the Champion Red Sox - Brian Cardiero, mgr., Mike Burke, Mike Dean, Travis Fortune, Pete Gittrich, Mike Houston, Chet Nesley, Adam Ovacz, Rick Parnell, Bob Pavlik, Malcolm Phelps, Chris Stout, Tito Velez, Chris White and Lee Whitehead.

BLUE DIVISION - Seahawks 4, Club Batter Up 3.
In a tense extra inning game the Seahawks narrowly defeated Club Batter Up. Dave Malkmus who had pitched on Saturday took the ball again for Batter Up and twirled 8 gutsy innings. The Seahawks were finally able to prevail on a clutch single up the middle with a runner in scoring position off the bat of Seahawks’ Manager Steve Salerno that drove in the winning run and giving the Seahawks the Championsip. Congratulations to the Champion Seahawks - Phil Anderson, Bob Bennett, Bill Bernath, Barry Estler, Fulton Burns, Walter Gajewski, Tom Grady, Paul Jefferson, Bobby Jernigen, Chris Natale, Alan Paull, Sean Reese,Todd Rehanek, Steve Salerno, mgr.,

FALL SEASON REGISTRATION - AUGUST 17th & 24th
Final sign-ups will be held at Myrtle Grove Middle School from 2-5pm. Teams are filling fast. To assure your roster spot on a team, please bring your completed application and a check made out to the Carolina Mens Baseball League no later than August 24.

CONTACT : email – Carolinamensbaseball@Gmail.com; Phone – 910.465.0535 or 910.395.1862 or check the action on our Website: www.Carolinamensbaseball.com “Forever Baseball, Forever Young”

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT