2022 Braves ‘Repeat’ in 18+ Division of Tri-Valley MSBL with Sweep of Baysox
Tri-Valley MSBL, 18+ Division
Braves 15, Baysox 12
‘Braves Repeat in Tough 18+ Division’
Submitted by Douglas Badie
The Braves finished with a 12-3-1 record, securing the # 1 seed in the 18+ Division of the Tri-Valley MSBL (Northern California) for the 2022 season.
Their opponent, the Baysox entered the playoffs as the #3 seed. They were troublesome for the Braves this year winning one and tying another in four games. These teams also met in the 2021 championship round with the Braves winning their first championship.
Game one on a warm Saturday was a pitchers’ duel. The runs were tough to get as neither team could score through the first five innings. The Baysox finally broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth scoring two runs. With the pressure on, the Braves scored two of their own in the bottom half, getting two hits a walk, and help from two Baysox errors.
Each team added one run in the seventh. Neither team could score in the eighth or ninth inning. Extra innings 3-3. The Braves starter, Francisco answered the call in the tenth. The Baysox threatened but couldn’t score.
The Baysox bullpen took over in the bottom of the tenth. Two singles sandwiched around a strikeout set the table for Jordan Toro. A solid hit to right center brought home the winning run! After four lead changes, the Braves won game one, 4-3.
Game number two started on a foggy Sunday morning and was a completely different type of back-and-forth game. The Braves scored two runs in the first and four in the second. The Baysox stormed back, bolstered by an amazing game by Max who had five hits, including two home runs and nine RBI’s. After three innings the game was tied 6-6.
The Braves plated two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth. Each time the Baysox responded. After a scoreless sixth and seventh inning, the score was tied 10-10. Nine of the ten Braves scored at least one run. Getting deep into the Baysox bullpen, the Braves scored two more runs in the top of the eighth, leaving the bases loaded. In true fashion to the type of game, it was the Baysox answered to tie the game at 12-12.
In the top of the ninth, five of the first six batters got on base, scoring three runs. Jordan Peterson, fighting cramps, stayed in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He shut the door on the Baysox securing the 15-12 win and giving the Braves their second title in two years!
Two days, ten lead changes, excellent defense, and finally a title!!!
The Tri-Valley Braves: Jordan Toro, Manager, OF, C; Francisco Leon, 3B, P; Ryan Tom, CF; Matt Tom, C; Jake Kimbrough, SS, P; Myles Badie, 2B; Jordan Peterson, 3B, P; Manny Goodall, 3B, 1B, P; Leo Costa, 1B, OF; Gage Gottermyer, P, OF; Andrew Costa, 1B, P, OF; Hector Rosas, OF; Chris Connolly, OF; Brian Cruz, 2B, OF and Brandon Ferry, 1B, OF P.