2020 45+ Cactus

Puget Sound Twins 7, San Diego Diamond Dogs 2

‘Gibson Takes Charge During Championship Week’

Submitted by Tom Evans Krause, Twins General Manager

The Puget Sound Twins won their first-ever 45 & Over MSBL Cactus Division title in 2020 with a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Diamond Dogs.  The Twins had defeated the Diamond Dogs earlier in the week during the Round Robin 9-5 in 10 innings, so the re-match was expected to be anybody’s game to win.

As predicted, the championship contest was very tight, with the Twins holding a slight 3-2 advantage after five innings.  The Twins were able to push across two runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and another run in the bottom of the eighth, while holding the Diamond Dogs scoreless over the final four frames to secure the victory.

Alan Gibson was masterful on the mound in picking up the win for the Twins giving up a mere two hits over six innings.  Gibson finished the week with a 0.60 ERA over 15 innings of work on the hill.  Marco Barragan earned the save in the title game with three quality innings to finish the contest, giving up one hit and only facing the minimum of nine batters.

Offensive stars for the Twins in the big game include Anthony Arenz who went 3-4 with a double, one run and two stolen bases, Nate Binz, 2-4 with two runs scored, Joe Townsend, 2-4 with one RBI and one run, and Scott Miller, 1-3 and one RBI.  Calvin Clements went 1-4 and also knocked in a run.

While the Twins outscored their opponents during an 8-1 run 79-43, defense and pitching were the hallmarks of the Twins success. The team compiled a 3.45 ERA thanks in particular to the efforts of Gibson, Barragan, Bob Larson, who pitched a complete game 6-0 shutout in the semi-final versus the Austin A’s, Scott Miller and John Daly.