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reds1 · 01-11-2017, 07:21 PM

Stratford Barons (87-68) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50)
Season Matchup: 3-3

Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 633 (2nd)
Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 666 (1st)

The 1945-46 United Cup sees a rematch of the 1940-41 Series, where Stratford prevailed over Kingston in six games for the Eastern League’s first championship. The Barons are returning after a 5-year absence, while the Pelicans are making their fourth consecutive appearance.

While Kingston cruised to a first place finish in the West and dispatched the Sherburn Tigers in 5 games to capture their 7th pennant, Stratford did not capture first place in the East until winning the second tie-breaker game against the Embro Suns. But the Barons defeated the Suns in 5 games as well to win the Eastern League pennant and thus meet the Pelicans on equal footing.

The 17-win difference between Kingston and Stratford is the largest for two teams meeting in the United Cup. But large gaps are not unusual; the previous three United Cups played between Kingston and the Brunswick Legends for example, saw differences of 16, 16 and 14 wins respectivley. But in all the previous eight United Cups, only one team with a worse regular season record has prevailed to win the Championship. That was the 1941-42 Brunswick Legends, who went 93-61 that season. They ‘upset’ the 94-60 Cambria Cannons. Thus the Barons have a formidable challenge ahead of them, if history holds any significance.

As in the Eastern Pennant Series, Stratford will be without the services of RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) will continue to play in his stead.

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Game 1

Kingston Park witnesses the start of yet another United Cup championship, as it has done so many times before. 27,281 are on hand to see how the Pelicans will handle their Eastern foes. Partly cloudy skies and a pleasant breeze blowing in from left to right set the scene for the Opening Game.

A pair of lefties square off for the game. Stratford’s ace, LHP Joel Fearn, gets the start, while Kingston responds with their ace, LHP Patrick Denman. Both enter the series undefeated in the playoffs.

Top of the 1st:
Jake Walker reaches 1B safely on a fielder’s choice. Aaron Skidmore follows and battles Patrick Denman for nine pitches, finally smashing a full-count double deep to right-centerfield to score Walker.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Jamie Couch leads off and reaches 1B safely on an error (E7). He advances to 2B when Lance Hayworth is hit by a pitch. Danny Trowbridge follows with a single, scoring Couch.
After Katsunan Chikafuji draws a walk to load the bases, Kingston takes the lead on a Dean Bishop sac fly to centerfield.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 2

Top of the 2nd:
Maurice Keyworth leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground out.
Brad Mitchinson then singles Keyworth home to tie up the game.
Stratford 2 – Kingston 2

Top of the 3rd:
Dan Hunter leads off the inning with a solo home run to left field, returning the lead to Stratford. The Barons then take advantage of back-to-back fielding miscues, putting runners on the corners. Ricardo Castellanos then hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, allowing another run to score.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Danny Trowbridge hits a one-out solo home run, getting Kingston back to within one.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 5th:
Patrick Denman leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a ground out and then 3B on a sac fly.
Danny Trowbridge then slams his second home run of the game, 366 ft. to left field, giving the Pelicans a one-run lead.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 5

Top of the 9th:
Dan Hunter leads off with a triple and Aaron Skidmore draws a walk with one out.
But Patrick Denman gets Don Adkins to strike out swinging and then induces a pop-up to 1B from Maurice Keyworth to snuff out the rally and preserve the win. Kingston draws first blood.
FINAL: Stratford 4 – Kingston 5

Player of the Game: Danny Trowbridge goes 4-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R.

Patrick Denman picks up his third win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (3-0, 1.67 ERA).

For Stratford:

Joel Fearn suffers his first loss, pitching 7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR (1-1, 3.94 ERA).

Dan Hunter went 3-5, 1 HR, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 2

The second game of the series is blessed with beautiful, clear skies and warm sunshine. The winds picked up a bit and were blowing out to right. 27,095 return to enjoy a pitching battle between two outstanding veterans: Stratford’s 37-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) and Kingston’s 36-year old Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).

