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reds1 · 07-18-2016, 01:07 AM

Brunswick Legends (101-53) vs. Kingston Pelicans (87-67)
Season Matchup: 5-1 in favour of Brunswick

Brunswick: Runs scored – 679 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 529 (1st).
Kingston: Runs scored – 760 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 586 (1st).

If you think the United Cup is suffering from a case of déjà vu, don't be alarmed – its not just you. For the third year in a row, the Kingston Pelicans and Brunswick Legends will meet for the ultimate baseball prize in Braeland. It will be the fourth time that the two teams have faced each other for the United Cup and the fourth consecutive year that Brunswick has won the right to represent the East. For Kingston, its their third consecutive appearance and their sixth overall. The Pelicans defeated the Legends 4 games to 1 back in 1938-39. In 1942-43, Brunswick turned the tables, defeating Kingston 4 games to 1. Last year, the two teams battled each other to the limit, until the Pelicans obliterated the Legends 17-1 in Game 7.

This year, the two teams combined to produce perhaps the most exciting United Cup series I have witnessed in all my years of playing around with this League, with an unprecedented Game 6 that literally had me on the edge of my seat.

As to injuries, Brunswick is without two key players: their ace 28-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (dislocated finger) and 36-year old RF Mark Elston (chronic back soreness). 26-year old backup OF Woody Eaton (.300/.364/.400) will be taking his place in the field.

Kingston will continue to be without their No. 1 pitcher, 34-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (ulnar nerve irritation).

But on the eve of the Series, international events once again reminded Braelanders of the war raging just beyond the horizon. On April 1, U.S. Army and Marines began their invasion of Okinawa Island, as part of the Allies plan to set up an air base for an anticipated invasion of the Japanese mainland. On April 5, the Japanese Government collapsed. Then on April 7, the second day the Series, Braelanders learned that the most powerful battleship ever built, the Japanese Yamato, was sunk by U.S. aircraft. Response by Braelanders to these developments was one of muted optimism – the hope simply that hostilities would soon end and that their 'boys' could come home.

With all that going on around them, it was simply time to focus and just enjoy some baseball!

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Game 1

The series opened at Babe Ruth Park in Brunswick with 30,716 packed into the stadium. An unusually warm, autumn day (77 F) greeted the crowds, with clear skies and just a light breeze blowing out to center.

RHP Hun Park started for Brunswick, while RHP Jim Hogue took the hill for Kingston.

Bottom of the 3rd:
Terry Aspden and Stuart Bentham draw back-to-back walks with one out. Matthew Shelley and Maurice Evans then hit back-to-back singles, scoring three runs.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 3

Top of the 7th:
Wen-huan Liu leads off with a double. Jayden Tennant then draws a walk. After Brian Main advances the runners on a ground-out, Jim Hogue hits a fly ball to centerfield, allowing Liu to tag up and score.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 3

Bottom of the 7th:
Woody Eaton singles with one out, then scores on Terry Aspden's triple.
After Stuart Bentham is intentionally walked, Matthew Shelley singles, scoring Aspden.
Maurice Evans draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Harry Chatwin then grounds-out, allowing Bentham to score. That ends Jim Hogue's day.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 6

Top of the 9th:
Singles by Jayden Tennant and Brian Main, plus a walk issued to PH Fergus Chitty, load the bases with one out. Jamie Couch then singles, scoring both Tennant and Main.
After Chong-sik Lee singles to re-load the bases, Danny Trowbrige flies out to leftfield. Chitty tags up on the play and attempts to score, but he is cut down at home plate to end the game.
FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 6

Player of the Game: Matthew Shelley goes 4-4, 2 RBI, 1 R.

Hun Park pitches 8.0 innings, 7 H with 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (2-1, 2.63 ERA).

Terry Aspden goes 1-4, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

For Kingston:

Jim Hogue pitches 6.2 innings, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (1-2, 4.18 ERA).

Jayden Tennant goes 2-2, 1 R, 2 BB.

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Game 2

30,928 were on hand for the second game. The skies were partly cloudy with a gentle breeze blowing in from left to right. It had cooled off a bit (66 F) from the day before.

