I'm about to sim Games 6 and (if necessary) 7. I thought about grabbing an Atom Cats Garage radio broadcast if they did make the Sole Survivor Series. That also depends on how much time I want to spend on the Series itself.

I am actually going to give a presentation on my Fallout dynasties at a literary conference next week :ohmy: I need to hunt and find some of my more creative posts since I feel the audience will care little for baseball news stories. I may end up talking about concepts of dynasty writing and combining my love for Fallout and OOTP in my creative writing efforts.

I will also consider extending the offseason this time since it will probably fall in line with the time where I will be less busy (possibly--I have applied for an administrative-level job, so it is possible I never have time for this dynasty at all). Assuming my situation does not change, the end of April and the month of May will give me some more time in writing often, which I love to do and miss when I cannot.

2301 - CBO Playoffs - SCA: University Point vs Atom
 

#1 University Point Deathclaws (67-41) vs #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

Game 6: University Point 2, Atom 0

Raucous Gwinnett Brewery Park Crowd Propels Deathclaws to 2-0, 1-Hit Victory; Series Tied at 3

The University Point Deathclaws and the Atom Cats will take the Association Championship to a decisive 7th game. Facing a must-win situation today, the Deathclaws shut out the Cats 2-0 at Gwinnett Brewery Park to force the series into what will essentially be a one-game playoff. University Point left-hander Phlip Wallace did his part. He threw 9.0 innings of shutout ball.

Wallace went the distance for University Point, allowing no runs on 1 hit, while striking out 5.

"Our guys are never satisfied," said University Point manager Woody Lumpkin.

The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Gwinnett Brewery Park in Boston.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648922223

Game 7: Atom 4, University Point 3

Atom Takes Association Championship in Deciding Game

A classic and dramatic Association Championship has wrapped up, with the Atom Cats outlasting the University Point Deathclaws to advance to the Sole Survivor Series.

Atom won the final game by a score of 4-3 and took the series 4-3. Kareem Caravan's 9th-inning solo home run off Deathclaws reliever Matt Suds spelled the difference.

"We can enjoy this one tonight, but then it's back to work and thinking about the next win," said Atom first baseman Will Ashfire, whose standout performance earned him the nod as series MVP.

Ashfire hit .360 with a .433 on-base percentage. He had 2 home runs, drove in 6 RBI and scored 4 runs.

The Atom Cats will play against the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys in the next round. Nordhagen Beach won their series against the County Crossing Bloodbugs 4 games to 0. The Sole Survivor Series schedule will be announced after the Association Championship finishes.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648922223

Analysis

This series will go down as a classic in South Charles Association lore, with the undercat Atom Cats coming away with the series in seven games.

After Phlip Wallace's dominating one-hit shutout of the Cats in Game 6, it looked like all momentum would go the Claws' way in Game 7. However, with the big bats of MVP Ashfire and RF Caravan, Atom did what few expected them to do: earn their way to the Sole Survivor Series against the best regular season team in CBO history.

University Point manager Lumpkin must be heavily disappointed in his team's offense in the SCA Championship. Tomas Jones flexed his star power, including hitting a home run in Game 7, but few others contributed to the Deathclaws' chances to win a championship in 2301. Now they need to regroup for the 2302 season, and their talent should keep them in contention.

We are still not convinced the Cats are as good as they have been and wonder if this season is an outlier. Though they are nowhere near the talent level of the Party Boys, the Cats have shown good pitching throughout the 2301 season, which is the reason they have gotten this far and still have a chance in the Sole Survivor Series. But we'll save that information for the SSS preview. In the meantime, Atom is excited to be in the Sole Survivor Series, and they will fight hard to take it.

Updated Playoff Tree

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648922223

Sounds exciting! I've had some real meme academic level talks I've given, but nothing that nerdy, well done. Though I did go car shopping today wearing my t-shirt that says "I paused my game to be here" and both the car salesman and the loan officer were gamers. Mentioned OOTP as the game I've been playing lately.

