NEUDORF - The Rhein Rockets are once again the top team in the Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League.
The Rockets pulled off their third straight league championship Thursday evening in Neudorf defeating the host Posse 2-1 to take the best-of-three final in two straight.
The Rockets also defeated the Posse to win the title in 2021.
Aaron Rathgeber was Thursday’s hero for the Rockets hitting a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to score Keanen Gynp in the top of the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie.
Rathgeber had also been responsible for the Rocket’s first run in the top of the first inning when he knocked in Dalane Lamb with the bases loaded single.
The Posse tied the game in the bottom of third inning.
With a lead in the seventh the game was then left in the arm of veteran Rockets hurler Terry Peppler who shut down the Posse in their half of the seventh inning.
For Peppler’s yeoman effort, throwing every inning in the Rhein playoff run he was named playoff MVP.
The defensive battle was highlighted on the Rhein side by a number of big catches by Adam Neibrandt in the outfield.
“It truly was a team win with all players coming through with big hits at different times during the playoff run,” offered Evan Neibrandt. “What set us apart was our lineup being dangerous from top to bottom with no ‘easy outs.’”
It helped too that “everyone enjoys playing for one another,” he added.
Overall the Rockets went 12-1 through the regular season and playoffs in 2022.
