Los Angeles Baseball League

Trojans top Cardinals to take winter 2018 crown

Hats off to both teams, the game was well played aside from a couple errors by each team, the game was quick, crisp, competitive, the umpiring was solid, I'd say the fans in attendance were treated to a solid game all around between the underdog Trojans and the regular season champs, the Cardinals.

For those of us (Trojans) who went out to pizza afterwards at a not so gourmet, gourmet pizza place...more on that story another time and there will be a yelp review forthcoming, haha....we bumped coincidentally bumped into 7 Cardinal players who played in the game, great group of guys, unfortunately we both made a wrong decision as to where to dine post game, haha

As far the game itself, it was tied at 2 entering the 6th with Ken Stefanelli looking really solid for the Cards on the mound. Leadoff batter Todd Severson reached first on a 3rd strike passed ball, he then stole 2nd then 3rd, a single by Tony Cangas made it 3-2 and a double by Ron Arbolida made it 4-2 and knocked Ken out of the game. As I said though he was solid throughout, he kept the Cards in the game and definitely deserves the praise he is getting here.

In the top of the 9th inning, clinging to a 4-2 lead, Ron Arbolida lead of with a single, stole 2nd, a bunt and subsequent throwing error set the Trojans up with first and third with no outs off of Cardinal reliever Rich Brito (who was solid this game and all season in his own right). After a groundout moved a second runner into scoring position, Jimmy Bridges delivered a huge 2 RBI single to give the Trojans some much needed breathing room. Jimmy was 4-4 on the days, had those RBI, scored twice, had a double and stole a base, not a bad day for the man they call Jewish Lightning!

In the 9th, Trojan starter Jess Larson quickly got the first two out and the champagne was brought into the dugout area like they did in that Spurs - Heat NBA Finals (during game 6) in 2013. However, the Cards had other ideas, back to back singles by Bennett and Picha and a 10 pitch walk by Brian Sullivan in which he fouled off several 2 strike pitches, set the Cards up with the top of the order up, bases loaded and 2 outs. Luckily for the Trojans Ray Allen wasn't around to hit a 3 to win the game like he did for the Heat in 2013, Larson was able to induce a ground ball and the capacity crowd at GSC went crazy, it was reminiscent of the crowd noise during the 2011 Wild Card game when Lynch ripped off that TD run to, in effect, clinch the win vs the Saints, we are still awaiting the Seismograph readings but those in attendance swear it had to be at least a 4.0 with some even saying it felt like a 5.0 on the richter.

Chants of WE WANT BAMA......WE WANT BAMA, those carried on for the better part of 5 minutes!

It was a solid team win, I'd love to say it was some sort of magical ride throughout the season and on through the playoffs but the reality is the 2018 Winter Trojans took a lot of bumps and bruises along the way and it just worked out where the bats and mainly the pitching, got hot the last 2 games, the 2 games that mattered most.

Jess Larson (complete game victory), the aforementioned Jimmy Bridges (4-4 at the dish), Gary Sunda, who responded to a pre game motivational text with a 3-4 day at the plate (zen like is how I do it), Ron Arbolida, wearing vans all game (went 3-3 at the plate) and Tony Cangas quieted the retirement whispers with a 2-3 day at the plate, those guys carried the day on this day for the Trojans.

Severson, Hance, Luppi and Booker were solid in the field all day long and Wiley and Felt handled the catching duties which enabled the Trojans to pick up the win. Up next, as soon as we get our championship trophy / plaque (man), it is going on tour like they do with the Stanley Cup, I'll have it at the beach with me down here in HB come next year, Norris will be taking it with him to Ruth's Chris, the other guys, who knows what they will do but it had better be good.

Pitching kept the Cardinals in the game all day as Steffanelli and Brito were solid, Ken, you are the man, nicely done. At the plate for the Cards Rich McPherson had a walk and hit, Mr. Petrocelli had a couple knocks while David Attarian scored twice. Stealth Louie Noguera had a triple in the 4th inning that tied the game at 2 and Tom Bennett, mysteriously not in the starting lineup because he always seems to hit us well, he had hits in both of his AB's, he's solid player and a solid all around guy.

I want to give a shout out to my main man Brian Sullivan, I didn't get a chance to say this after the game but I'll be in touch and I wanted to wish you well and a speedy recovery, he is going to have off-season hip replacement surgery so, all the best from all of us on the Trojans.

To Don A, mission accomplished, you asked for it and you got it....us or you, either way, it worked out!

To KJ and Norris....Rich and all the fans, friends and loved ones who came out, thanks for showing support, to Booker's #1 fan, less cupcakes next time and more veggies, haha. Hirota-san, we missed you out there, see you in the summer, dB, thanks for giving us 2 games, sorry, you weren't awarded any of the championship share, sorry brother...haha. Even though it was only 2 games I hope to see your stats with us pop up on your lifetime stats, knowing we played a small role in the accumulated stats of the G.O.A.T would make me happy. Finally, Mr. Sterling, you only played one game this winter but what you did out there...and you know what I mean....that was money, I meant what I said, each time we play them, you have to join us!

Enjoy the off-season boys.....and that's to all the teams out there....winter is tough, the competition is certainly turned up a level or two and it's always a grind after a long summer season, enjoy the time off everyone, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's from the Trojans fam to all of you out there!

Oh yeah.....San Dimas High School Football Rules!

Date: December 16, 2018     Time: 12:30pm      Venue: Glendale Sports Complex