Best of luck! I'm sure they'll love it

Thank you, guys. I'll let you know how it went.

2301 - CBO Sole Survivor Series: Nordhagen Beach vs Atom
 

NCA #1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (79-29) vs SCA #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648956862

Nordhagen Beach Home Page and Team Picture

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1646587376

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648956862

Atom Home Page and Team Picture

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1646519939

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648956862

Analysis - Party Boys

Guest preview: Dan Crowchaser

When I joined the Party Boys in 2296, I knew that I was nothing more than a placeholder for a promising future. With a young, good second baseman in Brian Masterson ahead of me, I could sit back and enjoy the ride for three seasons before I decided to call it quits in 2298.

Thankfully, Party Boys owner Emogene Cabot liked having me around, so I started my Nordhagen Beach tourist company, "Chasing Emogene." The great aspect of my company is that I get to watch all of the Party Boys' home games and occasionally hit the road for trips to Easy Town or Salem.

One thing that has stood out to me is that the Party Boys have zero weaknesses. Unlike when I was there (and I mean I was a weakness), there is not a single player who cannot take the field and do well if called upon. The pitching has been unbelievable, and I am glad that I never had to face off on any of the current pitchers for the Party Boys. I mean, I only had about 50 at bats in my career, but I am glad I never had to Beachboy Nut or Tommy Beach.

I do not envy the Atom Cats batters for what they have to face. Can they get a hit? Can they score a run? If you ask me, it's not likely.

Analysis - Cats

Guest preview: Rowdy Hammer

We’re jukin’ and jivin’ and jazzin’ out here at the Atom Cats Garage, as our Cats are going for the old bubba gold. So what’s buzzin’, cousin? This is your old girl with the perfect brown curls, Rowdy Rowdy Hammer coming at you as the Atom Cats paper shaker and workin’ on some con-fee-dence. We got it made in the shade on the coast watching the loves of our lives, the guys with the big brown eyes, led by the coolest cat in the dugout, Paul Stands. The coach with the most, he’s the ginchiest Daddy’o in all of the C-B-O. And, oh, does he know how to win.

So, what are we jivin’ about? All of us gearheads have been oilin’ our suits while our boys in brown and mustard have been makin’ toast of the South. They’re burnin’ rubber and showing the CBO what they can do. They’re fast boys, and I ain’t talking about back seat bingo. Our ankle biters know one thing, making themselves CBO kings!

Now our grand leader, Cool Hand Zeke, the cat that has all that and more, ain’t taking no wig chops out here. He capped up the top guy, our GM, the pie, Mike Pieface. He let the duds beat feet and built a team that razzed all our cherries. Now I know what you’re thinking. Before this year, why ain’t we be winnin’? Oh, but we were buildin’ fat city here. We just needed our curtain climbers to suddenly goose it and become the gangbusters we knew them to be. Righto! So let’s go Cats because we’re cooking with gas.

We know everybody’s flippin’ their lids on those cool riders up the shore, the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys. Yeah, right, ain’t that a bite that we have to play the best team in the North. But we’re having a ball and all we can say to those hack bashers, is “Come on, snakes. Let’s rattle.” We’re going Sole Survivor and we expect to win that battle. So sit down, Boys, these Atom Cats are radioactive. Buckle down your flip top, lock down your pad, ain’t no team this rad. We’re going to beat those Party Boys bad. I ain’t trying to bash ears. The Atom Cats are going to beat the best team in years.

Analysis - BNN

Nordhagen Beach returns to the Sole Survivor Series for the first time since 2297 when they dropped the series to the Oberland T-51s. The Atom Cats are in the playoffs for only the second time ever, losing in the semifinals that season to the Finch Farm Four Leafs. The Party Boys seem to have all the advantages in playoffs experience, but will they finally get over the top, or will the youngsters from the Garage win their first title and the fifth straight for the South Charles Association?

