Millstadt VFW wins Mon-Clair League title

For the first time in its long and illustrious Mon-Clair League history, Millstadt VFW is a champion.

Brett Huber pitched six strong innings and Millstadt erased an early 2-0 deficit with a pair of four-run outbursts as it defeated the St. Louis Spikes 9-3 in the title game of the Mon-Clair League playoffs Wednesday at Longacre Park.

Huber and Rob Beatty were chosen as the co-most valuable players of the tournament.

Millstadt forced a third and decisive third game earlier Wednesday with a 7-2 win. The Spikes won the first game on Sunday 4-1.

In the first game on Wednesday:

MILLSTADT 7, ST. LOUIS SPIKES 2: Shane Hartwig pitched six strong innings and Millstadt got two RBIs each from Mitch Matecki and Luke Matecki as it romped past the Spikes in the first game at Longacre Park.

Leaving several Spikes baserunners stranded in the first four innings, Hartwig allowed only a run-scoring single to Chris Scoggins in the third inning. After allowing a lead-off single and a walk to start the seventh inning, Hartwig was relieved by Otto Roberts, who got the final three outs to preserve the win.

A run-scoring single by Tony Kossina tied the game and Millstadt VFW scored the go-ahead run when Luke Matecki grounded into a double play. Brian Lupa increased the lead to 3-1 with a run scoring single in the fourth inning and the Mateckis put the game away by driving in the final four runs of the game.

Contact reporter Dean Criddle at dcriddle@bnd.com or 618-239-2661.

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 12:02 AM with the headline "Millstadt VFW wins Mon-Clair League title."