Bottom of the 2nd:
Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first pitch triple. He is immediately followed by Wen-huan Liu, who singles him home for Kingston’s first run.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 6th:
Kingston loads the bases with one out, thanks to a Danny Trowbridge double, an intentional walk to Katsunan Chikafuji and an unintentional walk to Dean Bishop. Wen-huan Liu then singles home both Trowbridge and Chikafuji. After Brian Main flies out to rightfield, Chong-sik Lee singles to score Bishop.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 4

Top of the 9th:
Stratford loads the bases with two out on a lead-off walk to Aaron Skidmore and singles by Maurice Keyworth and Brad Mitchinson.
But PH Jamie Boatwright grounds out to 1B Dean Bishop to end the threat. Kingston blanks the Barons to take Game 2.
FINAL: Stratford 0 – Kingston 4

Player of the Game: Francis Slocock earns the win and pitches in his second shut-out of the post-season, going 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-0, 0.00 ERA).

Charlie Gilbert picks up his second save of the playoffs, going 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, (1.69 ERA).

Katsunan Chikafuji goes 2-3, 1-3B, 1-2B, 2 R, 1 BB.

Wen-huan Liu goes 2-4, 2 RBI.

For Stratford:

Ryan Borden pitches 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1-2, 4.89 ERA).

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Game 3

The Series shifts to Bosworth Field in Stratford with the Barons down two games to none. 26,051 fans fill the stadium to cheer on their team to victory over a powerful Pelicans team in any way they can. The weather is cool but still pleasant under partly cloudy skies.

It is a rematch of Game 1, with Kingston's LHP Patrick Denman looking for his fourth win, while Stratford's LHP Joel Fearn is looking to rebound from his first loss of the playoffs.

Top of the 1st:
After starting the game with two quick outs, Joel Fearn gives up a single to Danny Trowbridge. Katsunan Chikafuji follows with a two-run home run, 384 ft. to leftfield, as the Pelicans strike quickly.
Kingston 2 – Stratford 0

Top of the 4th:
Kingston adds to its lead when Wen-huan Liu leads off with a solo home run, 389 ft. to leftfield.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 4th:
After cruising through the first three innings, Patrick Denman runs into some trouble in the fourth. Stratford loads the bases with one out thanks to three walks (and a passed ball thrown in for good measure).
A Maurice Keyworth single and a Bart Wallwin sac fly score two runs.
Denman's struggles continue when he commits a balk during Brad Mitchinson's at bat, advancing the runners. But after giving Mitchinson an intentional walk to load the bases, Denman gets Joel Fearn to fly out to rightfield to end the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 7th:
The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with nobody out when Brad Mitchinson reaches 1B on an error (E6) and Joel Fearn lays down a sac bunt and reaches 1B safely.
After Mitchinson is replaced at 2B by PR Stewart Cuthbertson, Roberto Ríos singles in Cuthbertson, tying up the game.
Dan Hunter quickly follows with a sac bunt to advance the runners. That sets up Jake Walker, who doubles in both Fearn and Ríos, giving Stratford the lead.
After Aaron Skidmore is intentionally walked, PH Don Adkins singles in Walker, giving the Barons a three-run lead.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 6

Top of the 9th:
PH Jayden Tennant singles with one out. But a ground-out by Jamie Couch and a fly out by Lance Haworth to rightfield ends the game and gives the Barons their first win of the series.
FINAL: Kingston 3 – Stratford 6

Player of the Game: Joel Fearn gets back in the win column, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.60 ERA).

For Kingston:

Patrick Denman suffers his first setback in the playoffs, going 8.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K (3-1, 2.83 ERA).

Katsunan Chikafuji goes 3-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

Danny Trowbridge went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB.

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Game 4

26,007 jubilant fans return to watch Game 4 as the Barons look to even up the series. The weather has warmed up nicely, with clear, sunny skies. It’s a perfect day for baseball.

