2023 Hurricanes Storm Past Panthers for 40+ Spring Title in Houston Hardball League Behind MVP Bradshaw
Houston Hardball League, 40+ Spring Division
Hurricanes 12, Panthers 6
The Hurricanes and Panthers squared off for one last game of the 40+ Spring 2023 season in a winner-take-all Championship Game in the Houston Hardball League. These two teams had split the regular season and playoffs with three wins each.
Tim Munfus for the Panthers would get the start versus Jason McLendon for the Hurricanes. The Panthers would strike early for three runs in the first and the early lead. The Hurricanes, however, stormed back in the bottom of the inning scoring six and taking a lead that they would never relinquish. In the top of the fourth, the Panthers would score three more to make it a 7-6 game, but again the Hurricanes would immediately answer in the bottom of the inning plating three more runs and adding two in the fifth. John Gibb would throw the final 3+ innings for the Hurricanes closing the door while striking out seven.
This game would go seven innings and see the Hurricanes work all the way back from the losers bracket to win the final three games and take home their fifth Houston Hardball League championship in franchise history with this 12-6 win. It was a total team game for the Canes, as eight different guys scored a run for them as they played solid defense all the way around to support their strong pitching from Jason and John.
Richie “Bats” Bradshaw finished his amazing MVP run Thursday night at Sheldon Sports Complex going 3 for 3 with a single, 2 doubles, HBP, and 3 RBIs adding to his lofty totals throughout these playoffs. Catching fire at the right time, the Hurricanes RF/1B/C, helped lead the Hurricanes to their fifth HHL Title with a Spring 40+ championship Win over the Panthers.
Playing in four of the five playoff games, Rich went 10 for 14 (.714 avg) with 13 RBIs and six runs scored. Rich played a major factor in the Hurricanes coming all the way back from the losers bracket to win the final three games where he had RBIs of 3, 5, and 3 in those games. Congratulations to Richie Bats on this historic playoff run and his Hurricanes Spring 2023 Championship!