Well even though the season didn't have the ending most hoped for,(NABF worldseries trip) the team did what every team is suppose to do, LEAVE EVERYTHING ON THE FIELD. After a 7-4 victory in game one the regional championship from a unreal performance by pitcher Jake Herron, who threw all 9 innings. "He walked off the mound knowing I was going to take him out but he looked me right in eyes and said this is my game I want this. When I guy like Jake Herron says that to you with that determination you don't take the ball from him."-Coach Campbell. The skipper also described that Jake has been his go to guy since he was a 6th grader at Saint Rays Jr. High, knowing that if he ever needed a win Jake was the kid.
With game 2 deciding who goes to Battle Creek and the tought Beecher Muskie team across the field the Dirtbags knew they had to give everything they had left. Ladies and gentlemen that is exactly what they did. 17 innings of some of the best baseball you will EVER see. the pitching was spot on, Mike Quiram was looked upon to lead the team to vicotry on the mound. Mike gave the team 9 innings of 1 run baseball. "It is pretty rare that we put the ball in the hands of younger new guy in a situation like that, but Mike has been a guy that has stepped up all year in big situations plus he has the stuff the Beecher tends to struggle with, so the choice was simple."-Coach Campbell. After battleing back and forth with none stop Defense and a inning that left fans and even some player confused. the Dirtbags walked the bases loaded after a lead off triple and found there way out of it. The run on third was the winning run at that point. After scoring the go ahead run and a contraversal call at the plate for the second run. The Muskies mustarded up a run with 2 outs. a inning or two later the Muskies hit a 2 run walk off homerun to finish off the dirtbags. "This is one for the memory books, I doubt anyone that was in that game or watching it will ever forget that."- GM Mike Sisti. One person that probably deserves the biggest shoutout in catcher Anthony Rios who is a first year guy with great potential but was asked to catch both games. Rios even went to the 15th inning of extra... "I couldn't walk right the next day but it was worth it" -Anthony Rios.
After that game just watching this team walk off the field you knew there was nothing to say that could sum up or cover what was done..... This team battled for 26 innings that day, gave everything they had and more. I truely believe along with both coaching staffs that the NABF was missing out on a great team. There was somthing different though about this 2016 team, there was a sense of family, as I watched first hand the older guys talk to the younger guys you could see that they were already waiting for next summer. Words knowledge were exchanges, the good byes were said, but they all know they will run into each other down the road. "toughest team in the history of this program.......... That is all that needs to be said."-Coach Campbell The Dirtbags will return alot of players, but replacing those that have been with the team will be the hardest part. Not replacing their talent but their committment, they understanding of the teams mission, their leadership.....
On a Bright side the team has 3 award winners for the CSBL. ( Stats listed below are CSBL games ONLY)
- College Position Player of the Year - #29 Bryan Polak
- .500 AVG
- 1 HR 5 Doubles
- 17 RBI's
- 2016 Team captain
- Pitcher of the Year - Ryan Quigley
- 0.00 ERA
- .110 Opponent Batting Average
- 43 K's
- Manager of the Year - Kevin Campbell
- Also won the award in 2013