Here is a comparison of each team in various statistics:

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648956866

Prediction

This seems to have been a team of destiny once the Boys threw their farm system at Roxbury to trade for Beachboy Nut. Nordhagen Beach's team is too closely associated with that 2298 Goodneighbor team to think this Sole Survivor Series will not end in a similar fashion.

Still, we have a hard time picking a sweep, so we just will not. Otherwise, this series will be all Boys all day. It will be fun to listen to the Atom Cats Radio broadcasts of this series, but otherwise the series will end in a maximum of five. Party Boys 4, Atom Cats 1.

You know, it's surface analysis, but just looking at the records as displayed on the banner, it might just be a shoe in the Boys. I know they're the fan favorites, but it might not even be a fight when it comes down to it. Then again, the Cats did make it this far...

Crazier things have happened, but the Boys do indeed look too much like that 2298 Goodneighbor team.

Well, Game 1 is down, so here we go! It was a good one!

2301 - CBO Sole Survivor Series: Nordhagen Beach vs Atom
 

Just realized I had an error on the banner, so I edited it to reflect the proper league for Nordhagen Beach.

NCA #1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (79-29) vs SCA #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648989978

Game 1 - Nordhagen Beach 2, Atom 1, 10 inn.

Nut Handcuffs Cats, Party Boys Seize 1-0 Advantage in SSS

The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys started the Sole Survivor Series in dramatic fashion today, stealing Game 1 from the Atom Cats in a walk-off in the 10th inning. Nordhagen Beach took the 2-1 win thanks in large part to a good day from starter Beachboy Nut. The left-hander threw 7.0 innings of 5-hit ball in the win, which gave the Party Boys a 1-0 lead to start the best-of-7 series.

With the game on the line, Ryan Combs came to bat in the bottom of the tenth. And the Nordhagen Beach first baseman came through, cracking a run-scoring single off Adam Forestman, the Atom pitcher.

"We had a chance to win," said Atom manager Paul Stands, "but we didn't get it done."

The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Slocum's Joe Seaside Stadium in Winthrop.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648989893

Analysis

Just as we expected, Beachboy Nut came out firing on all cylinders, putting all the pressure on Atom's Deedee Martinson to do the same. The second-year player and first year as a full-time starter, Martinson proved to be impressive. In 7.0 innings, he allowed one earned run on just three hits. Unfortunately, two of those hits came in the bottom of the 1st, with Ryan Combs tripling to lead off the inning and Jonathan Angelou singling him in.

Nut seemed to be untouchable until he gave up a solo home run to Jeremy Schoolboy to lead off the 6th. He also got into more trouble in the inning before Jake Doucette's baserunning error killed the Cats' rally. That would prove to be the end of their offensive production, though there were scares. For Nut, he earned Game MVP honors by allowing only one earned run on five hits with 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings. The one disturbing part about his game was the four walks allowed, something he did only once in the regular season but has now done three times in the postseason.

Doucette actually killed their chance on Nordhagen Beach reliever Matt Breakball in the top of the 9th. After he was walked to start the inning, Kareem Caravan then singled to put runners on first and second with nobody out. With one out and Justin Daros up to bat, Doucette tried to steal third, but was gunned down by the Boys' Mike Swift. Daros then struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Boys had the middle of their lineup coming up against Atom reliever Danny Scorcher but the first two batter struck out. However, the next two batters--Michael Fogcrawler and Brian Masterson--successfuly reached on singles, putting the winning run in scoring position. Swift could not answer the call, though, flying out to end the 9th.

Breakball again walked the leadoff batter in the 10th, but then he struck out Earthbound Bussey, Shane Stabb, and Machete Thompson in order to kill any chance for a run.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Party Boys had the bottom of their order coming up, but they went to the bench for help. Pinch hitter Corey Cook led off with a single, chasing Jeff Rickashaw for Adam Forestman. Pointie Shroud grounded out on a hit and run, moving Cook into scoring position. Dopey Meanie then got a slow-rolling infield single to put runners at first and third with just one out. Combs then finished the game how he started it, successfully reaching base on a hit to end the game and give Nordhagen Beach the 1-0 series lead.

