2019 Mudcats Outscore D’Backs 25-9 in Best of Three Championship Series in Lehigh Valley 40+ Division

Lehigh Valley MSBL, 40+ Division

Mudcats 13, Diamondbacks 1 (Game three)

‘Miller and Lebron Dominate D’Backs on the Bump’

The Lehigh Valley Mudcats historic run to division and playoff champions in the Lehigh Valley MSBL was a total team effort. After first year player/manager Keith Hawk took over, he assembled a solid team of players with an average age of 45 years old. The Mudcats won the Lehigh Valley MSBL 40+ division and playoffs led by strong pitching, solid defense, and power hitting.

Chad Arnold was named division pitcher of the year and led the Mudcats throughout the year going undefeated, besting five of the 25+ division teams, until losing his first game in game one of the playoffs against the 40+ Diamondbacks. The Mudcats final record of 16-4 included beating some of the top 25+ division teams with players much younger than them and more experienced.

After losing game one of the best of three playoffs series by a score of 7-2, the Mudcats settled down and took the next two games by scores of 9-0 and 14-2 respectively. Game two was a dominating shutout by first year Mudcat pitcher Chris Miller, giving up only three hits in seven innings. Game three was another dominating performance on the bump by veteran shortstop/pitcher Julio Lebron, as he gave up only six hits and two runs. Other notable Mudcats contributing in the championship game were Chris Wright (2 for 3 and 3 RBI), Eric Pieczynski, Luis Vasquez, Manny Mencia, Tito Fuentes and Carlos Cotto each with two hits and an RBI.

Julio Lebron pitched a one hit one run game to clinch the title.