2026 Athletics Make it Four in a Row in 60+ Division of Arizona MSBL
Arizona MSBL, 60+ Division
Athletics 9, Mutiny 3
‘A’s Make It A ‘Four-Peat’ Championship’
Thursday, August 20 – Salt River Field R4 — The AZMSBL 60+ A’s capped another outstanding season by sweeping a tough Mutiny ballclub two games to none in the championship round and capturing the 2026 league title.
The decisive Game Two victory, a hard-fought 9-3 win, was much closer than the final score indicated. Locked in a tight contest entering the ninth inning, the A’s erupted for four runs to put the game away and complete the championship sweep.
The Athletics entered the postseason following a dominant 17-1 regular season. Their only loss came at the hands of the second-place Mutiny, who finished the year at 13-5 after defeating the A’s back in May.
Throughout the regular season, player-manager Mike DiMino was able to rely on a remarkably stable lineup, with the same core group of players answering the bell nearly every game. The club also featured a deep and dependable pitching staff that was always ready to take the ball.
Chris Means, Enrique Borboa, Jim Barker, and Dan Doleshal handled the bulk of the mound duties. Means led the staff with seven victories, while Barker posted a team-best 2.83 ERA.
Offensively, Scott Sachwitz, Mike Briguglio, Jim Machado, and DiMino each batted better than .500. Sachwitz led the way with 11 extra-base hits, while Machado collected six. They were supported by fine seasons from Rob Rusch, Joe Bottorff, Darryll Foster, Steve Katz, Mark Chapleski, Jeff Gilbert, Jeff McCluskey, Jim Rathbun, Doug Harmon, Miguel Esteves, and Steve Pepi. Gilbert finished second on the club with seven extra-base hits.
Defensively, the A’s benefited from a versatile group capable of moving around the diamond and keeping everyone fresh. Behind the plate, Briguglio anchored both the defense and pitching staff, catching all but 15 innings during the season.
The first round of the playoffs was anything but easy. In a winner-take-all contest against the fourth-place AZ All Stars, who finished the regular season at 8-10, the A’s found themselves locked in a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning. The green and gold then exploded late, pulling away to secure their place in the championship round.
Meanwhile, the Mutiny faced a battle of their own against the third-place Toros, who had posted a 12-6 regular-season record. The Mutiny eventually emerged with a hard-fought 9-7 victory, setting up a best-of-three championship series between the league’s top two clubs.
The Athletics took Game One behind a complete-game effort from Means, who walked none and struck out six. The offense provided plenty of support. Sachwitz enjoyed a four-hit night that included a double and four RBI, while Briguglio reached base in all five of his plate appearances, collecting three hits, including a double, along with two walks and three RBI. McCluskey added a two-bagger, and Esteves delivered a bases-clearing triple.
On the hill for Game Two, southpaw Borboa turned in another complete-game performance. He walked just two and picked off a pair of runners at critical points in the game. Briguglio again backstopped the pitching effort while contributing a hit, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, scoring twice.
Machado and Gilbert each crossed the plate two times, while McCluskey delivered the biggest blow of the night with a two-run single in the ninth inning that broke open the tightly contested game.
The 9-3 victory completed the championship sweep and gave the Athletics their fourth consecutive title in the 60+ division.
Much of that sustained success can be attributed to the consistency and commitment of the roster. For nearly every game, team management could count on virtually the same group of players showing up ready to play. And on those nights when someone was unavailable, the A’s depth and versatility allowed players to move seamlessly around both the diamond and the batting order without the club missing a beat.
With the 2026 league campaign now complete, the Athletics turn their attention to tournament season in Arizona and Florida before eventually shutting things down and beginning preparations for 2027.
Go A’s Go!