2017 DBulls Outlast Mustangs in Extras to Capture 40+ B Title in Atlanta Area MSBL

Atlanta Area MSBL, 40+ B Division

DBulls 9, Mustangs 8 (eleven innings)

Front row Kneeing (L to R): Jason Bernardo, Todd Hoppmeyer, Justin Wyatt, Craig Francis, Mike Joiner. Back Row standing (L to R): Mitch Durham, Rick Kosek, Scott Muir, Mike Mulqueen, Duane Garner, Dave Smith. Missing: Alan Loper, Paul Pipkin, Mark Kriendler, Charles Zino, Ira Haber

‘Kosek Comes Up Big in Game Three’

By Todd Hoppmeyer, DBulls manager

In a best of three games series that saw the momentum swing many times and dramatic comebacks, the DBulls claimed the championship from the Mustangs of the 40+B Division of the AAMSBL. Two of the games were extra innings nail biters!

Game 1: Rick Kosek and Alan Loper combined on the mound to hold the Mustangs down. Along with key double plays by Scott Muir and Duane Garner the defense kept the DBulls in the game. Trialing in the bottom of the ninth, Todd Hoppmeyer got on base with two outs and a man on third, allowing the tying run to score and force extra innings. In the bottom of the 11^th, Jason Bernardo hit a 2-2 pitch for a game winning single to score Garner and 9-8 win.

Game 2: In the afternoon the Mustangs came back with a vengeance with big bats and a very good pitching performance from Stephen Grey, as the Mustangs hammered the DBulls 14-8 to take it to a deciding game three. Only bright spots for the DBulls was a long home run by Craig Francis and four hits by Garner.

Game 3: This game didn’t end like it started. Rick Kosek for the DBulls returned to the mound on short rest and gutted out the game to get the win in extra innings. After the first five innings, the DBulls trailed the Mustangs 8-1 and it looked like the Mustangs would be celebrating their first championship in the AAMSBL. But the DBulls would not go away or give up. With Kosek pitching and strong defense by Muir at shortstop, the Mustangs didn’t score after the fifth. The DBulls offense then went to work. On multiple hits in the late innings from Mike Mulqueen, Justin Wyatt, Mike Joiner, Mitch Durham, Hoppmeyer, Garner and Francis, the DBulls tied it up in the bottom of the ninth 8-8, just like the day before. Once again, in the bottom of the 11^th, Durham came up big with a double to left center that drove in Joiner for another 9-8 win and the championship. fThe DBulls finished the season 18-3.