2021 MSBL Billy Townsend Atlanta Memorial Day Tournament 50+ Champions Raleigh Braves
The 50+ Raleigh Braves, managed by David Halley, capped off an undefeated tournament in Atlanta, Georgia by going 2-0-1 in the round-robin and then winning two close playoff games in the semis and the championship.
In the semi-final game, they defeated the Tennessee Dirtbags 8-9. The Raleigh Braves would get off to a quick early lead in the semis leading 4-0 by the end of the second inning, but the Dirtbags would battle back and eventually tie it up in the fifth, 6-6. The Braves would put up a run in the sixth and seventh, but the Dirtbags matched them by tying them again in the top of the ninth 8-8. It took a two-out, walk-off single by Bobby Lovette in the bottom of the ninth to score Jack Myers for the Raleigh Braves to win the semi-final game. Dan Kopitzke pitched the first six innings for the Braves before being relieved by Leonard Schlude, who pitched the final three innings for the win.
SEMI-FINAL GAME: May 30, 2021, 6:00 pm
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors |
| Tennessee Dirtbags | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| Raleigh Braves | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 5 |
Raleigh Braves – Dan Kopitzke (6 IP), WP: Leonard Schlude (3 IP)
Tennessee Dirtbags – LP Latchford (9 IP)
Raleigh Hitting Highlights: Hector Diaz 3 for 4 (2B, 2 RBI), Jack Myers 2 for 5, Bobby Lovette 2 for 5 (2 RBI), Ron Daniel 2 for 4 (RBI), Scott Woolwine 2 for 3
Tennessee Hitting Highlights: Stephens 2 for 4, Sorrell 3 for 4 (2 SB),
The Championship Game was just as exciting as the Raleigh Braves won a close game 3-2 against the Alabama Decatur Braves. Raleigh Braves pitcher, Dan Kopitzke pitched all nine innings and would share the co-MVP honors with Vinny Stio, who went 3-4 with two doubles, and an RBI triple in the seventh to put the Raleigh Braves ahead for good.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: May 31, 2021, 9:30 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors |
| Alabama Decatur Braves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Raleigh Braves | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 3 | 11 | 0 |
Raleigh Braves – WP: Dan Kopitzke (9 IP)
Alabama Braves – B. Graves (6 IP), LP: D. Hutchinson (1 IP), Rob Heineman (1 IP)
Raleigh Hitting Highlights: Vinny Stio 3 for 4 (2 2B, 3B, RBI), Jack Myers 2 for 4, Dan Kopitzke 2 for 4 (2B), Bobby Lovette 2 for 4 (2B, RBI)
Alabama Hitting Highlights: J.Williams 2 for 4, C. Hogan 2 for 4 (RBI), J. Turnbough 2 for 4
