2011 PCBL Major Division Fall Championship
Saturday, December 4th @ 11:00am / Conejo Creek Ballpark
Dirtbags (3-6) -vs- Legends (8-1)

 

Legends Loom Large over DIrtbags to Claim Fall Championship

By Scot Sweet / PCBL Staff Writer

 

 

 

It was a cool, clear morning amidst the rolling hills of Thousand Oaks for this years' Fall Major League Division Championship at Conejo Creek Ballpark. The top-seeded Legends carried a 6-game regular season win streak into this championship final; bidding for their first PCBL title. The 3-6 Dirtbags fought their way into this championship by edging the always tough Belted USA squad 7-6 in the playoffs. It was a gorgeous day for some PCBL Championship baseball; so without further delay ... let's get right to the action!
 
With the Dirtbags failing to score in the top half of the opening inning; the Legends come to bat in the bottom of the inning to try and draw first blood in this contest. Leadoff hitter Christian Cardenas is hit by a pitch to become the first Legend baserunner. He steals 2nd base and later scores on a Jerry Madueno single. The Legends strike first, up 1-0. Noah Rodriguez follows with a single and steals 2nd soon after. Rick Garcia hits a single; with Rodriguez advancing and scoring on a fielding error. Legends get 2 in the inning to take the 2-0 lead through an inning of play.
 
But the Dirtbags get on board in a hurry in the top of the 2nd inning. Justin Dingman leads off with a walk and then advances to 2nd on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Matt Mc Callister blasts a 2-run homer to even this championship at 2 apiece through an inning and a half of play.
 
The legends come up to bat in the bottom of the 3rd inning with the game still tied at 2. Max Mackey gets a leadoff single and then promptly steals 2nd. Danny Chapparro follows with a base on balls. Two batters later, Abe Esqueda walks to load the bases. Jerry Madueno grounds into a fielder's choice with a run scoring on the play. Two batters later, Rick Garcia singles home a pair. The Legends get 3 runs in the inning to re-take the lead; up 5-2 through 3 complete innings.
 
We entered the bottom of the 5th inning with the Legends coming to bat; still maintaining their 5-2 lead. Danny Chapparro starts things up with a single to center. Christian Cardenas follows with a single; leading the way for Abe Esqueda who walks; loading the bases. Jerry Madueno grounds out; but a run scores on the play.Noah Rodriguez reaches base on a fielding error and another run scores. Rick Garcia steps to the plate; having aleady hit 2 singles and drove in 2 runs in this contest. He adds to his tally with an RBI single to left center. Thats 3 hits & 3 ribbies on the day! Sabino Pitones follows with an RBI double; and just like that, the Legends pick up 4 runs in the inning to take a 9-2 lead through 5 complete innings of play.
 
The Dirtbags get 1 back in the top of the 6th. Steve Diaz gets a leadoff walk. Two batters later, Miguel Sanchez singles and soon after, Diaz scores on a fielding error. The Dirtbags now trail 9-3 through 5 1/2 innings of play.
 
But the Legends weren't finished putting runs on the board. With 1 out, Eric Weiss draws a walk. Two batters later, Chapparro walks to put 2 on and 2 out for Sean Solomon. He singles to score a run. Christian Cardenas follows with an RBI single to left. The Legends settle for 2 runs in the inning to add to their lead; now up 11-3 through 6 complete.
 
The Dirtbags get a run on an error, a single by Angel Espindola, and a sacrifice fly, courtesy of Justin Dingman. But that was it, as the Legends shut down the Dirtbags in this championship; closing out this fall season with a Major League Division Title by way of an impressive 11-4 victory over the tough Dirtbag squad.
 
Congratulations to the Dirtbags for fighting their way into this championship; and a big congrats to the Legends as they celebrate their first Major League Division title!
 
 

 

 
Game Stats

 

Dirtbags    0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1    4   4   4
Legends    2 0 3 0 4 2 0 0 -    11 11  2
 
(WP) Zack Beal (Legends) 3IP; Allowed 2 runs on 1 hit; with 5 BB's and 5 K's
      Eric Ultreras (Legends)  3IP; Allowed 1 run on 1 hit; with 4 BB's and 1 K
(LP) Dave Northup (Dirtbags) 4 IP; Allowed 8 runs on 6 hits; with 4 BB's & 1 K
 

 

Game MVP

 

Rick Garcia (Legends) 3 for 3; 3 singles, walk, 4 RBI's
 

 

Legends Offensive contributors:

 

Christian Cardenas   2 for 3; 2 singles, HBP, 1 RBI, 2 runs
Danny Chapparro    1 for 1; single, 2 walks, 3 runs
 
Game Time: 11:05am - 2:00pm (2 hrs, 55 min)
 
Umpires: (Plate) Kevin Mackelburg
              (Bases) Larry Crino
 

 

Special Thanks:

 

Randy & Monica Riley (Conejo Creek Staff)
Leslie Keirstead (music producer)
Bob Sweet (Scoreboard operator)