Renegades Earn the Respect of Oklahoma with a 13-11 win
Game Summary
The Renegades last plated Oklahoma in the 2025 world Series. That game was played on the first day of double elimination during the series. It was played in extreme humidity and heat and the field conditions were tough as the right handed batters box was muddy and lower than the left handed batters box. The Renegades faced adversity in that game as the Oklahoma tem was full of left handed hitters working in a clean batters biox. Additonally, the Renegades started the game without Mccormick;’s bat and shortly after, lost Rob Dias to injury. Chris Kimball and David Sanchez came off the bench to help the Renegades to a 9-4 win.
Oklahoma then fought back and took advantage of some upsets to finish 6th in the series. Boston faced a tougher journey and got knocked off by a walk off hit by the top seed in the dance and then were eliminated by Taiwan. Boston finished 11th. All of the NBBA thought that Oklahoma was the better team heading into this match. Oklahoma had the benefit of already have playing games in the south and had all of their starters with them in Indianapolis. The Renegades were traveling with only 10 players and missing their all=-time leaders in runs scored (Joe McCormick) and defense (Guy Zuccarello) and they were without their top two spotters in Bryan Grillo and Peter Connolly. The NBBA talk shows all predicted a Renegade loss.
First inning
Boston had a different idea. Preparation started in December and it was time to see the hard work in action. Boston lost the coin toss and was awarded the opportunity to score first. The grass was very thick and soaking wet. Both teams knew they would be involved in a game to see which team could get the ball in the air. Tyler Mineault would get the call to be the lead-off hitter. On the third pitch of the 2026 season he hit a grounder to the left side. Mark Ivy charged it and over ran it. As he dropped his chest to the ground, he found the ball behind him. Mireault was too fast and scored. Christian Thaxton was next. Thaxton was unsure he would be able to play in this tournament as he injured his back on the Wednesday before the trip. He was able to get loose and with minimal practice, climbed into the box as the two hitter. He lofted the third pitch on a fly to the middle of the field. The ball bounced right into Chad Dillon who did not have to move. Dillon recovered to make the stop. Shawn Devenish, batting third lofted a fly ball about 3 feet past the 40 foot arc right on the third base line. Ivy charged it and went about 4 feet by the forty foot arc but at the same time, Ron Cochran told Shawn the ball was foul. Ron was wrong and Oklahoma got a gift from Cochran and the Renegades. That was the first time Ron had made that mistake in 5,985 batters he had faced in his career. Rob Dias, batting fourth laced a line drive past Dillon into center field and scored the second run of the inning. Drew Crook then hit a bouncing grounder to the left side. Mark Ivy made a tumbling stop. Boston led 2-0 with a potential run taken away on the Cochran mistake
Nick Morin Tylock took the field as the left side caller, calling the left side for the first time in his 2nd season. Gina Devenish got the start as the right side caller. Shayne Cantan would get the start as the designated fielder, playing at first base. Mark Ivy, a left handed hitter would lead off for the lookouts. He laced a line drive to the right side. Kimball slid to his left from the right shorty position but Shayne Cantan dropped to the ground. Tyler Mireault was slow to come in on the ball in the wet grass picked the ball right as Ivy hit first base. Gina’s call was off by a zone and Oklahoma was off to a solid start. Arron Higby, an owner of a big right handed uppercut batted second. He hit a grounder down the third base line. Rob Dias moved to the line, over ran it, stuck his foot in the ground, slipped and then took two tries to find the ball, but he got it up in time for the first defensive stop of the 2026 season. Chad Dillon a lefty and the team’s player/Coach batted next in the third spot in the lineup. He hit a weak grounder off the bottom of the bat that just rolled over the forty foot arc. Chris Kimball charged it fast. Dillon took a step to third before correcting and Befoe Dillon could make it to the arc, Kimball was already on the ground getting ready to grab it. Dillon was inside the line as he ran to first, but Kimball was cool and collective and made the stop with plenty of time. The next hitter, Connor Thaxton. Connor, is Christian’s little brother. He came to a Renegade practice back in 2015 and had just started playing in the spring. This former Collegiate baseball player would surely make an impact in this game . On the 5th pitch he saw, he hit a bouncer up the middle. Rob Dias charged the middle and over ran the ball by a step. He fell to the ground and took two attempts to lift the ball and that was too much time as Thaxton’s speed was too much. Randy George decided to leave the NJ titans after being a star defender on that team for years. His first year in Oklahoma but the Renegades had seen him plenty of times in his East Coast career. He hit a dribbler up the right side that stopped on the 40 foot arc. Kimball charged it but the noise of the base, combined with the sound of the Fonzie ball made the play hard. Kimball got to the spot and similar to Mark Ivy, he dove looking to land on the ball, and it was behind him. Kimball kept swimming on the ground away from the ball as the ball was now behind him, George gave the lookouts a 3-2 lead. Kyle Ivy struck out to end the first inning.
