2020 25+ American

North County San Diego 4, AV Astros 1

‘Helm Strikes Out 14 to Secure Championship’

Submitted by Ben Penney, North County manager

The team from North County San Diego entered the 2020 MSBL Desert Classic 25+ American Division playoffs as the #1 seed after going 2-1 in pool play. North County San Diego (NCSD) made it to the championship game by beating the Inland NW Bandits in the semifinals of the playoffs 7-0. NCSD was led at the plate by the Fyfe brothers, Pat and Zach, going a combined 2 for 4 with a single, double, two walks, hit-by-a-pitch, three runs scored, and an RBI.

After a loud first inning of hard contact by the Bandits, NCSD pitcher Clay Murray settled down and finished the complete game shutout allowing five hits and four walks while striking out four.

In the championship game, NCSD faced the AV Astros, their only loss in pool play. NCSD took an early lead in the first inning after James Carraway singled, stole a base, and was driven in by a Cameron Penney double. NCSD added two more runs in the third inning on a Jake Gerardi 2-RBI single. NCSD padded their lead in the sixth, using the same formula as the first inning: James Carraway single, stolen base, and Cameron Penney double.

The 4-0 NCSD lead proved to be enough as NCSD was paced on the mound by Sean Helm. Sean went the distance, allowing his only run in the ninth to preserve the 4-1 win. Sean scattered nine hits while striking out 14.

For the tournament, Cameron Penney proved to be the NCSD MVP hitting .588 with six doubles, a triple, three runs scored, and nine runs driven in. Sean Helm led the way on the mound, not only winning the championship game, but also throwing eight innings in a pool play game with no runs allowed while striking out eight.