MALONE, N.Y. – After delivering one of the most clutch hits in Empire League history, Mason Collins has been named the 2025 Empire League Finals MVP.

Collins capped off an incredible championship series with a two-RBI walk-off single in Game 3, sealing the Malone Border Hounds’ sweep of the defending champion Tupper Lake Riverpigs. Throughout the series, the Border Hounds’ utility was a constant spark — driving in key runs, playing flawless defense, pitching and setting the tone in every at-bat.

“Mason was locked in all series,” said Border Hounds manager Jason Laflesh. “He wanted the ball in big moments, and he delivered every single time.”

With his MVP performance, Collins has cemented his name in Border Hounds and Empire League history.

MALONE, N.Y. – The Malone Border Hounds are officially the kings of the Empire Baseball League. With a dominant 28-9 regular season record and a commanding postseason run, the Border Hounds capped off their 2025 campaign by sweeping the defending champion Tupper Lake Riverpigs in the best-of-five Championship Series.

Game 3, played before a packed and roaring Malone crowd, ended in dramatic fashion. Tied in the bottom of the ninth, utility man Mason Collins delivered the biggest swing of the season — a two-RBI walk-off single that sent teammates spilling onto the field in celebration.

The Border Hounds’ playoff dominance was a statement in itself. They never trailed in the series, combining explosive offense with airtight defense and clutch pitching to put away a Riverpigs team that had ruled the league in recent years.

The championship marks the second in franchise history for the Border Hounds and signals a power shift in the Empire League hierarchy. The Riverpigs, long considered the standard of excellence, were dethroned in decisive fashion by a team that blended veteran leadership, rising talent, and an unshakable will to win.

The Malone Border Hounds kicked off their season with a resounding 14-4 victory over the Saranac Lake Surge on opening day. Right-hander Will Moritz earned the win, pitching four effective innings, but it was the Border Hounds’ explosive offense that stole the spotlight.

Luis Paredes led the offensive onslaught, making history by hitting two grand slams in the first inning, an Empire League record for both a single game and an inning. Paredes’ remarkable performance netted him a total of 8 RBIs, setting the tone for the Border Hounds’ dominant showing.

Adding to the power display, Anthony Tourellas launched a home run and drove in three runs, while teammate Jason Couture also homered, contributing to the relentless scoring attack. The early offensive fireworks left the Surge struggling to recover and put the game firmly in the Border Hounds’ control.

This decisive victory on opening day underscores the Border Hounds’ potential for the season. With Paredes’ record-setting performance and a lineup filled with power hitters like Tourellas and Couture, the team has set a high bar for their upcoming games. Fans are eagerly anticipating more thrilling performances from the Border Hounds as they aim to build on this impressive start.

Article by Empire Media