2025 Columbus Pirates Cop Sixth Straight 25+ Title in Columbus MSBL

Columbus MSBL, 25+ Division

Columbus Pirates 9, Gahanna Bananas 2

The Columbus Pirates have done it again. After earning the No. 1 overall seed for the ninth consecutive year, the Bucs defeated the Gahanna Bananas, 9-2, to claim their sixth straight league championship – and seventh in the past eight seasons.

The playoff run came with its share of drama. Facing elimination and trailing 4-3 in the eighth inning, Clay Ragland launched a two-out, two-run home run to lift the Pirates to a 5-4 win and force a decisive championship matchup.

In the title game, Nate Green went 3-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season, while Jeff Beall tossed seven strong innings to earn the victory.

Offensively, the Pirates were well-balanced, with five hitters finishing the season above .400 — Andrew Grillo (.493), Jeff Tillman (.469), Ragland (.446), Green (.434), and Nate Campbell (.400). Kyle Lento led the team with 27 runs scored and added 12 extra-base hits. Green paced the Bucs with 23 RBIs and a .750 slugging percentage, while Campbell stole 23 bases and scored 25 runs. Connor Brett added a trio of home runs.

On the mound, Joe Juza anchored the staff, going 6-2 with a 2.20 ERA across 41 innings. He was supported by a deep pitching corps – six other Pirates (Darren Athey, Brett Thomas, Aaron Geis, Lento, Green, and Brett) each recorded two wins, contributing to a season in which 13 different pitchers logged time on the hill. Ethan McKenney added two saves and struck out 23 in 15.2 innings of work.

The Pirates were founded by Rick Fryman in 2000 and finished the year with a 21-3-1 record, marking their 12th consecutive 20-win season.

Next up, they’ll head south to compete in the MSBL Fall Classic in Florida, November 8–12.