2016 Storm Thunders Its Way to 35+ Crown in Red River (LA)

Red River Adult Baseball League (LA), 35+ Division

Shreveport Storm 5, Bossier City Rats 4

‘Storm Holds On for One Run Victory’

Submitted by David Pratt, Red River President

The Shreveport Storm concluded a successful 2016 season by capturing the 35+ RRABL Series title after already earning the regular season championship as well. The Storm finished its season with an 11-1 record, but that didn’t mean it was easy.

The Minden Redbirds put up a fight in the opening round of the playoffs, and the Storm pulled away late to earn the 11-8 win and a spot in the finals against the Bossier City Rats. The Rats clawed their way to the final with a 6-5 victory over the El Dorado Red Sox. Trailing 5-0, the Red Sox rallied for five of their own in the top of the final inning to tie the game. The Rats then loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame and Paul Levesque’s clutch hit drove in the winning run.

The Storm and Rats squared off in the title game for the second consecutive season, but this time the Storm would prevail in dramatic fashion. Lance Webb’s bases clearing double in the fourth inning staked the Storm to a 4-0 lead. Shreveport added an insurance run in the fifth, which proved to be crucial. Bossier City plated four runs in the sixth frame to pull within one and loaded the bases with one out in the ninth with a chance to tie or win. Storm pitcher Brandon Goswick induced a ground ball to second base, which began a 4-6-3 double play to end the game, and preserved the 5-4 win. Starting pitcher Zac Pringle was named MVP after going 6-0 on the season with a 1.80 ERA. The right-hander fanned 29 in 30 innings of work and added a .333 batting average at the plate.