Sole Survivor Series: Player feature
 

Since ayaghmour2 commented about it in his excellent dynasty (https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=309125), I wanted to comment on a transplanted player from his dynasty playing in the Sole Survivor Series, Rabbit Forest.

Drafted 3rd overall by the Atom Cats in the 2299 Rookie Draft out of the Boston Youth Development League's Green Future Sea Urchins, Forest is more known for two things: defense and speed. The middle infielder started in 2300 with the Cabot House Rayguns of the BMU, reaching a .244/.303/.290 line in 55 starts. Considered a good spray hitter, he could not quite get a grasp of some advanced pitching in 2300.

In 2301, he moved around to every level with the Atom Cats. In 16 games with the Medford Medics of the Greater Boston Rookie League, Forest tore it up with a .403/.486/.677 line. He found success, too, with Cabot House, with a .328/.394/.623 line. Between the two teams, he also jacked 10 over the fence and drove in 31.

He was developing nicely, but there were problems in Atom began when starter Pat Shammo went down with a major injury on August 11. Shammo had bounced around between Cabot House and the Cats since being drafted in the 21st round of the 2296 Inaugural Draft. He had not had significant starting time with the Atom Cats since the 2298 season when he started 41 games. In 2301, he had respectable numbers, batting .242 with 6 home runs and 32 RBI. Still, his injury was devastating for the lineup at the time.

Chris Shleedoodle started the season as the starter, but he struggled and was replaced by Shammo. After Shammo went down, the Cats again tried to make him the starter but saw that the 35-year-old just did not have it. That meant the call up for their youngster Rabbit became a new starter positon. Shleedoodle was sent to Cabot House for the final three games of the season, and stayed there once the playoffs began. He finished the season with a .170 average, 2 home runs, and 8 RBI in 25 appearances with 14 starts.

With the Cats, Forest appeared in 26 games, mostly as a late defensive replacement or pinch hitter. With three starts, he hit merely .167 with a homer and three RBI. However, he has turned it on a bit more in the playoffs.

Against Diamond City, he collected six hits (all singles) in 17 at bats (.353). He scored twice and knocked in one. In five games versus University Point, Forest went 7 for 21 (.333) with a three-hit game in Game 1, a double, three runs scored, and three RBI.

In Game 1 versus Nordhagen Beach, he was 1 for 3 with a double. He is now hitting .341 in the playoffs, making him a key contributor. We shall see if he turns on his star power for the rest of the series to propel his Cats to a party at the Garage!

Makes me wonder how many plot lines there could have been, only for the teams with those players to never find their footing. For a vibrant universe, you have to oversaturate as only some will rise to the top, and this makes it quite interesting for what ifs.

He almost makes me want to root for the Atom Cats, but I'm sticking with my prediction on the Party Boys. But rooting for Forest to win series MVP for the losing side

I find myself saddened that some of the names have not found their way up to the top. Some will in time, and there will be a large crop of youth league freshmen to create some more names. I also realized that I intended to make a few family dynasties, but I am not doubling up last names enough. I will start looking at juniors and seniors and see which ones need a little brother.

The Atom Cats are supposed to be one of the most interesting team in the dynasty since they have their own 50s slang greaser culture. Unless they get hit with some negative ratings, it looks like their front office built a team that may stick around awhile.

I have biases for all teams since I took part in building this world, creating jerseys, etc. That is why I want parity, but some teams (like those damn Roxbury Rad Sox) seem not to know how to pursue success. Like the Beachboy Nut trade to Nordhagen Beach. I almost nixed that one after it happened. Instead, I went with it but then forced a second trade where the Party Boys actually sent several of their best prospects to Roxbury. In the actual trade, the Boys only sent two projects: Donn Mattingley (69 projection) and Purple Gupta (62 projection). That was just not good enough for the top pitcher in the SCA the previous season and a guy who won about half of the games the Rad Sox did that season.