LHP Matthew Monroe took the hill for Brunswick, while LHP Patrick Denman was pegged by Kingston to start.

Bottom of the 3rd:
Woody Eaton singles with one out and advances to 2B on a Vince Bailey ground-out. Stuart Bentham then doubles him home for the game's first run.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 1

Top of the 7th:
The Pelicans finally get to SP Monroe in the 7th. Katsunan Chikafuji singles with one out, then moves up to 2B when Dean Bishop draws a walk. But on Wen-huan Liu's ensuing single, Bishop is called out after being hit with the batted ball, leaving runners on the corners with two out.
Jayden Tennant singles in Chikafuji for Kingston’s first run. Brian Main follows with a double. That scores Liu. But when Tennant tries to score, he is cut down at home to end the inning.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 7th:
Vinnie Edwards leads off with a walk, then moves up to 2B on a Harry Chatwin sac bunt.
With two out, Matthew Monroe singles in Edwards to tie up the game.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 2

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In the top of the 9th, Kingston loads the bases with one out, but RP Luke Woodward is able to get out of the jam unscathed.
In the bottom of the 9th, Harry Chatwin singles with one out, but is thrown out trying to steal 2B. PH Rhett Curnow then flies out to leftfield, sending matters into extra innings.

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Top of the 11th:
This time, RP Woodward isn't so fortunate. Wen-huan Liu leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a Jayden Tennant ground-out. Brian Main is up next and he hits a two-run home run to leftfield.

In the bottom of the 11th, the Legends load the bases with two out, but Dwaine Ainsley hits into a 6-4 fielder's choice at 2B to end the game.
FINAL: Kingston 4 – Brunswick 2

Player of the Game: Brian Main goes 3-5, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R.

Patrick Denman did not pick up the win, but he went 8.0 IP, with 6 H with 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (2-0, 3.24 ERA).

Wen-huan Liu goes 4-5, 1-2B, 2 R.

For Brunswick:

Matthew Monroe pitches 8.1 innings, 10 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (2-0, 3.20 ERA).

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Game 3

The United Cup moved to Kingston Park for the next three contests and 27,133 looked on to see who would take the series lead. The weather was warm and clear, with a soft breeze blowing in from left to right.

RHP Charlie Gilbert started for Kingston, while Brunswick's LHP Hirotada Fukushima replied for Brunswick.

Top of the 1st:
With two out, Stuart Bentham singles and Matthew Shelley draws a walk. Maurice Evans then follows and slams Gilbert's first offering into the left-centerfield bleachers for a three-run home run.
Brunswick 3 – Kingston 0

Top of the 2nd:
Vince Bailey triples with one out, then scores on Hirotada Fukushima's sac fly.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
Jayden Tennant leads off with a walk. With two out, Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth hit back-to-back singles, scoring Tennant.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 7th:
With one out, Wen-huan Liu, Jayden Tennant, Brian Main and Chong-sik Lee all hit consecutive singles. Liu comes in to score, but for the second time in the series, Tennant is cut down at home plate.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 2

Top of the 8th:
A walk, a single and fielder's choice at 2B, put runners on the corners with two out. Stuart Bentham, Matthew Shelley and Maurice Evans then hit consecutive singles, scoring three more runs for Brunswick.

In the bottom of the 9th, Wen-huan Liu reaches on an error (E5) with one out. But Jayden Tennant then hits into a U6-3 double play to end the game.
FINAL: Brunswick 7 – Kingston 2

Player of the Game: Hirotada Fukushima picks up the win, going 9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (2-0, 2.00 ERA).

Maurice Evans goes 2-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R.

Stuart Bentham goes 2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R.

For Kingston:

Charlie Gilbert took the loss, going 7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-2, 4.79 ERA).

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Game 4

The Pelicans and Legends were back at it for Game 4 at Kingston Park. 27,046 were on hand to see if their Pelicans could tie matters up. It was a warm, clear afternoon with a slight breeze blowing in from left to right.

As in Game 1, RHP Jim Hogue pitched for Kingston, while RHP Hun Park took the hill for Brunswick.

