SHOCKER
On the strength of two forfeit wins, The Buds survive the Piedmont league playoffs and win the title at Frankie Allen Park.

The Buds became the first team ever to lose a game in a single elimination playoff, yet still win the league championship. When they held on 19-16 to defeat Fighting Amish, The Buds made CSA history.

The Buds opened the playoffs by romping over Team Beam. Then, after losing a second round match-up with The Necks, it seemed that their season was over. But after the game was put under review by CSA, The Necks were disqualified and The Buds were awarded a forfeit victory.

In the semi-finals, The Buds led the Spotted Dicks 11-6 when play was suspended due to lightning last Thursday (6/6). The game was scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, June 12th, but the Spotted Dicks were forced to concede and The Buds were awarded another forfeit victory.

This advanced The Buds to the championship game where they faced another surprise team, the Fighting Amish. The Fighting Amish advanced to the finals by knocking off previously unbeaten High Maintenance in the semi-finals, 14-13.

The Amish had lost twice to HM in the regular season, and held an 8-6 lead when their semi-final game was suspended. When play resumed in the fifth inning, the teams traded blows and Fighting Amish managed to hold off High Maintenance by one run to advance.

In the championship game, The Buds jumped out to an early lead and were up 12-3 entering the bottom of the third. Fighting Amish responded with nine runs to tie the game. The Buds were able to retake the lead in the fourth inning, and at the end of five, they had a five run lead, 19-14.
Even though The Buds were unable to score in the sixth and seventh, they kept the Fighting Amish to only two more runs and held on for the improbable championship, 19-16..

THE BUDS
starting line-up

1. WILL NAZAROWSKI
2. MEREDITH RAMSBURG
3. DAVE WALKER
4. SHAWN LEONARDI
5. REBECCA BROWN
6. ERIK REYNOLDS
7. VAL RUDENKO
8. ED KROELL
9. SAGE ALLISON
10. JAKE FINE