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reds1 · 08-18-2018, 09:08 PM

Wolseley Unions (101-53) vs. Fort Richmond Generals (87-67)
Season Matchup: 10-5 in favor of Wolseley

Wolseley: Runs scored – 813 (1st in West); runs against – 537 (1st)
Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 653 (5th); runs against – 574 (2nd)

For the third straight season, the Wolseley Unions and Fort Richmond Generals will face each other for the Western League Pennant. After three consecutive 2nd place finishes, the Unions captured top spot for the first time with a dominating performance in the regular season (their expected record was 105-49). Last season, the Unions upended a 103-51 Generals club in the Western final and went on to win the United Cup. Fort Richmond is not the powerhouse they were last season but are still a dangerous unit. But as good as they are Wolseley just seemed to be better in all facets, particularly on offense.

To make matters worse, the Generals will be playing without one of their top position players. 25-year old 2B Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.301/.345/.441, 9 HR, 71 RBI, 38 BB, 7 SB, 5.0 WAR) was injured while running the bases in a game against the Cambria Cannons back on March 23. He strained an abdominal muscle and is gone for 5 weeks. In addition to his offensive ability, he was also an outstanding fielder (.980 PCT, 5.73 RNG, +14.5 ZR, 1.058 EFF). Taking his place in the lineup is 26-year old IF/OF Brad Richards (.270/.341/.324, 2-2B, 1 RBI, 4 BB, 0.2 WAR). Richards has seen limited playing time in his major league career but is a sturdy defender at 2B and has blinding speed. He will bat in the No. 8 spot.

With the two most recent United Cup Champions once again battling for the Western League Pennant, playoff fever could not be higher on the Island than in these two cities. Bragging rights for who’s the true champion of the West is on the line. Play ball!

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Game 1 – March 28

Satchel Paige Park in Wolseley is the setting for Game 1 of the series. 30,598 vocal fans have packed the place to cheer on the home team. It’s partly cloudy (70F) with a moderate breeze (16 mph) blowing in from centerfield.

Wolseley’s ace, 26-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (18-12, 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) takes the hill, while Fort Richmond counters with their No. 2 starter, 27-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (21-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP). Albury is 5-2, 2.18 ERA in 9 playoff starts, all with Wolseley. Li meanwhile, is 3-1, 2 SV, 2.66 ERA in the playoffs over the past two seasons. This will be his third career playoff start.

Top of the 1st:
Fort Richmond strikes first when SS Ninfa Puzon leads off with a walk. With one out, 1B Daniel Paterson singles Puzon to 3B. After CF Dylan Moyne hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, Jeremy Albury throws a wild pitch, allowing Puzon to score the game’s first run and Moyne to move up to 2B.
RF Brandon Robinson then singles into right-centerfield. Moyne blows past 3B and beats out the throw from CF Owen Claridge for the second run.
Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
RF Howard Ockey lines a first-pitch single just past the shortstop with one out, then advances to 2B when LF Carlton Hawking draws a walk. A wild pitch by Li then moves up the runners 90 ft.
On the next pitch, C Éric Denis flies out to leftfield. Ockey tags up and beats the throw home from LF Jake Stunt putting the Unions on the board.
Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 1

Top of the 6th:
Jake Stunt leads off with a first-pitch single but is thrown out at 2B when Daniel Paterson hits into a fielder’s choice.
Dylan Moyne then pushes a single into shallow rightfield. Paterson tries for two but is cut down at 3B thanks to RF Howard Ockey’s mighty throw.
But Brandon Robinson triples into right centerfield to score Moyne. 3B Belarmino Barbedo follows with a single, scoring Robinson and putting the Generals up by three.
Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 6th:
With two out, 1B Wen-huan Liu slams a solo home run, 355 ft. into the rightfield bleachers, cutting into Fort Richmond’s lead.
Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 2

Top of the 7th:
The Generals get that run right back, when 2B Brad Richards leads off with a first-pitch solo home run that lands 330 ft. into the leftfield stands.
Fort Richmond 5 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 7th:
PH Lance Dulihanty draws a four-pitch walk to lead off. With one out, Howard Ockey reaches safely on error (E4), while Carlton Hawking follows him with a single just past 2B to load the bases. Next up is Éric Denis, who flies out to dead centerfield. Dulihanty tags up at 3B and easily beats out the throw home.
SS George Kimpton then triples all the way to the wall in right centerfield. That scores both Ockey and Hawking, tying up the game.
Fort Richmond 5 - Wolseley 5

Top of the 8th:
RHP John Palm takes over from Jeremy Albury and immediately runs into trouble. Daniel Paterson and Dylan Moyne lead off with back-to-back singles. Brandon Robinson and Belarmino Barbedo follow with back-to-back walks, scoring Paterson.
During C Louis Wearne’s subsequent at-bat, Palm commits a wild pitch, scoring Moyne to give Fort Richmond a two-run lead.

In the bottom the 9th, RHP José Rodriquez, who took over from Li in the 8th inning, gives up a one-out single to Éric Denis. But George Kimpton hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice and Wen-huan Liu strikes out swinging to the end the game. The Generals pull out a gutsy win to take Game 1.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 7 - Wolseley 5

Player of the Game: RF Brandon Robinson went 2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB with a triple.

Dylan Moyne went 2 for 3, 3 R, 1 BB.

Ch’ang-chieh Li goes 7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 132 PI (0-0, 2.57 ERA; Game Score: 49).

For Wolseley:

Jeremy Albury went 7.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 101 PI (0-0, 6.43 ERA; GS: 43).

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Game 2 – March 29

The day is nearly a carbon copy of the day before, as 30,180 take in Game 2 under partly cloudy skies (72F), with just a slight breeze blowing in from left (11 mph). While Wolseley looks to get the split before the Series heads to Fort Richmond, the Generals are looking to take both games on the road.

A pair of No. 3 starters will face each other. For Wolseley, 30-year old RHP Kai Tosh (13-13, 3.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) makes his 10th career playoff start (3-6, 4.57 ERA), which have been all with the Unions. 27-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (15-13, 3.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) takes the ball for Fort Richmond. This will be his 6th start in the playoffs (4-1, 3.41 ERA).

