The 2009 CMABL playoffs began tonight with the Nationals playing the Orioles at James Island.  The Orioles are seasoned veterans with numerous titles under their belt, while the Nationals have demonstrated the ability to play with anybody in victories over each of the leagues top 3 teams in 2009.  So a good game was expected, and both teams delivered sending their aces to the mound.  In the end, the Nationals came away with a 2-1 victory with Zac Calder picking up the win for the Nats.  Travis McLeod suffered the loss for the Orioles. 

In the 2nd game of the evening, the Rays squared off against a hot Reds team at Northwood Academy.  The Reds finished the season winning 7 of their last 8, while the Rays were coming off an impressive victory over the Nats just prior to the start of the playoffs.  Someone had to go home with the loss however, and it just wasn't meant to be for the Rays on this night.  The Reds Andrew Knight pitched a complete game recording 18 of the 21 outs by strikeout and picking up the W.  Daniel Scott is credited with the loss, despite an excellent outing.  

The CMABL's opening round of the playoffs featured a couple of games that couldn't have been any closer.  Sunday, that was not the case so much.  In fact, the opposite was true.  The Reds easily handled the Rays 16-7 to win the series 2-0.  They will advance to the Semi's for the 2nd straight season.  Brad Frazier picked up the win for the Reds and also added a Grand Slam.  Brad Levander is credited with the loss.  The Reds will have to wait for the outcome of the leagues other 1st round series to find out who their opponent will be Thursday night.  If the Nationals pull out a victory, then the Reds would face the A's in a rematch of one of last seasons semi-final games.  The Nationals would then face the Mets.  If the Orioles pull out the victory in Game 3, then the Orioles and A's will face each other and the Reds and Mets will play in the other semi-final series.  An update on Tuesday night's game will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

The Orioles showed up to the park sunday evening knowing they needed to win or their season would come to an end.  Based on the outcome, it's pretty clear that the Orioles aren't ready to pack 'em in just yet.  The O's dominated the Nationals securing an 18-1 victory to even the series at 1-1.   Mark Severs picked up the win for the Orioles.  DJ Lawson is credited with the loss.  The 2 teams will play Game 3 Tuesday night at JI.  Game time is 7:15PM.  Should the Orioles win, they will face the A's in the Semi-Finals Game 1.  If the Nats bounce back to take the series, then they will face the Mets.  Check back later for an update on the outcome of the final and deciding game of the series, Game 3!!   

The 1st round of the 2009 CMABL playoffs concluded tonight with a dramatic 9-8 come from behind victory for the Orioles.  The Nationals jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and held that lead late into the game.  That is when the Orioles offense came alive and began chipping away.  Going into the top of the 7th, the O's had managed to claw their way to a 6-6 tie.  However, the Nats weren't done yet.  The Nats would rally and take an 8-6 lead into the bottom half of the inning and were just 3 outs away from advancing to the next round.  The Nationals would record 2 of those outs, before a 2 out 2 run single ended their season and sent the Orioles to the semis.  Benji Miller (1-0) picked up the win in relief for the Orioles, while Zac Calder (1-1) suffered the loss.  John Griffey (1) also homered for the Nationals.

The Orioles will advance to the semis to face your beloved #2 Athletics in a rematch of last season's championship series.  Game 1 between the 2 teams will be played Thursday night at James Island.  The league's other semi-final series will feature the #4 Reds against the #1 Mets and will be played at Northwood Academy also on Thursday night.  Both games are scheduled to start at 7:15PM.