2022 Seals Shutout Reds for 50+ American Division Title in Sacramento Winter-Spring Session
Sacramento Winter-Spring 50+ American Division
Seals 13, Reds 0
‘Gross Dominant on the Bump in Shutout Win’
Submitted by Scott Stevens, Seals manager
The Sacramento Seals had a great winter-spring season in a very competitive 50+ American Division. The Seals finished in first place with an 8-2-2 record. The Athletics finished second and there was a three-way tie for third. The opening day was a tough loss, which then put the Seals on a seven-win and two ties streak before losing the next to last game of the season. They finished out the regular season with a win.
I was unfortunately out for the first eight games due to knee surgery, so we were missing a starting pitcher. Of the remaining three, we lost Pat Zalasky, whose record was 2-0, pitching 19 innings, to a shoulder injury. So, Glen Gross (4-0) and Bob Stoddard (2-1) picked up the slack and did an outstanding job pitching 26 innings each.
The pitchers had great support at the plate with Tim Skillman leading the way with a .471 batting average, 13 runs, and 19 stolen bases. The other outstanding plate appearances were John Colville (.458), Rick Nowaski (.458), Mark McGushin (.419), and Glen Gross (.394). The remaining eight players contributed in one way or another at the plate and/or on defense.
The Seals got the #1 seed and played the #4 seed Orioles in one of the semi-final games. The Orioles started the first inning scoring three runs. Then the Seals jumped out to a commanding lead scoring 11 runs to finish the first inning. The Seals added another run in the second, two in the third, and three more in the fourth.
Credit to the Orioles, as they never gave up and scored once in the fifth and once in the sixth, with the game-ending score of 17-5. It was a great pitching effort by Glen Gross, finishing all seven innings, with three K’s, eight hits, and four earned runs. The Seals also had great defense, committing no errors, and turning one double play. On offense, all 11 players scored at least one run, with Nowaski and Stevens scoring three each. It was a great day at the plate by all.
The Championship game was against the #3 seed Reds. It was 0-0 after two innings, then the Seals’ bats came alive and scored six runs in the third, four in the fourth, and three more in the sixth. Great plate appearances from Bruce Maiman (1.000, 3 runs), Tim Skillman (1.000, 2 runs), Rick Alford (.667, 3 runs) while I was also able to contribute (.500, 1 run). Once again, Glen Gross did an outstanding job on the bump, completing all seven innings, three K’s, five hits, and no runs. And another great performance from the defense too, with only one error while completing one double play. It was a great way to end the season on a 13-0 win in the championship!
The Seals have been together since 2014, playing in the Winter-Spring league and the Summer Night League in Sacramento. Between the two leagues, they have been to a championship game nine times. This 2022 title makes it number four!