| CHAMPS!
: EN FUEGO SURPRISES EN ROUTE TO FIRST EVER CHAMPIONSHIP
November
19, 1996
OSO
VIEJO FIELD, MISSION VIEJO – FINAL: En Fuego 15, Stac Pac 8
When
manager Jason Teague signed his team up for the S.V.U.S.D. Oso Viejo
Tuesday Night C+ League, he had hoped that eventually the ball team
would compete for the championship.
With
perennial powerhouse teams like the Penetrators, Runner Blue and
Stac Pac and other formidable teams such as Hurt So Good and Da
Horra, he knew that it would take a strong effort to not only win a
championship but to simply contend for a playoff spot. But
with a nucleus of 11 solid players including two rookies, most of
which played all 13 games that season, En Fuego was able to hold
their own despite a tough first game shutout loss to Da Horra.
In
only one year together En Fuego reached the top winning their first
ever title taking down, perhaps the most dominate team in all of
Saddleback Valley, Stac Pac 15-8 in the championship game. “I knew
we would win it all. Never a doubt.” Said Teague at the post game
party at Lamppost Pizza in Mission Viejo.
The
confident manager guided the youthful team through the season as
they played relentless defense and out hustled and out played their
opponents in a league in which they seemed overmatched week in and
week out. Through twelve games the defense, led by shortstop Derek
Gingerich allowed only 11.8 runs per game. “That’s what we
do!” Said Gingerich after the win referring to playing tough
defense.
En
Fuego finished the regular season (6-3-2) including three wins over
Stac Pac then beat Hurt So Good 20-18 in the first round playoff
game. This set up a showdown between En Fuego and Stac Pac.
Leading 7-6 through four innings En Fuego rallied with two out in
the top of the fifth as they reeled off seven consecutive hits and
scored six runs to take a 13- 6 lead. They never relinquished the
lead and surprised a frustrated Stac Pac team winning by the final
of 15-8 igniting a friendly yet competitive rivalry.
Craig
Watkins was the winning pitcher holding Stac Pac to only
eight runs through seven innings. “This is a great win for En
Fuego.” Watkins along with first baseman Larry Holman led the team
with three hits each in the championship game. Holman, hit .614, won
the Batting Crown and was named the team MVP for the season.
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