2025 Chesapeake Orioles Use Late 9th-Inning Rally to Sweep Patriots and Capture Third Title
Chesapeake MSBL, 21+ Mick Myers Division
Chesapeake Orioles 5, Patriots 4 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)
Submitted by Mike Largent, Orioles manager
The Orioles recaptured the league championship, breaking a four-year drought in the 21+ Mick Myers Division with a deep lineup, solid pitching, and top-notch defense. The Orioles finished the regular season at 16-6, capturing the #1 overall seed and best record in the league.
Lineups were never an easy task for bench boss Tim Biggs (who also was an on-base machine with a .387 OBP and is a mainstay in the 2-spot in the lineup) as the Orioles lineup came into 2025 with a ton of depth. This team showed not only heart, fire, and grit, but a level of camaraderie that made the whole season enjoyable to the end.
The offense was paced by second-year player Mike Brown (.364 avg./.479 OBP 22 RBI) and perennial top hitter Jay Patti (.364/.426 21 RBI). As a team, there was a 6-way tie for home runs with two (newcomers Huery Fabian, Kevin Burns, as well as veteran Orioles Austen Brandt, Jay Patti, MIke Brown, and Jack Kenny).
Up and down the lineup, we had guys who contributed. Sean Heckert and Russell Brotz delivered key hits at the bottom of the order. In addition to Kevin and Heury, Carlos Vargas patrolled centerfield, running down just about everything. Heury was locked down at third base, and the combination of Austen and Justin Benjamin up the middle gave us a gold glove caliber tandem.
Newcomer Brandon Ernst provided speed and solid outfield play off the bench, and Ryan Bauer added some key hits at the plate and a solid OBP. James Nixon was great defensively at first and also had a strong offensive season. Todd Perry provided infield depth and added to the team atmosphere.
Our catching tandem of Matt Jew and first-year player Jake Grindstaff guided our pitchers the whole season and showed true grit in the humid Maryland summer. We had everyone contributing in some way, shape, or form. I could go on and still probably leave something out, but it was a true team effort.
The pitching staff was led by Tommy Schauppner (62 innings, 7-1 record, team-leading four saves, and a 2.03 ERA and Mike Largent with 61 2/3 innings, 4-0 record, and a 1.75 ERA). With an average age of 40.5, these two vets showed the young kids that they still had plenty in the tank. Key innings were also delivered by Jackson Slotterback, Jack Kenny, Nick Lucente, Cam Fitzgerald, JT Williamson, Carlos, and Heury.
The playoffs started with a matchup against the #4 seed Yard Goats. The Orioles raced out to early leads in both winning 8-5 in game 1, highlighted by Tommy’s seven shutout innings, and 8-4 in game two with Mike going seven innings, allowing one run. The finals were against the #3 seed and defending champion Patriots.
Game 1 saw a grinding 1-0 victory for the Orioles, with Tommy going a complete game, striking out 11, with the Orioles scoring on an RBI groundout by Sean Heckert.
Game 2 saw even more drama. Largent started the game and kept the team in it, allowing four runs (2 earned in 6 1/3). Jack Kenny came on with bases loaded, one out in the seventh, and delivered a pop out and a big strikeout to keep the game at 4-2 and a shutout eighth to give the O’s a chance.
Rhett Teller delivered a 2-out, 2-strike single to score two and tie the game. After a Patriots error, Russell Brotz delivered a key single to add some breathing room. Tommy Schauppner shut the door in the ninth, and the celebration was on!
This year for us was truly special. Last year, we lost our brother, Mick Myers, during the season and carried heavy hearts throughout, battling the whole way. His name now adorns the division we play in, so it was very special for us to get the trophy this year as we carry his memory on.
I can truly say that I feel so honored to spend all summer with my best friends, competing game in and game out, and enjoying not only the games but the post-game hangouts. There’s nothing like it out there, and the guys we have make it so much fun. We played this year with passion and heart, but also a love of the game that I think is truly unmatched.