2021 Orioles Sweep Angels to Capture 22+ American Division Crown in Chesapeake MSBL
Chesapeake MSBL, 22+ American Division
Chesapeake Orioles 9, Angels 8 (Game two in best of three championship series sweep)
The Chesapeake Orioles, led by co-managers Adam Clement and David Kosc, who just completed 23 years of playing baseball together, captured their second championship in three years with a two-game sweep of the Angels in the best of three championship series in the 22+ American Division of the Chesapeake MSBL. Game two saw a dramatic comeback with the Orioles walking off the championship on a bases-clearing triple by Team MVP Jay Patti. The Orioles battled back from 8-2 scoring four runs in the eighth to make it 8-6. With the bases loaded and two outs, Patti smashed the ball into the right-center gap scoring all three runs to win it, 9-8.
The first game saw the Orioles battle back from a 4-2 deficit to tie the score in the eighth on a two-run single by Tim Biggs. In the top of the ninth, Abel Arocho cracked a one-out double. With two outs he advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. The orioles would tack on three more that inning to win 8-4.
The championship wasn’t the only comeback win for the Orioles. They headed into the playoffs as the #2 seed with a 14-6 record and securing a first-round bye in the double-elimination playoff. In their first game against the Patriots, the comeback kids erased deficits of 6-2 and 8-7 to force extra innings. After the Patriots scored a run in the top of the 10th, the O’s loaded the bases with two outs, and second baseman Justin Benjamin had an at-bat for the ages fouling off pitch after pitch until he found the one he liked, crushing a walk-off double.
The Orioles were led offensively by Silver Slugger Adam Roby who hit .472 on the season, as well as Patti. Newcomers Jordan Schmeer and Abel Arocho added some thump to an already potent lineup. 2021 Gold Glove winner Justin Benjamin continues to be a staple at the keystone position. Mick Myers was an iron man behind the dish and at 47 years old led the team with five home runs. The Orioles smashed 18 home runs with six members going deep. JJ Lucido (4), Patti (3), Rhett Teller, Austen Brandt, and Roby (2).
The pitching staff was anchored by starters Mike Largent, Ryan Kinter, and Jackson Slotterback. Jordan Schmeer, who also played shortstop, threw plenty of crucial innings in relief down the stretch. Closer and 2021 Cy Young winner Sander Beck locked down the back end allowing one run in 15 innings for a sparkling .60 ERA. Out of the 45 outs he recorded, 34 of them were via the strikeout!
We have not only a great team but a great group of guys who all contribute to our success! A special shoutout to JJ Lucido who after three seasons on the team is moving on to big things. He moved to Rhode Island to be a lawyer after recently passing the bar exam!
We look to defend our title in 2022! #savages GO ORIOLES!