2022 Mustangs Make it ‘Four in a Row’ as 40+ Champs in DCMSBL
DCMSBL, 40+ Division
Mustangs 6, Loudoun Nationals 4 (Game two in best of three championship series sweep)
Submitted by Mike LaComb, Mustangs manager
The Mustangs won both games of a doubleheader to win the best of three final game series of the DCMSBL 40+ league championship.
In game one, Vince Towns struck out eight batters over seven innings without issuing a walk, as he stymied the Loudoun Nationals in game one to allow just one unearned run, as the Mustangs downed the Nationals for the fourth year in a row, 5 to 1.
Chris Dunn had a triple and a single to garner two RBIs and score two runs. Mike McConnell had two hits, scored a run, and had two RBIs. Brock Nusser also had two hits and scored two runs. Dave Carrodine added a hit and an RBI. Ron Barckhoff, George Popkhadze, and Vince Towns, each had hits for the Mustangs.
Pete Cressy had three hits, and Mike Garrison had two hits for the Nationals.
The second game of the day became a pitching match-up between two great lefty pitchers, as Chris Dunn of the Mustangs was able to best Blake Clancy from the Nationals, as the Mustangs won 6 to 4 to secure the championship.
George Popkhadze, championship game MVP, had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning as he drove in two runs. Vince Towns also had two hits and an RBI. Jim Johnson had two hits and reached base three times. Jim also got the iron man award for the day as he caught both games back-to-back.
Chris Dunn hit his second triple of the day to drive in two runs. Ron Barckhoff scored two runs with four stolen bases. Dave Kaufmann also contributed two hits. Mike McConnell added a hit and an RBI. Scott Miner and George Cooper each chipped in hits for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs’ defense was perfect on the day, helping to hold back the strong offense of the Nationals, who had entered the games undefeated so far in their season up until their loss in the championship.