McMahon HR, Corey Gem Lifts Mudcats

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (R.I.W.B.L.) – In the game's most crucial moments, Devin McMahon belted a solo home run, while James Corey finished off his complete game victory by holding off a ninth-inning rally, propelling the McMahon Mudcats to a 2-1 victory over the Simone Sluggers in the eighteenth installment of the Rhode Island WIFFLE® Ball League All-Star Game.  McMahon and Corey combined to hit 6-9, while the rest of the Mudcats managed just 2 hits in 30 at-bats off of Sluggers pitcher Josh Augustine, who pitched a gem of his own, allowing just one earned run on eight hits and striking out eight in a complete game effort.  This was the first time in event history that both starting pitchers achieved Game Scores of 70 or better (Augustine 73, Corey 72).

The outcome was a reversal of the previous matchup between these two teams (2013), which saw the Sluggers hang on for a 5-4 victory after the Mudcats had made a final-inning push, again highlighted by a McMahon home run and leaving the tying run on base.

The Mudcats scored their first run in the third inning after a series of errors allowed Lisa Brodeur to reach base and eventually advance to third, followed by a fielder's choice by McMahon.  The Sluggers managed their lone run during their ninth-inning comeback.  Anthony Simone collected his fourth hit of the game and advanced to second on a balk by Corey.  Augustine reached on an infield single, and a subsequent throwing error by McMahon allowed Simone to score and Augustine to advance to third as the tying run.  Debra Simone would then pop out to Corey to end the game.

McMahon was named the game's Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career.  He also finished as the Runner-Up in the Home Run Derby competition that preceded the game.  E. Justin Simone won the Home Run Derby for the seventh time.  Lisa Brodeur took home the Hitting Challenge crown for the first time.