The Cardinals 2020 Inaugural Season was delayed by Covid-19 pandemic. The Cardinals had a successful first season in the Granite State Baseball League, but had to jumo a few hurdles for that to happen. 

 

The Covid-19 pandemic shut down states and prevented players from crossing state lines initially, and coaches were unsure if they would be able to field a team, let alone compete after the GSBL combined the divisions into one age group. A week before delayed-scheduled start, the tide turned when New Hamopshire allowed "out of state" players to play. This opened the roster and allow us to rebuild quickly. In the end, the Cardinals were able to secure players from a couple other teams that elected not to play in 2020 season. 

 

The Cardinals opened at the fantastic Robbie Mills Field in Laconia against the Lakes Region Muskrats. Led by Jimmy Leary's strong pitching performance and aided by potent offense, the Cardinals prevailed 10-7 in their league debut. The following week, the Cardinals continued their strong started, sweeping a split-double header by a total score of 34-0 -- 19-0 versus a depleted Lincoln A's and 15-0 versus the Badger Empire Red Sox.

 

However, the Cardinals approached the tough part of their schedule, that included facing all 3 18+ returning teams. Additionally, the Cardinals had lost their staff ace, Jimmy Leary, to an injury and a few other players would go down with some type of ailment during this stretch. 

 

The Cardinals dropped two close games to the Seacoast Braves and the Raymond Phillies, before winning a tough-one against the Raphael Club Black Sox. 

 

Leary would return to make a small appearance against the Merrimack Brewers, whom the Cardinals defeated 13-2. With 3 games left, the Cardinals stood in a second-place tie at 5-2 with a key matchup versus the Nashua Rockies on deck. 

 

As part of their second scheduled split-double header, the Cardinals throttled the Nashua Rockies 6 to 1, behind Jimmy Leary's complete game effort. That win clinched a playoff spot for the Cardinals. However, any shot at claiming a top seed was thwarted by the Meredith MudDucks in the second game. The 'Ducks, despite their 1-7 record, surprised the Cardinals and beat them 5-2. 

 

The Cardinals continued to lose players to injuries. Although Leary was back, Ben Quick and Erik Rozzi joined Juan Arias on the injured list.

 

Even though the Cardinals had secured a playoff spot, they headed into the final regular season game needind a win against the Granite State Grizzlies to secure atleast homefield advantage for the wild card round.  The Grizzlies are the ex-IronPigs team that was coached by Aaron Wovkanech for 4 seasons, which included 3 championships in 4 champonship appearances.

 

Unfortunately, the Grizzlies won 3-0 to secure their own spot in the playoffs. The Grizzlies would win later that day to leap frog the Cardinals for home field and also force a first round rematch with the Cardinals.

 

The Cardinals would finish the regular season 6-4 and in fifth place. 

 

In the Wildcard Round, it was a rematch with Granite State Grizzlies, who had shut down the Cardinals the prior week. However, while the Cardinals went with their ace, the Grizzlies did not, thinking they would get past the Cardinals. That moved backfired as the Cardinals won the rematch 6 to 4 behind Leary's complete game effort and Brian MacDonald's 2 home runs. 

 

Next up was a rematch with Raymond Phillies, who defeated the Cardinals 7-3 in middle of year. This time the Cardinals jumped ahead early, rattling the tow-time 18+ division champions. However, the same story as the first matchup, the Phillies exploited the Cardinals' errors and would ultimately win 7-3; ending the Cardinals' season.

 

Despite falling a game short of reaching the finals, the Cardinals had a succesful inaugural season, considering how it all started.