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Archelirion · 03-17-2018, 10:09 PM

GAME 1

Syracuse Maples @ Rochester Union

First innings: Syracuse took an early lead, as SS Nolan Hylton was able to make home on the back of Quincy Kennedy’s single, coming off of Mario Cisneros’ 71-mph changeup. However, a fantastic triple to the back-centre wall from Rochester’s 2B Jose Marquez was finished after CF Matt Gibbons’ flyball was caught by Bryan DeMond, and then Curtis Walden hit a single into the gap to allow Keith Schmeling through on home. C Raymond Acret ground-into-double-play, ending the innings 2-1 in Rochester’s favour.

Second innings: Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton gets doubled-up, ending their charge for the innings. Rochester’s innings is spectacularly unspectacular. Still 2-1 Rochester.

Third innings: Syracuse DH Victor Lopez hits a flyball out left to load the bases with two men out, but 2B Danny Gonzalez hits it into the air to be easily caught by Union RF Curtis Walden. Another unexceptional innings from Rochester. 2-1 to the Union.

Fourth innings: Nothing much regarding Syracuse this time around. With 2 men on base, Rochester 3B Jim Routh grounds a ball into double play, ending the innings. Still 2-1 Rochester.

Fifth innings: Back-to-back home runs from Nolan Hylton, who hit 429ft right down the middle, and Bryan DeMond’s 351ft slam down the left line, put Syracuse in a promising position. A single from Rochester’s Jose Marquez promotes 1B Allen Krausz to 2nd base, and a thumping double from Matt Gibbons down the right gets Krausz home. Robert Navarrete’s flyball was caught, but allowed Marquez home too, and a spectacular triple from Curtis Walden got Gibbons and Schmeling over the plate. A good start from Syracuse but an even better Union response – 6-3 to the Union.

Sixth innings: Nothing of note for Syracuse in the batting stakes this time around. Rochester’s Chris Todor scrabbles round on ball calls off of RHP Eric Mazer – improves Rochester’s position, 7-3.

Seventh innings: 7 ball calls against Rochester hurler Luis Garcia made life easy for Syracuse RF Nathan Redfern, who got across the plate after Quincy Kennedy hit a single. Nothing of interest in the bottom of the innings. Rochester’s lead is decreased by one, 7-4.

Eighth innings: Syracuse’s Jonathan Claxton floats a single through the centre of the field, and C Adam Lawson’s single allows Claxton to sprint to third. Sadly for Syracuse though, nothing comes of it. Keith Schmeling hit a double down the right for Rochester, but ditto. Still 7-4 to the Union.

Ninth innings: CL Chris Erickson’s 97-mph fastball towards Syracuse DH Victor Lopez proves the last pitch of the game, as Rochester win 7-4. Rochester Union lead the New York Championship (State Division, 1-0.

MVP: Keith Schmeling (Rochester Union) – 2 for 3, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB

Manhattan Victory @ Queens Diamonds

First innings: An extremely strong start from Manhattan Victory in the upper first. Fred Greenwood’s boundary double allowed both CF Joe Whitley and 2B Ryan Sauer to get across the plate, before Mike Kelly’s single gets Greenwood himself over the plate. Kelly finishes from Justin Weiler’s single, in similar circumstances. Slow start for Queens. 4-0 Manhattan.

Second innings: Ryan Sauer crushes a 357-foot home run out to the left off of Justin Dare’s 91-mph pitch to bring Manhattan’s lead to 5. LF Jonathan Parker is able to grab one back for Queen shortly afterwards though, after capitalising on his double with some impressive baserunning following Daniel Prickett’s single. 5-1 Manhattan.

Third innings: SS Matt Campbell’s finds a double through a gap in Queens’ infield to let both DH Mike Kelly and 1B Gabe Ramirez through to home. No reply from Queens. 7-1 Manhattan.

Fourth innings: Ryan Sauer gets to home after trying for home following Mike Kelly’s double. Queens are still struggling to get into the game. Manhattan find yet another run, 8-1.

Fifth innings: A fourth ball call from Benedetto Speranza allows Queens to load the bases in the bottom fifth. Another ball call get Justin Stenke on base, pushing DH Daniel Prickett across the plate. A 2-RBI double from 1B Edward Sanchez gets runs for 2B Colt Caudle and CF Steve Bowles, and then a spectacular 3-man home run from RF Manny Cortez (387ft) brings Queens to within a point of Manhattan. Victory still lead but severely harmed, 8-7.