Top of the 1st:
Woody Eaton and Terry Aspden lead off with back-to-back singles. With one out, SP Hogue attempts to pick-off the base runner at 1B, but an error (E1) allows Eaton to score.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Jamie Couch leads off with a walk. With one out, Katsunan Chikafuji and Dean Bishop hit back-to-back singles, scoring Couch.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 6th:
Dean Bishop leads off with a full-count solo home run to leftfield.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 7th:
Jamie Couch draws a walk with one out. Couch steals second, but a throwing error (E2) allows him to reach 3B. PH Mo Symes then flies out to centerfield scoring Couch.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 8th:
Jayden Tennant walks with two out. After LHP Rob Fields comes into the game in relief of Hun Park, Harley Simmons smashes a first-pitch double, scoring Tennant.

In the top of the 9th, Harry Chatwin leads off with a walk. But the Legends go down 1-2-3 after that, allowing Kingston to tie up the series once again.
FINAL: Brunswick 1 – Kingston 4

Player of the Game: Jim Hogue goes the distance, with 9 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (2-2, 3.31 ERA).

Dean Bishop goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

Jayden Tennant went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB.

For Brunswick:

Hun Park took the loss, going 7.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (2-2, 2.84 ERA).

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Game 5

A carbon copy of the day before, 27,044 enjoyed the warm, clear skies and a soft breeze blowing from right to left.

As in Game 2, LHP Patrick Denman started for Kingston while LHP Matthew Monroe started for Brunswick.

Bottom of the 2nd:
SP Monroe gets into a bit of trouble when Kingston loads the bases with nobody out.
A single by Brian Main and back-to-back walks issued to Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth pushes three runs across the plate.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 3rd:
After Dean Bishop leads off with a walk, Wen-huan Liu shows off his power with a two-run home run to left field.
With one out, Brian Main reaches safely on an error (E1). After advancing to 2B on a sac bunt, Main comes in to score on Jamie Couch's single.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 6

Top of the 4th:
Terry Aspden leads off with a single, reaches 3B on an error (E4) and scores when Derek Sakurai grounds out.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 6

Bottom of the 4th:
Three consecutive singles by Katsunan Chikafuji, Dean Bishop and Wen-huan Liu pushes another run across for Kingston.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 7

Top of the 9th:
Brunswick loads the bases with nobody out, thanks to a lead off single by PR Rhett Curnow, a walk issued to Woody Eaton and Vince Bailey being hit by a pitch. Curnow scores on a sac fly by Stuart Bentham, but SP Denman is able to limit the damage after that as Kingston takes a 3 games to 2 lead in the series.
FINAL: Brunswick 2 – Kingston 7

Player of the Game: Wen-huan Liu goes 3-4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 2 R.

Patrick Denman remains undefeated in the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 2 K (3-0, 2.65 ERA).

Dean Bishop goes 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB.

Brian Main goes 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Brunswick:

Matthew Monroe suffers his first loss, going 5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (2-1, 4.15 ERA).

Noteworthy: Patrick Denman ties the playoff record for walks with 8.

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Game 6

The Series returned to Brunswick with the Legends needing to win both remaining games if they wanted to win the United Cup. For the first time in this year's playoffs, the skies were grey with a soft but steady rain falling throughout the afternoon.

The weather seemed appropriate, as a sombre crowd of 30,924 observed a moment of silence prior to the game to honour United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had died suddenly the previous afternoon in Washington.

But even without the pre-game events, Game 6 would be the talk of the nation, as it took 8 different pitchers and 5 hours, 33 minutes to finally determine an outcome.

As in Game 3, LHP Hirotada Fukushima started for Brunswick, while RHP Charlie Gilbert got the call for Kingston.

Top of the 2nd:
Wen-huan Liu walks with one out and scores on Jayden Tennant's double.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 0

Bottom of the 4th:
Terry Aspden smashes a one-out solo home run to rightfield to tie things up.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 1

Top of the 7th:
Jayden Tennant leads off with a single and beats the throw to 2B when Brian Main reaches 1B safely on a sac bunt.
After Tennant is replaced by PR Soshu Shimizu, the base runners advance on a sac bunt by Charlie Gilbert.
Chong-sik Lee then singles, scoring both Shimizu and Main.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 9th:
With one out and Luis Veláquez pitching in relief of Charlie Gilbert, Maurice Evans doubles. After PH Cliff Jordan draws a walk with two out, Evans is replaced at 2B with PR Daniel Martin.
Down to their final out, Brunswick's pinch hitters Carson Morehouse and Cedric Horsey bang out back-to-back singles, scoring both Martin and Jordan to tie the game up once again.

