Domino’s Pizza rode a 13-game winning streak en route to capturing the 2006 Cary Recreational Pony League title, defeating Ashworth Drugs 9-7 in the championship game.

Domino’s and Ashworth Drugs entered the tournament as the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively.

Domino’s Pizza lost its season-opening game 6-4 to Cary Chiropractic when it was unable to hold a 4-1 lead going into the sixth inning. Domino’s then rebounded to beat Ashworth 8-2 to begin its 13-game winning streak. Domino’s finished the regular season 11-1, while Ashworth Drugs was 10-2.

During the regular season and playoffs, Domino’s outscored opponents by a 159-35 margin.

In championship game, Domino’s led 9-2 after two innings before Ashworth fought back with three runs in the third. The rally forced Domino’s to bring in closer David Josam a little earlier than anticipated. Ashworth then scored two earned runs in the fourth to pull within 9-7.

Ashworth’s closer Jeremy Harris had been brought in during the bottom of the second and held Domino’s in check. He allowed only three walks and struck out five in 4 1/3 innings of relief.

Ashworth tried to close Domino’s lead further in the fifth when Jeremy Harris singled with two outs and stole second. But Josam struck out Ashworth’s Aaron Picard on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

Josam retired the last six batters in order — striking out four — and struck out eight in his 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Domino’s season, while nearly perfect, overcame adversity when starting catcher Ryan Jones was lost for the season after the eighth game. Mike Outhouse stepped forward to do the bulk of the catching down the stretch and during the playoffs.

Domino’s Pizza featured a number of key players: starting shortstop and No. 3 pitcher Kyle Haskin was instrumental in setting the table as the team’s leadoff hitter; Yuki Cato was noted for his speed on the base paths; Wesley Clark was the team’s starting pitcher and often contained the opposition early, allowing Domino’s to jump to early leads; Matt Berg contributed timely hitting, including a stretch in which he went 10-for-13 with three doubles, a triple and six RBI; and Eric Bartelucci, who missed four games due to ankle injuries, but contributed offensively and played solid at first base.

Josam may have had the most dominating season. Offensively, he hit .793 (23-for-29) with 21 runs, 16 RBI, 18 stolen bases and an .867 on base percentage. As a pitcher, Josam had an 0.82 ERA in 17 innings pitched, allowing just five hits, striking out 32 and walking two.

Joshua Ether, Ronnie Mustard, Max Perdue, Ward Francis, Tony Zawierucha and Durham Cox will be the backbone of next year’s team, along with Cato and Jones.