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October 12, 2024
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Linking Northern and Central NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and CT

The Knockouts Repeat as CBY Softball Champions

Last week’s issue reported on the Harold Gellis CBY A league playoffs and wild finish to their season and it was no different in the B League. On Sunday September 13, the Knockouts, last year’s A-league champion, and the Shaare Gaters faced off in Sagamore Park for a best-of-three series to determine the B League champion. The teams wasted no time getting things going as Shaare scored five runs in the first, capped off by a bases-clearing double from Rabbi Yehoshua Gold. The Knockouts fought back immediately, scoring four runs in the bottom of the frame. The pitchers then settled in with Benjy Burnat of Shaare and Yitz Greenbaum of the Knockouts allowing only three runs combined over the next 4.5 innings. With the game knotted at six apiece heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Knockouts were able to put together another four-spot and took game one by a score of 10-6.

Game two was a back-and-forth affair with each squad scoring four runs in the first three innings. Shaare went into the bottom of the sixth trailing 7-4, but they had their rally-kippot on. They found themselves with the bases loaded and two outs when Gabi Secemski came up to the plate. Just like he had been doing all season, he ripped a bases clearing double to left to tie the game at seven—in front of his whole family who cheered him on from the bleachers (well actually they were having doughnuts at the time, but they heard about what their dad did). In the top of the seventh, the Knockouts were able to put a man on second with one out, when Ari Eckman delivered a single up the middle for what proved to be the game-winning hit. The Knockouts took game two, 8-7, and won their second championship in as many years.

Congrats to all the participating teams this season and a huge thank you to the town, the umpires, the captains and especially my co-commissioners Dr. Jeff Paley and Naftali Levenbrown for pulling off a safe and enjoyable season for all who participated. If you are interested in forming a team for next year please email [email protected].

By Natan Cohen

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