2016 Legends Overcome River Rats in Best of Three in Memphis 40+ Division
Memphis MSBL 40+ Division
Memphis Legends 7, River Rats 5
‘Moffett’s Eight Strong Innings Seal the Title’
Submitted by Barry Cummins, Memphis Legends
The Memphis MSBL recently wrapped up its 2016 post-season with a double-elimination tournament, and the Legends were able to bounce back from an earlier loss against the River Rats by winning two games on Championship Sunday. Kirk Caraway was the winning pitcher in the first game throwing a complete game and leading the Legends to a 10–3 victory. His contribution at the plate was just as impressive as he led the offensive charge with three hits and four RBIs. Ben Pennington and Darin Throndson also contributed two hits each. The Legends put themselves in a chance to play for the championship by putting together multi-run innings in the fourth and sixth. This offensive output combined with the quality pitching and defense put the first game out of reach for the River Rats.
Although playing 9-inning double headers can be difficult for players in their 20s, the Legends and River Rats were up for the challenge. The Legends won the coin flip and opted to be the home team. However, the River Rats scored three runs in the top of the first with the assistance of a couple of errors. The Legends got two of those runs back in the bottom of the first and tied up the score in the second. The River Rats continued to play good defense and produced a couple of runs in the middle innings. However, the Legends were on a mission and finally tied up the game with a two-out, two-RBI double by Ben Pennington in the bottom of the sixth. Pennington then scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Caraway.
The Legends put another insurance run on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning when Cory Williams hit a double to plate Cory Pratt. The two-run cushion was all that Marc Moffett needed to close out the game in the ninth inning. Moffett took the mound in the second inning and pitched eight quality innings to earn the victory for the Legends.After Moffett recorded the final out, the team commemorated the moment by snapping the photo. Although the post-game antics lacked the champagne bottles that are a staple of MLB locker room celebrations, the Legends proudly savored their achievement and are looking forward to defending their title in the 2017 season. The championship was a total team effort with each player making key contributions through the course of the tournament.
The Legends were founded by player-coach Jodie Wolfe, and without his continual recruiting efforts and words of motivation, the team would be floundering. The Legends will also like to acknowledge the work of Commissioner Eddie Byrd, whose countless hours and dedication to the league keep it running.