The Proud Pigs softball team, comprised of members of Brothers Before Others, took their show on the road, traveling to Bradford, NH for a June 9th, 2018 tournament to benefit the national D.A.R.E. organization. This was the second year in a row that this sounder of swine appeared in this tournament, having finished in 2nd Place last year.
Lead by Team Captain and Bradford Detective/Sergeant Ed Shaughnessy, the Pigs had revenge on their minds….Well, that and those delicious and allegedly fat-free wings served at the Appleseed Restaurant.
With full bellies, the Pigs proved unstoppable this year, outscoring their opponents 66-15 while putting up a perfect 6-0 record enroute to their first championship.
“Joltin Joe” Markulic put up DiMaggio-like numbers going 13 for 15 from the plate while crushing 8 home runs; one of which has still not landed. He also accounted for 26 RBI’s, more than a third of the teams total runs scored.
Not to be out-done, Billy Burke pitched all six games to a minuscule 2.25 ERA, while helping himself at the plate, going 8 for 13 posting a .615 batting average.
Other notables included the aforementioned Ed Shaughnessy, who went 11 for 17 from the plate, posting a .647 batting average. After finding his long lost doppelgänger, local sensation and Proud Pigs lead-off hitter, Kevin Faria, sparked the team going 11 for 19 at the plate, posting a .578 batting average and making four outstanding plays in the outfield that robbed opponents of extra base hits every time.
This is the first tournament win under interim manager, Tommy O’Connor, who will serve as the teams manager on a temporary basis, subject to both his success and the team’s ability to understand his Boston accent.
Most importantly, just as they did last year, the Proud Pigs took time between games to visit the grave site of New Hampshire State Trooper Richard Champy, who was killed in the line of duty on 2/3/78. Trooper Champy’s family still resides in the area and remains close to Ed Shaughnessy and all of law enforcement. Brothers Before Others will never forget the sacrifice made by Trooper Champy, and those still being made by his family today.
For more information on Trooper Champy:
http://www.odmp.org/officer/2962-trooper-richard-f-champy
*If you would like a piece of the Proud Pigs and are interested in us winning your tournament, please email: info@brothersbeforeothers.org
