2026 45+
EC Cardinals 6, T-Town Jackos 3
Submitted by MSBL Hall of Fame member, Ralph Proulx
The East Coast Cardinals opened their 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, traveling to Panama City for the MSBL Sunshine Classic and leaving town undefeated. This is their ‘Back-to-Back’ championship, having also won the 45+ Sunshine Classic crown in 2025.
Battling through less-than-optimal weather conditions, cool temperatures, steady winds, and off-and-on rain that tested both focus and footing, the Cardinals never wavered. Instead, they rose to the challenge, going 4–0 on the weekend and outscoring their opponents by a commanding 64–5 margin.
The tournament championship game was a fitting finale. In the Panama City Classic title matchup, the Cardinals mounted a late comeback to secure a 6–3 victory over the T-Town Jackos.
Trailing 3–1 in the sixth inning, the Cards pushed across a run to close the gap. They plated another in the seventh to tie the game, refusing to let the moment slip away. In the eighth, with the help of one of their four double plays on the day, the Jacko’s were held scoreless.
Capitalizing on the momentum, the Cardinals scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6–3 lead. Mike Johnson, coming on in relief of Stephen Becker, shut the door to complete the comeback and clinch the title.
The pitching staff was dominant from start to finish. Stephen Becker, Sam Brown, Armand Molleur, Brandon Meacham, Mike Johnson, and John Pardo consistently controlled the opposition, setting the tone all weekend long.
Offensively, the Cardinals were relentless. Two-time Sunshine Classic MVP Joe Williams led the charge, delivering big hits in key moments. He was backed by strong contributions from Joe Ferrando, Brandon Jackson, Tom Raymond, Fred Falkowski, Jermey Ross, Don Fletcher, Howie Marx, and Darwin Hernandez.
Behind the plate, Jim Lacki and Chad Sanders expertly handled catching duties, guiding the pitching staff through every inning.
Beyond the victories and accolades, what stood out most was the camaraderie. After a four-month break, stepping back onto the field together felt seamless—as if no time had passed at all. The chemistry, energy, and shared purpose were evident in every inning.
All in all, it was a tremendous start to the New Year and a statement performance to open 2026.