2025 60+ Desert
Seattle Pilots 14, Colorado Falcons 4
Submitted by Greg Morrison, Pilots’ manager
2025 was the second trip to Arizona for the 60+ Desert Division Seattle Pilots to play in the MSBL World Series and the opportunity to defend their 2024 title.
The core of the team consisted of Puget Sound Senior Baseball League (PSSBL) teammates from the 4-time (2021-2024) 60+ league champion Rainier Pilots. The balance of the team was made up of other players, past and present, from the PSSBL and three non-PSSBL players.
The Pilots went 5-1 in pool play, as the pitching staff of Jeff Kyger, Mike Lindberg, Kevin Broderick, Scott McHugh, Doug Springford, Jess Sanders, Matt Falerios, and Bob Hope allowed a mere 39 runs and twirled four complete games in the process.
Our pitchers were accompanied by an explosive offense, led by tournament Co-MVP McHugh, Phil Smith, Lindberg, Jeff Wilson, John Martella, Dale Pierson, Frank Clark (11-17 with 12 RBI in pool play), Ron Piacenti (11-18 with 8 RBI in pool play), Ron Sherwin, Howard Shore, Jay Lont, Scott Dillinger, Rodney Dunlap, Rex Cox, Mike Sullivan and Rick Powell. as well as a
Our very tight defense was led by outfielders Wilson, Sherwin, Cox, Clark, Powell, Broderick, and Mark Nordlund. The solid middle infield of Lindberg, Martella, McHugh, Pierson, and Smith, and Co-MVP catcher Greg Morrison, who kept opponents running games in check, helped the Pilots win their division and receive the first seed in the playoffs.
The Pilots defeated the Vegas Blues in their quarter-final game, 23-11. Lindberg pitched a complete game for the victory, while the hitting stars were Smith and Powell, each with three hits, Sullivan with three RBI, and Cox with a back-breaking inside-the-park home run.
The semi-final matchup was against the 60 Vets. The Pilots prevailed 12-5 behind Jess Sanders’ complete game victory (his 2nd of the Series) and the offense of Smith and Wilson with three hits each.
The Pilots played the Colorado Falcons in the championship game and raced out to an early 4-1 lead. The Falcons loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, but the Pilots escaped the inning without allowing a run and cruised the rest of the way to a 14-4 victory. Doug Springford pitched a complete game (his 2nd of the series), the defense was stout with McHugh, Dillinger, and Lont providing the timely hits to seal the victory.
A special ‘shout out’ to Carl Gleason, who was injured prior to the Series, did a phenomenal job as our bench coach, keeping us focused and organized.
Everyone on the roster made significant contributions to our success and ultimately, winning the championship for the second time in as many tries.
We also had a terrific time off the field, with Jeff Kyger hosting a gathering at his house, a team meal at The Brass Tap after our semi-final victory, and a championship celebration at Philly’s in Tempe.
This was a truly memorable and outstanding week!