The Astros are the 2016 AAHA Mosquito Cup Champions

Mosquito Cup Championship Final
Astros 16
Cubs 3

Congratulations to the Astros for capturing the 2016 Mosquito Cup with a dominant performance in the final, winning 16-3 over the Cubs. The win was especially sweet for a team that started the season very slowly, languishing near the bottom of the standings for most of the first half of the season, falling even as far as 9th in the 10 team league. The team began to turn things around in the second half, eventually finishing the season in 4th place.

After a very poor start to the playoffs with a loss to the Pirates in Pool play, the Astros went on a tear, recording victories over the #1 seeded Yankees, the Cardinals, and the Expos in the Semi-Finals, earning a shot at the title against the #2 seeded Cubs.

In the Cup Final the Astros got off to a great start, taking the lead which they never relinquished. Zack Bos and the defence allowed just three runs over his two innings. After that, Logan Clark took over and shut out the Cubs for three innings. Logan was  excellent, collecting 6 strikeouts,  and he was supported by more than a few players who came up with their best games of the year.  HIghlights included Joe Carter Giesbrecht with an amazing double play, Jenna “Ozzie” Ozeroff making a basket catch, and the trio of rookies, all new to baseball this year, Shannon Jardine, Matti Lanphear and Andy Min coming up with big plays in the field.  The Cubs kept it close during that period, as David Krahn went into pitch in the 2nd inning and kept the game within reach.

It was just 4-3 heading into the 4th. The Astros extended the lead, as Ronan Sexton singled off of Krahn, and eventually came in to score on a huge double from Andy Min, who himself would score on a passed ball. The Astros would add two more in the 5th, as the bottom of the order delivered.  Although he didn’t get on base, “Chuck” Bronson Moore delighted the crowd by staying in the box and fouling one off.  Meanwhile the Cubs couldn’t generate any offence, Cian Sexton at Shortstop and Nick Westendorp at First Base anchored the defence.

The flood gates opened in the top of the 6th, as the Astros blew it open with 8 more runs. Everyone contributed, including doubles from Ronan and Shannon and a triple from Logan. Ronan Sexton came in to close out the bottom of the sixth.  The Cubs didn’t go down easily, as they put up a last gasp effort, led by Katie Krahn. She smacked a big hit off of Ronan, but the Cubs couldn’t get anyone over the plate. The final score was 16-3.

Big congratulations go to the Cubs who had a fantastic season. it didn’t end the way they wanted, but they played well all year and spent most of it in first place. The Cubs’ Playoff MVP, and best player all year, was David Krahn.

Many players put up their hands as potential Playoff MVPs for the Astros, as more than a few of them came up with their best games of the year in the Final.  Ronan got the MVP for his team, as he was good in this game and throughout the Playoffs, but his clutch performance in the Semi-Finals was especially key.

Special mention also goes to both Ronan and his cousin, Logan Clark.  With the victory on this day the pair had a “three-peat” as they won their third consecutive Mosquito Cup.