YORK, Pa. — The York Revolution have been crowned the 2024 Atlantic League Champions after their walk-off win over the Charleston Dirty Birds. The Revs won game three 2-1 on Friday evening to sweep the championship series and seal the fourth championship in franchise history on home soil.
"To us it’s everything. It’s such a special organization [and] such a special team," said York Revolution Starting Pitcher Jon Olsen. "We’re beyond ecstatic for this, it feels like the world series."
Unlike game two which had no shortage of runs, game three evolved into a defensive battle. The Birds got on the board first thanks to a Jared Carr solo home run in the second inning to make it 1-0. From then on, Revs starting pitcher Jon Olsen locked in and served up seven strikeouts over the 6.1 innings pitched. However, he battled a starting pitcher on the other side that was red hot. Over eight frames, Charleston's David Lebron did not allow a run to keep it 1-0 into the last inning.
With one out in the ninth inning, Lebron let up a single to Revs' DH Zander Wiel. York first baseman David Washington was next up to the plate and took advantage of the opportunity with a clutch shot to right field, that brought in Wiel from first to tie the game 1-1. The double forced the Birds first pitching change of the game with David Lebron being replaced by reliever Stevie Ledesma. The change proved no difference as a soft single by Alerick Soularie moved Washington to third and set up the game-winning run 90 feet from a possible championship. Left fielder Jacob Rhinesmith was next to the plate, and a softly hit ball to second was enough to bring Washington home and seal the championship for the Revs.
"We just find a way to grit out, I mean our guys are tough. We faced all sorts of diversity the entire year, and we were just able to pull through," said Olsen.
"Whether we're legging out infield singles, whether we're legging out hard 90's on fielders choices, we're going to beat you at our game, and our game is playing hard," said York Revolution Shortstop Matt McDermott. “I honestly can't even put it into words how special [this team is]. We showed in this postseason, we play here to win."
The York Revolution are now 12-1 in Championship Series games all-time and have won nine straight dating back to 2011.