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OF GLORY: EN FUEGO’S OFFENSE TORCHES STAC PAC IN CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
November
29, 2005
LADERA
RANCH FIELDS – FINAL: En Fuego 26, Stac Pac 11
The
last time En Fuego faced Stac Pac in a championship game was the
summer of 2004. They waited more than a year to avenge that title
game loss when Stac Pac took down En Fuego 23-10. En Fuego got their
revenge with an explosive offensive attack that crushed any hopes of
Stac Pac beating
En Fuego in a second consecutive championship showdown, winning
26-11.
En
Fuego (11-1) scored 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning and
led 11-1 heading to the third inning. Stac Pac (8-4) rallied back
with five runs to trail by six and closed the gap to four runs in
the fifth inning. “They showed why they’re one of the best. Even
though they were down big they kept fighting back.” Said En Fuego
coach Craig Watkins. Although Stac
Pac closed the gap and appeared to get back in the game with their
veteran type of effort, En Fuego dropped the hammer in the bottom of
the fifth inning scoring 11 runs on their way to the mercy win to
take the 2005 Fall Tuesday league championship. Former En Fuego
player Erik Steele, who pitched in relief for Stac Pac, was not
happy about his team’s meltdown in the championship game. An
obviously disturbed Steele heaved the game ball, once the game was
declared a mercy, launching the ball into his own dugout nearly
hitting Stac Pac manager Bob Baumgarten. Steele’s status on the
team is unknown for next season.
En
Fuego outfielder James Verdi who was
battling a serious case of the flu stepped up for En Fuego in the
title game going 4-for-4 with two clutch home runs and three RBI.
Outfielder Jerry Langner also went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs in
the win. Overall it was a great performance by the entire team.
En Fuego collected 28 hits in the game including 12 extra base hits,
six homeruns, three doubles and three triples. “Everyone
contributed tonight.” Said Watkins.
The
defensive play of the game came when right fielder Kevin
Lorton of En Fuego snatched a short liner in right and then
doubled off the runner at first base to kill a rally by Stac Pac
early in the contest. Lorton also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a
triple and a home run while driving in three runs and scoring four
times.
In
the first round playoff game En Fuego earned a chance to play Stac
Pac for the league championship when they dismantled Ladera Ranch
Brew Crew 27-11. Langner and shortstop Jeff Johnson led the way
driving in a combined nine runs in the game. Johnson belted two of
the five home runs in the game for En Fuego. Second baseman Troy
Kopp batted a perfect 5-for-5 scorching the ball to all fields. And
leadoff batter Corrie Willkie
contributed with five RBI and a home run.
Notes:
Kevin Lorton won the team batting title with a .757 batting average,
his first since the 2003 Spring League at Laguna Hills…En Fuego
scored a combined 53 runs in the two playoff games and over the
course of the season they averaged 22 runs over 12 games…In 10 of
the 12 games they scored more than 20 runs…It was En Fuego’s
third consecutive victory over rival Satc Pac…In the 61st meeting
with Stac Pac they hold a slight edge 32-27-2 including
classification games.
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