Cork Renegades crowned champions in maiden season

THE Cork Renegades have been crowned Baseball Ireland B League Champions after their 2-1 playoff final win over the Belfast Northstars last Sunday in the International Baseball Centre in Ashbourne, Meath.

The win came in dramatic fashion, as on October 7, game one went to the Renegades before the Northstars got one back in game two – forcing game three which was contested the following week.

On October 14, the teams took to Ashbourne for one last game this season.

It was Belfast who got out of the gates quickly, taking an early 2-0 lead over Cork pitcher Filip Zakrocki. The Renegades remained undeterred and responded with some aggressive batting and base running, pulling the score back to 3-3 by the end of the third inning.

Cork showed their grit and never say die attitude that they've shown on many occasions this season, and pushed on into the fourth taking a decisive 8-3 lead, a scoreline that Belfast would come to rue.

In the end, the Northstars couldn’t overturn the deficit and it was to be a fairy-tale ending for the Leesiders in their debut season, running out convincing winners on a scoreline of 21-11.

To go from uncertainty around numbers to national league champions in the same year is remarkable. The Renegades have put baseball on the map in Cork and have grown astronomically, but their performances on the field have been special.

They didn’t have it easy, and the Northstars put up a fight in their playoff final series, but in the end they were second best to the league newcomers.

In the first game the Renegades dominated, winning 11-1. Cork were helped by a a strong start to the game, with captain Filip Zakrocki’s impressive pitching and a strong defence overall keeping Belfast scoreless in the early stages.

By the fourth inning the Renegades were in a commanding position, and while Belfast finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning, it was far too late to get anything from the game.

Belfast needed to perform in game two or it was all over, though they had shown earlier in the year that they could beat the Renegades, as they had won against the Cork side during the regular season.

A mix of precise pitching and aggressive batting gave Belfast an early lead to game two, and the Renegades were unable to turn it around.

Certainly a candidate for game of the year, it was an unforgettable show for those in attendance. The game went hit for hit through all seven innings, as Belfast eventually ran out winners on a score of 8-6, tying the series and forcing game three. It was fitting end to day one of the finals, with the two best clubs in the Baseball Ireland B division showing their resolve.

After a merciless showing from the Renegades in game three to win the title, it was a special moment for the club, and one they will savour for years to come – but there’s a catch.

They made a lengthy journey home on the team bus, from Meath to the Rebel County, only to arrive in Cork to no clubhouse or field to call their own, and nowhere to display the title they worked so hard to win.