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2012 Nicewonger Division Champion Royals Season Highlights

2012 Nicewonger Champion Royals Team Photo!
The Royals swept the Reds to win the first Nicewonger Division Championship and their 2nd title in a row. Pictured: (Top Row) Rich Rodrigues, Thomas Gersey, Brian Thomas, Randolph Sandoval, Steve McLean, Steve Connolly, Eric Pini, Johnny Angleson, Ray Hutchison, Ralph Canter (Middle Row) Casey Tauscher, Victor Gonzales, Ryan Becks, Ryan Bernard, Tim Baldwin, Nick Rizzi (Bottom Row) Drew Becks, Jordan Sandoval, Colton Rizzi, Bo Rizzi, Grace Rizzi, JJ Becks (Photo by Jeff Canter, submitted by Ryan Becks)

Royals had their sites set on a repeat going into the 2012 SJMSLB season, but knew it would not be easy! In fact, many said it would not happen and last year was an aberration.

A newly loaded 18+ division would prove to be a big challenge, even tougher than the 2011 campaign. 18+ division featured a re-loaded Mets squad, perennial power Reds, and fresh but hungry Twins, Marlins, Colt .45s, Nationals, and Giants teams.

Royals would be without their 2011 MVP Jeff Canter, CF Joel Salviatierra, SS Mikey Smith, #2 SP Joe Canter (2011 championship game winning SP), C Cole Gummere (Marlins), and RP ALex Law (Marlins) who were all big parts of the 2011 championsip team. Tim Baldwin (2012 Champioinship game winning Pitcher), Joe Davis-of, Paul Drozd-rp, and Ryan Bernard-utl were picked up to help fill those voids.

As predicted, the season was a challenge and the Royals finished with a 12-7-1 record compared to a 16-4 record the previous season. The record was good enough to earn the #2 seed behind the #1 seeded Mets, which set up a faceoff with the upstart #3 seeded Twins in the playoffs. WIth all the Royals starters finally on the field at the same time, they beat the Twins in consecutive games 12-2 and 8-2 to earn a birth to the finals.

The Reds and Mets would battle for the other spot in the finals, and after bloodshed the mighty Reds came out on top. A rematch of cross-town rivals Royals and Reds was in order.

Game 1 saw the Reds break out to a 8-0 lead, only to see the Royals comeback and tie in the 8th 8-8!!! Royals would tack on 1 more to take a 9-8 lead into the 9th but the Reds would not concede. Hector Esparza had a huge 2-out hit to re tie the game 9-9! An epic battle for sure. Royals 8 hitter Stevie Mclean lead off the bot 9th with a single, advanced on Casey Tauschers walk, stole 3rd and continued home (on the wild throw) for the walk off win!

In Game 2, the Royals would have to earn the championship by beating one of the better pitchers in the league Jordan Romero (2011 World Series game winning pitcher-Brew Crew). The Royals were up to the challenge, posting their best all-around game of the year, as Tim Baldwin pitched 8 strong innings, commited 0 defensive errors, and cracked 12 hits offensively to earn an (8-3) victory.

The Royals strength has always been their hitting, but pitchers Steve Connolly, Tim Baldwin, and Thomas Gersey rose to the occasion in the 2012 playoffs and finals and must be commended. Royal standout (MVP) was Randolph Sandoval hitting .515 avg, 9 HR, and 35 RBI!!!

Thank you to all the 18+ teams for the competitive season. Looking forward to next year's wood bat season and possiblity of a 3-peat!

-Royals