World Championship Sweep for Brooklyn

For the first time since 2004, there was a sweep in the NALB World Championship Series. This was the third World Championship meeting between the Brooklyn Knights and the Richmond Slam. As was the case in 2001 and 2005, the Brooklyn Knights were victorious. The Knights came off of a hard fought seven game League 1 Series against the Nashville Firecats. After falling behind three games to two, Brooklyn won the final two games at home. Richmond’s road to the League 2 title was a bit easier. After dropping the first game to the Key West Corals, they cruised to victory with four straight wins.

These two teams featured productive, powerful offenses. Pitching was a different story, however. Brooklyn boasted the league’s best pitching staff while Richmond’s pitching, particularly middle relief, was a weakness. The Slam pitched well in games one and three. Shaky defense cost the Slam game three when they committed two errors in the ninth inning. In the League 1 Series, the Knights pitchers had no answer for the heart of the Firecats lineup. They were much better against the Slam. Of Richmond’s big bats, only Héctor De Echevarría did much damage. Brooklyn’s superior bullpen depth was evident in middle relief. Home field advantage served the Knights well throughout the playoffs. They were 6-0 at home.

Game 1: Brooklyn 4, Richmond 3
Game 2: Brooklyn 10, Richmond 3
Game 3: Brooklyn 4, Richmond 3
Game 4: Brooklyn 8, Richmond 5

Click the image for the NALB 2012 World Championship roster