Woody Eaton then grounds out to end the inning, sending the game into extras, for the second time in the series.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 3

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A rain delay holds up the game for 54 minutes in the bottom the 14th inning.

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Kingston has its best chance at winning in the top of the 15th, when they load the bases with one out. But Katsunan Chikafuji grounds into a 5-2-3 double play to snuff out the threat as the game carries on in the rain.

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Bottom of the 16th:
Harry Chatwin leads off with a single. With one out, Benton Jefferson reaches on an error (E6) as Chatwin moves up to 2B.
After Jim Ferguson lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Woody Eaton singles off of RHP Bernie Knowles, scoring Chatwin for the winning run.
Brunswick ties the series up at 3 games apiece and forces a Game 7 for the second year in a row.
FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 4

Player of the Game: Despite his team's loss, Kingston's Charlie Gilbert picked up game honours, going 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-2, 3.77 ERA).

Chong-sik Lee went 1-1, 2 RBI.

Jayden Tennant went 2-3, 1-2B, 1 RBI.

For Brunswick:

Hirotada Fukushima went 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, (2-0, 2.42 ERA).

Noteworthy: Woody Eaton sets the playoff extra-inning game record for at-bats with 8.

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Game 7

For the second year in a row, the Brunswick Legends have come from behind to force a game 7. Its the third time in United Leagues history that the United Cup has gone the full seven games.

The rainy, grey gloom was gone, and warm (67 F), sunny skies took its place. Just a light breeze blew out to right as 30,846 were on hand to cheer on their team in the final, decisive game.

Brunswick's RHP Hun Park and Kingston's RHP Jim Hogue faced each other for the third time in the series. Park won Game 1, while Hogue got the 'W' in Game 4.

Top of the 2nd:
Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground-out. With two out, Jayden Tennant singles, advancing Chikafuji to 3B. Harley Simmons then doubles, scoring both runs.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 0

Bottom of the 5th:
After Derek Sakurai singles with one out, Vince Bailey immediately follows with a triple to score Sakurai.
Bailey comes home with the tying run thanks to a Hun Park sac fly to centerfield.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 2

Bottom of the 6th:
With two out, Matthew Shelley singles, Maurice Evans walks and Harry Chatwin reaches safely on an error (E3) to load the bases.
That sets up Derek Sakurai, who singles in both Shelley and Evans, as Brunswick surges ahead.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 4

Top of the 8th:
After Lance Haworth leads off with a walk, Danny Trowbridge singles to put runners on the corners.
Katsunan Chikafuji then grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, but Haworth comes in to score to get Kingston to within one.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 4

Bottom of the 8th:
Kingston runs into defensive problems in the 8th.
Stuart Bentham singles, Matthew Shelley walks and Maurice Evans reaches safely on an error (dropped throw, E3) to load the bases with nobody out.
Harry Chatwin flies out to centerfield, but a throwing error (E8) allows Bentham to score the insurance run.

In the top of the 9th inning, Harley Simmons draws a walk off of RP Luke Woodward with two out. But PH Mo Symes then flies out to rightfield to end the inning, the game and the series.
FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 5

Player of the Game: Hun Park is the hero, going 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-2, 2.95 ERA).

Derek Sakurai goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R.

For Kingston:

Although the game box listed Park as the Player of the Game, the score page in OOTP listed Jim Hogue as having the #1 Performance of the Day. For what its worth, both pitchers finished with a game score of 53.

For the record, Hogue went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (2-3, 3.10 ERA).

Harley Simmons goes 1-2, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB.

