By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

A local-based squad has taken their eighth championship title in the last ten years of the Buddy Lawson Softball League held over the summer.

With their fourth consecutive title, the Pirates were able to continue the streak after a tense championship game recently. Tied in extra innings, and with two away and the bases loaded, Paul Poche took to the plate and drove in the winning run for a 2-1 win over the Kenner-based Braves.

The Pirates finish off the season with a 13-1 record and four playoff wins.

Along the way through the post-season, the local squad beat the Royals 13-3, the Cardinals 14-4 and the Rookies 7-4.

&#8220We played as a team through the whole league,” said coach Louis &#8220Country” Gardner. &#8220Paul [Poche] stepped up big in that last game and we had Errol Manuel show something in the playoffs, but overall, this was a team coming together for this one. These guys earned it. So congratulations goes out to them all.”