By Dave Hoffenberg
For the first time in four years, we have a new champion. Congratulations to Killington Resort in winning their first ever title and for dethroning Clearly Moguls. They swept the best out of three series with a 1-0 game one win and 11-8 in game two. As reported last week, pitcher Matt Kinsman was en fuego in game one, only giving up one hit and delivering a “CBK.” He added two “CBKs” in game two and for that outstanding effort, he was named Championship Series MVP. The “King of Spring” himself, first baseman Chandler Burgess became the “King of Summer” and earned Championship Series Runner-up MVP. In game one, Burgess had three unassisted outs with eleven total. In game two, he had five unassisted and seven total.
Killington Resort started game two with three runs in the top of the first inning by getting a couple of hits, a couple of walks but stranded a runner at third. Clearly Moguls matched those stats to a tee and the game was tied 3-3. The only difference was, Kinsman caught Jackie “Blue” Livesey looking at strike three for a big “Cold Beer K” to end the first. The second saw K.R. go down 1-2-3 with “Ronzoni” Hacker delivering his first “CBK,” to Phil Dwyer. C.M. got a couple runners on base but “DJ” Dave Hoffenberg hit into an inning ending double-play by the shortstop unassisted to first. K.R. got their three run lead back in the third with a string of hits. This game was about matching stats and K.R. had Paul Blodorn hit into the same exact double-play as “DJ” Dave. Brett “The Hitman” Regimbald got one of those runs back as he drove in Tucker Zink to make it 6-4. Kinsman was able to add another “CBK” to his stats, delivering one to Angel “In the Outfield” Shannon. The fourth saw both teams go down 1-2-3 but K.R’s Matt Peters ended their inning with a “CBK.” K.R. suffered back-to-back 1-2-3 innings with another dud in the fifth but C.M. had other plans and took their first lead of the game, 7-6, when “Ronzoni,” “DJ” Dave and Zink all scored. Nate Stoodley quickly erased that lead with one swing of the bat, crushing a two-run shot. Some sloppy play from C.M. and a few hits stretched that lead to 11-7. C.M. had no answer but was able to stop any more runs with some good defense in the top of the seventh. C.M’s unprecedented four titles in a row came down to one half inning of play. Zink showed his speed and got to first safely after a little fumble by Burgess. Will “The Retiring Thrill” Burdick moved him to third with a single. Judd Washburn popped out to Burgess, but Regimbald drove in Zink to cut the lead to three. Shannon and “Brando” Remick both got on to load the bases and put all the pressure on Jackie “Blue” with two outs and the title in the balance. Unfortunately, he could not deliver and flew out to halt the run and give K.R. the title. It was a dominating season for K.R. as they went undefeated and clearly earned the title of “Beast,” and you can’t spell “Beast” without “Best” and that they are. Clearly Moguls said after the game that they were not disappointed as they knew the run would end some day but happy with five titles in eight years with two runners-up. The question is, can Killington Resort repeat next year? Tune in next May to find out.
The season ends with the annual All-Star Game which all the teams usually play in but for the first time ever, the fans only voted in players from Clearly Moguls, McGrath’s Sushi, Outback Pizza and the Wobbly Barn. Last year, the West was won but this year the beast was in the East. The West Squad was represented by Clearly Moguls’ Neal Giberti, Judd Washburn and Hunter Pike; McGrath’s Sushi’s Jamie Rameau, Jeremy Prior and Owen Murphy; Outback Pizza’s Phil O’Brien; and the Wobbly Barn’s Tony Lee Thomas. The East Squad was represented by Clearly Moguls’ Angel Shannon, Jackie “Blue” Livesey, “DJ” Dave Hoffenberg, Tucker Zink and “Ronzoni” Hacker; Outback Pizza’s Nick Melotti; and Wobbly Barn’s Chris Kielbioski, Zachory “Waitforit” Steinhart and Ronnie Crosby.
Murphy took to the mound first and was shelled for five runs. Melotti took the ball for the East and had a near perfect first with only Tony Lee Thomas reaching base. “Ronzoni” said, “That’s because he’s TLT — he’s dynamite.” Melotti was also able to deliver the game’s first “Labatt Blue Shotgun K” to Pike. The East added two in the second for a 7-0 lead, but Murphy was able to deliver a “LBSK” to Shannon. The West got those two back with Prior and O’Brien both scoring to cut the lead 7-2. Giberti came in to pitch the third and like Murphy was shelled but outdid him with six runs against as the East built a 13-2 lead. Zink showed his speed with an inside-the-park home run, Kielbioski and Jackie “Blue” both drove in two runs and Melotti showed his power with a swinging bunt. Shannon came on to pitch the third for the East and had trouble finding the plate so Jackie “Blue” relieved him mid batter. Those two combined for a record 27 balls and gave up a three run shot to Washburn and an inside-the-park home run to Murphy as the West got right back in it, 13-6. Washburn took to the mound in the fourth and Zink led off with a triple and with that, hit for the cycle which is a rare feat. Crosby had a nice looking sac in the next at bat, driving in Zink for the inning’s only run. The “D” and Washburn shined for the West in that inning as it was the only time they held the East to less than two runs. Steinhart added another single in that inning making him a perfect four for four with three runs scored. “DJ” Dave was brought in to close the game and he got the first few batters out. He was trying for the shutout inning but Washburn took him deep for a two run shot. Zink made a huge effort in trying to catch the ball over the fence but it just bounced off of his glove. “DJ” Dave shut it down after that and recorded the save and his team won 14-8.
Awards were handed out to these individuals for their outstanding efforts this season:
Gold Glove – Tucker Zink (Clearly Moguls)
Rookie of the Year – Alexis King (Outback Pizza)
Best Sportsmanship – Jeremy Prior (McGrath’s Sushi)
Web Gem of the Year – Jamie Rameau (McGrath’s Sushi)
Most Web Gems in a Game – Wobbly Barn (3) vs Clearly Moguls
Best Game for a Player/Saving Grace – Tucker Zink (vs McGrath’s Sushi. Double-play 6th, Double-play 7th and scores game winning run)
Game of the Year – Killington Resort vs McGrath’s Sushi (Down 11-3 in 7th and win 12-11)
Queen of Softball – Kelly Spear
Best Party – Outback Pizza (First recipient ever back-to-back)
This season would not have been possible without the help from these people:
Killington Parks and Rec., Bridgewater Parks and Rec., Commissioner DJ Dave Hoffenberg, Jeremy Livesey, Kim Peters, Jeff Hedgewald, Jim Lewis, Billy Tarleton, Rob Pelletier, Labatt Blue, Matt Reveal, Nancy Koch, The Killington Deli, The Mountain Times, Nate Freund, Sushi Yoshi, Killington Resort, Clear River Tavern, Moguls Sports Pub, McGrath’s Irish Pub, Wobbly Barn, Outback Pizza, Omya, Rutland Bowlerama, the fans and all the great players that make up this league.
By Robin Alberti
Killington Resort won big this year, sweeping the league with an undefeated season, and a championship win. Clearly Moguls took second.
