THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, June 25, 2055

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Islandian Pro Alliance Midseason Batting and Pitching Leaderboards

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 1, 2055

ONLY 4 GOOD PENNANT RACES IN IPA
Going into the final three weeks of the 2055 IPA regular season, there are only four close division races... two in the Ruthlandian Union and two in the Tycobbian Union... the remaining four have been pretty much decided.

In the Ruthlandian Union the mighty Middlefield Roosters (98-41) have already cinched the RU West and the Wynnamac Sundowners (86-50) are a comfortable 9 games ahead in the RU East... the Roosters have won 8 successive pennants, while the Macs are seeking their 4th straight.

In the other two divisions, the defending champ, Taranto Tars (74-62), are in a tense duel in the RU North with at least 4 other teams... the Tars are 2 games ahead of Valmara (72-64) and Far Mountain (72-54), three up on the Ranford Bulls (71-65) and 4 in front of the LaGrange Sports (70-66).

The RU South is pretty well-bunched, too... the Grand City Cybercats (75-61) have a 2-game edge over last year's division winner, Valka (73-63)... they are 4 games better than third place Waleska (71-65)... and 6 in front of fourth place Crystal Lake (69-67).

Two clubs have safe leads in the Tycobbian Union... current Pro Cup titleholder Midway and Denton City... in the TU East the Wolves (86-50) are far ahead of the High Mesa Mustangs (74-62) and East Point Panthers (74-62)... Midway is seeking its third Pro Cup in a row... the Denton City Redbirds (88-48) are far in front of last year's TU West title winner, the Arlon Champions (79-57).

However, there are a couple of good races... in the TU North, the Oxford Red Caps (76-60) are up by just 2 games on last year's pennant winner, the White River Rascals... two clubs are lurking in the distance... Luxora (69-67) and North Hills (68-68) still have a remote chance.

The Turon Typhoons (85-51) were heavily-favored in the TU South and forecast to run away with the division, but they have been unable to shake the scrappy Southport Sun Sox (83-53) and are clinging to a 2-game lead ... third place Arroyo Grande (77-59) is not totally out of it, either, trailing by 6 games.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 22, 2055

SUN SOX BLOW AWAY TYPHOONS FOR TU SOUTH FLAG
21-game winner Zack Phillips of the Southport Sun Sox was marvelous in the Tycobbian South Division playoff game. played at Typhoon Stadium in Turon... he made it a miserable day for the defending division champion Turon Typhoons and hurled the Sun Sox into the the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... Phillips (21-9/3.02) fired a three-hit shutout and blanked Turon 6-0... the Sun Sox backed him up with four double plays and timely hitting... a four-run 3rd inning pretty much decided the game... Bobby Reimer (9-4/3.30) took the loss, tapped for four runs and four hits in his three frames... this is Southport's first pennant in 5 years... Turon had won the last three in a row.

Southport played super ball down the stretch in September, going 16-3, while Turon turned a strong 13-6 mark... the Typhoons were the preseason favorite to take the TU South crown for the second year in a row, while the Sun Sox were picked a distant third... Turon was expected to run away with the division, but it didn't happen... the Sun Sox stayed close and finally won it at the end.

RASCALS RIP RED CAPS FOR TU NORTH TITLE
After deadlocking for first place in the Tycobbian North at the end of the regular season, White River and Oxford met in a single-game playoff for all the marbles at Winchester Park in Oxford... White River's Fred Kraft jumped on Oxford starter R. C. Russell (8-11/4.09) for a three-run first-inning homer and the Rascals were off and running to their second successive Tycobbian North Division flag... and Rascal starter Cody Butler (13-6/3.18) pitched his best game of the season, blanking the Red Caps on five singles in his eight innings... closer Butch Slattery wrapped up the win and the pennant with a runless 9th... White River has won the division six times in the last eight years... but it was really a challenge this season... the Rascals also had to fight off the fast-closing Luxora Zorros, which came in a very close third, just a game and a half out of first place.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 22, 2055

FANTASTIC FINISH TO IPA
The Islandian Pro Alliance had an exciting finish to the regular season... for the most part the juggernauts maintained their power... as expected Middlefield and Wynnamac defended their division titles in the Ruthlandian Union... Midway, White River and Denton City copped the flags in the Tycobbian Union... current Pro Cup titleholder Midway will be seeking the very rare three-peat... winning three Pro Cups in a row... it's been done only one time in IPA history when the Far Mountain Redhawks chalked up three Pro Cup trophies in succession in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The surprise teams of the year were the Far Mountain Redhawks, Grand City Cybercats and the Southport Sun Sox... the Redhawks were forecast for fifth place in the Ruthlandian North, the Cybercats were ranked no better than a distant third in the Ruthlandian East, while the Sun Sox were picked to finish third in the Tycobbian South far, far behind powerhouse Turon, which was supposed to make shambles of the race again this year.

In the Ruthlandian Union, Far Mountain (85-69) captured a tight 6-team battle, nipping the Valmara Vipers (82-72) and the defending division winner Taranto Tars (82-72) by three games... the Redhawks wrapped up the flag with a good strong September run of 13-5, while the main contenders, the Vipers went 10-8 and the Tars slipped to 8-10.

Pretty much the entire season Grand City also had to duel with six clubs to haul in the Ruthlandian South pennant... the Cybercats (85-69) bested preseason favorite Waleska (82-72) by 3 games, last year's winner Valka (81-73) by 4 and fourth place Crystal Lake (80-74) by 5 games... the RU South is one of the weaker divisions in the IPA... the contending clubs played fairly well at season's end... Grand City was 10-8 in the final weeks, Waleska 11-7, Valka 8-10 and Crystal Lake closed at 11-7.

For the fourth straight year the Wynnamac Sundowners claimed the Ruthlandian East crown... the Macs (96-58) won in easy fashion by 11 games over the second place Marston Nine (85-69) and the Belle Plaine Musketeers (85-69)... the Muskies made it tough on the Sundowners until midyear... Belle Plaine led them by 2 games at the All-Star Game, but they faded in the second half.

As usual this season the Ruthlandian West belonged to potent Middlefield (105-49)... the Roosters romped to their 7th consecutive division flag by a whopping 21 games over runner-up Sligo (84-70), bested third place Stoner (83-71) by 22 games and fourth place Forest City (76-78) by 29... Middlefield won 100 games for the third time in four seasons... they only won 99 in '53... the Roosters do have one Pro Cup to show off in the last four years... they won it in 2052... Middlefield will again be picked to be one of the major teams in the postseason... getting by Wynnamac in the first round just might be a problem... the Macs always seem to give the Roosters postseason problems.

