Rangers Win First Championship

The Dayton Rangers needed 3 games in the final series, but the Rangers finally ended their 14-year drought for a league championship.

The Rangers started rookie Jonathan Silverman in game one and he was ‘golden’ on the mound, racking up 9 strikeouts in 8 innings of work, scattering six hits and allowing 1 run in a Rangers 11-5 victory. The Rangers scored first in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Jonmarc Lippincott. Brandon Howard, Jelani Arnold, and Brad Clark singled in runs in the second for a 4-0 lead. The Rangers doubled up the score in the fifth as Clark doubled in two runs, followed by RBI singles from Robert Riley and Shane Fallen. An RBI single from catcher Rick Anderson put the Slammers on the board in the seventh. The Rangers added three more runs in the 8^th as James Robinson led off with a double, Aaron Armstrong walked, and Jonathan Silverman produced his first hit of the season to load the bases. Jacob Robinson then tripled to right center to clear the bases and give the Rangers an 11-1 lead. The Slammers mounted a late comeback in the 9^th as they scored four runs off Rangers’ reliever Brandon Howard. Jacob Robinson went 3-for-3 with 3RBI in the game. Brad Clark, Robert Riley, and Shane Fallen each had 2 hits. Clark finished with 3 RBI. Silverman improved his record to 8-0 on the season.

Game 2 was a different story for the Rangers as Slammers rookie Justin Dunlap held the Rangers’ bats in check all game. The Slammers defense was outstanding, as Rick Anderson gunned out three runners trying to steal second and the middle infield turning three double plays. The Rangers did however start the scoring off in the fourth inning as “Mr. Clutch” Jelani Arnold singled in Brandon Howard for an early 1-0 lead. The Slammers tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a botched double-play attempt. The Slammers then took the lead as Rangers’ starter Brad Clark walked Matt Rudy with the bases loaded. The Slammers stretched the lead to 4 as Matt Owens tripled in a pair and Dunlap plated another for a 5-1 Slammers advantage. Some additional insurance came in the 7^th as Owens launched a two-run home run to left field. The Rangers didn’t go out quietly in the ninth. Steve worked a leadoff walk. Clint Wolf followed with a single. Howard drove in Marshall with a line drive single to left. Kevin Ashworth entered in relief of Dunlap and despite giving up an RBI groundout to Arnold and an RBI single to Clark, he was able to lock down the win for the Slammers.

Game 3 did not look like it was going to get played, as a light drizzle fell over the area. But luckily the Weather Channel proved to be wrong once again in their forecasting and the rain stayed away for the remainder of the afternoon. Veteran lefty Shawn Schmitt got the call in the deciding championship game and promptly recorded 3 pop-ups to start the game. Steve Marshall single-handedly scored the first run of the game as he reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, went to third on the errant throw, and scored on the overthrow from the outfield. With two outs, Jelani Arnold singled in Clint Wolf, and Brad Clark followed with an RBI single that plated Brandon Howard for a 3-0 lead. Matt Rudy singled in Justin Dunlap in the second to cut the lead to 3-1. But the Rangers batted around in the bottom of the second, scoring 7 times. With one out, Jacob Robinson reached on an error and stole second. Steve Marshall doubled home Robinson. Clint Wolf singled in Marshall. After a walk and an error, the bases were loaded for Mr. Clutch again. Jelani singled to right field to score two more runs. After a walk to Clark, Robert Riley singled in a pair. Shane Fallen’s sac fly to center ended the scoring as the Rangers led 10-1 after two innings. Matt Owens hit an RBI triple and Andrew Verrett grouned out to plate the third run of the game for the Slammers in the third. Shane Fallen doubled in the fourth inning and came around to score on a throwing error later in the inning to give the Rangers a 12-3 lead. Steve Marshall led off the fifth with a triple to left center and scored on a ground out by Clint Wolf for a 13-3 lead. The Rangers’s 7^th inning started with Jacob Robinson reaching on an error. After one out, Clint reached on an error as well. Jonmarc Lippincott then roped a ground-rule double to left center to plate Robinson. Brandon Howard then sent the next pitch over the left field wall for a walk-off three-run home run. Shawn Schmitt only allowed 1 hit in his final four innings of work for his fourth win of the season.

Offensive highlights for the series: Jelani Arnold 5-for-11, 2 runs, 6RBI, 2 SB; Brandon 5-for-11, 7 runs, 5RBI, HR; Steve Marshall 6 runs, double, triple, 3 SB; Clint Wolf 3-for-8, 4 runs, 2RBI, 3 SB; Brad Clark 5-for-11, 2 runs, 5RBI, double; Shane Fallen 4-for-9, 2RBI, sac, 2 doubles; Jonmarc Lippincott 4-for-10, 3 runs, 2 RBI, double, SB, 3 BB; Robert Riley 4-for-11, 3RBI, double; Jacob Robinson 3-for-9, 2 runs, 3RBI, triples, 5 BB, 2 SB

Historical notes: Steve Marshall and Brandon Howard each finished with 12 runs scored to set a Rangers playoff record for runs scored. Jacob’s 11 walks were also a playoff record. Jacob now has 28 walks on the season, which is the most free passes in team history for a single season. Brad Clark pitched in a team-high 18 games this year, which is the most by a Rangers pitcher since Jeremy Lippincott pitched in 21 games in 1998. The Rangers had 8 players with at least 30 hits this season, beating the previous record of 6 players. The Rangers had 5 players with at least 30 runs scored, besting the previous record of 4 players in a season. The Rangers also have 4 players with at least 30 RBIs, topping the previous high of 2 players in a single year.