Philip Stein’s Sox repeat as softball champions

The teams now have a long offseason until play begins again next March.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
PHILIP STEIN’S SOX players pose on the field after their title-winning victory last week. (photo credit: Courtesy)
PHILIP STEIN’S SOX players pose on the field after their title-winning victory last week.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
For the second year in a row, Philip Stein’s Sox captured the The Jerusalem Post Softball League title, beating the Alan Deutch & Associates FBARS in a riveting three-game finals.
The Sox advanced to the finals by crushing the Bet Shemesh Suns 33-4, while the FBARS advanced by beating last year’s finalist Optical International.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series proved to be a slugfest at Kibbutz Gezer as AD jumped out to an 11-1 lead before the Sox stormed back, scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning to lead 11-10.
The Sox broke the game open by scoring 16 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and while AD made an heroic effort to get back into the game with eight runs in the top of the fifth, the Sox kept their feet on the pedal to take the opener 33-23.
Ron Gorodetzer pitched for Philip Stein, with relief help from Ariel Gilor, who finished up the game on the mound.
Game 2 saw a turn of events, as FBARS pitcher Noam Zwilling and a solid defense managed to hold PS to only five runs while slaughtering the Sox 20-5 in six innings.
On offense, shortstop Ilan Meister and outfielder Dani Harow each went 4-for-5 for AD, while catcher Mati Laufer went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a monster home run.
In the Game 3 rubber-match, the Sox struck first, scoring three runs in the second and adding six more in the third inning. Down 10-1, the FBARS fought back, getting to within 11-8, before the PS broke out with six more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Gilor finished off the complete game on the mount, leading the Sox to the victory and their second consecutive championship.
The teams now have a long offseason until play begins again next March.