2014 White Sox Topple Braves in 25+ South Jersey Final
South Jersey MSBL 25+ Division
Glouchester Township White Sox 19, Barrington Braves 16
Submitted by John Capone, White Sox coach/player
The Gloucester Township Whitesox started off the 2014 South Jersey MSBL season against the 2013 South Jersey MSBL winner in the 25+ Division Cinnaminson Rangers. The game was a toss and tumble from the start with a close showing. In the end we added our first victory and began our season on the right track. Throughout the season we had some ups and downs. We had some injuries which plagued us throughout the season with several games being forfeited due to these situations. We marched on and ended our season with the best record in the 25+ Division with a 12-4 record.
The playoffs started with a win against the South Jersey Braves, winning the best of three and proceeding to the championship round against the Barrington Braves.The Barrington Braves have a stout group of good ballplayers with depth at pitching.In Game One we started Jason McDonnell on the bump, our number one and arguably the best pitcher in South Jersey MSBL. The outcome featured his tip-top performance with a two hit, 15 strikeout, one run, complete game win to capture Game One of the South Jersey MSBL 25+ Division best of three game series.On to Game two.
In Game Two it was a long and tiresome game which nearly took four and half hours to finish. The game featured thirty hits, thirty-five runs, and multiple game changes. Now to fast forward to the top of the ninth inning.We loaded the bases with one out and down by two runs. With timely and clutch hitting by several key players on our team this year ended this game in perfect fashion. We added six runs in the top of the ninth to take a 19-15 lead. We would not let up from there out. Our starting pitcher, who pitched the entire game, completed the game to much dismay. I must say, I was that starting pitcher and it was a true blessing to have completed the game for this group of guys who fought with every ounce of energy. To end the game there was a liner off the bat of the Barrington Braves hitter down the right field line that scored one run from second base. The batter tried to advance to second for a double but our right fielder, making a slide after the ball, popped up, turned, and threw a “seed” to our shortstop waiting to place the tag for the final out to capture the first South Jersey MSBL title for the Gloucester Township Whitesox! The game ended 19-16 and our hats off to the Barrington Braves!
The Gloucester Township Whitesox derived from the original Lindenwold Titans, where I first became a part of this team in 2009.This team has been involved in the South Jersey MSBL for several years prior to the 2009 season.We struggled some throughout, adding and replacing players, but one thing we always kept was our integrity to play hard at all times and win a championship for our skipper,Michael Williams.We did that this year and I am honored to say that I play with the best group of men that enjoy playing the game of baseball.
Our team mates are as follows: Michael Williams, John Capone, Dennis Van Etten, Billy Colbert, Colin Linneman, John Murray, Jason McDonnell, Michael Gibbons, Jim Shields, Jeff Pilling, Michael LiBucki, John Eddis, Sean Unitis, Harry Thomas, Chris Henderson, and Matt Schaffer. Our hats off to the rest of our league and to the MSBL community for giving me this opportunity to showcase our team in our accomplishments, special thanks to Lou Marshall and Neil Hourahan for all they do for our league. The next season is just around the corner, start your preparations, conditioning, and training early. Thanks again to the MSBL community, Steve Sigler and Steve LaMontia, and Good Luck in 2015!