2022 73+ American

Mudville 9 11, Rhode Island/PR Cardinals 1

Submitted by Steve Faigin, Mudville 9 manager

This was the third year that the Mudville 9 competed in the 73 division as the team had high hopes of winning the ring this year, after the heartbreaking loss to Bill Lee and the New England Red Sox last year in the playoffs.

The Mudville 9 consists of many wily MSBL World Series veterans, including Frankie Dimaria, who has played in every world series.   We also added a few newbies to the roster.

The team went 5-0 in the round robin allowing only eight runs while scoring 102.  Then came the playoffs!

In the Semi-Finals, we beat the St. Thomas team 6-1, including Dan Doleshal’s eight innings of 1-run, 4 K pitching. Jack Samples contributed a scoreless and hitless ninth inning as we also threw in some overall great defense. 

Then came the final against the Cardinals, with World Series veteran Bart Zeller starting on the hill.  Bart pitched seven innings of shutout ball and scattered only eight hits while allowing only one walk and striking out three. Jack Samples once again sealed the deal, pitching the final two innings, and giving up the only run on two hits. 

Hitting and defense was the key to the final game. The team played errorless defense in the finals and had some hitting stars, such as Frankie Dimaria, 3 for 4, including one double and three Rbi’s, while Darryl Johnson and Joe Gogolsky went 3 for 3 each. Terry Patnode and Walt Weatherington were both 2 for 4, with Walt contributing a triple.

During the week, Walt had 20 hits, batted .606, and added two triples and two homers. Chuck ‘Heater’ Heatley was our leading hitter for the week, batting at a pace of .609.  Terry Patnode had 17 hits and batted .586.  Also, Joe Gogolsky, Frankie Dimaria, Steve Meyer, and Darryl Johnson all batted over .500.

Our 7-0 week was a week filled with pride, a great time, and a ring. Next year, of course, we are looking to take on the teams in the National Division!