Sixth innings: Queens SS Mickey Jones gets a base hit, and then capitalises on Manhattan catcher Jose Orona’s terrible throw to make it to third. Another base hit, this time from Colt Caudle, gets Mickey Jones a run and Queens a miraculous equaliser – Caudle is then able to make it to third after CF Steve Bowles is dealt with. Justin Stenke’s single gets Caudle home, and then a 341ft cannon from Edward Sanchez out left catapults the Diamonds into the lead. Now 11-8 to Queens.

Seventh innings: Another dry innings for Manhattan. Queens continue their assault as Mickey Jones slams a 424ft homer out to the right, getting himself, LF Jonathan Parker and Prickett some runs. 14-8 Queens, as Manhattan continue to slide.

Eighth innings: Jose Orona hits a single within the Queens infield, and then capitalises on Matt Campbell’s double to make it to the home plate. Manhattan still have a lot to do, but Queens make no further headway. 14-9 Queens.

Ninth innings: Mike Kelly hits a solid double out onto the right, and then gets to third after running from Pablo Aldabarran’s single. He’s then able to get to the home plate, following RHP Jose Martinez’s wild pitch which shoots straight past catcher Andy Gudmundson. Matt Campbell pushes Manhattan back into late competitiveness with a 2-RBI triple, as 3B Pablo Aldabarran and C Jose Orona are able to get across the plate. Alas, they were unable to make up the final two runs, as Joe Whitley’s groundball was tossed to Edward Sanchez on first. Queens win an epic 14-12. Queens Diamonds lead the New York Championship (City Division), 1-0.

MVP: Edward Sanchez (Queens Diamonds) – 2 for 5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R

GAME 2

Syracuse Maples @ Rochester Union

Second innings: Chris Todor hits a decent flyball out towards the right, earning a base hit. Robert Navarrete tries for home and makes it, pushing Rochester into the lead. Rochester lead 1-0.

Fifth innings: Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton cracks a ball out to the boundary off of RHP Tobias Brigham’s 100-mph fastball, getting himself a double. After working his way to third, RF Nathan Redfern hits a single out to the right allowing Claxton to equalise. With two men on base, Rochester’s Curtis Walden seemed to hit a decent ball out to the right, but Redfern pulled out an amazing catch to deny them anything. Syracuse equalise, 1-1.

Sixth innings: Syracuse LF Manny Huerta hits a lovely ball down the middle for a base hit, advancing Victor Lopez to second. Sadly, quick throwing from Rochester catcher Raymond Acret means that by Jonathan Claxton’s batting, Syracuse earn nothing. Afterwards, Robert Navarrete is grounded into a double play. No change, still 1-1.

Eighth innings: Syracuse 3B Quincy Kennedy hits a 101-mph pitch off of RHP Chris Erickson straight down the centre for a single. DH Victor Lopez then asks a good catch from Robert Navarrete to prevent a 2-man home run. Afterwards, Rochester 2B Jose Marquez showed why he has the most double hits in the competition (45) this year with a smashing hit to the wall from Yoshihiro Knitt’s 95-mph, but then Robert Navarrete gets grounded into his second double play of the game. Still 1-1.

Ninth innings: Quiet innings for Syracuse in the upper 9th. C Raymond Acret gets a base-on-balls call for Rochester and advances to first, following which DH Chris Todor hits a solid single out towards the right centre. However, SS Allen Krausz and CF Phil Green get knocked out in order, taking the game to extra innings on 1-1.

Tenth innings: Rochester reliever Bobby Miller got his third strikeout in 2 innings played this playoff series, knocking a swinging SS Nolan Hylton out. Bryan DeMond held his nerve for a base-on-balls call, but 3B Quincy Kennedy had his flyball plucked out of the air by Union CF Phil Green, and 2B Danny Gonzalez hit a harmless groundball to end the 10th for Syracuse. Jose Marquez hit another double for Rochester, before RF Curtis Walden did the nasty and hit a 402ft home run, to send the Union team surging out onto the pitch to celebrate win number 2. Rochester win 3-1, meaning that Rochester Union advance ahead of the New York Championship (State Division), 2-0

MVP: Omar Borjas (Syracuse Maples) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3K

Manhattan Victory @ Queens Diamonds

Second innings: Queens SS Mickey Jones smashes a 353ft home run out towards the right, to earn himself and DH Manny Cortez runs and push the Diamonds ahead 2-0 in the early stages of the game.

