North Bay A's History

Tim O'Hara had one more mission stateside before returning to active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps: lead the REBL 28-plus All-Stars to victory.

Mission accomplished. O'Hara sparked the REBL rally with a leadoff single in a three-run seventh inning to lead the 3-2 victory over San Francisco on Sunday.

"It feels good," said O'Hara, the A's DH who hit a liner over the shortstop's head. "I just wanted to get a hit and I didn¹t care if it went out of the park or was just a little blooper."

The REBL had managed just three hits through the first six innings -- singles by Jack Woo and Nick Vercelli and a double by Eric Brown of the A's -- off a tough lefty who went the distance for San Francisco. After O'Hara's single, reigning REBL Rookie of the Year Kenton Lewis followed with an infield single to second to set the stage for Colby Phelps. Phelps worked the count to 2-2, but stayed aggressive with one out and two runners in scoring position.

"I had two strikes and I guessed slider and got it," said Phelps who lined the ball into right- center to drive in O¹Hara and Lewis.

A's shortstop Billy Dodson pinch ran for Phelps, who was catching, and Dodson¹s speed came in handy. Vercelli followed with a two-out double down the left-field line and Dodson raced around the bases to score the go-ahead run.

Dodson gave up the lone earned run by the REBL, but picked up the win, pitching two solid innings. Brown closed out the win, but there were some tense moments after he hit the first batter and walked the second.
 

Brown got the next batter out on the sacrifice bunt and followed with the clutch strikeout with runners on second and third and one out. Dodson closed out the save by ranging up the middle for a grounder and firing to first for the final out.

"That¹s one of the best games I¹ve ever played in," Brown said.

Brown, who the reigning REBL MVP, managed the REBL effectively. Greg Fabela gave up one unearned run and one hit in the first three innings. Jason Moody followed with three hitless innings before giving way to Dodson.

Billy Dodson picked up the win

Eric Brown earned the save and managed the REBL to a 3-2 victory over San Francisco.