2021 65+ Desert

Cal Vets 19, Seattle Mariners 4

 

Submitted by Don DeCordova                                  

After averaging more than 20 runs per game in the five round-robin games, the Cal Vets jumped out to an early lead in the 65+ Desert Division championship game by sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs in the first inning. 

The Cal Vets sent 10 more players to the plate in the second inning and scored another six runs.  The Cal Vets scored in five of the seven innings played en-route to their 15-run “mercy rule” victory.  The Seattle Mariners did not score a run until the fifth inning.

The Cal Vets starting pitcher, Gary Salhany, went six innings and gave up only two hits and one earned run.  He earned the win, which was his third of the week.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tony Cafazza tripled in the final Cal Vets run.  Tony had previously hit two inside-the-park home runs during the round-robin games.

Top hitters in the championship game included: John Derrer went 1/1 with two walks, two runs scored, and one rbi; Gary Rogowsky went 3/4 with two runs scored and one rbi; Gary Alexander went 2/3 with two runs scored and one rbi; Tony Cafazza went 3/5 with one run scored and three rbi; Ken Breyley went 1/3 with one run scored and three rbi; Jim Nice went 1/4 with two runs scored and three rbi.

Manager Ken Breyley named Gary Salhany the Cal Vet’s World Series MVP.  In addition to pitching his team to three victories (two as a starter and one as a reliever), Gary batted .667 with 10 runs scored and 13 rbi.

The Cal Vets Championship team is looking forward to moving up one division in the 2022 MSBL World Series!