Newts Win Their 4th ORWBL World Series Title over Pink Pandas in 5 Games

MILL POND- After taking 2 out of 3 games at Migley, the New Carlisle Newts arrived at Walter Metts Field just 2 games away from their 4th ORWBL World Series title. New Carlisle arrived to a rowdy environment at Walter Metts Field as the Pink Panda faithful were ready to host their first ever ORWBL World Series games. Mill Pond knew that they would need to win 3 games and they only had one Loss to work with.

It was a beautiful day out at Walter Metts Field as the calendar shifted to September for the conclusion of the 2024 ORWBL Late Summer Classic. New Carlisle knew they would have to adjust to the different dimensions at Walter Metts, but it did not take long as the Newts jumped out in front early.

The Newts trotted out Garrett Curless, Scott Soos, Tyler Shupert, Kody Webb, and Aidan Cotter in Game 4 with Matt Soos on the mound once again. This Newts lineup jumped on top early and they never looked back and they did so without Noah Shail this time around.

The Newts would go on to pick up comfortable victories in both Games 4 & 5 as they clinched their record tying 4th ORWBL World Series title in Game 5 by the score of 18-10. The American League Champion Pink Pandas made a final push in the later innings of Game 5 but it was not enough to force a Game 6 as Mill Pond's Cinderella run came to a close.

It was a remarkable run for Mill Pond who won their first ever American League Pennant after taking down BFAM in the American League Championship Series, stunning the wiffleball world. While the Pandas were not able to close things out in the World Series, this is a young group who has made incredible strides in such a short time period.

They will always look back fondly on their 2024 run to the World Series as they showed all of the younger teams out there that anything is possible. With their young core in place, a passionate fanbase, and an incredible ballpark, you can expect these guys will be back here sooner rather than later.

As for New Carlisle, they have now tied Maple City for the most ORWBL titles with 4 as they bring back the trophy to New Carlisle for the first time since 2016. After a tough stretch, Koby Keck revamped his roster ahead of the 2023 season in which they made the World Series. After a so-so regular season, New Carlisle found their way back to the World Series with a mix of veterans and younger talent after taking out loads of talented teams to get to the World Series.

A good chunk of the Newts roster will be getting their 4th ORWBL World Series ring next Spring as Koby Keck, Garrett Curless, Noah Shail, Sean Touhey, Scott Soos, and Matt Soos have all climbed back atop the Old Republic Wiffleball League once again, continuing to add to their already storied legacies. The Newts skipper did a fantastic job leading the charge all season long as he found the perfect combination come playoff time as this was his 4th World Series title as the Manager of New Carlisle.

Meanwhile the Newts also had guys like Tyler Shupert, Kody Webb, JP Kehoe, Aidan Cotter, and DJ Hill who all became first time ORWBL World Series Champions as members of the 2024 New Carlisle Newts. The entire roster all had memorable moments throughout their postseason run as Noah Shail played a massive role in New Carlisle taking 2/3 at Migley from Mill Pond. Many wondered if the Newts would struggle without Shail at Walter Metts, but they quickly put that to rest as Aidan Cotter filled in admirably.

Cotter made his World Series debut in Games 4 & 5 and did a great job both at the plate and in the field. Garrett Curless and Scott Soos put together a legendary postseason as these two seem to get better and better as the years go on. Meanwhile the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner Matt Soos won all 4 games on the mound for New Carlisle in the World Series as he put on a pitching clinic from start to finish this season.

DJ Hill made an appearance for the Newts in the regular season after signing with them late in the year while another former MVP winner JP Kehoe also earned his first ORWBL World Series ring after playing 6 games for New Carlisle this year.

Kody Webb played a massive role in New Carlisle returning to the top as the 4 time Gold Glove Award winner is now an ORWBL Champion. Webb once again did a great job leading the charge in the field alongside Scott Soos as the Pink Pandas could not get too much past them.

As for Tyler Shupert, the former AL MVP award winner put on an absolute clinic in the World Series as he took home 2024 ORWBL World Series MVP honors by going 22-38 with 15 HR, 20 RBI, & 20 Runs Scored. Shupert came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as the 2024 World Wiffleball Champion hit for the cycle in his first 4 World Series at Bats in Game 1 of the ORWBL World Series, becoming the first player in league history to do so.

Shupert obviously did not stop there as he put on dominant performances in four out of the five games in the 2024 ORWBL World Series to round out what was a memorable season for "Shup". It was an all around team effort for the 2024 ORWBL Champs as the New Carlisle Newts are back on top of the Old Republic Wiffleball League for the first time since 2016!

That wraps up yet another year as we are already looking forward to another season in 2025! Stay tuned for a couple of updates throughout the offseason and congratulations once again to the 2024 ORWBL World Series Champions, the New Carlisle Newts!