2013 47+Wood
Bombers 8, Wolfpack 2
Four run eighth seals the deal for the Bombers
San Antonio claims second straight World Series title
By Steve LaMontia, Executive Regional Director
Phoenix Municipal Stadium, October 18, 2013- A day after throwing a complete-game in a 2-0 loss to the Tri Valley 40’s, Mike Smith tossed a complete-game six-hitter to lead his San Antonio Bombers to an 8-2 title game win over the Boston Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack, a Northeast adult baseball powerhouse and one of the most successful MSBL Franchises ever, took advantage of three hits and an error to take a 2-0 first inning lead. Smith slammed the door after that allowing no runs and just three more hits through the final eight frames.
Smith pitched well enough to earn MVP honors, but his performance over the past two days elevated him to pure ironman status. “He went eight scoreless innings yesterday and only gave up two runs in the ninth,” said Bomber manager Jerry Spencer. “The balance of this division has been phenomenal and we really needed Mike. He also threw our championship game last year.”
All four teams in the division — the Bombers, Wolfpack, Team Victory, and the Tri Valley 40’s — finished with identical 3-3 record. The Bombers, however, dispatched the Wolfpack twice during the week to earn home field honors. The finals field was determined by runs allowed. The Pack allowed the fewest runs – 33. The Bombers allowed 34, while Team Victory and Tri Valley allowed 38 and 39 respectively.
MSBL Fall Classic Hall of Famer Bob Cuff,who owns 10 Fall Classic rings, started for the Pack and was relieved by Ray Chadwick in the fifth. Larry See and German Rivera were both on base twice for Boston but it just wasn’t enough. This day belonged to Smith and his Texas teammates.
Bomber Shortstop Jack Held was on base all four times with a combination of hits, walks and getting plunked and scored two times along with an RBI. Pitcher Smith helped his own cause with a two for four day and a run scored. Reggie Smith, Jack Held, Roland Bandaand Bryan Wyatt all scored in the four-run Bomber fourth to put the game out of reach.
In beating Boston the Bombers beat one of the most successful MSBL teams going.
The ‘Pack’ has regularly participated in MSBL adult baseball tournaments since 2001. It has accumulated 13 titles in that time, including eight – the past six in a row — at the Holiday Classic, three at the Vegas Open, one at the World Series (2008) and one at the Grapefruit Classic. It has appeared in the finals 23 times in those years finishing second four times at the Holiday Classic, three times at the Kickoff Classic, three times at the Vegas Open, and thrice at the World Series.The club has reached or surpassed the semifinals in all but one national MSBL tournaments that it has played in since 2001.
Spencer praised San Antonio’s team chemistry. “We play together all year in San Antonio and this is our league team,” added Spencer. “We pick up a few guys but these guys are all brothers. We took our past 55 World Series team and our 45 team and combined them for this division. I guess it worked!”