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• MVP secures 5th DSSL title
• Shane White delivers game-tying RBI in 9th
• Cirincione sends us off in 11th
• Successful postgame BBQ

In classic MVP fashion, the lineup went from 19 to 11 in the blink of an eye. As if that wasn’t enough of a surprise, MVP took the field and, after one batter, were bombarded with a group of shirtless prepubescent boys who took more than one attempt spelling “GOBLINS!” with their chests painted. Eventually, they figured it out, but while they worked through that, the Goblins plated one to jump out early and in the bottom of the 1st, the GM, Pat, and Ev got on and got in giving MVP a 3-1 lead.

MVP’s lead was short lived following a bases-clearing triple in the top of the 2nd and a four spot in the top of the 3rd. After a scoreless 4th, MVP trailed 8-3. At this point, the GM was getting hostile which quickly came to light after a cooler talk that mainly consisted of telling the team they suck and if they’d consider not sucking.

The theme of the day was a combination of bad luck, horrendous pitch selection, and great defense from the Goblins. MVP had its opportunities to get back in the game, but never saw that big hit get through mainly as a result of Goblin GM, Kyle Donnelly, making 2 great plays at short.

After 7, MVP’s deficit was cut down to 4, trailing 9-5. In the bottom of the 8th, a pair of singles from Rizz and KB gave MVP the faintest of pulses as the ended up scoring off a ZDubs single and Mullahey sac fly.

A scoreless top of the 9th put MVP in the best position imaginable given the circumstances: down two with the top of the order due up. Things didn’t exactly go as expected, but that’s what made it so great. The GM failed to get things started, but Pat and Ev picked up the slack getting themselves to 2nd and 3rd with one out. After Cirincione flew out, it came down to Shane White.

Shane’s 2023 season took a 180 after he went from the team’s top hitter to a tough string of games, but it now depended on one at-bat. The left-side of the infield didn’t have a chance to move before the ball made its way to left field. Pat scored easily and Ev came around third, leaving the entire 2023 season up to a play at the plate. The throw squeaked by the catcher and Ev sprinted in circles attempting to find the plate. See below for visual.

Speaking of athletic, acrobatic people, Jon Rich really settled in nicely after the 3rd and held the Goblins off of the scoreboard for the most part. Going into the bottom of the 10th, all MVP needed was a run. Rich followed up his scoreless frame with a big blast that put him on 2nd with two outs. It was at this point, that fellow red head, Ryan Mullahey, stepped up to the dish and smoked a ball into left center. In what truly epitomized a do-or-die play, the Goblins outfielder leaped back to make the biggest catch of the season. All the momentum was in favor of the Goblins.

However, you wouldn’t have thought that if you were in the MVP dugout. Taking the field in the 11th, MVP didn’t look defeated, they took the field feeling like it was their game. Jon Rich delivered yet another scoreless top half, giving the GM and Cirincione a chance to redeem themselves. After Munchie was retired to start the inning, the GM ripped a bullet through the 5-6 hole and advanced to 2nd after a single by Ev. Stepping up to the plate, John Cirincione. The ball off the bat looked like it came in slow motion as it sizzled through the infield. From there, the GM was off to the races and crossed the plate to put a bow on the 2023 season.

FINAL/11: MVP 10-9