2016 Cubs Squeak Past Dirtbags to Capture Cleveland MSBL Silver Division

Cleveland MSBL Silver Division

Cubs 4, Dirtbags 3

‘Group Effort on the Bump Secures Title for Cubs’

Submitted by Tony Martin, Cleveland MSBL

The Cleveland Cubs defeated the Dirtbags 4-3 in a nail biter in game three of a three game series in the Silver Division of the Cleveland MSBL.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning after starting pitcher Paul Herron was injured, the Cubs needed to stop the bleeding to give themselves a chance. To the mound stepped 58 year old Kip Zelenak. Kip would hold things steady for over five innings, long enough for the Cubs to take the lead on RBI double from Dale Rittwage, an RBI single by Jason Hillman, and a sacrifice fly by Vinny DiMarco. Josh Faltot, who finished the season with a 0.67 ERA in 27 inning pitched, and Dale Rittwage came in relief to finish out the game.

With two outs in the ninth inning the Dirtbags had the tying and winning runners on second and third before the final out of the game was recorded on a nice catch by Mark Hejl of a slinking blooper to left field.

Prior to the finals, Paul Herron started the playoff run by pitching a no-hitter in a victory over the Giants. After losing game one to the Dirtbags 3-1, the Cubs won the last two games in comeback fashion to win the Silver Trophy.

Veterans Pat Hayes (.571 Avg.), Larry McCain (.469 Avg, 30 Hits and 25 RBI and Josh Faltot (.435 Avg, 7 XBH) provided the offensive spark for the Cubs all season. Newcomers Dale Rittwage (.531 Avg, 7 doubles), Vinny Dimarco (2 HR, 15 RBI), Kevin Sasak (.391 Avg., 27 hits, 16 RBI) and Len Ward (.545 Avg) also had a strong season of contributions for the Cubs, who finished the year with a 16-4 record.