San Diego Knights

The San Diego Knights picked up where the left off the previous two seasons, winning back to back to back championships.  This summer, the Knights completed a 16-0 season, the second time in history they have gone undefeated (16-0 Spring 2004). 

 While the Knights played solidly all year in all aspects of the game, there can be no denying that it was pitching that got them to the top.  Led by Marco Hanlon, who completed perhaps the greatest season in Knights History, the former Cal State Fullerton star went 7-0 with a 0.00 ERA for the season over 51 innings.  Going back to the Spring 2008 season, Marco has not allowed an earned run in over the last 67 2/3 innings.  He struck out 38 while only walking 8 and picked up the win in the Championship game.  In games Hanlon pitched, only 5 runs scored and all were unearned.  Not to be outdone Jackson Chapelone certainly pulled his weight logging 56 innings, while going 6-0 with a 0.64 ERA.  Chapelone struck out 60 batters on the season while walking only 14. 

Offensively the Knights were led by Shane Hobbs (.400, 11 RBI), Mike Scharbarth (.400, 12 Runs, 11 RBI) and Scott Saalfeld (.268 12 RBI). 

In the post season the Knights faced the Devils, a team the Knights have never lost to in it's history and continued the trend with an 8-0 victory.  Chapelone pitched all 9 shutting out Tri Cities.  In the Championship the Knights played their old nemesis the Clout and behind another brilliant outing by Marco Hanlon, the Knights prevailed 9-2. 

After 16 season of play the Knights captured their 9th championship.  With most of the squad returning for Spring 2009, there is plenty of reason for optimism going forward.