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reds1 · 07-13-2017, 02:03 AM

April 12, 1947

Queensland Eagles (86-68) vs. Wolseley Unions (89-65)
Season Matchup: 3-3

Queensland: Runs scored – 682 (2nd); runs allowed – 642 (6th)
Wolseley: Runs scored – 682 (2nd); runs allowed – 586 (5th)

For the first time since the 1939-40 season, the playoffs see two teams making their first appearance in the United Cup. Prior to this season, the Queensland Eagles and Wolseley Unions had just one brief playoff appearance between them (Queensland in 1937-38). But both defeated previous Cup champions to get here.

Queensland had to go the distance to knock off the Brunswick Legends, a series that included two extra-inning matches. Meanwhile, the Wolseley Unions made relatively quick work of the Kingston Pelicans and will be much more rested for Game 1. Will fatigue be a factor for Queensland?

However, the Unions are dealing with a bit of adversity as well. Team icon and lead-off hitter, 28-year old CF Zak Kidd (.275/.348/.484, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 29 BB, 9 SB, 2.5 WAR), who smashed three home runs in the Western League Pennant Series, strained a rib cage muscle in the final game against the Pelicans and will be out for at least another week. Thus, it is highly unlikely he will see any action in the United Cup. That deals a tough blow to the Unions.

25-year old CF Glen Traill (.231/.327/.316, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 49 BB, 5 SB, 1.1 WAR), who was an 8th overall pick from 1942-43, will take his place in the lineup, with 24-year old RF Rizalino Ringor (.246/.371/.319, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 101 BB, 14 SB, 2.5 WAR) moving into the leadoff spot.

So how the teams’ respective managers adjust to these challenges may mean the difference in who wins the ultimate prize. Queensland’s field manager, 58-year old Reid Saxby and Wolseley’s manager, 48-year old Tony Fay, have been at the helm of their respective clubs since the first game of the ULB’s inaugural season. One of them will finally see all their years of toil pay off. But enough yapping - it’s off to the ballpark!

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Game 1

Queensland’s Wagner Stadium hosts the opening game of the United Cup. Clear skies, warm sunshine and a light breeze blowing out to left set the perfect stage for Braeland’s premier sporting event. 25,206 are on hand to cheer the Eagles on.
27-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (17-15, 3.54 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) starts for Queensland, while 23-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (17-16, 2.91 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) takes the hill for Wolseley.

Top of the 1st:
The Unions waste no time getting on the board. 3B Burt Willey and LF Carlton Hawking bang out back-to-back singles with one out. Both come home for the game’s first two runs when SS George Kimpton line-drives a first-pitch double into right-centerfield. After C Éric Denis strikes out, 1B Joey Phinney singles in Kimpton and its 3-0 Wolseley before Queensland has a chance to respond.
Wolseley 3 – Queensland 0

Top of the 3rd:
Burt Willey leads off with a triple. With one out, George Kimpton draws a 4-pitch walk. Éric Denis then smacks a first-pitch double, scoring Willey and moving Kimpton to 3B. Kimpton adds to the Unions’ lead when he comes home on a Joey Phinney 4-3 ground out.
Wolseley 5 – Queensland 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
3B Alexander Crutcher doubles with one out and reaches 3B when 2B Noah Wellings follows with a first-pitch single. Next up is RF Jilenko Vergara, who singles in Crutcher and advances Wellings to 3B. But LF Ron Gavin lines into a 6-5 double play to snuff out the rally.

In the bottom of the 9th, SP Albury gets PH Héctor García to popup (F4) and Alexander Crutcher to ground out. Noah Wellings then draws a walk. But Jilenko Vergara strikes out swinging to end the game. Wolseley takes Game 1.
FINAL: Wolseley 5 – Queensland 1

Player of the Game: Jeremey Albury continues undefeated in the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (3-0, 1.00 ERA)

George Kimpton goes 2-3, 2-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

For Queensland:

Aaron Sauderson pitched a credible game, but gets stuck with his third loss of the playoffs. He went 9.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (0-3, 2.75 ERA)

Jilenko Vergara goes 4-5, 1 RBI

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Game 2

The day is a carbon copy of yesterday, so weather will not be a factor. 24,994 return to Wagner Stadium to see if their Eagles can bounce back.
39-year old RHP Stewart Colcott (15-11, 3.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) starts Game 2 for Queensland, while 28-year old RHP Kai Tosh (18-8, 2.79 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) gets the call for Wolseley.

