ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Scott Myers’ one-out bases-loaded single in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the difference as the Kelly’s Pub Molson Bulldogs took the 2019 Molson St. John’s senior softball championship with a 5-3 win over the 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light Dodgers in the seventh and deciding game of the final Monday night at Lions Park.
It is the sixth league title in seven years for the Bulldogs. The Dodgers had ended Kelly’s Pub’s streak by taking the crown last year.
With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs loaded the bases on two hit batters sandwiched around a Jeremy Hickey single. They thought they scored the go-ahead run when Jon Kelly scampered home on a fielder’s choice grounder by Riley Kenny, but Kelly was called out after a home-plate collision with Dodgers catcher Blair Pittman.
Kelly was ejected, but Myers promptly delivered a two-run single off Colin Walsh to put his team back in front for good.
Winning pitcher Sean Cleary (3H, 0W, 5K) shut down the Dodgers the rest of the way.
Walsh (9H, 3W, 5K) also went the distance.
Playoff MVP Blair Ezekiel had three hits and drove in two runs for the Bulldogs, one of the RBIs coming on a solo homer. Stephen Strapp added two hits for the winners.
Members of the championship team include Gary Bruce, Sean Cleary, Daniel Dalton, Blair Ezekiel, Jeremy Hickey. Jon Kelly, Riley Kenny, Mark Lewis, Liam Myers. Scott Myers. Patrick O’Leary, Liam Shea and Stephen Strapp. Jim Dunphy is the head coach, with John Farrell the assistant.
Ezekiel, who went 14-for-27 at the plate (.519 average) and drove in 11 runs in the post-season, was the top batter of the playoffs. He was also the league’s player of the month for the September-October segment.
