Santa Cruz Mets Four-Peat In Woodland
For the fourth consecutive year, the Santa Cruz Mets have won the 25+ division at the annual Woodland/Davis "Best in the West" tournament.
Round-robin play started against last year's semi finalist, Southern Marin Indians. Jordan Romero was given the ball and threw 8 strong innings allowing 4 runs, only 2 of which were earned. The Mets were trailing 4-3 in the top of the ninth when both Ryan Becks and Jeremy Kirby went deep to put the Mets on top 6-4. Eddie Newman closed out the 9th. (6-4, Mets).
Game 2 found the team's only loss in a 12-inning pitcher's duel against the Capitol City Angels. Travis Bearden started for the Mets and threw 9 solid innings giving up only 2 runs. With a 2-2 tie in the 10th, Eddie Newman was given the ball. The game went into the 12th when a couple basehits panned out for a run to win the ball game for the Angels. (3-2, Angels).
With a 1-1 record and in a must win situation, Ryan Genovese was given the ball for game 3 and threw a complete game gem against the Sacramento Dodgers. Drew Pleasant (2-4, 3B, 2 Runs), Jeremy Hernandez (1-3, 2B, 2 Runs, RBI), Brad Shannon (2-3, 3B, Run, RBI), and Jeremy Kirby (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 Runs, 3 RBI) lead the offense to a final score of (9-3, Mets). With the win the team secured a playoff spot against Division two number 1 seed, Cupertino Twins. This would be the 7th time the two teams have faced eachother this year, so the two teams were familiar rivals.
Casey Ramback was given the rock for the Semis and he did not disappoint, throwing 8 innings allowing only 1 run on 5 hits. Jeremy Hernandez threw the 9th. The score was only 3-1 going into the 9th as Twins pitching was on point as well. Each team scored in the 9th for a final score of (4-2, Mets) and their 5th Championship game in the last six years!
As it should be, the team that beat us came back for the Ship. Santa Cruz Mets @ Capitol City Angels for the whole ball of wax.
All five games during the weekend found the Santa Cruz Mets as visitors. However, the Championship game is where it showed that there are advantages to this as well. Score first... Bases loaded, top of first, 1 out and Jeremy Kirby steps up with a 4-spot to put the Mets on the board (video). Brad Shannon also went yard in the 5th with a 3-run shot to make it 7-1 Mets. Brian Feduk started for the Mets on the other end and threw 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits. Steve McLean threw a solid 8th but hit a wall in the 9th. Ball was given to Jeremy Hernandez who eventually picked up the save after the Angels had already posted up a few runs. (8-6, Mets)
Santa Cruz Mets/BREW CREW win their fourth Best in the West CHAMPIONSHIP in a row!!!!