We Are the Champions Again !!!!

In what was the most exciting day in Storm baseball history, and possibly the history of the WMSPL, or maybe even the history of recreational baseball, or possibly even the history of baseball itself, Storm won the championship game, by coming from behind in their 3rd straight elimination game.

Storm and Hanet had played many tight games throughout the year, including a 9-9 tie, so it was expected that the final matchup between the top two regular season teams would be amazing, and it did not disappoint.

With eliminated players from many other teams watching (and cheering for Hanet), Storm took to the field to defend its championship.

The entire game, like much of the day, was a back and forth affair, with Hanet jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, powered by two home runs. Storm then quickly responded with a 4 run bottom of the 1st, conserving their home runs by hitting four singles and a double.

In the 2nd, Storm kept Hanet off the board, and then added four more runs to take an 8-3 lead. Bob jacked a 2 run homer, and then Duran, Joey and Al got hits before Jeff capped the inning with an RBI single. It seemed as if Storm was about to pull away.

Hanet then proved why they were the 2nd ranked team in the regular season. Instead of being phased by Storm’s inning, Hanet came back with another strong offensive outing of their own. They put up four runs in the top of the 3rd powered by yet another home run. Storm was able to keep them off the board for the next three innings, though, and in the bottom of the 6th put in 3 more to take a 12-7 lead. Storm knew from experience, that 5 run leads are tenuous, and experienced it from the other side as Hanet scored 7 runs in the top of the 7th inning, hitting yet another home run.

It was all coming down to this. Storm had already had a last inning come from behind win against the Falcons and had come from behind after an early deficit against the A’s. Could they do it one more time? Did they have any more gas in their offensive engine?

It didn’t look like it at first. Al grounded out to start the inning. Then Lance drove one deep over the fence, but that only brought Storm to within one. Jeff hit a single, and then Brad doubled to put the tying run on 3rd base. Brian singled to score Jeff, and the game was tied. Mike, who had demonstrated some heroics in the game against the Falcons was in another position to be the hero, and he did not let the team down. He hit a deep fly ball which scored Brad and the game was over! Storm had won. They have become the first repeat winners since Greenthumb’s reign from 2005-2008. Congratulations!

HR's: Bob (1), Duran, (1), Lance (1)

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Hanet	3	0	4	0	0	0	7	14
Storm	4	4	0	1	0	3	3	15