2012 USBA FINALS: CLEVELAND VS. PHILADELPHIA
Game 1:
It was a cold start to the championship game between the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies. Game 1 was a slug fest, both teams exchanging runs after runs. The Phillies made timely errors allowing the Indians to stay within striking distance all game until the Indians tied it up and sent it to extra innings. Both teams set a record by extending the game 3 extra innings until finally in the 10th inning, the Indians prevailed and took victory after a hard fought battle. The game was a seesaw battle, the Indians would put up a run in the top and the Phillies would match and send it to another extra inning, the Indians were blanked in one inning and the Phillies just needed one run to take game one but Indians blanked the Phillies. A great start to the championship but on to game 2 with the Indians leading the series 1-0.Game 2:
Game 2 saw the Indians dominate early and pull ahead. The Phillies were on their heels for much of the game as they had not lost 2 straight games all year. The veteran team of the Phillies stuck around all game and finally took the lead late in the game, coincidentally following the first appearance of the championship trophy on the bleachers. They felt relaxed until the bottom of the 7th. With the Phillies up by 2 runs and 2 men on and one of the hottest batters for the Indians up to bat, crowd chanting “walk off homerun”, the Phillies remained calm and cool and ended the game winning by 2 runs and forcing a 3rd and decisive game for the USBA championship.Game 3:
With the confidence growing for the Phillies and the Indians now with their backs against the wall, both teams rushed onto the field to start game 3. The Indians looked noticeably nervous and were even more worried after the Phillies lead 5-0 after the first inning. The Indians followed up a must score inning by piling on 5 of their own but the Phillies answered with another 5 in the bottom of the 2nd. Leading 10-5, the Phillies did what they do all season, put it in cruise control, BUT wait, these are the Indians. They are in the finals for a reason, Indians chipped away, adding a run here, a run there until ultimately tying the game in the 6th. In the bottom half of the 6th, the Phillies smacked a 3 run homerun to take the lead heading into the top of the 7th. With two runs already in and the Phillies leading by a single run and the game tying run on base, the Phillies ended the Indians season on a ground out and celebrated winning the championship by a single run in game 3 of the finals. Phillies win series 2-1.This was one of the most exciting, intense and longest finals in recent memory. Congrats to a hard fought finals by the Indians. They fought hard and kept up the fight throughout the game but fell 1 run short.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies, the 2012 USBA Champions. This is the first time in history that a single team has won the Triple Crown, 1st overall in the regular season, Knockout Tourney Champions and ultimately, USBA Champions.
The committee would like to thank all volunteers, managers and players for their dedication and commitment throughout the season. You all made this another successful campaign and we hope that you will continue to enjoy your Sundays as much as we have. Please stay tuned for the end of the season banquet, to be held in early 2013.
Have a safe, happy and busy off season!