Seventh innings: After a very tentative performance from both teams, even RF Justin Weiler’s infield hit for Manhattan was enough to raise a cheer from the crowd. C Jose Orona looked like he’d done enough to push 3B Gabe Ramirez onto home, but Mickey Jones cannoned a throw from the left flank to Edward Sanchez on first base to deny Manhattan anything this time around. Queens get nothing.

Eighth innings: Queens RHP Roberto Sanchez has a shaky start to the eighth, earning BB calls for both CF Joe Whitley and 2B Ryan Sauer. Then, with a bit of help from the wind, LF Fred Greenwood powered a 422ft hit towards the centre claiming a 3-man home run. Manhattan were ahead! In response, C Andy Gudmundson and 2B Colt Caudle both earned base hits, before an impressive hustle from Gudmundson earned 3B Justin Stenke an RBI-single. Scores tied, 3-3.

Ninth innings: Manhattan 3B Pablo Albarran was whiffed with a Queens RHP Cesar Carpio splitter, before PH Jung-ook Bark was struck out and C Jose Orona’s flyball was easily caught by Queens CF Steve Bowles. Then for Manhattan reliever Nick Bunch, disaster struck. Allowing a base hit from LF Jonathan Parker, before PH Miguel Longoria bode his time for a BB call and Bowles hit a nice single down the centre, he faced up to PH Daniel Prickett… and got smacked around the face with a grand slam finisher for the Queens Diamonds. Queens won 7-3, meaning that they double their lead over Manhattan Victory in the New York Championship (City Division), 2-0.

MVP: Ruben Duarte (Queens Diamonds) – 7.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

GAME 3

Rochester Union @ Syracuse Maples

First innings: Rochester’s opener ended early, after LF Robert Navarrete hit ANOTHER GDIP in these playoff games – this time off of RHP Evan Everett’s 95-mph fastball. Nothing of note for Syracuse. Innings ended scoreless.

Fifth innings: If you thought yesterdays Victory/Diamonds clash was tentative, this was something else. Syracuse DH Victor Lopez hits a sterling double straight at the back wall, to record the Maples’ first hit of the game and only the game’s fourth overall… or at least, it was until 2B Danny Gonzalez followed it up with a 2-run homer towards the left (365 ft). Syracuse took the lead, 2-1.

Sixth innings: A massive bungle from Syracuse 3B Quincy Kennedy turns an otherwise harmless infield glance from Rochester 2B Jose Marquez into a base hit – he gets away with it though, as little else happens afterwards. Syracuse still lead, 2-1.

Eighth innings: Rochester’s Jose Marquez hits – you guessed it – a superb double out towards the right-centre boundary, but this time it actually counts for something, as RF Curtis Walden hit another double out towards the right line to put Marquez over the plate. Nothing much for Syracuse, Rochester equalised, 2-2.

Ninth innings: Rochester’s LF Robert Navarrete actually does something that’s not a GDIP, hitting a ball straight through the infield to claim a base hit. Maples RHP Yoshihiro Knitt took 3B Jim Routh out with a sinker, but C Raymond Acret advanced Navarrete and himself with a well-struck base hit. A curveball outing Chris Todor followed, but Allen Krausz’s single meant that Union had bases loaded, but 2 outs… and sadly for them, the man coming up to bat, CF Phil Green, had only hit .137 all season. Sure enough, he missed, and the Syracuse Maples won their first game of the series 2-1, meaning that they take a chunk out of Rochester’s lead and put themselves into the reckoning. Union 2, Maples 1.

MVP: Evan Everett (Syracuse Maples) – 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W.

Queens Diamonds @ Manhattan Victory

First innings: Queens started extremely strongly this time around – with 2B Colt Caudle and 1B Justin Stenke already on base, RF Manny Cortez met with LHP Miguel Martinez’s 89-mph forkball with effect, crushing a 422-feet homer outside of Stuyvesant Park’s boundary. Manhattan couldn’t forge a reply, despite two hits. Queens 3-0 Manhattan.

Third innings: DH Daniel Prickett makes Queens’ fans hopes of a series whitewash seem a little closer, after his 2-RBI single gets both 1B Justin Stenke and 2B Edward Sanchez over the plate – making it 5-0 in the process. Manhattan respond quickly, though – Ryan Sauer’s double is enough to advance Joe Whitley to third, and more importantly get SS Matt Campbell to home. LF Fred Greenwood then hits a single along the right line to push Whitley home, before the team is finally retired. Queens 5-2 Manhattan.

