2017 Macomb Tigers Sweep A’s to Claim St. Clair Shores (MI) MABL Crown
St. Clair Shores (MI) MABL
Macomb Tigers 11, Macomb A’s 9
Back Row L-R: Mike Baker, Andrew Somes, Mike VanBrienen, Pete Smith, Mike Wethy Sr., Trevor Haas, Manny Carter, Jon Van Son, Chris Baroli. Front Row L-R: Nick Fasseel, Rich Cleve, Matt Sherock, Mike Wethy Jr., Kevin Warner, Brady King, Matt Sterling. Not Pictured: Andy Bryant, Mark Cieslak, Dave Combest, Vince Misiewicz, Keith Opalach, Sean Moran
‘Haas Earns MVP Honors’
Submitted by Mike Baker, Tigers manager
The Macomb Tigers won their first Championship Series after a great regular season. In a season with great parity across the league, the Tigers were led by Mark Cieslak (.483), Pete Smith (.431, 19 RBI, RBI Title, Regular Season MVP), Trevor Haas (.413, CY) and Jon Van Son (.350, GG) on their way to their third straight Harper Division title. Hass, Mike VanBrienen, Vince Misiewicz, Dave Combest and Rich Cleveall provided strong innings on the mound throughout the season.
After capturing the Division Title, the Tigers fought their way past the Michigan Marlins in the Harper Division Championship Series, taking the series three games to two to earn the honor to take on the Jefferson Division Champion Macomb A’s,led by Manager Terry Kinsch, David Kinsch (.477, SS) and Adam Dechamplain (.382) in the Championship Series.
Despite the Tigers sweeping the series, each game came down to the wire. In game one the Tigers marched out to a quick lead only to see the A’s come back late before the Tigers took control and earned an 8-4 win for starting pitcher Trevor Haas. Game two seemingly picked up right where game one left off with the Tigers getting an early lead only to see the A’s fight back late. The Tigers fought on and won 11-9, securing the win on an outstanding game ending catch by center fielder Haas with the tying run on second base.
The series clinching win seemed to sum up the series. Leading by seven runs in the bottom
of the seventh the Tigers seemed to be on cruise control until the A’s bats came alive and tied the game, scoring seven runs to force extra innings. With runners on second and third and the series in their grasp, Andrew Somes came through in the top of the eighth with the go-ahead RBI on a single to right that turned out to be the series clincher. Haas shut down the A’s in the eighth to earn his second victory in the series as well as the Playoff MVP.
Kevin Warner was absolutely clutch during the playoffs (.561, 10 RBI), Smith continued his great season (.474) and not to be outdone, Manny Carter was a terror at the plate during the entire playoff run (.700).
The Macomb Tigers would like to thank the wives, family and friends that supported us throughout the season. We would also like to thank President Matt Sherock, Tom Mehl and Patti Denomme for all their hard work that makes our league possible. Also, a big thank you to the league’s dedicated umpires who do a terrific job and never seem to get enough credit.