2022 Dragons ‘Repeat’ as 65+ Champions in Redwood Empire Baseball League
Redwood Empire Baseball League, 65+ Division
Dragons 2, Emeralds 1 (Game three of championship series)
‘Epidendio Dominates on the Bump’
Submitted by Allan Green, Dragon’s manager
In a pitching performance for the ages, Rich Epidendio held the explosive Emeralds offense to one run in 18 innings to carry the Dragons to their second consecutive R.E.B.L. championship.
In the semifinal series, the #2 seeded Dragons got by the Jazz, the #3 seed, with Epidendio picking up wins in both games. In their first year in the league, the Emeralds earned the top seed and had no trouble finishing off the #4 Pioneers.
In the first game of the championship series, Emerald’s hitters, who had been averaging 16 runs a game, pounded Dragons pitching for 12 runs in a game that was not as close as the final 12-8 score indicates. But Epidendio shut them out 7-0 in game two, allowing only four hits and one walk, aided by flawless Dragon’s defense. Carter Njus led the Dragons with three hits, one RBI, and two runs scored. The split necessitated a deciding third game.
After an hour break, Epidendio again took the mound and maintained his dominance, shutting out the Emeralds through six innings. But Emerald’s ace Mike Allen kept the Dragons’ bats quiet, and the Emeralds scored a run in the seventh to cut the Dragon’s lead to 2-1. Epidendio again rose to the occasion, limiting the Emeralds to one hit over the last two innings to seal the win, allowing only six hits and no walks in his second complete game of the day.
Named playoff M.V.P., Epidendio was quick to credit Frank Tracy, who caught all 18 innings of the two wins, and shortstop Gary Nelson, whose range and rifle arm generated a series of highlight reel defensive plays in both games.
Other standouts for the champion Dragons were outfielders John Lavin and Brien Seeley, who hit .538 and .500 in the playoffs respectively. In addition to his four wins on the mound, Epidendio scored eight runs to lead the Dragons and hit .476. Njus also hit. 476, followed by Nelson (.455), Steve Rhinehart (.450), Steve Brye (.444), and Mark Fess (.381). Rich Peters anchored the Dragon’s defense, contributing a series of clutch web gems at third base throughout the playoffs.
The Emeralds and Dragons both played extremely well in all three games of the championship series, a testament to the quality of baseball possible at 65 and over. These quick, well-played, competitive games were a treat for the fans; one of whom even asked if these were two professional teams…