2017 NOVA Yankees Top Warriors to Capture 25+/22+ Crown in DC MSBL
DC MSBL, 25+/22+ Division
NOVA Yankees 6, Northern Virginia Warriors 3
‘Lefty Drummond Silences Warriors Bats in Title Game’
Submitted by Bill Kirkendale, Yankees manager
The NOVA Yankees retained their 25+/22+ DC MSBL crown August 5th, with a thrilling come from behind six run sixth inning in the best of three rubber match, to hold off the surging Northern Virginia Warriors 6-3.
The Warriors had won nine of their previous ten games including their quarter and semi-final playoff games prior to meeting the Yankees in the final set.
The Yankees took game one 7-3 on August 3rd at Waters Field in Vienna, Virginia behind the awesome pitching performances of Craig Misiewicz and Brad Williams. The two combined to allow just three runs and a handful of hits over nine innings. Misiewicz and Williams also had big nights at the plate going 4 for 4, and 3 for 4 respectively with three doubles between them. Mike Carney and Colin Meagher’s base hits were responsible for a couple of key runs. Just as big of a story for the Yankees in game one was their defense. Danny Batista and Dennis Basich vacuumed up the left side, turning three double plays with second baseman Mike Battista and first baseman Nick Martino.
Game two went to the Warriors, as their bats lit up in the fifth inning to take a 7-1 lead and final score.
Game three brought another defensive gem for the Yankees as outfielders Pat Dierkes, Micah Gregory, and Mike Carney reigned in just about everything that came their way. Aside from a 3-run Warriors third, lefty Mike Drummond dominated opposing hitters in every other inning for a complete game.
I have been in the MSBL for 26 years but was happy to hold down the fort behind the dish, filling in for the Yankees season-long iron man Colin Meagher, who was out with a pulled hammy. Fueled by the bats of Pat Dierkes, Nick Martino, Dennis Basich, and Cesar Ruiz, the Yankee 6-run rally in the sixth would be all Drummond would need to close the game out and for the Yankees to hoist their second trophy in a row!