©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Braves claim CHYSC Major League crown

The Braves show off their trophies after defeating the Giants in an exciting final matchup at the championships on June 17 at the Water Tower.

The Braves claimed the major league championship in the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club playoffs at the Water Tower Recreation Center on Saturday, June 17.

The Red Barons took the minor league crown.

In the major league championship round the previously undefeated Giants, coached by Ed Rogers, David Bushnell and Sam Blake, squared off against the Braves, coached by John McNiff and Jay Hass. Because of the double elimination format and the fact that the Giants were previously undefeated, the Braves entered the competition June 17 having to beat the Giants twice in one day to win the title.

In the first game, the Braves prevailed, 13 to 1, on the strong pitching of Philip Kelly, Lawrenson Ward and Johnny Hass, and on the terrific hitting contribution from the team’s lineup.

The Braves’ win in the morning game set up an exciting final championship game for the afternoon. The Giants went with one of their aces, Diego Sanz de Acedo, while the Braves relied on their one-two pitching punch of Kelly and Hass. The Braves jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Giants fought back to nudge ahead, 2 to 1, in the top of the third. In the bottom of the third with two outs, the Braves then loaded the bases for one of their best hitters, Hass, who powered a hard fastball over the right-center field fence for a dramatic grand slam home run and a 5-2 lead. The Braves went on to score two insurance runs and Hass struck out the side in the top of the sixth to give the Braves the championship win by a score of 7 to 2.

Both teams played exceptional baseball with great pitching and strong fielding throughout the playoffs.

During the awards presentation, Commissioner Joe Pie said the Giants had an incredible season, going undefeated through the regular season and playoffs. Then, at the championship, they ran into the Braves, whose pitching and hitting had really come together during the championship round.