35-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) gets his first start of the series, while Stratford counters with LHP Ryan Borden, who took the loss in Game 2.

Top of the 2nd:
Kingston puts runners on the corners to start the inning, thanks to a leadoff walk to Wen-huan Liu and a single by Brian Main. Chong-sik Lee follows with a single, scoring Liu.
Two more singles by Jamie Couch and Danny Trowbridge scores two more runs before Borden can get out of the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
Maurice Keyworth singles with one out. Keyworth quickly steals 2B, but a throwing error on the play allows him to reach 3B.
After Brad Mitchinson draws a walk with two out, Ryan Borden comes through with a single to score Keyworth. Mitchinson attempts to reach 3B on the play but is thrown out to end the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 3rd:
The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with one out when Dan Hunter draws a 4-pitch walk and Jake Walker is hit by a pitch.
Aaron Skidmore then steps up and hits a line drive single to centerfield, scoring Hunter.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 4th:
Brad Mitchinson crushes a solo home run, 447 ft. into the centerfield bleachers with one out, knotting the game up at three.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 3

Top of the 7th:
Kingston retakes the lead when Danny Trowbridge leads off with a solo home run, travelling 405 ft. into the leftfield bleachers.
Three singles by Dean Bishop, Wen-huan Liu and Chong-sik Lee push across another run, giving the Pelicans a two-run lead.
Kingston 5 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 9th:
Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first-pitch single and advances to 3B when Maurice Keyworth reaches safely on an error (E5). Derek Sakurai follows with a single, scoring Castellanos. RHP Charlie Gilbert then enters the game in a double switch to relieve RHP Luis Velásquez (who relieved Joey Cumberledge in the 7th).
But Brad Mitchinson singles in Keyworth tying the game up at 5-5.
The next batter is PH Don Adkins, who slams Gilbert's first offering for a walk-off three run home run, landing 429 ft. into the raucous left-centerfield stands.
FINAL: Kingston 5 – Stratford 8

Player of the Game: Brad Mitchinson goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Ryan Borden doesn't figure in the decision, but he goes 7.0 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-2, 5.34 ERA)

RHP Tom Mayor picks up the win, going 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Don Adkins goes 1-1, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R.

For Kingston:

Joey Cumberledge also doesn't figure into the decision. He went 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

Luis Velásquez is hung with the loss: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-1, 6.75 ERA)

Charlie Gilbert is charged with a blown save: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.06 ERA)

Danny Trowbridge went 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Chong-sik Lee goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

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Game 5

Stratford’s dramatic win in Game 4 has tied the series up at two-games apiece and handed Kingston their first back-to-back losses in the playoffs. 26,195 crowd the grandstands to see if the Barons can keep the momentum going and take the upper hand in the series. The weather has cooled off again, but it’s still pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze blowing out to left.

RHP Francis Slocock, who earned the win back in Game 2 gets the start again for Kingston. RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) takes the hill for Stratford for the first time in the series.

Bottom of the 1st:
Dan Hunter reaches base on a fielder’s choice with one out. He is followed by Jake Walker, who smacks a triple deep into centerfield, scoring Stratford’s first run.
After Aaron Skidmore draws a walk, Ricardo Castellanos scores Walker on a 4-6 fielder’s choice.
Kingston 0 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Back-to-back doubles by Dan Hunter and Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore score two runs with nobody out. Ricardo Castellanos singles putting runners on 1B and 2B.
After Maurice Keyworth grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Bart Wallwin singles home Skidmore, giving the Barons a 5-run lead.
Kingston 0 – Stratford 5

Top of the 6th:
Danny Trowbridge leads off with a first pitch double and scores on a Dean Bishop single with one out.
Kingston 1 – Stratford 5

