By: Jackson Wright
The Outlaws closed out the regular season in dominant fashion, scoring 25 runs against the Fort Smith Marshals to secure their 47th win. With that victory, they set a new league record for most wins in a regular season, surpassing the previous mark of 46 held by Abilene.
Throughout the 62-game season, the Outlaws’ offense was nothing short of explosive. They ended 19 games early due to the mercy rule, scored a league-leading 527 runs, racked up 626 hits, and posted a batting average of .314. They also led the league with 448 RBIs and 198 stolen bases.
The offensive charge was led by Murchael Turner, who finished the season with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs, a .347 batting average, and 27 stolen bases. His stellar performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team as the center fielder and also earned him the league’s MVP award.
Turner wasn’t the only Outlaw to receive All-Star honors. Mark Ross was named the All-Star third baseman, Ravaughn Morgan earned a spot as the All-Star right fielder, and Anthony Mazza was selected as the All-Star designated hitter. Together, these three combined for 163 hits, 13 home runs, and 116 RBIs, while contributing 50 stolen bases.
While the offense was consistently explosive, it was the pitching staff that truly anchored the Outlaws’ success. Led by lefty Ty Zahradnik, the Outlaws’ pitchers held opponents to just 229 runs over the entire season. Zahradnik (3-1, 2.28 ERA) and Keaton Anderson (4-0, 2.35 ERA) were both named All-Star starters, while closer Marcus Young also earned a spot in the All-Star bullpen. Young was given the “Fireman of the Year” award, which goes to the league’s best bullpen arm. He finished the season with a league-leading six saves and appeared in 24 games, totaling 31.2 innings.
None of this success would have been possible without the leadership of Outlaws’ manager, Dean Green. Green’s strategic management and consistent lineup decisions guided the team to a remarkable .758 winning percentage and an overall record of 47-15, earning him the league’s Manager of the Year award.
Stay tuned to the Outlaws’ social media channels for the latest updates on game time and results!