2005
TESCO regains Glenwood Title
Ten teams joined the Glenwood Circuit in 2005 split into two divisions and competed in a season characterized by strong pitching performances. There was an infusion of strong young arms into the league combined with a quality veteran core that held the wood bats to lower averages and scores than ever before. It was one of the first seasons in many years that saw nearly every team with at least one solid starter, and in most cases a duo of capable arms. That was not to say the season was without exceptional offense, but in the end the pitchers dominated the 2005 season. The season ended with TESCO's veteran squad reclaiming the Glenwood Championship Title.
The 2005 Jethroe Division was anchored by perennial power Harrington Industrial Laundry. Harrington earned a regular season mark of 16 - 5 to capture the divisional title, although the squad fell short of reaching the finals for the first time since 1997. The Meadville Bulldogs made a lot of noise in their first season in the league earning a regular season mark of 15-7. The Bulldogs earned a trip to the playoffs in their inaugural year, but bowed out in two games. The 2005 Baycrete Squad battled injuries and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years also earning a 15 - 7 mark, but loosing the playoff nod to the Meadville squad by a 2 to 1 head to head advantage. The Knox Law Firm concluded a solid regular season earning 8 wins and first year entrants Miller's Erie Hardinger finishing their season at 4 - 18.
The Braebender Division Title was captured by TESCO with a regular season record of 17 -4 followed closely by The Mad Scoops at 17-5, although TESCO captured the title with a head to head advantage of two games to one. TESCO made the most of its 13th campaign earning its second Championship Title. The second year Mad Scoops squad from Albion put together a solid season advancing all the way to the Finals. The Buell's Corner Store Bulls finished their third season at 12 - 10 narrowly missing a return to the playoffs. First year entrant ECCA Payroll Services finished with 8 wins while the Lawrence Park Team brought up last place with a 4-18 record.
TESCO faced The Meadville Bulldogs in the Playoffs, winning the first game 5 to 3. Solid pitching and timely hits were the difference in the first contest, while the TESCO offense exploded in the second and final game to defeat the Bulldog's 14-1. The Mad Scoops also needed only two games to advance over Harrington Industrial Laundry. Both games were tight, with the Scoops winning 4 to 1 and 5 to 4.
The Mad Scoops drew first blood in the finals stunning TESCO 3 to 1 behind a four hit pitching performance by Billy Geiger. A two run double by Matt Duda slammed the door as the Scoops took a one game advantage. The three run third inning in game one marked the last run the Mad Scoops would plate, as TESCO hurlers Matt Palisin and Ryan Frederick combined for 25 consecutive scoreless innings. TESCO won the next three games 1 to 0, 5 to 0 and 4 to 0 to reclaim the Glenwood Championship Title they lost to Harrington Industrial Laundry in 2004.
Back row (left to right): Lee Rohan, Ryan Frederick, John Fette,
Craig Montgomery, Dave Lanagan, Fred Veith Sr., Brian King, Jordan Cordova
Front row: Juan Carlos-Pagan, Jorge Melendez, Dave Meyner, Fred Veith & Corey
Walters Missing: Matt Palisin & Ben Gaston
2005 Awards:
Dave Meyner of TESCO was voted Most Valuable Player
Rick Iacobucci of Harrington was voted Golden Glove
Brian Bator of Miller Erie Hardinger was voted Rookie of the Year
Matt Duda of the
Mad Scoops and Craig Montgomery of TESCO tied
for the honor of Coach of the Year