2016 70+ American

St. Paul Saints 9, San Antonio Broncos 3

‘Alt Complete Game Closes Door on Broncos Title Hopes’

By Cory Kamerschak, special to MSBL National

October 22, 2016, Tempe Auxiliary #1 – It was a championship match-up between the Broncos and the Saints, but probably not the one you might be thinking of. These Broncos aren’t from Denver and these Saints aren’t being led by Drew Brees.

The St. Paul Saints defeated the San Antonio Broncos 9-3 to win the championship of the Mens Senior Baseball League World Series 70+ American Division. They did so with generous run support and a masterful pitching performance from their tournament MVP, Al Alt.

Alt, who recently turned 70, pitched in five out of the seven games of the tournament and was called upon to start the championship game. He showed no signs of fatigue, only allowing six hits on his way to pitching a complete game for the Saints.

“I wanted it, I was feeling good, my arm was feeling good,”Alt said. “Today I was pumped up.”

Just a month prior to the tournament, Alt injured his deltoid muscle and was unable to throw at all. He was happy to be able to come through for his team but noted that he needed to give someone else some credit.

“Unbelievable what physical therapy can do for you,” Alt said. “I’m gonna go back and hug my physical therapist.”

The Saints gave Alt some run support early on with a first inning RBI single by Dave Weber and then scored two more in the second with an RBI single by Mike Rasmussen and a sacrifice fly by Gary Nielson.

Although the Saints would never trail in this game, they broke the scoring open in the fourth inning scoring three more runs. Colin Quinngot a key hit and then was brought home by an RBI double from Rasmussen. Weber added another RBI single and was eventually brought in by a sacrifice fly.

The Broncos would score three runs late in the game, mounting a small comeback, but it would not be enough as the damage had already been done.

The Saints manager, Pat Thompson, felt that it was special they could win the whole thing with the group of guys that they had.

“It’s just thrilling, this is our first 70s tournament so we didn’t know what we were gonna have,” Thompson said. “Everyone on the team contributed, even if it was in a small way.”

Thrilling indeed as the St. Paul Saints came marching into Tempe and left as champions.