2022 Division 1 Playoff Recap
In the Wild Card series, the Austin Mudcats beat the Austin Rangers managed by Dereck Sayers decisively, 10-2. The 2022 CTBL semi-finals featured the Austin Reds, managed by Brandon Landreth, again defeating the Zephyrs (12-7-1), managed by Adam McDougal, in a sweep winning the two games 16-4 and 8-3. In the other semi-final match up featured the ATX Thunder prevail over the Austin Mudcats managed by Kyle Gruver, both close contested games, ATX Thunder won games (6-3), and (5-3).
In the 2022 CTBL Championship series the ATX Thunder (17-5-1), faced off against the Austin Reds (14-8-1) in a rematch of the 2021 Championship Series. In game 1, the Thunder jumped out to an early 6-1 lead after 3 innings with RBI hits from Creamer (2), Worden, Brummer, and Mott. The Reds kept fighting back with 2 in 5th, 1 in 6th, 1 in 7th and 2 in the top of the last inning to tie the score (7-7). In the bottom half the Thunder walked off the game with a clutch offensive play by Austin Reese to give the Thunder a deeply contested hard fought 8-7 win and a 1 game series lead. In game 2, the Reds played like a team in a must win situation and beat the Thunder with a well-pitched game by Anthony Farrell. The Reds took an early lead 6-1 after 4, led by doubles from Miller (3-3) and Farrell (2-4), and the Reds held the ATX Thunder off from a late comeback to prevail 6-3.
In the deciding Game 3 of the 2022 season, ATX Thunder pitcher ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin led the way with an impressive season and delivered a 9-inning complete game victory. Another tightly played game with the Thunder in the lead 4-1 after 7 innings led by SS Michael Bernay hitting lead off with a triple and 3 runs scored, and the Reds managed to score 3 and tie the game in the 8th on a fielders’ choice to first, and Rueben Miller slid around catcher Pete Creamer to tie the game. In the bottom half of the 8th inning, after singles by Austin, Wallo Walwyn, and a walk by Colton Collins to load the bases and with 1 out a single by Pete Creamer followed by a long double from Brandon Worden sealed the victory 10-4. The 1-seed ATX Thunder, managed by Jon Cuip, managed to repeat earning their 3rd CTBL title (2019, 20-2021, 2022) and 4th Austin Championship spanning (2018-2022)
A well-played season from all CTBL 18+ teams in the highly competitive Division 1 season.
2022 Division 2 Playoffs
The top seeded Austin Villain (12-3) prevailed over the #3 seed Rebels (10-4-1) to claim their first Division 2 crown, after falling in the championship series in the two prior seasons.
Fall 2022 Championship Game Recap
In the 2022 CTBL Fall Championsip the #1 seed Austin Reds, managed by Brandon Landreth, defeated the #3 seed Armadillos, managed by Steven Brown, via walkoff in a very close game dominated by elite pitching. The Reds and Armadillos pitchers combined to have a total of thirty strikeouts, with nineteen coming from Armadillos starting pitcher Keegan Anderson, and nine from Reds starter Austin Rotramel. Reds relief pitchers were Anthony Farrell and Kevyn Torres (W). In the fourth inning the Armadillos struck first with a single by Dean Streich and a RBI double from Steven Van Reenan. The Armadillos also tagged on another run in the seventh inning with another hit from Streich, and an RBI double from Felix Burgos. In the bottom of the seventh inning the Reds were able to get on the board and tie the game. Nick Viebrock was hit by a pitch, and Travis Russell drew a walk. A wild pitch to the next batter, Levi Lambert, and an errant throw by the Armadillos catcher, resulted in both Viebrock and Russell scoring to tie the game. Armadillos starter Anderson got out of the inning by striking out the next three batters to keep the game tied going into the eighth inning. Reds Reliever, Anthony Farrell, threw five innings to keep the Armadillos at bay forcing the game into extra innings. Kevyn Torres threw a perfect tenth inning, holding the Armadillos, and giving the Reds another shot in the bottom of the tenth. In the deciding frame, Nick Viebrock reached on another hit by pitch bringing up Travis Russell. Tony Cleveland Jr. pinch ran for Viebrock. A wild pitch allowed Cleveland Jr. to advance to second. Russell then hit a walkoff single up the middle to drive in Cleveland Jr., and bring the Reds their 5th CTBL Championship.
