2024 White Sox Sweep Expos for Seventh Title in Central Arkansas Men’s Baseball League

Central Arkansas Men’s Baseball League

White Sox 8, Expos 0 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)

Submitted by Stephen King, White Sox manager

In 2011, I started the White Sox with the sole intention of getting back to baseball and playing with guys that were likeminded and had a passion for the game.  I did not imagine the level of success our team would have over the course of the next 13 seasons.

Each year we bring back a core group of guys that have played with me for 10 or more years.  This year’s team had four of us that were on the first White Sox team (Stephen King, Charlie Kreps, Adam Reed, and Adam Acklin).  Guys like Zach Davis, Seth Hyder, and Mark Chandler having committed their summers to this team for more than 10 years show that it is more than just baseball.

We have players, such as Brandon Scucchi, Ric Guzman, and Brad Silfies, who are closing in on their 10-year mark in the next season or two.  All this to say, we are a close-knit bunch of ball players.

The 2024 White Sox (18-2) held first place the entire season, albeit close company with the defending champions, Pirates.  There was always a steady pressure from the Yankees and Indians as well.  During the course of this summer, the White Sox lost two regular season games, each by one run.  This was a testament to our pitching staff lead by Justin Vincent and Stephen Swagerty.  The bullpen wasn’t too shabby either rarely giving up more than a run or two in relief.

When you have the depth that the White Sox pitching staff have, it will continue to be a difficult task for any team that plays us.  The defense was masterful and made very few mistakes all season long.  As veterans will tell you, in order to be successful as a team in the MSBL you have to throw strikes and not beat yourself on defense.

This team led the league with #1 and #2 in walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP), top one and two in Ks (61 and 55 from Swagerty and Vincent, respectively), and most wins (Vincent–8).  That’s all great but you have to score runs.  Therefore, hitting was a priority for us in the offseason.

We wanted to get guys that were going to get on base, manufacture runs, and drive the baseball.  We accomplished that with the addition of a few newcomers.  Derek Birginske led the team in average, slugging, doubles, and home runs.  Other newcomers contributing greatly to the White Sox run support and defense were Caleb Harpole and Devin Moore.

The regular season ended with the White Sox winning their ninth league championship.  As the playoffs went along, the White Sox did not falter securing a Championship series berth for the 11th time in 13 seasons.  After two tough games against the Expos, (5-2 and 8-0) the 2024 White Sox won their seventh tournament championship.

Each championship is special but doing it with a group of guys you thoroughly enjoy being around makes it even better!