2014 45+ Central
Raleigh Braves 5, Colorado Legends 1
‘Kopitzke Throws Complete Game Victory’
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Maryvale Stadium, Phoenix, Saturday, November 8, 2014…The Colorado Legends were holding a slim 1-0 lead over the Raleigh Braves in the 45-over wood bat central division as they headed into the bottom of the 7th. John Miley was doing a masterful job on the mound 
for the Legends while only giving up four hits through six. The seventh inning, however, didn’t start well for Miley and ended up with the Braves scoring three times and taking a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning.
Kale Huffman started the bottom of the seventh with a double for the Braves and was followed by another double by Bobby Lovett and then a single and a stolen base by Josh Aldrich, batting from the three hole. Aldrich later scored on an RBI single by David Quintana to close out the three run barrage. The Braves added two more in the eighth and the Legends 
couldn’t make up the difference as the Braves came out on top 5-1 thanks to a late inning offensive wake-up call and the pitching of lefty MVP Dan Kopitzke, who threw the entire game and only gave up seven hits.
“I threw all nine yesterday in our semi-final game so I’m a little tired after today but I feel pretty good,” said the crafty lefty. Kopitzke served a steady diet of change-ups and mixed speeds all day long to keep the Legends off balance. The Legends scored their run in the top of the third inning with hits by John Miley and Keith Jepsen but that was the only time Kopitzke was in trouble all day. “I had a few breakdowns out there that made it interesting but was able to get through it,” he added. “Earlier in the week was a little shaky for me but it took me until the last couple of days to figure it out.”
Leadoff hitter Kale Huffman pounded out a double and a single to go two for three and scored a run while Bobby Lovett went the same two for three from the number two spot while scoring a run and knocking one in. Josh Aldrich, Don Montgomery, David Quintana, Gregg Patterson and Scott Woolwine rounded out the hits for the Braves. The game could have gone a different route but you have to tip your hats to the Legends defense. The Braves stranded a man on third base in three of the first five innings and weren’t able to capitalize.
Jeff Wood, Joel Tompkins, Bob Prashaw, John Miley, Keith Jepsen and Pete Jones had hits for the Legends, hailing from in and around the Denver area.
