Indians find six appeal, overcome Thunder rallies to repeat as champions

Article by Head Coach Scott Long

This series was an absolute dog fight which included so many ups and downs for both sides. We knew if we could survive winning just 1 of the 2 games Thursday night we'd be in a great spot Sunday with our ace Shawn Spainhoward on full rest. However, regardless of who you're throwing the Thunder have some of the best bats in the league so we knew we couldn't sit back. We lost a heartbreaker in the bottom of the 7th in game 1 of the series 14-13. In game 2 we came back and fought tooth and nail behind SP Brooks McDowell to get us to Sunday. 

We lost some great scoring opportunities throughout the game but were able to string 4 runs together to give us a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th. This is where things got very scary for the Tribe. The Thunder led off the inning with a base hit followed by two walks, bringing the best hitter in the league to the plate with bases loaded and no outs. Cruz had been destroying the ball all series as usual so we were on our toes at this point. We actually considered walking him for a minute but Spain wanted no part of that. He went right after him and ended up getting a sharp grounder to SS Cie Arell who turned a great double play with 2B Matt Pomerantz. However, the ball would not be caught at 1st base so we only made the first out. Runners were now at first and third with one out and a 4-2 score with the dangerous 3, 4, and 5 hitters due up for the Thunder. James Simms and Jimmy Rivas followed with two singles, tying the game at 4. Everyone was on their feet at this point. One more run would become a comeback win for the Thunder just like Game 1 of the series on Thursday night. Spainhoward plunked the next batter, loading the bases with only one out.

Tie game, bottom 7, 1 out, bases loaded, infield in, outfield in. Spainhoward made a great pitch and got Ivan Ramos to hit a high pop fly into foul territory near the 3rd base dugout. Third baseman Scott Long made a huge catch at the edge of the dugout for the second out. We brought the defense back to normal depth with two outs for Todd Muser. Again Shawn was able to get a pop up to short right field. However, nobody knew if 1B Drew Sertich or 2B Matt Pomerantz could get to the ball. It was a very intense moment for us but Pomerantz came through with a fantastic sliding basket catch in short right to end the threat! 

We knew we had new life with the top of our order leading off. Center fielder Ryan Peterson led off the inning by drawing a full count walk. Third baseman Scott Long followed with a base hit to left field. First baseman Drew Sertich grounded out softly to first, pushing the runners to second and third. Cleanup hitter Matt Jayne was intentionally walked to load the bases. The Thunder pitcher then made two critical wild pitches here, allowing Peterson and Long to score on back to back plays. Designated hitter Justin Schaefer who had been hitting the cover off the ball all series proceeded to hit a sharp grounder to shortstop, scoring Matt Jayne and restoring the Indians three-run lead. 

Coach Scott Long immediately looked at Spainhoward who promised one more inning. Spainhoward has been nails for us for three years. Shawn allowed one hit in the bottom of the 8th but shut the door quickly before they could gain any momentum. The game ended when Cruz got out in front of a changeup and hit a high fly ball to left fielder Cameron Waltsgott who put on a defensive clinic in LF the entire game. This brought one of the most incredible championship series we've ever been a part of to a close, winning the sixth championship in eight tries and continuing what founder Justin Coliny started back in 2005. 

A few key stat lines:

SP Shawn Spainhoward improved to 21-0 as a member of the Indians and 8-0 on the season which includes regular season and postseason play. Spainhoward joined Scott Long and Brandon Marolf as the only Indians pitchers with over 200 career strikeouts.

3B Scott Long hit .714 while going 10 for 14 in the series. 

1B/DH Justin Schaefer hit .538 while going 7/13 in the series. 

CF Ryan Peterson hit .385 while going 5/13 in the series. 

2B Matt Pomerantz hit .333 while going 3/9 in the series. 

SS Cie Arell went 3 for 5 in the final game. 

Zach Speckhals went 2 for 4 in the final game. 

LF Cameron Waltsgott with 7 catches in the final game, ending several threats. 

2019 Championship Roster:

SP - Shawn Spainhoward

SP - Brooks McDowell

C/1B - Drew Sertich 

C/1B - Matt Jayne

SS - Cie Arell

3B/P - Scott Long

CF - Ryan Peterson

RF - Jeremiah Vance

LF/P - Cameron Waltsgott

OF - Jed Vance

1B/3B - Justin Schaefer

DH/P - Zach Speckhals

2B/P - Matt Pomerantz

IF/P - Joe Kenney

Statkeeper - John Brocato