Top of the 1st:
SS Ninfa Puzon leads the game off with a double. LF Jake Stunt then singles into rightfield. Puzon rounds 3B and beats out the throw to home plate from RF Howard Ockey to open the scoring.
Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
C Éric Denis, SS George Kimpton and 1B Wen-huan Liu lead off with three consecutive singles to load the bases. A fielder’s choice by CF Owen Claridge and a sac fly to rightfield by 3B Burt Willey scores two runs, giving the Unions the lead.
Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Kai Tosh and 2B Make-Make Kamaka draw back-to-back walks with two outs before Howard Ockey singles to load the bases. A wild pitch by Nicky Sherlock allows Tosh to score the Unions third run. Although LF Carlton Hawking draws another walk, Sherlock induces a 5-4 fielder’s choice from Éric Denis to limit the damage.
Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 3

Top of the 8th:
A couple of miscues cost the Unions dearly. LF Jake Stunt reaches safely on an error (E9) and takes 2B with one out. 1B Daniel Paterson then singles in Stunt as Stunt beats the throw home from RF Howard Ockey, getting Fort Richmond to within one.
With two out, a RF Brandon Robinson single and an error (E6) on 3B Belarmino Barbedo’s infield pop-up loads the bases.
C Louis Wearne punches a single into shallow rightfield. Paterson comes home to tie the game. Barbedo is waved home on the play and scores the go-ahead run as RF Howard Ockey’s throw home is off the mark.

In the bottom of the 9th, Nicky Sherlock gets PH Blair Toman to fly out to centerfield, induces a 4-3 ground out from Make-Make Kamaka and a pop fly (F9) from Howard Ockey to end the game and the get the win. The Generals take the first two right in Wolseley’s own backyard and head home for at least the next two games.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 3

Player of the Game: Nicky Sherlock got the outs he needed to pull out the victory. He went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 133 PI (1-0, 3.00 ERA; GS: 57).

For Wolseley:

Kai Tosh was done in by some costly errors. He pitched 8.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 118 PI (0-1, 1.13 ERA; GS: 59).

George Kimpton went 3 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB.

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Game 3 – March 31

The Series heads up to Fort Richmond with the Unions looking to get on track and the Generals looking to get a stranglehold. Generals Stadium will play host with 24,192 packing the house and with the Amethyst Mountains visible just off in the distance. It’s a hot day in ‘The Fort’: 81F with clear skies and only a moderate breeze (15 mph) blowing in from center providing any relief.

Fort Richmond’s ace, 31-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (14-16, 3.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), gets the call. Taváres pitched in one playoff game (0-1, 5.63 ERA) back in 1945-46 when he was with the Sherburn Tigers. Wolseley’s No. 2 man, 31-year old RHP Bill Blair (21-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) is tasked with getting the Unions back in the win column. Blair has previously pitched in the playoffs for both the Unions and Stratford Barons, going 4-1, 2.57 ERA in six starts.

Top of the 1st:
Wolseley gets on the board early. RF Howard Ockey doubles with one out. LF Carlton Hawking then line drives a full-count single into leftfield. Ockey speeds past 3B and beats LF Jake Stunt’s throw home to open the scoring.
Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 0

Bottom of the 6th:
Bill Blair keeps the Generals’ hitters off the board, until Jake Stunt leads off the bottom half of the 6th. Stunt jumps all over Blair’s first offering, crushing it 401 ft. into the left centerfield stands for a solo home run, tying things up and getting the fans back in the game.
Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 1

Bottom of the 8th:
Blair gets two quick outs before Jake Stunt lines a single into centerfield. 1B Daniel Paterson comes up to the plate next and smashes a triple into the gap in left centerfield, scoring Stunt and giving the Generals the lead.

In the top of the 9th, Carlton Hawking battles Taváres to a full count, but flies out to the shortstop. C Éric Denis fouls off four pitches before flying out rightfield. Lastly, Taváres gets SS George Kimpton to ground out to 3B to end the game. With blank stares on their faces, the Unions look on from their dugout as the Generals and their raucous fans celebrate, needing just one more win to advance to the United Cup.
FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 2

Player of the Game: Roberto Taváres earns his first playoff win, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 135 PI. (1-0, 1.00 ERA; GS: 74).

In what was largely a pitcher’s duel, Jake Stunt was a thorn in Bill Blair’s side, going 2 for 4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R.

For Wolseley:

Bill Blair pitched a great game, but Taváres was just a little bit better. Blair’s line was 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 97 PI (0-1, 2.25 ERA; GS: 63).

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Game 4 – April 1

The Wolseley Unions look to regroup with their season on the line. Things have cooled down just a little compared to the day before: partly cloudy, 70F and with the wind now blowing from right to left (12 mph). Many of the 24,019 fans on hand have come with brooms, anticipating a sweep for their Generals.

The two teams’ No. 4 starters are set to face each other. 24-year LHP Gavin Flatt (11-7, 3.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) takes the mound for Fort Richmond, while Wolseley taps 25-year old LHP Axel MacKay (12-1, 3 SV, 2.31 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) for his first playoff appearance to see what he can do. Flatt has little playoff experience as well. He pitched 3.2 IP (0-0, 7.36 ERA) for Fort Richmond back in 1947-48. This will also be his first playoff start.

Bottom of the 3rd:
Fort Richmond gets on the board first. LF Jake Stunt hits a first-pitch line drive double into right centerfield with one out. After reaching 3B on a RF Brandon Robinson ground out, Stunt scores when CF Dylan Moyne follows with a single.
Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 1

Bottom of the 4th:
C Louis Wearne draws a one-out walk and reaches 2B on a wild pitch. A single by 2B Brad Richards puts runners on the corners. SP Gavin Flatt then helps his cause with a first pitch single, scoring Wearne for the Generals’ second run. But SP MacKay is able to get out of the jam and limit the damage.
Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 2

Top of the 5th:
Wolseley gets something going in the 5th. SS George Kimpton punches a first-pitch, one-out single into shallow leftfield. Back-to-back walks by LF Carlton Hawking and C Éric Denis load the bases with two out.
Next up is 1B Wen-huan Liu. Liu jumps all over Flatt’s first offering, sending it 365 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a GRAND SLAM home run.
Wolseley 4 – Fort Richmond 2

