2021 50+ National
San Antonio Bombers 8, Diamond Dream Mustangs 7
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‘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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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