Hot Rods centerfielder Carl Chester steals second base during the Hot Rods' 3-1 win over West Michigan to advance to the Midwest League Championship on Sunday, September 9, 2018, at Bowling Green Ballpark. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)

When the Bowling Green Hot Rods open play in the Midwest League Championship Series at Peoria, Ill., it will be new territory for the franchise in its 10th year.

While the team has reached new heights, it will be a chance to win another championship for a handful of players and manager Craig Albernaz – who won the Low A Short Season New York/Penn League Championship Series last season at Hudson Valley, N.Y.

Three position players who are starting for the Hot Rods – infielders Taylor Walls and Vidal Brujan and outfielder Carl Chester – started in the clinching win against Vermont last season. Reliever Kevin Gist earned the save in that clinching win.

The Hudson Valley roster also included current Hot Rods Tobias Myers, Resly Linares and Mikey York – who are all slated to start in the Midwest League Championship Series – along with pitcher Jhonleider Salinas and infielder Justin Bridgman.

Walls said the chance to win back-to-back championships at different levels of baseball is exciting.

“We’ve definitely thought about it,” Walls said. “We are not going to play any ballgames without wanting to win or a season without winning the championship. Winning is contagious and when you have that many guys who want to win and find a way to do it, it keeps on happening.”

The Hudson Valley core has played a big role in Bowling Green’s run to the Midwest League Championship Series. Brujan and Walls both hit over .300, while Chester drove in 63 runs. Brujan led the Hot Rods with 43 steals, while Walls had 31 and Chester added 15 stolen bases.

Myers won 10 games and Linares had a 2.49 ERA in the second half. Both pitchers have had one start in the postseason, with Myers allowing one run over five innings against Lansing, Mich., in round one and Linares earning the win against West Michigan after allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings Saturday.

Albernaz said the guys that won a title last year at Hudson Valley bring maturity and experience to draw on – factors that have been big parts of Bowling Green’s success.

“That championship run last year was tough,” Albernaz said. “It was a tough run. We have a few guys that were part of that run last year. They know what it is like in that atmosphere and it is showing right now. It’s good to have those guys out there. They are playing well right now.”

Albernaz is hopeful that can continue one more week, with the Hot Rods season ending in the same manner that Hudson Valley’s did last year.

“Playing for a championship is what it is all about,” Albernaz said. “Obviously, we are trying to get these guys to the big leagues, but when they are out there competing and doing the right things you have a chance to do this.”

ROTATIONS SET

Bowling Green and Peoria both announced their respective starting rotations for the Midwest League Championship Series.

Myers is scheduled to start Game 1 for the Hot Rods. Tommy Romero will start Game 2, with Resly Linares slated to start Game 3 in Bowling Green on Saturday. If needed, Paul Campbell will start Game 4 with York the scheduled starter if the series goes five games.

Peoria’s rotation will be Johan Oviedo in Game 1, Zach Prendergast in Game 2, Jake Dahlberg for Game 3 and Angel Rondon in Game 4. If the series gets to five games, Oviedo would start for the second time in the series.{&end}