Top of the 6th:
3B Burt Willey leads off and reaches safely on an error (E3). After CF Owen Claridge draws a walk, SP Axel MacKay lays down a sac bunt. However, C Louis Wearne throws to 3B Belarmino Barbedo for the force out and Barbedo’s throw to 1B Daniel Paterson completes the double play, leaving Claridge on 2B.
But after George Kimpton is intentionally walked, 2B Make-Make Kamaka singles down the 3B line. Claridge bolts for home from 2B and scores without a throw.
Wolseley 5 – Fort Richmond 2

Bottom of the 6th:
Belarmino Barbedo leads off with a double followed by Louis Wearne, who draws a walk.
After Gavin Flatt lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners with one out, SS Ninfa Puzon singles home both Barbedo and Wearne, who beats out the throw from CF Howard Ockey.
Wolseley 5 – Fort Richmond 4

Top of the 7th:
Wen-huan Liu takes a walk with one out, while 3B Burt Willey is given a free pass with two out. PH Ramón Tavira then singles into shallow left centerfield. Liu reached 3B and breaks for home, beating out the throw from LF Jake Stunt.
Wolseley 6 – Fort Richmond 4

Top of the 8th:
George Kimpton leads off with a first-pitch single, then moves up to 2B on a Make-Make Kamaka sac bunt. After Carlton Hawking is intentionally walked, RHP José Rodriquez comes in to relief Gavin Flatt.
But Éric Denis doubles home Kimpton to extend Wolseley’s lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP John Palm gives up a one-out single to Brandon Robinson. But Dylan Moyne and Daniel Paterson fly out to right and left field respectively to end the game. The Unions stave off elimination to live another day.
FINAL: Wolseley 7 – Fort Richmond 4

Player of the Game: Wen-huan Liu went 1 for 3, but that lone hit was a big one. In all, he went 1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB.

Axel MacKay picks up his first career playoff victory under enormous pressure. He went 7.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 126 PI (1-0, 4.70 ERA; GS: 46).

For Fort Richmond:

Gavin Flatt struggled with his control, setting a Western League playoff record with 10 walks. He went 7.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 10 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 123 PI (0-1, 7.36 ERA; GS: 30).

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Game 5 – April 2

The two teams converge on Generals Stadium with the Unions having avoided the sweep and looking for more. Fort Richmond would like to wrap things up this afternoon without having to return to Wolseley for a Game 6. The heat has returned (77F) with clear skies and moderate breeze blowing in from right (18mph). 24,304 fans have packed the stadium hoping that their team can taste victory against the Unions just one more time.

The pitchers from Game 1 get the start. Fort Richmond’s 27-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (0-0, 2.57 ERA) will square off against Wolseley’s 26-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (0-0, 6.43 ERA).

Top of the 3rd:
3B Burt Willey leads off with a double, then reaches 3B on a sac bunt by Jeremy Albury. RF Howard Ockey then doubles with two out, scoring Willey for the Unions’ first run.
Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 0

Top of the 6th:
Howard Ockey leads off with a first-pitch single. With two out, SS George Kimpton doubles into right centerfield. Ockey is waved home and scores without a throw.
Wolseley 2 – Fort Richmond 0

Top of the 8th:
LF Carlton Hawking draws a full-count walk with two out. C Éric Denis follows with a single to put runners on the corners. George Kimpton then laces a single into shallow rightfield, scoring Hawking for Wolseley’s third run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Jeremy Albury makes quick work of Fort Richmond’s last three batters, inducing a 3-1 groundout from CF Dylan Moyne and back-to-back flyballs to centerfield from RF Brandon Robinson and C Louis Wearne. The Series heads back to Wolseley with the Unions breathing new life.
FINAL: Wolseley 3 – Fort Richmond 0

Player of the Game: Jeremy Albury was simply outstanding, shutting down the Generals on three hits. His line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 88 PI (1-0, 2.81 ERA; GS: 81).

Howard Ockey went 3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Fort Richmond:

Ch’ang-chieh Li just could not match Albury’s brilliance and the offense wasn’t there for him either. He went 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 134 PI (1-1, 3.00 ERA; GS: 52).

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Game 6 – April 4

The two teams return to Wolseley on the west coast and are greeted to wet, soggy conditions. By game time, the heavier rain of the morning had eased but continues to fall intermittently. Its still warm (75F) with a slight breeze (11 mph) blowing from right to left, as 30,275 fans brave the elements to see if their Unions can keep their momentum going and force a game 7.

The starters of Game 2 meet up once again: 30-year old RHP Kai Tosh (0-1, 1.13 ERA) gets the call for Wolseley, while Fort Richmond tasks 27-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (1-0, 3.00 ERA) to get the Generals back on track.

Top of the 2nd:
Fort Richmond strikes first. C Louis Wearne and LF Jake Stunt lead off with back-to-back full count walks. 2B Brad Richards singles into shallow rightfield, but a throwing error by RF Howard Ockey to 2B allows Wearne to score and Stunt to reach 3B.
With two out, 3B Belarmino Barbedo lines a single into deep rightfield. That scores Stunt. Richards is waved home on the play and beats out the throw to home plate by Howard Ockey.
Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
Wolseley responds right back with the help of some Fort Richmond miscues. 1B Wen-huan Liu leads off with a double to left centerfield and reaches 3B when CF Owen Claridge singles into left centerfield as well. Liu then comes into score on a 6-4 fielder’s choice by 3B Burt Willey.
After Kai Tosh sac bunts Willey over to second base, 2B Make-Make Kamaka reaches 2B safely on an error (E6). That allows Willey to come home for the Unions’ second run.
Nicky Sherlock then wild pitches Kamaka to 3B. Howard Ockey steps up to the plate and he too reaches safely on an error (E5). Kamaka comes home on the play to tie the game.
Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 3

Top of the 3rd:
C Louis Wearne gives the lead back to Fort Richmond when he slams a one-out solo home run, 413 ft. into the left-centerfield stands. Although Brad Richards later drives a first-pitch triple into deep centerfield with two out, Tosh gets Nicky Sherlock to fly out to centerfield to end the inning.
Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 3

Bottom of the 8th:
Nicky Sherlock keeps the Unions at bay until the 8th. Wen-huan Liu singles into right centerfield with two out. Owen Claridge then hits a first-pitch double into left centerfield. Liu is waved home and beats the throw by CF Dylan Moyne, tying the game up once again.