Top of the 1st:
Carlton Hawking draws a walk with two out. George Kimpton and Éric Denis follow with back-to-back singles, bringing home Hawking.
Wolseley 1 – Queensland 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Queensland loads the bases when Noah Wellings singles, Jilenko Vergara walks and Ron Gavin singles with one out. Wellings comes into score to tie the game on an Elijah Sheppard ground out.
Héctor Gutiérrez then steps up the plate and crushes Kai Tosh’s first offering for a 3-run home run, 408 ft. to right-centerfield, giving Queensland the lead.
Wolseley 1 – Queensland 4

Top of the 2nd:
3B Vincent Colón and Glen Traill lead off with back-to-back singles. Kai Tosh lays down a sac bunt, advancing the runners. A Rizalino Ringor sac fly and a Burt Willey single score Colón and Traill to get Wolseley to within one.
Wolseley 3 – Queensland 4

Top of the 3rd:
George Kimpton leads off with a single. Joey Phinney then singles with one out, putting runners on the corners. Kimpton comes in to tie the game when Vincent Colón hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice.
Wolseley 4 – Queensland 4

Bottom of the 5th:
Noah Wellings smacks a first-pitch triple with one out. After Jilenko Vergara draws a four-pitch walk, Wellings returns the lead to Queensland when he scores on a 3-6 fielder’s choice by Ron Gavin.
Héctor Gutiérrez strikes out looking to end the inning, but is tossed from the game when he argues too vehemently over the call. Javier Chávez comes in to replace him at 1B.
Wolseley 4 – Queensland 5

Bottom of the 6th:
SP Tosh runs into trouble in the 6th. SS Dermott Akers leads off with a single, advances to 2B on a wild pitch and then to 3B on a ground out. But with two out, Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings hit back-to-back doubles, scoring two runs.
That ends Tosh’s day. RHP Shaun Alford relieves him, but a walk by Jilenko Vergara and a double by Ron Gavin scores Queensland third run before the inning is over.

In the top of the 9th, LHP Roman Davis gets the Unions to go down in order, tying the series up at one.
FINAL: Wolseley 4 – Queensland 8

Player of the Game: Noah Wellings went 3-5 with 1-2B, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 3 R

Héctor Gutiérrez went 1-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R before being ejected in the 5th inning.

Stewart Colcott picks up his third win of the post-season, going 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (3-0, 2.61 ERA)

For Wolseley:

Kia Tosh lasts just 5.2 IP, with 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (1-2, 5.96 ERA)

George Kimpton went 3-4, 1 R.

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Game 3

Satchel Paige Park takes its first turn hosting the United Cup, which it will do so for the next three games. 25,404 Union faithful pack the stadium. The skies are partly cloudy with just a light breeze blowing out to right.
The starting pitchers of Game 1 return: RHP Jeremy Albury for Wolseley; RHP Aaron Saunderson for Queensland.

Top of the 6th:
The game remains scoreless until the 6th. SP Albury strikes out both Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings to start the inning, but Jilenko Vergara and Ron Gavin then bang out back-to-back doubles, putting Queensland on the board.
Queensland 1 – Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 7th:
Éric Denis leads off with a single, advances to 2B on a sac bunt then to 3B on a ground out. Glen Traill then comes through with a double, tying the game. Jeremy Albury gives the Unions the lead when he singles home Traill.
Queensland 1 – Wolseley 2

Top of the 9th:
Dermott Akers ties the game when he crushes a one-out solo home run, 430 ft. to right-centerfield.
PH Aaron Flanagan follows with a walk and comes into score when 3B Fernando Gómez and Noah Wellings hit back-to-back singles with two out.

