2024 Astros Dominate Orioles in 25+ Division Title Matchup in Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League
Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League, 25+ Division
Astros 8, Orioles 1
The SMMBL Astros defeated the SMMBL Orioles, 8-1, on September 19th at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, Maine to win the 2024 Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League 25+ Championship.
This championship season was a true team effort. The Astros had depth at every position, talent from top to bottom in the lineup, and a pitching staff that was among the best in the league. They entered the playoffs with confidence, knowing that they had the skill and determination to go all the way—and they delivered.
Phil Levangie took home the MVP honors on the season, serving as a workhorse on the mound and a consistent presence at the plate, compiling an 8-2 record with 80 strikeouts in 64 innings while hitting .380 and tying for the lead in home runs (2) and RBI (16).
Max Fortier was an on-base machine out of the leadoff spot, sporting a .551 batting average with a .585 on-base percentage and 1.320 OPS. Niko Ruiz led the team in scoring with an impressive 20 runs, fueled by a .542 slugging percentage and a strong .478 on-base percentage. Josh Mackey brought power and reliability to the heart of the order, with a .493 on-base percentage and 16 RBI.
Hitting behind him out of the cleanup spot, Chad Mezoian was another offensive force, leading the team in hits (28), doubles (7), tying for the team lead in RBI (16), and finishing second in batting average (0.491). Mezoian was also a reliable arm out of the bullpen, turning in a 1.09 ERA across 33 innings, including going 5 for 5 in save opportunities.
Leading the team in appearances, swagger, morale, and tenure, Dan Boomhour added depth and stability to the lineup and starting infield. ‘Boomer’ hit .380 with 19 hits, crossed the plate 15 times, and finished second in OBP, reaching base in roughly 54% of his at-bats with a sparkling 7:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
Tommy Larason and Grayson Baressi shared the catching responsibilities for the Astros and contributed significant offensive output of their own. Larason hit 0.372 with 16 hits, including a double and two home runs, and Baressi hit a respectable 0.342 with 13 hits and three doubles.
A reliable presence in the middle infield, Justin Grandmaison was atop the team leaders in hits with 19, collecting a .358 average, including a pair of doubles and 13 RBI. Dustin McCrossin came on strong down the stretch, especially in the playoffs, finishing with a .468 batting average and a stellar .596 slugging percentage. Jason ‘Ocho’ Ackley, an Astros veteran who locked down left field all season long, gathered 19 hits, swatting two doubles and finishing with a 0.317 batting average. He finished second on the team in RBI with 14.
While quieter offensively, Luke Myers was pivotal to the Astros championship run as their weekend starting pitcher. Myers finished with a 1.95 ERA, fanning 64 batters over 46 innings. At the plate, he batted 0.313, including a 3-3 effort in the championship-clinching game.
Rounding out the lineup, Brad Kaden, Kyle Reichert, and Alex Smith each flirted with a .300 average on the season and each came through in clutch moments throughout the season both in the field and at the plate.
It was a season to remember for the Astros, and they look forward to defending their title in 2025!