The finale of the MVABL playoffs turned out to be an intense and exciting game. Each team sent out their game 1 starting pitchers to try and duplicate their strong outings from the day before. While the Redlegs continued to try and figure out Matt Clark, the Machine were ready to pounce on the veteran ace of the Redlegs.

The Machine blasted out of the gate in the top of the 1st inning. Cameron Calhoun led the game off with a triple and promptly scored on a single by Brenen Sokowoski. Paul Wilson later doubled and would score when Michael Taylor lined a 2 out bomb over the left field fence.

Jacob Robinson then started the bottom half of the inning with a line drive double that got over the head of the left fielder. Joey Watson then singled, but as Clark had done so many times the day before, he was able to strand the runners in scoring position.

Campbell worked quickly turning in a 1-2-3 top of the 2nd before the Redleg offense threatened again. James Robinson led off with a single and moved to 2nd on a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Matt Morrison. Clark buckled down and retired two straight batters with a ground out to 2nd and short stop.

Matt Clark continued to kill the Redlegs by recording a one out base hit and eventually scored on a single by Nicholas Montoya.

The Redlegs finally got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd. Jacob Robinson walked to start the inning, swiped 2nd base, moved to 3rd on a single by Joey Watson, and scored on a wild pitch.

But the Machine offense would not be silenced. They scored 2 more in the top of the 4th to push their advantage to 7-1. Aaron Maggard led the inning off with a double and scored when Tyler Bundy singled. George Lesher was then hit by a pitch. Cameron Calhoun then grounded into a fielder’s choice at 2nd base but a run scored on the play. Sokowoski then worked a walk to load the bases which brought Matt Clark to the plate. Clark lined a hot shot to Mike Hartman at 3rd, but he was able to handle it and throw a perfect ball to home plate to get the runner before scoring. Campbell then was able to induce an infield popup to strand the runners and end the inning.

Matt Redman then took over on the hill for the Redlegs in top of the 5th. Trailing 7-1, the Redlegs needed Redman to hold the Machine if they had any hopes of making a comeback. Redman got off to a good start, turning in a scoreless 5th and stranded runners at 2nd and 3rd when he ended the inning with a strikeout.

The Redlegs chipped away at the lead in the bottom of the 5th. Jared Bradley led the inning off with a single and ended up scoring on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Howard.

Redman got a little help from center fielder Jacob Robinson in the top of the 6th. Brenen Sokowoski smoked a hard line drive into center field that looked like it would be a lead off base hit, but Robinson was able to lay out and make a diving snag to take away the hit. Matt Clark then doubled, but Redman got a ground out and fly out to end the inning unscathed.

Paul Wilson entered again for the Machine in the bottom of the 6th and held the Redlegs scoreless. Redman matched with a 1-2-3 top of the 7th.

The Redlegs then got to Wilson in the bottom of the 7th, they sent 9 men to the plate and scored 3 runs to bring the game back to 7-5. Jacob Robinson walked with one out, Arend singled and Brandon Howard walked to load the bases. Mike Hartman then singled in a run before James Robinson and Matt Morrison each worked walks to bring in runs.

Redman continued pitching well, holding the Machine scoreless in the top of the 8th recording another strike out.

Wilson matched with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th.

Redman then walked Michael Taylor to start the top of the 9th before recording an out via a flyball to center field. Tyler Bundy then lined a scorched line drive toward second base. Brandon Howard made a miraculous jumping snag to take the hit and fired a strike to 1st base to double up the runner and send the Redlegs back to the plate with one last shot at a comeback.

Wilson retired the first batter he faced and then walked Brandon Howard. Howard was then forced out at 2nd on a ground ball to short stop. With 2 outs and one runner on, the Redlegs had no more room for error. James Robinson delivered a single to keep the game alive. Matt Morrsion was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Matt Mattice then worked a walk which brought the game within one run at 7-6. Jared Bradley then walked to the plate in what was undoubtedly the most pressure packed at bat of the game. Bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the 9th, trailing by one run. Bradley worked a walk to bring in the tying run. Jacob Robinson the stepped to the plate. The Machine elected to turn to Cameron Calhoun to take over on the mound and try to save the game for the Machine. On a 2-2 count, Calhoun delivered a fast ball that Robinson drove into left center field to bring the winning run to the plate and clinch the Redlegs first MVABL championship.

Matt Redman earned the win with his outstanding effort, allowing no runs over 5 frames, 2 hits, and 2 strikeouts.

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