2026 Phillies Outduel Blue Jays for 55+ Mountain Title in Redwood Empire Baseball League in Sonoma, California
Redwood Empire Baseball League, 55+ Mountain Division
REBL Phillies 6, Blue Jays 4 (Game three in best-of-three championship series)
Submitted by Paul Demattei, co-manager
The 55+ REBL Championship in 2026 pitted the first-place Phillies (13-4-1) against the second-place Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays won game one of the best-of-3 series, 9-7. The Phillies came back in game two and won 10-5 to force a deciding Game Three.
In the championship game, both teams battled as the Phillies held a 4-2 lead and scratched across two more runs before the Blue Jays came back in the ninth inning with two runs and loaded the bases.
The Phillies got the final out and completed a 6-4 victory to win the 55+ Mountain League Championship in the Redwood Empire Baseball League.
Mark Pennewell started both Games Two and Three and was excellent in giving up only two earned runs combined in both starts. Jaime Parra came in to pitch in Game three and pitched the last six innings with only one earned run allowed to get the win in the finale.
Both Mark and Jaime carried the Phillies all year, with Mark throwing over 80 innings and Jaime 60 innings to lead the way. Jaime also hit a 2-run single in Game three and stole five bases in Games one and three. 
Center fielder Marty Contreras had the biggest hit of Game three, a 2-run double that put the Phillies ahead for good. Marty hit .400 with four hits in the three games. Shortstop Jim Fain also had four hits and scored five runs in the three games.
Jeff Baptista was a rock behind the plate, catching all 27 innings and adding a hit, two walks, and three HBP’s, along with three stolen bases. Right fielder Ronnie Hart added three hits and scored four runs and made two great throws to cut down a runner at home and first base.
Leadoff hitter Alan MacLeod sparked the Game three effort with a single, a double, and two walks to get on base all four times. Al also scored two runs and stole two bases in the finale.
This was an incredible team effort! Thanks to all the 55+ Phillies players for contributing to our 2026 Championship!