2021 Epic Bombers Top Off Perfect Season in Southern Wisconsin MABL 17+ Division
Southern Wisconsin MABL, 17+ Division
Epic Bombers 4, Buckinghams 1
‘Bombers Cap Off First Perfect Season in 13-year Team History’
Submitted by Chris Jackson, Epic Bombers assistant manager
The Epic Bombers capped off a perfect 12-0 season with a 4-1 win in the MABL of Southern Wisconsin 17+ Division championship game on a balmy late summer evening in Madison. In knocking off long-time rivals, Buckinghams, the Bombers achieved their first perfect season in the 13-year history of the ballclub. It is their third 17+ championship in the last 4 seasons. Buckinghams finished the season at 7-5.
The scoring started in the bottom of the first when leadoff sparkplug Stephen Palo singled, stole a base, and scored on slugger Jared Booth’s double. In the third, Bomber veteran and manager Aaron Heerhold singled and came around to score on a Palo double. The Bombers added their third run in the fourth when Booth singled, stole second and third, and scored on rookie Karson Krueger’s sac fly.
Buckinghams got on the board in the sixth when leadoff man Kasey Kuchenbecker notched his second hit of the night, eventually stealing third and scoring on a single by Tony Everard. The Bombers answered in their half of the sixth when Palo doubled again, stealing third and scoring on a passed ball to make the score 4-1 where it would stay as Booth struck out the side in the seventh inning to seal the championship victory.
Booth earned the save in relief of Bomber ace Kon Kalnajs who earned the win, striking out 6 in 4.1 scoreless innings, scattering three hits, and walking three. Booth struck out five in 2.2 innings.
As a team, the Bombers averaged .379 on the season with an incredible .480 OBP. Booth and Palo led the team with .522 and .517 averages respectively. They each stole eight bases on the season. Bryan Roberts led the team with eight extra-base hits including three triples. Booth and catcher Wayne Pfahler both had four triples on the season. Pfahler paced the team with 11 RBIs. Kalnajs and Booth struck out just shy of two batters per inning this season while Kevin Kadunc led the team with a 0.56 ERA over 16 innings.