In the Tycobbian North Division the White River Rascals have reigned supreme with 6 pennants in the last 8 seasons... they won it for the second year in a row, but it was quite a task and a tense down-to-the-wire battle... the Rascals (83-72) fought the spunky second place Oxford Red Caps (82-72) all season long and then the Luxora Zorros (81-73) joined the fray in the final days of the season and came in a very close third... the Rascals led them by 7 and 11 games respectively at midseason, but it got a whole lot tighter in the second half... White River and Oxford ended up tied for the top spot at the end of the season and had to play a single-game playoff... the Rascals were victorious 6-0 and they will head to the Pro Cup playoffs for the second straight year... the Zorros fell a game and a half short of the division crown.

The pennant race in the Tycobbian South was a thriller... Southport (99-56) came on strong at the end to edge out heavily-favored Turon (98-57) by a scant game... the Sun Sox shut them out 6-0 in the single-game playoff... the third-place club, the Arroyo Grande Suns (89-65), put up a challenge until the All-Star Game, just a game out of first place... but they couldn't keep pace in the second half, winding up 9 and a half games back of the top two leaders... Turon won the division flag the previous three seasons.

The Midway Wolves (98-56) have been King of the Hill in the Islandian Pro Alliance for the past couple of seasons, posting 100 and 107 wins and copping the coveted Pro Cup the past two years... this year's stats show the Wolves have slipped some on the mound, but they still feasted on the Tycobbian East teams, chewing up the second place East Point Panthers by 13 games, the third place High Mesa Mustangs by 15 and the fourth place Hillsboro Blazers by 22... those three squads stayed in the chase until July, trailing by 3, 4 and 6 games... and then fell out of the running by double-digit numbers.

The Denton City Redbirds (99-55) logged the best mark in the Tycobbian Union in 2055... they was just a tare better than the Southport Sun Sox (99-56)... it took a extra playoff win for the Sun Sox to equal the Redbirds in victories... Denton City got some revenge for a disappointing second-place finish a year ago to the Arlon Champions... DC won 98 games but still fell one game short of the Tycobbian West title... the preseason poll just slightly favored Arlon this year, but the Redbirds whipped them by 8 games... no one put much pressure on Denton City this season... the Champions (91-83) came in second, Kenwood (82-72) wound up 17 games behind and Rolling Hills (79-75) finished fourth, 20 games out.

Final 2055 Ruthlandian Union Batting and Pitching Leaderboards
Thursday, September 22, 2055

TOP STATS LEADERS IN RU
The Islandian Pro Alliance announced all the Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union statistical leaders for the year 2055.

Young 23-year-old first baseman Enos Benham of the Wynnamac Sundowners captured his second straight Ruthlandian batting title, edging out third baseman Steven Hornblower of the Fort Benton Defenders by two points, .354 to .352... the power leader was outfielder Lenny Buisson of the Taranto Tars with 32 homers... Buisson has topped the league four times in his career ( '48, '52, '53)... outfielder Trip Agarn of the Middlefield Roosters took two categories, driving in 125 runs and scoring 105... leading in stolen bases was outfielder Teddy Keyes of Fort Benton.

On the mound James Long of Middlefield was the most prolific winner with a 25-8 mark... he also posted the most wins in 2052... Ralph Hawk of Ranford has the best ERA at 2.20, his third ERA title, winning also in '49 and '51... Fort Benton's Zeke Yoder stuck out 257 batters... this was his first title after coming in second the previous two seasons... in saves Sid Edwards of Far Mountains was the top reliefman with 34.

Final 2055 Tycobbian Union Batting and Pitching Leaderboards
Thursday, September 22, 2055

VALE AND HEDGES HEADLINE TU TOP LEADERS
In the Tycobbian Union, the top batter was Daryl Vale of Midway with a .350 BA... Vale is a first-time winner... the best home-run hitter was second baseman Jaybird Ethridge of the Cape Coral Hurricanes with 44... he's a two-time leader, also won last year... Ethridge also topped the league and the IPA with 139 RBIs... also drove in the most runs in 2054... Vale also scored the most runs in the TU with 118... the best thief in the TU was rookie Jason Meeks of White River with 46 SBs.

The top Tycobbian twirlers were Yancey Hedges of Turon with 26 wins and only four losses... Jayson Mannon of Denton City recorded the lowest ERA at 2.06... for the fifth time in his career Matty Bell of San Alejo was the strikeout king with 248 Ks... the best closer was Burnell Kelley of Denton City with 38 saves... this was his second saves crown... he also won last year.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 22, 2055

GET READY FOR SOME BASEBALL !!!
It's the most wonderful time of the year in the Islands... PLAYOFF TIME... the 64 IPA teams have been pared down to the best eight in the divisional battles and now it's survival of the fittest... only one team will survive and in several weeks they will be crowned the Islandian Pro Alliance champion and will receive the most important award of the year in Islandia -- the honored and revered IPA Pro Cup trophy... the IPA postseason playoffs will begin Friday afternoon at four sites across the Islands... in the Tycobbian Union, the Pro Cup winner for the past two years, the Midway Wolves, will be on the road, opening up against the Redbirds in Denton City for the first two games... in the other match-up the White River Rascals are headed out-of-town and will be hosted by the Southport Sun Sox... in Ruthlandian Union action, the Middlefield Roosters will be entertaining the Wynnamac Sundowners and the Grand City Cybercats will travel to play the Far Mountain Redhawks... all series throughout the playoffs will be best-of-seven with the homefield advantage going to the team with the best season record.

In the first round, the Divisional Championship Series will pair up four of the most powerful and highly-touted teams... the team with the best record Middlefield (105-49) has to go up against its arch-rival Wynnamac (96-58) in the Ruthlandian Union and Midway (98-56) must tangle with Denton City (99-55), which posted the best record in the Tycobbian Union... chances are the IPA overall titlewinner will come from this elite group... the Southport Sun Sox (99-56) just might have a say in it, too... but they open against a lesser-regarded opponent, the White River Rascals (83-72).

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 23, 2055

ROOSTERS TOP PICK IN PRO CUP PLAYOFFS
What are the keys for winning a Pro Cup trophy?.. what are the key elements needed to take the IPA title?... one thing for sure, the sportswriters don't seem to have a clue... don't think they have found the secret ingredients yet... they have picked the Pro Cup champion only three times in the past 11 seasons.

Should the Pro Cup favorite be the team that piles up the most victories during the regular season?... that would make the most sense until you research it... only 10 times in 54 years has the team with the best-season record won the Pro Cup... naw, there's got to be a better way... maybe team statistics will reveal this hard-to-find secret to all of us fans?.. or better yet, could the team power ratings be a more accurate predictor?

