2021 Glenville Bombers ‘Repeat’ in 18+ Division of Capital District (NY) MSBL
Glenville Bombers 6, Ducks 3 (Series final game four)
Submitted by Rick DiJohn, Bombers manager
The Glenville Bombers have defeated the Ducks three games to one to win their second championship in a row. This was a rematch of the 2020 championship, which went the full five games in the best of five series.
Game one: In game one, the # 3 seed Bombers would start Sean Conroy, while the #1 seed Ducks would start Leo Primeau. The Bombers jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. Greg Jette crushed a bases load double bringing in three runs. Zach Agan would add a 2-RBI hit. Matt Simoni would come in for the Ducks and would only give up one run the rest of the game. The Ducks started to chip away and were putting together a comeback later in the game as Patrick McGuire came in for relief for the Bombers. Patrick was able to get a key double-play and would go on to close out the game and get the save. The Bombers held on to win 7-4.
Game two: In game two the Ducks would look to bounce back and started John Mancini while the Bombers turned to Brian Conroy, who had no-hit the Ducks in a 2-0 regular-season win, which was one of only two regular-season losses for the Ducks. Brian was just as effective as he was that day, and this time he would 3-hit the Ducks. Mancini was also very effective, only allowing one run on a passed ball when Justin Pangburn scored after he led off the inning with a double.
Game two was filled with great pitching, and exceptional defense, where players on both sides kept making web gems to keep the game close. Patrick McGuire made an impossible catch late in the game to keep it a 1-0 game, while the Ducks outfield made numerous diving catches to keep them in it. John Ripepi also made a full-extension diving catch on a line drive to prevent a run from scoring. The game would end 1-0, in a game where the pitching and ‘D’ were dominant on both sides.
Game three: The Ducks offense would finally break out in game three, where they would jump out to an early lead against Bombers rookie pitcher Patrick McGuire. Casey Schoonmaker blasted a 2-run home run in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. Ducks rookie pitcher Zach Eldred would shut out the Bombers the rest of the way. Andrew Wildrick threw the rest of the way for the Bombers, allowing only two runs. But the damage was already done, and the Bombers offense could not get anything going. The final would be 7-0 Ducks. John Ripepi had a double and single, and winning pitcher Zach Eldred helped himself with two doubles.
Game four: The Bombers looked to get back on track and sent game one winner Sean Conroy back to the hill for game four, as Ducks would turn to lead Cy Young favorite Dan Jones to keep the series going. The Bombers got to Jones early, with numerous hits in the first inning including a Zach Agan blast off the top of the wall. The Bombers would add a few more runs late. Justin Pangburn finished the day with three hits, three runs, and four stolen bases, which was a huge factor in the Bomber’s victory.
The Bombers ended up winning game four 6-3, and won their second championship in a row! For the Ducks, John Ripepi ended up with two doubles, while Casey Schoonmaker had a double and a single. Sean Conroy continued his tradition of being an incredible post-season pitcher. In 2020 he pitched in games 3, 4, and 5 of the championship to lock down the Bomber’s first championship for the Bombers. This year, he pitched in games one and four, getting the wins in both games.
While Sean was championship MVP last year for his performance, and this year almost matched that, the clear-cut MVP was Bomber’s third baseman Zach Agan, who went on a tear in the playoffs, going 10-14 with three doubles and five RBIs. Agan was 8-12 versus the Ducks in the championship. Zach was as hot as any player has ever been in the playoffs and championship, and led the Bombers to their second trophy! He also was phenomenal on defense all year and especially in the playoffs.