Top of the 9th:
The Pelicans load the bases with nobody out, thanks to two walks and an error.
A second fielding error (E3) allows Jamie Couch to reach 1B safely and for Brian Main to score.
But after Lance Haworth grounds into a 1-2-3 double play, Bill Blair get Danny Trowbridge to ground out (1-3), ending the game and giving Stratford the upper hand in the series.
FINAL: Kingston 2 – Stratford 5

Player of the Game: Bill Blair goes the distance: 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (3-0, 2.16 ERA)

Jake Walker goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Aaron Skidmore goes 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

For Kingston:

Francis Slocock suffers his first loss of the post-season: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, (2-1, 2.05 ERA)

Jamie Couch went 3-5, 1-2B, 1 RBI

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Game 6

The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory: with their backs against the wall and needing a win just to stay alive. Thus far, the home team has won each game, so the Pelicans are hoping that trend continues as the Series returns to Kingston. 27,191 fans at Kingston Park are hoping that continues as well. The heat has returned (78F) along with beautiful, clear skies. A gentle South Pacific breeze is blowing out to leftfield.

It will be a rematch of Game 1: Stratford’s LHP Joel Fearn looks for his third win in the playoffs to wrap things up for the Barons, while Kingston is going with LHP Patrick Denman, who is looking to bounce back from his first playoff loss suffered in Game 3.

Bottom of the 1st:
Kingston strikes first when Lance Haworth hits a triple down the leftfield line with one out and scores on a Danny Trowbridge ground out.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 1

Top of the 2nd:
Aaron Skidmore draws a walk to lead things off, then advances to 2B on a Ricardo Castellanso ground out. After Maurice Keyworth singles to put runners on the corners, Bart Wallwin hits a sac fly to leftfield scoring Skidmore.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 1

Top of the 5th:
Maurice Keyworth leads off with a first-pitch single and then reaches 2B on a sac bunt by Bart Wallwin. With two out, Joel Fearn comes through with a single scoring Keyworth, giving Stratford the lead.
Stratford 2 – Kingston 1

Top of the 8th:
Joel Fearn leads off with a single; reaches 2B on a Roberto Ríos sac bunt and then advances to 3B on a Dan Hunter single. Jake Walker then draws a walk to load the bases.
Aaron Skidmore follows, drawing another walk off of Denman, forcing in Stratford’s third run of the game.
With the bases still loaded PH Don Adkins steps up to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, Adkins smacks a GRAND SLAM home run 364 ft. into the leftfield bleachers, sending a dispiriting hush amongst the crowd. The Barons’ bench meanwhile, erupts in jubilation. Patrick Denman, bearing a stunned look on his face, finally lowers his head and makes the long, lonely walk back to the dugout as his day comes to an end.
Stratford 7 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 9th:
Joel Fearn looks to finish what he started with the Pelicans down to their last three outs.
Jamie Couch leads off but flies out to centerfield. Lance Hayworth singles, but is immediately picked off at 1B.
Down to their final out, Danny Trowbridge swings meekly at Fearn’s first offering. But catcher Aaron Skidmore is able to get to the ball and throw Trowbridge out at 1B. That ends the game, the series and the season. The Barons win in impressive fashion, taking four straight from the mighty Pelicans, including the last one on the road, after dropping the first two games of the series.
FINAL: Stratford 7 – Kingston 1

Player of the Game: Joel Fearn goes the distance and avenges his Game 1 loss to Denman with an outstanding performance: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-1, 2.91 ERA)

Don Adkins hits is second dramatic home run of the series while coming off the bench. In Game 6, he went 1-1, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R.

Aaron Skidmore goes 2-2, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB

Maurice Keyworth went 3-3, 1 R, 1 BB

For Kingston:

It appears Patrick Denman simply ran out of steam, as he lost his last two starts of the series. On this day, he went 7.1 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (3-2, 3.83 ERA).

