2024 Sea Donkeys Capture First 18+ National Division Title in Twin Cities MABL
Twin Cities Men’s Adult Baseball League, 18+ National Division
Minneapolis Sea Donkeys 6, Cottage Grove Coyotes 3
The Minneapolis Sea Donkeys defeated the Cottage Grove Coyotes 6-3 to capture the 2024 TCMABL 18+ Championship. The Donks have been in the league for 17 years, and while they’ve won six Regular Season Championship Pennants (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024) this was the first time they brought home the coveted Jon Garbaz Cup. “It was a special season with a special group of guys,” said Donks player-manager Ryan Lutzka. “We’ve had so much regular-season success, but have not been able to reach our ultimate goal of bringing home the Cup! Needless to say, this season was one for the ages. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished.”
The Donks entered the playoffs as the #1 seed in the National Division with a regular season record of 20-2 whilst receiving a First-Round bye. Their playoff run started with a convincing win over the #4 Minneapolis North Stars 15-5 (10 Run Rule), with Donks 2024 Cy Young Luke Elifson pitching a solid six innings. The line-up from top to bottom used their keen eyes to draw 12 walks, with clutch hitting from Conor O’Brien (2024 ROY) who led the way with two hits and three RBI.
The Donks then faced #2 Eagan Expos in the National Division Championship game. These two foes split their regular season series, so the rubber match would determine who was packing up and who was moving on. Once again, the Donks turned to Elifson to get the job done. Luke pitched a 9-inning complete game only allowing two runs and eventually won the TCMABL Playoff MVP.
The line-up erupted for nine runs against a very stingy Expos team with Ben Losee (2024 MIP) clutch 2-out hit in the fourth to tally the first run. A few hits later the Donks had put up five in the fourth and the rest was history. Multiple hits by veterans Dan Casazza (2024 MVP), Emery Hull (2024 OPY), Benjamin Nelson, and Pete Ridley drove the Donks into the TCMABL Championship game against the American Division’s #1-seeded Cottage Grove Coyotes. 
“To be the best you have to beat the best,” said Lutzka. “The Yotes have won five titles, and four of the last six cups. So, we’ll need to bring our very best if we hope to bring home our first.”
The Donks looked to their long-time starter Andy Gaddis to hold the Yotes at bay, and boy did he deliver. Gaddis pitched a gem, going 5.2 innings and only allowing two runs to one of the best line-ups the TCMABL has to offer.
Once again, the Donks opened up the scoring in the fourth, with Casazza walking, stealing second, and Ridley driving him home. Then in the sixth, the Donks extended the lead to 5-0. This was all fueled by a clutch 2-out hit by Nelson, in what can only be described as the best at-bat of the season, to score O’Brien. Ridley then delivered a double, scoring Casazza. Finally, Jelani Thomas rifled a single up the middle to score Nelson and Ridley.
The Yotes would answer in the bottom of the sixth, plating two, knocking Gaddis out of the game. With 2two outs and two on, the Donks called on Spencer Dokken to shut the door. Dok put out the fire by striking out the next batter. 
With tension high, the Donks were able to plate one more run in the seventh inning, which was matched by the Yotes. Heading into the bottom of the ninth the Donks held a 6-3 lead and were three outs away from their first Cup. It didn’t come easy as the first two batters walked. Donks Pitching Coach Joey Novak (2024 Unsung Hero) made the move to our closer Andrew Kemper. Kemper came in and extinguished the next three batters to close the game. Donks Win!
The 2024 season was a true team effort with contributions by every single player. Not mentioned above, but certainly had just as much to do with our success: Ike Nowlan, Sam Heaton, Matin Delapaz, Matt Shaver, Jeff Clabots, Chad Piersma (2024 DPY), Nicholas Ray, and Nate Jackson. The Donks are excited to run it back in 2025!