Expos End Season on High Note With 12-7 Victory

The expansion Expos (9-7) completed the final game of their regular season with a solid victory over the Reds (10-4-1) who are currently in third place with one game remaining in their 50's division Miami Valley Roy Hobbs campaign. Expos starting pitcher Todd Garula got the win and contributed three hits at the plate to help the cause.

The Expos got off to a quick start tallying four runs in both the first, and second innings, nearly hitting through the lineup in both frames. John Wayne and Jimmy Wolfe plated four of the eight runs and were helped by key defensive errors by the Reds in the second that led to the Expos runs. Reds pitcher Greg Smith took the loss pitching the first three innings with Wayne Wesley pitching well in the final innings on the mound for the Reds.

Expos manager and catcher Dave Moravec made the defensive play play of the game in the fifth inning. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and two out, relief pitcher Jimmy Wolfe threw a fastball wide of the plate that skipped past Moravec all the way to the backstop, where it bounced off of the padding a few feet back toward the plate. Moravec chased down the ball and without looking, flipped it backward toward the plate resulting in a simple tag of Andrew Stallworth by Wolfe instead of scoring another run and keeping the inning alive with the wild pitch. After the game, Moravec was asked about the instinctive move, "I've tried it several times but been unsuccessful in the past. Today it was executed well and it worked out in our favor." Moravec also made a defensive out to end 3rd inning with a great relay from shortstop Jamie Stidham to the plate ending an otherwise strong comeback rally by the Reds.

Doug Brown from Gem City Sports Radio was on hand for the game, but was unable to broadcast due his inability to access the pressbox prior to gametime. The fan base of 20 on hand at Lakota West High School were entertained by the two team who could still be matched up in the playoffs.

Woody Woodall and Steve Bertles led the Reds with two hits a piece; Bertles contributed two doubles and scored twice. In addition to the above mentioned hitting, Moravec contributed two infield singles and left fielder Shay Burnett stroked two singles which tallied three RBI's for the Expos.

The Reds final regular season game will be played next Sunday at Lakota East against the Colts (3-9) while the Expos await their playoff matchup still to be determined on August 10th.

Date: July 27, 2025     Time: 1:00pm      Venue: Lakota West High School