2023 Pirates Make it an Amazing ‘Nine Straight’ 25+ Championships in Forth Worth MSBL
Fort Worth MSBL, 25+ Division
Fort Worth Pirates 16, Cerveceras 2 (Game three of best-of-three championship series)
‘Fort Worth Pirates Legacy Grows’
Submitted by Jimmy Dominey, Pirates manager
As the Fort Worth MSBL continues to build, led by Commissioner Jon Beggerly, the Pirates’ long-standing championship legacy was constantly challenged by new and strengthening teams in the division. With eight straight titles under their belt, the Pirates faced off against seven teams, four of whom were newly formed in the last two years. In a tight race for first place, the Pirates pulled away with more than 200 hits in 18 games, 172 runs, and 61 extra-base hits to take the division. Pirates pitching also combined for 125 strikeouts on the season.
For the first time, the league chose to do a championship series instead of a single game. Facing the surging Cerveceras, the best-of-three series was a nail-biting set of battles, with the Pirates taking Game one by one run after a go-ahead, 2-run shot by Brendon Perrotta.
Game two went into extra innings and gave the Cerveceras enough chances to take the game by one in the 10th via their strong defense. A stellar performance by pitcher TR Waszkiewicz, in a 120-pitch outing, saved the bullpen for Game three, which proved to be the difference.
After such close games, the title was won with a lop-sided victory in the third game where the Pirates scored 11 in the first three innings and never looked back, capping an offensively-strong season, led by catcher Robbie Johns, outfielder Gary Jackson, and captain Jimmy Dominey at first, each supplying three hits, while pitcher Caleb Bush gave up just two runs.
Now with nine straight titles, the Pirates have extended a legacy of winning alongside the grateful hearts of a core team that continues to give God the glory for every win and loss.