Runner-Up Redbirds knocked off Herndon Braves, 1-0, in early game

By Ripken League Staff
August 1, 2009

Championship Game Box Score │ 2009 LCS Stats

BETHESDA, Md. --- Behind a tremendous effort by starter Seth Hester (Southern Miss), who retired the first 14 batters he faced en route to a two-hit shutout, the Bethesda Big Train cruised to a 7-0 win over the runner-up Maryland Redbirds Saturday afternoon to win the 2009 Cal Ripken, Sr. League Championship. Hester took his perfect game into the fifth inning before Nick Wojnowski (Rider) broke it up with a single to right field. Hester retired the next seven batters in a row and sealed the Championship by striking out the final two batters he faced.

The Big Train scored in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Connor Bernatz (San Francisco) and again in the third on an RBI-single by Mike Celenza (Salisbury). Bethesda added two more runs in the fourth on a two-RBI double by Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) and another in the sixth on an RBI-single by Eli Boike (Michigan State), which plated Mason Morioka (San Francisco), who had singled and advanced on a ground-out to first. Morioka singled, doubled, walked, and scored two runs for Bethesda. The Big Train got their last two runs in the eighth on an RBI-single by Bernatz and a sac-fly by Stienstra.

Third baseman Jack Carey (Wake Forest) had the Redbirds' other base hit, a single to lead off the eighth. The 'Birds cycled through six pitchers, with Steve Visnic (Temple) retiring the side in order in the fifth.

603 fans stuck around despite pre-game sun showers and gave both teams rousing ovations during the post-game ceremony. Deputy Commissioner Bob Douglas presented the championship trophy to the Big Train and the D-Bat Co-LCS MVP award to Hester and Celenza, who finished the LCS four-for-eight with a double, three RBI, a run scored, three walks, no strikeouts, and an OPS of 1.208.

Earlier Saturday, a pitcher's duel under the blazing Bethesda sun highlighted the elimination game between the Herndon Braves and Maryland Redbirds. In the end, Kyle Haynes (VCU) and the Redbirds stayed alive, 1-0, thanks to a bases-loaded one-out hit by Nick Kime (VCU) in the bottom of the seventh inning. Haynes tossed a one-hitter, striking out five batters while walking four to get the win. Ryan Brecko (George Mason) took the hard luck loss for Herndon after pitching a gem himself, going 6.1 innings and allowing the one run on just two hits and three walks while striking out seven.