A LOOK BACK AT 2002
THE TEAM THAT STARTED IT ALL: RENEGADES WIN 1ST TITLE!!!
Mike Norian's pre-season prediction finally came true. The Motor Pool
Renegades are 2002 MSESL Champions. After coming within one win of a
title in 2001, the Bisons were determined not to come up short in 2002.
The Renegades were dominant in the '02 playoffs sweeping DCAM in the
opening round then doing the same to Bridges in the semis with 2 come
from behind wins. It appeared as though Highway Structures would once
again be the Bison opponent in the Finals, but they were upset in three
games by FHWA. There would be no upset in this year's Finals. The
Renegades overpowered FHWA, taking the opener 17-5 at the Common and
clinched their first ever title with an 18-8 Game two win also at the
Common.
Although the Boys of Bison weren't quite as dominant during the regular
season as they were in 2001, they still finished with a solid 8-5
record; good enough for a third place finish behind Bridges and Highway
Structures. After an ugly opening day 19-4 loss to Highways, the
Renegades put together a 3-game win streak with wins over FHWA,
Maintenance and DCAM. That was followed by a 2-game losing streak after
late inning collapses to Bridges and FHWA. The Bisons led Bridges 19-14
before Bridges rallied with 7 runs in the bottom of the 7th to win 20-19
at Ryan Field and FHWA evened the Motor Pool record at 3-3 when they won
a pitcher's duel 4-2 in eight innings also at Ryan Field. The Renegades
improved to 5-3 with a 12-10 win over Maintenance at Magazine and a 20-8
victory over DCAM at Magazine. But any chance at a first place finish
ended when the Bisons lost their next game 8-7 to Bridges at the Common
and followed that loss with another tough loss this time 16-15 to
Highway Structures also at the Common. The loss to Highways would be the
last time the Bisons would lose in 2002 as they finished the regular
season with three straight convincing wins and then rolled through the
playoffs with 6 straight wins on their way to their first ever MSESL
championship.
DCAM would be Motor Pool's first opponent in the playoffs. The Bisons
nearly blew a big lead in Game one but held on for a 23-20 win at the
Common. Game two was at Smith Field and the Renegades easily closed out
DCAM with a 10-4 win.
In the semi finals, the Bisons faced Bridges at Smith Field for the
series opener. Bridges jumped all over the Bisons with 6 runs in the
bottom of the first and held that lead until the top of the 4th when the
Renegade bats finally awoke as five Bisons crossed the plate. The
Renegades took their first lead of the series in the 5th when they
plated 4 more runs to take a 9-6 lead. Bridges scored once in their half
of the 5th to close within 9-7 and after both teams were held scoreless
in the sixth, the Bisons erupted for 8 runs in the top of the seventh to
take an insurmountable 17-7 lead. The Renegades would eventually win by
a score of 17-10 after Bridges closed out the scoring with 3 runs in
their last at bat. As in game one, Bridges grabbed the early lead but
just as in the series opener they were unable to hold it. The Bisons,
trailing 7-3 in the third, scored once to close within 7-4 but Bridges
regained their four run lead with one run in the top of the fourth. The
Bisons made it 8-6 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and pulled
to within 8-7 with another run in the fifth. But Bridges answered with a
two run rally of their own in the top of the 6th to take a 10-7 lead.
The Renegades appeared to be on the verge of a big rally in the bottom
of the sixth but had to settle for just one run to close within 10-8.
Bridges, attempting to stave off elimination, appeared to have forced
the series to a deciding third game after scoring three big runs in the
top of the seventh to take a 13-8 lead over the Bisons. The Renegades
would not be denied however as they rallied for six runs in the bottom
of the seventh inning stunning Bridges with a 14-13 come from behind win
and clinching their second straight trip to the Finals.
The Renegades would leave no doubt as to who the best team was in the
2002 MSESL Finals. They swept FHWA outscoring them in the two games
35-13. The Bisons, behind 8 homers crushed FHWA 17-5 in Game one at the
Common. Free Agent acquisition Adam Landry clobbered three tape measure
shots while John Megan, Brian Fallon, Chuck Kostro, John Roche and Mike
Norian all went yard as well. Roche, who struggled with his command for
much of the year was a surprise game one starter and easily pitched his
best game of the season. Rumor had it that "The Nat" was caught in the
web of the Alleyway Triangle and was unable to attend the series opener.
The Bisons used the long ball again in game two at the Common, this time
clubbing five homers as they blasted FHWA 18-8 clinching their first
ever MSESL Championship. Chuck Kostro and Vin Digilio each homered twice
while John Megan connected for his second homer of the Finals.