2017 Hudson Valley MSBL Champions Crowned

Submitted by Rick Stockfield, Hudson Valley MSBL President

18+ – Champions – New York Mariners (Dave Prince) – the Mariners (21-6). The Mariners won their 3rd consecutive HVMSBL championship in improbable fashion coming from the #3 seed to defeat the #1 seeded Westchester Diamondbacks in the finals and # 2 seeded Kent Cubs in the semi-finals in what was a rematch of last year’s championship series. In the last ten years, the Mariners have had a total of 25 losses. In 2017 with the league’s strength of schedule, the Mariners accumulated 5 regular season defeats alone. However, the M’s relied on timely hitting and solid pitching by Post Season MVP Marty Hand and stave off elimination.

35+ – Champions – Bridge City Athletics (Sven Jenkins) – The Athletics (21-2) in only their second year in existence have accumulated quite the resume, winning their second consecutive HVMSBL 35+ midweek championship. The HVMSBL may have top to bottom one of the strongest 35+ divisions nationally. The competition is sound and pitching through the league is amazing, led by Cy Young Award winner Jim Petrosino, the A’s blew through the double elimination postseason culminating in a defeat of 2015 champ Mariners. MVP Nick DeMarco lead a potent offense and MVP runner-up and manager Sven Jenkins led the way defensively as this team put it all together.

45+ Champions – New York Isotopes (Lee Carilli) – in its inaugural season the HVMSBL did not disappoint. By season’s end, the division has defined itself with staying power and looking to double in size in 2018. With that, the upstart and tournament bound New York Isotopes (13-1) took down the first 45+ HVMSBL Championship. Congrats Lee.