In the bottom of the 9th, Aaron Saunderson gets Éric Denis to fly out and PH Make-Make Kamaka to go down on strikes. But 2B Neil Boyle and Glen Traill smack out back-to-back singles, putting the tying run on 3B. However, PH Octávio León grounds out to the pitcher to end the game. Queensland takes the upper hand in the series.
FINAL: Queensland 3 – Wolseley 2

Player of the Game: Aaron Saunderon picks up his first win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (1-3, 2.60 ERA)

For Wolseley:

Conversely, Jeremy Albury suffers his first loss: 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 K, 1 HR (3-1, 1.50 ERA)

Glen Traill goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

The Unions lose another player to injury: 3B Vincent Colón injured himself while fielding a ground ball in the 3rd inning. He was diagnosed with a deep elbow bruise and could be out for 1-2 weeks. Burt Willey moves to 3B to take his place, while 22-year old Westin Woollams (.198/.276/.224, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 33 R, 5 SB, -0.4 WAR) will start at 2B and lead off for Game 4.

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Game 4

A record crowd of 30,065 pack Satchel Paige Park to see if the hometown Unions can even up the series after losing in heartbreaking fashion the day before. A cloudless sky and a light breeze blowing in from left to right sets the scene.
The Game 2 starters square off again this afternoon: Wolseley’s RHP Kai Tosh against Queensland’s RHP Stewart Colcott.

Top of the 3rd:
Dermott Akers leads off with a four-pitch walk, then advances to 2B on a Stewart Colcott sac bunt with two out. Alexander Crutcher then comes through with a line-drive single to centerfield, scoring Akers.
Queensland 1 – Wolseley 0

Top of the 6th:
Noah Wellings singles with one out and reaches 2B on a Jilenko Vergara ground out. Ron Gavin then singles in Wellings for the Eagles’ second run.
Queensland 2 – Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 8th:
Wolseley finally gets something going, when Westin Woollams and Éric Denis bang out back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with one out.
With two out, George Kimpton slashes a single into shallow left field scoring Woollams.
Queensland 2 – Wolseley 1

Top of the 9th:
Ron Gavin leads off with a single. With one out, Héctor Gutiérrez doubles Gavin to 3B. After Dermott Akers is intentionally walked to load the bases, PH Héctor García smashes a double to deep centerfield, scoring all three baserunners.

In the bottom of the 9th, SP Colcott gets the Unions to go down 1-2-3, giving the Eagles a commanding 3-1 lead in the Series.
FINAL: Queensland 5 – Wolseley 1

Player of the Game: Stewart Colcott continues his magic touch in the playoffs, winning his fourth game. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (4-0, 2.25 ERA)

Ron Gavin went 3-4 with 1 RBI, 1 R

Héctor García went 1-1, 1-2B, 3 RBI

For Wolseley:

Kai Tosh is hung with another tough loss, going 8.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (1-3, 5.74 ERA)

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Game 5

The weather has cooled off just a bit, but not as much as the Unions have done since Game 1 of Series. 29,864 return hoping against hope that the Unions can stave off elimination. Wolseley’s 29-year old RHP Hun Park (11-12, 3.77 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) makes his second start in the post-season. Queensland counters with 30-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (15-13, 3.98 ERA, 1.48 WHIP), who is also making his second start in the playoffs.

Top of the 4th:
Dermott Akers doubles with two out. After CF Kunimichi Baba is walked intentionally, SP Quian comes through with a single to shallow leftfield, scoring Akers. A single by Alexander Crutcher and a double by Noah Wellings scores two more runs.
Queensland 3 – Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 5th:
Glen Traill battles Pi-ao Quian for 9 pitches, then beats out the throw to 1B for an infield hit with one out. After advancing to 2B on a Hun Park sac bunt, Westin Woollams singles him home for the Unions’ first run.
Queensland 3 – Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 7th:
Glen Traill leads off with a single, then steals 2B with one out. Westin Woollams scratches out an infield hit, putting runners on the corners. He is followed by Éric Denis, who bangs out a double scoring both Traill and Woollams, tying the game.
After Carlton Hawking is given a free pass, George Kimpton comes through with a double, scoring Denis for the go-ahead run.