In the bottom the 9th, RHP José Rodriquez takes over from Nicky Sherlock and gets the Unions to go down 1-2-3, sending the game into extras.
Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 4

Bottom of the 10th:
Carlton Hawking leads off and reaches safely on an error (E6). Éric Denis then singles into shallow right field. Hawking tries for 3B but his cut down by RF Brandon Robinson.
With two out, Wen-huan Liu singles into shallow centerfield putting runners on the corners. But Owen Claridge flies out to rightfield to end the inning.
Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 4

Bottom of the 11th:
RHP Shinzo Okamoto takes over for José Rodriquez in the bottom of the 11th.
Burt Willey leads off with a line drive double that gets past 1B Daniel Paterson down the rightfield line. PH César Morales hits into a 4-3 ground out, moving Willey to 3B.
After Make-Make Kamaka is intentionally walked, Howard Ockey slaps the ball towards 2B Brad Richards. Richards throws the ball back to C Louis Wearne, but the throw is not in time as Willey slips beneath the tag and scores the winning run. The Unions fight back to tie the series, as the fans and Willey’s teammates celebrate in the gray mist.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 5

Player of the Game: Nicky Sherlock gets game honors despite his team coming up short. Sherlock went 8.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 134 PI (1-0, 2.65 ERA; GS: 54).

Louis Wearne goes 1 for 3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

For Wolseley:

Kai Tosh goes 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 103 PI (0-1, 3.00 ERA; GS: 47).

Wen-huan Liu went 3 for 5, 2 R.

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Game 7 – April 5

The dreary conditions from the day before are gone, and 30,674 fans have packed Satchel Paige Park to witness what they hope will be an unprecedented comeback by their Unions.

No team in the ULB has come back from being down three games to none to win a series. Two teams have come close though: in 1942-43, the Balmoral Giants were down 0-3 to the Kingston Pelicans in the Western League Pennant Series before storming back to tie it. But Kingston pulled out the victory in game 7 to clinch the Pennant. Then, in the 1943-44 United Cup, Kingston was up 3 games to none over the Brunswick Legends. Brunswick came back to tie the Series before the Pelicans trounced them 17-1 in the final game to win the Cup.

So with the Eastern League Pennant already awarded to the Downie Chiefs, all of Braeland has turned its attention to the final game of the Western League Pennant Series, with the Braeland Radio Network carrying the game from coast-to-coast.

The conditions will not be a factor: its partly cloudy (72F) with just a light breeze (10 mph) blowing from left to right.

The Game 3 starters will meet again in the final showdown. 31-year old RHP Bill Blair (0-1, 2.25 ERA) will battle against Fort Richmond’s 31-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (1-0, 1.00 ERA). Taváres took game honors in that matchup against Blair.

Top of the 1st:
Fort Richmond gets on the board first when SS Ninfa Puzon leads off with a single to left centerfield and advances to 3B when 1B Daniel Paterson reaches safely on an error (E7).
CF Dylan Moyne sends a deep fly ball to rightfield. Puzon tags up and scores without a throw.
Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
The Unions get to Taváres in the 2nd. 3B George Kimpton and 1B Wen-huan Liu lead off with back-to-back doubles to tie the game.
With one out, 3B Burt Willey reaches safely on an error (E5). Liu scores from 2B on the play as Wolseley takes the lead.
Bill Blair then pushes a single into shallow right centerfield. Willey reaches 3B and is waved home as he scores without a throw.
Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 3

Top of the 5th:
3B Belarmino Barbedo leads off with a walk and reaches 3B when Dylan Moyne doubles with one out. On the next pitch, RF Brandon Robinson singles to leftfield, scoring Barbedo and moving Moyne to 3B. But Blair is able to get out of the inning without further damage.
Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 3

Bottom of the 6th:
Wolseley starts hitting Taváres hard. George Kimpton leads off with a double and reaches 3B when Wen-huan Liu grounds out to the pitcher. CF Owen Claridge then lines a first-pitch double into rightfield, scoring Kimpton.
Burt Willey then smacks a first-pitch single into left centerfield. Claridge rounds 3B and beats out the throw home from LF Jake Stunt.
After 2B Make-Make Kamaka is given a free pass with two out, Howard Ockey slams a 2-0 pitch into deep centerfield for a double. Both Willey and Kamaka score on the play, putting the Unions up by five.
Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 7

Top of the 8th:
Jake Stunt leads off with single, ending Bill Blair’s day. RHP John Palm comes on in relief and immediately gives up a first-pitch single to 2B Brad Richards. After PH Jesús Rodriguez hits into a 3-6 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners, Belarmino Barbedo singles with two out, scoring Stunt.
Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 7

Top of the 9th:
RHP Shou -xin Chin starts the top of the 9th tasked with getting the final three outs. But Dylan Moyne leads off with a single down the rightfield line and reaches 2B when C Louis Wearne reaches safely on an error (E6) with one out. Jakes Stunt then singles to load the bases.
PH Brian Earle is sent in and he hits to 3B. Jake Stunt is thown out at 2B, but Earle beats out the throw at 1B to avoid the double play as Moyne scores from 3B.
PH Miguel Sánchez then hits a groundball to SS George Kimpton. Kimpton takes it to 2B himself to get the force out and end the game. The comeback is complete, as the Wolseley Unions repeat as Western League Pennant Champions in unprecedented fashion and will face the Downie Chiefs in the United Cup to defend their title.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 7

Player of the Game: SP Bill Blair gets his revenge for his Game 3 loss. He goes 7.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 116 PI (1-1, 2.40 ERA; GS: 49).

Burt Willey went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 R.

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 2 R and won MVP honors in the Pennant Series for the second consecutive year.

For Fort Richmond:

Roberto Taváres could not keep the Unions’ bats quiet this time. He went 7.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 111 PI (1-1, 3.38 ERA; GS: 33).

Belarmino Barbedo went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB.

