Five things we learned from the 2017 season

The 2017 season has concluded with Covenant being crowned the new champions of the Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League.

Here are five things we learned from the memorable 2017 season:

1.  The home run limit rule saved Covenant.  Before the season began, a new rule was put in place limiting teams to hitting three home runs per game (inside the park ones did not count against that restriction).  Every home run hit by one team after three until their opponent hit three of their own was scored as an intentional walk.  Once both teams hit their three home runs, it was one home run at a time per team.  I jokingly referred to the rule as the "New Life Blue rule", because it was meant to provide parity throughout the entire league.  This is one reason why Covenant was crowned the new champions.

2.  Tyler Allen is money when the game is on the line.  In the finals, when New Life Blue went up 10-9 in the top of the fifth inning with one out, Covenant called on Tyler Allen to save the team.  He only allowed two runs the rest of the way in his two and two-thirds innings of relief as Covenant went on to win the championship.  Allen also helped his cause with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs.

3.  You will be hearing a lot about Corey Sternthal in the future.  Remember when I said that Corey Sternthal was legit?  Well, Corey Sternthal's first at bat against First Assembly in May was a home run, and it was fitting that his last hit of his rookie campaign was a home run to win the championship.  Corey Sternthal is primed to have many seasons in the Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League.

4.  Robert Mort's exploits in his rookie season were no fluke.  Robert Mort had an impressive rookie season in 2016, and in 2017, he proved that his exploits were no fluke, as he improved by leaps and bounds in his sophomore campaign.  There is no doubt he will be a key contributor for more championships in the future.

5.  This championship victory was satisfying.  After two near misses in 2015 and 2016, Covenant finally tasted victory in the championship finals in 2017.  My call of Corey Sternthal's walkoff home run to win the championship is one that will never get old.  The walkoff home run itself will also never get old.

These are the five things we learned from the memorable 2017 season for the new champions from Covenant Sharon.