2003
TESCO Captures 1st Championship

    The Glenwood League returned to wood bats in the 2003 season attracting eight teams to the league circuit. During previous seasons offensive numbers had climbed out of control, but that ended abruptly in 2003 with wood bats coupled with a new crop of talented young arms. The eight team circuit played a 21 game regular season schedule before starting the August hunt for the Championship Trophy.

    TESCO put together a solid season en route to capturing their first Championship Title. The squad lost the first two games of the season only to go on a twenty game win streak. Defending Champs Harrington Industrial Laundry captured second place with a 16-5 record on their way to the postseason. First year entrants Buell's Corner Store Bulls opened their GBL run with a solid 12-9 season advancing to the GBL Playoffs. The final playoff berth went to 2nd year squad Sara's Knights. The Knights earned a regular season record 11-9. Agresti's Law Offices/CESW narrowly missed the post season with a 9-11 mark. Coming off their playoff appearance in 2002 Leo's Hauling survived a disappointing season ending at 6-15. Coaches/Sports Page, a team mostly composed of high school ballplayers, managed 5 wins. Last place went to Knox Law finishing the season at 4-17.

    The Buell's Corner Bulls drew first blood in the playoffs defeating Harrington 2-0 on the strength of Travis Butcher's seven strikeout shutout. Harrington evened the series with a 4-0 shutout win behind Pete Geddes scattering 3 hits over seven innings and Brian Shaffer's Grand Slam. The Laundrymen wrapped up the series in their next meeting advancing to the finals.

    TESCO struck first against Sara's Knights 4 to 1 behind Matt Palisin's five hit shutout. The Knights evened the series up with a 7 - 4 victory in the next meeting. Matt Gnacinski struck out 7 earning the complete game win, while his brother Dave knocked in three runs. In the final meeting Matt Palisin struck out 11 and John Fette knocked in three runs to help TESCO wrap up the series with a 10-1 win earning TESCO their second trip to the finals.

    The finals pit the two league veterans against each other in a five game series. Brian King's three run homer powered TESCO over Harrington in the first meeting 5-1. Bob Ohmer earned the win. TESCO's Matt Palisin continued his winning ways in game two with another complete game shutout 4-0. The third and final game saw TESCO winning 15-5 and finally earning the Glenwood Championship for the first time in the team's 11 year history.

Back Row (Left to Right) Brian King, Shawn Wallace, Matt Palisin, Ryan Frederick, Brian Root, Ben Gaston, Craig Montgomery, Fred Veith Jr., John Fette, & Fred Veith Sr.
Front Row (Left to Right)  Bob Ohmer, Dave Lanagan, Chris Shearer, Dave Meyner, Corey Walters, Adam Best & Billy Hughes. Missing from Photo: Tony Azzato

Ryan Frederick of TESCO was voted Most Valuable Player

Adam Best of TESCO was voted Rookie of the Year

Steve Frank of Agresti Law Offices/CESW was voted Gold Glove

Craig Montgomery of TESCO was voted Coach of the Year