2301 - CBO Sole Survivor Series: Nordhagen Beach vs Atom
 

NCA #1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (79-29) vs SCA #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648989978

Game 2 - Nordhagen Beach 4, Atom 2

Nordhagen Beach Tops Atom Again, 4-2
Starter Tommy Beach was sensational for the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys in his team's 4-2 triumph over the Atom Cats in Game 2 of the Sole Survivor Series today. Beach pitched well, but Nordhagen Beach picked up the win to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Maxx Murtagh had a critical at-bat with one out in the bottom of the seventh for Nordhagen Beach. He came through with a solo home run to put Nordhagen Beach in front, 4-2.

"There's a lot of good karma around our club," said winning manager Matt Ballhawk Getman.

The next game is set to be played for Saturday, September 28th , 2301 at Coolest Field in Town in Boston.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1649194925

Analysis

Two games in, and the Atom Cats have scored a total of three runs. While the Cats found ways to be successful in 2301 against the SCA, the pitching of the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys is on another level. This time, Tommy Beach pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Marc Woodsman and Tom Mannequin pitched the final three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Mannequin retired all three batters he faced, including striking out two, to earn the save.

The Party Boys scored single runs in each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings to take a 3-0 lead off Atom ace Scruffy Taguchi. In the 3rd inning, Ryan Combs led off with a double. With two outs, Michael Fogcrawler drove him in to make it 1-0.

In the 4th inning, Mike Swift walked and then advanced to third on Jon Hitman's single. With one out, Beach hit into an RBI fielder's choice. The third run came in the 5th. Maxx Murtagh led off the inning with a triple. With one out, Fogcrawler singled him in.

The Cats got their first and only runs off Beach in the top of the 6th. Rabbit Forest led off with a single. With one out, star Will Ashfire went deep off Beach to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Boys got their final run in the bottom of the 7th when Murtagh connected for a solo bomb off reliever Adam Forestman.

Without their offense hitting on all cylinders, they are quite frustrated. Now they travel home to The Coolest Field in Town at the Atom Cats Garage facility. There, they should be able to find more pop in their bats, but with Beachboy Nut and Beach both scheduled to start Games 4 and 5, the Cats might want to make sure they cut the deficit to two games to one.

2301 - CBO Sole Survivor Series: Nordhagen Beach vs Atom
 

This may be non-competitive . . .

NCA #1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (79-29) vs SCA #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648989978

Game 3 - Nordhagen Beach 6, Atom 2

Party Boys Win to Extend Series Lead to 3-0

The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys are one game away from a sweep of the Atom Cats today after a road win at Coolest Field in Town, 6-2. Party Boys right-hander Chet Arthur had a strong outing. He threw 7.1 innings of 4-hit ball. Nordhagen Beach now holds a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-7 Sole Survivor Series.

Nordhagen Beach used the clutch hitting of Jonathan Angelou to capture the win. The right fielder drilled a grand slam home run in the top of the eighth inning to put the Party Boys ahead, 5-0. It was his only hit in 5 at-bats, but it was a big one.

"I like our mindset right now," said Nordhagen Beach manager Matt Ballhawk Getman.

The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Coolest Field in Town in Boston.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1649249362

Analysis

In what proved to be a game where Nordhagen Beach never trailed, the greatest team in CBO history is now one win from winning their first-ever Sole Survior Series. Should they win Game 4, they would also match the previous best team, Goodneighbor of 2298, with only the second sweep in Sole Survivor Series history.

The Party Boys scored the game's only run through seven inning in the top of the 1st. With one out and Ryan Combs on second after walking and advancing to second on a Will Ashfire error, Michael Fogcrawler singled in Combs for the 1-0 lead. It was the only run Atom starter Pete Pembroke allowed in his 6.0 innings pitched, but he still suffered the loss. As for Fogcrawler, he finished the day 3 for 4 putting him at 6 for 10 (.600) in the SSS.

