The Fort Wayne Expos captured their first Labor Day Regional Championship by defeating the 2009 Champion Indianapolis Stallions 2-1 in the closest game in tournament history.

The #2 seeded Expos made it to the final game in decisive fashion by defeating the Chicago Grays 10-6 in the quarter finals and then beating the Louisville Sluggers 15-3 in the semi-final.

The Stallions entered the tournament as the # 5 seed and proceeded to outscore the competition 27-2 in the quarter final and semi final games. In a rematch of the 2009 championship, they knocked out the Columbus Pirates and then beat the # 9 Chicago Giants who were coming off a come from behind win over the # 1 seed Indianapolis Dodgers.

The Expos struck in the first when lead off man Eric Smith singled and then came around to score on consecutive singles by Dave Ley and John Gayday. With no out and runners at first and second it looked like the Expos were off to the races, but then Stallions starter Matt McLaren induced a doubleplay ball off the bat of cleanup hitter Rich Berich and then struck out tournament MVP Gordie Allen to escape with only one run allowed.

Leading off the 2^nd for the Expos, Dan Nolan singled and was advanced to second on a sacrifice by Ryan Keefer. An E 6 sent him to 3^rd and then Joel Henline singled to score Nolan giving the Expos a 2-0 lead that would surprisingly stand up for the rest of the game. After the single by Henline, Jeff Willey was hit by a pitch to load the bases and once again it was looking like a big inning for the Expos, but McLaren got a ground ball to start a 6-4-3 double play to get out of trouble.

The Stallion defense turned four double plays in the first four innings to hold off the Expos and keep the game close. The double play to end the 4^th inning was certainly the most creative. Allen and Nolan had reached on consecutive singles and when Keefer laid down what appeared to be a perfect bunt it looked for sure like bases loaded again, but then McLaren fielded the ball and made a desperation throw to 3^rd to get the lead runner. With runners at first and second the Expos decided to run. McLaren caught Nolan creeping off second and during the rundown Keefer tried to advance to second but was thrown out on a heads up play by 3^rd Baseman Rob McKeemon. 2^ndBaseman Mike Risley then fired back to McKeemon to get Nolan for the 3^rd out. 

The Stallions would score their only run in the 4^th on a walk to John Smith who was advanced by a single off the bat of Troy Drosche and then came in on an infield out by Risley.

The story of the game was pitching, with McLaren coming up with big pitches when he needed to and Expos starter Justin Libey keeping the hard hitting Stallions off balance for the entire game. The 33^rd round pick in the 2003 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies scattered 7 hits and only went to a three ball count on two batters to pick up the complete game victory.

The Stallions would threaten to tie it in the 9^th. With one out, McKeemon ripped a double and when John Smith stepped to the plate it set the stage for a terrific game within a game. Smith got a piece of any pitch in or close to the strike zone and after what seemed like 5 minutes was finally retired by a great catch on a foul fly that was caught about three inches in front of the 3^rd base dugout. After the game Libey said “I made 15 great pitches all game, and they were all to Smith. That was the best at bat I've seen in years.”