2026 45+ NY Giants Win Sixth Consecutive Championship at Capital District MSBL
Capital District Men’s Senior Baseball League, 45+ Division
New York Giants 15, All-Stars 4 (Game two in best-of-three Championship Series sweep)
Submitted by Gene Hallenbeck, manager
The Giants entered the playoffs as the #1 seed. The first round of the playoffs was a single-elimination game, which the Giants won. Moving into the semi-finals, the Giants had to contend with the always formidable Bombers in the best-of-three series.
The Giants won the first game 12-2. The Giants’ Will Brouwer, Eric Joyce, Chris Yager, Doug Reisinger, and Mike Harbour all had doubles. Mick Novak picked up the win, giving up two runs on six hits, with one K and four walks.
Game two was a different story as the Giants scored six runs in the first inning, looking like it would be a runaway. The Bomber’s pitcher, Lex Herrlett, was able to keep the Giants at bay, only giving up one more run in the fourth inning and coming away with an 8-7 victory, forcing game three.
Errors made the difference with only three earned runs for the Bombers. The Giants Will Brouwer and Eric Joyce each had two hits. Paul Moore took the loss, giving up three earned runs on eight hits with two K’s, one walk, and two HBP.
The Giants were able to win game three by a score of 7-6. Giants pitcher Chris Yager gave up only four hits with three earned runs, nine K’s, five walks, and two HBP in the victory. The Giants’ Will Brouwer, Tony Paonessa, and Ryan Funck each collected two hits.
On to the finals against the All-Stars in a best-of-three series. The Giants were able to win Game One by a score of 6-2. The Giants scored six runs in the second inning on two hits and four walks. The Giants’ James Shook had two hits. Giants’ pitcher Paul Moore gave up seven hits and one earned run with seven K’s and one walk for the victory.
In Game Two, the Giants got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs, adding two more in the second inning before the game was called due to rain. After two innings, the Giants were up 5-1.
The game continued later in the week under the lights. The Giants scored a run in the fourth and fifth. They added three more in the sixth and five more in the seventh to secure a 15-4 victory.
Mick Novak started the rain-shortened game and continued the game later in the week, with Paul Moore coming on in relief. The Giants pitchers combined to allow seven hits for three earned runs, with seven K’s and six walks. The Giants’ Mick Novak, Eric Joyce (2), Ryan Funck, and Gene Hallenbeck all had doubles. James Shook and Mike Harbour collected two hits as well.
The New York Giants have been a part of the Capital District MSBL since the inception of the 45 + Division in 2003. The team was initially called the Hornets and became the New York Giants in 2010.
Over the years, the players’ names have changed but what has not changed is the Giants’ winning ways. Since 2008 the Giants have been in the league finals for 18 years straight and have won 12 Championships during that time frame. Doug Reisinger (60) is the team’s longest-tenured player, joining when he turned 45. Joe Burns (62) has been with the team since joining it at 48. The Giants finished off the season with their sixth Championship in a row.