Second inning
Hunter Weissman would take the mound to start the second to face Chris Kimball. These former roommates had a very successful 2025 World series and had been working together all spring. Kimball took the Hunter delivery on a line down the first base line. Oklahoma didn’t even move for it and Kimball slid into first with ease to tie the game. Kimball and Hunter were fired up and they both dropped some F bombs. Head umpire Mike Woodard then gave the Renegades, and specifically Chris Kimball. Ron Cochran came back to the mound to face the next hitter, Tyler Mireault. Tyler fouled off the first two pitches and then laced a hard shot past Mark Ivy. Tyler sprinted to third, ran past the base on the outside of it. Oklahoma was able to pick up the ball with the extra time Tyler gave them. After the play, the umpires convened and they felt Tyler hit first base and he was awarded the run. Christian Thaxton then took a big swing that went off the top of his bat and landed about six feet past the 40 foot arc. Mark Ivy didn’t move as the caller may, have given a bad call on the play. Devenish hit a dribbler to the right side. Connor Thaxton pursued forward but Devenish missed first base as he slid on the inside of the base. By the time Devenish tried to get to the base, Thaxton lifted the ball for the first out of the inning and the second missed base of a slow start for Boston. Dias then lofted a coffin corner fly ball to the left side. Mark Ivy over ran it and Dias was at first base for the fourth run of the frame. Crook then hit the first pitch slightly ahead of himself in the air. Randy George, was able to pick the ball in the second layer for the second out. Kimball hit a weak flare to the right side and raced to third. The bad base running haunted Boston again as Kimball missed third on the outside of the base as he slid past it. Boston led 6-3 with two missed bases and a errant call by Ron Cochran. Boston should have been up 9-3 at a minimum. This sloppy play was a result of their first game of the year.
As Boston prepared to take the field, Kimball needed to take some time. Elana Regan subbed in to play the right short position for Kimball. Mark Ivy lifted a weak flare to the left side. Dias jaunted in about 10 feet, dropped to his knees, almost scooped it under him and lifted it right before Ivy hit first base. Higby then hit a weak grounder held up by the thick wet grass. Dias chased to his right, over ran it and then struggled to pick it clean and Higby was safe at third. Dias was struggling with the pitch of the ball and the sound of third base, and it was clear to everyone watching o the field. The same appeared to be happening to Mark Ivy. Dillon then hit a weak grounder that stopped at about 42 feet. Dias and Regan did not charge the ball and both stood 20 feet away from it trying to hear it. The call may have been off as it did not draw them forward. Dias started saying that he could not hear the ball. Connor Thaxton was next and laced a line drive into right center. Shayne Cantan moved to his left, laid out and stopped the ball clean In the 3rd layer of the defense. Randy George hit a grounder right to Dias. Rob took a few steps forward. Dropped into a split position and the ball hit his leg and Dias picked it for his second stop of the inning. After Boston led 6-5.
Third inning
Tyler Mireault would lead off the third and blast a sky high pop fly up the middle that went higher than it went far. Connor Thaxton yielded to Mark Ivy but Ivy finally picked it up as Tyler was about ten feet past the bag. Christian Thaxton then took a first pitch shot into right center field past everyone for his second run of the game. Devenish hit a hard grounder to the left side and Mark Ivy made a nice play moving toward the line to make a clean stop for the first out of the inning. Rob Dias then hit a grounder to the right side. Connor Thaxton struggled to find it in time and missed it as Dias scored the third run of his game. This would be a milestone at bat for Ron Cochran as Dias represented the 6,000th hitter he had faced in his career. Crook laced a line shot up the middle past the entire OKC defense for a no doubter and he scored his first run of the 2026 season. David Marcano was called upon to pinch hit for Elana Regan. He hit the first pitch to the right side. Connor Thaxton did not struggle with this ball and made the stop against his fellow 2026 rookie classmate. Mireault then lofted the second pitch he saw high and up the middle of the field. Chad Dillon had to come in on it, but Tyler’s speed was too much and Tyler stood with a four run game! Christian Thaxton then hit a hard grounder to the left side that got caught up in the thick grass. Mark Ivy moved to the line and made the stop to end the inning. A Five run outburst gave Boston an 11-5 lead.
Chris Kimball re-entered the game for Marcano to start the third. Kyle Ivy hit a dribbler to the right side. Kimball charged it, keeping the ball on his left, he slightly over ran it as he dropped to his knees. He reached behind him and on the second attempt to lift it got it up just before Ivy scored. Mark Ivy then hit a grounder up the middle. Dias slid to the middle of the field, Laid out and stopped the ball with his body, making it look easier than any ball fielded in this game up front. Aaron Higby then laced a line shot past a diving Drew Crook. Tyler thought he had it lined up – but it got past him on his right and Tyler had to give chase as Higby scored running to third. Chad Dillon then hit a grounder down the first base line near 100 feet. Kimball angled backwards but over ran the ball. As he pivoted and came back for it, he still had a chance but he could not pick it clean and Dillon had his second run of the contest. Connor Thaxton then lifted a fly ball to right center off the end of his bat. Shayne Cantan ran away from the ball and Shawn Devenish could not get there in time as he was tentative going after it as Gina made the wrong call. Combine that with the difficulty teams had hearing the ball and Thaxton had his second run of the game. Randy George hit a flare right to Dias. Dias missed it and called for help, but it was very close to him and he was able to recover and make his fifth stop of the game. Boston led 11-8 after three.
