2022 Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League Diamondbacks Close Out Their Epic Season with Another 35+ Championship
Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League, 35+ Division
Diamondbacks 4, Expos 1
Submitted by Steve Cascio, D’Backs manager
The Diamondbacks from the SMMBL completed a wire-to-wire first-place finish in the 35+ division, culminating in a 4-1 winner take all victory against the fiercely competitive Expos.
In Game One, the Expos shut down the D-Back offense winning 6-2 after a strong performance from their starting pitcher, as well as some timely hitting and solid defense. In Game Two, team MVP Christian Smith and Bret Urban had strong outings backed by clutch hitting, taking advantage of the opportunities with runners in scoring position for a 9-3 victory.
In the winner take all Game Three, starter Christian Smith allowed one run over five innings, handing over to Brett Urban who was lights out over the final four innings (2 H, 5K, 0 R). The Expos pitching staff was equally up to the task in that deciding game, though the D-Backs were able to find enough holes for a 4-1 win, sealing the championship victory.
Led all year by outstanding pitching, the D-Backs finished 18-2 with dominating season performances from starters Christian Smith (9-0, 66 IP, 1.35 ERA, 42K/11BB) and Dave Packard (6-1, 37 IP, 2.43 ERA, 46K/11BB). As was the case most of the season, the ball would be handed over to lights-out closer Brett Urban (6 saves, .25 ERA, 68K/4BB, 36 IP) at the end of games. The team also received solid pitching contributions from Brian Crabtree (1.35 ERA, 11K/3BB, 11 IP) and Doc Proctor.
The offense was relentless all season with tough outs from top to bottom in the lineup. SMMBL All-Time hits and RBIs leader Ed Simmons (.419, league-leading 27 RBI and T-31Hits, .934 OPS) anchored the middle of the order with Josh Mackey (.590, 1 HR, 14 RBI, league-leading 1.519 OPS), Ben Davis (League leading .608 BA, 26R and T-31Hits, 19 RBI, 1.397 OPS), Josh Massey (.447, 16 RBI, 1.033 OPS) and Corey Pouliot (.411, 19 RBI, .933 OPS) all getting plenty of opportunities to drive in runners throughout the season.
Additionally, the team received solid contributions from Matt Pavlis (.370, .794 OPS), newcomer Ben Marcal (.281, .739 OPS), Brian Bachman (.275, .641 OPS), and Steve Cascio (.224, .697 OPS, league-leading 11 BB). In addition to their strong pitching performances, Christian Smith (.377, 17 RBI, .795 OPS), Dave Packard (.351, 10 RBI, .864 OPS) and Bret Urban (.333, 20 R, .866 OPS) were all big contributors offensively as well.
This was the D-Backs fourth Finals appearance over the past five seasons and second Championship!