Having pointed a few of those possibilities out to our readers, once again, The Islandian Times is proud to present its annual Pro Cup poll for this year... later on, I may just use my own intuition and gut feeling, combined with a few facts and see what I come up with... here is what our enlightened and knowledgeable sportswriters and broadcasters from each of the 64 towns have decided will happen in the 2055 IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

The Islandian Times Pro Cup Predictions:

1. MIDDLEFIELD ROOSTERS (105-49)
Batting: .275 BA (6th), 857 runs (1st), 179 HR (2nd), .364 OBP (1st), 52 SB (32nd)
Pitching: 3.63 ERA (14th), 178 HRA (32nd)
Fielding: .977 FA (1st)
Top Hitters: All-Star LF Trip Agarn (142 G/.310 BA/31 HR/125 RBI/105 R/10 SB), All-Star SS Stan Radzikowski (143 G/.276 BA/30 HR/124 RBI/83 R/4 SB), CF Johnny Wyatt (121 G/.290 BA/22 HR/71 RBI/64 R/7 SB), 1B Natty Colclough (148 G/29 HR/68 RBI/89 R/0 SB), 3B Donnie Hix (131 G/.294 BA/14 HR/65 RBI/93 R/2 SB), All-Star RF Skyler Hanson (133 G/.316 BA/4 HR/49 RBI/103 R/6 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star James Long (25-8/2.98), All-Star Hollis Dale (24-11/3.52), Scott Cole (18-14/4.09), Johnny Tanner (16-7/3.64), Yazzy Yastrzewski (4-3/2.40/27 saves/41 G), Norm Coventry (7-2/2.95/2 saves/37 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: Lots of fine teams playing this year... it will be tough in each round with 5 standout clubs... the Roosters face Wynnamac and its fine pitching staff in the first round... the Sundowners handled them last year... again Middlefield has been a powerhouse this year with 105 wins and five All-Stars... on paper they have the most talent of any team... however, the Rooster batters will have to produce in the postseason where the pitching is much better... it's been a postseason problem in recent years for the Roosters... Middlefield pitching is suspect again this year, too... but they will have the homefield advantage throughout the postseason playoffs... still Middlefield is the class of the IPA according to the media and are predicted to win another IPA title, their third... well, we'll see.

2. DENTON CITY REDBIRDS (99-55)
Batting: .266 BA (11th), 744 R (9th), 134 HR (18th-tied), .332 OBP (10th), 138 SB (3rd)
Pitching: 2.86 ERA (1st), 92 HRA (1st-tied)
Fielding: .972 FA (15th)

Top Hitters: All-Star SS Vincent McCloud (143 G/.328 BA/20 HR/95 RBI/105 R/22 SB), RF Tristan Redgrave (118 G/.315 BA/18 HR/78 RBI/71 R/15 SB), CF Snooky Lark (143 G/.261 BA/10 HR/50 RBI/106 R/36 SB), 1B Val Anniston (139 G/.257 BA/23 HR/94 RBI/70 R/0 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Flash Stringfellow (24-11/2.92), All-Star Jayson Manning (20-12/2.06), Johnny Wingate (19-9/2.57), All-Star Randall Neighbors (17-8/3.22), Bernell Kelley (3-4/1.32 ERA/38 saves/55 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: DC Redbirds are a well-balanced club with strong pitching, best in the IPA, and a pretty good offensive club, too, but short on power... good speed... four solid starters, three of them on the All-Star team and a really good closer... should do quite well in the postseason... but they will be severely tested in the opening round of action... the Redbirds tangle with reigning Pro Cup champion Midway... luckily, Denton City has the homefield advantage in the seven-game series... the winner of the series has a good chance of being the 2055 Pro Cup champion.

3. SOUTHPORT SUN SOX (99-56)
Batting: .258 BA (22nd)/719 R (17th)/141 HR (14th)/.320 OBP (21st)/138 SB (3rd)
Pitching: 3.01 ERA (2nd)/109 HRA (4th-tied)
Fielding: .978 FA (2nd)

Top Hitters: 2B Buzzy McGinnis (143 G/.313 BA/17 HR/65 RBI/113 R/27 SB), LF Manuelo Garcia (133 G/.301 BA/22 HR/96 RBI/83 R/7 SB), 1B Zee Graham (125 G/.316 BA/25 HR/96 RBI/73 R/0 SB), 3B Kenny Urban (146 G/.270 BA/12 HR/60 RBI/80 R/13 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Champ Shafer (23-12/2.59 ERA), Zack Phillips (21-0/3.02), Jordy Wales (16-6/2.60), Irv Carwel(16-11/3.74), Troy Hill (5-3/1.54 ERA/27 saves/42 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: Sun Sox pitching gives them a chance in each series... second-best staff to Denton City... should Southport pitching not be up to par, the Sun Sox may not have the offense to whip the better-hitting clubs.

4. MIDWAY WOLVES (98-56)
Batting: .279 BA (1st)/794 HR (4th)/181 HR (6th)/.343 OBP (6th)/113 SB (11th)
Pitching: 3.43 ERA (7th)/123 HRA (9th)
Fielding: .978 (2nd)

Top Hitters: All-Star RF Daryl Vale (141 G/.350 BA/28 HR/102 RBI/118 R/28 SB), All-Star LF Norishige Ito (147 G/.340 BA/42 HR/129 RBI/108 R/16 SB), 1B Ted Merritt (154 G/.251 BA/22 HR/87 RBI?103 R/13 SB), SS Kax Clark (.147 G/.289 BA/8 HR/57 RBI/93 R/15 SB), 2B Tom Goodnight (149 G/319 BA/9 HR/69 RBI/72 R/0 SB), CF Ernest Diaz (119 G/.267 BA/12 HR/48 RBI/70 R/30 SB)

Top Pitchers: Rob Land (21-4/2.73 ERA), Arnie McGill (19-10/3.14 ERA), Charlie Chase (19-12/4.05 ERA), Jeffrey Leonard (9-3/1.76 ERA/1 save/37 G), Rocket Rhodes (6-3/1.59 ERA/25 saves/47 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: best thing Midway has going for it... they have won two Pro Cups in a row and are looking for a three-peat... they know how to win it and they have the talent to do it... top-notched offense and solid pitching... another very well-balanced club with all the keys to win... the Wolves will not get a break in the playoffs... they start with Denton City, a club that holds the homefield advantage in the opening round matchup... and they will have to whip three very good clubs to win their third straight Pro Cup trophy... that's a tall order for anybody... Midway may be better than the last year... Charlie Chase, one of their aces, missed the playoffs last year with an injury... and journeyman reliever, Rob Land, suddenly had a phenomenal year at age 35, going 21-4 with a 2.73 ERA... the Wolves are super-loaded on the mound.

5. WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS (96-58)
Batting: .277 BA (5th)/726 R (6th)/105 HR (26th)/.342 OBP (5th)
Pitching: 3.24 ERA (4th)/94 HRA (3rd)
Fielding: .973 (15th)

Top Hitters: 1B Enos Benham (125 G/.354 BA/10 HR/63 RBI/59 R/2 SB), SS Whiz Ivie (145 G/.293 BA/3 HR/79 RBI/71 R/17 SB), 3B Jason Meeks (135 G/.310 BA/2 HR/49 RBI/78 R/8 SB), 2B Phil McLemore (147 G/.262 BA/13 HR/72 RBI/93 R/11 SB), CF Claude Garman (131 G/.255 BA/17 HR/40 RBI/78 R/21 SB), C Jethro Bibbs (98 G/.305 BA/5 HR/53 RBI/43 R/0 SB), RF Charley Bristol (135 G/.291 BA/6 HR/51 RBI/50 R/4 SB)

Top Pitchers: Sammy Hayes (23-10/2.22 ERA), George Medworth (15-5/2.88 ERA/4 saves/38 G), Dion Delgiorno (15-12/3.62 ERA), James Duncan (12-4/3.87 ERA/1 save/37 G), Tike Collazo (5-5/1.48 ERA/32 saves/57 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: above-average and experienced staff and fairly good offense makes the Macs a troublesome team in the playoffs... lack of power is their shortcoming... the Sundowners still play tough against powerhouses like Middlefield... they made the Pro Cup Finals last year, but were swept by Midway in four games.

6. FAR MOUNTAIN REDHAWKS (85-69)
Batting: .260 BA (24th)/689 R (14th)/128 HR (11th)/.325 OBP (15th)/75 SB (16th)
Pitching: .3.12 ERA (1st)/101 HRA (5th)
Fielding: .970 FA (21st)

Top Hitters: CF Ox Gless (147 G/.291 BA/25 HR/85 RBI/92 R/22 SB), 2B Mylon Towner (117 G/290 BA/12 HR/69 RBI/64 R/12 SB), C Fernando Gonzales (135 G/.272 BA/14 HR/71 RBI/61 R/0 SB), LF Frankie Neill (118 G/.242 BA/27 HR/73 RBI/59 R/13 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Benny Van (18-15/2.77 ERA), Eldon Bittner (20-13/3.58 ERA), Ryan Kolb (15-14/3.13 ERA), Stan Smith (13-14/3.66 ERA), Sid Michaels (4-5/2.98 ERA/36 saves/50 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: Far Mountain is not a serious contender for Pro Cup trophy... lacks offense and defense... pitchers are good though... got a break in the schedule... plays another lightweight Grand City in first-round play... could reach the Ruthlandian Union title series.

7. GRAND CITY CYBERCATS ((85-69)
Batting: .270 BA (9th)/712 R (9th-tied)/100 HR (23rd)/.338 OBP (6th)/99 SB (9th)
Pitching: 3.52 ERA (10th)/137 (23rd-tied)
Fielding: .970 FA (21st)

Top Hitters: 1B Vince Kinston (128 G/.310 BA/24 HR/74 RBI/63 R/2 SB), 2B Zane Faulkner (141 G/.292 BA/2 HR/49 RBI/60 R/0 SB), 3B Scott McIntyre (127 G/.290 BA/10 HR/60 RBI/61 R/6 SB), LF Dave Durocher (147 G/.269 BA/18 HR/70 RBI/75 R/10 SB), CF Ronald Parrish (143 G/.263 BA/12 HR/70 RBI/81 R/29 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Zac Borden (22-10/2.45 ERA), Jozef Chojnaki (13-9/2.88 ERA/4 saves/41 G), Joel Eaton (13-17/3.55 ERA/1 save/38 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: Grand City isn't likely to do well... fair offense with no power... two solid starters... two more quality hurlers... pretty good rotation... but no bullpen.... got a break in the schedule... opens with another lightly-regarded team, Far Mountain... one of them will make the Ruthlandian title game.

8. White River Rascals (83-72)
Batting: .245 BA (29th)/684 R (24th)/126 HR (21st)/.312 OBP (29th)/132 SB (6th)
Pitching: 3.33 ERA (5th)/200 HR (31st)
Fielding: .974 FA (11th)

Top Hitters: All-Star LF Pudge Tate (148 G/.309 BA/31 HR/98 RBI/109 R/20 SB), 1B Fred Kraft (150 G/.267 BA/26 HR/99 RBI/80 R/8 SB), 3B Kenny Yarbrough (137 G/.263 BA/13 HR/65 RBI/79 R/23 SB), RF Junior Sardini (144 G/.248 BA/2 HR/41 RBI/97 R/46 SB)

Top Pitchers: Keil Trickett (18-14/3.04 ERA), Nicky Palmer (17-12/3.39 ERA), Cody Butler (13-6/3.16 ERA/2 saves/33 G), Ronald Doss (10-12/3.46 ERA/2 saves/41 G)

Pro Cup Outlook: White River has a poor offense, but has a solid staff... won't go far in the postseason... but could test Southport in opening round, especially if the offense can score a few runs.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 23, 2055

PRO CUP PLAYOFF BEGIN TOMORROW
Crunch time is here!
The IPA Pro Cup playoffs start tomorrow all across Islandia and they begin with a big bang... in the Tycobbian Union reigning champion Midway will be seeking its third straight Pro Cup trophy... but right off the bat, they run into a hornets' nest... the Denton City Redbirds... it will be two of the elite powers tangling with each other in the very first round of play... there is also a great matchup in the Ruthlandian Union with this year's Pro Cup favorite Middlefield tussling with highly-regarded Wynnamac... any one of these four clubs could claim this year's IPA title... these two clashes are the main attractions tomorrow afternoon... only one of the other four playoff hopefuls is expected to be a factor in the postseason playoffs... pitching-heavy Southport has an easier assignment in the opening round as they host the light-hitting White River Rascals... the last two squads got very little support from the baseball gurus and are not expect to challenge in the Ruthlandian Union... Grand City and Far Mountain are considered much inferior to the Ruthlandian juggernauts, the Middlefield Roosters and Wynnamac Sundowners.

The Midway-Denton City series could go either way... it's that close... the homefield advantage just might be the difference and the Redbirds have it... the pitching corps are just about equal... but the Wolves just might have the edge offensively... and definitely Midway plays better defense... the Wolves also play very well on the road... it looks like the series will go seven games... and it's just too close to call... the experts are saying Denton City in seven... I'm going to say Midway has won it all the last two years... the Wolves should be good enough to squeak by the Redbirds.

Last year in the Ruthlandian Union, Wynnamac upset the Pro Cup-favored Middlefield Roosters in six games and went on to the Pro Cup Finals where they were swept by the Midway Wolves... the Macs might have a little better pitching than Roosters... if they shut down the Middlefield power hitters again this year, they can win... that's the question... in 2053 the Roosters won the Pro Cup and they did it with home-run power... that's the key for Middlefield to win... another good seven-game series... the Roosters will rule the roost this year in the Ruthlandian Union... I don't think they are good enough to win it all this year... the Tycobbian teams are just too good.

Southport is picked third in the Pro Cup rankings, mainly because of their excellent mound staff... but the Sun Sox have trouble winning in the playoffs because of an inferior offense... White River can't hit a lick... so the Sun Sox should whip them in 6 games... but it won't be easy... the Rascals have a solid pitching staff, too.

