2025 45+
EC Cardinals 10, Baltimore Astros 4
‘2025 MSBL 45+ Sunshine Classic Champions: A Story of Dominance and Brotherhood’
Submitted by Ralph Proulx
The start of a new year brought an unforgettable experience for the EC Cardinals. It was the 2025 MSBL 45+ Sunshine Classic in Panama City Beach, FL—a tournament that would mark the beginning of a fresh tournament season.
As the Cardinals arrived in Panama City Beach, the Florida sun wasn’t as warm as expected. The chilly breeze seemed to bite a little harder than they had anticipated for a Florida tournament. But for the EC Cardinals, this was just another obstacle to overcome. The colder-than-usual weather couldn’t cool their spirits; in fact, it only made them more determined to heat things up on the field.
The tournament kicked off, and from the very first pitch, the Cardinals were on fire. With a powerful combination of dominant pitching by the pitching staff of Stephen Becker, Sam Brown, Jim Rice, Chad Sanders, Adam Crain, and Brandon Meacham and an explosive lineup, the Cards wasted no time making their presence known. By the time the tournament was over, the Cardinals had run the table, finishing 6-0 and claiming the championship.
In the championship game, the EC Cardinals faced off against the formidable Baltimore Astros. The Cardinals took control early, and they didn’t let up. With a 10-4 victory, they secured their place at the top, their bats sizzling with every swing and their pitchers shutting down any offensive hopes the Astros had.
The numbers spoke for themselves: 85 runs scored and only 17 allowed throughout the tournament. The pitching staff was nothing short of dominant, shutting down the competition with precision and poise. The Cardinals had not only kept their opponents off the scoreboard but also showed incredible consistency, giving the offense more than enough room to shine.
At the heart of the Cardinals’ success was Joe Williams, whose performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of spectacular. Hitting over .750, Joe was a force at the plate, consistently finding ways to get on base and drive in runs. His ability to come through in the clutch earned him the well-deserved MVP award. Other strong offensive performances by Brandon Jackson, Chad Sanders, Fred Falkowski, Mike Webster, Jeremey Ross, Howie Marx, Darwin Hernandez, and Tom Raymond led the Cardinals to a team batting average of .560.
But beyond the victories and the accolades, it was the camaraderie that stood out the most for the players. After a four-month break, stepping onto the field with this group of men felt like nothing had changed.
For Brandon Jackson, the journey was especially sweet. “I’m blessed to still be able to play this wonderful game with such a talented group of guys,” he said, reflecting on the experience. “It’s not just about the wins and losses; it’s about getting to do what we love with people who share the same passion and love for the game.”
With the championship under their belt and a new season ahead, the EC Cardinals had proven they were not just a team—they were a family. And no matter what the weather, they would always bring the heat.