Toledo, OH - Congratulations to the Crystal lake Cardinals on winning the NABF College World Series! Here is a write-up from the NABF website:

NABF COLLEGE WORLD SERIES RECAP

Who would have thought a little green plant could cause an NABF World Series to be cut short. That’s what happened with the 2014 College Division World Series in Toledo. An invasive green algae in Lake Erie caused Toledo to place a water advisory on its residents just as the World Series was about to enter the quarterfinals.

For safety reasons, tournament directors were told to send the eight remaining teams home. Two teams, the Crystal Lake Cardinals (IL) and the River City Rapids (MI), finished pool play with 3-0 records, and using NABF wild card rules, the Cardinals were declared 2014 World Series champions and River City is the runner-up.

The Cardinals defeated the Brunswick Express (MD), 17-1, the Schenectady Aces (NY), 10-1, and the Sandusky Grays (OH), 12-0. Two games were mercy ruled after seven innings and Crystal Lake outscored its three opponents by a combined score of 39-2. It is Coach Bombino’s second World Series championship. In 2009, the Cardinals defeated the Dix Hills Dodgers (NY), 3-0, in the championship game played at the former Toledo Mud Hen’s former home field, Ned Skeldon Stadium.

The Cardinals represent the Metro Amateur Baseball League of Illinois. Crystal Lake first baseman/designated hitter Bob Thorson (Campbell University) was named the tournament MVP after going 7 for 11 at the plate with five RBIs and he scored six runs.  

Also making the all-tournament team from Crystal Lake were Thorson, pitchers Tyler Hamer (Nebraska-Omaha) and C. Nowak (Heartland CC), outfielders Logan Poisall (Fresno State) and Erik Maki (Western Illinois), and utility player Nick Saldutti (Butler). Hamer pitched a complete game shutout victory in the win over Brunswick, striking out nine, walking two, allowing four hits and no earned runs. Nowak went seven innings in the victory over Schenectady, striking out six, walking one, giving up six hits and one earned run.

Remaining players are R. Alfonso (Indiana), Korby Batesole (Buchannan), Kody Batesole (Fresno State), D. Cysewski (Lewis University), E. Gasbarro (Valparaiso), A. Gertonson (MCC/Chicago State), D. Hasler (Valparaiso), M. Hode (King College), J. Kubera (Winona State), C. Marras (Butler), E. Morris (Villanova), W. Munro (Fresno State), R. Napoleon (Butler), D. Peters (Elgin CC/Bradley), K. Pisano (Rockford University), J. Ross (Chicago State0, E. Schiller (McHenry County CC), A. Sopena (Oakland University), and R. Thomas (Elgin CC).

Joining Bombino on the coaching staff are Matt Modlinski, Joe Pudio and Ted Ratliff.