2026 Delco Bulldogs Rattle Off Eight Straight Wins to Capture South Jersey MSBL 45+ National Crown
South Jersey MSBL, 45+ National Division
Hot ‘Dogs: Delco Bulldogs Rattle Off Eight Straight Wins to Capture South Jersey MSBL 45+ National Crown
The 2026 season was not unfolding the way star shortstop and offensive catalyst Shaine Sigston (.425 BA/.964 OPS) had envisioned. Sigston and catcher Matt Gionta talked through their disappointment and settled on a simple goal: have more fun. Soon after, the Bulldogs started playing a better brand of baseball, and their season turned around.
DOG OF THE DAY…Looking to have a little more fun, the club started to award the “Dog of the Day” after wins. The plastic Bulldog chain was awarded to a player who made an impact, however big or small. After playing eight positions in a double-header sweep for the Bulldogs in mid-July, Tommy Acquarola took home the Dog of the Day and added to the tradition. 
Acquarola passed the chain on to the next deserving teammate, who did the same. Reds Bruno, Eric Green, Brian Ursone (.533 BA/1.265 OPS), Dan Park (.463 BA/1.117 OPS), and Brandon Bruno all took home Dog of the Day honors.
Ace left-hander Brandon Bruno led the charge for the Bulldogs, as they rattled off eight straight wins to capture the South Jersey’s MSBL 45+ National Division Crown. Bruno led the team in hitting with a .630 BA and 1.815 OPS. On the mound, Bruno did not allow an earned run in 41.1 innings pitched, finished with a 7-0 record, and hurled a no-hitter to send the Bulldogs to the title game.
Jason Tadeo’s strong first half was cut short by a shoulder injury. Sal Graziano, Paul Craskey, George Cipolloni, and Gordon C. Morris all chipped in on the mound and at the plate throughout the season.
ALL-STAR…The Bulldogs were represented at the mid-summer classic by all-stars Jose Oritz, Noe Rodriguez, Chad Willey, and Mike Radcliffe. Ortiz hit .450 in his rookie campaign, and Noe Rodriguez brought energy throughout the year. Third baseman Chad Willey appeared in all 17 games, and Mike Radcliffe (.457 BA/1.036 OPS/17 RBI) anchored the middle of the lineup.
BRINGING HOME THE TITLE…The Bulldogs faced the South Jersey Cardinals in the Championship Series, but overnight rainstorms forced the series to move to Collingdale, PA. Starting second baseman Rob McCarry (.300 BA) led an early-morning field crew that cleared standing water, mowed the grass, and prepared the grounds. The Bulldogs took a tightly contested Game 1, 4-0, behind a complete-game shutout from Brandon Bruno.
Gionta started the second game on the hill for the ‘Dogs, allowing two runs over four innings. Brian Ursone was the first arm out of the bullpen for the Bulldogs and struck out five in two innings of work. The Cardinals took a one-run lead into the bottom of the sixth, but Steve Dewees (.393 BA) smashed a single to even the score.
Tied entering the final frame, the Bulldogs turned back to Bruno. The Cardinals scratched across one unearned run, putting the series just three outs away from a deciding Game Three.
Eric Green, whose three doubles powered the club in the semifinals, opened the inning with a single. Ursone followed with a hot shot and reached on a throwing error. Chad Willey laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that appeared to move the runners to second and third. Instead, Jose Ortiz, running for Green, broke for home and scored the tying run on the play while Ursone advanced to third. With two outs and extra innings looming, Bulldogs leadoff hitter and stalwart Dan Park lined a single into the outfield to seal the walk-off win.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2027…With the smell of champagne still in their hair, the Bulldogs look forward to a promising 2027 that will see veteran Danny Murphy return to the squad. The ‘Dogs will open their official indoor training facility, 610Baseball, in Media, PA this fall. For more information on Delco Bulldogs baseball, please visit delcobaseball.com.
