2011 52+ National

Jupiter, Fla. Nov. 12, 2011 — The 52 National Division finals at the MSBL’s 2011 Fall Classic in Jupiter, Fla., officially went to the dogs.

The Rhode Island Salty Dogs rallied for five runs in the eighth inning and defeated the Chicago Sea Dogs 7-3 at Roger Dean Stadium – the spring training home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Gary Raymond’s curving, line drive double to left field barely eluded left fielder Brian Schultz’ glove. Louis Diaz scored the tying run, and Dave Palumbo and Rafael Fuentes scampered across with the go-ahead runs. RBI singles by Tony Lizzotte and Manny Colletti completed the rally.

Rhode Island starter Jim Pollock turned in a valiant effort allowing three runs in seven innings, but left with his team trailing by a run after seven full innings. Palumbo entered in the eighth inning and, after allowing a leadoff double to Kal Tate, retired six straight batters including three straight whiffs to end the game.

Salty Dog manager Noah Clark singled to lead off the third inning and scored his team’s first run on a single by Louis Diaz. Clark walked in the eighth inning and scored the Salty Dogs’ final run of the day on Colletti’s single.

Diaz finished 4-for-4 on the day and scored a run. Colletti was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Raymond’s three RBI led all hitters. The Salty Dogs outscored opponents 62-12 en route to a perfect 5-0 round robin record. They beat the Sea Dogs 13-4 in the tournament’s fourth game.

The Sea Dogs were 4-1 in round robin play. They beat the New Jersey Reds 4-2 to move into the finals.

“That game could have gone either way,” said Clark of the finals. “Chicago gave us all we could handle. They were well coached and the pitcher (Kal Tate) was awesome. Clark added that there were many MVP candidates, but decided on Gary Raymond for his clutch hitting and solid defense. Raymond played every inning of the tournament at third base. Diaz and Pollock were also deserving of high praise, Clark said.

Tate was tough through seven innings allowing two unearned runs in the third and striking out six batters. The well ran dry in the eighth inning, however. “I think I got a little tired,” Tate said about the single and consecutive walks he issued before Raymond’s big at bat. “I made a good pitch and he (Raymond) just hit it well,” Tate said in a tip of the cap to his opponent.

The Salty Dogs defeated the Detroit 60’s to win the 2010 finals.