2025 Misfits Claim ‘Back to Back’ 25+ Division Title in Tucson Amateur Baseball League
Tucson Amateur Baseball League, 25+ Division
Misfits 7, Dirtbags 2
‘Misfits Go ‘Back-to-Back’ for 25+ Title’
Submitted by Dylan Shorthouse, manager
In their third season since putting together a team from a bunch of strangers from the Tucson MSBL player pool, the Misfits have won back-to-back championships in the 25+ division!
Prior to the beginning of the summer season, Miguel Valenzuela (captain) decided it was time for new jerseys. As seen in the photo above, these jerseys definitely POP! The Misfits were on the path to repeating early with a strong start to their season, going 5-1 in the first six games. A mild mid-season slump put them at 12-5-1 by the end of the regular season, but they secured second place and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
The Misfits’ first playoff match was against the Dirtbags, who beat the Misfits once in the regular season and also forced a tie. The Misfits won this game comfortably, 9-3, under the lights at Tucson’s Kino Field.
At bat, there were contributions up and down the lineup. Notably, Oscar Martinez and Jared Pavek (catcher) both had 2-run singles. Peyton Olinksi, a mid-season addition who led the league with 19 RBIs despite only playing nine games, broke out with four hits in this game, including an RBI double.
Kyle Creary started on the mound and threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs. Tyler Jacobsen and Sean Phelan closed it out, allowing just three hits and one run.
The Misfits’ second matchup was against their perennial foe, the Wahoos. During the regular season, the Misfits couldn’t crack the Wahoos and lost all four matchups.
In the first inning, the Wahoos took an early 2-0 lead in this one. But the Misfits consistently threatened to break through, putting two or more runners on base in the first four innings. Finally, in the fifth inning, the Misfits grabbed a run on an RBI single by Peyton Olinksi, scoring Sean Phelan.
The Misfits picked up two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to make the score 4-2. Solid defense and lights-out pitching shut down the Wahoos in the last eight innings.
Kyle Creary started on the mound again and pitched four stellar innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits. Tyler Jacobsen pitched the remaining five innings, only allowing one hit and striking out nine.
The Misfits’ final round game was against the Dirtbags again, who climbed out of the losers’ bracket in the double-elimination playoffs with two consecutive wins.
The bats were hot early as the Misfits took an early 3-0 lead, but cooled down for the next five innings. The Dirtbags broke through with two runs in the sixth inning. The Misfits answered with one run in the bottom of the sixth inning and three more in the eighth inning.
After a scoreless ninth, the final was Misfits 7, Dirtbags 2. Kyle Creary went 5 2/3, giving up nine hits but only two runs. Tyler Jacobsen closed it out again, allowing just one hit and striking out five in 3 1/3.
Hitting from the cleanup spot, Tyler also went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Jared Pavek had another great playoff game, going 2 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored. Daniel Yepiz went 3 for 3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
Sean Phelan, who finished the regular season with a .600 batting average and 1.057 slugging percentage, went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Misfits captain Miguel Valenzuela, who scored a league-leading 25 runs this season, went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Each year, this Misfits team continues to evolve and improve. After just three seasons, they have proven, beyond a doubt, that they are a force in the Tucson MSBL. We are looking forward to the three-peat next summer!