2020 Red Wings Win Rochester MSBL 30+ Championship

Rochester Men’s Senior Baseball League

Red Wings 10, A’s 5

‘Hackett Logs 15 K’s, Notches Complete Game Victory’

Submitted by Vinny Dallo, Red Wings manager

The Red Wings finished off their impressive season by taking the championship game 10-5 over the A’s. The Red Wings finished the season with a record of 9-3.

Catcher Bob Orman had a solid game at the plate with two hits, including a home run and four runs batted in. Second-baseman Jonah Kiehle provided more offensive punch with a double in the first inning, a walk and a run batted in.  First-baseman Doug Costello clubbed a triple and two runs batted in for added insurance in the top of the ninth.

Starting pitcher Bruce Hackett was a strikeout machine, recording 15 punch outs, the final one coming with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.  Hack was a war horse, going all nine and throwing 149 pitches – – and NO walks.

The Red Wings won the RMSBL title for the second time in their history, their first since 2013 and my first one as manager.

Here are some of our championship season highlights and those who created them:

  • Catcher BOB ORMAN – – solid defense and an offensive force.  In 10 games, “Bobby Orr” hit .444 with a home run, triple, three doubles, 15 RBI and 10 runs scored.
  • Pitcher BRUCE HACKETT – – our Team MVP, and if the league has an MVP, no other player deserves it more than “Hack.”  Bruce started eight of our 12 games.  He threw a total of 52 innings with a won-loss record of 7-0, including five complete games.  Bruce ended the season with a 2.60 ERA and 53 strikeouts against only four walks.
  • Second-baseman JONAH KIEHLE – – “Mr. Consistency” led the team with a .464 batting average and seemed to have a big hit in every game.
  • Third-baseman/Catcher ERIC COLLYER – – “Big E” showed true grit and determination by playing all season battered and bruised, never easing up.

This was my first season in my second stint as Red Wings’ manager.  Having joined the team in 1999, I’ve played with over 100 different teammates.  This year’s group of guys were probably the most-focused that I’ve seen.  I let the players play, but I had one non-negotiable rule: “NEVER STOP COMPETING.”  I am very proud of this team. Here are some additional pictures of the guys who made 2020 happen: