2026 Patriots Sweep Blue Crabs in the 21+ Mick Myers Annapolis Division Championship in Chesapeake MSBL
Chesapeake MSBL, 21+ Mick Myers Annapolis Division
Patriots 13, Blue Crabs 3 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)
Submitted by Kevin Bidinger, manager
The Patriots completed an unbelievable season by winning the 2026 21+ Mick Myers Annapolis Division Championship of the Chesapeake MSBL. It was a very challenging regular season for the Patriots, riddled with numerous injuries and an extremely challenging game schedule. Their regular season record was a very modest 14-9-1.
Matt Binder had an outstanding regular season on the mound with a 7-0 record to lead the Patriots pitching staff. Matt Laprade led the team at the plate with a regular season batting average of .412.
Despite a wave of injuries, the Patriots battled their way to the playoff’s 4th seed, leaving them with a tough path of three series victories to win the championship. The first series was a hard-fought three-game series with the Angels, where the Patriots ended up winning two of them by one run each.
Moving on to the semi-finals, the Patriots were up against the #1 seed, defending champions, the Orioles. They had defeated the Patriots in the finals last season. This time the Patriots had their revenge. Going once again to a three-game series, the Patriots had two decisive wins to earn a spot in the championship series. Matt Binder led the pitching staff for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Going 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA.
In the championship series, the Patriots had to face the well-rested #3 seed, the Blue Crabs. The Patriots dominated in a two-game sweep, 18-8 and 13-3. Bryce Bidinger and Dustin Gosnell were the winning pitchers. The team batted .320 during the playoffs, and the team’s defense was stellar. They were finally healthy and came together to finish the season strong.
Through all the challenges that this season presented, this team did whatever it took to get it done. This season was truly a team effort as they fought through many adversities to be #1.