2017 Roughriders Capture First Spring/Summer Title in Brooklyn/Queens MABL

Brooklyn/Queens MABL

Roughriders 6, Mud Hens 2

‘Monserrate Plucks the Hens with Five-Hitter’

Submitted by Manuel Agosto

On Aug. 27, the Roughriders put the finishing touches on a splendid season, sweeping the NYC Mud Hens in a best-of-three series to win the 2017 MABL NYC Spring/Summer Championship. With the win, the Riders become just the second team in MABL history to hoist the trophy, adding their title run to the three-consecutive championship campaigns by the Corona Rockies from 2014-16.

In Game one, the Riders overcame an early 4-0 deficit, thanks in part to a clutch three-run homer from DH Cecil Niles, and rode a five-run fourth inning to a 6-4 win. They kept the momentum heading into Game two, topping the Hens 6-2 behind a terrific performance from southpaw Julian Monserrate, who tallied eight strikeouts and allowed just five hits on the day.

The sweep capped off a perfect postseason run for the Riders, who won six straight games to capture their first-ever Spring/Summer title. The squad finished the regular season with a 23-6-1record, and then went on to best the Blue Jays, Bats and the Hens to win the title.