Nobody expects the Grand City Cybercats or the Far Mountain Redhawks to go far in the Pro Cup playoffs... they are the lesser lights in the postseason. along with White River... luckily they play each other in the opening round and one of them will get to the Ruthlandian title game... but no further... neither team can hold a light to Middlefield or Wynnamac... the Redhawks get the nod here... they do have pretty good pitching... give it to them in six games.

Well, that's how the 2055 IPA Pro Cup playoffs looks on paper... now let's see what happens in real life... and on the diamonds.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, September 24, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 1

ROOSTERS DESTROY MACS IN OPENER
The Middlefield Roosters are favored to capture the 2055 Pro Cup and they played like it in the opening game of the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series with Wynnamac... the Roosters destroyed the Sundowners 10-4... it was no semblance of a contest... eight runs in the first three frames says it all... SS Stan Radzikowski and CF Johnny Wyatt hammered in three runs apiece and 3B Donnie Hix added two more in the rout... on the hill 25-game winner James Long had it in cruise control, struck out an IPA playoff record-tying 14 batters and went the distance... 23-game winner Sammy Hayes never had a chance... he was gone after two innings, leaving with the score already 6-0.

NEILL'S HR WINS IT FOR REDHAWKS IN 15TH
Game one of the Ruthlandian Union DCS at Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain was a 15-inning humdinger finally decided by LF Frankie Neill's two-run roundtripper that gave the hometown Redhawks a 4-2 triumph... five pitchers held off the Grand City Cybercats with victory going to 35-year-old Jack McKinney (1-0), who worked the top of the 15th... all the hurlers stood out, even loser Arnie McConnell (0-1), who struck out five in his four frames... both starters excelled... Cybercat Zak Borden went the first 10 innings, holding Far Mountain to just three hits and two scores... Far Mountain's Benny Van tossed into the 9th and allowed only two runs on six hits... Grand City outhit Far Mountain 11 to 8.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 1

MIDDIES NIPS REDBIRDS IN 1ST GAME
Baseball doesn't get any better than the first game of the Tycobbian DCS between the current Pro Cup titleholder Midway Wolves and the potent challenger Denton City Redbirds... they toughed it out at Douglas Denton Field going toe-to-toe and fighting tooth-and-nail... when the dust cleared from the diamond, Midway had nipped the Redbirds 2-1 behind the standout pitching of Arnie McGill (1-0) and closer Rocket Rhodes... SS Kax Clark singled in the tying run in the top of the 5th and RF Daryl Vale walked with the bases loaded for the winning run.... 19-game winner McGill shackled Denton City on one run and four hits in his eight innings... super closer Rocket Rhodes finished up with a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the verdict... the Redbirds also got fine pitching from 20-game winner Jayson Mannon (0-1), who worked the first eight frames, yielding only a couple of runs on eight hits in a losing effort... the Rascals got their run in the opening inning on a walk to CF Snooky Lark combined with a single by LF Harlow Catlow, a fielder's choice and a wild pitch.

SUN SOX SHINE IN GAME 1, EDGE RASCALS IN 17TH
Game one of the Tycobbian Division Championship Series at Pleasure Beach Park in Southport was exactly what was expected... fine pitching and a low-scoring game... Southport escaped with a narrow 2-1 triumph, but it took them 17 innings to subdue the White River Rascals... with two away and runners on the corners LF Manuelo Garcia beat out an infield hit that plated the game-winning run... Southport used five hurlers and held the Rascals to just five hits with the victory going to one of the Sun Sox starters, Lenny Clarkson (1-0), who shut out White River over the final three frames... the Rascals used three pitchers with the defeat going to Ronald Doss (0-1)... he chunked five and two-thirds innings was touched for three hits and the decisive score... both clubs struggled offensively... Southport got nine hits, while White River got only five.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 25, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 2

MACS EVEN SERIES WITH ROOSTERS AT 1-1
After being pounded 10-4 in game one of the RU Division Championship Series, Wynnamac got its solid pitching back in game two and evened it up with the Middlefield Roosters at one game apiece in the best-of-seven affair... the Macs skimmed by 4-3 in 10 innings, getting the winning score on three back-to-back singles by SS Whiz Ivie (.333), 1B Enos Benham (.333) and LF Marv Washburn (.375/4 RBI)... Washburn and RF Manny Sendejas (.222/3 RBI) both plated two runs apiece... Sendejas homered in the third inning... Middlefield LF Trip Agarn (.444/1 RBI) slammed one for the Roosters in opening frame... Tike Collazo (1-0) picked up the win with three runless innings, while Yazzy Yastrzemski (0-1) took the loss... both clubs collected 10 hits each... games three, four and five are scheduled for Granger Field in Wynnamac.

IN A ROUT C'CATS TIE REDHAWKS AFTER 2 GAMES
Trailing 2-0 after four innings of play, visiting Grand City went on a scoring spree and routed the Far Mountain Redhawks 9-2 in the second game of the Ruthlandian DCS... each team has won one game... C Roger Mize (.400) banged in four runs with three hits to led the Cybercats... Grand City got a fine outing from Jozef Chojnaki (1-0), who tossed a complete game, permitting just three hits with three walks and five Ks... Ryan Kolb (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs in seven-plus innings... the two clubs will now travel to Synergy Park in Grand City for the next three games.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 2

MERRITT'S HR IN 13TH PUTS MIDWAY UP 2-0
For the second straight day at Douglas Denton Field, the reigning Pro Cup champ Midway pulled out all stops and nipped the Denton City Redbirds in extra innings 4-2 on 1B Ted Merritt's (.300/2 RBI) two-run homer in the top of the 13th... the nailbiter gave the Wolves a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven series against the slightly-favored Redbirds... closer Rocket Rhodes (1-0/1.59/2 G) recorded the win, but got in hot water in the last inning... Rhodes put the tying runs on base with two outs and needed help... he was in his fifth inning of relief and he got it from Doogie Higgins, who got the final out for the save... Rhodes worked four and two-thirds innings, surrendering one run on four hits... the Wolves won despite being outhit 11 to 7... Midway returns home to Joe Wolf Stadium with a two-game lead in the series... the Wolves are seeking their third Pro Cup trophy in a row... they also won the IPA title in 2053 and 2054.

