San Diego Mudcats 5 Arizona Scorpions 3

2012 MSBL World Series

70-and-over division


The San Diego Mudcats eliminated the Arizona Scorpions 5-3 today at Fitch Park in Mesa, Arizona in the first round of the 2012 MSBL World Series playoffs. The Mudcats and the Scorpions were the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively, and met for the second time this week. Earlier in the week, the Mudcats knocked off the Scorpions, 17-5, but today the game was a little tighter. Unfortunately, the Scorpions continued their hitting woes and couldn't come up with the key hits when they needed them the most.

The Scorpions made it interesting in the top of the seventh inning. With two runners on, Allen Sandberg, the Scorpions left fielder, stepped into the batter's box, representing the go-ahead run.  Sandberg hit a slow roller to the shortstop and the throw to first was in time to nip the runner for the third and final out of the game.  "My left foot hit the bag just before the ball went into the mitt," said Sandberg, on his way back to the dugout. Unfortunately, the umpire didn't see it that way. It was the final out of the MSBL World Series for the Scorpions. The Scorpions, whose roster included players from Tucson, from Southern California, from Oregon and from Virgina, played six games in six days at the MSBL World Series, winning two games and losing four. Oh, well. We will try it again in 2013.

Price Watch: As for me, it was an unproductive day at the plate as I go 0 for 3 with my first, and only, strike out at the World Series. I took a called third strike. The ball was outside and high. Unfortunately, the umpire didn't see it that way. I finished the week with a .428 batting average (6 for 14). I walked twice and recorded two sacrifice bunts.