By Steve Svetovich
Finishing the season on a strong note, McGinty’s won its second straight Dunmore Freedom Baseball League title at Sherwood Park last month.
Managed by Tyler Chulvick, McGinty’s won four of its final five games, including three consecutive playoff wins, en route to an 8-5 record and second straight title.
A confident and aggressive group, McGinty’s beat Dunmore, 13-1, before taking two games from Varsity Pitt Stop, 4-2 and 7-4, at West Scranton’s Battaglia Field and then at Dunmore’s Sherwood Park, to earn the title.
Charlie Ehnot is president of the Dunmore Freedom League at Dunmore’s Sherwood Park.
Team members for McGinty’s include player-manager Chulvick, Dan Capwell, Alex Terrery, Bill Keating, James Cole, Robert Seprish, Zach Foley-McGinty, Tony Ricci, Justin Haddix, David Chromey, Corey Sullivan, Charlie Terrery and Riley Sullivan.
Charlie and Alex Terrery are father and son. Charlie Terrery is the oldest player in the league at 58. His son, a Penn State graduate, is 25.
David Chromey, who played baseball at the University of Scranton, won the first playoff game with a complete game and eight strikeouts.
A four run first inning and a pair of two run doubles by Capwell and Justin Magisero started a four run outburst in the first inning for McGinty’s. Chromey dominated with his pitching throughout the contest, surrendering only one run on a solo homer to Dunmore center fielder Dylan Svetovich in the final inning.
Haddix, who pitches for Marywood University, fired a complete game with seven strikeouts in the 4-2 playoff win over Varsity Pitt Stop at West Scranton’s Battaglia Field. Alex Terrery and Capwell both homered in the win.
Chromey pitched a complete game and struck out six to win, 7-4, in the championship clincher. McGinty’s was down 3-0 in the game, but came back to win. Bill Keating had the go ahead hit in the fifth inning.
“We struggled in the early part of the season,” said Chulvick. “We were 4-4, but won four of our last five games to win the title for a second straight year. We came on at the end and finished strong. It was exactly the same way we did it last year.
“We have a great group of guys here. They are fun to be around. They love to play the game and have fun doing it. And that’s what it is all about.
“I thought it was monumental the way we won the championship last year. But winning two in a row is awesome. It is just an awesome group of guys on the team.
“I have to say that Charlie Terrery keeps us all focused, motivated and especially in line. He help us play together as a team. He means as much to us from that stand
point as he does for his offensive contributions.
“And Charlie can still hit at 58. He is still out there competing with the younger guys. I would love to be out there someday playing at 58 like him.”
Alex Terrery led the team in homers with four and also batted over .400.
“It was quite a team effort,” said Chulvick. “Our team already can’t wait for next year to get started. We just love to play.”