2018 Sacramento Sounds Win First Title in 18+ Open American Division
Sacramento MSBL, 18+ Open American Division
Sacramento Sounds 8, Marlins 0
‘Chandler O’Brien Scatters Five Hits in Shutout Win’
Submitted by Barry O’Brien, Sounds manager
Behind some timely hitting, excellent defense, and a complete game shut-out, the Sounds from the Sacramento MSBL 18+ Open American Division capped off an excellent season in winning their first Division Championship by beating the Marlins 8-0 behind seven stellar innings from Chandler O’Brien, who scattered five hits and struck out five without giving up a walk, and RBI’s by five different hitters, including two by catcher Brent Collier.
The Sounds played their first year together in 2017, making it to the best 2 of 3 Championship round in the summer before falling in two games. The goal was to make their breakthrough in 2018. After splitting their first two games in 2018, the Sounds won their last 15 games to capture the title. The offense produced 136 runs over the 16 games. They batted .380 as a team and were led by Jared Ouellette (.559 avg. 16 RBI’s) and Jordan Yu (.514 avg. 2 HR’s, 22 RBI’s). Six players (Jared, Jordan, Jeff Klahn, Trevor Ray, Brent Collier and Chandler O’Brien) hit .417 or better, with the first four hitting .500 or better.
Pitching and defense also played a huge part in their championship run. Led by Chandler O’Brien (7-1, 50.2
innings, 1.95 ERA) and Jordan Yu, (5-0, 23.2 innings, 2.66 ERA), the Sounds gave up a total of 38 runs in those 16 games, including only 21 in their last 14 games. The championship game versus the Marlins played out true to form. The previous two games played against the Marlins were close, intense, and well played, both games decided by a total of three runs and this was no different.
The Sounds pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first. The big hit was a 2-run single by Brent Collier and, leading only 3-0, manufactured a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The key play to the game came in the top of the fourth. With the Marlins trailing 3-0 and runners on first and second with one out, O’Brien started an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play to get out of the jam. The Sounds added three insurance runs in the fifth and one in the sixth for the final margin. The team enjoyed their championship, took a few weeks off, and are now turning their focus to the summer.