In the top of the 9th, RHP Ross New, who relieved SP Park in the 7th inning, induces ground-outs from both PH Aaron Flanagan and Jilenko Vergara for two quick outs.
Queensland threatens however, when Ron Gavin follows with a double and reaches 3B on an Elijah Sheppard single to centerfield. But Ross New shuts down the threat when he strikes out Héctor Gutiérrez on three straight pitches, keeping Wolseley’s championship hopes alive for another day.
FINAL: Queensland 3 – Wolseley 4

Player of the Game: Westin Woollams went 3-4 with 1 RBI, 1 R

Éric Denis goes 2-4 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R

Hun Park did not get the win, but he kept the game within reach, going 6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-0, 3.55 ERA)

For Queensland:

Noah Wellings went 3-4, 1-2B, 1 RBI

Pi-ao Quian suffered his second loss of the playoffs, going 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (0-2, 5.14 ERA)

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Game 6

The United Cup returns to the Island’s north-east coast, where 27,344 fans converge on Wagner Stadium to see if their Eagles can pull off just one more victory to seal the deal. The heat has descended upon Queensland without a trace of clouds. The wind has picked up a bit, blowing straight out to left, providing some relief to the fans and players alike.
For the third time in the series, Queensland’s RHP Aaron Saunderson will be up against Wolseley’s RHP Jeremy Albury. Albury won Game 1; Saunderson took Game 3.

Top of the 1st:
Wolseley strikes early. Westin Woollams leads off with a first-pitch single, then advances to 2B when Éric Denis follows with a single of his own. After Carlton Hawking draws a walk to load the bases, George Kimpton singles in Woollams for the game’s first run.
Denis scores the Unions’ second run when Burt Willey hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice with one out.
Wolseley 2 – Queensland 0

Bottom of the 4th:
Noah Wellings leads off with a first-pitch double. With one out, Ron Gavin takes an 0-1 pitch from Albury and smashes a 2-run home run, 357 ft. to the rightfield bleachers, tying the game up in a hurry.
Wolseley 2 – Queensland 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Queensland puts runners on the corners when Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings bang out back-to-back singles with one out. After Jilenko Vergara hits into a 1-6 fielder’s choice, Ron Gavin comes through with a first-pitch double, scoring Crutcher for the go-ahead run.
Wolseley 2 – Queensland 3

Top of the 8th:
Wolseley loads the bases when Carlton Hawking leads off with a walk, Rizalino Ringor walks with one out and PH Ray Carver singles. 1B Joey Phinney then hits a sac fly to deep centerfield, scoring Hawking for the tying run.
Wolseley 3 – Queensland 3

Bottom of the 8th:
Héctor Gutiérrez leads off with a single, then reaches 2B on a PH Aaron Flanagan ground out. With two out, PH Javier Chávez comes through with a double, scoring Gutiérrez and giving the Eagles the lead once again.

In the top of the 9th, Aaron Saunderson looks to seal the deal. PH Make-Make Kamaka flies out to leftfield on the first pitch he sees. Westin Woollams follows, but goes down swinging on three pitches. Finally, Éric Denis battles valiantly, fouling off 5 straight pitches, but grounds out to 2B Noah Wellings to end the game, the series and the season. The Queensland Eagles are United Cup Champions!
FINAL: Wolseley 3 – Queensland 4

Player of the Game: Ron Gavin was simply on fire, going 3-3 with 2-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R

Héctor Gutiérrez went 2-4 with 1 R

Aaron Saunderson did what needed to get done, going 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (2-3, 2.72 ERA)

For Wolseley:

