2009 PCBL AAA Fall Championship

Raiders


2009 PCBL AAA Fall Champions

Raiders (8-2 / #2 Seed) -vs- Mets (9-1 / #1 Seed)
Sun. 11/22 @ 11am / Chatsworth High School

 

Raiiders Romp Early to Claim AAA Title
By Scot Sweet / PCBL Staff Writer

Watch Final out and Celebration on

It was plain to see that this years' Fall AAA Championship was sure to be a battle. The top-seeded Mets wrapped up the regular season with a 7-game win streak to finish with a 9-1 record. The Raiders' only lost twice during the regular season; both times at the hands of the Mets. Obviously wanting redemption, they would end up getting their chance in the big game against the one team they had yet to get the better of. You couldn't ask for a better championship scenario! With that being said, let's get right to the action!
With 1 out in the top of the 1st inning, Sergio Almanzar reaches safely due to a fielding error. The next batter is Steve Klein. He promptly hits a 2-run homer to give the Raiders the early lead. The next batter would fly out, sending up Juan Romo who singles. Spencer Woolwine follows with a base on balls; sending up Troy Jemjemian who doubles to clear the bases. The Raiders end up with 4 big runs in the 1st inning to take the early 4-0 lead.

The Mets leadoff the bottom of the 1st inning with Gabriel Gonzalez who is hit by a pitch. He advances to second on a groundout and later scores on a sacrifice groundout by Esteban Gallegos. the Mets settle for the single run; trailing the Raiders 4-1 through 1 full inning of play.

The Raiders leadoff with Mike Pierson who reaches base safely due to a fielding error. The next batter goes down swinging; followed by leadoff hitter Donnie Knecht who gets an RBI single. The next batter is Sergio Almanzar who singles as well. The next batter is Steve Klien who hit a 2-run homer in his 1st at bat. He hits an RBI single to give him 3 RBI's so far in the contest. The next batter is the always dangerous Shane Lady. He doubles to bring home a run. The Raiders add 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning to take a 7-1 lead through an inning and a half.

With the Mets failing to score in the bottom of the inning; the Raiders come up in the top of the 3rd inning with a chance to really put this game out of reach. The first 2 batters are retired; sending up Casey Stewart who draws a 2-out walk. The next batter is hit by a pitch; sending up Teddy Atler who 2 on and 2 out. He promptly doubles to score a pair. The Raiders settle for 2 runs in the inning; now leading the Mets by a comfortable margin, up 9-1.

 

The score would remain 9-1 Raiders as we entered the top half of the 5th inning. The Raiders' Troy Jemjemian gets a 1-out double. Casey Stewart walks to put 2 on for Mike Pierson, who hits into a fielder's choice. Teddy Atler follows with a single; setting the stage for leadoff hitter Donnie Knecht who gets an RBI single. The Raiders settle for the single run; now leading by a score of 10-1.

The Mets show signs of life in the bottom of the 5th inning as a their leadoff batter (only listed as Geo) hits a solo homer. They settle for the single run in the inning; now trailing 10-2 through 5 complete innings of play.

But the Raiders refused to let up on offense. With 1 out in the inning, Steve Klein gets his 3rd hit of the ballgame. It's a double; leaving him needing a triple to hit for the cycle. Shane Lady follows with a single; at which time the Mets' starting pitcher Danny Salazar is relieved by Carlos Mejia. The first batter Mejia faces is Juan Romo with 1 out and 2 on. He singles to score a run. The next batter is hit by a pitch; followed by Troy Jemjemian who goes down swinging. The next batter is Casey Stewart who gets a hit and advances as the 2nd baseman commits an error. Two runs score on the play. The Raiders add 3 runs to their huge lead; now cruising by a score of 13-2.

The Mets' Chris Cervantes gets a 2-out triple on the bottom of the 6th inning. He is followed by Esteban Gallegos who gets an RBI single. They would add another run in the 7th inning; courtesy of an RBI single by Fernando Gonzalez. The Mets would add single runs in both the 8th and 9th innings; but it would prove to be too little too late .... as the Raiders hold on to defeat the top-seeded Mets by a final score of 13-6.

Congratulations to the 2009 Fall Season AAA Champion Raiders for a great showing in this contest; finally overtaking the team that they were unable to beat during the regular season to take the title! And a big congratulations to the Mets for an exceptional season; winning 7 straight to get into the big game! Both teams very much deserved being here ... it was just the Raiders' day in the sun; as they beat the Mets in grand fashion!

 

 

BOX SCORE & GAME STATS
R H E
RAIDERS 4 3 2 0 1 3 0 0 0 13 14 3
METS 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 6 7 3

WP Randy Casey Jr. (Raiders)
Complete game; Allowed 6 runs on 8 hits, 4 walks & 9 K's (Game MVP)

LP Danny Salazar (Mets)
Pitched 5 1/3 Innings; Allowed 10 runs on 13 hits, 3 walks & 3 K's

Offensive stars:
Steve Klein (Raiders) 3 for 5; single, double, 2-run Homer, 3 RBI's, 2 runs
Donnie Knecht (Raiders) 2 for 5; 2 singles, 2 RBI's, 1 run
Juan Romo (Raiders) 2 for 4; 2 singles, walk, 1 RBI, 2 runs
Teddy Atler (Raiders) 2 for 5; single, double, 2 RBI's