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For the second season in a row, the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team (and to a Kingston Pelican):

01-11-2017, 07:21 PM	#318
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Stratford Barons (87-68) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50) Season Matchup: 3-3 Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 633 (2nd) Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 666 (1st) The 1945-46 United Cup sees a rematch of the 1940-41 Series, where Stratford prevailed over Kingston in six games for the Eastern League’s first championship. The Barons are returning after a 5-year absence, while the Pelicans are making their fourth consecutive appearance. While Kingston cruised to a first place finish in the West and dispatched the Sherburn Tigers in 5 games to capture their 7th pennant, Stratford did not capture first place in the East until winning the second tie-breaker game against the Embro Suns. But the Barons defeated the Suns in 5 games as well to win the Eastern League pennant and thus meet the Pelicans on equal footing. The 17-win difference between Kingston and Stratford is the largest for two teams meeting in the United Cup. But large gaps are not unusual; the previous three United Cups played between Kingston and the Brunswick Legends for example, saw differences of 16, 16 and 14 wins respectivley. But in all the previous eight United Cups, only one team with a worse regular season record has prevailed to win the Championship. That was the 1941-42 Brunswick Legends, who went 93-61 that season. They ‘upset’ the 94-60 Cambria Cannons. Thus the Barons have a formidable challenge ahead of them, if history holds any significance. As in the Eastern Pennant Series, Stratford will be without the services of RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) will continue to play in his stead. -------- Game 1 Kingston Park witnesses the start of yet another United Cup championship, as it has done so many times before. 27,281 are on hand to see how the Pelicans will handle their Eastern foes. Partly cloudy skies and a pleasant breeze blowing in from left to right set the scene for the Opening Game. A pair of lefties square off for the game. Stratford’s ace, LHP Joel Fearn, gets the start, while Kingston responds with their ace, LHP Patrick Denman. Both enter the series undefeated in the playoffs. Top of the 1st: Jake Walker reaches 1B safely on a fielder’s choice. Aaron Skidmore follows and battles Patrick Denman for nine pitches, finally smashing a full-count double deep to right-centerfield to score Walker. Stratford 1 – Kingston 0 Bottom of the 1st: Jamie Couch leads off and reaches 1B safely on an error (E7). He advances to 2B when Lance Hayworth is hit by a pitch. Danny Trowbridge follows with a single, scoring Couch. After Katsunan Chikafuji draws a walk to load the bases, Kingston takes the lead on a Dean Bishop sac fly to centerfield. Stratford 1 – Kingston 2 Top of the 2nd: Maurice Keyworth leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground out. Brad Mitchinson then singles Keyworth home to tie up the game. Stratford 2 – Kingston 2 Top of the 3rd: Dan Hunter leads off the inning with a solo home run to left field, returning the lead to Stratford. The Barons then take advantage of back-to-back fielding miscues, putting runners on the corners. Ricardo Castellanos then hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, allowing another run to score. Stratford 4 – Kingston 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Danny Trowbridge hits a one-out solo home run, getting Kingston back to within one. Stratford 4 – Kingston 3 Bottom of the 5th: Patrick Denman leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a ground out and then 3B on a sac fly. Danny Trowbridge then slams his second home run of the game, 366 ft. to left field, giving the Pelicans a one-run lead. Stratford 4 – Kingston 5 Top of the 9th: Dan Hunter leads off with a triple and Aaron Skidmore draws a walk with one out. But Patrick Denman gets Don Adkins to strike out swinging and then induces a pop-up to 1B from Maurice Keyworth to snuff out the rally and preserve the win. Kingston draws first blood. FINAL: Stratford 4 – Kingston 5 *Player of the Game:* Danny Trowbridge goes 4-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R. Patrick Denman picks up his third win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (3-0, 1.67 ERA). *For Stratford:* Joel Fearn suffers his first loss, pitching 7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR (1-1, 3.94 ERA). Dan Hunter went 3-5, 1 HR, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 2 The second game of the series is blessed with beautiful, clear skies and warm sunshine. The winds picked up a bit and were blowing out to right. 