2008 MABL Championship

STALLIONS TOP DODGERS IN FINALS 

The 2008 MABL Season came to a close this Sunday, as the top 4 teams advanced to the Semi-Finals.  The # 1 Stallions would play the # 4 Hurricanes, while the # 2 Dodgers would host the # 3 Arrows, as the 1^st part of the Double Header.   The winner of those 2 games would play in the Championship Game as the 2^nd part of the Double Header at Decatur Central.  In the end the Stallions would win their 6 Straight IABL Title with a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.   

As it would play out, the Stallions would defeat the Hurricanes 14-3, while the Dodgers would take care of business, by defeating the Arrows 6-2 in the Semi-Finals.  This pitted the Stallions and Dodgers.  The top 2 teams in the MABL, and 2 teams that know each other very well.  With the sun pounding down for most of the day, the 2 teams were confident and ready for the showdown.  They had met in the regular season with a both teams taking a victory in the 2 game series.       

The Stallions brought out Ace Keith Hatfield (7-1) while the Dodgers answered with Ace Mark Buis  (5-0) .  Both pitchers were posting goose eggs through the first 4 innings, with Buis giving up only 1 hit.  Hatfield was equally as impressive with his command of his 5 pitch arsenal.  But Buis would surrender to relief in the top of the 5th, as he had dealt the last 4 innings of the Semi’s and was the spent with his 9 complete on the day.  In the top of the 5^th the Dodgers would scratch the scoreboard as Dustin Waalkens, would lead the inning off with a Monster HR to Right field.  Hatfield would gather his composure and close the inning with 2 big strikeouts.  With Buis out, the Dodgers turned to Waalkens, who has on more then one occasion silenced the Stallions hitters.  In the 5^th, Bryan Foster would lead off with a sharp single to Center, followed by a walk to Bryan Apolskis.  With 1 out, Jason Jaffe drove a double in the Left Center gap to score both runners.  Mike Risley then stepped up and singled in Jaffe.  Stallions lead 3-1 after 5 complete.   

With both teams grinding out the last innings in the sun, there would be little threats in the later innings.  The Dodgers posted some solid defense with Danny Taylor, Jimmy Crews, and Tommy Daeger all making fantastic plays to keep the Stallions from putting more on the board.  The Stallions meanwhile stood behind their “Horse” Hatfield as he would dominate the last 3 innings and finish strong.  “Hatty was once again determined not to let this group down, he knew (the team) was running out of steam down the stretch and he took the game over.  That is a great team he beat today and we respect those guys.  I bet half of them played or would have played for us if the Dodgers were not around.   Mark Buis was outstanding, if he didn’t have to pitch that 1^st game we may be talking about “The Blue” right now as Champs.   I feel for those guys and we like playing them.  It was by far the 2 top teams in this League, what a ballgame, and what a final chapter to another season.”