2018 Red Braves are the West Metro Atlanta 45+ Champions

West Metro Atlanta, 45+ Division

Red Braves 6, Smyrna Cardinals 0

‘Novis Shutout Secures Championship’

Submitted by Wes Wilson, Red Braves manager

The West Metro Atlanta MSBL (WMAMSBL) crowned a new champion, the Red Braves, in the 45+ Division. Playing a split 35+/45+ the Red Braves finished the regular season with a respectable 6-5-1 record. The Red Braves had been competing in the 35+ division in previous seasons, but with an average age over 50 it was time for the team to move to the elder division for the playoffs.

In the semi-final game the Red Braves defeated the 715 Braves 13-3, racking up 13 hits from nine different players

and runs from eight different players. Troy Hodges came up big with two doubles and two runs scored. Scottie Bryan, Brian Rusch, and Wes Wilson, all former Etowah High School teammates, all scored two runs, bringing back memories of glory days. Pitching was also a team effort, with Hodges and Matt Novis combining to scatter four hits and three runs.

In the final game the Red Braves defeated the Smyrna Cardinals 6-0, behind a masterful complete game shutout pitching performance by Matt Novis. Novis scattered five hits while allowing only one walk, with eight strikeouts. Catcher Phil Balzer quelled a first inning rally, throwing out a base stealer at second for the second out. Novis never allowed a runner to get to third base with error free defense behind him. Denis O’Hayer started off a four-run rally in the third inning to give the Red Braves a five run lead, and they would never look back. Leadoff hitter and former Atlanta Falcon, Brian Finneran, had a 3-4 day with a couple of stolen bases and a run scored. Novis helped himself out with a triple, two RBIs, and two runs scored, securing ‘Player of the Game’ honors.

Third year Manager Wes Wilson said, “This season was a ton of fun. Everyone on the team contributed, and we really played some good fun baseball. We had a blast competing against a bunch of great guys in our league. This season was all about team… guys that have all become good friends on and off the field. They truly were a joy to manage and play with.”