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But just as the Cubs had shown all year, they never quit.

With their backs against the wall, South Bend used an off day the following afternoon to reset. Following that, it was time to bus to Eastlake, Ohio and Classic Park, a place that is usually friendly to hitters. Luis Devers, the Cubs Game 2 starter, had to be ready for a potent Lake County offensive attack.

Just as what happened in the first round versus Cedar Rapids, Devers surrendered a 1st inning run, but from that point on, once again locked in. He gave the Cubs a chance when they needed every bit of momentum to go their way.

Late game hitting defined Game 2 of the Championship Series. A run in both the 6th and 7th inning for the Cubs put them ahead 3-2. It was one swing of the bat from PCA though, that would be the difference maker. In the swing of the year for the Chicago Cubs number-one prospect, he gave South Bend a crucial run of insurance in the 9th with a solo shot.

Lake County, to their credit, would not go away. Michael McAvene came in for the save up 4-2. The Captains managed a run off the man from Indianapolis, but that was all. With the tying run at third base up came Petey Halpin, one of the most consistent and dangerous contact men in the Midwest League. McAvene jammed Halpin on a nasty, ferocious inside fastball, getting him to swing and pop out. The game was over, and the

Cubs had tied the Championship Series.

The next day, Game 3. Porter Hodge went to the mound for a winner take all Championship extravaganza. Hodge battled and weaved through the Captains lineup. Posting five innings and giving up three runs. Just about a quality start. That was all the Cubs needed; quality.

You know the story. Three massive home runs from Owen Caissie, Pablo Aliendo, and Luis Verdugo. Caissie’s was arguably the longest and deepest homer we had seen all season. That kind of run support set up Joe Nahas to toss three innings of one run relief.

And then in the 9th, Sheldon Reed took the mound. One of South Bend’s second half closers dusted the rubber and dug into the mound for the biggest save opportunity of his career yet. A scoreless final frame of 2022 followed.

And on a bouncer to the right side, BJ Murray gloved it, flipped to Reed, and pandemonium ensued. For the second time in three seasons, the South Bend Cubs were Midwest League Champions.

“I still get a big smile when we talk about it,” Cubs manager Lance Rymel said. “It was just a great group of guys that came together at one time. The way that we finished with the two games on the road in the Championship Series, I couldn’t have been more proud of the guys and how they came to work every day."