2026 Star City Bootleggers Win 18+ Wood Division of Southern Virginia Adult Baseball League
Southern Virginia Adult Baseball League, 18+ Division
Star City Bootleggers 8, Anglers 4
Submitted by Mike Fowler, League President
The Star City Bootleggers put an emphatic stamp on their 2026 Southern Virginia Adult Baseball League 18+ Wood season, finishing atop the standings at 14-3-1 and claiming the championship with decisive wins in the first two games of a hard-fought three-game series.
Led by a potent offense that hit a collective .342 with an impressive .874 OPS, the Bootleggers scored 145 runs while allowing just 71. Their balanced attack featured timely power, consistent contact, and aggressive baserunning with 30 stolen bases as a team. Mike Solomon led the entire league with three home runs while driving in 19 runs.
Derek Tremblay anchored both sides of the ball. In 17 games, the veteran posted a .414 average with three home runs, 11 RBI, eight stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.119. On the mound, Tremblay was nearly unhittable, going 7-0 with five complete games, 1 shutout, 97 strikeouts, a 0.70 WHIP, and a microscopic 0.43 ERA over 62.2 innings.
Nygeal Andrew provided consistent production, batting .459 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and a team-high 1.295 OPS in 10 games. JJ Tyree was electric in limited action, hitting .556 with a triple, home run, and 1.498 OPS. Bryce Cooper (.474 average), Shane Woodrum (.378 average, 17 RBI), and Mitchell Martin (.426 average) formed a dangerous supporting cast.
Role players such as Daniel Mellas, Dan Forest, Austin Byers, Ethan Pagans, and Kyle Johnson provided depth and timely contributions throughout the long season.
The pitching staff as a whole was outstanding. The Bootleggers posted a team 2.89 ERA and 1.27 WHIP while striking out 172 batters in 140 innings. Mitchell Martin added three wins and 25 strikeouts, while Bryce Cooper, Daniel Mellas, and others provided valuable innings out of the bullpen and in spot starts.
The Bootleggers saved their best for last. In the championship series, they won both of the final two games to secure the title. The pitching staff, led by quality outings from Derek Tremblay, Mitchell Martin, and others, limited damage at critical moments, while the offense continued to manufacture runs with a mix of extra-base hits and aggressive baserunning.
From early-season consistency to closing out the title series with back-to-back victories, Star City proved to be the class of the SVABL 18+ Wood division.