2026 Giants Survive Furious 9th Inning Comeback to Secure Central North Carolina 50+ Championship

Central North Carolina MSBL, 50+ Division

Giants 14, Gray Marlins 13 (Game three of best-of-three championship series)

Submitted by Rob Isbell, League President

The 50+ Giants find themselves back on top of the division after a three-year hiatus. The Giants, managed by Bob Patterson, won the division three years in a row before the Gray Marlins dethroned them for the last three years. This year, the championship series took all three games to decide a winner and denied the fish a coveted fourth consecutive crown.

Games one and two of the series were held at the historic Durham Bulls Ballpark and were split, with the Gray Marlins taking the first game 5-9, and the Giants slugging their way to a 13-15 victory in game two. That set up a decisive game three the following weekend (8/23).

Game three was definitely an all-time thriller. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Giants carried a commanding 14-5 lead into the ninth inning, but the Gray Marlins (#1 seed throughout the season) weren’t done yet.

The Marlins kept scratching, clawing, and battling to make it 13-14, with the tying run in scoring position before the Giants finally slammed the door.

Congrats to both teams for a well-fought series!