By Calvin Daniels
Staff Writer
The Rhein Rockets are the 2012 Saskatchewan Senior 'C' Mens Fastball champions.
The Rockets, who hosted the eight-team championship tournament won the championship Sunday with a 14-7 win over the defending champion Warman Gems.
"It's very special," said Terry Peppler, a long-time Rhein Rocket pitcher relegated to coaching duties due to a non-fastball injury. "It was amazing to see."
Bret Peppler said the championship was "awesome" adding to get a walk-off home run in a big game is something all athletes dream of.
As for the home run, Bret Peppler said in a previous at bat the Warman pitcher had served up a change-up.
"There was kind of a tell when it released from his hand," he said, adding when the change-up came in the fifth he was ready for it, and he got a good swing. That it went over the fence was a bonus.
"I got a good swing and it went out of here," he said.
As a pitcher, Peppler had the win Friday in round robin action, but was shaky in relief Sunday in the final loading the bases before getting out of the fourth.
In the fifth he settled down though to hold the Gems scoreless.
"I felt more comfortable," he said.
Warman scored first in the final plating a single run in the second, but the Rockets grabbed a lead with six in the third.
The Rocket lead was short-lived as the Gems pounded back with six of their own in the fourth inning.
But then it was Warman who could not hold a lead giving the Rockets six more runs in the home half of the fourth.
A two-run home run by Bret Peppler of the Rockets in the fifth was the difference as it gave Rhein a seven-run lead, triggering fastball's mercy rule and ending the game.
Terry Peppler said while it was great to see Wendel Sparvier's great effort in pitching 10-plus innings Sunday, there was some added thrill in seeing son Peppler on the mound for the final outs, and then clinching the title with a home run.
"That was pretty special," he said, adding for the Rockets, who were formed in the 1960s to win on their home diamond in front of family and friends was very gratifying.
Bret Peppler said he was proudest of the win for his father.
"I'm happier for my old man. I know how bad he wanted to play, and all the work he did for this," said the younger Peppler.
The Rockets had earned a berth in the final after going 2-1 in their pool, finishing second to the Pipestone Pirates who handed the hosts their only loss of the weekend, 10-3 in five innings Saturday.
In the playoffs Sunday the Rockets met the previously undefeated Hanley Merchants -- outscoring their pool opposition 31-5 over three games. The Rockets would need a two-out double in the seventh, again by Bret Peppler, to go ahead 7-6, the eventual winning score.
Sparvier, a left-handed pitcher, picked up by the Rockets along with battery mate Nathan Bellegarde for the tournament had the semi final win going the distance.
Sparvier would start the final and pitch into the fourth before giving way to Bret Peppler who would get the win based on his own home run.
Jason Waldbauer was also a tournament addition for the Rockets, along with Arron Rathgaber and Carmen Baier had home runs for Rhein in the semi final game.
Terry Peppler said Saturday the tournament was going to be a good one based on the teams, which included Warman and Hanley which both play in the competitive Saskatoon league.
"It's a very good mix of teams," he said.
In round robin play against the strong mix of teams Rhein defeated the Dry Creek Penguins 11-4 Friday evening, and the Fleming Marlins 7-3 Saturday morning, before losing to Pipestone.
The championship win was the fourth in Rockets history. The team has played in the last 16-years, winning previous championships in 1996 in Cupar, 2001 in Redvers and 2005 in Stockholm.
