2026 Sea Dogs Log Fourth Straight 40+ Championship in Rhode Island MSBL
Rhode Island MSBL, 40+ Division
Sea Dogs 25, Hops 13 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)
‘Sea Dogs Make It Four in a Row’
Submitted by Mike Doherty, manager
The Sea Dogs of Rhode Island secured their fourth straight championship against their fourth different finals opponent. This year, the Sea Dogs took on the relentless Hops, who secured their ticket to the finals by taking down league titan Astros, who finished the season in first place. The Sea Dogs made it to the finals after once again matching up against their nemesis, the always tough Braves.
Game One saw the Hops jump out to a 1-0 lead after their half of the first, only to have the Sea Dogs come roaring back in the bottom, scoring eight runs while batting around the order. The strong pitching of Christos Zervas kept the bats of the Hops silent until the middle of the game. After the first inning, the game felt like a blowout, but Hops pitcher Ben Miller was far from done, setting down the Sea Dogs in order in the second and third and not allowing another run until the seventh.
In the meantime, the Hops broke through with three more in the sixth and two more in the seventh, making it an 8-6 game before the Sea Dogs broke through again in the seventh making in 9-6. The Hops proved there was no quit in them on this night, though, plating two more in their half of the eighth, making it 9-8 Sea Dogs.
However, the Sea Dogs took advantage of a couple of hit batsmen and two timely singles that drove in three, making it 12-8 Sea Dogs, which was too much for the Hops in their half of the ninth. Offensive standouts for the Sea Dogs were Jeff Gaccione, 3 for 4, HBP, 2 R and Jay Martin 2 for 4, HBP, 2 R.
Game two saw Sea Dogs newcomer David Williams on the mound to start. The Sea Dogs came out to score three runs in the top of the first, but were matched by the Hops in their half. Williams pitched well and exited the game after three with the Sea Dogs down 6-5.
Veteran knuckleballer Mike Squatrito entered the game in relief, but the strike zone proved to be elusive. Brian Baker then entered the game to shut the door on the Hops, but the Sea Dogs found themselves down 12-5 after four. However, it’s never a good idea to count this team out, as they came roaring back with eight in the top of the fifth to make it 13-12.
The Hops tied it at 13 in their half, but the Sea Dogs offense proved too much, adding eight more runs to put the game out of reach. Offensive standouts in Game two were Jake Ferreira, 4 for 6, BB, 5 R; Jay Martin, 4 for 6, BB, 3 R, 7 RBI; 4 for 4, 2 BB, 3 R, 5 RBI, and Brian Baker, 3 for 6, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Overall, this sweep was an excellent team effort and reflects how the Sea Dogs have played all season, with contributions from up and down the lineup!