2021 Rangers Win ‘Back to Back’ to Celebrate 55+ Title at Milwaukee-Rock League

Milwaukee-Rock League, 55+ Division

Milwaukee Rangers 8, Lugnuts 2 (Game two of best of three series sweep)

‘Rangers go ‘Back to Back’ for 2021 Title’

The Milwaukee Rangers won the 2021 league and playoff championship in the 55+ Division in the Rock Baseball League at the Rock Complex in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Rangers went 15-1 in the regular-season schedule, losing their lone game to the rival Lugnuts by a score of 5-4.  As the number 1 seed, the Rangers went right to the semifinal game beating the Racine Blues 17-7. John Arnold pitched eight innings, giving up one run with five strikeouts for the win. Jack Barron had four hits, while Marvin Oliver, Mickey Pruefer, and Terry Teske all had three hits.

In game one of the two out of three championship series, the Rangers beat the second-seeded Lugnuts by the score of 10-2. Tom Klawitter, the former Minnesota Twin, pitched the complete-game victory, allowing two earned runs with eight strikeouts. Matt Sanfelippo led the offense with three hits, two runs, and two RBI.

 In the second championship game, the Rangers prevailed in 10 innings versus former Milwaukee Brewer’s pitcher Don August. The game was tied 0-0 in the top of the seventh inning when Ranger Terry Teske laid down a suicide squeeze bunt scoring Mike Drilling from third base and Marvin Oliver from second base when August threw wild to first. With the Rangers holding a 2-run lead, the Lugnuts scored a run in the bottom of the seventh and a run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game 2-2.

In the top of the 10th inning, the Rangers scored six runs on two walks, a sac bunt, and four singles. Mike Drilling had three hits, while Marvin Oliver and Wes Thomas had two hits each to lead the offense. John Arnold pitched four scoreless innings and Matt Sanfelippo pitched the final six innings allowing only two runs with six strikeouts to get the win. It was the 55+ Ranger’s second championship in a row.