2023 Raleigh Oaks Capture ‘Repeat’ Championship in 18+ Division of Central North Carolina MSBL
Central North Carolina MSBL, 18+ Division
Raleigh Oaks 3, Tigers 1 (Game three in best-of-three championship series)
On Sunday, October 1st, the Raleigh Oaks (15-4) faced off against the Tigers (19-0) for the first two games of a Best-of-Three Championship Series. In Game One, the Oaks fell to the Tigers 9-0 behind a dominant performance by Tigers starting pitcher Boris Sanchez (5-0), who struck out five batters in a complete game shutout effort.
Game Two immediately followed, with the Oaks quickly falling behind the Tigers 1-0 after the first inning. The Oaks answered back with a run of their own, courtesy of a 1-out RBI single by Kyle Ohanian (.367). Starting pitchers Chris Giodano Jr. (Oaks) and Junior Javier (Tigers) both turned in strong performances and kept the score tied at one apiece until the seventh inning when the Tigers’ Alex Shea (.457) singled up the middle following a double by Atlee Hasson (.390).
The Oaks would take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning for good, stringing together singles by Brian Rubin (.431), Khalif Hill (.417), Justin Lampel (.372), and Kyle Ohanian (.367). Harley Duncan (.314) added an insurance run with a deep sacrifice fly, and the Oaks held on for a 2-4 victory to force a game three showdown.
The following Sunday, October 8th, the Oaks and Tigers squared off for a winner-take-all game three. The Oaks again found themselves in familiar territory, getting down 1-0 after the first inning, but quickly getting it back in the second on an RBI single by catcher Payton Musco (.267). A pair of leadoff hits by Jason Wipaki (.377) and Brian Rubin (.431) were rewarded by RBI singles from MJ Tineo (.464) and Justin Lampel (.372), resulting in the Oaks taking a 3-1 lead and not relinquishing it for the remainder of the game. Chris Giodano, Jr. (2-1, 2.81), and Brian Rubin (5-3, 3.97) recorded their second win and save of the series with a combined 9IP, 4H, 1 ER, 5BB, 10K performance.
The Raleigh Oaks’ was formed in 2022 by manager Brett Moraes. This is their second straight championship in the Central NC (18+) Men’s Senior Baseball League. The Oaks finished with 17 victories and was highlighted by league batting champion MJ Tineo (.464).
Other standout players include Jason Wipaki (league-leading 30 runs scored), and Brian Rubin (league-leader in wins (5) and innings pitched (56). The Oaks pitching staff also shared the load over the course of the season, as five separate players recorded over 20 innings pitched (Brian Rubin, Chris Giodano Jr., Cooper Strong, Harley Duncan, Hunter Hux)
