2014 Dodgers Cap Undefeated Season in Willamette Valley (OR)

Willamette Valley (OR) Men’s Baseball League 30+ Division

Dodgers 2, Mariners 1 (13 innings)

Submitted by Ben Ward, League President

The Willamette Valley Men’s Baseball League 30+ championship was a great game. The Dodgers and the Mariners were meeting for the fifth time this season. While the Dodgers had won the previous four, they were all close.

The championship game was played under perfect conditions and both teams threw everything they had at each other. Hits were hard to come by for both teams. Dodgers starting pitcher, Taylor Blair, was on fire allowing only one unearned run, two hits and eight K’s through nine innings. At the end of ninth the score was tied 1-1. Blair would throw two more innings coming out after 11 innings allowing a total of four hits with 12 strikeouts.

The Mariner pitching staff was also throwing well and while the Dodgers had runners in scoring position in the 11th and 12th, they couldn’t push a run across. Finally in the bottom of the 13th, Dodger center fielder Craig Pfeifer led off with a single and was advanced to third on a hit and run single by Dodger catcher Spencer Headley. With runners on the corners and no outs, Dodger designated hitter Ben Ward was intentionally walked to load the bases. Four-hole hitter Craig Towne came to the plate with bases loaded and no outs. On a 2-2 count Towne hit a sharp ground ball to the drawn in infield that was misplayed by the Mariners shortstop to allow the winning run to score for a final of Dodgers 2, Mariners 1 in 13 innings.

The Dodgers finished the season a perfect 14-0, but the championship game is the one we will remember.