2023 Blue Wave Sweep Orioles for First 21+ American Division Championship in Chesapeake MSBL
Chesapeake MSBL, 21+ American Division
Blue Wave 5, Orioles 4 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)
Submitted by James Powers, manager
The Blue Wave finished what they set out to do since joining the league in 2017. After being close the past few years, they finally won the Championship in the premier division of the Chesapeake MSBL. They finished the regular season with a record of 17-3-1 including having to forfeit the last game of the year. Led by an incredible pitching staff and amazing defense they only gave up 41 runs in the 20 games they played while also scoring 158.
Entering the playoffs as the #1 seed they faced the #4 seed Angels who had been the Blue Wave’s biggest rival over the years. Game one was tied 6-6 in the bottom of the 10th inning when Brad Powers hit a walk-off home run to take game one of the best of three series.
Game 2 was a similar story of back-and-forth scoring until the sixth inning when, while down 9-4, the Blue Wave took control scoring six runs. They then added three more in the seventh, including a home run by Cullen McAuliffe and another in the eighth to finish the game with a 14-9 win. With that win the Blue Wave had knocked out their rival and advanced to the Championship.
In the Championship series, the Blue Wave faced the only team that had beaten them in the regular season, the Orioles. Game one was a pitching duel that ended with Blue Wave Ace Chris Barger throwing a complete game shutout giving up just four hits and striking out 12, as the Blue Wave took game one, 3-0. Game one also included another home run for the Blue Wave from Pat Rogers.
Game two was another back-and-forth effort leading to a 5-4 victory for the Blue Wave. The final inning featured three of the four original Blue Wave members still on the roster with Terry Gallo in center, Brandon Antonishek in right, and Jimmy Powers on the mound. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Powers threw a curveball that resulted in a fly ball to right field. With Brandon Antonishek making the final out of the season, the Blue Wave were finally Champions!
Every single member of the Blue Wave played a crucial role in the amazing season they had. Players playing different positions and giving up time away from family and friends to play baseball. The goal was always to win the Championship. But it was always known that winning it without having fun would not mean anything. The Blue Wave did just that. They won the Championship and had as much fun as possible doing it.