2014 Oaks Sweep Thunderbirds in 40+ Finals in Bay Area

Bay Area (CA) MSBL 40+ Division

Oaks 19, Thunderbirds 12

Submitted by Jim Frenn and Mike Biglieri, Bay Area MSBL

Mike Biglieri’s Oaks squad won their first League Championship in the Bay Area (CA) MSBL by defeating the Thunderbirds in the BAMSBL’s 40+ Division series, winning the finale 14 to 12. The Oaks Roy Manzanares had three hits, Dave Cheney continued his hot hitting with two doubles and Steve Etter drove in three runs.

Oaks MVP Mike Holland led the team on the mound, improving to eight wins on the year while striking out four. Bill Magoolaghan struck out 13 Thunderbirds in game one for the 6-4 win while earning the save in game two.

The Oaks started the semi-final game with an 8-0 lead but by the second inning the T’Birds clawed back. A few hits, a couple of walks and a couple of errors later the game closed to 8-7. The Oaks continued hitting and hitting and hitting. The Oaks had the bases loaded in each of the first four innings, which helped to extend their lead to 16-7. “The T’Birds got to me by scoring five in the bottom of the eighth making the score 16-12 and it knocked me out of the game,” explained pitcher Holland. “With two on and one out, Billy (Magoolaghan) came in and slammed the door on the rally keeping them from scoring anymore.We scored a few insurance runs in the ninth and Bill closed out the game, earning the save.”

Manager Mike Biglieri summed up the 19-12 championship game. “Manzanares, Cheney and Etter really brought their bats to this game and Billy and Mike came up huge on the mound. Those are the guys who won this game and made the season and the championship possible. I just drove the train. They provided the power and execution.”