MARYSVILLE — The Honey Nut Ichiros, one of four Marysville Parks and Recreation men’s softball teams, took the league championship for the second season in a row, having taken first place in the Spring league as well, when they topped La Hacienda in a close 23-21 six-inning game on Monday, Aug. 19.

The Ichiros are made up of many former Marysville-Pilchuck baseball players and friends who started the team just for fun four years ago. It was back on their old stomping grounds at Marysville-Pilchuck High School that they defeated the Dogballers in a close playoff game, scoring 10 runs to the Dogs’ eight runs, to advance to the championship game later that evening.

La Hacienda, a team originating from Marysville’s La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, topped the Mountain Men of Mountain View Presbyterian Church in the semi-finals, with a 20-10 victory and went on to face the Ichiros.

The final game of the summer league was a nail-biter, with close leads either way throughout the six innings — including a three-inning lead by La Hacienda. It was in the bottom of the fifth that a two-run homer finally bumped the Ichiros ahead and a zero-run top of the sixth helped clinch their victory.

“We won the spring league, too, against the same team and it was a close one as well,” said Brady Knuth. “We’ve been throwing this team together for the last four years or so. We are a bunch of buddies from M-P and a lot of us played together on the high school team.”

The win is the second chanpionship this year for the Ichiros, who played under the name Hungover Homers in previous years.

“The feeling is phenomenal, it’s been a long time since we won a championship,” laughed Nick Haughian.

Parks and Recreation officials presented the team with a plaque commemorating their victory, as well as league championship T-shirts.

“It’s awesome to be able to win the championship two seasons in a row,” said Brandon Knuth, after picking up his T-shirt and admiring the plaque.

There is no fall softball season for Parks and Recreation, however the co-ed leagues will host their championship playoffs on Wednesday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 25.

For more information call 360-363-8400.