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In a first (for me), the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team:

07-18-2016, 01:07 AM	#288
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,925	Brunswick Legends (101-53) vs. Kingston Pelicans (87-67) Season Matchup: 5-1 in favour of Brunswick Brunswick: Runs scored – 679 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 529 (1st). Kingston: Runs scored – 760 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 586 (1st). If you think the United Cup is suffering from a case of déjà vu, don't be alarmed – its not just you. For the third year in a row, the Kingston Pelicans and Brunswick Legends will meet for the ultimate baseball prize in Braeland. It will be the fourth time that the two teams have faced each other for the United Cup and the fourth consecutive year that Brunswick has won the right to represent the East. For Kingston, its their third consecutive appearance and their sixth overall. The Pelicans defeated the Legends 4 games to 1 back in 1938-39. In 1942-43, Brunswick turned the tables, defeating Kingston 4 games to 1. Last year, the two teams battled each other to the limit, until the Pelicans obliterated the Legends 17-1 in Game 7. This year, the two teams combined to produce perhaps the most exciting United Cup series I have witnessed in all my years of playing around with this League, with an unprecedented Game 6 that literally had me on the edge of my seat. As to injuries, Brunswick is without two key players: their ace 28-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (dislocated finger) and 36-year old RF Mark Elston (chronic back soreness). 26-year old backup OF Woody Eaton (.300/.364/.400) will be taking his place in the field. Kingston will continue to be without their No. 1 pitcher, 34-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (ulnar nerve irritation). But on the eve of the Series, international events once again reminded Braelanders of the war raging just beyond the horizon. On April 1, U.S. Army and Marines began their invasion of Okinawa Island, as part of the Allies plan to set up an air base for an anticipated invasion of the Japanese mainland. On April 5, the Japanese Government collapsed. Then on April 7, the second day the Series, Braelanders learned that the most powerful battleship ever built, the Japanese Yamato, was sunk by U.S. aircraft. Response by Braelanders to these developments was one of muted optimism – the hope simply that hostilities would soon end and that their 'boys' could come home. With all that going on around them, it was simply time to focus and just enjoy some baseball! -------- Game 1 The series opened at Babe Ruth Park in Brunswick with 30,716 packed into the stadium. An unusually warm, autumn day (77 F) greeted the crowds, with clear skies and just a light breeze blowing out to center. RHP Hun Park started for Brunswick, while RHP Jim Hogue took the hill for Kingston. Bottom of the 3rd: Terry Aspden and Stuart Bentham draw back-to-back walks with one out. Matthew Shelley and Maurice Evans then hit back-to-back singles, scoring three runs. Kingston 0 – Brunswick 3 Top of the 7th: Wen-huan Liu leads off with a double. Jayden Tennant then draws a walk. After Brian Main advances the runners on a ground-out, Jim Hogue hits a fly ball to centerfield, allowing Liu to tag up and score. Kingston 1 – Brunswick 3 Bottom of the 7th: Woody Eaton singles with one out, then scores on Terry Aspden's triple. After Stuart Bentham is intentionally walked, Matthew Shelley singles, scoring Aspden. Maurice Evans draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Harry Chatwin then grounds-out, allowing Bentham to score. That ends Jim Hogue's day. Kingston 1 – Brunswick 6 Top of the 9th: Singles by Jayden Tennant and Brian Main, plus a walk issued to PH Fergus Chitty, load the bases with one out. Jamie Couch then singles, scoring both Tennant and Main. After Chong-sik Lee singles to re-load the bases, Danny Trowbrige flies out to leftfield. Chitty tags up on the play and attempts to score, but he is cut down at home plate to end the game. FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 6 *Player of the Game: Matthew Shelley* goes 4-4, 2 RBI, 1 R. Hun Park pitches 8.0 innings, 7 H with 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (2-1, 2.63 ERA). Terry Aspden goes 1-4, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. For Kingston: Jim Hogue pitches 6.2 innings, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (1-2, 4.18 ERA). Jayden Tennant goes 2-2, 1 R, 2 BB. -------- Game 2 30,928 were on hand for the second game. The skies were partly cloudy with a gentle breeze blowing