Jeremy Albury took his second straight loss (and no doubt this one will sting for awhile), going 8.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (3-2, 2.05 ERA)

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07-13-2017, 02:03 AM	#348
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,932	April 12, 1947 Queensland Eagles (86-68) vs. Wolseley Unions (89-65) Season Matchup: 3-3 Queensland: Runs scored – 682 (2nd); runs allowed – 642 (6th) Wolseley: Runs scored – 682 (2nd); runs allowed – 586 (5th) For the first time since the 1939-40 season, the playoffs see two teams making their first appearance in the United Cup. Prior to this season, the Queensland Eagles and Wolseley Unions had just one brief playoff appearance between them (Queensland in 1937-38). But both defeated previous Cup champions to get here. Queensland had to go the distance to knock off the Brunswick Legends, a series that included two extra-inning matches. Meanwhile, the Wolseley Unions made relatively quick work of the Kingston Pelicans and will be much more rested for Game 1. Will fatigue be a factor for Queensland? However, the Unions are dealing with a bit of adversity as well. Team icon and lead-off hitter, 28-year old CF Zak Kidd (.275/.348/.484, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 29 BB, 9 SB, 2.5 WAR), who smashed three home runs in the Western League Pennant Series, strained a rib cage muscle in the final game against the Pelicans and will be out for at least another week. Thus, it is highly unlikely he will see any action in the United Cup. That deals a tough blow to the Unions. 25-year old CF Glen Traill (.231/.327/.316, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 49 BB, 5 SB, 1.1 WAR), who was an 8th overall pick from 1942-43, will take his place in the lineup, with 24-year old RF Rizalino Ringor (.246/.371/.319, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 101 BB, 14 SB, 2.5 WAR) moving into the leadoff spot. So how the teams’ respective managers adjust to these challenges may mean the difference in who wins the ultimate prize. Queensland’s field manager, 58-year old Reid Saxby and Wolseley’s manager, 48-year old Tony Fay, have been at the helm of their respective clubs since the first game of the ULB’s inaugural season. One of them will finally see all their years of toil pay off. But enough yapping - it’s off to the ballpark! -------- Game 1 Queensland’s Wagner Stadium hosts the opening game of the United Cup. Clear skies, warm sunshine and a light breeze blowing out to left set the perfect stage for Braeland’s premier sporting event. 25,206 are on hand to cheer the Eagles on. 27-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (17-15, 3.54 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) starts for Queensland, while 23-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (17-16, 2.91 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) takes the hill for Wolseley. Top of the 1st: The Unions waste no time getting on the board. 3B Burt Willey and LF Carlton Hawking bang out back-to-back singles with one out. Both come home for the game’s first two runs when SS George Kimpton line-drives a first-pitch double into right-centerfield. After C Éric Denis strikes out, 1B Joey Phinney singles in Kimpton and its 3-0 Wolseley before Queensland has a chance to respond. Wolseley 3 – Queensland 0 Top of the 3rd: Burt Willey leads off with a triple. With one out, George Kimpton draws a 4-pitch walk. Éric Denis then smacks a first-pitch double, scoring Willey and moving Kimpton to 3B. Kimpton adds to the Unions’ lead when he comes home on a Joey Phinney 4-3 ground out. Wolseley 5 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 3rd: 3B Alexander Crutcher doubles with one out and reaches 3B when 2B Noah Wellings follows with a first-pitch single. Next up is RF Jilenko Vergara, who singles in Crutcher and advances Wellings to 3B. But LF Ron Gavin lines into a 6-5 double play to snuff out the rally. In the bottom of the 9th, SP Albury gets PH Héctor García to popup (F4) and Alexander Crutcher to ground out. Noah Wellings then draws a walk. But Jilenko Vergara strikes out swinging to end the game. Wolseley takes Game 1. FINAL: Wolseley 5 – Queensland 1 *Player of the Game:* Jeremey Albury continues undefeated in the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (3-0, 1.00 ERA) George Kimpton goes 2-3, 2-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. For Queensland: Aaron Sauderson pitched a credible game, but gets stuck with his third loss of the playoffs. He went 9.