2025 Columbus Angels Win First 35+ Division Title in Columbus MSBL

Columbus MSBL, 35+ Division

Columbus Angels 9, Brewers 7

Submitted by Mike Gross

The Columbus Angels won their first league championship in the 2025 season after finishing the regular season with the best overall record and winning the league’s double-elimination tournament.

The playoff run started with an opening round 13-3 victory over the Dragons, then a 16-1 second round win over the Mariners, followed by a semi-final 10-6 win over the Brewers.

The Brewers came back through the losers’ bracket to reach the finals and defeated the Angels 17-6 in the first game, with the Angels then defeating the Brewers 9-7 in the winner-take-all championship game. The Brewers had won five consecutive league championships dating back to 2020.

In the championship game, Paul Neibarger got the win on the mound. Seth Casto went 4-4 at the plate and also recorded a save. He entered the game to pitch with one out in the eighth inning and the bases loaded.  He threw one pitch and got the hitter to ground into a double play to preserve the lead. He then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the title.

Offensively, the Angels had eight players finish the season with batting averages above .400 – Ryan Heipp (.500), Zach Orlins (.490), Caleb Wright (.460), Andrew Orlins (.444), Bart Robinson (.438), Anthony Bryant (.433), Steve Monroe (.400), and Brian Webb (.400). Brian also led the team in runs scored and RBIs.

On the mound, the Angels had a strong pitching staff anchored by Daniel Miller, who finished the regular season with a 3-0 record and a 0.00 ERA! Daniel also threw a no-hitter in a July win over the White Sox. Paul Neibarger finished 5-0 with a 3.70 ERA, Kevin Brindley went 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA, and Seth Casto went 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA.

The Angels were established in 2023 by Mike Gross, Dave Burks, Scott Smith, and Jon Thomas. They finished the season with a final record of 21-3-1.

Below is a gallery of a few of the Angels’ 2025 stars!