2015 Braves Regroup and Cop Repeat in West Metro Atlanta

West Metro Atlanta Midweek 45+ Division

Braves 8, Knights 4

‘Kosek Helps Claim Repeat with Mound Gems’

Contributed by Dale Malik, Braves manager

I have to admit that this was one of the most difficult seasons for a team attempting to defend their championship. Injuries, including mine, and player moves throughout the season hampered our ability to put nine players on the field and have any sense of consistency as we finished 7-6-1 and tied for second with our worst record since the team formed seven years ago. Had it not been for the mid-season pick up of Mike Roberson and the return of some players from the DL, we could have easily finished under 500.

The Braves started the season off well by beating the Knights for the first time ever, 13-6, picking up from where we left off last year. It looked like a repeat was not too far in the offing as we stayed in first place for the first six weeks of the season, until the DL took its fair share of three key players, one of which would be out for the season. A rematch late in the season with the Knights proved to be a test of the team’s character and ability to rebuild heading toward the playoffs. With our top pitcher unavailable, and some players returning from the DL, we put up a good fight, but succumbed to the Knights in the late innings, losing 11-6 in the rematch.

Entering the playoffs, the Braves would be the third seed due to our tie with the Cubs, whom we had not beaten during the season. We would have no bye and have to win three games to make a repeat become true. In the first round against the Giants, the team showed how it could put it all together and set the momentum for the playoffs. Coasting to a 17-2 win in six innings, behind a Rick Kosek gem, the team pounded out 10 doubles and two triples on their way to an early surrender.

Next we would face the Cubs, a vastly improved team that had beaten every team in the league and given the Braves tough games each time. Without Rick Kosek, a three-man rotation held the Cubs to five runs while pounding out another 13 runs to move to the championship game three days later.

The Braves were only able to dress 11 players and would be without two of our key players in the finale. Rick Kosek would need to pitch one of the best complete games he has ever thrown against a formidable Knights line up, stacked with quality batters and a bench of nine players. Giving up only two earned runs, Kosek held the Knights to their lowest total of the season, while striking out seven. Except for one inning, the Braves supported Rick by running down deep fly balls and scooping grounders to shut down any thought of a rally. The game was nip and tuck for the first five innings as the teams stayed close while the Braves built a 5-3 lead behind the 3 for 4 hitting of both lead-off man Mike Rafter and Tate Pugh in the clean-up spot.

The Braves pulled away to lead 8-4 by the end of seven, then Rick Kosek turned it on and got the next six consecutive outs to seal the game. In the end the Braves out-scored their opponents 38-11 in the playoffs with an ERA under 2.75. Quite a turnaround for a season that was nearly lost!