27,095 return to enjoy a pitching battle between two outstanding veterans: Stratford’s 37-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) and Kingston’s 36-year old Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP). Bottom of the 2nd: Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first pitch triple. He is immediately followed by Wen-huan Liu, who singles him home for Kingston’s first run. Stratford 0 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 6th: Kingston loads the bases with one out, thanks to a Danny Trowbridge double, an intentional walk to Katsunan Chikafuji and an unintentional walk to Dean Bishop. Wen-huan Liu then singles home both Trowbridge and Chikafuji. After Brian Main flies out to rightfield, Chong-sik Lee singles to score Bishop. Stratford 0 – Kingston 4 Top of the 9th: Stratford loads the bases with two out on a lead-off walk to Aaron Skidmore and singles by Maurice Keyworth and Brad Mitchinson. But PH Jamie Boatwright grounds out to 1B Dean Bishop to end the threat. Kingston blanks the Barons to take Game 2. FINAL: Stratford 0 – Kingston 4 *Player of the Game:* Francis Slocock earns the win and pitches in his second shut-out of the post-season, going 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-0, 0.00 ERA). Charlie Gilbert picks up his second save of the playoffs, going 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, (1.69 ERA). Katsunan Chikafuji goes 2-3, 1-3B, 1-2B, 2 R, 1 BB. Wen-huan Liu goes 2-4, 2 RBI. *For Stratford:* Ryan Borden pitches 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1-2, 4.89 ERA). -------- Game 3 The Series shifts to Bosworth Field in Stratford with the Barons down two games to none. 26,051 fans fill the stadium to cheer on their team to victory over a powerful Pelicans team in any way they can. The weather is cool but still pleasant under partly cloudy skies. It is a rematch of Game 1, with Kingston's LHP Patrick Denman looking for his fourth win, while Stratford's LHP Joel Fearn is looking to rebound from his first loss of the playoffs. Top of the 1st: After starting the game with two quick outs, Joel Fearn gives up a single to Danny Trowbridge. Katsunan Chikafuji follows with a two-run home run, 384 ft. to leftfield, as the Pelicans strike quickly. Kingston 2 – Stratford 0 Top of the 4th: Kingston adds to its lead when Wen-huan Liu leads off with a solo home run, 389 ft. to leftfield. Kingston 3 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 4th: After cruising through the first three innings, Patrick Denman runs into some trouble in the fourth. Stratford loads the bases with one out thanks to three walks (and a passed ball thrown in for good measure). A Maurice Keyworth single and a Bart Wallwin sac fly score two runs. Denman's struggles continue when he commits a balk during Brad Mitchinson's at bat, advancing the runners. But after giving Mitchinson an intentional walk to load the bases, Denman gets Joel Fearn to fly out to rightfield to end the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 7th: The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with nobody out when Brad Mitchinson reaches 1B on an error (E6) and Joel Fearn lays down a sac bunt and reaches 1B safely. After Mitchinson is replaced at 2B by PR Stewart Cuthbertson, Roberto Ríos singles in Cuthbertson, tying up the game. Dan Hunter quickly follows with a sac bunt to advance the runners. That sets up Jake Walker, who doubles in both Fearn and Ríos, giving Stratford the lead. After Aaron Skidmore is intentionally walked, PH Don Adkins singles in Walker, giving the Barons a three-run lead. Kingston 3 – Stratford 6 Top of the 9th: PH Jayden Tennant singles with one out. But a ground-out by Jamie Couch and a fly out by Lance Haworth to rightfield ends the game and gives the Barons their first win of the series. FINAL: Kingston 3 – Stratford 6 *Player of the Game:* Joel Fearn gets back in the win column, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.60 ERA). For Kingston: Patrick Denman suffers his first setback in the playoffs, going 8.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K (3-1, 2.83 ERA). Katsunan Chikafuji goes 3-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. Danny Trowbridge went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB. -------- Game 4 26,007 jubilant fans return to watch Game 4 as the Barons look to even up the series. The weather has warmed up nicely, with clear, sunny skies. It’s a perfect day for baseball. 