Hurricanes storm to another Irish title
THE HURRICANES were crowned Baseball Ireland League champions for the fourth season in succession after beating Greystones Mariners 2-0 in the best-of-three decider in Corkagh Park on Sunday.
Having won the League Pennant after topping the table in the regular season, the Clondalkin-based side progressed straight through to the Championship Final while Greystones had to see off the Spartans for the right to face them.
In their first match of the 2018 decider, the Hurricanes emerged 15-5 winners after hitting the burners in the sixth innings.
Indeed it was a close contest up until this period when, thanks in no small part to big hitting from Roberto Marquez and Timmy Rodriquez who scored a home run, the Clondalkin side made seven runs.
Starting pitcher William Pena proved the complete article for the nine innings and, despite the best efforts of fine players like Dan Sweatland, the Mariners just could not find a way back in.
In the second match, the Hurricanes made a blistering start, racing into a 16-4 advantage by the close of the fourth innings in somewhat windy conditions.
The Mariners fought their way right back into contention, but, with third baseman Kelvin Almonte in superb form and Chris St Amand also delivering, the Hurricanes managed to push on for a 21-15 victory and, with it, the title.
Speaking after the match, Baseball Ireland President and Hurricanes player, Tom Kelley said “The Mariners just never quit. You never felt that any lead was safe, even in the second game when a lot of runs were scored.
“Credit to both teams for keeping up this level of competition, but in the end the Hurricanes just had a deeper bench and were able to call on extra bodies” he added.
With another Championship crown secured, this Hurricanes outfit is now eligible to contest the European Federations Cup which is set for the summer of 2019.
TAGS Sport
