2022 60+

Mustangs Baseball Club 7, Las Vegas 60s 0

‘Kleinpeter Throws Championship Game Shutout’

Submitted by Mike LaComb, Mustangs manager

The 60 Mustangs Baseball Club had a great time at the 2022 Las Vegas Open. We enjoyed playing some of the 50 teams in the round-robin, as we went 2-1 in that. Playing the higher level of competition got us ready to face the Las Vegas 60s team in the championship.

During the round-robin, the Mustangs got excellent pitching from Joe Flores, Dave Porta, Tom Leonard, John Denney, and Ray Quinteros. In the Mustang tradition, our defense stood strong behind our pitchers. Mike Settles and Rob DiRosario handled the catching in the Vegas heat. Outfielder Tom Leonard had two outfield assists, one with a spectacular play on the other end by Sabrina Robinson.

Joe Flores got to take the trophy home as tournament MVP as he pitched a win, went 8 for 10 at the plate, and played middle infield. Other players with OBPs over .500 included Ray Quinteros, Mike Zipay, Jerry Guerra, Mike McConnell, Steve Kleinpeter, John Denney, Mike Settles, Rob DiRosario, and Mike LaComb. Mike Zipay led the team in RBIs.

In the championship game, Dave Haggart, Sean O’Sullivan, Mike Zipay, and Glenn Klare all had big hits in the win. But, the biggest star of all in the championship game was Steve Kleinpeter, as he pitched a complete game, 7 to 0 shutout over a tough opponent the Las Vegas 60s! Twice he pitched out of bases-loaded situations with one out and didn’t allow a run. Our defense played error-less ball behind him.

This was the Mustangs team’s first 60+ tournament championship. We are looking forward to many more to come!