Lehigh Valley MABL MSBL- A 501C3 Organization

The Lehigh Valley Hurricanes of the Lehigh Valley Msbl Mabl finished second (7-2) in the 37th annual, 2024 MSBL World Series Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona in the 55+ Cactus Division last week.

The Canes finished 5-1 in pool play to earn the #3 seed as they earned a bye into the quarterfinals. They defeated the Chicago MAXX Cubs 15-6 and followed up that win with a 10-8 win over the unbeaten and second-seeded Milwaukee Rangers in the semifinals. However, the despite jumping out to a 5-1 lead in the finals, the Hurricanes were worn down by the unbeaten Nor Cal Cubs and lost 10-5 to finish the tourney.

Mike Cole (.429), Gordie Heft (.318 with 10 runs scored), Mike Mattes (.417 with 2 saves and a 0.00 ERA) and Matt Rowlands (.391, 9 runs scored) from the 50+ Giants in the 50+ Division of the Lehigh Valley MSBL, all played well for the Canes in this tourney. Steve Ritter (.542, 7 runs scored) and Marty Miles (complete-game win) from the 50+ Braves and Al Martinez (.583, 8 runs scored) of the 50+ Cyclones also contributed for the Canes. Also, Steve Alemi (.500, 7 RBI, 1 win and 2 saves), Mike Drago (2 wins), Matt Hanson (.423, 14 RBI) and Chris Kross (.375, 11 runs scored, 6 RBI) from the local 50+ Hurricanes also played well.

The Hurricanes finished 5-3 in the 2023 World Series (55+ Cactus), losing in heartbreaking fashion in a walk-off loss, 4-3 to the Rochester Redwings as the #5 seed in the playoffs. The Canes finished 12-5 over the last two World Series tourneys, outscoring their opponents 202-101.

The Canes won the first MSBL World Series tourney they entered in 2016 in the 45+ Cactus Division, finishing 8-1. The Canes are 26-13 in the five World Series tournaments they have played in (2016 through 2018, 2023-24). They have outscored their opponents 425-277 and have a team batting average of .387 during those 5 trips.

The Hurricanes are planning to return to the 2025 World Series in the same division from October 25 through October 30.