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World Series Game 5: After 7 years, the Maple City Magic have won their 1st World Series in franchis
World Series Game 5 Final: Magic, 9 Newts, 6 (Magic win series 4-1)
The Maple City Magic franchise was created back in 2011 and 7 years later, they can finally call themselves the champions of ORWBL.
Maple City has finally broken through after 2 unsuccessful World Series appearances. For Maple City, this one is incredibly sweet as they have finally taken down their rival, New Carlisle Newts.
The Newts had their way with the Magic in the previous 2 World Series meetings in 2013 and 2016. While the series was not as close as many had expected, the Newts were not going to let the Magic get their first title without a fight!
New Carlisle was in control for most of Game 5, as they held a 6-4 lead heading into the 5th inning. After some timely hitting, Maple City tied up the game heading into the bottom of the inning.
Wes Ellis continued to keep the Magic in the game as he recorded the first 2 outs of the inning, putting the pressure on New Carlisle. Newts star Scott Soos then appeared to hit a ball that was destine for the left field seats but Magic outfielder Caleb Jonkman had different plans.
Jonkman, the tall, lanky fielder who has a knack for making web gem's soared through the air to make a memorable catch, robbing Soos of a go ahead Home Run. The entire Maple City bench erupted as Game 5 of the World Series was all tied up heading into the 6th inning.
After back to back outs to start the inning, Anthony Rieff came up to the plate looking to be the hero for Maple City.
After being patient at the plate, Rieff belted a go ahead Home Run over the right field fence that would end up putting the Magic up for good. The patience shown by Rieff is something that not too many hitters have.
With emotions running high, the Magic didn't stop there as Caleb Jonkman reached base with a single, bringing up Wes Ellis, one of the greatest power hitters in ORWBL history. Jonkman and Ellis exchanged a head nod which was a sign of what would come next.
Ellis continued to excel in high pressure situations as he hit a moonshot Home Run to extend Maple City's lead to 3 and followed it up with his signature bat flap. After a Liberatore groundout, the Magic headed back out onto the field where they were so eager to move past the many struggles they have had over the years at Migley Field.
While the Newts had always seemed to come back and deliver in these types of situations, things felt a little different as the Maple City sideline could sense their first ever ORWBL championship.
After back to back flyouts, the New Carlisle season was on the brink of ending but with clutch hitter Matt Soos coming up to the plate.
After Anthony Rieff laid out for a ball that would have been a ridiculous 3rd out, Wes Ellis locked in and delivered what would be the final pitch of the 2017 World Series. Soos again hit a fly ball to right field in foul territory where Rieff would catch the final out, effectively clinching Maple City their elusive 1st championship.
(Maple City's Anthony Rieff after catching the final out to clinch Maple City its first ever ORWBL World Series)
The party began as Maple City stormed out onto the field in celebration. The party would last for quite some time as this Maple City team had been waiting for this championship for 7 years.
After the game, Anthony Rieff was named as the 2017 ORWBL World Series Most Valuable Player. Rieff and his brother Austin were the only 2 players on the Magic who had ever won a World Series. Since they won it with Cult West, Anthony Rieff made it clear how sweet it was to take down his former teammates.
The Magic became only the 6th ORWBL franchise to win a World Series in what was their 3rd World Series appearance. This Maple City team has been piecing together the team that would break through for 6 years now and all of their moves paid off in a huge way.
This Maple City season is certainly a feel good story that just goes to show how importance patience is in the ever so changing Old Republic Wiffleball League.
