The Lake County Captains are league champions once again. Ignited by a five-run sixth inning, the Captains overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 9-4, to win the best-of-three series at Classic Park on Sept. 18 and take home the Midwest League championship. It’s the Captains’ first league title since 2010. Ballgame! @LCCaptains are champions pic.twitter.com/y0TkP4mN9w — News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) September 19, 2024 Ralphy Velazquez hammered a three-run homer deep over the outfield fence AND over the Cleveland Clinic sign in right field to help the Captains turn a 1-0 deficit into a 6-1 lead. It was a lead the Captains would never relinquish. PHOTOS: Captains vs. Timber Rattlers, Sept. 18, 2024 "I knew it as soon as I hit it," said Velazquez, the fourth-ranked prospect in the Guardians' organization per multiple outlets. "I didn't really see it, but I heard it. When I looked up, I saw it go. That's when I knew." Ralphy Velazquez of @LCCaptains talks about his game-changing home run and helping the Captains win the league title. pic.twitter.com/hMUHyNES7v — News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) September 19, 2024 As Velazquez rounded the bases, he celebrated as the crowd cheered him on. RAFFAELE. JAVIER. VELAZQUEZ. pic.twitter.com/8CLR9lzHDB — Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) September 19, 2024 "I don't remember it," he said of his home run jaunt. "It kinda went by fast. But it's definitely something I won't forget." The Captains trailed in the fifth when the Timber Rattlers' Luis Lara scored from second base on an infield grounder that was thrown in the dirt at first base in what would have been the third out of the inning. But in the bottom of the frame, Jonah Advincula homered to right to even the score. "I think if you look at the last 10 games, we've had a lot of games it's been tied and instantly we come back," said second baseman Travis Bazzana. "This is a team that plays the game the right way." In the sixth, Angel Genao and Wulifredo Antunez hit back-to-back doubles, Alex Mooney singled and Jake Fox doubled. That led to Velazquez's mammoth home run. "I've only been here a couple of weeks," Velazquez said. "But the fight in this team is unbelievable. This is a very special team." Wisconsin scored three in the eighth to cut the gap to 6-4, thanks in part to Lara's two-run single. But in the bottom of the frame, Fox hit a home run and both Bazzana and Genao had RBI singles to open a 9-4 lead. A fly ball to center ended the game, setting off a ‎wild celebration. As players hugged, took pictures and put on their new league championship T-shirts, Bazzana — the top pick in this spring's minor league draft — clutched the championship trophy and counted his blessings. Young players listen up - Travis Bazzana @LCCaptains says baseball is all about relationships and moments you will remember for a lifetime . @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/LP26eNIfFM — News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) September 19, 2024 "At the end of the day, this is what it's all about," he said. "It's all about relationships. It's all about memories. That's what you play for and that's why this is so special. "You can go 4-for-4 and in any game and it's a joy for 20 minutes. This you'll remember for a lifetime." The score Captains 9, Timber Rattlers 4