in from left to right. It had cooled off a bit (66 F) from the day before. LHP Matthew Monroe took the hill for Brunswick, while LHP Patrick Denman was pegged by Kingston to start. Bottom of the 3rd: Woody Eaton singles with one out and advances to 2B on a Vince Bailey ground-out. Stuart Bentham then doubles him home for the game's first run. Kingston 0 – Brunswick 1 Top of the 7th: The Pelicans finally get to SP Monroe in the 7th. Katsunan Chikafuji singles with one out, then moves up to 2B when Dean Bishop draws a walk. But on Wen-huan Liu's ensuing single, Bishop is called out after being hit with the batted ball, leaving runners on the corners with two out. Jayden Tennant singles in Chikafuji for Kingston’s first run. Brian Main follows with a double. That scores Liu. But when Tennant tries to score, he is cut down at home to end the inning. Kingston 2 – Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 7th: Vinnie Edwards leads off with a walk, then moves up to 2B on a Harry Chatwin sac bunt. With two out, Matthew Monroe singles in Edwards to tie up the game. Kingston 2 – Brunswick 2 -------- In the top of the 9th, Kingston loads the bases with one out, but RP Luke Woodward is able to get out of the jam unscathed. In the bottom of the 9th, Harry Chatwin singles with one out, but is thrown out trying to steal 2B. PH Rhett Curnow then flies out to leftfield, sending matters into extra innings. -------- Top of the 11th: This time, RP Woodward isn't so fortunate. Wen-huan Liu leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a Jayden Tennant ground-out. Brian Main is up next and he hits a two-run home run to leftfield. In the bottom of the 11th, the Legends load the bases with two out, but Dwaine Ainsley hits into a 6-4 fielder's choice at 2B to end the game. FINAL: Kingston 4 – Brunswick 2 *Player of the Game:* Brian Main goes 3-5, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R. Patrick Denman did not pick up the win, but he went 8.0 IP, with 6 H with 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (2-0, 3.24 ERA). Wen-huan Liu goes 4-5, 1-2B, 2 R. For Brunswick: Matthew Monroe pitches 8.1 innings, 10 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (2-0, 3.20 ERA). -------- Game 3 The United Cup moved to Kingston Park for the next three contests and 27,133 looked on to see who would take the series lead. The weather was warm and clear, with a soft breeze blowing in from left to right. RHP Charlie Gilbert started for Kingston, while Brunswick's LHP Hirotada Fukushima replied for Brunswick. Top of the 1st: With two out, Stuart Bentham singles and Matthew Shelley draws a walk. Maurice Evans then follows and slams Gilbert's first offering into the left-centerfield bleachers for a three-run home run. Brunswick 3 – Kingston 0 Top of the 2nd: Vince Bailey triples with one out, then scores on Hirotada Fukushima's sac fly. Brunswick 4 – Kingston 0 Bottom of the 3rd: Jayden Tennant leads off with a walk. With two out, Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth hit back-to-back singles, scoring Tennant. Brunswick 4 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 7th: With one out, Wen-huan Liu, Jayden Tennant, Brian Main and Chong-sik Lee all hit consecutive singles. Liu comes in to score, but for the second time in the series, Tennant is cut down at home plate. Brunswick 4 – Kingston 2 Top of the 8th: A walk, a single and fielder's choice at 2B, put runners on the corners with two out. Stuart Bentham, Matthew Shelley and Maurice Evans then hit consecutive singles, scoring three more runs for Brunswick. In the bottom of the 9th, Wen-huan Liu reaches on an error (E5) with one out. But Jayden Tennant then hits into a U6-3 double play to end the game. FINAL: Brunswick 7 – Kingston 2 *Player of the Game:* Hirotada Fukushima picks up the win, going 9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (2-0, 2.00 ERA). Maurice Evans goes 2-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R. Stuart Bentham goes 2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R. For Kingston: Charlie Gilbert took the loss, going 7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-2, 4.79 ERA). -------- Game 4 The Pelicans and Legends were back at it for Game 4 at Kingston Park. 27,046 were on hand to see if their Pelicans could tie matters up. It was a warm, clear afternoon with a slight breeze blowing in from left to right. As in Game 1, RHP Jim Hogue pitched for Kingston, while RHP Hun Park took the hill for Brunswick. Top of the 1st: Woody Eaton and Terry Aspden lead off with back-to-back singles. With one out, SP Hogue attempts to pick-off the base runner at 1B, but an error (E1) allows Eaton to score. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 0 Bottom of the 1st: Jamie Couch leads off with a walk. With one out, Katsunan Chikafuji and Dean Bishop hit back-to-back singles, scoring Couch. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 6th: Dean Bishop leads off with a full-count solo home run to leftfield. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 2 Bottom of the 7th: Jamie Couch draws a walk with one out. Couch steals second, but a throwing error (E2) allows him to reach 3B. PH Mo Symes then flies out to centerfield scoring Couch. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 3 Bottom of the 8th: Jayden Tennant walks with two out. After LHP Rob Fields comes into the game in relief of Hun Park, Harley Simmons smashes a first-pitch double, scoring Tennant. In the top of the 9th, Harry Chatwin leads off with a walk. But the Legends go down 1-2-3 after that, allowing Kingston to tie up the series once again. FINAL: Brunswick 1 – Kingston 4 *Player of the Game:* Jim Hogue goes the distance, with 9 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (2-2, 3.31 ERA). Dean Bishop goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. Jayden Tennant went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB. For Brunswick: Hun Park took the loss, going 7.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (2-2, 2.84 ERA). -------- Game 5 A carbon copy of the day before, 27,044 enjoyed the warm, clear skies and a soft breeze blowing from right to left. As in Game 2, LHP Patrick Denman started for Kingston while LHP Matthew Monroe started for Brunswick. Bottom of the 2nd: SP Monroe gets into a bit of trouble when Kingston loads the bases with nobody out. A single by Brian Main and back-to-back walks issued to Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth pushes three runs across the plate. Brunswick 0 – Kingston 3 Bottom of the 3rd: After Dean Bishop leads off with a walk, Wen-huan Liu shows off his power with a two-run home run to left field. With one out, Brian Main reaches safely on an error (E1). After advancing to 2B on a sac bunt, Main comes in to score on Jamie Couch's single. Brunswick 0 – Kingston 6 Top of the 4th: Terry Aspden leads off with a single, reaches 3B on an error (E4) and scores when Derek Sakurai grounds out. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 6 Bottom of the 4th: Three consecutive singles by Katsunan Chikafuji, Dean Bishop and Wen-huan Liu pushes another run across for Kingston. Brunswick 1 – Kingston 7 Top of the 9th: Brunswick loads the bases with nobody out, thanks to a lead off single by PR Rhett Curnow, a walk issued to Woody Eaton and Vince Bailey being hit by a pitch. Curnow scores on a sac fly by Stuart Bentham, but SP Denman is able to limit the damage after that as Kingston takes a 3 games to 2 lead in the series. FINAL: Brunswick 2 – Kingston 7 *Player of the Game:* Wen-huan Liu goes 3-4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 2 R. Patrick Denman remains undefeated in the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 2 K (3-0, 2.65 ERA). Dean Bishop goes 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB. Brian Main goes 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R. For Brunswick: Matthew Monroe suffers his first loss, going 5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (2-1, 4.15 ERA). *Noteworthy:* Patrick Denman ties the playoff record for walks with 8. -------- Game 6 The Series returned to Brunswick with the Legends needing to win both remaining games if they wanted to win the United Cup. For the first time in this year's playoffs, the skies were grey with a soft but steady rain falling throughout the afternoon. The weather seemed appropriate, as a sombre crowd of 30,924 observed a moment of silence prior to the game to honour United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had died suddenly the previous afternoon in Washington. But even without the pre-game events, Game 6 would be the talk of the nation, as it took 8 different pitchers and 5 hours, 33 minutes to finally determine an outcome. As in Game 3, LHP Hirotada Fukushima started for Brunswick, while RHP Charlie Gilbert got the call for Kingston. Top of the 2nd: Wen-huan Liu walks with one out and scores on Jayden Tennant's double. Kingston 1 – Brunswick 0 Bottom of the 4th: Terry Aspden smashes a one-out solo home run to rightfield to tie things up. Kingston 1 – Brunswick 1 Top of the 7th: Jayden Tennant leads off with a single and beats the throw to 2B when Brian Main reaches 1B safely on a sac bunt. After Tennant is replaced by PR Soshu Shimizu, the base runners advance on a sac bunt by Charlie Gilbert. Chong-sik Lee then