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Old 03-30-2018, 08:18 PM   #25
mrbucket
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: New Zealand
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Bay of Plenty Steamrollers vs Canterbury Red Knights

BAY OF PLENTY STEAMROLLERS


CANTERBURY RED KNIGHTS


Bay of Plenty have been the team to beat all season. The pundits picked them as the best team in the country, they grabbed the top spot early in the season and never gave it up. Posting a 106-62 record, a full 12 games ahead of their nearest competition, they've been very impressive.

Canterbury on the other hand were only expected to to get a 81-87 record but proved themselves the biggest surprise of the season when they went 93-75 to establish them as a playoff worthy team.

It's going to be a tall order for Canterbury here. Bay of Plenty have a 10-2 record against them this season. Onto the first game!

GAME ONE


The crowd in Tauranga were left in shock in game 1 as the Canterbury Red Knights took the first game to lead the series 1-0. Bay of Plenty pitcher Randolph Vankrimpen was awarded player of the game despite the loss (not something he appreciated), but it's true that he conceded less hits and walks than his Canterbury counterparts.

It was Canterbury CF Zachariah Knapp's 2 run HR in the 7th that provided the difference.

A wake-up call for Bay of Plenty. How will they respond?

GAME TWO


A monster 5th innings from Bay of Plenty lets them tie the series up. Star player 3B Ciaran Mackay, who led the NZ conference in Home Runs, RBIs, and WAR hit a 3-run home run to the delight of the home fans.

Player of the game is awarded to Steamroller Pitcher Masamoto van der Meijden for a tight 7 innings pitched.

Series is tied as they head to Christchurch for the next three games.

GAME THREE


Canterbury Centre Fielder Zachariah Knapp is given the player of the game but it's Right Fielder Rhys Macleod that truly owns the home fan's hearts after he hits the walk-off hit that let Canterbury take the win and grab a surprising 2-1 lead in the series.

The Red Knights started off hot, grabbing a quick 5-0 lead after the first 2 innings but the Steamrollers showed their class and got themselves back in the match. A single by the Steamrollers at the top of the ninth let them tie it up by the 9th innings.

Canterbury took their chance to win the match though as Macleod's groundball enabled Zachariah Knapp to grab the winning run.

GAME FOUR


Canterbury are one game away from a huge upset! After a thrilling victory on Wednesday, the Red Knights go on a rampage in the second innings to grab 8 runs. The Steamrollers never looked like getting themselves back in the game.

Canterbury's Rhys Macleod gets the player of the game award after he goes 2-4 with a home run, a double, and a walk, while scoring 2 times, and driving in 3.

Canterbury can end it right here in front of their home fans in Christchurch in the next game.

GAME FIVE


Bay of Plenty Ace Randolph Vankrimpen takes up pitching duties again and throws a stunner, no earned runs over 7 innings, earning him the player of the game award. Vankrimpen contributed with the bat as well, going 2-3 and hitting in a run in the 7th innings that gave the Steamrollers the lead.

He's definitely not ready to give Canterbury this series.

The action moves back to Tauranga for the the final two games.

GAME SIX

Bay of Plenty force a game 7! Canterbury grabbed the early 3-0 lead thanks to the heroics of Left Fielder Calum Macdonald who got a home run in the first innings, and a double in the second to pick all 3 of Canterbury's RBIs.

Their fortunes turned around when Macdonald went off injured. Bay of Plenty got themselves back in the match and took the lead in the 6th thanks to a Midori van Leeuwen 2-run single.

Bay of Plenty Left Fielder Domenic Sheelah hits a home run in the 7th to cap their performance. Canterbury have no answer. Time for game 7.

GAME SEVEN

And that's it! Bay of Plenty turn around the 3-1 series deficit to take the series and move on to the New Zealand final.

They rampage from the opening innings with Domenic Sheelah getting the Cycle under his belt by the end of the sixth innings, enabling the Steamrollers to take a massive 9-1 lead. Two home runs let the Red Knights rally slightly but it's too little, too late. The Steamrollers win. Canterbury put in a brave performance this series, but they'll go home disappointed.

Series MVP is Domenic Sheelah. He hit .406 with a .424 on-base percentage. He got 3 home runs, drove in 9 RBIs and scored 10 runs. Plus picked up the Cycle on that last game there. The fourth player to do so in the Russell Crowe Invitational and the first time in the playoffs.

Last edited by mrbucket; 04-12-2018 at 04:38 PM.
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