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The Islandian Times
Friday, September 14, 2001
Frogs Win TU West, Edge Blue Sox on Leslie's HR
The Fairfax Frogs are the champions of the Tycobbian Union West. In a one-game playoff at Harbor Stadium in Blue Lake they edged the Blue Sox 3-2 on a three-run homer by pitcher Jackie Leslie. What a game for Leslie. Not only did he pitch his heart out for eight innings, Leslie (17-12 3.87) delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh inning. Until then, Happy McManus (5-3 2.56) had shut Fairfax out 1-0. It was Leslie's (.258) third homer of the season. Leslie gave up only two runs and five hits in the game, but needed help in the ninth. He got it from spot starter Ted Ellison (0-2 3.44), who gave up a two-out single, but no more. Ellison retired pinchhitter Paul Ray (.259) on an infield popup to capture the game and division title. Blue Lake drew first blood in the opening frame. Left fielder Doyle Osborne (.343) beat out a bunt single to begins the game, went to second on a walk, stole third and came across on second baseman Ken Bennett's (.287) sacrifice fly. Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, they scored again when right fielder Fred Collins (.288) singled, stole second and raced in on catcher Curly Harris' (.241) RBI single.
With the win the Frogs (80-71) finished one game up on the Blue Sox (79-72) in the final standings. The playoff defeat put a stop to Blue Lake's 8-game winning string. Now both teams are headed to the IPA Elite 8 Series. The top 8 teams will vie for the Islandian Pro Cup, symbolic of the best professional baseball team in Islandia.
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