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2017 Team Recap: Hudson Lake Heat
Heading into 2017 it seemed as though the Hudson Lake Heat would be one of the more dominant teams in the league. After a successful 2016 season in which Bob Bushman won the AL MVP, the Hudson Lake Heat took a couple of steps back in the wrong direction.
Hudson Lake finished the season at .500 with a 15-15 record which is not what Manager Jared Monhaut had envisioned heading into the season. After signing Levi Miller, Doug Benner, and Dusty Curl, Hudson Lake seemed poised to potentially win the American League.
Despite the offseason additions, Hudson Lake actually regressed as they were never able to figure out the right mixture of players. There is no doubt that Manager Jared Monhaut tried to find the right pieces but sometimes they just do not add up as planned.
Hudson Lake still had high hopes heading into the playoffs as they looked to rely on their bats to produce in the playoffs. The Heat scored the most runs of any team in 2017 so it is no secret that they have a dangerous hitting lineup.
Those bats heated up in the Wild Card Round as they out hit the Godfathers in what was by far the most competitive Wild Card game.
Hudson Lake then built off of their momentum and shocked Maple City in Game 1 after Bob Bushman blasted a 3 Run Homer with 2 outs in the 6th. With the Heat bench rocking, they shut down the Magic in the bottom of the 6th to take a 1-0 ALDS lead.
Unfortunately for Hudson Lake, Maple City battled back and blew them out in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3. Hudson Lake was clinging to a 1-0 lead and then Anthony Rieff tied the game with a solo shot and Caleb Jonkman put the Magic on top in the 5th with another solo shot.
Hudson Lake's season came to a heartbreaking end that day at Magic Park as they gave Maple City their toughest battle they faced all postseason.
While the regular season was no where near where people expected the Heat to be, they still showed that they are just as good as anyone. There is no doubt that the sweet swinging Heat will be back in 2018 hungrier and more determined than ever.
