2017 Round Lake Pirates Claim First Title in Fox Valley (IL) MABL 18+

Fox Valley (IL) MABL 18+

Round Lake Pirates 15, McHenry Rough Riders 3

‘Hanson and Rohe Lead the Pirates on the Bump’

Submitted by Javier Carrillo, Pirates manager

In the Round Lake Pirates first year in the Fox Valley 18+ Division, we finished the regular season 11-4 and the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Led by an imposing four man pitching rotation and a power hitting lineup the Pirates swept past the Johnsburg Tigers in the semifinals by scores of 3-1 and 4-3.

The Championship Series featured the Pirates against the McHenry Rough Riders. In Game one, Eric Rohe was dominant allowing only one run and striking out 13 in a complete game victory. The offense was quiet until the top of the ninth inning when Joey “Oppy Joe” Aiello hit a 2-run opposite field single to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead and Mike “Washinator” Wasche hit a tape measure 2-run home run later in the inning to add some insurance leading the Pirates to a 5-1 victory and 1-0 series lead.

Game two was started by Pirates veteran Ace Doug Hanson, who had his best year as a Pirate yet. He was masterful in six shutout innings while the Pirates put on a hitting display with Mike D’Angelo and again Mike Wasche hitting home runs in a 15-3 rout giving the Pirates the series sweep and championship. This was Pirates eighth overall league title and first in the Fox Valley.