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08-18-2018, 09:08 PM	#463
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,924	Wolseley Unions (101-53) vs. Fort Richmond Generals (87-67) Season Matchup: 10-5 in favor of Wolseley Wolseley: Runs scored – 813 (1st in West); runs against – 537 (1st) Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 653 (5th); runs against – 574 (2nd) For the third straight season, the Wolseley Unions and Fort Richmond Generals will face each other for the Western League Pennant. After three consecutive 2nd place finishes, the Unions captured top spot for the first time with a dominating performance in the regular season (their expected record was 105-49). Last season, the Unions upended a 103-51 Generals club in the Western final and went on to win the United Cup. Fort Richmond is not the powerhouse they were last season but are still a dangerous unit. But as good as they are Wolseley just seemed to be better in all facets, particularly on offense. To make matters worse, the Generals will be playing without one of their top position players. 25-year old 2B Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.301/.345/.441, 9 HR, 71 RBI, 38 BB, 7 SB, 5.0 WAR) was injured while running the bases in a game against the Cambria Cannons back on March 23. He strained an abdominal muscle and is gone for 5 weeks. In addition to his offensive ability, he was also an outstanding fielder (.980 PCT, 5.73 RNG, +14.5 ZR, 1.058 EFF). Taking his place in the lineup is 26-year old IF/OF Brad Richards (.270/.341/.324, 2-2B, 1 RBI, 4 BB, 0.2 WAR). Richards has seen limited playing time in his major league career but is a sturdy defender at 2B and has blinding speed. He will bat in the No. 8 spot. With the two most recent United Cup Champions once again battling for the Western League Pennant, playoff fever could not be higher on the Island than in these two cities. Bragging rights for who’s the true champion of the West is on the line. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 28 Satchel Paige Park in Wolseley is the setting for Game 1 of the series. 30,598 vocal fans have packed the place to cheer on the home team. It’s partly cloudy (70F) with a moderate breeze (16 mph) blowing in from centerfield. Wolseley’s ace, 26-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (18-12, 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) takes the hill, while Fort Richmond counters with their No. 2 starter, 27-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (21-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP). Albury is 5-2, 2.18 ERA in 9 playoff starts, all with Wolseley. Li meanwhile, is 3-1, 2 SV, 2.66 ERA in the playoffs over the past two seasons. This will be his third career playoff start. Top of the 1st: Fort Richmond strikes first when SS Ninfa Puzon leads off with a walk. With one out, 1B Daniel Paterson singles Puzon to 3B. After CF Dylan Moyne hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, Jeremy Albury throws a wild pitch, allowing Puzon to score the game’s first run and Moyne to move up to 2B. RF Brandon Robinson then singles into right-centerfield. Moyne blows past 3B and beats out the throw from CF Owen Claridge for the second run. Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 3rd: RF Howard Ockey lines a first-pitch single just past the shortstop with one out, then advances to 2B when LF Carlton Hawking draws a walk. A wild pitch by Li then moves up the runners 90 ft. On the next pitch, C Éric Denis flies out to leftfield. Ockey tags up and beats the throw home from LF Jake Stunt putting the Unions on the board. Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 1 Top of the 6th: Jake Stunt leads off with a first-pitch single but is thrown out at 2B when Daniel Paterson hits into a fielder’s choice. Dylan Moyne then pushes a single into shallow rightfield. Paterson tries for two but is cut down at 3B thanks to RF Howard Ockey’s mighty throw. But Brandon Robinson triples into right centerfield to score Moyne. 3B Belarmino Barbedo follows with a single, scoring Robinson and putting the Generals up by three. Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 6th: With two out, 1B Wen-huan Liu slams a solo home run, 355 ft. into the rightfield bleachers, cutting into Fort Richmond’s lead. Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 2 Top of the 7th: The Generals get that run right back, when 2B Brad Richards leads off with a first-pitch solo home run that lands 330 ft. into the leftfield stands. Fort Richmond 5 - Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 7th: PH Lance Dulihanty draws a four-pitch walk to lead off. With one out, Howard Ockey reaches safely on error (E4), while Carlton Hawking follows him with a single just past 2B to load the bases. Next up is Éric Denis, who flies out to dead centerfield. Dulihanty tags up at 3B and easily beats out the throw home. SS George Kimpton then triples all the way to the wall in right centerfield. That scores both Ockey and Hawking, tying up the game. Fort Richmond 5 - Wolseley 5 Top of the 8th: RHP John Palm takes over from Jeremy Albury and immediately runs into trouble. Daniel Paterson and Dylan Moyne lead off with back-to-back singles. Brandon Robinson and Belarmino Barbedo follow with back-to-back walks, scoring Paterson. During C Louis Wearne’s subsequent at-bat, Palm commits a wild pitch, scoring Moyne to give Fort Richmond a two-run lead. In the bottom the 9th, RHP José Rodriquez, who took over from Li in the 8th inning, gives up a one-out single to Éric Denis. But George Kimpton hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice and Wen-huan Liu strikes out swinging to the end the game. The Generals pull out a gutsy win to take Game 1. FINAL: Fort Richmond 7 - Wolseley 5 *Player of the Game:* RF Brandon Robinson went 2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB with a triple. Dylan Moyne went 2 for 3, 3 R, 1 BB. Ch’ang-chieh Li goes 7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 132 PI (0-0, 2.57 ERA; Game Score: 49). For Wolseley: Jeremy Albury went 7.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 101 PI (0-0, 6.43 ERA; GS: 43). -------- Game 2 – March 29 The day is nearly a carbon copy of the day before, as 30,180 take in Game 2 under partly cloudy skies (72F), with just a slight breeze blowing in from left (11 mph). While Wolseley looks to get the split before the Series heads to Fort Richmond, the Generals are looking to take both games on the road. A pair of No. 3 starters will face each other. For Wolseley, 30-year old RHP Kai Tosh (13-13, 3.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) makes his 10th career playoff start (3-6, 4.57 ERA), which have been all with the Unions. 27-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (15-13, 3.