RASCALS KNOT SERIES 1-1 BEHIND PALMER
On the road in Southport, the White River Rascals socked 14 hits and backed up Nicky Palmer's pretty good pitching for a rather easy 8-2 triumph over the Sun Sox at Pleasure Beach Park to knot the best-of-seven series at one game each... CF Elton Bellfort (.800/3 RBI) rapped four hits and batted in three runs to spark the Rascals... RF Junior Sardini (.273/2 RBI) and SS Joey Rutigliano (.111/2 RBI) both chimed in with two RBIs each... Palmer weakened in the 9th and needed help from Butch Slattery... Palmer, a 36-year-old playoff vet, was touched for 11 hits in his eight frames, but limited Southport to three runs on roundtrippers by C Cleveland Sledge (.417/2 RBI) and LF Manuelo Garcia (.462/3 RBI)... the series now shifts to White River Stadium for the next three contests.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, September 26, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 3

WYATT WIPES OUT WYNNAMAC WITH 2 HRS
Wynnamac looked like a winner at Granger Field in game three of the RU Division Championship Series after Manny Sendejas put them up 6-5 on his two-run homer in the last of the 8th... but then Middlefield slugger Johnny Wyatt (.417/8 RBI) took charge with a 9th-inning clout that tied the game and then he won it in the 10th when he slammed a two-run shot to whip Wynnamac 8-6 to go ahead two games to one in the best-of-seven series... Wyatt had three hits and batted in four runs for the day... so far in the series Wyatt has driven in eight runs... the Roosters got a good relief job from Yazzy Yastrzemski (1-1/3.00/1 save), who got the win with two shutout innings... it was a day of redemption for Yastrzemski, the losing hurler in game two... Middlefield outhit the Macs 10 to 9... the Sundowners were sparked by homers by RF Manny Sendejas (.231/5 RBI) and Phil McLemore (.167/1 RBI).

GRAND CITY GRAB 2-1 SERIES LEAD IN GAME 3
For the second straight afternoon Grand City easily downed the Far Mountain Redhawks to grab a 2-1 edge in the series... in game three at home at Syntergy Park, the Cybercats got another impressive complete game... this time from 36-year-old veteran Joel Eaton, who slammed the door on the Redhawk bats 7-1, setting them down on six hits with five strikeouts and two bases on balls... 1B Vince Kinston (.231/3 RBI) led the winners with three RBIs, slamming a two-run homer and an RBI single... the C'Cats got nine hits in all.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 3

MIDWAY MAULS DC, WINS 3RD IN A ROW
What a nightmare for the poor Denton City Redbirds... how would you like to have a 7-1 in the 4th inning and then get mauled 16-8... the current Pro Cup champ Midway Wolves really roared back to demolish Denton City in the third game of the Tycobbian DCS... the Wolves have captured all three games in the series and could sweep it at home at Joe Wolf Stadium... it was the big bats that carried the day for the Wolves... they rocked the Redbirds for 16 hits, including three longballs, one each by 3B Jamey Southwick (.308/3 RBI), RF Daryl Vale (.083/4 RBI) and 1B Ted Merritt (.357/5 RBI)... the Redbirds got 12 hits, but were totally outgunned in the late innings.

RASCALS TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD OVER SUN SOX
Game three at White River Stadium was another nip-and-tuck extra-inning pitching duel... this time it went to White River 2-1 in 12 innings and put the Rascals up two games to one in the series... 2B Mark Gates (.111/1 RBI) got the winning score in with a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded... 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.067) tagged up at third base and scampered in with the game-winner... Glen Horton, the third Rascal pitcher, posted the victory with a perfect 1-2-3 inning... the defeat went to Troy Hill (0-1/0.00/2 G), who gave up one unearned run in two innings... both clubs got sparkling work out of the starters... Rascal right-hander Cody Butler tossed 10 strong frames, yielding only one run on seven hits, while fanning eight Sun Sox and walking two... Southport starter Zack Phillips was a dandy, too, firing nine sharp innings, holding the Rascals to just four hits with no walks and three Ks... there were two roundtrippers in the game... LF Manuelo Garcia (.444/4 RBI) hit one in the opening inning for the Sun Sox and LF Pudge Tate (.286/1 RBI) matched it for the Rascals in the fourth frame.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 27, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 4

MACS EVEN SERIES AT 2, DELGIORNO WINNER
At home at Granger Field in Wynnamac, the scrappy Sundowners got a valiant effort on the mound from southpaw Don Delgiorno to even up the Ruthlandian Union first-round series at two games apiece... Delgiorno (1-0/1.04) shut down the heavy-hitting Middlefield Roosters 5-1 with the support of 12 hits... Delgiorno was pelted for 10 hits, but was helped out by three double plays... he walked two batters and fanned seven... offensively RF Manny Sendejas (.294/7 RBI) and LF Marv Washburn (.353/6 RBI) had two ribbies each... Sendejas got one of them with a solo homer in the 5th... it was his third of the series... he has also drivein in seven runs so far... Scott Cole (0-1/2.57) lost it, but he only gave up two earned runs in seven innings... the Roosters played sloppy defense with three errors behind him... the fifth game of the series will also be in Wynnamac... Middlefield, the Pro Cup favorite, has the homefield advantage... the sixth and seventh games are scheduled to be played there.

REDHAWKS 4 HRS TOP C'CATS, SERIED TIED AT 2-2
In Ruthlandian playoff action Far Mountain flexed its muscles with four roundtrippers to win game four 8-4 and tie the series with Grand City at two games each... SS Carl Allardyce (.455/4 RBI) walloped an inside-the-park grand slam in the 9th to snap a 4-4 deadlock... Allardyce tied an IPA playoff record with five hits in the game... CF Ox Gless (.211/3 RBI) ripped two out of the park and 3B Luke Hazlett (.200) got the fourth one... all total the Redhawks rapped 12 hits... Grand City got all of their runs on homers with LF Dave Durocher (.214) rapping one in the 1st and C Bobby Champion (.250/3 RBI) cracking a three-run blast in the 7th)... victory went to the third Far Mountain hurler, Sid Michaels (1-0), who retired all six batters in the 8th and 9th... gave five will also be played at Syntergy Park in Grand City... after that the rest of the series will be in Far Mountain.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 4

MIDWAY SWEEPS DC REDBIRDS
Mighty Midway is seeking its third consecutive IPA Pro Cup trophy and it is off-and-running with a critical four-game sweep of the powerful Denton City Redbirds in the Tycobbian Division Championship Series... stangely the baseball gurus rated the Wolves the fourth-best team in the playoffs, ranking Middlefield, Denton City and Southport ahead of them... but they roared through the favored Redbirds in easy fashion, finishing them off 4-0 in game four at Joe Wolf Stadium behind the standout ptiching of Doogie Higgins (1-0), who always pitches his best in the postseason... Higgins blanked Denton City on just five singles, walked none and whiffed five... the 29-year-old left-hander is unbeaten in five postseason starts... Higgins is 4-0 with 1.66 ERA... Midway could manage only six hits... C Bobby Martinez (.357/4 RBI) got them off on the right foot with a two-run smash in the second frame... RF Daryl Vale (.133/5 RBI) and 1B Ted Merritt (.294/6 RBI) drove in the other two scores... the loss went to 19-year-old rookie righty, Rance Hasbrough (0-2/3.00/2 G), who only permitted one earned run on five hits in seven innings... the Middles will now advance to the Tycobbian title round for the third year in a row... they will meet the winner of the Southport-White River series.