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (0-3, 2.75 ERA) Jilenko Vergara goes 4-5, 1 RBI -------- Game 2 The day is a carbon copy of yesterday, so weather will not be a factor. 24,994 return to Wagner Stadium to see if their Eagles can bounce back. 39-year old RHP Stewart Colcott (15-11, 3.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) starts Game 2 for Queensland, while 28-year old RHP Kai Tosh (18-8, 2.79 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) gets the call for Wolseley. Top of the 1st: Carlton Hawking draws a walk with two out. George Kimpton and Éric Denis follow with back-to-back singles, bringing home Hawking. Wolseley 1 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 1st: Queensland loads the bases when Noah Wellings singles, Jilenko Vergara walks and Ron Gavin singles with one out. Wellings comes into score to tie the game on an Elijah Sheppard ground out. Héctor Gutiérrez then steps up the plate and crushes Kai Tosh’s first offering for a 3-run home run, 408 ft. to right-centerfield, giving Queensland the lead. Wolseley 1 – Queensland 4 Top of the 2nd: 3B Vincent Colón and Glen Traill lead off with back-to-back singles. Kai Tosh lays down a sac bunt, advancing the runners. A Rizalino Ringor sac fly and a Burt Willey single score Colón and Traill to get Wolseley to within one. Wolseley 3 – Queensland 4 Top of the 3rd: George Kimpton leads off with a single. Joey Phinney then singles with one out, putting runners on the corners. Kimpton comes in to tie the game when Vincent Colón hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Wolseley 4 – Queensland 4 Bottom of the 5th: Noah Wellings smacks a first-pitch triple with one out. After Jilenko Vergara draws a four-pitch walk, Wellings returns the lead to Queensland when he scores on a 3-6 fielder’s choice by Ron Gavin. Héctor Gutiérrez strikes out looking to end the inning, but is tossed from the game when he argues too vehemently over the call. Javier Chávez comes in to replace him at 1B. Wolseley 4 – Queensland 5 Bottom of the 6th: SP Tosh runs into trouble in the 6th. SS Dermott Akers leads off with a single, advances to 2B on a wild pitch and then to 3B on a ground out. But with two out, Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings hit back-to-back doubles, scoring two runs. That ends Tosh’s day. RHP Shaun Alford relieves him, but a walk by Jilenko Vergara and a double by Ron Gavin scores Queensland third run before the inning is over. In the top of the 9th, LHP Roman Davis gets the Unions to go down in order, tying the series up at one. FINAL: Wolseley 4 – Queensland 8 *Player of the Game:* Noah Wellings went 3-5 with 1-2B, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 3 R Héctor Gutiérrez went 1-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R before being ejected in the 5th inning. Stewart Colcott picks up his third win of the post-season, going 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (3-0, 2.61 ERA) For Wolseley: Kia Tosh lasts just 5.2 IP, with 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (1-2, 5.96 ERA) George Kimpton went 3-4, 1 R. -------- Game 3 Satchel Paige Park takes its first turn hosting the United Cup, which it will do so for the next three games. 25,404 Union faithful pack the stadium. The skies are partly cloudy with just a light breeze blowing out to right. The starting pitchers of Game 1 return: RHP Jeremy Albury for Wolseley; RHP Aaron Saunderson for Queensland. Top of the 6th: The game remains scoreless until the 6th. SP Albury strikes out both Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings to start the inning, but Jilenko Vergara and Ron Gavin then bang out back-to-back doubles, putting Queensland on the board. Queensland 1 – Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 7th: Éric Denis leads off with a single, advances to 2B on a sac bunt then to 3B on a ground out. Glen Traill then comes through with a double, tying the game. Jeremy Albury gives the Unions the lead when he singles home Traill. Queensland 1 – Wolseley 2 Top of the 9th: Dermott