2015 Team New Era Captures 25+ Title in MUNY-Buffalo MSBL
MUNY-Buffalo MSBL 25+ Division
Team New Era 5, Erie-Buffalo 4
‘New Era Wins Title Behind Zaccogonino Mound Effort’
Contributed by Ralph Proulx, MUNY-Buffalo MSBL President
The 2015 baseball season started off just like every other season had for Team New Era in the 25-over division of the MUNY-Buffalo MSBL…with an Opening Day loss. What transpired after no one could have seen coming. A week later New Era would pick up their first win and never really looked back.
Backed by strong pitching by the likes of Taylor Sekuterski, Matt Oleski, and Ben Zaccogonino New Era would only surrender 30 runs throughout the regular season. Offensively, New Era used a team average of .361 to power them to a 21-1 regular season record. Led offensively by returning players Mike Austin, Sekuterski, James Krolikowski and team manager Derek Jozwiak they combined with great seasons by new players Jeff Jones, Parker Galvin, Brandon Caboot and Dave Bogner, who all hit over .350 on the season.
Come playoff time New Era would sweep through the first two series and took what became a 25 game winning streak into the championship series. After falling to a tough veteran Erie-Buffalo squad, led by league commissioner Ralph Proulx in game one, New Era would even the series after game two setting up a decisive game three with the title on the line.
New Era would hold on and win a well fought, well-played game to capture the trophy in a 5-4 contest. Led on the mound by six strong innings by Ben Zaccogonino, and a save provided by Sekuterski, set the table for the New Era offense to take control. A 2-run home run in the first, and a 3-run second inning would be enough to capture the title as the New Era pitching and defense held down the rest of the game.
New Era would finish up the season as a whole with a 27-2 record, including a 25 game winning streak. It was a phenomenal season and an all-around team effort by all 16 rostered players, all contributing through the entire season and playoffs.