PITTSBURGH, Pa  - The Hurricanes have reversed the fortunes of their franchise securing a Pittsburgh NABA Championship year after their inaugural season so them go 3-19.  Led by P/IF Andy Rafalski and SS Milton Joyner, the Hurriances defeated the Black Sox in three games culminating in a 5-4 win Thursday night.

There were quite a few compelling storylines in this historic victory for the Hurricanes.  The Hurriances were arguably the third or fourth pick to win the title at the onset of the playoffs.  The favorite in most circles was the Imperial Owlz, who by all accounts had a very talented and deep roster that went 21-1 during the regular season.  The one loss?  Came at the hands of the Hurricanes.

Most observers expected the championship series to feature the Owlz and the Hurricanes, but the Black Sox swept the Owlz in two of the best games played all year in the league.  Both games literally turned on one or two plays, and the Black Sox advanced on the strength of the pitching staff of Jim Cannon, Pete Chaflin, and JT Slavicek.

The Black Sox pitching staff was revamped after their 2008 playoff loss at the hands of the Owlz.  One of the casualties of that overhaul was former All-Star Chris Recker.  Recker was traded mid-season from the Black Sox to the Hurricanes because of the new-found depth on the Black Sox pitching staff.  He immediately became the Hurricanes number two starter behind Series MVP Andy Rafalski.

Recker started Games 1 and 3 and performed well enough to give his team a chance to win both games even though he recieved the loss in Game 1 and a no decision in Game 3.  The Black Sox feature arguably the best lineup top to bottom in the league, and he allowed only 5 runs through 4 innings in Game 1, and 2 runs through 3 innings in Game 3.

"I've got a lot of friends in (the Black Sox) dugout, and a lot of respect for the guys in it," Recker said after the game.  "I was pleased that this old arm could go out and help my team have a chance to win."

SS Milton Joyner scored 5 runs in the series reaching base 5 of 11 times he stepped to the plate.  More than a few of his outs were very hard hit balls as well.  In Game 3, his 3 runs scored (each of his first three trips to the plate) proved to be a deciding factor in the game.

Centerfielder and Pitcher Chris Wagoner and second baseman Matt Johnston joined the Hurricanes in 2009 after having previously played on the Phantoms in 2008.  Both players played key roles in the series as defensive stalwarts and the #2 and #3 batters in the Hurricane lineup respectively.

Wagoner held the lead in Game Three on the mound, and made the series cliniching catch at the end of the game.  This came one night after he hit a double offensively, and made a potential game-saving diving catch in centerfield to pace the Hurricanes in Game Two.

Johnston was the emotional lynchpin for the Hurricanes all series long and excelled at the plate and in the field.  He even managed Game Two as Hurricanes manager Bob Holloway was down with the sickness.  "I told our guys we need to let our play do our talking for us," noted Johnston post-series.  "There were teams out there that thought we were a one-man show, but it took the whole team to bring this thing home."

The one man Johnston was referring to is Rafalski. Rafalski pitched 10 innings allowing only 4 runs, played a stellar defensive third base, and went 3 for 6 with 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, a walk, and was hit by a pitch twice in Game 3.  For his efforts, he was named series MVP by Holloway.  Respected by his teammates and the opposition alike, Rafalski was found after the game congratulating the Black Sox on a great series.

The Hurricanes needed everyone to step up to defeat the potent line-up and solid pitching staff of the Black Sox. Midway through the year however, some teams started calling the Hurricanes the "Fightin' Rafalski's"much to the chagrin of the Holloway.  To be sure, the Hurricanes recieved key contributions from all the players already mentioned plus Jesso Ferko, John Richards, TJ Morgan, Jared Krieder, and Kyle Torok.  "I felt it was disrepectful to the other guys on our roster.  Andy doesn't play all nine positions at once, and he doesn't fill all the lineup spots," said Holloway a day after their win, still upset at the thought.  "I know some guys may just be clowning us, but I still believe it to be disrepectful." 

"They can say whatever they want," retorted Johnston a couple of feet away, "We have the trophy, and we don't need any words other than the little plague that says: Hurricanes: 2009 Pittsburgh NABA Champions"

Congratulations to the Hurricanes.  2009 Pittsburgh NABA Champions.

 For a recap of the exciting Game 3, click here: Game 3 Summary: Hurricanes 5, Black Sox 4