Fourth inning
For Oklahoma, Josh Perry checked into the game for Kyle Ivy on defense. Shawn Devenish then laced a shot up the middle of the field, the ball glanced off the shoulder of Ron Cochran. Connor Thaxton made a great stop in the third layer for the out. Ron then appealed to the umpire that it hit him. His request was denied. Shawn was cursed for the second time in the game. Rob Dias then hit a grounder to the right side. Josh Perry slid and could not find it. He actually picked it up when the ball was behind him. Drew Crook then hit the first pitch up the middle. Mark Ivy dove and missed it. However, Drew missed third base on the inside of it and he was out. The third official missed base for the Renegades. Boston went down 1-2-3 for the first time in the game, giving hope to OKC.
Josh Perry was next and hit a slow grounder to the left side. Rob Dias was super aggressive, slid while making a wall with his body. He connected with the ball with his hands. He stopped its progress and picked it clean to nail Perry as he was only about 60 feet to the bag. A quick stop for Dias. Mark Ivy then got a hold of the best shot of the day for Oklahoma as he tagged a ball over everyone’s heads into right field for the 9th run for the lookouts. Aaron Higby whiffed and Chad Dillon whiffed to end the inning. Those strike outs were just the second and third of the day for the legendary Tim Hibner. Oklahoma cut the Renegade lead down to 11-9.
Fifth inning
Leading off the inning would be Chris Kimball with his personal pitcher, Hunter Weissman pitching to him. Chris hit the first pitch he saw to Josh Perry, who hit the ground too soon. Kimball’s speed was too much and he plated his second run of the game. Tyler Mireault then hit a hard grounder and Mark Ivy made a nice play for his fifth stop of the contest. Christian then had a long at bat and on the 7th pitch struck out. Devenish would end the inning with a fly ball into the second layer stopped by Randy George. Boston led 12-9.
Connor Thaxton would lead off for Oklahoma. Like his brother, he took a 7 pitch at bat, but the result here was better for this Thaxton as he laced it past Cantan in right center field for his third run of the game. Randy George was next and hit a weak flare to the right side. Kimball missed it and called up Shayne. Cantan was very slow to move forward and as he creeped forward with his glove just made the stop in time for the first out of the inning. Josh Perry struck out for the second out. Mark Ivy appeared to strike out on the 5th pitch of his at bat by woodard called a questionable foul tip as Ivy was very late on the pitch. On the 9th pitch of the at bat, he lofted a weak back spin fly ball to the right side. Gina Devenish was frozen on the call and made a ball that sent Kimball back a few steps. By the time Chris discovered it was short, he raced to the line, dove too soon and Ivy scored his third run of the game to pull Oklahoma within one run. Aaron Higby lofted a fly ball short to the left side. Rob Dias took a few step in, dropped to the ground and picked it for the out. After five, Boston clung to an 12-11 lead.
Sixth inning
Rob Dias led off in the sixth and it a grounder down the third base line. Mark Ivy came over, dove on it, lifted it with enough time for the first out. Weissman was usure of who would it next as he had both Marcano and Crook on deck. The decision was Crook. With three strikes, he hit a hard grounder to the left side and scored the second run of his game. The Kimball/Weissman batter came on to the field. Kimball got a hold of one and hit a line drive to the left side, but Ivy was able to make his 7th stop of the contest. Tyler Mireault hit a line shot off Ron on the second pitch. He would eventually strike out. Boston held a 13-11 lead.
Chad Dillon with three stries hit a weak grounder to the right side. Kimball took a few steps forward and laid out a wall for the stop and his third of the game. Thaxton would strike out for the first time for the second out. George hit the first pitch on a bounce to the right side. Kimball held his ground, laid out and hit hit him in the legs for the out. Boston held on to win the game 13-11
Wrap up
A sloppy start to this game, some very tough hearing conditions, a bad call by Cochran and three missed bases. That was a lot to overcome. However, the Renegades knocked off OKC for the third straight time. Many amongst the NBBA did not think it would be possible because OKC finished 6 seeds ahead of Boston in the World Series and their team picked up a huge offensive weapon in Thaxton and a big time defender in George, However, people did not account for the fact Boston is a strong team.
This win would be the 200th in Renegade franchise history dating back to the year 2002 when they first played at the World series. Unofficially, Boston is just the 5th team in NBBA history to achieve this milestone joining the Bayou city Heat, Austin Blackhawks, Chicago Comets, Indy Thunder and Cleveland Scrappers.
For OKC, Mark Ivy was the player of the game going 3-5 and making 7 stops. For Boston Rob Dias was 3-5 with 7 stops of his own. Tyler Mireault plated four runs and Chris Kimball chipped in two runs and 4 stops on defense
Full game