2025 HC Phillies Outlast Monarchs to Capture Championship in 25+ Division of Indiana Baseball League
Indiana Baseball League, 25+ Division
HC Phillies 3, Indy Monarchs 2 (Game three in best-of-three championship series)
Submitted by Matt Longfellow, manager
The HC Phillies came into the 2025 season coming up short of a title each of the past three seasons after a three-peat and four titles in five years. After starting the year 2-2, the Phillies would go on to win their final 11 games of the regular season to finish as the regular season champions for the seventh consecutive season.
In the quarterfinals, the Phillies took down the Indy Brewers, 12-2, behind six shutout innings from Tyler Reynolds, striking out 12 batters. Tom Mueller and Matt Pulley led the way on offense. Pulley went 3-4 with a double, three runs scored, and 3-RBI. Mueller was 2-4 with a home run, scored a run, and 5-RBI.
In the semifinals, the Phillies took down the Pendleton Penguins 14-2 behind a complete game gem with seven K’s from Mo Coombs. Scott Kessler, Matt Pulley, and Zach Tanner led the way on offense. Kessler went 2-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and 2-RBI, while Pulley was 3-4 with a run scored and drove in two. Tanner contributed a 2-4 day with a home run, scored one, and 2-RBI. The Phillies advanced to the 2025 IBL Championship Series (Best of 3) versus the Indy Monarchs.
In Game One, the Phillies would have their 13-game winning streak snapped, losing to the Monarchs, 13-8. The Phillies got even by taking game two, 3-0, behind a complete game, 2-hit shutout, with 14 K’s from Mo Coombs. Jeff Cardenas and Zach Tanner provided the offense against Monarchs ace Ryne Brown.
Cardenas was 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Tanner went 2-3 with an RBI, as the Phillies forced a winner-take-all game three.
Game Three was one for the ages. Daniel Cho got the Monarchs on the board first with a solo home run, but Phillies closer turned starter for game three, Ben Kennedy, would settle down after that, going seven strong innings with seven big K’s.
The Phillies tied the game up at one in the bottom of the first after Patrick Kinney doubled and was brought in on an RBI single by Zach Tanner. The Monarchs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth, but that would be the only scoring until the eighth inning.
Tom Mueller came in to pitch in the eighth inning and kept the Monarchs off the board. In the bottom of the eighth, Mueller came through on offense by crushing a two-out single to score Mo Coombs and Adam Wheeler to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Mueller gutted through an elbow injury, striking out the Monarch’s best hitters, their three and four hole hitters, before having to exit the game. Tyler Reynolds came in to strike out the Monarch’s number five hitter to end the game and to clinch the Phillies ’ fifth title in team history.
This victory showcased a big-time effort from Ben Kennedy, normally the team’s closer, coming in and pitching seven strong innings. Tom Mueller recorded five big outs (4 K’s) late in the game and then came through with the go-ahead two-run knock. The Phillies are back on top of the IBL after a three-year hiatus.
Jeff Cardenas, Tom Mueller, and Zach Tanner led the Phillies on offense in 2025. Mo Coombs, Tyler Reynolds, and Ben Stenger led the Phillies on the mound in 2025.
The Phillies had eight total 2025 All-Star selections in Ben Stenger, Matt Pulley, Tom Mueller, Geronimo Berroa, JR., Matthew Alspaugh, Zach Tanner, Jeff Cardenas, and Mo Coombs. Matt Pulley was named the ‘Impact Player of the Year.’
Jeff Cardenas was an MVP finalist, and Mo Coombs a Cy Young Award finalist. It was also the final full 25+ seasons for Phillies greats Scott Kessler, Adam Wheeler, Benny Kennedy, Tom Mueller, and Mo Coombs, who are moving on to the 35+ Phillies team. The Phillies will be back with a little bit different look to defend their title in 2026.