singles, scoring both Shimizu and Main. Kingston 3 – Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 9th: With one out and Luis Veláquez pitching in relief of Charlie Gilbert, Maurice Evans doubles. After PH Cliff Jordan draws a walk with two out, Evans is replaced at 2B with PR Daniel Martin. Down to their final out, Brunswick's pinch hitters Carson Morehouse and Cedric Horsey bang out back-to-back singles, scoring both Martin and Jordan to tie the game up once again. Woody Eaton then grounds out to end the inning, sending the game into extras, for the second time in the series. Kingston 3 – Brunswick 3 -------- A rain delay holds up the game for 54 minutes in the bottom the 14th inning. -------- Kingston has its best chance at winning in the top of the 15th, when they load the bases with one out. But Katsunan Chikafuji grounds into a 5-2-3 double play to snuff out the threat as the game carries on in the rain. -------- Bottom of the 16th: Harry Chatwin leads off with a single. With one out, Benton Jefferson reaches on an error (E6) as Chatwin moves up to 2B. After Jim Ferguson lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Woody Eaton singles off of RHP Bernie Knowles, scoring Chatwin for the winning run. Brunswick ties the series up at 3 games apiece and forces a Game 7 for the second year in a row. FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 4 *Player of the Game:* Despite his team's loss, Kingston's Charlie Gilbert picked up game honours, going 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-2, 3.77 ERA). Chong-sik Lee went 1-1, 2 RBI. Jayden Tennant went 2-3, 1-2B, 1 RBI. For Brunswick: Hirotada Fukushima went 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, (2-0, 2.42 ERA). *Noteworthy:* Woody Eaton sets the playoff extra-inning game record for at-bats with 8. -------- Game 7 For the second year in a row, the Brunswick Legends have come from behind to force a game 7. Its the third time in United Leagues history that the United Cup has gone the full seven games. The rainy, grey gloom was gone, and warm (67 F), sunny skies took its place. Just a light breeze blew out to right as 30,846 were on hand to cheer on their team in the final, decisive game. Brunswick's RHP Hun Park and Kingston's RHP Jim Hogue faced each other for the third time in the series. Park won Game 1, while Hogue got the 'W' in Game 4. Top of the 2nd: Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground-out. With two out, Jayden Tennant singles, advancing Chikafuji to 3B. Harley Simmons then doubles, scoring both runs. Kingston 2 – Brunswick 0 Bottom of the 5th: After Derek Sakurai singles with one out, Vince Bailey immediately follows with a triple to score Sakurai. Bailey comes home with the tying run thanks to a Hun Park sac fly to centerfield. Kingston 2 – Brunswick 2 Bottom of the 6th: With two out, Matthew Shelley singles, Maurice Evans walks and Harry Chatwin reaches safely on an error (E3) to load the bases. That sets up Derek Sakurai, who singles in both Shelley and Evans, as Brunswick surges ahead. Kingston 2 – Brunswick 4 Top of the 8th: After Lance Haworth leads off with a walk, Danny Trowbridge singles to put runners on the corners. Katsunan Chikafuji then grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, but Haworth comes in to score to get Kingston to within one. Kingston 3 – Brunswick 4 Bottom of the 8th: Kingston runs into defensive problems in the 8th. Stuart Bentham singles, Matthew Shelley walks and Maurice Evans reaches safely on an error (dropped throw, E3) to load the bases with nobody out. Harry Chatwin flies out to centerfield, but a throwing error (E8) allows Bentham to score the insurance run. In the top of the 9th inning, Harley Simmons draws a walk off of RP Luke Woodward with two out. But PH Mo Symes then flies out to rightfield to end the inning, the game and the series. FINAL: Kingston 3 – Brunswick 5 *Player of the Game:* Hun Park is the hero, going 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-2, 2.95 ERA). Derek Sakurai goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R. For Kingston: Although the game box listed Park as the Player of the Game, the score page in OOTP listed Jim Hogue as having the *#1 Performance of the Day. For what its worth, both pitchers finished with a game score of 53. For the record, Hogue went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (2-3, 3.10 ERA). Harley Simmons goes 1-2, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB. -------- In a first (for me), the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team: __________________ United Leagues of Braeland* Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 12:11 AM.