2026 70+ National

LA Athletics 4, Sacramento Tribe 1

‘Danny ‘The Beast’ Pawelek Twirls Complete Game Championship Victory’

Submitted by Bob Sherwin, Athletics’ manager

The LA Athletics captured the 70+ division championship at the MSBL Desert Classic in Palm Springs by going 3 – 0 in pool play and getting the top playoff seed.    Kenny Jungsten, Danny Pawelek, and Wayne Grapes were the winning pitchers in pool play, limiting opponents to eight runs in the three games.

In the semi-finals, the Athletics beat the San Diego Berry’s 8-3 behind Jungsten, who went the distance.  The defense helped out by completing four double plays to kill one Berry’s rally after another.  The Athletics played small ball to get their scoring going as Berry’s Billy Howard handcuffed the Athletics for several innings.   A perfectly executed safety squeeze by Danny Wukmir put the Athletics up for good in the sixth inning.

In the championship game against the Sacramento Tribe, Danny ‘The Beast’ Pawelek was in full Beast mode, going all nine innings and shutting down the always tough Tribe hitters.  The Athletics again played small ball to push over runners in a 4 – 1 finish.  Wayne Grapes, Marty Schoredter, and Pawelek had key hits to lead the Athletics.

Co-MVPs for the tournament were Pawelek, Jungsten, and Grapes.

The Athletics’ pitching was key to the tournament win, as they allowed only 12 runs in five games.  Good pitching always prevails!