Mission Rockies repeat as valley Babe Ruth champs
The Mission Rockies display their championship trophy after Sunday's win, the second championship they've won in two years. At right, Cubby Pierre pitched most of the championship game, along with Bo Coffman and Jerry Brovold. All three players, plus Austin Moran, will have to move up to Legion ball next year, if they want to continue playing as they are all 15. Coach Randy Keeble said it was a real pleasure coaching those 15-year-olds, and that he will miss them next year.
The Mission Rockies repeated as the Mission Valley Babe Ruth champions for the 2006 season, after going undefeated during last week's tourney, culminating in a 8-4 win on Sunday for the title.
The Rockies defeated the Ronan Reds for the title match Sunday — a repeat of last year's championship.
The Reds and Rockies faced off earlier that day, too, but the Reds were held hitless by Rockies pitchers Cubby Pierre and Bo Coffman, who combined for 13 strikeouts during that game.
"They both pitched a heck of a game in that one," said head coach Randy Keeble.
Pierre was the winning pitcher in the championship game, after pitching four innings. Coffman pitched two and Jerry Brovold pitched one during the championship. Because tourney rules limited each pitcher to seven innings per two games, coaches had to use some strategy and plan ahead, adding to the challenge.
Pierre, Coffman and Brovold combined for seven strikeouts, while giving up only six hits.
"Neither team had their best game in the championship. It all came down to who could manufacture the most runs. We did a decent job of base running and getting kids into scoring position," Keeble said.
The Rockies finished the regular season 12-2, and 16-2 overall.
They scored 36 runs during the tourney and only gave up eight.
Brovold was the team's top hitter, going 7-for-13 for a .538 average, while Pierre was 6-for-13 with a .462 average. Austin Moran went 5-for-12 for a .417 average.
"Discipline at the plate and good baserunning did it for the Rockies," Keeble said.
Keeble said Moran was one of the best players on defense, making some great plays at third base.
Brovold, as catcher, also did a bang-up job, throwing out a couple of runners during the tourney.
Moran, Pierre, Coffman and Brovold are all 15, and Keeble said they will be missed as they move up to Legion ball next year.