2014 Munster Braves Top White Sox for Indiana MABL Title

Hoosier Baseball League of Northwest Indiana 18+

Munster Braves 17, White Sox 0

Top row L-R: Donny Zolper, Josh Schenko, Adam Noel, Ryan Skaggs, Jason Helbling, Elliott Gibbs, Mike Manns, Troy Vesling, Brian Adreshak Bottom L-R: Joe Stanisz, Rudy Ortiz, Dave Noel, Brian Hayes, Joe Ramirez

Submitted by Rudy Ortiz, Munster Braves

The Hoosier State Series is a best of three championship match-up that concludes the Hoosier Baseball League of Northwest Indiana season. Game one was a 6-4 victory for the Munster Braves over the rival White Sox. The Braves were led by two-time Munster Braves ”Pitcher of the Year” Mike Manns. The Braves scored first on a first inning double to the right field wall by Elliott Gibbs then tacked on one more in the bottom of the second on a Dave Noel double to deep right. In the top of third the White Sox had the bases loaded on two walks and a bunt single with starting pitcher Clark Sterley at the plate. Sterley punched a two-run single over the shortstop and the game was tied. Manns was able to strike out the following batter to get out of the jam. In the top of fifth inning the White Sox threatened again. Roberto Martinez reached on an error and two runs followed after a misplayed ball in center field. The White Sox were up 4-2 going into the bottom of fifth. With one out, Jason ”My Addidas” Helbling smacked a double to the right field pole and scored on a Ryan Skaggs single. The tying run scored as Brian Hayes scored on a wild pitch after an infield single. Mike Manns delivered the eventual game winning run by knocking in Ryan Skaggs with a single to center. The Braves tacked on one more in the bottom half of the sixth. Mike Manns pitched six innings, walking a season high four batters, and plunked two, allowing four runs, two of them earned, while striking out 10. Elliott Gibbs came in to relieve and recorded the save, striking out the side.

Game two: 17-0 Braves

Two-time LEAGUE MVP Jason Helbling took the mound in game two of the series and was brilliant, pitching a three-hit complete game victory helping the Braves to their seventh HBL Championship title. Helbling struck out eight and walked just two. Helbling ( 2-5, HR, 2B , 4 RBI) also cracked a two-run homer, much to the disbelief of Ryan Sickles, in the first inning which would eventually be the game winning RBI. Troy Vesling was 4-4 with a walk. Josh Schenko and Brian Andreshak were both 2-2. Brian Hayes was 2-2 with two doubles.