Westport – The Merrimack Owls have advanced to the Championship round of the Kansas City Baseball League by sweeping 4 games against the Westport Fleas. The Owls, who will now face the Fogelberg Falcons for the title, displayed dominate offensive firepower throughout the series.
“We came ready to play tonight,” Dale Murphy said. “Ryno met individually with every member of the team after the season ended and told us very specifically what he wanted from each of us and what our role would be heading into the playoffs.”
Posting a team .606 on-base percentage, .489 batting average and 55 walks in the 4 games, The Owls seamed to have an answer for every Fleas rally.
“Tonight, getting on base was important, but getting the KEY hit was paramount,” Sandberg said from the visitors clubhouse in Asbury Park.
A prime example of this was Murphy, who hit 3 grand slams in the series, a three run home-run and tallied 5 total homers and 21 RBI’s in the 4 games.
Sandberg rumors flying
With the Chicago Cubs expected announcement of new GM Theo Epstein later today, ripples of gossip have begun to spread throughout the Cadaco All-Star Baseball league.
Rumored to covet current Owls Manager Ryne Sandberg to take the helm as the Cubs new manager, Epstein is expected to ask Owls management for permission to speak with Sandberg after the completion of the KCBL Championship next week.
“I have work to do HERE in Merrimack,” Sandberg said when questioned. “I love the Cubs and I had a great career in Chicago, but right now I have a team battling in the playoffs.”
