ABD Bulldogs Win 2008 WWBA World Championship

The ABD Bulldogs defeated Cangelosi Baseball 7-3 to win the 2008 World Wood Bat Association World Championship. 

The championship game was an unlikely match up between a California based ABD team that featured 5 Aflac All-Americans and who hadn’t allowed a run in three playoff wins versus a scrappy, overachieving group of unheralded Illinois players.

The Cinderella role seemed to fit well for Cangelosi in the early going, as they scored a single run in the first inning and two more in the second inning to chase ABD starting pitcher K.C. Hobson and take a 3-1 lead

RHP Ian McCarthy played the key role in getting the Bulldogs back into the game.  The 4^th of 5 Bulldog pitchers, McCarthy pitched three scoreless innings from the 4^th thru the 6^th innings and gave the ABD bats a chance to have an impact against the depleted Cangelosi pitching staff.

A total of 11 pitchers took the mound during the contest.

Outfielders Frankie Christian (LF), Anthony Hutting (CF) and James Dykstra (RF) provided the spark for ABD with both their offense and defense.  Christian drove in the lead run with a single up the middle in the 4^th inning and later came around to score on a Dykstra double.  Hutting had 2 hits and scored 2 runs after having the key hit in ABD’s semifinal win against All-Star Baseball.  Dykstra’s defense and strong arm in right field was a key factor throughout the playoffs.

Cangelosi Baseball CF Mark Payton (Orland Park, IL) was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player for his role in the middle of the Cangelosi batting order, his outstanding defense in centerfield and his leadership of the event’s surprise team.  The 5-8, 160 lb left handed hitter is a clone of former big league outfielder John Cangelosi, the owner/director of the Cangelosi Baseball program.

Texas Scout Team Yankees RHP Garrett Gould (Wichita, KS) was named the Most Valuable Pitcher.  Gould went 1-0, 0.00 in 8 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and striking out 18 hitters.  He threw a 5 inning 1-hit shutout against Braves Scout Team in the quarterfinals, striking out 11 hitters.