In the top of the 8th, the Boys broke the game open. The Cats' Mike Waterdrinker walked Chet Arthur to lead off the inning and then gave up a double to Combs to put runners at second and third. After Waterdrinker walked Maxx Murtagh to load the bases, Jonathan Angelou hit a 2-0 grand slam to chase Waterdrinker after just four batters and give the Boys a 5-0 lead. Copper Geffre came in and gave up two straight singles before retiring the next three batters.

Atom finally broke through in the bottom of the 8th. With one out, Justin Daros went deep on Arthur, ending Arthur's night. It was a good one, though, allowing just that one run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Tom Mannequin came on in relief and finished the game. After he walked Steve Mech, Mech moved to second on a fielder's choice. With Shane Stabb up, he singled and then Mech scored on Angelou's errant throw to the infield to make the game 5-2 Boys.

In the 9th, Murtagh went deep on Cats' reliever Matt Rodrigue to end the scoring.

After three games, the Atom Cats are averaging just 1.67 runs per game, way down from their season average of 5.04 runs per game. Should they be held to under five runs again, we expect to see some partying on the Beach.

I mean, realistically, it's what was probably going to happen... maybe we could have hoped for a little more fight, but eh... I don't think this outcome was particularly unlikely so far. We were all just getting caught up in the moment. But hey, that's how you know you've been doing a good job crafting this world, because it actually allowed us to get caught up in the moment.

I can see it now. Party Boys GM Brendan Kneecapped gets totally trashed in celebrating the Party Boys' win at Emogene's beachside mansion. Everybody is there, including his old flame, Talia McGovern, owner of Sunshine Tidings. In his joy, he promises her to send any three position players she wants as long as she gives him another chance. McGovern starts sweating profusely and says to give her a minute. She excuses herself to Emogene's upstairs room where Emogene is enjoying a cocktail among some of the boys on her team.

Talia looks the room over. For the first time that night--hell, that week--she smiles. It is a wry one, for she has suddenly discovered how to be a winner. "Nice night, r-r-right, Emogene?"

"Like stars on a platter!" Emogene says. Macaw Lee Calkins is handing her an Acid Drop shot, hoping it gives him enough favor to get moved to the CBO team.

"Not all your boys are at your party tonight," Talia stammers. "Some too busy."

Emogene rolls her eyes and sighs. "Ugh, they let their fame get to their heads sometimes. But my boys right here are my favorites."

Talia looks around. She doesn't see Michael Fogcrawler, and didn't notice him at the pool, either. She didn't see Maxx Murtagh anywhere either. Again, that wry smile comes, and she heads back to the pool where Kneecapped is taking shots of whiskey, Nuka quantum, and vodka, the Power Surge.

"Want to dance?" she asks him. Billie Holliday's "Easy Living" pumps out on Diamond City Radio. Kneecapped agrees. They gyrate near the pool, near the set where Emogene borrowed Magnolia to perform for the celebration. Magnolia is adjusting her microphone in preparation for her set and looking at the couple on the floor. She'll croon them to love tonight.

Talia looks at Emogene and gives her that look that she just bagged a man. "I got this guy, Maltese MacGuffin," she whispers in Kneecapped's ear. Going to be the star that takes me over the top next year. You'll see. A lot better than those soon-to-be bums you have patrolling your outfield."

Kneecapped feels Talia push into him more, their bodies locked. "I'll give you all my outfield for him," Kneecapped says. "If you give me Jig McGhee, too."

"And me?" Talia asks.

"And you."

Billie Holliday's song continues to blare out of Magnolia's speakers. "I'll never regret the years I'm giving," Billie sings. "They're easy to give when you're in love. I'm happy to do whatever I do for you."

Talia sways to Kneecapped's touch. She thinks she has some easy living, finally. Kneecapped sings along with Billie: "For you, maybe I'm a fool, but it's fun." Talia smiles her wry smile.

