2014 White Sox Claim ‘Five-Peat’ Title Run in Chesapeake 45+
Chesapeake MSBL 45+ Division
White Sox 4, Tigers 3
Left to Right: Pat Overton, Jeff Wolf, John Goode, Frank Raska, Frank Carter, Paul Whitlock, Ron Ebelein, Jeff Pate, Steve Crawford, Duane Cordrey, Wayne Vance, Gerry Shay, Kevin Williams, Rich Mannion, Steve Hoffmann, Jason Cooper, Jamey Lee, Dub Daniels, Clayton Belcher, Shannon O’Brien (Team Scorekeeper)
Submitted by Duane Cordrey, League President
The Chesapeake White Sox wrapped up the 2014 Chesapeake MSBL season by claiming the team’s fifth consecutive regular season and post season championship. The Chesapeake White Sox compiled a regular season record of 20 – 3 under the leadership of first year team manager, Ron Ebelein. The team’s three losses came against younger players in crossover games against 35+ teams in which the team went 5-3 in cross divisional play.
The team’s pitching staff was led by the Chesapeake MSBL 45+ Division Pitcher of the Year, Steve Hoffmann. The pitching staff of Hoffmann, Wayne Vance, Ron Ebelein, Jeff Wolf, and Jeff Pate was supported by a solid team defense which limited opponents to a total of 101 runs during the regular season. The offense was led by the Chesapeake MSBL 45+ Division Most Valuable Player, Frank Raska. Outstanding offensive numbers were put up by Raska, Vance, Ebelein, Wolf, Pate, Steve Crawford, Gerry Shay, and Duane Cordrey leading to a total of 263 runs produced during the regular season.The team’s offense had 12 of their 20 players hit over .400 for the season.
The White Sox swept through the post-season playoffs by defeating the Chesapeake Cardinals 12 -10 in the quarter final game and pulling out a close 2 -1 victory against the Chesapeake Blue Claws in the semi-final game. The Chesapeake White Sox clinched their 5thconsecutive 45+ Division Championship with a walk off base hit by Gerry Shay in the bottom of the 9th with two outs of the championship game to defeat the Chesapeake Tigers, 4 – 3.