2006 PCBL Federal Division Championship

The Cannons (4) (14-4-1) -vs- Waves (1) (17-1-1)

 
  
Waves Crash over Cannons in Championship Quest
By Scot Sweet / PCBL Staff Writer
  
Our first of three championship games at beautiful JetHawk Stadium in Lancaster would offer up the best in championship competition. The Waves would win 9 of their last 10 games to earn the #1 seed in this championship. However, the Cannons posted a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games to put them in the big contest and consider them a worthy opponent as the #4 seed.
  
The Waves would strike first in the bottom of the 2nd inning with the help of back to back singles by Ryan Culver (whom we'll talk about later) and Brandon Bilderrain. Waves take a 1-0 lead.
  
The Cannons would answer back in the top of the 3rd innings with a pair of runs; courtesy of a pair of costly fielding errors, singles by Tony Chavez and Alonso Arreola, and an RBI double by leadoff hitter Jason Woolman. Cannons lead 2-1 through 2 1/2 innings of play.
  
The Waves would answer back in the bottom of the 4th inning. Ryan Culver leads off with his second single in as many at bats, but is thrown out attempting to steal 2nd. Brandon Bilderrain singles for his second hit of the day, and Russell Graham follows with a single of his own as the Waves start the inning with 3 consecutive base hits. Jesse Field would then draw the walk and be followed by an RBI single by Leandre Taitano. 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk as the Waves re-take the lead, now up 3-2 through 4 complete innings.
  
The 5th and 6th innings would go scoreless, bringing up the Cannons in the top of the 7th innings still trailing by a run. Matt Rudder would reach base by way of a fielding error. With 1 out, brother Travis Rutter would single; scoring his sibling from 2nd. Louis Acosta would be hit by a pitch to put two on for Tony Chavez who reaches base on a fielding error with a run scoring in the process. Arthur Gonzalez is next to step up to the plate and he promptly singles home 2 runs. Jason Woolman comes up with 2 outs and singles for his second RBI of the day. Cannons score 4 big runs in the top of the 7th to take a 6-3 lead late in this championship contest.
  
But the 1st seed Waves were not about to recede quietly. Shawn Scholer is hit by a pitch to start the inning and is followed by Jason King who draws a walk. With 2 on a nobody out, up steps Ryan Culver (side story pending) who has already singled twice and walked in this contest. He bangs an RBI single to give him 3 singles and a walk in 4 at bats. Another run would score on a pair of wild pitches, giving the Waves 2 runs in the inning to close within 1 run, now trailing 6-5.
  
The Cannons would once again answer back in the top of the 8th inning. Mike Rutter (yes, another Rutter) would lead off with a single. His brother Matt would fly out, bringing up Marcus D'Anna who doubles, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd for Travis Rutter who singles home a pair. Cannons get 2 more runs and lead 8-5 going into the bottom of the 8th inning.
  
The Waves start with the top of their order; as the first 2 batters are retired. With 2 out, Shawn Scholer singles to keep the inning alive for Jason King who has reached base safely in his last 3 at bats. He singles to put 2 on with 2 out for the hottest bat of the day for the Waves, Ryan Culver. With 3 singles, a walk and an RBI to his credit today already, what more can be expected of him? He answers with a huge 3-run homer to tie the contest at 8! What a tremendous day for Ryan Culver, going 4 for 5 with 3 singles, a homerun, a walk and 4 big RBI's!
  
Both teams fail to score in the 9th, taking us into overtime in this championship game with an 8-8 tie. The Cannons come up empty in the top of the 10th, giving the Waves another chance to end things in the bottom of the 10th.
 
Shaun Scholer leads off with a base on balls, bringing up Jason King who hits into the double play. With 2 out, guess who comes up with a chance to keep the inning alive? You got it - Ryan Culver; who promptly gets his 5th hit of the day to keep the rally alive! Brandon Bilderrain follows with a single of his own; giving him 4 singles on the day. We have 2 on and 2 out for Russell Graham, who is 1-4 on the day with a single way back in the 4th inning. With runners in scoring position, Graham gets the hit that counts as he singles home the game winner in the bottom of the 10th inning to cap the victory for the Waves and officially name them 2006 PCBL Federal Division Champions!
  
Congratulations to both teams for an exciting championship game and especially the Waves for the big comeback to claim the Federal Division Title! A fantastic game played by all parties involved and a great one to watch from the stands!
 
Game Time: 9:35am - 12:55pm (3 hrs, 20 min)
 
Umpires: (Home) John Moore
  
(1st) Reese Morgan
  
(2nd) John Visiglia
  
(3rd) Ron Rubenstein
 
Game MVP: Ryan Culver (Santa Monica Wave's)
  
5 for 5; with 4 Singles, 1 Homerun (3-run), 1 walk, 4 RBI's total
 
Winner of the most "unusual" pre-game snack
 
Ryan Culver / With his pre-game tradition of consuming raw eggs and raw chicken!
  
As difficult as this culinary nightmare is to fathom, it can't be denied that it somehow aided Ryan Culver to end up having a career day in this Federal Division Championship! Considering his pre-game diet to be anything but "finger-licking good"; he still cannot be denied as being the Wave's most decisive MVP winner as well as raw egg and raw poultry-eating phenom!