Akers ties the game when he crushes a one-out solo home run, 430 ft. to right-centerfield. PH Aaron Flanagan follows with a walk and comes into score when 3B Fernando Gómez and Noah Wellings hit back-to-back singles with two out. In the bottom of the 9th, Aaron Saunderson gets Éric Denis to fly out and PH Make-Make Kamaka to go down on strikes. But 2B Neil Boyle and Glen Traill smack out back-to-back singles, putting the tying run on 3B. However, PH Octávio León grounds out to the pitcher to end the game. Queensland takes the upper hand in the series. FINAL: Queensland 3 – Wolseley 2 *Player of the Game:* Aaron Saunderon picks up his first win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (1-3, 2.60 ERA) For Wolseley: Conversely, Jeremy Albury suffers his first loss: 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 K, 1 HR (3-1, 1.50 ERA) Glen Traill goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 1 R The Unions lose another player to injury: 3B Vincent Colón injured himself while fielding a ground ball in the 3rd inning. He was diagnosed with a deep elbow bruise and could be out for 1-2 weeks. Burt Willey moves to 3B to take his place, while 22-year old Westin Woollams (.198/.276/.224, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 33 R, 5 SB, -0.4 WAR) will start at 2B and lead off for Game 4. -------- Game 4 A record crowd of 30,065 pack Satchel Paige Park to see if the hometown Unions can even up the series after losing in heartbreaking fashion the day before. A cloudless sky and a light breeze blowing in from left to right sets the scene. The Game 2 starters square off again this afternoon: Wolseley’s RHP Kai Tosh against Queensland’s RHP Stewart Colcott. Top of the 3rd: Dermott Akers leads off with a four-pitch walk, then advances to 2B on a Stewart Colcott sac bunt with two out. Alexander Crutcher then comes through with a line-drive single to centerfield, scoring Akers. Queensland 1 – Wolseley 0 Top of the 6th: Noah Wellings singles with one out and reaches 2B on a Jilenko Vergara ground out. Ron Gavin then singles in Wellings for the Eagles’ second run. Queensland 2 – Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 8th: Wolseley finally gets something going, when Westin Woollams and Éric Denis bang out back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with one out. With two out, George Kimpton slashes a single into shallow left field scoring Woollams. Queensland 2 – Wolseley 1 Top of the 9th: Ron Gavin leads off with a single. With one out, Héctor Gutiérrez doubles Gavin to 3B. After Dermott Akers is intentionally walked to load the bases, PH Héctor García smashes a double to deep centerfield, scoring all three baserunners. In the bottom of the 9th, SP Colcott gets the Unions to go down 1-2-3, giving the Eagles a commanding 3-1 lead in the Series. FINAL: Queensland 5 – Wolseley 1 *Player of the Game:* Stewart Colcott continues his magic touch in the playoffs, winning his fourth game. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (4-0, 2.25 ERA) Ron Gavin went 3-4 with 1 RBI, 1 R Héctor García went 1-1, 1-2B, 3 RBI For Wolseley: Kai Tosh is hung with another tough loss, going 8.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (1-3, 5.74 ERA) -------- Game 5 The weather has cooled off just a bit, but not as much as the Unions have done since Game 1 of Series. 29,864 return hoping against hope that the Unions can stave off elimination. Wolseley’s 29-year old RHP Hun Park (11-12, 3.77 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) makes his second start in the post-season. Queensland counters with 30-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (15-13, 3.98 ERA, 1.48 WHIP), who is also making his second start in the playoffs. Top of the 4th: Dermott Akers doubles with two out. After CF Kunimichi Baba is walked intentionally, SP Quian comes through with a single to shallow leftfield, scoring Akers. A single by Alexander Crutcher and a double by Noah Wellings scores two more runs. Queensland 3 – Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 5th: Glen Traill battles Pi-ao Quian for 9 pitches, then beats out the throw to 1B for an infield hit with one out. After advancing to 2B on a Hun Park sac bunt, Westin Woollams singles him home for the Unions’ first run. Queensland 3 – Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 