2021 Volkers Group Yankees Dominate Sox in 35+ Title Game of Terre Haute MSBL
Terre Haute MSBL, 35+ Division
Volkers Group Yankees 21, White Sox 3
‘Mahurin, Schulze, McLaren, Volkers, and Stephens Notch Three Hits Apiece’
On September 19, the Terre Haute MSBL 35 and over championship game was played. The #1 seed White Sox, after a dominant regular season, took on the defending champion Volkers Group Yankees. The Yankees rode a stellar pitching performance by star righty Matt McLaren, and a barrage of hot hitters to a 21-3 victory. It was the Yankee’s fourth title in the last six seasons (2016,2018,2020,2021).
The visitors on the scoreboard (Yankees) got the scoring started in the top of the third inning behind runs by their 1-2 hitters in the order, catcher Dale Mahurin and shortstop Brian Schulze. The score remained the same until the fifth inning when the Yankees put up five runs to make it 7-0. The uprising was fueled by 2-RBI hits each from McLaren and Schulze, and an RBI double by center fielder Brad Pierce.
As McLaren continued to deal, the Yankees would add on plenty of insurance runs. Five more runs in the seventh inning, one in the eighth, and eight more in the top of the ninth would follow, as the Yankees bats stayed hot. McLaren notched the complete-game victory, going all nine innings while striking out 12 batters. It was the second consecutive championship complete-game victory for the Yankees ace, as he repeated his 2020 performance in the title game.
The hitting stars for the Yankees were numerous, as they pounded out 27 total hits on the day. Pierce led the offensive parade with four hits and three RBI. The first three hitters in the Yankees lineup all had huge performances: Mahurin with three hits and five runs scored, Schulze reached six times on the day with three hits, two walks, one HBP, two runs, five RBI. McLaren added three hits and three RBI. Manager Kyle Volkers also enjoyed a three-hit day and reached twice on HBP as well. Left fielder Jimmy Stephens added three hits and two RBI, while third baseman Michael Rinck notched two hits, two runs, and two RBI. Jeremy Humphrey, Tim Bloodworth, Chad Hallett, and Ian Coleman each had one hit.
The White Sox had at least two victories over each team on their way to the best regular-season record. They were led by Troy Woodward and Todd Abu-Seir with two hits each. Seth Garner and Jacob Overpeck also each had a hit.