NALB - Vancouver Wins It All

K. Fields
2023-09-24T18:04:15-04:00
Baseball

2023 World Championship Series - Vancouver Wild (98-64) vs. Brooklyn Knights (113-49)

Game 1: Vancouver 5, Brooklyn 2
Game 2: Brooklyn 2, Vancouver 1
Game 3: Vancouver 4, Brooklyn 2
Game 4: Vancouver 2, Brooklyn 1
Game 5: Brooklyn 3, Vancouver 1
Game 6: Brooklyn 8, Vancouver 3
Game 7: Vancouver 3, Brooklyn 2

Series MVP: 3B Fernando Chira (Vancouver Wild)

The Vancouver Wild topped the Brooklyn Knights 3-2 in a 12-inning game seven to win the World Championship. It was the second title in franchise history. This was an extremely competitive series. Brooklyn actually outscored Vancouver 20-19 across seven games but the Wild came through when it counted. In the deciding game, the Knights were on the verge on winning the game in the eighth inning. The Wild turned a clutch double play to preserve the tie, however. In extra innings, reliever José Scharf's contributions were as important as any player on either team. Scharf was nearly flawless as he pitched the 10th, 11th, and 12th innings. He did not allow a single base runner.

"When you play for championships, you have to play better than the team in the other dugout. We did that in this series, and all year. Now we're the best team in baseball," said Vancouver third baseman Fernando Chira, who was named series MVP.

The new titleholders completed the regular season with a first-place finish in the League 2 Division 2 and a 98-64 record. Vancouver manager Anthony Zimmer grinned and nodded when asked to comment on Chira's words. "Fernando said it best -- we played better than the other team," the skipper said. Hometown officials announced they were already planning a "grand celebration" for the winners in the days to come.

Click the image for the NALB 2023 World Championship roster