7th: Glen Traill leads off with a single, then steals 2B with one out. Westin Woollams scratches out an infield hit, putting runners on the corners. He is followed by Éric Denis, who bangs out a double scoring both Traill and Woollams, tying the game. After Carlton Hawking is given a free pass, George Kimpton comes through with a double, scoring Denis for the go-ahead run. In the top of the 9th, RHP Ross New, who relieved SP Park in the 7th inning, induces ground-outs from both PH Aaron Flanagan and Jilenko Vergara for two quick outs. Queensland threatens however, when Ron Gavin follows with a double and reaches 3B on an Elijah Sheppard single to centerfield. But Ross New shuts down the threat when he strikes out Héctor Gutiérrez on three straight pitches, keeping Wolseley’s championship hopes alive for another day. FINAL: Queensland 3 – Wolseley 4 *Player of the Game:* Westin Woollams went 3-4 with 1 RBI, 1 R Éric Denis goes 2-4 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R Hun Park did not get the win, but he kept the game within reach, going 6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-0, 3.55 ERA) For Queensland: Noah Wellings went 3-4, 1-2B, 1 RBI Pi-ao Quian suffered his second loss of the playoffs, going 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (0-2, 5.14 ERA) -------- Game 6 The United Cup returns to the Island’s north-east coast, where 27,344 fans converge on Wagner Stadium to see if their Eagles can pull off just one more victory to seal the deal. The heat has descended upon Queensland without a trace of clouds. The wind has picked up a bit, blowing straight out to left, providing some relief to the fans and players alike. For the third time in the series, Queensland’s RHP Aaron Saunderson will be up against Wolseley’s RHP Jeremy Albury. Albury won Game 1; Saunderson took Game 3. Top of the 1st: Wolseley strikes early. Westin Woollams leads off with a first-pitch single, then advances to 2B when Éric Denis follows with a single of his own. After Carlton Hawking draws a walk to load the bases, George Kimpton singles in Woollams for the game’s first run. Denis scores the Unions’ second run when Burt Willey hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice with one out. Wolseley 2 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 4th: Noah Wellings leads off with a first-pitch double. With one out, Ron Gavin takes an 0-1 pitch from Albury and smashes a 2-run home run, 357 ft. to the rightfield bleachers, tying the game up in a hurry. Wolseley 2 – Queensland 2 Bottom of the 5th: Queensland puts runners on the corners when Alexander Crutcher and Noah Wellings bang out back-to-back singles with one out. After Jilenko Vergara hits into a 1-6 fielder’s choice, Ron Gavin comes through with a first-pitch double, scoring Crutcher for the go-ahead run. Wolseley 2 – Queensland 3 Top of the 8th: Wolseley loads the bases when Carlton Hawking leads off with a walk, Rizalino Ringor walks with one out and PH Ray Carver singles. 1B Joey Phinney then hits a sac fly to deep centerfield, scoring Hawking for the tying run. Wolseley 3 – Queensland 3 Bottom of the 8th: Héctor Gutiérrez leads off with a single, then reaches 2B on a PH Aaron Flanagan ground out. With two out, PH Javier Chávez comes through with a double, scoring Gutiérrez and giving the Eagles the lead once again. In the top of the 9th, Aaron Saunderson looks to seal the deal. PH Make-Make Kamaka flies out to leftfield on the first pitch he sees. Westin Woollams follows, but goes down swinging on three pitches. Finally, Éric Denis battles valiantly, fouling off 5 straight pitches, but grounds out to 2B Noah Wellings to end the game, the series and the season. The Queensland Eagles are United Cup Champions! FINAL: Wolseley 3 – Queensland 4 *Player of the Game:* Ron Gavin was simply on fire, going 3-3 with 2-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R Héctor Gutiérrez went 2-4 with 1 R Aaron Saunderson did what needed to get done, going 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (2-3, 2.72 ERA) For Wolseley: Jeremy Albury took his second straight loss (and no doubt this one will sting for awhile), going 8.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (3-2, 2.05 ERA) -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 10:43 PM.