2022 Bulldogs Prevail Over Rival Stingers to Capture 35+ Division Title in MUNY-Buffalo MSBL

MUNY-Buffalo MSBL, 35+ Division

Bulldogs 3, Stingers 2

‘Leyden, Defense Pave Way for Bulldogs’

Submitted by Russell Morreale, Bulldogs manager

This title is dedicated to the founder of the Bulldogs, Derek Cline. Thank you DC. #15! 

The 2022 Bulldogs, sponsored by Bison Botanics won the 35+ title in the MUNY-Buffalo MSBL league. After losing back to back years in the final game, they accomplished their goal.

The roster evolved over the five years the Bulldogs have been in the league, and this year it all paid off. The depth of the team was unmatched, as every guy contributed throughout the season.  

After being down in the semi-finals, 6-1, they scrapped their way back in. With Ryan “Lefty” Leyden dealing on the mound, the Bulldogs won 11-6 and awaited their opponent for the title game.  

Facing an old foe from a previous league, the Stingers, a rivalry was instantly renewed. With Leyden on the mound, striking out 12, and some gold glove defense from second basemen Bob Buyea, coupled with some unreal backstop play from Loyal Murphy, the bulldogs prevailed 3-2, in an extremely well-played game from both sides. Buyea had the game winning RBI triple, scoring newcomer, Geoff Blake. 

The Bulldogs finished with a team batting average well over .300, and were once again among the run leaders in the league.  Behind the 1-2 combo on the mound of Leyden and Chris “C-Po” Pollard, they made our defense look easy.  Always contributing at the plate were Willie Rodriguez, Buyea, Ken Horn, Murphy, Sean Mahoney and Robbie Neiss. The needed additions of Neiss, Horn, Blake, Jesse Watts, and Jimmy Lord, all played a huge role in the title.  They will try to run it back next year!