5/26/2008 - GOZO TORNADOES 2008 BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

The Gozo Tornadoes could have not chosen a better time to bring the championship title back to Gozo. Marking the club’s tenth anniversary since its foundation. The Tornadoes managed to turn a disappointing season into a memorable one, after beating the Mellieha Northenders last Saturday. The Northenders, who had won the title four times in a row, were no match for the Tornadoes, the latter having found its dominant form during the last quarter of the season.

The 2008 regular season was not so encouraging for Gozo, as injuries affected the team’s performance throughout the first three quarters of the year. The team finished third place in the National League standings, dropping two games out of three to the Northenders and Mustangs, and allowing the first and only victory to the Devils. However, Gozo’s fortune turned during the last game of the regular season, as they beat the Mellieha Northenders twelve to four. The Tornadoes’ bats stayed alive during the playoffs, sweeping the Mustangs in two games in order to advance to the Championships. During the two game series, Steven Galea ended as the playoff’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), after recording two saves, and hitting seven for nine with four doubles, a triple and a home run. For the Championship decider against Mellieha, the Tornadoes went back to the past by putting veteran pitcher Jeff Tabone on the mound. The game ended nine to one in favor of Gozo, bringing back the championship after five years. 2008 has been one of the most memorable and active years in Gozo Baseball’s history. And the timing could not be any better, as Gozo won their fourth title on their tenth anniversary