Fourth innings: RF Manny Cortez continued his one-man mission to make himself a Queens hero, after hitting a SECOND HOME RUN out towards the left of the park – allowing CF Steve Bowles and Edward Sanchez over the plate in the process. No response from Manhattan, as their chances of keeping their playoff dreams alive diminish by the innings. Queens 8-2 Manhattan.

Sixth innings: A mixture of some iffy pitching from Diamonds hurler Aubrey Beals and the batting prowess of Ryan Sauer (hitting a double) and Fred Greenwood (single) meant that both Sauer and Matt Campbell were able to claim a couple of runs back for the Manhattan Victory, to keep them in contention. Queens still lead but the gap is docked, 8-4.

Ninth innings: Carlos Linehan’s questionable pitching mean that it was all-too-easy for LF Jonathan Parker to advance around the park after his single, only cementing Queens’ position as almost certain winners of the series (and, by extension, compounding the disappointed mood circulating around Victory’s Stuyvesant Park at the time). Indeed, Manhattan went without response, and Queens win against the Manhattan Victory 9-4. The Queens Diamonds advance to the All New York Series after sweeping Manhattan, 3-0.

MVP: Manny Cortez (Queens Diamonds) – 2 for 5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R

SERIES MVP: DH Daniel Prickett (Queens Diamonds) – .556 AVG, .636 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R

It’s a wonderful honour, being named series MVP and collecting my first rings. I’ve had a slow season at times and I recognise that, but I’d like to show my sincere gratitude to coach for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do at this level, and to the fans who come out day after day and watch us hit balls around a park for three hours. You guys are the best!

GAME 4

Rochester Union @ Syracuse Maples

First innings: The very first pitch of the game – a 94-mph fastball from Maples hurler Brian Danner – resulted in that most Marquezian of Jose Marquez hits, a double for the second baseman (with a little help from a rare mistake by CF Bryan DeMond, who misjudged the flight as it came down). ENDED UP WITH A RUN. No response the Maples, Rochester claim a slender lead. 1-0.

Second innings: SS Allen Krausz soured the attending mood at Maples Ballpark, as he launched a 357 ft solo homerun out along the right-line and doubling Rochester’s lead over the home team. The Maples proved unable to provide anything, 2-0 Rochester.

Third innings: Some positives for the home side, as C Raymond Acret chalks up an innings-ending GDIP for Rochester. Syracuse is, however, still impotent on the plate, and the score remains 2-0.

Fourth innings: With no Rochester sighting in the upper fourth and with RF Neil Redfern and 1B Quincy Kennedy on base, DH Victor Lopez had a chance to push his team right back into things… but instead recorded a GDIP, ending the innings with two men on. 2-0 Rochester.

Seventh innings: With LHP Kyle Last pitching a worldie, 3B Quincy Kennedy’s double was music to the ears of Syracuse fans, who had just seen their team record only their second hit of the game so far. Immediately afterwards, Victor Lopez was able to make up for his previous misgivings with a base hit towards the right, allowing enough time for Kennedy to hurtle back to the plate and get the Maples on the scoreboard. 2B Danny Gonzalez immediately chalked up a GDIP, but there remained enough time for Manny Huerta to record an RBI base hit. With the scores tied at 2-2, game on!

Eighth innings: Keith Schmeling, who despite his dominating season had been unusually absent during the playoffs so far, capitalised from a BB call and RF Curtis Walden’s excellent double to cross the plate, and give the Union a slender lead once more. Cagey moments followed in the bottom eighth as Chris Erickson was rattled by SS Nolan Hylton’s repeated attempts at basestealing (eventually claiming third), but the Maples were unable to make anything more and Rochester went into the final innings slightly ahead, 3-2.

Ninth innings: Despite some last-minute sharpshooting from Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton, Erickson held his nerve and was able to hand Rochester a tight 3-2 victory over the Syracuse Maples, in the process ensuring that the Rochester Union advance through to the All New York Series to face the Queens Diamonds, after taking Syracuse 3-1 overall.

MVP: Kyle Last (Rochester Union) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, W

Series MVP: Curtis Walden (Rochester Union) - .471, .500 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1 R

We’re almost there now. It’s great to receive rings especially as I feel like I’ve had a good series and a good year, but letting my foot off the boil would be the worst thing to do – only gotta look at Manhattan to see what happens when you do that. Let’s go Rochester!

