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Chicago Grays 7, San Diego Aztecs 6

‘Ociepka Takes Control on the Bump’

By Jake Rill, special to MSBL National

October 26, 2018, Mesa, AZ…In a tough spot, Chicago Grays pitcher Paul Ociepka knew what he needed to do to secure a victory – and a championship – for his team. With Chicago leading by one run, the San Diego Aztecs had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jeffery Aguirre came to the plate to face Ociepka, looking to complete a comeback victory for San Diego.

Ociepka wasn’t going to let that happen. “I’ve just got to man up, and that’s what I did,” Ociepka said. Ociepka got Aguirre to ground into a fielder’s choice to third base, securing a 7-6 win and the 65+ Cactus Division championship.

After the ball left Aguirre’s bat, it wasn’t a simple play for the Grays. Chicago third baseman John Malisiaknocked down the ball, before regrouping, gathering the ball and beating the runner to the bag at third for the force out. “I can’t let it get by me,” Malisia said. “I’ve been playing on one leg for the last couple games, so I just wanted to make sure that I kept it in front of me. As long as I did that, hopefully you get to the base before the guy did.”

Malisia’s play sealed a complete-game victory for Ociepka, who found his rhythm on the mound during the middle innings. While Chicago took a 6-4 lead after three innings, Ociepka didn’t allow a run in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. That included a 1-2-3 sixth. “He was unbelievable,” Gray’s manager Steve Faigin said of Ociepka. He retired the first two San Diego batters in the ninth before the Aztecs started to rally. San Diego scored a run to cut Chicago’s lead to one run before Ociepka escaped the bases-loaded jam to end it.

Chicago swung the bats well early to build a lead for Ociepka. The Grays scored two runs in the first. Leadoff hitter Ken Seelie scored on a wild pitch after drawing a walk and stealing a pair of bases then Joe Kutis later added an RBI single. However, the Aztecs answered back in the bottom of the first scoring three runs, including an RBI groundout by Henry Rimoldi. Chicago took back its lead with a four-run second. Seelie hit a two-run double, Dan Doleshal drove in a run with a ground out and Dave Pickering knocked an RBI double.“We held it together,” Faigin said.

Pickering went 2-for-3 and reached base three times for Chicago. Seelie and Ricky Martin each scored a pair of runs. The Grays, who were the No. 7 seed in their division for the World Series, got off to a slow start in the tournament, losing two of their first four games. However, they ended the week with five consecutive victories, including beating the Aztecs in the championship game. In order to win the title, Chicago had to sweepdoubleheaders on its final two days, which they did.

“It was exciting, thrilling to the last pitch,” Faigin said. “It was unbelievable. These guys are the greatest bunch of guys I’ve ever played with.” For Ociepka, who said he won his first MSBL World Series championship in 1993, it was also memorable.

“This is very, very special,” Ociepka said.

Announcement

The CNMSBL will be introducing it's weekday afternoon "Classic" Division this season. They will be playing on Tuesdays and Thursday with a two team division supplemental games on Sundays.

65 + Classic Division
Dear senior baseball players, the 65 + Classic Division is primed and ready for 2019.
Our new division is designed for guys who didn't get enough playing time in the 61 division or those of us who have lost a step or 2...
To start with,we will have 4 teams , playing one game a week either on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon at 3:00 PM.
We will also have a two seperate teams playing on limited  Sunday mornings.
All players that are unprotected from the 61 division will be placed on a week day 65 Classic team.
Please register  and pay a $75 deposit. If you want to play on Sunday also, please deposit $150.
If you are protected, did not play in CNMSBL in 2018, or cannot play because of work; and you desire to play on Sunday only.
please contact Bob Friedman at rfriedman@bensman.com.

 65 + Classic Division Facts
* Relaxed, recreational rules for the Senior Player.
* Week day games will likely be at Bensenville.
* Younger players may be eligible on a case by case basis.
* Week day league is for 15 games, includes a team hat and shirt, $265.
* Sunday league 8 games , will cost $100.
Feel free to pass this along
Robert A. Friedman

Commissioner
 

Fees for the 53s and 61s are $440.00 per player.

$10 OPEN HITTING AT PLAY BALL USA IN MT. PROSPECT - $10 PER PLAYER

EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN MARCH AND APRIL AT 8:00 TO 10:00 PM

MULTIPLE BATTING CAGES, MOUNDS, 3 TURF AREAS FOR LONG TOSS AND GROUNDERS

412 E. BUSINESS CENTER DR. MT. PROSPECT, IL. (2ND BUILDING EAST OF RAND RD. 1/2 MILE NO. OF CENTRAL)

PARKING IN BOTH THE FRONT LOT AND BACK OF THE BUILDING

Click here to see photos of the Oakton Renovations!

Congratulations to the CNMSBL and it's membership on the Leagues induction into "The Skyway Conference" sports Hall Of Fame for it's support and partnership with Oakton Community College Academics, Sports & Baseball for the past 25 years !

Oakton Owls defeat 4 Time Champion Tyler (Tx) 14 to 11 in a 13 inning marathon today to become National Champions !!!!  Congratulations to Head Coach Fratto and his staff as well as the entire Oakton squad.

The 2019 Season marks our 32nd year of providing the best adult baseball league experience in the Midwest . 

April 2016 WGN Promo on our league
 

FYI, in the case of a medical emergency at a game at Rec Park, send someone to the Pool and for help from the life guards, they will be able to assist till the responders arrive. Always call 911 immediately

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