Game 3 proved to be quite the thrill ride, with multiple lead changes and drama right down to the very end.
The Redlegs threatened in the top of the 1st, but ultimately an Angels double play got them out of the inning unscathed. Camden starter Chris Flaherty carved his way through the Angels lineup in the first two innings before they busted through for 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd. The Angels saved what would turn out to be a big run in the top of the 2nd when Evan Koogler singled with two-out and moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Joey Watson then singled to left field. With the windmill on at 3rd, Koogler made a great slide at the plate but was ultimately ruled out on an extremely close run-saving play.
The Redlegs got to work in the top of the 4th, scoring twice with two-out to cut the lead in half. James Robinson reached on an error before Joey Watson walked, followed by Eric Jameson reaching on an error that scored a run. Jacob Robinson then singled in a run to bring the score to 4-2.
Kevin Campbell then took over the mound for the Redlegs and was greeted by a pair of unearned runs from the Angels in the bottom of the 4th. Now trailing 6-2, the Redlegs pushed two more runs across in the bottom of the 4th to keep things close at 6-4. Ben Schooler walked to start the inning and Mike Hartman and Evan Koogler each singled to load the bases. Chris Flaherty and James Robinson then each produced a run-scoring fielder’s choice.
Campbell then held the Angels offense in the 5th and 6th giving Camden the opportunity to take their first lead in the top of the 7th. Ben Schooler started the inning with a single but was erased on a fielder’s choice that left Mike Hartman on 1st base. Walks to Evan Koogler and Chris Flaherty loaded the bases, setting up James Robinson to once again do some damage with the bags full. He came through, doubling down the right field line to clear the bases and give Camden the 7-6 lead.
After the Angels used an unearned run to tie things up at 7 in the bottom of the 7th, the Redlegs answered by scoring twice in the top of the 8th. Matt Mattice started the frame by being awarded first base on catcher’s interference. Mike Hartman and Evan Koogler both reached base to load the bases and after a pop-out, James Robinson was once again at the plate with the bases loaded in a big moment in the game. And once again he delivered, this time bringing home two runs with a single.
Now leading 9-7, the Redlegs turned to Ben Schooler in the bottom of the 8th. Schooler induced a pop-out, and the next hitter reached on an error before he struck out the next hitter to record the 2nd out. The Angels then used a pair of walks and a clutch single to score 3 runs and take the 10-9 lead.
Camden didn’t go quietly in the top of the 9th. Jacob Robinson became the first baserunner with a 1-out single, followed by a base hit by Matt Mattice and a walk to Ben Schooler to load the bases. But Angels starter Daniel Miller was able to induce a fly out and strikeout to end the threat and the game.
Season Notes:
Jacob Robinson cranked out 10 hits in the 3-game series, going 10-13 (.769) with a double, triple, 3 stolen bases, and 4 RBI. James Robinson wasn’t to be outdone, going 5-9 (.556) with a whopping 10 RBI and 2 doubles. His 10 RBI accounted for 43% of Camden’s post season runs batted in. Evan Koogler batted .583 (7 for 12) with a double, two triples, and 3 RBI. Ben Schooler hit .455 (5 for 11) with a double.
2023 marks the first time the Redlegs would finish with a losing record since going 9-20 way back in 2012 and is only the 3rd losing record in the 14 year history of the franchise.
The Redlegs earned their 200th franchise regular season victory on 7/30/23 in a 6-2 victory over the Darke County Dodgers.
Matt Mattice broke the Redlegs single season record for stolen bases with 22 in his final plate appearance of the 2023 season versus the Wolves. He broke his own record which was set back in 2014. Mattice also crossed the 150 RBI threshold (158) and topped 100 stolen bases (106) during the 2023 season.
Evan Koogler was a consistent force for the Redlegs in 2023, batting .406 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run and finished 2nd on the team with 24 RBI on his way to his 5th All-Star selection.
Ben Schooler made the MVABL all-star team in his first season with the Redlegs, pacing the team with 26 RBI while batting to the tune of .366. He also led the team in wins with 5, and was second in the MVABL in strikeouts with 86.
James Robinson turned in an outstanding season, batting .361 with 3 doubles and 20 runs batted in to go along with his 10 RBI outburst in the post season. James passed the 400 career hit milestone in 2023 and now sits 4th all-time in the MVABL. He was inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame class earlier this season. He is tied with Matt Mattice for 5th in team history with 158 RBI.
Max Ramsey led the team in batting average (.490) and home runs (2) in his sophomore season, while he recorded just over half the at-bats as the team leader.
Tyler Schrock hit .450 and tied for the team lead in doubles (6 – Hartman) in his rookie campaign. Schrock also turned in a cool 3.92 ERA over 20 2/3 innings of work on the mound this season.
Jacob Robinson eclipsed the 300 RBI mark this season and is close to moving into 3rd all-time in MVABL history. He also moved passed the 500-run milestone earlier this season, becoming the first player in league history to do so.
Mike Hartman piled up 20 more RBI this season, moving into 4th place in team history with 184 since joining the Redlegs in 2015.