SUN SOX SINK RASCALS ON URBAN HOMER
Southport third sacker Kenny Urban (.333/3 RBI) was the man of the moment in the fourth game of the Tycobbian DCS when he smashed a three-run homer in the top of the 7th to spark the Sun Sox to a 5-4 decision over the White River Rascals at White River Stadium... his blow tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece... Southport starter Irv Carwell performed well, holding the Rascals to just two runs in his six innings... only one was earned... however, the verdict went to closer Troy Hill (1-0/0.00/1 save/3 G), who worked the final three innings, but did get rocked for two unearned runs in the 9th before it was over... White River C Wayne Carlton (.583/2 RBI) made it close with a two-run double... Rascal starter Ringo Lanier (0-1/5.40) went into the 7th with a 2-1 lead, but blew it and suffered the defeat... the two clubs will tangle again in White River for game five.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 28, 2054

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 5

MIDDLEFIELD GOES UP 3-2 OVER MACS
Game five of the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series went to Pro Cup favorite Middlefield... a very crucial 5-3 win over tough Wynnamac to give the Roosters a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series... getting past the Sundowners is a mighty big hurdle in Middlefield's quest for another IPA title... Wynnamac upset the Roosters last year in the playoffs... in the top of the 7th CF Johnny Wyatt (.400/12 RBI) lined a two-run single to right to break up a 3-3 tie and give the Roosters a vital victory... Wyatt has been terrific so far and now has 12 RBIs in the postseason playoffs this season ... 35-year-old legendary Rooster right-hander James Long, a 25-game winner this season and the victor of 361 games in his 17 seasons with the club, started poorly in game five, but finished like a champion, shutting out the Macs over the last seven frames... Long (2-0/3.00) was tagged for nine hits, but limited the Sundowners to just two earned runs... he struck out four batters and walked no one in an impressive, pressure-filled performance... Long outpitched Wynnamac ace Sammy Hayes, also age 35 and a 23-game winner this year with 258 victories on his resume... Hayes (0-2/10.80) failed to beat the Roosters for the second time in the series... Middlefield mauled him for five runs in less than seven innings... in game six the Roosters will try to wrap up the series at their home place, Middlefield Stadium... and should the series go to seven games, the finale will also be played there.

REDHAWKS TAKE GAME 5, UP 3-2 OVER C'CATS
In a battle of lightly-regarded Pro Cup challengers, the Far Mountain Redhawks pulled out all stops and came away with a hard-fought 4-2 triimph over underdog Grand City in game five of the Ruthlandian DCS... it took three pitchers to post the win... the Redhawks staff staggered through the game, but got the big outs when they needed them, leaving 13 baserunners stranded... Far Mountain is in the driver's seat in the best-of-seven series with a three games to two edge over the Cybercats... starter Benny Van (1-0/2.30) gritted out six walks in seven innings, but posted the victory, while allowing six hits and two runs... his relief also struggled... Grand City threatened in the 8th and 9th frames, but left a pair of runners on in both innings... the C'Cats failed to come through in the clutch... Grand City starter and losing hurler Zac Borden (0-1/2.65) kept them close, but still yielded four runs and seven hits over seven innings... Borden blanked the Redhawks the first five frames, but he was shelled late in the game... in the top of the 6th Far Mountain scrounged its first run on an error, passed ball and an RBI groundout by CF Ox Gless (.217/5 RBI)... then bowled them over with three more scores in the 8th on a Gless RBI single, sac fly by 3B Luke Hazlett (.167/3 RBI) and SS Carl Allardyce's (.467/5 RBI) run-scoring hit... the Redhawks will try to eliminate the Cybercats at home in Far Mountain... the remaining two contests are slated for Sky High Stadium.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 5

SHAFER SHUTOUT GIVES SUN SOX SERIES LEAD 3-2
Known for its strong pitching, the Southport staff delivered big time in decisive game five of the Tycobbian Division Championship Series... Champ Shafer shut out weak-hitting White River 4-0 to give the Sun Sox a one-game edge in the best-of-seven series... in a very sharp effort, Shafer (1-0/0.56) only surrendered five hits in all, walked one and fanned one... the Sun Sox bats also did their part with three solo homers off loser Keil Trickett (0-1/2.40)... two by 2B Buzzy McGinnis (.304/2 RBI) and one by 1B and cleanup hitter Zee Graham (.261/2 RBI)... Southport, the third-choice to cop the Pro Cup this year after number one Middlefield and second pick Denton City, has the homefield advantage in this series... the rest of the series will be played at Pleasant Beach Park in Southport.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 29, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 6

MACS FORCE GAME 7 WITH ROOSTERS
Thank goodness for a 4-run lead going into the bottom of the 9th in the sixth game of the RU Division Championship Series... that enabled the Wynnamac Sundowners to hang on and edge the Middlefield Roosters 5-4 and force a seventh-and-deciding game between the IPA powerhouses... the Macs had a big lead and almost let it get away when CF Johnny Wyatt (.360/15 RBI) sent a three-run blast soaring out of the ballpark and cut the lead to just a single, solitary run... fortunately Billy Skidmore (0-0/0.00/2 saves/4 G) got the last out of the game, but only after putting the tying run on first base via a base on balls... it was Skidmore's second save of the series and his fourth appearance... the Sundowners got solo homers from Phil McLemore (.273/2 RBI) and RF Manny Sandejas (.320/8 RBI) to lead the way... for Sendejas it was his fourth roundtripper in the series and McLemore's second... starter George Medworth (1-0/3.00) won it and only gave up one run, but wasn't around at the end because of control problems... he walked five in five innings and was replaced by James Duncan, who pitched scoreless ball until Wyatt's bomb in the 9th... Middlefield starter Hollis Dale (0-1/2.77) caught the loss, touched for three runs and three hits in his six frames.

The two clubs will be playing for the whole kit and kaboodle at Middlefield Park Thursday afternoon in the seventh-game finale... the winner will advance to the Ruthlandian League Championship Series... Garan Parula (11-11/3.45) gets the call for Wynnamac, opposed by Middlefield's Johnny Tanner (16-7/3.64)... they are the teams' number three starters... both struggled as third-game starters, which was won by Middlefield 8-6 in 10 innings.

