McKINNISH SPORTS COMPLEX — Championship baseball is often about resilience, and the Redbirds proved they had plenty of it in Game One of the 40+ ABA title series Tuesday night. In a back-and-forth battle that saw early deficits and late-inning drama, it was Dustin Harrison who played the hero, lining a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Redbirds past the Rangers, 6–5.

The win didn’t come easy. After falling behind 3–0 in the top of the first thanks to a two-run double by Jeffrey Smith and a sharp RBI single from David Diaz, the Redbirds clawed their way back behind the hot bat of Jerry Anderson. The Redbirds’ third baseman went a perfect 3-for-3, collecting a single in the first, a triple in the fourth, and a clutch knock in the final inning to help fuel the comeback.

Trailing 5–3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Redbirds strung together a rally for the ages. Lester Bedford led off with a single, Anderson followed with another base hit, and after a fielder’s choice set the stage, Harrison delivered the game-winner on a line drive to center field, scoring the runner from third and sending the Redbirds dugout into celebration.

Shawn Onley earned the complete game victory, going the distance with seven strong innings. He scattered five hits and struck out eight, allowing just two earned runs while keeping the Redbirds within striking distance throughout.

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Jerry Anderson	3	1	3	0	0	0
Marc Boggio	3	1	2	1	0	0
Dustin Harrison	4	0	2	1	0	0
Joe Lowry	3	1	1	0	1	0
Chris Cec	2	1	0	0	2	0
Lester Bedford	2	1	1	1	1	0
Brant Farris	3	0	0	0	0	1
Kevin Fought	3	1	0	0	0	1
Jason New	3	0	0	0	0	2

Pitching:
Shawn Onley (W, CG) – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 8 K

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Redbirds Dominate in Game Two, Sweep Rangers to Capture ABA 40+ Championship

McKINNISH SPORTS COMPLEX — What started with a dramatic walk-off ended in total domination. The Redbirds left no doubt in Game Two of the ABA 40+ Championship series Tuesday night, blanking the Rangers 7–0 to sweep the title and hoist the trophy in front of their home fans.

From the first pitch, the Redbirds were in control. Troy Key took the ball and never looked back, delivering six innings of shutout baseball. The right-hander was sharp and efficient, scattering five hits while striking out five and walking just two.

Offensively, the Redbirds got going early and never let up. After scratching out a run in the first on a fielder’s choice, they exploded for three more in the second. Brant Farris roped an RBI double, and Joe Lowry followed with a two-run single to right, stretching the lead to 4–0.

Lowry wasn’t done. The veteran outfielder went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and three stolen bases, terrorizing the Rangers both at the plate and on the base paths. Marc Boggio also collected two hits, while Harrison chipped in with two RBIs.

The Redbirds padded their lead late, but with Key dealing on the mound, the outcome was never in doubt. The defense backed him up, turning a clean double play in the fifth and playing error-free ball to clinch the crown.

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SB
Jerry Anderson	3	1	1	0	0	0
Marc Boggio	3	1	2	0	0	0
Dustin Harrison	3	1	1	2	0	1
Joe Lowry	2	1	2	2	1	3
Chris Cec	3	0	1	1	0	1
Kevin Fought	3	1	1	0	0	0
Brant Farris	2	1	1	1	1	0
Jason New	3	1	0	0	0	1
Lester Bedford	2	0	0	0	1	0

Troy Key (W) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K

With a walk-off win and a complete performance in the finale, the Redbirds captured the ABA 40+ championship in fitting fashion — grit and grace, power and poise. Jerry Anderson set the tone in Game One with a flawless day at the plate, and Joe Lowry punctuated the series with a two-hit, three-steal gem in Game Two.

Pitching depth, timely hitting, and veteran savvy pushed the Redbirds over the top. For a team that battled all summer long, this title was earned — not given.

Redbird Nation can now celebrate.

Jerry Anderson was named the Series MVP after a standout performance across both games of the ABA 40+ Championship. In Game 1, he was unstoppable at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a triple and two clutch singles, including a critical hit in the bottom of the seventh that helped set the stage for the walk-off win. He followed that up in Game 2 with another hit and a run scored, contributing early to the Redbirds’ dominant start. While teammates like Joe Lowry and Troy Key also delivered strong performances, Anderson’s consistency, timely hitting, and role in the pivotal moments of the series make him the deserving Most Valuable Player. He finished the championship set hitting .667 with four hits, two runs scored, an RBI, and a triple.