NL St. Paul Saints

Mirizzi slam lifts Saints to NL title

Published on September 20, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


It was a finish hard to imagine. The St. Paul Saints, down to their last strike twice, rallied for seven ninth inning runs – capped by Marc Mirizzi's grand slam home run – and defeated Schaumburg, 10-6, in the fifth and deciding game for the Northern League championship at Midway Stadium Sunday.

"What a finish, huh?" said St. Paul manager George Tsamis. "It was an amazing series all the way."

The Saints claimed their fourth crown in 12 years – but their first since 1996.

For the longest time, it didn't look like it was going to be St. Paul's day. Kirk Pierce's two-RBI double snapped a 2-all tie in the fifth inning and helped Schaumburg to a 5-2 lead. The Flyers added a run in the sixth when Justin Hendrickson singled and eventually scored on ex-Saint Tim Merritt's fourth hit of the game, a single.

St. Paul got one back in the seventh but still trailed, 6-3, entering the ninth with Flyer closer Brett Weber on the mound. Rookie catcher Tim Marks led off the inning with his third hit of the game, a double to left. Weber retired Chas Terni on a fly ball and Josh Renick on a soft liner but Justin Hall, later named the MVP of the series, doubled to right to score Marks and make it 6-4.

Adam Olow sent Weber's next pitch up the middle for a single that scored Hall.

6-5.

Nick Gretz then singled to right and Olow stopped at second. T Brown then laced the ball to center field to score Olow and tie the game at 6. When Weber walked Lucca to load the bases, lefty Lyle Prempas came on to face Mirizzi.

Mirizzi worked the count to 1-1 and then lofted a high fly that landed well over the left field fence just inside the foul pole and the party was on at Midway.

The win went to Chris Chavez (2-0), who pitched a scoreless ninth inning of relief.

It was the third Northern League crown in four years for Tsamis, who won two at New Jersey. St. Paul also won titles in 1993, 1995 and 1996.

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Northern League Stories from September 20, 2004


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