03-17-2018, 10:09 PM	#10
Archelirion Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Ashford, UK Posts: 204	GAME 1 Syracuse Maples @ Rochester Union First innings: Syracuse took an early lead, as SS Nolan Hylton was able to make home on the back of Quincy Kennedy’s single, coming off of Mario Cisneros’ 71-mph changeup. However, a fantastic triple to the back-centre wall from Rochester’s 2B Jose Marquez was finished after CF Matt Gibbons’ flyball was caught by Bryan DeMond, and then Curtis Walden hit a single into the gap to allow Keith Schmeling through on home. C Raymond Acret ground-into-double-play, ending the innings 2-1 in Rochester’s favour. Second innings: Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton gets doubled-up, ending their charge for the innings. Rochester’s innings is spectacularly unspectacular. Still 2-1 Rochester. Third innings: Syracuse DH Victor Lopez hits a flyball out left to load the bases with two men out, but 2B Danny Gonzalez hits it into the air to be easily caught by Union RF Curtis Walden. Another unexceptional innings from Rochester. 2-1 to the Union. Fourth innings: Nothing much regarding Syracuse this time around. With 2 men on base, Rochester 3B Jim Routh grounds a ball into double play, ending the innings. Still 2-1 Rochester. Fifth innings: Back-to-back home runs from Nolan Hylton, who hit 429ft right down the middle, and Bryan DeMond’s 351ft slam down the left line, put Syracuse in a promising position. A single from Rochester’s Jose Marquez promotes 1B Allen Krausz to 2nd base, and a thumping double from Matt Gibbons down the right gets Krausz home. Robert Navarrete’s flyball was caught, but allowed Marquez home too, and a spectacular triple from Curtis Walden got Gibbons and Schmeling over the plate. A good start from Syracuse but an even better Union response – 6-3 to the Union. Sixth innings: Nothing of note for Syracuse in the batting stakes this time around. Rochester’s Chris Todor scrabbles round on ball calls off of RHP Eric Mazer – improves Rochester’s position, 7-3. Seventh innings: 7 ball calls against Rochester hurler Luis Garcia made life easy for Syracuse RF Nathan Redfern, who got across the plate after Quincy Kennedy hit a single. Nothing of interest in the bottom of the innings. Rochester’s lead is decreased by one, 7-4. Eighth innings: Syracuse’s Jonathan Claxton floats a single through the centre of the field, and C Adam Lawson’s single allows Claxton to sprint to third. Sadly for Syracuse though, nothing comes of it. Keith Schmeling hit a double down the right for Rochester, but ditto. Still 7-4 to the Union. Ninth innings: CL Chris Erickson’s 97-mph fastball towards Syracuse DH Victor Lopez proves the last pitch of the game, as Rochester win 7-4. Rochester Union lead the New York Championship (State Division, 1-0. MVP: Keith Schmeling (Rochester Union) – 2 for 3, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB Manhattan Victory @ Queens Diamonds First innings: An extremely strong start from Manhattan Victory in the upper first. Fred Greenwood’s boundary double allowed both CF Joe Whitley and 2B Ryan Sauer to get across the plate, before Mike Kelly’s single gets Greenwood himself over the plate. Kelly finishes from Justin Weiler’s single, in similar circumstances. Slow start for Queens. 4-0 Manhattan. Second innings: Ryan Sauer crushes a 357-foot home run out to the left off of Justin Dare’s 91-mph pitch to bring Manhattan’s lead to 5. LF Jonathan Parker is able to grab one back for Queen shortly afterwards though, after capitalising on his double with some impressive baserunning following Daniel Prickett’s single. 5-1 Manhattan. Third innings: SS Matt Campbell’s finds a double through a gap in Queens’ infield to let both DH Mike Kelly and 1B Gabe Ramirez through to home. No reply from Queens. 7-1 Manhattan. Fourth innings: Ryan Sauer gets to home after trying for home following Mike Kelly’s double. Queens are still struggling to get into the game. Manhattan find yet another run, 8-1. Fifth innings: A fourth ball call from Benedetto Speranza allows Queens to load the bases in the bottom fifth. Another ball call get Justin Stenke on base, pushing DH Daniel Prickett across the plate. A 2-RBI double from 1B Edward Sanchez gets runs for 2B Colt Caudle and CF Steve Bowles, and then a spectacular 3-man home run from RF Manny Cortez (387ft) brings Queens to within a point of Manhattan. Victory still lead but severely harmed, 8-7. Sixth innings: Queens SS Mickey Jones gets a base hit, and then capitalises on Manhattan catcher Jose Orona’s terrible