2022 60+ National

Sacramento Royals 8, Lonestars 2

Submitted by Jim Tygrett-DeNuzzi, Royal’s manager

The third-seeded Sacramento Royals cruised through the 60+ division playoffs to take the Division Championship over the Lonestars, 8-2. As usual for the Royals, it was a total team effort. In pool play, the Royals had wins over the Mustangs and a hard-fought 8-7 victory over the Inland Angels. Although the Royals lost to Envision in pool play, they took the semi playoff 9-1 with outstanding pitching, hitting, and defense.

In the championship game, pitcher John Hadley did it all holding the Lonestars to two runs in nine innings. With the Royals up 4-2, Hadley cleared the bases with a 3-run warning track double to make it 7-2 while Mark Shillingburg iced it driving in the final run with a double to deep right field.

The weekend hitting star was Bob Brown with multiple hits and rbi’s in all six games.  Up and down the lineup everyone hit.  Steve Welch caught all three playoff games and hit consistently and first baseman Mark Weathers made two outstanding plays in the championship. 

Taylor Welz pitched a complete game, added clutch hitting, and played a solid second base. Dave Everingham was his usual on-base and error-free shortstop, and Mike Pankow covered third with some nice plays in the hole and also hit well.

Always reliable Gary Stonebrook was versatile as usual, pitching and winning two games, hitting, and playing a solid first base.

Brown and Eric Ferrari covered left field with Ferrari also catching a game and getting extra-base hits. Darryll Foster played every inning of every game in center field, made a highlight over-the-shoulder catch in the semi, and took advantage of his speed on the bases. Phil Adams and Shillingburg manned right field with Adams consistency hitting doubles down the left-field line. 

Steve Pepi started and pitched the quarter-final playoff game, filled in at first base, and was consistently hitting to all fields. Mark Aguillio started at second base when Welz was pitching and made three great defensive plays while hitting well and also taking advantage of his speed on the bases. 

I was still able to manage this talented Royals group while recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery. All in all, everything came together for the Royals in the playoffs.  I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.