Upper Makefield Youth Baseball League

The Marlins won the National League Championship, completing an unprecedented three-peat, by defeating the Phillies, 13-2. The Phillies had won five of six games to force the championship game and had handily beaten the Marlins the night before, but the Marlins weren't to be denied.    

Juliano Kovalcik, Ryan Martindell, and Chase D'Arcangelo shut down the Phillies. Ryan Martindell hit a home run in the first, to bring his total to four for the season, tied with D'Arcangelo for second in the league, with Kovalick just behind with three. Key plays lead to Championship Game Balls for Ben Hoeffer, Mike Perepizcka, Zach Wolfenson, Mike Welde, and Mike Fitzgerald. Kevin Sheppard, Sam Kersey, Jarrett McCusker, Alex Breslin, and Sean Mazlin had key at-bats and hits to extend the lead at critical points in the game.

Juliano Kovalcik and his Dad, Manager Tom Kovalcik, are the lone hold overs of all three champion Marlins teams. Chase D'Arcangelo was an occasional call-up player for the 2008 team, and was a full member of the past two champion teams. His Dad Jim D'Arcangelo coached this year and last.  Ryan Martindell and his Dad Coach Scott Martindell were members of the past two champion teams.

Beyond those, there were several other Marlins-related story lines within the league. Sam Kersey joined Dad Tim and brother Cam as league champions this year - Sam's Dad and Cam were coach and player on the American League Champion Indians. And, perhaps most interesting of all, Mike Welde was the first player anyone could remember in league history who was a member of two league champions in the same season - a member of both the American League Indians and the National League Marlins.

Congratulations to the Phillies on a great season and the National League champion Marlins!

The Marlins are: