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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 5, 2051
IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Game 4
Ruthlandian Union
WALESKA NEARS RU CROWN, EDGES RATTLERS 3-2 IN GAME 4
Three victories down and one more to go... unheralded Waleska took command of the Ruthlandian League Championship Series with a 3-2 decision over favored Sugar Valley behind the fine pitching of Trey Earnest (3-2/3.49), who went all the way, surrendering only two runs on nine hits, striking out seven and walking three batters... he gained revenge over Christopher Dunsberry (1-2/2.45), who had beaten him 2-0 in game one... Dunsberry was touched for only three runs, but he was in constant hot water with 12 hits.
Waleska scored first in the opening frame on a CF Kevin Hardy'S (.358) double and a run-scoring single by LF Gene Stevenson (.235)... the Westerners made it 2-0 in the third on a single by Stevenson, double by 1B Rob Rice (.433) and an RBI single by 2B Hershel Briggs (.283)... Sugar Valley never led in the game, but did cut it to 2-1 in the top of the sixth on SS Ron Moody (.156) solo clout... Waleska got their final run in the last of the seventh on a single by LF Brent Bryant (.292), who was sacrificed to second, stole third and rode home on Cordell Smithers' (.400) base hit... the Rattlers closed it to 3-2 with a run in the eighth on a base on balls to CF Carl Ramsey (.400), wild pitch and an RBI single by RF Tyler Alban (.326).
Tycobbian Union
FAVORED RASCALS EDGE CHAMPS 2-1 IN 13, TRAILS 3-1
Finalists for the past two Pro Cups and favored to play for it a third year in a row, the White River Rascals are still hanging by the barest of theads in spite of a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory in 13 innings over the upstart Arlon Champions in game four of the best-of-seven Tycobbian LCS... the Champs are still in front three games to one.
Only tremendous pitching saved the Rascals from extinction... starter Nicky Palmer fired 10 sharp innings, holding the Champions to just one run on seven hits, while fanning five and walking three... closer Ronald Doss (1-0/2.00/2 saves) tucked in the win with three scoreless frames... Arlon got outstanding mound work, too, from starter Erik Branham... the rookie went into the 10th, permitted only one unearned run on six hits... Mack Blair then worked one and one-thirds innings allowing no runs... and losing pitcher Mackie McDuff (0-1/3.00) lost it on an unearned run in the 13th without giving up a hit.
White River went ahead 1-0 in the top of the fourth on a two-base error, groundout to first and a deep sac fly to center field by 1B Ruben Reaves (.200)... Arlon tied it at 1-all in the last of the fifth on 3B Todd Grant's (.279) double and SS Timmy Tarbell's (.238) single... then the Rascals escaped with a 2-1 win in the 13th on a walked to LF Billy Joe Hickman (.179)... an error by 2B Ryan Byrd (.211) put runners on first and second... a swinging bunt moved them up to second and third... C Josh Groveland's (.257) deep fly to center scored the game-winner.
Arlon outhit White River 9 to 6... with RF Cary Rockwell (.462) going 3 for 6, 2B Carlo Campanella (.294) 2 for 6 and 3B Todd Grant 2 for 4... 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.395) and SS Kunta Burton (.419) smacked two hits each for the winners.
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