35-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) gets his first start of the series, while Stratford counters with LHP Ryan Borden, who took the loss in Game 2. Top of the 2nd: Kingston puts runners on the corners to start the inning, thanks to a leadoff walk to Wen-huan Liu and a single by Brian Main. Chong-sik Lee follows with a single, scoring Liu. Two more singles by Jamie Couch and Danny Trowbridge scores two more runs before Borden can get out of the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Maurice Keyworth singles with one out. Keyworth quickly steals 2B, but a throwing error on the play allows him to reach 3B. After Brad Mitchinson draws a walk with two out, Ryan Borden comes through with a single to score Keyworth. Mitchinson attempts to reach 3B on the play but is thrown out to end the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 3rd: The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with one out when Dan Hunter draws a 4-pitch walk and Jake Walker is hit by a pitch. Aaron Skidmore then steps up and hits a line drive single to centerfield, scoring Hunter. Kingston 3 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 4th: Brad Mitchinson crushes a solo home run, 447 ft. into the centerfield bleachers with one out, knotting the game up at three. Kingston 3 – Stratford 3 Top of the 7th: Kingston retakes the lead when Danny Trowbridge leads off with a solo home run, travelling 405 ft. into the leftfield bleachers. Three singles by Dean Bishop, Wen-huan Liu and Chong-sik Lee push across another run, giving the Pelicans a two-run lead. Kingston 5 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 9th: Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first-pitch single and advances to 3B when Maurice Keyworth reaches safely on an error (E5). Derek Sakurai follows with a single, scoring Castellanos. RHP Charlie Gilbert then enters the game in a double switch to relieve RHP Luis Velásquez (who relieved Joey Cumberledge in the 7th). But Brad Mitchinson singles in Keyworth tying the game up at 5-5. The next batter is PH Don Adkins, who slams Gilbert's first offering for a walk-off three run home run, landing 429 ft. into the raucous left-centerfield stands. FINAL: Kingston 5 – Stratford 8 *Player of the Game:* Brad Mitchinson goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB Ryan Borden doesn't figure in the decision, but he goes 7.0 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-2, 5.34 ERA) RHP Tom Mayor picks up the win, going 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Don Adkins goes 1-1, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R. For Kingston: Joey Cumberledge also doesn't figure into the decision. He went 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-0, 1.80 ERA) Luis Velásquez is hung with the loss: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-1, 6.75 ERA) Charlie Gilbert is charged with a blown save: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.06 ERA) Danny Trowbridge went 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R Chong-sik Lee goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB -------- Game 5 Stratford’s dramatic win in Game 4 has tied the series up at two-games apiece and handed Kingston their first back-to-back losses in the playoffs. 26,195 crowd the grandstands to see if the Barons can keep the momentum going and take the upper hand in the series. The weather has cooled off again, but it’s still pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze blowing out to left. RHP Francis Slocock, who earned the win back in Game 2 gets the start again for Kingston. RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) takes the hill for Stratford for the first time in the series. Bottom of the 1st: Dan Hunter reaches base on a fielder’s choice with one out. He is followed by Jake Walker, who smacks a triple deep into centerfield, scoring Stratford’s first run. After Aaron Skidmore draws a walk, Ricardo Castellanos scores Walker on a 4-6 fielder’s choice. Kingston 0 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Back-to-back doubles by Dan Hunter and Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore score two runs with nobody out. Ricardo Castellanos singles putting runners on 1B and 2B. After Maurice Keyworth grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Bart Wallwin singles home Skidmore, giving the Barons a 5-run lead. Kingston 0 – Stratford 5 Top of the 6th: Danny Trowbridge leads off with a