2019 PCBL AA-Division Spring Championship
August 4, 2019 @ College of the Canyons
Berserkers (13-6-1) -vs- Dodos (18-1)
The weather cooled down a little for the final game of our championship weekend, but the play on the field was still scorching. With the 2019 AA Championship on the line, we were about to witness a rematch of the 2018 AA Championship game, which saw the Dodos take down the Berserkers. Would history repeat itself, or would the Berserkers finally come through, after losing each of the previous 3 championships? Let's get to the action...
George Williams led off for the Berserkers against Dodos' veteran lefty Steve Cole. Williams singled, and one out later, moved to third when Marcos Rodriguez reached on an error. Cole settled down and retired the next 2 hitters, bringing the Dodos to the plate in the bottom of the first.
Crafty righty Michael Maglione took the hill for the Berserkers and worked quiet first - a trend that followed for each team until the 4th.
With one out in the top of the 4th, Johnny Lopez singled to left for the Berserkers. Marcos Rodriguez singled to right, and Dan Hagman knocked in the game's first run with a single to left, giving the Berserkers a short-lived 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the Dodos' Tom Segal led off with a walk. Dustin Burke grounded into what looked like a double play, but a bad throw from short allowed him to take second with just one out. Mike Zumwalt reached on an error, and Dave Estrada walked to load the bases. Eder Tapia singled home a pair, and JR Gomez reached on an error. With 2 outs and the bases juiced, the aptly named Ryan Walker walked, brining home another run, and setting the score to to 3-1 Dodos after 4.
After a quiet top of the 5th, the Dodos were back at it in the bottom of the frame. Jason Walker led off with a single and swiped second. After 2 quick outs, Maglione looked like he would escape trouble. But Mike Zumwalt singled to bring home Walker and extend the lead to 4-1.
The Berserkers weren't going to go quietly. Michael Maglione singled, and Johnny Lopez followed with a single of his own. But heads' up defense matched with poor baserunning led to a costly out at 2nd. One pitch later, Marcos Rodriguez doubled home Lopez, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Johnny Lopez took over for the Berserkers, and pitched a quiet final 3 innings. Cole worked through the 7th for the Dodos before handing it over to the bullpen in the 8th.
RJ Nielsen took the hill in the 8th, and the Zerks showed one last sign of life. Ryan Johnson led off with a single, but was erased on a smooth double play by the Dodos defnese. Michael Maglione singled, and designated runner Steve Diaz swiped 2 bases. George Williams walked and swiped second, putting the tying run in scoring position, but Nielsen got the final out in right, and closer Eder Tapia struck out 2 in a perfect 9th to secure the victory and back-to-back championships for the Dodos!
Congratulations to the Berserkers on yet another great season, but this game and season went to the Dodos - your 2019 Spring AA Champions!
Congratulations to the 2019 AA-Division Champion Dodos!
Berserkers 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 9 3
Dodos 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 x 4 6 1
Pitching Stats:
WP Steve Cole (Dodos) 7IP; 2R (2ER), 7H, 5K, 2BB, HBP (Championship Game MVP)
LP Michael Maglione (Berserkers) 7IP; 4R (2ER), 3H, K, 4BB
S Eder Tapia (Dodos) IP; 2K
RJ Nielsen (Dodos) IP; 0R, 2H, BB
Johnny Lopez (Berserkers) 3IP; 0R, 3H, 2K, BB
Dodos
Mike Zumwalt - 2-4, R, RBI
Jason Walker - 2-3, R, SB
Eder Tapia - 1-3, 2RBI
JR Gomez - 1-2, BB
Berserkers
Johnny Lopez - 2-4, 2R
Marcos Rodriguez - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Michael "Mags" Maglione - 2-3