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) takes the ball for Fort Richmond. This will be his 6th start in the playoffs (4-1, 3.41 ERA). Top of the 1st: SS Ninfa Puzon leads the game off with a double. LF Jake Stunt then singles into rightfield. Puzon rounds 3B and beats out the throw to home plate from RF Howard Ockey to open the scoring. Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 2nd: C Éric Denis, SS George Kimpton and 1B Wen-huan Liu lead off with three consecutive singles to load the bases. A fielder’s choice by CF Owen Claridge and a sac fly to rightfield by 3B Burt Willey scores two runs, giving the Unions the lead. Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 5th: Kai Tosh and 2B Make-Make Kamaka draw back-to-back walks with two outs before Howard Ockey singles to load the bases. A wild pitch by Nicky Sherlock allows Tosh to score the Unions third run. Although LF Carlton Hawking draws another walk, Sherlock induces a 5-4 fielder’s choice from Éric Denis to limit the damage. Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 3 Top of the 8th: A couple of miscues cost the Unions dearly. LF Jake Stunt reaches safely on an error (E9) and takes 2B with one out. 1B Daniel Paterson then singles in Stunt as Stunt beats the throw home from RF Howard Ockey, getting Fort Richmond to within one. With two out, a RF Brandon Robinson single and an error (E6) on 3B Belarmino Barbedo’s infield pop-up loads the bases. C Louis Wearne punches a single into shallow rightfield. Paterson comes home to tie the game. Barbedo is waved home on the play and scores the go-ahead run as RF Howard Ockey’s throw home is off the mark. In the bottom of the 9th, Nicky Sherlock gets PH Blair Toman to fly out to centerfield, induces a 4-3 ground out from Make-Make Kamaka and a pop fly (F9) from Howard Ockey to end the game and the get the win. The Generals take the first two right in Wolseley’s own backyard and head home for at least the next two games. FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 3 *Player of the Game:* Nicky Sherlock got the outs he needed to pull out the victory. He went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 133 PI (1-0, 3.00 ERA; GS: 57). For Wolseley: Kai Tosh was done in by some costly errors. He pitched 8.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 118 PI (0-1, 1.13 ERA; GS: 59). George Kimpton went 3 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB. -------- Game 3 – March 31 The Series heads up to Fort Richmond with the Unions looking to get on track and the Generals looking to get a stranglehold. Generals Stadium will play host with 24,192 packing the house and with the Amethyst Mountains visible just off in the distance. It’s a hot day in ‘The Fort’: 81F with clear skies and only a moderate breeze (15 mph) blowing in from center providing any relief. Fort Richmond’s ace, 31-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (14-16, 3.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), gets the call. Taváres pitched in one playoff game (0-1, 5.63 ERA) back in 1945-46 when he was with the Sherburn Tigers. Wolseley’s No. 2 man, 31-year old RHP Bill Blair (21-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) is tasked with getting the Unions back in the win column. Blair has previously pitched in the playoffs for both the Unions and Stratford Barons, going 4-1, 2.57 ERA in six starts. Top of the 1st: Wolseley gets on the board early. RF Howard Ockey doubles with one out. LF Carlton Hawking then line drives a full-count single into leftfield. Ockey speeds past 3B and beats LF Jake Stunt’s throw home to open the scoring. Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 0 Bottom of the 6th: Bill Blair keeps the Generals’ hitters off the board, until Jake Stunt leads off the bottom half of the 6th. Stunt jumps all over Blair’s first offering, crushing it 401 ft. into the left centerfield stands for a solo home run, tying things up and getting the fans back in the game. Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 1 Bottom of the 8th: Blair gets two quick outs before Jake Stunt lines a single into centerfield. 1B Daniel Paterson comes up to the plate next and smashes a triple into the gap in left centerfield, scoring Stunt and giving the Generals the lead. In the top of the 9th, Carlton Hawking battles Taváres to a full count, but flies out to the shortstop. C Éric Denis fouls off four pitches before flying out rightfield. Lastly, Taváres gets SS George Kimpton to ground out to 3B to end the game. With blank stares on their faces, the Unions look on from their dugout as the Generals and their raucous fans celebrate, needing just one more win to advance to the United Cup. FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 2 *Player of the Game:* Roberto Taváres earns his first playoff win, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 135 PI. (1-0, 1.00 ERA; GS: 74). In what was largely a pitcher’s duel, Jake Stunt was a thorn in Bill Blair’s side, going 2 for 4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R. For Wolseley: Bill Blair pitched a great game, but Taváres was just a little bit better. Blair’s line was 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 97 PI (0-1, 2.25 ERA; GS: 63). -------- Game 4 – April 1 The Wolseley Unions look to regroup with their season on the line. Things have cooled down just a little compared to the day before: partly cloudy, 70F and with the wind now blowing from right to left (12 mph). Many of the 24,019 fans on hand have come with brooms, anticipating a sweep for their Generals. The two teams’ No. 4 starters are set to face each other. 24-year LHP Gavin Flatt (11-7, 3.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) takes the mound for Fort Richmond, while Wolseley taps 25-year old LHP Axel MacKay (12-1, 3 SV, 2.31 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) for his first playoff appearance to see what he can do. Flatt has little playoff experience as well. He pitched 3.2 IP (0-0, 7.36 ERA) for Fort Richmond back in 1947-48. This will also be his first playoff start. Bottom of the 3rd: Fort Richmond gets on the board first. LF Jake Stunt hits a first-pitch line drive double into right centerfield with one out. After reaching 3B on a RF Brandon Robinson ground out, Stunt scores when CF Dylan Moyne follows with a single. Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 1 Bottom of the 4th: C Louis Wearne draws a one-out walk and reaches 2B on a wild pitch. A single by 2B Brad Richards puts runners on the corners. SP Gavin Flatt then helps his cause with a first pitch single, scoring Wearne for the Generals’ second run. But SP MacKay is able to get out of the jam and limit the damage. Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 2 Top of the 5th: Wolseley gets something going in the 5th. SS George Kimpton punches a first-pitch, one-out single into shallow leftfield. Back-to-back walks by LF Carlton Hawking and C Éric Denis load the bases with two out. Next up is 1B Wen-huan Liu. Liu jumps all over Flatt’s first offering, sending it 365 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a GRAND SLAM home run. Wolseley 4 – Fort Richmond 2 Top of the 6th: 3B Burt Willey leads off and reaches safely on an error (E3). After CF Owen Claridge draws a walk, SP Axel MacKay lays down a sac bunt. However, C Louis Wearne throws to 3B Belarmino Barbedo for the force out and Barbedo’s throw to 1B Daniel Paterson completes the double play, leaving Claridge on 2B. But after George Kimpton is intentionally walked, 2B Make-Make Kamaka singles down the 3B line. Claridge bolts for home from 2B and scores without a throw. Wolseley 5 – Fort Richmond 2 Bottom of the 6th: Belarmino Barbedo leads off with a double followed by Louis Wearne, who draws a walk. After Gavin Flatt lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners with one out, SS Ninfa Puzon singles home both Barbedo and Wearne, who beats out the throw from CF Howard Ockey. Wolseley 5 – Fort Richmond 4 Top of the 7th: Wen-huan Liu takes a walk with one out, while 3B Burt Willey is given a free pass with two out. PH Ramón Tavira then singles into shallow left centerfield. Liu reached 3B and breaks for home, beating out the throw from LF Jake Stunt. Wolseley 6 – Fort Richmond 4 Top of the 8th: George Kimpton leads off with a first-pitch single, then moves up to 2B on a Make-Make Kamaka sac bunt. After Carlton Hawking is intentionally walked, RHP José Rodriquez comes in to relief Gavin Flatt. But Éric Denis doubles home Kimpton to extend Wolseley’s lead. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP John Palm gives up a one-out single to Brandon Robinson. But Dylan Moyne and Daniel Paterson fly out to right and left field respectively to end the game. The Unions stave off elimination to live another day. FINAL: Wolseley 7 – Fort Richmond 4 *Player of the Game:* Wen-huan Liu went 1 for 3, but that lone hit was a big one. In all, he went 1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. Axel MacKay picks up his first career playoff victory under enormous pressure. He went 7.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 126 PI (1-0, 4.70 ERA; GS: 46). For Fort Richmond: Gavin Flatt struggled with his control, setting a Western League playoff record with 10 walks. He went 7.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 10 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 123 PI (0-1, 7.36 ERA; GS: 30). -------- Game 5 – April 2 The two teams converge on Generals Stadium with the Unions having avoided the sweep and looking for more. Fort Richmond would like to wrap things up this afternoon without having to return to Wolseley for a Game 6. The heat has returned (77F) with clear skies and moderate breeze blowing in from right (18mph). 24,304 fans have packed the stadium hoping that their team can taste victory against the Unions just one more time. The pitchers from Game 1 get the start. Fort Richmond’s 27-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (0-0, 2.57 ERA) will square off against Wolseley’s 26-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (0-0, 6.43 ERA). Top of the 3rd: 3B Burt Willey leads off with a double, then reaches 3B on a sac bunt by Jeremy Albury. RF Howard Ockey then doubles with two out, scoring Willey for the Unions’ first run. Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 0 Top of the 6th: Howard Ockey leads off with a first-pitch single. With two out, SS George Kimpton doubles into right centerfield. Ockey is waved home and scores without a throw. Wolseley 2 – Fort Richmond 0 Top of the 8th: LF Carlton Hawking draws a full-count walk with two out. C Éric Denis follows with a single to put runners on the corners. George Kimpton then laces a single into shallow rightfield, scoring Hawking for Wolseley’s third run. In the bottom of the 9th, Jeremy Albury makes quick work of Fort Richmond’s last three batters, inducing a 3-1 groundout from CF Dylan Moyne and back-to-back flyballs to centerfield from RF Brandon Robinson and C Louis Wearne. The Series heads back to Wolseley with the Unions breathing new life. FINAL: Wolseley 3 – Fort Richmond 0 *Player of the Game:* Jeremy Albury was simply outstanding, shutting down the Generals on three hits. His line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 88 PI (1-0, 2.81 ERA; GS: 81). Howard Ockey went 3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R. For Fort Richmond: Ch’ang-chieh Li just could not match Albury’s brilliance and the offense wasn’t there for him either. He went 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 134 PI (1-1, 3.00 ERA; GS: 52). -------- Game 6 – April 4 The two teams return to Wolseley on the west coast and are greeted to wet, soggy conditions. By game time, the heavier rain of the morning had eased but continues to fall intermittently. Its still warm (75F) with a slight breeze (11 mph) blowing from right to left, as 30,275 fans brave the elements to see if their Unions can keep their momentum going and force a game 7. The starters of Game 2 meet up once again: 30-year old RHP Kai Tosh (0-1, 1.13 ERA) gets the call for Wolseley, while Fort Richmond tasks 27-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (1-0, 3.00 ERA) to get the Generals back on track. Top of the 2nd: Fort Richmond strikes first. C Louis Wearne and LF Jake Stunt lead off with back-to-back full count walks. 2B Brad Richards singles into shallow rightfield, but a throwing error by RF Howard Ockey to 2B allows Wearne to score and Stunt to reach 3B. With two out, 3B Belarmino Barbedo lines a single into deep rightfield. That scores Stunt. Richards is waved home on the play and beats out the throw to home plate by Howard Ockey. Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Wolseley responds right back with the help of some Fort Richmond miscues. 1B Wen-huan Liu leads off with a double to left centerfield and reaches 3B when CF Owen Claridge singles into left centerfield as well. Liu then comes into score on a 6-4 fielder’s choice by 3B Burt Willey. After Kai Tosh sac bunts Willey over to second base, 2B Make-Make Kamaka reaches 2B safely on an error (E6). That allows Willey to come home for the Unions’ second run. Nicky Sherlock then wild pitches Kamaka to 3B. Howard Ockey steps up to the plate and he too reaches safely on an error (E5). Kamaka comes home on the play to tie the game. Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 3 Top of the 3rd: C Louis Wearne gives the lead back to Fort Richmond when he slams a one-out solo home run, 413 ft. into the left-centerfield stands. Although Brad Richards later drives a first-pitch triple into deep centerfield with two out, Tosh gets Nicky Sherlock to fly out to centerfield to end the inning. Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 3 Bottom of the 8th: Nicky Sherlock keeps the Unions at bay until the 8th. Wen-huan Liu singles into right centerfield with two out. Owen Claridge then hits a first-pitch double into left centerfield. Liu is waved home and beats the throw by CF Dylan Moyne, tying the game up once again. In the bottom the 9th, RHP José Rodriquez takes over from Nicky Sherlock and gets the Unions to go down 1-2-3, sending the game into extras. Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 4 Bottom of the 10th: Carlton Hawking leads off and reaches safely on an error (E6). Éric Denis then singles into shallow right field. Hawking tries for 3B but his cut down by RF Brandon Robinson. With two out, Wen-huan Liu singles into shallow centerfield putting runners on the corners. But Owen Claridge flies out to rightfield to end the inning. Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 4 Bottom of the 11th: RHP Shinzo Okamoto takes over for José Rodriquez in the bottom of the 11th. Burt Willey leads off with a line drive double that gets past 1B Daniel Paterson down the rightfield line. PH César Morales hits into a 4-3 ground out, moving Willey to 3B. After Make-Make Kamaka is intentionally walked, Howard Ockey slaps the ball towards 2B Brad Richards. Richards throws the ball back to C Louis Wearne, but the throw is not in time as Willey slips beneath the tag and scores the winning run. The Unions fight back to tie the series, as the fans and Willey’s teammates celebrate in the gray mist. FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 5 *Player of the Game:* Nicky Sherlock gets game honors despite his team coming up short. Sherlock went 8.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 134 PI (1-0, 2.65 ERA; GS: 54). Louis Wearne goes 1 for 3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. For Wolseley: Kai Tosh goes 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 103 PI (0-1, 3.00 ERA; GS: 47). Wen-huan Liu went 3 for 5, 2 R. -------- Game 7 – April 5 The dreary conditions from the day before are gone, and 30,674 fans have packed Satchel Paige Park to witness what they hope will be an unprecedented comeback by their Unions. No team in the ULB has come back from being down three games to none to win a series. Two teams have come close though: in 1942-43, the Balmoral Giants were down 0-3 to the Kingston Pelicans in the Western League Pennant Series before storming back to tie it. But Kingston pulled out the victory in game 7 to clinch the Pennant. Then, in the 1943-44 United Cup, Kingston was up 3 games to none over the Brunswick Legends. Brunswick came back to tie the Series before the Pelicans trounced them 17-1 in the final game to win the Cup. So with the Eastern League Pennant already awarded to the Downie Chiefs, all of Braeland has turned its attention to the final game of the Western League Pennant Series, with the Braeland Radio Network carrying the game from coast-to-coast. The conditions will not be a factor: its partly cloudy (72F) with just a light breeze (10 mph) blowing from left to right. The Game 3 starters will meet again in the final showdown. 31-year old RHP Bill Blair (0-1, 2.25 ERA) will battle against Fort Richmond’s 31-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (1-0, 1.00 ERA). Taváres took game honors in that matchup against Blair. Top of the 1st: Fort Richmond gets on the board first when SS Ninfa Puzon leads off with a single to left centerfield and advances to 3B when 1B Daniel Paterson reaches safely on an error (E7). CF Dylan Moyne sends a deep fly ball to rightfield. Puzon tags up and scores without a throw. Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 2nd: The Unions get to Taváres in the 2nd. 3B George Kimpton and 1B Wen-huan Liu lead off with back-to-back doubles to tie the game. With one out, 3B Burt Willey reaches safely on an error (E5). Liu scores from 2B on the play as Wolseley takes the lead. Bill Blair then pushes a single into shallow right centerfield. Willey reaches 3B and is waved home as he scores without a throw. Fort Richmond 1 - Wolseley 3 Top of the 5th: 3B Belarmino Barbedo leads off with a walk and reaches 3B when Dylan Moyne doubles with one out. On the next pitch, RF Brandon Robinson singles to leftfield, scoring Barbedo and moving Moyne to 3B. But Blair is able to get out of the inning without further damage. Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 3 Bottom of the 6th: Wolseley starts hitting Taváres hard. George Kimpton leads off with a double and reaches 3B when Wen-huan Liu grounds out to the pitcher. CF Owen Claridge then lines a first-pitch double into rightfield, scoring Kimpton. Burt Willey then smacks a first-pitch single into left centerfield. Claridge rounds 3B and beats out the throw home from LF Jake Stunt. After 2B Make-Make Kamaka is given a free pass with two out, Howard Ockey slams a 2-0 pitch into deep centerfield for a double. Both Willey and Kamaka score on the play, putting the Unions up by five. Fort Richmond 2 - Wolseley 7 Top of the 8th: Jake Stunt leads off with single, ending Bill Blair’s day. RHP John Palm comes on in relief and immediately gives up a first-pitch single to 2B Brad Richards. After PH Jesús Rodriguez hits into a 3-6 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners, Belarmino Barbedo singles with two out, scoring Stunt. Fort Richmond 3 - Wolseley 7 Top of the 9th: RHP Shou -xin Chin starts the top of the 9th tasked with getting the final three outs. But Dylan Moyne leads off with a single down the rightfield line and reaches 2B when C Louis Wearne reaches safely on an error (E6) with one out. Jakes Stunt then singles to load the bases. PH Brian Earle is sent in and he hits to 3B. Jake Stunt is thown out at 2B, but Earle beats out the throw at 1B to avoid the double play as Moyne scores from 3B. PH Miguel Sánchez then hits a groundball to SS George Kimpton. Kimpton takes it to 2B himself to get the force out and end the game. The comeback is complete, as the Wolseley Unions repeat as Western League Pennant Champions in unprecedented fashion and will face the Downie Chiefs in the United Cup to defend their title. FINAL: Fort Richmond 4 - Wolseley 7 *Player of the Game:* SP Bill Blair gets his revenge for his Game 3 loss. He goes 7.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 116 PI (1-1, 2.40 ERA; GS: 49). Burt Willey went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 R. George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 2 R and won MVP honors in the Pennant Series for the second consecutive year. For Fort Richmond: Roberto Taváres could not keep the Unions’ bats quiet this time. He went 7.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 111 PI (1-1, 3.38 ERA; GS: 33). Belarmino Barbedo went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 08-18-2018 at 09:14 PM.