2021 50+ National
San Antonio Bombers 8, Diamond Dream Mustangs 7
‘Clemens Cops MVP Honors with Stellar Mound Duty‘
Submitted by Jack Held, Bomber’s manager
The 50 National San Antonio Bombers finished pool play desperately needing a game six win to advance to the playoffs. Pitcher Dan Clemens pitched a great game to get us into the playoffs, backed by a much-needed offensive outburst.
The Bomber’s run to the championship was a total team effort both offensively and defensively. By the end of pool play, the Cinderella Bombers had begun to jell and the playoff pitching rotation was set.
Our semi-final game against the very talented OC Sox was an outstandingly played game by both teams. The Bombers eked out a hard-fought 4-2 win, backed by timely hitting from Kim Fuerniss, Mike Smith, Sean Miller, and Eddie Calzoncit. Starter Joe Whitmer pitched 6 1/3 brilliant innings and Dan Clemens finished the last tough 2 2/3 innings, after pitching eight innings the previous day.
The championship 50 National game at Goodyear Stadium was against the experienced Diamond Dream Mustangs, the Bombers won a hard-fought game 8-7.
The Bombers jumped out to a 7-1 lead, but the Mustangs scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 7-4 game. Sean Miller pitched three solid innings as Will McSweeney came into relieve Sean and did a commendable job limiting a bases-loaded, no-out situation to minimal damage. The Bombers pushed across a run in the sixth inning on a leadoff triple from JR Broils, which proved to be the winning run. McSweeney had an outstanding pitching performance into the ninth when Dan Clemens came in to preserve the 8-7 win. The Mustangs had the tying run at third base and the winning run at second base with two outs, but Clemens seduced a ground-out to second base to end the game.
Some great defensive plays throughout the game help keep the Mustang scoring down. A defensive gem from center fielder Mike Smith who ran down a line shot into the left-centerfield gap and two from third baseman Eddie Calzoncit were instrumental in the win. Eddie had a Marucci ‘Play of the Game’ when he went down the left-field line to catch a foul ball as he fell into the first row of seats. His other gem was a diving stop of a ground ball in the 5-6 hole to prevent a run from scoring.
The Bombers were led in hitting by Marvin Oliver’s four hits, Kim Fuerniss’ three hits, and two each from Mike Smith, Mike Kalfopoulos, and JR Broils.
Tournament MVP pitcher Dan Clemens pitched in the Bomber’s final three games, securing one win and saves in both semi-final and championship games.
It was truly a pleasure managing the 50 San Antonio Bomber team, as we played together as a team from game one with no egos and no selfishness. It was an awesome week as we had numerous guys win their first National Championship Ring.
