2025 Arrows Sweep Orioles for Seventh 18+ Title in Indiana Baseball League
Indiana Baseball League, 18+ Division
Arrows 7, Orioles 6 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)
Submitted by Don Pollard, Arrows manager
Below is the recap of the Arrows‘ championship series against the Orioles, where we secured our seventh title, setting a new record for the most championships in the 18+ Division of the Indiana Baseball League!
Game 1: Arrows 10, Orioles 4…For the second year in a row, it was the Arrows and Orioles facing off in the championship series. The Orioles were aiming for back-to-back titles, while we were determined to make up for our 2024 loss.
We reached the championship with outstanding pitching from Reese Wills, who logged a complete-game four-hitter in the semi-final against the Royals. The Orioles outlasted the Cubs in a 15-8 slugfest in their semi-final, setting up our rematch.
In Game 1, it was an ace-versus-ace matchup with Dan Brenneman of the Orioles facing Tavic Simmons. We took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and the Orioles tied it in the fourth.
We regained the lead 3-1 in the sixth and never looked back, following up with a five-run eighth inning to take a commanding seven-run lead. The Orioles mounted a comeback in the eighth with three runs, but we answered with two insurance runs in the ninth. Tavic faced only four batters in the bottom of the frame to seal the win.
Tavic Simmons pitched a complete game with four runs (3 earned), eight hits, two walks, and 10 strikeouts.
Our hitting stars included: Canton Terry, 2 for 4, 2 RBI; Jacob Medvescek, 2 for 5, 3 RBI; and Peyton Blinn, 1 for 5, 3 RBI.
Game 2: Arrows 7, Orioles 6…A week later, it was Brenneman against Simmons once again in Game 2. The Orioles took an early 2-0 lead in the first, and we tied it in the fourth. In the fifth and sixth innings, the Orioles scored two runs in each frame, while we kept it close, plating one run in both innings.
With two outs and a runner on in the seventh, Tavic handed the ball to Peyton Wooten, who got the final out. We then pushed across three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Terry led off with a walk, Medvescek singled, P. Blinn walked, Eduardo Escorsia hit a sacrifice fly, Jake Sorenson singled, scoring Medvescek, and then Jay Gober delivered the game-winning RBI with a single, scoring P. Blinn.
Wooten got two outs in the top of the eighth before our closer, Wyatt Blinn, took over. With two runners on in the ninth and only one out, it looked like the Orioles would make a comeback. Wyatt bore down, got a routine fly ball for the second out, and then preserved the win with a strikeout of the next batter.
Hitting was a true team effort in this game, with eight Arrows hitters having at least one hit, five scoring runs, and five having an RBI.
Notable hitting performances: Canton Terry, 2 for 3, 2 Runs; Jacob Medvescek: 3 for 5, 2 Runs, Double, RBI; and Johnny Hartmann, 2 for 5, 2 RBI.
Congratulations to the Orioles on their excellent season. I’m sure we’ll be seeing them again.
After a slow start, going 1-3 in our first four games, we truly came together as a team and delivered. Every week, a different hero emerged with their arm, glove, or bat. Pitching, defense, and timely hitting—it’s a simple game, right?
As always this season is dedicated to Brad Everett, #10, Catcher.