BOURNEMOUTH Bears Baseball team completed a magnificent unbeaten season by winning the prestigious National Double-A Championship.

The Bears, who entered the play-off weekend at Farnham Park as the number one seeds, defeated the Bristol Badgers 17-12 in a pulsating final.

Bears general manager Wendoly Gonzalez said: “It has been a great season. I have seen this team grow so much in every single aspect.

“I’m so proud to see the results of such hard work, faith and dedication. We believe that is what makes a good champion and it is an honour to represent Bournemouth and bring this title home.”

After dispatching all comers in the regular season, posting a 19-game winning streak, the pressure was on to claim the British Baseball Federation’s AA title.

After topping their group, Bournemouth faced a tough semi-final against the Milton Keynes Bucks. The Bears dominated the Bucks outscoring them 15-2 over seven innings.

This set up a mouth-watering final against Bristol, familiar opponents from the regular season.

Despite trailing in the early stages of the game, Bournemouth rallied to take a decisive lead in the seventh innings.

Bournemouth manager Jose Lopez said after the game: “We have been working so hard to get here. I am so proud of this team and to see what has been achieved inside and outside the field. We are already looking forward to next season and a new challenge”

The Bears, who have now been promoted to Triple-A, are already preparing for the new season in 2020.