August & September 1878
Princes Park had a month to forget winning only 2 of their 9 games and slipping down the league to 5th. The top 2 remains unchanged as Edge Hill and Moss Lane match each other in terms of results.
With six games to be played as of Sunday 1st of September it’s hard to separate the top two clubs, by September 14th Moss Lane and Edge Hill are tied 24-13 and play one another at the Moss Lane ground. This could be the game to decide who is league champions as you wouldn’t bet against Moss Lane winning their remaining two games against Cavendish and likewise with Edge Hill and their remaining games against Newton Heath.
The game which could decide it all did not disappoint, a crowd said to be in the region of 500 gathered around the playing field to witness a game of upmost drama as both teams exploited poor fielding to mark up the runs.
BOXSCORE
Batting Scores
Spirts seemingly broken Moss Lane would lose their two remaining games to allow Edge Hill Red Stockings to claim the crown of champions of the Mersey & Irwell Base Ball League.
Standings
It was a year to forget for 1877 champions Princes Park, their star man at the bat Michael Johnston failed to perform to the standards he’d set in that winning season.
Cavendish enjoyed a fairer year, with much due to Fanahan Harrison, their top hurl had an inspired year showing greater control of the ball allowing only 29 walks compared with 46 in 1877 and finishing the season with an ERA of 1.3, the second best record in the league.
Stats
Dennis Hughes stand out performances at the bat saw him voted Base Ball Player of the Year once again claiming all 6 votes. The Red Stockings short stop recorded a batting average of .464, with 3 doubles, 3 triples and 14 runs batted in.