Flashback: September in the Carolina League

With the 2005 season in the books, MiLB.com takes a month-by-month look back at the biggest stories of the year in each league.

Sept. 1 -- The Carolina League announced its year-end awards. Winston-Salem's Leo Daigle was named the Most Valuable Player and was one of five Warthogs selected to the All-Star team. The Frederick Keys' James Johnson was named Pitcher of the Year while Ivan DeJesus of the Salem Avalanche was chosen as the Manager of the Year.

Sept. 6 -- The United States routed Spain, 11-1, in the World Cup, keyed by back-to-back-to-back homers in the seventh inning. The Wilmington Blue Rocks' Brant Ust started the trifecta and Ben Zobrist of the Salem Avalanche finished it.

Sept. 6 -- Leo Daigle helped Winston-Salem clinch a playoff berth and became the second player in Carolina League history to win the Triple Crown with a two-run homer in the Warthogs' 6-5 decision over the Salem Avalanche. The first baseman batted .341 with 29 home runs and 112 RBIs.

Sept. 7 -- Brian Barton's two-run homer in the fourth inning led the Kinston Indians to a 3-1 win over Winston-Salem in Game 1 of the first-round Southern Division series. Sean Smith worked 5 2/3 strong innings in the win.

Sept. 7 -- Gerardo Alvarez's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning allowed Nolan Reimold to score the winning run in the Frederick Keys' 3-2 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats in Game 1 of the first-round Northern Division playoff series.

Sept. 8 -- Mike Conroy's three-run homer in a six-run fourth inning helped the Kinston Indians to an 8-1 victory and a first-round sweep of the Winston-Salem Warthogs. The Indians were the 2004 Carolina League champions.

Sept. 8 -- Carolina League Pitcher of the Year James Johnson tossed 5 1/3 solid innings as the Frederick Keys swept the Lynchburg Hillcats with a 7-5 victory. Frederick moved on to play the Kinston Indians in the Mills Cup Finals.

Sept. 10 -- Brian Finch hurled seven sparkling innings as the Frederick Keys edged the Kinston Indians, 3-2, in Game 1 of the Mills Cup Finals. Finch allowed one run on three hits without issuing a walk. Brandon Florence homered in the victory.

Sept. 11 -- Garrett Olson limited the Indians to two hits over seven scoreless innings as Frederick topped Kinston, 6-2, in Game 2 of the Mills Cup Finals to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Frederick's Jeff Fiorentino collected four hits, including a solo homer in the eighth inning, as the Keys moved within one game of the Carolina League Championship.

Sept. 12 -- Ben Zobrist of the Salem Avalanche went 2-for-4 and scored twice, keying Team USA's 7-3 victory over the Czech Republic in the World Cup. The victory clinched a spot for Team USA in the tournament's medal round. It was Zobrist's third straight multi-hit game.

Sept. 12 -- Kinston avoided elimination behind Sean Smith's three-hitter over 7 2/3 innings as the Indians blanked the Frederick Keys, 3-0. It was the longest outing of Smith's career. Mike Conroy homered and Stephen Head raked a two-run single.

Brian Finch was named MVP of the Mills Cup Finals after recording two of the Keys' three wins. (Frederick Keys)

Sept. 13 -- Adam Miller allowed one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings as Kinston evened the Mills Cup Finals at two games apiece with a 4-3 victory over Frederick. Kinston was buoyed by a four-run fifth inning. Ryan Goleski and Argenis Reyes each notched a two-run single in the frame. In the 2004 Mills Cup Finals, the Indians dropped the first two games, but came back to take the series with three straight wins.

Sept. 15 -- The Frederick Keys won the Carolina League title by blanking the Kinston Indians, 2-0. Brian Finch won his second game of the series, allowing four hits and five walks over five innings. The Keys last won the Mills Cup in 1990.