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Top-Ranked New York Gremlins Aim for Back-to-Back ISC World Titles

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The number one ranked team in the world, the New York Gremlins, begin their ISC World tournament title defense tonight against the Stevenson Canadians at 6:30 p.m. Pacific time at Surrey, British Columbia. The game will be broadcast live on the ISC Network. The Gremlins were the 2023 ISC World champions, capping off a remarkable season that saw them winning every tournament in which they competed.

In 2023, the New York Gremlins lost their first game to the Bear Creek Express of Ontario, Canada, then reeled off 33 consecutive victories before losing their second game of the year at the ISC World tournament to the same Bear Creek Express. The Gremlins came back on the final day of the tournament to win three consecutive games, including a championship game win over the Bear Creek Express.

Last year’s Gremlin squad was led by their ace pitcher, Australian Jack Besgrove, who won the Outstanding Pitcher award at last year’s World Tournament while teammate, New Zealander Cole Evans captured the Most Valuable Player award.

The 2024 season has proved a bit more challenging for the Gremlins, in part because of injuries, though they have maintained their number one ranking throughout the season. It has been particularly challenging for Skipper Gregg Leather, who has had to juggle his lineup at times, due to injuries and varying rosters during the season. Despite these challenges, the Gremlins come into the 2024 ISC World tournament on a high note, capped off by their fourth consecutive USA Softball Men’s Major National Championship, last weekend. The Gremlins swept the field at tournament in Rockford, Michigan, going undefeated, including a 2-1 win over arch rival Hill United Chiefs in the Winner’s Bracket Final.

The 2024 Gremlins have a number of tournament titles to their credit, including:

  • The Chiefs Challenge at Simcoe, Ontario at the start of the season
  • The Bluewater Invitational Tournament at Port Huron, Michigan
  • The Gremlin Invitational at Elkland, Pennsylvania
  • The USA Softball Men’s Major title at Rockford, Michigan.

The team is currently without the services of two of its standout players:

1. All-Star third baseman Jerome Raemaki, who broke a bone in his wrist over the 4th of July, when hit by a pitch.

2. Ageless Australian outfield star Zenon Winter, who injured his ankle while trying to beat out a ground ball in the title game at the Port Huron tournament in June.

In 2024, the standout player for the Gremlins offense has been USA national team member Eric Ochoa, who has put together a phenomenal season with a batting average hovering just below the .500 mark and leading the team in virtually all offensive categories, including home runs and RBI. Ochoa earned Most Valuable Player honors at last week’s USA Softball Men’s Major National Championship, along with three other awards: being named First Team All-American, and tournament batting and home run champion.

Australian pitcher Jack Besgrove has once again been stellar in the circle for the New York squad, posting eye-popping strikeout numbers and leading the team in most pitching categories including wins, ERA, and innings pitched.

A significant change for the Gremlins this year came with the retirement of longtime star pitcher Andrew Kirkpatrick from Australia, who went out in style in 2023. To fill this gap, the Gremlins added a new young up-and-coming star, Kuba Osicka from Czechia, (Czech Republic) who has pitched well for them throughout the season.

The team has suffered only three losses on the season:

1. One to their arch-rival, number two ranked Hill United Chiefs, in a 1-0 game despite a 15-strikeout performance by Jack Besgrove for the Gremlins.

2. One to the number three ranked Northeast Drillers, a 2-1 loss in the title game at Ashland, Ohio.

3. One to the New Zealand national team, the Black Sox, with ironically five New Zealand players from the Gremlins competing against them.

The road to defending their title will not be an easy one, with many top teams vying to claim the championship. Among the contenders are the number two ranked Hill United Chiefs, number three ranked Northeast Drillers, number four ranked Bear Creek Express, and number five ranked Circle Tap of Wisconsin. As the Gremlins begin their title defense, they face a field of fierce competitors all eager to seize the crown.

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