2014 Cardinals Edge Braves for 55+ Title in Tri-Valley MSBL

Tri-Valley (CA) 55+ Division

Cardinals 9, Braves 3

Submitted by Bill Bay, Tri-Valley Cardinals

Tri-Valley 55+ Cardinals Win League Title for Fourth Consecutive Year

The Cardinals defeated the Braves in a best of three playoff final that was a rematch of the 2013 series. Per Sandy Wishnev, manager of the Cardinals, “This was a hard fought contest between evenly matched teams.” The Cardinals and Braves were the top scoring teams in the league and they had the two top pitchers in the league. The Cardinals dependable ace Pat Carroll led the way in the first game with offensive support from Dave Currie (three hits, three runs), Mike Hayden (two hits, two walks), and Cliff Bates (two hits, three RBI’s).

Rick Altman paced the Braves eight run attack in the second game with a single and a double. Mike Wilgus did not need much run support as he limited the Cardinals to just two runs. He helped his own cause with two hits and Toby Pasillas contributed three hits.

In 2013 the final game of the playoffs was decided with two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning. There was less drama in the final game in 2014 than there was in the 2013 final. Scott Schaa led off the first inning for the Cardinals with a single and a stolen base, then scored on Dale Skinner’s base hit. The Cardinals kept hitting and tallied five runs in the first inning. Mark Stas come in to pitch for the Braves and held the Cardinals in check until Larry Lamar scored after starting a rally in the sixth inning. Gary Flores pitched eight and a third innings, giving up only three runs, and Pat Carroll came in to finish. Larry Lamar and Cliff Bates each had three hits while Scott Schaa, Ken Callan and Rich Mangini each had two hits.