MALONE, NY – The Malone Border Hounds have defeated the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds to win their first Empire Baseball League Championship on the inaugural season.

The Border Hounds came into Game 2 of the Finals looking to sweep the Finals Series and win their 16th in a row. An Empire Baseball league Record.

In front of another sold out Malone crowd, The Border Hounds took a 5-1 lead through the first 3 innings of the game. Jose Torrealba launched a two run blast over the left center wall on a 1-2 slider that didnt slide.

Platsburgh would answer right back as they took a 6-5 lead by the 5th. A 2 run shot by Anthony Socci in the 4th to score Tommy Kretzler and great hitting by Tommy Dunleavy and Kez Douglas and Tommy Kretzler in the 5th scored 2 more.

Thunderbirds bats went silent after the 5th as 6 runners were left on base without a score for the remaining of the game.

Chris Loeb put the nail in the coffin when he belted a grand slam in bottom of the 8th inning to give the Hounds a 12-6 lead in which the team would never give up.

Carlos Velez closed the game out for the Border Hounds going 3.0 innings of work without allowing any runs or hits.

Amaury Telemaco went 5.0 innings allowing 4 earned and striking out 5.

This concludes the Empire League Season for 2023 and a great summer for all involved.