I suppose despite the other day's comments you're quite happy the Boys are the team that made it (somehow), so you get to write this Front Office :D Can't imagine many hold a candle to their... eccentricity... :laugh:

2301 - CBO Sole Survivor Series: Nordhagen Beach vs Atom
 

NCA #1 Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (79-29) vs SCA #3 Atom Cats (64-44)

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1648989978

Game 4 - Atom 4, Nordhagen Beach 3

Atom Breaks Through for First Win in Sole Survivor Series; Now Trails 3-1

Already down in the Sole Survivor Series, the Atom Cats put on their best show, beating the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys by a final score of 4-3 today. Beachboy Nut was special. He threw 7.0 innings of 5-hit ball. Atom now trails Nordhagen Beach 3-1 in the best-of-7 affair.

The clutch at-bat came in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Atom third baseman Justin Daros, facing Matt Breakball, had a run-scoring walk. It gave the Cats the 4-3 win.

"What a buzz," said Daros after it was over.

The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Coolest Field in Town in Boston.

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...1&d=1649599888

Analysis

It took a blown save, but the Atom Cats can claim that they avoided a sweep in their first trip to the ZSole Survivor Series. The loss for Nordhagen Beach erased a seven-inning gem by Beachboy Nut, allowing one earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts. However, closer Matt Breakball had control issues, leading to the three-run 9th-inning rally by the Cats.

Breakball looked OK when he came on in the bottom of the 8th, allowing a single to Justin Daros before striking out Machete Thompson and Earthbound Bussey and then getting Rabbit Forest to ground out.

However, the 9th looked entirely different. Leading 3-1, Breakball walked Jeremy Schoolboy and Will Ashfire to lead off the inning. Then Jake Doucette hit an RBI double, moving Ashfire to third and cutting the Boys' lead to 3-2. After Breakball intentionally walked Melon Sanderson, Garrett Machine singled with the bases loaded to tie the game at 3-3 with still no outs. Daros had a chance to play hero, but then Breakball missed on four straight pitches, walking in Doucette and ending the game, 4-3.

Heading into the top of the 6th, the game was tied 1-1. Michael Fogcrawler put the Party Boys on the board in the top of the 1st when he doubled in Maxx Murtagh. In the bottom of the 5th, Atom got its only run off Nut when Kareem Caravan led off the inning with a double and then Machine singled him in.

In the 6th, Nordhagen Beach looked to take control of the game. After Deedee Martinson, who only game up one run as a starter in 5.0 innings pitched, left for Mike Waterdrinker, the Boys' offense looked to wake up. With one out, Jonathan Angelou doubled. Waterdrinker then intentionally walked Fogcrawler, but Brian Masterson doubled to score Angelou and move Fogcrawler to third. Waterdrinker intentionally walked Mike Swift, but threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded to score Fogcrawler. Waterdrinker was then able to escape the bottom of the order with no further damage after both Jon Hitman and Nut flew out. Waterdrinker intentionally walked three batters in the inning, but the Boys only managed two runs.

Despite not getting a decision, and his team ultimately losing, Nut looks as though he could be in the lead for the Series MVP. In 14.0 innings pitched, Nut has allowed just two earned runs and 10 hits and has struck out 18. While he struggled with walks (4) in Game 1, he did not walk a single Cat in Game 4. If he has any competition, it may be Fogcrawler, who is 7 for 14 in the series. A big game in Game 5 could tip the scales in his direction.

For now, the Atom Cats get to live on for another day and get one more chance at The Coolest Field in Town to make some noise. They have to face Tommy Beach again, but if they can find a way to rattle him, they could find the opening they need to top their high in this series of four runs.

For the Boys, if Beach outpitches Scruffy Taguchi, then it is guaranteed to be series over. We expect a low-scoring affair, but we also expect the Party Boys to pull out this game, and if not, Game 6 would end it. We do not expect the Cats to come back from a 3-0 deficit despite their comeback win today.