Baby Bombers Win Fifth NY-Penn League Title

 September 16, 2009 – In front of 1933 people in Niles, Ohio the Staten Island Yankees defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the final game of the NY-Penn League Championship Series, 5-2. With the win the Baby Bombers earned their fifth NY-Penn League title in their eleven seasons, and their second Championship victory in Ohio.

Mahoning Valley struck first, plating 2 runs in the second inning off of starter Jose A. Ramirez.  Ramirez made his first start for the Staten Island Yankees after being promoted from the Gulf Coast Yankees.  In 3 innings he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 in the game.  He was followed by Ben Watkins who earned the win tossing 5 shutout innings out of the bullpen allowing a hit and 2 walks.

The Yankees began their comeback in the top of the fifth.  Neil Medchill started it off with a fly ball double to right before scoring on a single by Zoilo Almonte.  In the top of the seven Staten Island tied the game at 2 after Almonte singled and scored on a double off the bat Kyle Higashioka.

The top of the eighth inning the Staten Island Yankees plated 3 runs to take the lead.  Jimmy Paredes started it off with a double to right before DeAngelo Mack walked.  A fly out to center by Luke Murton moved Paredes to third putting him in position to score when Neil Medchill grounded into a fielder’s choice but all runners were safe.  After a pitching change Zoilo Almonte stepped up to the plate and lined a double to left field scoring both Mack and Medchill.

That was all the Yankees would need as they would go on to win the game.  Graham Stoneburner came into the game in the ninth inning to earn the save.

Zoilo Almonte was 3 for 4 in the game with 3 RBIs, he was followed by Kyle Higashioka who was also 3 for 4 but had only 1 RBI.  Neil Medchill had the other Yankee RBI in the game and was 1 for 4.  Designated hitter Jimmy Paredes was the best hitter in the playoffs, batting .444 after going 2 for 5 in the game.

Robert M. Pimpsner

Robert joins Gotham Baseball after spending 7 1/2 years as the owner and senior writer for Baby-Bombers.com providing independent coverage of the Staten Island Yankees and their alumni for thousands of visitors. In July of 2009 he joined Gotham Baseball, bringing his coverage of the Baby Bombers.

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