first pitch double and scores on a Dean Bishop single with one out. Kingston 1 – Stratford 5 Top of the 9th: The Pelicans load the bases with nobody out, thanks to two walks and an error. A second fielding error (E3) allows Jamie Couch to reach 1B safely and for Brian Main to score. But after Lance Haworth grounds into a 1-2-3 double play, Bill Blair get Danny Trowbridge to ground out (1-3), ending the game and giving Stratford the upper hand in the series. FINAL: Kingston 2 – Stratford 5 *Player of the Game:* Bill Blair goes the distance: 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (3-0, 2.16 ERA) Jake Walker goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 2 R Aaron Skidmore goes 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB For Kingston: Francis Slocock suffers his first loss of the post-season: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, (2-1, 2.05 ERA) Jamie Couch went 3-5, 1-2B, 1 RBI -------- Game 6 The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory: with their backs against the wall and needing a win just to stay alive. Thus far, the home team has won each game, so the Pelicans are hoping that trend continues as the Series returns to Kingston. 27,191 fans at Kingston Park are hoping that continues as well. The heat has returned (78F) along with beautiful, clear skies. A gentle South Pacific breeze is blowing out to leftfield. It will be a rematch of Game 1: Stratford’s LHP Joel Fearn looks for his third win in the playoffs to wrap things up for the Barons, while Kingston is going with LHP Patrick Denman, who is looking to bounce back from his first playoff loss suffered in Game 3. Bottom of the 1st: Kingston strikes first when Lance Haworth hits a triple down the leftfield line with one out and scores on a Danny Trowbridge ground out. Stratford 0 – Kingston 1 Top of the 2nd: Aaron Skidmore draws a walk to lead things off, then advances to 2B on a Ricardo Castellanso ground out. After Maurice Keyworth singles to put runners on the corners, Bart Wallwin hits a sac fly to leftfield scoring Skidmore. Stratford 1 – Kingston 1 Top of the 5th: Maurice Keyworth leads off with a first-pitch single and then reaches 2B on a sac bunt by Bart Wallwin. With two out, Joel Fearn comes through with a single scoring Keyworth, giving Stratford the lead. Stratford 2 – Kingston 1 Top of the 8th: Joel Fearn leads off with a single; reaches 2B on a Roberto Ríos sac bunt and then advances to 3B on a Dan Hunter single. Jake Walker then draws a walk to load the bases. Aaron Skidmore follows, drawing another walk off of Denman, forcing in Stratford’s third run of the game. With the bases still loaded PH Don Adkins steps up to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, Adkins smacks a GRAND SLAM home run 364 ft. into the leftfield bleachers, sending a dispiriting hush amongst the crowd. The Barons’ bench meanwhile, erupts in jubilation. Patrick Denman, bearing a stunned look on his face, finally lowers his head and makes the long, lonely walk back to the dugout as his day comes to an end. Stratford 7 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 9th: Joel Fearn looks to finish what he started with the Pelicans down to their last three outs. Jamie Couch leads off but flies out to centerfield. Lance Hayworth singles, but is immediately picked off at 1B. Down to their final out, Danny Trowbridge swings meekly at Fearn’s first offering. But catcher Aaron Skidmore is able to get to the ball and throw Trowbridge out at 1B. That ends the game, the series and the season. The Barons win in impressive fashion, taking four straight from the mighty Pelicans, including the last one on the road, after dropping the first two games of the series. FINAL: Stratford 7 – Kingston 1 *Player of the Game:* Joel Fearn goes the distance and avenges his Game 1 loss to Denman with an outstanding performance: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-1, 2.91 ERA) Don Adkins hits is second dramatic home run of the series while coming off the bench. In Game 6, he went 1-1, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R. Aaron Skidmore goes 2-2, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB Maurice Keyworth went 3-3, 1 R, 1 BB For Kingston: It appears Patrick Denman simply ran out of steam, as he lost his last two starts of the series. On this day, he went 7.1 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (3-2, 3.83 ERA). -------- For the second season in a row, the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team (and to a Kingston Pelican): __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 05:17 PM.