throw to make it to third. Another base hit, this time from Colt Caudle, gets Mickey Jones a run and Queens a miraculous equaliser – Caudle is then able to make it to third after CF Steve Bowles is dealt with. Justin Stenke’s single gets Caudle home, and then a 341ft cannon from Edward Sanchez out left catapults the Diamonds into the lead. Now 11-8 to Queens. Seventh innings: Another dry innings for Manhattan. Queens continue their assault as Mickey Jones slams a 424ft homer out to the right, getting himself, LF Jonathan Parker and Prickett some runs. 14-8 Queens, as Manhattan continue to slide. Eighth innings: Jose Orona hits a single within the Queens infield, and then capitalises on Matt Campbell’s double to make it to the home plate. Manhattan still have a lot to do, but Queens make no further headway. 14-9 Queens. Ninth innings: Mike Kelly hits a solid double out onto the right, and then gets to third after running from Pablo Aldabarran’s single. He’s then able to get to the home plate, following RHP Jose Martinez’s wild pitch which shoots straight past catcher Andy Gudmundson. Matt Campbell pushes Manhattan back into late competitiveness with a 2-RBI triple, as 3B Pablo Aldabarran and C Jose Orona are able to get across the plate. Alas, they were unable to make up the final two runs, as Joe Whitley’s groundball was tossed to Edward Sanchez on first. Queens win an epic 14-12. Queens Diamonds lead the New York Championship (City Division), 1-0. MVP: Edward Sanchez (Queens Diamonds) – 2 for 5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R GAME 2 Syracuse Maples @ Rochester Union Second innings: Chris Todor hits a decent flyball out towards the right, earning a base hit. Robert Navarrete tries for home and makes it, pushing Rochester into the lead. Rochester lead 1-0. Fifth innings: Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton cracks a ball out to the boundary off of RHP Tobias Brigham’s 100-mph fastball, getting himself a double. After working his way to third, RF Nathan Redfern hits a single out to the right allowing Claxton to equalise. With two men on base, Rochester’s Curtis Walden seemed to hit a decent ball out to the right, but Redfern pulled out an amazing catch to deny them anything. Syracuse equalise, 1-1. Sixth innings: Syracuse LF Manny Huerta hits a lovely ball down the middle for a base hit, advancing Victor Lopez to second. Sadly, quick throwing from Rochester catcher Raymond Acret means that by Jonathan Claxton’s batting, Syracuse earn nothing. Afterwards, Robert Navarrete is grounded into a double play. No change, still 1-1. Eighth innings: Syracuse 3B Quincy Kennedy hits a 101-mph pitch off of RHP Chris Erickson straight down the centre for a single. DH Victor Lopez then asks a good catch from Robert Navarrete to prevent a 2-man home run. Afterwards, Rochester 2B Jose Marquez showed why he has the most double hits in the competition (45) this year with a smashing hit to the wall from Yoshihiro Knitt’s 95-mph, but then Robert Navarrete gets grounded into his second double play of the game. Still 1-1. Ninth innings: Quiet innings for Syracuse in the upper 9th. C Raymond Acret gets a base-on-balls call for Rochester and advances to first, following which DH Chris Todor hits a solid single out towards the right centre. However, SS Allen Krausz and CF Phil Green get knocked out in order, taking the game to extra innings on 1-1. Tenth innings: Rochester reliever Bobby Miller got his third strikeout in 2 innings played this playoff series, knocking a swinging SS Nolan Hylton out. Bryan DeMond held his nerve for a base-on-balls call, but 3B Quincy Kennedy had his flyball plucked out of the air by Union CF Phil Green, and 2B Danny Gonzalez hit a harmless groundball to end the 10th for Syracuse. Jose Marquez hit another double for Rochester, before RF Curtis Walden did the nasty and hit a 402ft home run, to send the Union team surging out onto the pitch to celebrate win number 2. Rochester win 3-1, meaning that Rochester Union advance ahead of the New York Championship (State Division), 2-0 MVP: Omar Borjas (Syracuse Maples) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3K Manhattan Victory @ Queens Diamonds Second innings: Queens SS Mickey Jones smashes a 353ft home run out towards the right, to earn himself and DH Manny Cortez runs and push the Diamonds ahead 2-0 in the early stages of the game. Seventh innings: After a very tentative performance from both teams, even RF Justin Weiler’s infield hit for Manhattan was enough to raise a cheer from the crowd. C Jose Orona looked