BaseballMilwaukee.com

2008 Milwaukee Baseball League Championship

The 2008 MBL Championship Game featured #1 seeded perennial powerhouse Johnny V's versus upstart expansion team and #6 seed PJ's Tigers.  Johnny V's featuring multiple Greenfield High School Varsity alum would have to play without ace starter Mike Gramarosa on the hill, who pitched the semi-final the day before.  PJ's, helped by several Ripon College alum players, did start their Saturday pitcher, Andy Monigal on 18 hours rest.  

In the top of the first inning for PJ's, Jason Maaske drew a two out walk to extend the inning.  Cory McEwen then followed by crushing a shot off of Johnny V's starter Dan Goral into a Zablocki Golf Course fairway well beyond the right field fence at Harden Field to give PJ's the quick 2-0 lead.  The scored remained 2-0 until the top of the third, when PJ's exploded for eight runs, chasing V's starter Goral and relief pitcher Steve Murphy during the inning. Cory McEwen's single with two on, brought in Eric Cluppert to start the scoring. Scott Rappl then followed with a hit to drive in another, making it 4-0.  Matt duranso then walked with still only one out loading the bases for manager Steve Rappl. On the first pitch, Rappl lined a double down the left field line driving in two runs and beginning to break the game open. Victor Helin then followed with a double also driving in two.  Finally, Cluppert singled into left field scoring Helin and Andy Monigal to make it 10-0.

Johnny V's would not go down without a fight as Eric Lubarsky hit a 2 RBI double to the left center field gap making the score 10-2 after 4 Innings.  V's relief pitcher Rob Weist kept the game within shouting range by pitching 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.  Johnny V's would finally score 2 more runs in the 7th Inning off of another Eric Lubarsky RBI hit.  However, V's could not muster enough offense after the huge PJ's third to save losing pitcher Daniel Goral who gave up 6 earned runs in 2 Innings.   Dan Marx had 3 hits along with a RBI single as Johnny V's never gave up. 

PJ's starting pitcher Andy Monigal did his best Bob Gibson / Iron Man Joe McGinnity impersonations going  the distance again to get the win. In pitching 7 Innings for the second straight day, Monigal only gave up 3 earned runs while striking out 7 batters.  On the weekend Monigal threw all 14 Innings for the Tigers going 2-0 on the mound to improve his pitching record to 7-1 overall on the season, while beating the #1 & #2 seeds of the MBL Tournament.  The performance was enough to easily earn him Playoff Most Valuable Pitcher and to get by Cory McEwen and Eric Cluppert for Playoff Most Valuable Player.

The Tigers defense was fantastic while turning double plays & not committing any errors in support of Monigal.  At one point mid game, with runners on first and second, PJ's third baseman Matt Duranso made a great grab, got to third and wheeled a throw to first where Cory McEwen made one of his several stretches taking a step away from the runner to finish the double play and squash Johnny V's hope of a big inning.  In the sixth, PJ's Eric Cluppert got to a ball which is normally a hit in the hole, and picked it while sliding to his knees to make a back handed grab and then threw the batter out when Cory McEwen made another long stretch and grab. 

PJ's Tigers take the 2008 MBL Championship beating Johnny V's 10-4 .  PJ's Tigers finished the season with a 15-7 overall record and on a 7 game winning streak geting hot at the right time. This was a great team win for the hardworking Tigers who regularly could be found on the practice field or in batting cages on their way to the 2008 MBL Championship. Team Members for the 2008 PJ's Tigers include: Andy Monigal, Cory McEwen, Eric Cluppert, Jason Maaske, Scott Rappl, Manager/Player Steve Rappl, Vic Helin, Matt Duranso, Ricky Pease, Kevin Tapper, Joe Gottardo, Corey Sumner, Nick Lagermaier & Steven DaPonte.

The MBL will be showing the Championship game on a big screen at Long Wongs at our Awards Banquet on November 2 at Long Wongs at 5pm.  Please come.  $10 for food and beer until 9pm.

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