2014 Father/Son Cactus

Victory USA 14, Motor City Orioles 5

‘Sturgeon Gets It Done On the Bump’

By Wes Thomas, MSBL National

Maryvale Stadium, Phoenix, November 2, 2014–Victory USA,from California, entered the Father and Son Cactus Championship game wearing their “hitting shoes.” Victory USA pounded out 22 hits in their 14 to 5 win over Detroit’s Motor City Orioles in claiming the crown.

Marty Sturgeon started mound duties for Victory USA and silenced the Orioles allowing only three hits through four innings. Victory gave him plenty of support by scoring seven runs in those first four innings. Robb Steel (Father) singled home two runs in the first inning to give Victory USA their early lead. In the second, RBI singles from Ethan Emery and Tom Collard pushed the Victory lead to 5 -0. Robb Steele added his third RBI of the game with a single in the third driving home Frank Bons who doubled pushing the score out to 6-0. The hits just kept coming as Victory added five more runs in the fifth inning with key hits by Robb Steel, Ethan Emery, Ryley Steel, Maddy Hildebrand and Kevin Collard, all driving in runs expanding their lead to 12-0.

The Orioles came to life in the sixth as Dave Kracht Jr.drove home Doc Welby with a sacrifice fly. In the seventh inning they scored three more runs with key hits by John Crillo (RBI) Cole Welby (RBI) and Anthony Juliano (RBI). The Orioles weren’t finished scoring runs, however, by adding another run in the eighth as Joe Pistono Sr. drove home Dave Kracht Sr. closing the Victory USA lead to 12-5. The Victory USA outfield cut short an Orioles rally by throwing out a runner at third and at home in the seventh inning.

Victory USA added two more runs to extend their lead as Frank Bons was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Aaron Henry singled home the final run. Manager Dave Brunette had difficulty naming a MVP saying each and every member had a significant moment in the tournament. “When you have 22 hits in a single game, it’s hard to single out one player.” When asked what the turning point in the series that propelled Victory USA to the championship, he stated a comeback win against The Rock, Milwaukee, with late clutch hitting and “shutdown” relief pitching in the semi final game gave them the momentum and belief it was their year. Indeed it was.