like he’d done enough to push 3B Gabe Ramirez onto home, but Mickey Jones cannoned a throw from the left flank to Edward Sanchez on first base to deny Manhattan anything this time around. Queens get nothing. Eighth innings: Queens RHP Roberto Sanchez has a shaky start to the eighth, earning BB calls for both CF Joe Whitley and 2B Ryan Sauer. Then, with a bit of help from the wind, LF Fred Greenwood powered a 422ft hit towards the centre claiming a 3-man home run. Manhattan were ahead! In response, C Andy Gudmundson and 2B Colt Caudle both earned base hits, before an impressive hustle from Gudmundson earned 3B Justin Stenke an RBI-single. Scores tied, 3-3. Ninth innings: Manhattan 3B Pablo Albarran was whiffed with a Queens RHP Cesar Carpio splitter, before PH Jung-ook Bark was struck out and C Jose Orona’s flyball was easily caught by Queens CF Steve Bowles. Then for Manhattan reliever Nick Bunch, disaster struck. Allowing a base hit from LF Jonathan Parker, before PH Miguel Longoria bode his time for a BB call and Bowles hit a nice single down the centre, he faced up to PH Daniel Prickett… and got smacked around the face with a grand slam finisher for the Queens Diamonds. Queens won 7-3, meaning that they double their lead over Manhattan Victory in the New York Championship (City Division), 2-0. MVP: Ruben Duarte (Queens Diamonds) – 7.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K GAME 3 Rochester Union @ Syracuse Maples First innings: Rochester’s opener ended early, after LF Robert Navarrete hit ANOTHER GDIP in these playoff games – this time off of RHP Evan Everett’s 95-mph fastball. Nothing of note for Syracuse. Innings ended scoreless. Fifth innings: If you thought yesterdays Victory/Diamonds clash was tentative, this was something else. Syracuse DH Victor Lopez hits a sterling double straight at the back wall, to record the Maples’ first hit of the game and only the game’s fourth overall… or at least, it was until 2B Danny Gonzalez followed it up with a 2-run homer towards the left (365 ft). Syracuse took the lead, 2-1. Sixth innings: A massive bungle from Syracuse 3B Quincy Kennedy turns an otherwise harmless infield glance from Rochester 2B Jose Marquez into a base hit – he gets away with it though, as little else happens afterwards. Syracuse still lead, 2-1. Eighth innings: Rochester’s Jose Marquez hits – you guessed it – a superb double out towards the right-centre boundary, but this time it actually counts for something, as RF Curtis Walden hit another double out towards the right line to put Marquez over the plate. Nothing much for Syracuse, Rochester equalised, 2-2. Ninth innings: Rochester’s LF Robert Navarrete actually does something that’s not a GDIP, hitting a ball straight through the infield to claim a base hit. Maples RHP Yoshihiro Knitt took 3B Jim Routh out with a sinker, but C Raymond Acret advanced Navarrete and himself with a well-struck base hit. A curveball outing Chris Todor followed, but Allen Krausz’s single meant that Union had bases loaded, but 2 outs… and sadly for them, the man coming up to bat, CF Phil Green, had only hit .137 all season. Sure enough, he missed, and the Syracuse Maples won their first game of the series 2-1, meaning that they take a chunk out of Rochester’s lead and put themselves into the reckoning. Union 2, Maples 1. MVP: Evan Everett (Syracuse Maples) – 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W. Queens Diamonds @ Manhattan Victory First innings: Queens started extremely strongly this time around – with 2B Colt Caudle and 1B Justin Stenke already on base, RF Manny Cortez met with LHP Miguel Martinez’s 89-mph forkball with effect, crushing a 422-feet homer outside of Stuyvesant Park’s boundary. Manhattan couldn’t forge a reply, despite two hits. Queens 3-0 Manhattan. Third innings: DH Daniel Prickett makes Queens’ fans hopes of a series whitewash seem a little closer, after his 2-RBI single gets both 1B Justin Stenke and 2B Edward Sanchez over the plate – making it 5-0 in the process. Manhattan respond quickly, though – Ryan Sauer’s double is enough to advance Joe Whitley to third, and more importantly get SS Matt Campbell to home. LF Fred Greenwood then hits a single along the right line to push Whitley home, before the team is finally retired. Queens 5-2 Manhattan. Fourth innings: RF Manny Cortez continued his one-man mission to make himself a Queens hero, after hitting a SECOND HOME RUN out towards the left of the park – allowing CF Steve Bowles and Edward Sanchez over the plate in the process. No response from Manhattan, as their chances