2017 White Sox Claim Crown in New Mexico MABL

New Mexico MABL

White Sox 6, Cyclones 5

‘Collier Hero at the Plate and on the Bump’

Submitted by Bryan Thomason, White Sox manager

The New Mexico MABL 18+ Championship series, played on 9/25/17, between the fourth seeded White Sox and third seeded Cyclones was very competitive and hard fought by both teams. The Cyclones jumped out to early five run leads in both games, but the White Sox had already taken down the first seeded Albuquerque Dodgers and second Seeded Giants, so playing from behind again higher seeded teams was nothing new to this crew.

In Game one, a 5-run fourth by the Sox tied the game up, highlighted by back-to-back home runs by Brian Cavazos-Galvez and Patrick Gatewood. The Sox ultimately won 17-9, hitting four home runs in that game, including a 3-run shot by Denny McClain late to provide insurance runs. Nick Griego was the winning pitcher for the White Sox.

In game two the Sox went into the bottom of the ninth down by two but were able to scratch a couple across to tie it up. Winning pitcher Kevin Collier won it for the Sox in the tenth on a walk-off single. Collier was named series MVP after going 7 for 9 in the series as well as picking up the win.