MISSION ACCOMPLISHED August 18, 2007 --
The Loch Raven Cubs won the 2007 Baltimore Baseball League Championship on Saturday, August 18, 2007 @ CCBC-Dundalk, by defeating Spring Grove two games to none, in the best-of-3 Championship Series.
Andrew Fava was named series MVP.
The Cubs rolled into the championship series with staff ace Ira Carlson on the hill for Game #1 and he once again was up to the challenge.
The Cubs drew first blood by scoring 3 runs immediately in the 1st inning to set the tone.
Spring Grove answered back with 3 runs of their own in the 2nd inning to tie things up, however the Cubs responded with 2 additional runs in the 4th to make it 5-3.
Ira cruised to the 7th inning when he ran into some trouble. With Spring Grove having scored a run to tighten things up at 5-4, they were again threatening with men on 2nd and 3rd with two outs, and the muscle of their lineup coming to the plate.
After a mound visit, the decision was made to bring Game #2 starter Bryan Couts in to stop the pending threat. After walking the 1st batter to load the bases, Spring Grove's cleanup hitter was up next and ready to deliver a Game 1 victory for Spring Grove.Bryan had other plans however, and was able to get him to hit into a fielder's choice and slam the door on Game #1, giving the underdog Cubs the series lead!
Onto Game #2....
The Cubs once again struck first by scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning, and once again Spring Grove answered with 2 runs of their own in the 3rd.
The score remained tied until the 7th inning. Derek Litke led the inning off with a single to get things started and was able to get to 2nd base on the next play.
With 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, the unimaginable happened....
Series MVP Andrew "POPS" Fava lined a base hit down the 1st base line and Derek Litke rounded 3rd base like a freight train with no brakes to score the series winning run and handing the Loch Raven Cubs the 2007 Baltimore Baseball League CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!
Derek was swarmed and tackled by his teammates, as the storybook season had come to a dramatic conclusion!....the long standing team slogan had been "TEAM ON A MISSION"....that mission had finally been accomplished.
The Cubs, who were the #8 seed entering the playoffs, eliminated the league's #1, #2, and #3 seeded teams in order, having NEVER trailed at ANY moment during their 6 consecutive victories to win the championship.
GAME #1 - Loch Raven Cubs 5 - Spring Grove 4
GAME #2 - Loch Raven Cubs 3 - Spring Grove 2
AUGUST 18, 2007
CUBS ADVANCE TO 2007 BBL CHAMPIONSHIP! August 11, 2007 --
The Loch Raven Cubs advanced to the 2007 Baltimore Baseball League Championship this upcoming weekend, by defeating and sweeping the Semifinal Series from the #2 seed Cancun Cantina Bulls on Saturday @ CCBC-Dundalk.
In Game #1, the Cubs jumped to a 6 run lead in the 3rd inning, only to see the Bulls respond with 4 runs of their own in their half of the inning.
It would stay that way until the 5th inning when the Cubs were able to tack on an additional and very important 7th run. The Bulls scored 2 more runs in the 6th to narrow the Cubs lead to 7-6. With the Bulls threatening in the bottom of the 7th inning, starter Ira Carlson was relieved by Steve Shultz, who proceeded to shut the door and get the save, while giving Ira and the Cubs the victory.
Offensively, both Derek Litke and Greg Knighton had doubles and 2 RBI's.
In Game #2, the Cubs jumped right out of the gate to score 4 runs in the first inning and then put a 5th run across in the 2nd to put the Bulls up against the ropes. The Bulls would score 2 runs in the 3rd inning, and a 3rd run in the 6th with a solo HR.
However the Cubs responded and muscled up to put an additional 3 runs on the board in their half of the 6th inning to make it an 8-3 ballgame. It would remain this way 'til the end with Steve Shultz getting the complete game victory.
Offensively, the highlights were spread throughout the lineup, however some of the notables were Aaron White with 2 hits and 2 runs scored, Derek Litke with 3 walks, a double, and 2 runs scored, and Steve Shultz with 2 hits, a run scored, and 4 RBI's.
The Cubs will face the #3 seed Spring Grove this upcoming weekend @ CCBC-Dundalk for the league championship!
GAME #1....Loch Raven Cubs 7 - Cancun Cantina Bulls 6
GAME #2....Loch Raven Cubs 8 - Cancun Cantina Bulls 3
CUBS ADVANCE TO 2007 BBL SEMIFINALS August 5, 2007 --
The #8 seed Loch Raven Cubs advanced to the league semifinals next weekend by eliminating the defending champion Dundalk Brewers on Sunday.
The series began Saturday morning in a pitcher's duel, which saw the Cubs lose 1-0. Ira Carlson pitched a complete game, but could not find any offensive support.
Game #2 found Steve Shultz also turning in a gem on the mound, and this time the Cubs came thru with some run support. 3B Joe Litke led the way with a double, homerun, and 2 RBI's.
With the series tied at 1 game apiece, Game #3 took place on Sunday morning with Bryan Couts on the hill for the Cubs. Once again the Cubs starting pitching came thru. Bryan threw 6 strong innings, only yielding 2 runs until the 6th, when the Brewers scored 3 to tie the game up at 5.
However, the Cubs fought back one more time to put 2 runs across in the top of the 7th. Tony Wisniewski took the hill in the 7th but was the victim of some well placed hits. Steve Shultz then entered and was able to get a double play ball, followed by the final out to send the Loch Raven Cubs to the semifinals next weekend versus the #2 seed Cancun Cantina Bulls. 3B Joe Litke once again led the offense with 2 singles, a double, and 3 RBI's.
GAME #1....Dundalk Brewers 1 - Loch Raven Cubs 0
GAME #2....Loch Raven Cubs 4 - Dundalk Brewers 2
GAME #3....Loch Raven Cubs 7 - Dundalk Brewers 6