of keeping their playoff dreams alive diminish by the innings. Queens 8-2 Manhattan. Sixth innings: A mixture of some iffy pitching from Diamonds hurler Aubrey Beals and the batting prowess of Ryan Sauer (hitting a double) and Fred Greenwood (single) meant that both Sauer and Matt Campbell were able to claim a couple of runs back for the Manhattan Victory, to keep them in contention. Queens still lead but the gap is docked, 8-4. Ninth innings: Carlos Linehan’s questionable pitching mean that it was all-too-easy for LF Jonathan Parker to advance around the park after his single, only cementing Queens’ position as almost certain winners of the series (and, by extension, compounding the disappointed mood circulating around Victory’s Stuyvesant Park at the time). Indeed, Manhattan went without response, and Queens win against the Manhattan Victory 9-4. The Queens Diamonds advance to the All New York Series after sweeping Manhattan, 3-0. MVP: Manny Cortez (Queens Diamonds) – 2 for 5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R SERIES MVP: DH Daniel Prickett (Queens Diamonds) – .556 AVG, .636 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R It’s a wonderful honour, being named series MVP and collecting my first rings. I’ve had a slow season at times and I recognise that, but I’d like to show my sincere gratitude to coach for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do at this level, and to the fans who come out day after day and watch us hit balls around a park for three hours. You guys are the best! GAME 4 Rochester Union @ Syracuse Maples First innings: The very first pitch of the game – a 94-mph fastball from Maples hurler Brian Danner – resulted in that most Marquezian of Jose Marquez hits, a double for the second baseman (with a little help from a rare mistake by CF Bryan DeMond, who misjudged the flight as it came down). ENDED UP WITH A RUN. No response the Maples, Rochester claim a slender lead. 1-0. Second innings: SS Allen Krausz soured the attending mood at Maples Ballpark, as he launched a 357 ft solo homerun out along the right-line and doubling Rochester’s lead over the home team. The Maples proved unable to provide anything, 2-0 Rochester. Third innings: Some positives for the home side, as C Raymond Acret chalks up an innings-ending GDIP for Rochester. Syracuse is, however, still impotent on the plate, and the score remains 2-0. Fourth innings: With no Rochester sighting in the upper fourth and with RF Neil Redfern and 1B Quincy Kennedy on base, DH Victor Lopez had a chance to push his team right back into things… but instead recorded a GDIP, ending the innings with two men on. 2-0 Rochester. Seventh innings: With LHP Kyle Last pitching a worldie, 3B Quincy Kennedy’s double was music to the ears of Syracuse fans, who had just seen their team record only their second hit of the game so far. Immediately afterwards, Victor Lopez was able to make up for his previous misgivings with a base hit towards the right, allowing enough time for Kennedy to hurtle back to the plate and get the Maples on the scoreboard. 2B Danny Gonzalez immediately chalked up a GDIP, but there remained enough time for Manny Huerta to record an RBI base hit. With the scores tied at 2-2, game on! Eighth innings: Keith Schmeling, who despite his dominating season had been unusually absent during the playoffs so far, capitalised from a BB call and RF Curtis Walden’s excellent double to cross the plate, and give the Union a slender lead once more. Cagey moments followed in the bottom eighth as Chris Erickson was rattled by SS Nolan Hylton’s repeated attempts at basestealing (eventually claiming third), but the Maples were unable to make anything more and Rochester went into the final innings slightly ahead, 3-2. Ninth innings: Despite some last-minute sharpshooting from Syracuse 1B Jonathan Claxton, Erickson held his nerve and was able to hand Rochester a tight 3-2 victory over the Syracuse Maples, in the process ensuring that the Rochester Union advance through to the All New York Series to face the Queens Diamonds, after taking Syracuse 3-1 overall. MVP: Kyle Last (Rochester Union) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, W Series MVP: Curtis Walden (Rochester Union) - .471, .500 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1 R We’re almost there now. It’s great to receive rings especially as I feel like I’ve had a good series and a good year, but letting my foot off the boil would be the worst thing to do – only gotta look at Manhattan to see what happens when you do that. Let’s go Rochester!