2015 Red Sox Top Reds for Third Title in Four Years in Berks County (PA)

Berks County MSBL 28+ Division

Berkshire Red Sox 9, Reamstown reds 3

First row L-R: Eric Dreibelbis, Jeff Hair, Travis Fritz, Kyle Wenrich, Kevin Lengyel, Scott Emerich. Second Row L-R: Justin Reese, Mike Thompson, John Graczyk, Kevin Kantner, Leon Adams, Pete Jordan, Shawn Seidel. Not pictured: Tom Krick

‘Red Sox Cap Undefeated Season with Third Championship in Four Years’

Submitted by Kevin Kantner, Red Sox Manager/Player

The Berkshire Red Sox finished off an undefeated 20-0 season with their third league championship in the last four years (2012 & 2014) in the Berks County (PA) MSBL 28+ division. After having to replace seven players from their 2014 championship team, they played most of the season with just 14 roster players. Needless to say, they needed every player on the roster to accomplish this year’s perfect season and championship.

The Sox won 17 straight regular season games and went a perfect 3-0 in the playoff run scoring 18 runs and giving up nine. The regular season was not much different as they outscored their opponents 162-48.

Scott Emerich led the pitching staff during the regular season by going 8-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 51 K’s in 53 innings pitched. He threw an opening-day no-hitter and added another two 3-hitters during the regular season. He also delivered an opening round win in the playoffs. Kevin Lengyel also contributed with four wins during the regular season and another with a semi-final playoff game win.

Shawn Seidel (3-0), who was injured and had not pitched since week three of the season, returned to pitch a 3-hitter for the Sox in a 9-3 victory in the Championship game versus the Reamstown Reds (12-5 regular season / 2-2 in playoffs).

The Red Sox lead 7-0 after four innings, led by Leon Adams (4-4, 3 SB & 3 Runs), Justin Reese (3-4, 3B, 2 RBI) and Shawn Seidel (2-4, 3 RBI).

Justin Reese tripled in Leon Adams while Kevin Lengyel’s sacrifice fly brought home Reese in the first. Jeff Hair scored on Leon Adams single in the second. Adams then stole second and scored on Shawn Seidel’s single. After another stolen base, Reese singled home Seidel to make it 5-0 after two innings. Travis Fritz was hit by a pitch with one out and then stole second and went to third base on Leon Adams third hit. Adams stole second and Shawn Seidel’s single scored them both to go up 7-0. Berkshire’s final two runs came in the fifth inning to make it nine runs. Pete Jordan led off with a double and after moving to third with two outs, Jordan scored on Jeff Hair’s sacrifice fly. After Travis Fritz singled, Dreibelbis scored on Leon Adams fourth hit of the game.

For the Reds, Bo Keck took the loss. All three Reds runs came in the fifth inning. After Todd Adair lead off with a double, Bo Keck and Jerry Keith walked to load the bases and Mike Sensenig cleared the bases with a double.

Red Sox Manager/Player Kevin Kantner said, “We just completed a very special season with this Berkshire Red Sox team. To have an undefeated season is something I’ve never been part of or witnessed in my 40 years of playing baseball. These guys had to dig very deep some games, playing with a short roster, playing through injuries and guys missing time. We had some close games, two extra-inning games and a few others that we had to come from behind in the sixth or seventh innings. This is a credit to a great group of guys ranging from our late 20’s to our mid 40’s and still having a passion to play this game we all love!”

The Red Sox offense during the season was led by Shawn Seidel, Justin Reese and Kevin Lengyel. Seidel batted .457 (28/62), with 22 RBI’s, 20 Runs scored and six doubles, Reese hit .449 (22/49) with 22 RBI’s, 14 Runs scored, two homer runs and eight total extra base hits, and Lengyel batted .444 (20/45), with 21 RBI’s, 20 Runs scored, two round trippers and five doubles.