Team Aruba Takes on DCMSBL 40+ Mustangs in Nation’s Capital

This past summer DCMSBL hosted a visiting team from Aruba to a three-game match week, as the Arubans played baseball and toured our Nation’s Capital. Aruba played a game vs. the DCMSBL’s 40, 50, and 60 summer league championship teams. Aruba was victorious in the games vs. DCMSBL’s 50 and 60 squads. But, ended up in a dog fight vs. the 40 Mustang DCMSBL team.

Pitchers Rick Clough for the Mustangs and Michael Fingal for Aruba battled in a pitching duel to a 3-3 tie into the sixth inning.

The Mustangs struck first with Ron Barckhoff scoring two of the first three Mustang runs in the first three innings. With Mike Fermaint, Joe Walsh and Rick Clough providing the RBIs for those early runs.

In the fourth inning Aruba came storming back with Jeromin Kelly hitting a triple as his first of three hits on the night, followed by Fingal reaching on an error, then Randy Madeiro and Eddie Lindey’s single drove them home.  

Aruba tied the game in the top of the sixth when Emilio Berlis scored. With Aruba knowing they had three games in three days with two games ahead of them, they pulled their ace. As the Mustangs came to bat in the bottom of the inning, they erupted with 10 runs to put the game on ice.

The Mustang offense was propelled by Rick Clough and Mike Fermaint, who had three hits each. Joe Walsh, Jim Johnson, Danny Craig, Mark Gleason and Dave Kaufmann all had two hits apiece. Ron Barckhoff scored three runs, and Mike Fermaint scored twice. Steve Socha, Bryan King, Christian Gardiner, Sean Cohan and Dave Carrodine all notched hits for the Mustangs.

Lloyd Wever hit a double in the top of the seventh for Aruba, but he was left on base as Clough finished off the inning.

More important than the game itself, it was great to enjoy international play. Excellent sportsmanship was front and center the whole game, with the Mustangs presenting official MSBL commemorative baseballs to each play from Aruba. And, with both teams playing the top of the seventh inning to give Aruba it’s last at bat, even though the umpires had left due to the time limit being reached. Baseball without borders!