REDHAWKS ADVANCE TO RU FINALS
Winning in the first round of the playoffs wasn't easy for the Far Mountain Redhawks.. they had their hands full with the unheralded Grand City Cybercats, now they will have to move way up in class against the winner of the Middlefield-Wynnamac series in the Ruthlandian Union Finals... to get there the Redhawks nipped Grand City 9-8 in 12 innings to take game six and win the series four games to two... 2B Mylon Towner's (.200/3 RBI) base hit brought home C Fernando Gonzales (.308/5 RBI) from third base with the series' game-winner... both Gonzales and Towner led the Far Mountain 18-hit parade with four hits apiece... Gonzales batted in four runs and Towner chimed in with a pair... Grand City was sparked by LF Dave Durocher (.304/6 RBI) with three hits and three runs batted in, including a double and a homer... and 2B Derek Dowdall (.476/6 RBI) also socked three hits and had three ribbies... the Cybercats kept taking the lead only to lose it on four occasions... Grand City left 22 baserunners on, while Far Mountain stranded 18... there were 35 hits and 20 walks in the hellter-skelter game... the Redhawks used five pitchers and the C'Cats four... very few were effective... Shaun Galan (1-0/0.00/2 G) was the exception... he got the win with a scoreless 12th frame.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 6

RASCALS WIN THRILLER, TIE SERIES 3-3
In a magnificently-played game six at Pleasant Beach Park in Southport, the visiting White River Rascals finally pulled out a 1-0 triumph over the favored Sun Sox to even up the series at 3-all... game seven is on tap this afternoon, again on the Southport home diamond... 36-year-old superstar Nicky Palmer (2-0/1.59) again showed his legendary stuff by spinning a brilliant two-hit masterpiece, winding up with four strikeouts and two bases on balls... his mound rival Jordy Wales (0-2/4.11) was almost his equal, yielding only one run on seven hits, while fanning eight Rascals and giving up no walks... 1B Fred Kraft's (.125/2 RBI) 368-foot clout in the top of the 9th was the only run in the game.

Game seven just might be more of the same with Cody Butler (13-6/3.16) working for visiting White River and Zack Phillips (21-9/3.02) getting the assignment for Southport... they hooked up in a dynamic duel in game three of the series, but didn't get the decisions... the Sun Sox were victorious 2-1 in 12 innings... the victor will move on to the TU Finals and have to defeat the mighty Midway Wolves, who have captured two Pro Cups in a row and are seeking to three-peat... in the first round Midway did away with a strong foe in the Denton City Redhawks, mauling them in an unexpected four-game sweep... Denton City was a slight favorite in the series... the Redbirds were ranked the second-best team in the Pro Cup poll, just behind the number-one pick, the Middlefield Roosters... Southport is rated the third-best challenger and the Wolves came in a surprising fourth in the survey... many think that is a pretty low ranking for such a talented team.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 30, 2055

Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 7

MACS UPSET ROOSTERS AGAIN, WIN SERIES
For the second straight year in the first round of the IPA playoffs, Wynnamac did it!... only ranked fifth in the postseason poll, the Macs again upended the Pro Cup favorite Middlefield Roosters to advance to the RU Finals against the Far Mountain Redhawks... and to get there thay had to beat the Roosters twice on the road... the Macs had to win game six and game seven in Middlefield Park... the Sundowners took game seven 4-1 behind Dion Delgiorno (2-0/1.08) to grab the series four games to three... the 26-year-old portsider stopped the Roosters on just three hits over eight innings... Delgiorno had control lapses, but did the job... he walked five batters and needed help in the 9th from closer Tike Collazo (1-0/1.17/1 save/4 G), who wrapped it up with a perfect inning... three homers paved the way to victory for Wynnamac... 1B Enos Benham (.310/2 RBI) paced Wynnamac with a two-run blast in the first inning... CF Dickie Key (.222/1 RBI) nailed one in the second and LF Marv Washburn (.267/9 RBI) also popped a solo shot in the 4th... the Macs only got six hits, but it was enough to get past the powerful Roosters... Middlefield starter Johnny Tanner (0-1/3.46) worked six frames and gave up all three roundtrippers... RF Trip Agarn (.300) put the only Rooster run on the scoreboard with a home run in the fourth, the only run off of Delgiorno.

Wynnamac manager Jerry Meeks told reporters, "Zounds, we did it again!... we beat the Pro Cup favorite... and we beat the Roosters with their favorite weapon - the home run."... the Sundowners hit 10 in the seven-game series... Middlefield collected six.

Middlefield skipper Rinky Tinker was frustrated... "We had almost everything going for us... including the homefield advantage, which we didn't taike advantage of... the last two games on our field and we couldn't win one of them."

The Macs hit .244, but were outscored in the series 32 to 31... Middlefield batted .243... on the hill the Roosters were the best with a fine 3.00 ERA to 3.80 for the Sundowners... 10 roundtrippers must have made the difference.

Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 7

RASCALS SURPRISE SUN SOX, TAKE 7TH GAME
In first-round action in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs, number-five pick Wynnamac whipped Pro Cup favorite Middlefield, the number-one choice, and eighth-rated White River surprised third-ranked Southport ... in game seven White River, known for it strong pitching, got a fine start from Cody Butler, who blanked the Sun Sox 6-0 on eight hits...in his most important outing ever, the 31-year-old journeyman Butler went all the way, fanned four batters and walked two... the weak-hitting Rascals even supported him with a solid 10-hit attack, led by C Wayne Carlton (.545/4 RBI) with a two-run homer... in the late innings the Sun Sox had several chances to get back into the contest, but couldn't come up with a clutch hit... they left 11 men on base in the game.

Pitching was expected to dominate in the series and it certainly did... both clubs were exceptional... White River posted a 1.71 ERA to 1.95 for Southport... neither team is known for its offense... it wasn't expected, but the Rascals outscored the Sun Sox 22-15 in the seven games... White River was rated the worst team in the postseason because of it lousy offense.

"We got just enough runs to win the series," White River manager Marty Blake told the press corps... "We knew we could stay with them on the mound... the key was whether or not we could score enough runs."... Blake added, "It's scary what we will be facing in the next round, the Tycobbian Finals... our pitchers must really be at their best and on top of their game against that murderous Midway lineup."

The Southport skipper, Lorne Evans, said he "knew it would come down to who got the critical hits... unfortunately we didn't get 'em."

White River shut the Sun Sox out in game six and seven to come back from a 3-2 deficit... they had to win the last two games on the road.

Wow! 4 out of 6 games have been decided by one-run in the White River - Southport series. Could go down as one of the greatest post season series ever. :eatpop:

Agree with you... it was a very exciting series... I didn't think the Rascals could pull it off after trailing three games to two.

White River really has some good pitchers, but I'm afraid they will be overmatched against the likes of Midway... although I will say, the Wolves pitching may not be that great... the Rascals might give them some trouble... they will have to keep hitting homers and pitching super well to whip the Wolves, a much better team than Southport.

The Middlefield Roosters just don't seem to play well in the postseason the last few years... on paper they are really good... but Wynnamac has had their number the last two seasons.

Midway and Wynnamac should breezed past White River and Far Mountain and reach the Pro Cup Finals... last year the Wolves swept the Sundowners in a four-game blitz... the Macs are not likely to knock off Midway.