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reds1 · 05-21-2020, 02:42 AM

Wolseley Unions (87-67) vs. Cambria Cannons (85-69)
Season Matchup: 8-7 in favor of Wolseley

Wolseley: Runs scored – 547 (8th in West); runs against – 506 (1st)
Cambria: Runs scored – 667 (1st); runs against – 644 (6th)

The Wolseley Unions are unquestionably the most successful franchise in the United Leagues’ recent history. They qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight year (the Kingston Pelicans hold the record for 10 straight playoff appearances) and have won the Western League Pennant four seasons in a row. That streak matches both the Kingston Pelicans and Brunswick Legends – and all three teams have won the United Cup three times as well. But no team has won the United Cup three years in a row. The Unions now have the chance to be the first. And having won three of the last four Cups, Wolseley can strengthen their case as being the most successful franchise, period.

Facing them this year for the Pennant are the Cambria Cannons, who led the Western League for most of the season until Wolseley overtook them in the final month. The Cannons’ greatest success came earlier in United Leagues history, when they reached the playoff four straight seasons, winning two Pennants and one United Cup. Their return to the playoffs this season ends an eight-year drought.

The Unions’ strength this season has been their pitching, which was tops in the United Leagues, while their offense ranked among the worst. Not helping matters is the loss of 23-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.276/.348/.390, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 55 BB, 3.0 WAR) for at least a part of the Pennant Series. He fractured a rib in mid-February. Taking his place at the start will be 26-year old Alan Cavell (.242/.292/.309, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, -0.3 WAR), whose speed will see him bat either in the second spot (RHP) or lead off (LHP).

The Cannons by contrast, were tops in the West on offense while they lagged behind most of the other teams in pitching. Not helping is the loss of 35-year old C Heung-su Park (.300/.381/.514, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 51 BB, 5.7 WAR) to a groin injury. Filling in for him in the playoffs will be 26-year old Min-gook Lee (.309/.342/.450, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 7 BB, 1.5 WAR). He will bat out of the no. 5 spot in the lineup.

The clubs’ managers are very similar to one other in that they are both temperamental. But where they differ is in their experience. 53-year old Tony Fay has been at the helm of the Unions since Day 1 in 1937 and has a proven track record. On the other hand, 55-year old Benjamin Sadler is in his first year as a field manager, after spending eight years as a bench coach with four different clubs.

With the Unions looking to burnish their claim for greatness and the Cannons out to revenge the loss of first place, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be a dandy. Play ball!

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Game 1 – March 31

The Series opens at Wolseley’s Satchel Paige Park for the fourth straight year and 30,400 fans on hand to cheer on their Unions. The skies are partly cloudy, the heat is on (79F) all along the west coast with a breeze blowing out to right at 12 mph.

29-year old veteran RHP Jeremy Albury (6-4, 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP – career playoffs) will make his 14th playoff start for Wolseley, while Cambria’s 33-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz makes his playoff debut.

Bottom of the 1st:
Wolseley gets something going right off the hop, as Alan Cavell leads off with a double and Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single, putting runners on the corners. Carlton Hawking hits into a 6-4-3 double play but Cavell scores on the play.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1

Top of the 3rd:
Cambria gets on the board when rookie Sam Tite slams a solo home run 379 ft. into the leftfield stands with one out.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 4th:
Carlton Hawking leads off with a four-pitch walk and reaches third when George Kimpton follows him with a double lined into right-centerfield. Éric Denis then doubles into centerfield off the first pitch, scoring both Hawking and Kimpton.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3

Bottom of the 5th:
Alan Cavell leads off with a walk and reaches third base on a sac bunt by Make-Make Kamaka and a ground out by Carlton Hawking. George Kimpton then lines a single into centerfield scoring Cavell.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4

Bottom of the 6th:
Owen Claridge draws a walk with one out and reaches second when Howard Ockey grounds out to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin. Jeremy Albury then singles into leftfield. Claridge rounds third and beats out the throw from LF Ichizo Ando for the Unions’ fifth run.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 5

Bottom of the 8th:
Éric Denis leads off with a four-pitch walk. That ends Ricardo Cruz’s afternoon as he is relieved by RHP Philip Stranaghan.
Paddy Leseburg lays downs a bunt. Stranaghan throws hard to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin but its off-target, allowing Denis to reach second safely. Wolseley loads the bases when Owen Claridge singles into shallow right field. Howard Ockey battles Stranaghan to a full count before drawing a walk to force in Denis.
With two out, Alan Cavell flies out to LF Ichizo Ando. Leseberg tags up and scores without a throw.

In the top of the 9th, LHP Axel MacKay comes in to close things out. Seung-jae Park grounds out to SS George Kimpton on the first pitch, Wenceslas Jasmin strikes out swinging and Ichizo Ando flies to LF Carlton Hawking to end the game. The Unions take the first game comfortably at home.
FINAL: Cambria 1 - Wolseley 7

Player of the Game: Jeremy Albury kept all but one of the Cambria hitters off the board, going 7.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 98 PI (1-0, 1.23 ERA; Game Score: 67)

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Cambria:

Ricardo Cruz got worn down by the Unions’ bats, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 107 PI (0-1, 7.71 ERA; GS: 31)

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Game 2 – April 1

The Unions look to take the first two games, as 30,275 fans cheer them on. Its 72F, partly cloudy with the wind blowing out to left at 10 mph.

The two starters are no strangers to the playoffs. Wolseley’s 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (6-3, 2.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) will be making his 13th career playoff start (split between Stratford and Wolseley). For Cambria, LHP Hirotada Fukushima (7-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) will make his 16th playoff start and his first with the Cannons. The 38-year old Fukushima previously pitched for the Brunswick Legends in the playoffs from 1941 to 1946.

Bottom of the 1st:
The Unions get something going right off the hop as they did in Game 1, as Alan Cavell and Make-Make Kamaka lead off with back-to-back singles. After Carlton Hawking grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to put runners on the corners, George Kimpton draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Éric Denis then singles into shallow right field, scoring Cavell for the game’s first run.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 2nd:
Owen Claridge leads off and hits it out to second base. Weceslas Jasmin is unable to corral it, allowing Claridge to reach safely. But Claridge is forced out at second when Howard Ockey hits into a fielder’s choice. With two out, Alan Cavell singles into left centerfield. Ockey races around second and reaches third, beating out CF Sam Tite’s throw. Make-Make Kamaka singles into shallow right field, scoring Ockey.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Make-Make Kamaka leads off with his third single of the game while Carlton Hawking reaches safely on a walk. George Kimpton then singles into left field. Kamaka rounds third and scores without a throw from LF Ichizo Ando.
Hawking then advances to third base when Éric Denis hits into a 4-6-3 double play. Paddy Leseberg follows with a line drive single into right field to bring home Hawking.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 4

Top of the 6th:
Cambria get a run on the board when Luis Torres and Carlos Corea bang out back-to-back doubles with one out.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4

Top of the 8th:
With two out, Carlos Corea jumps all over Bill Blair’s first offering, sending it 371 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run.

In the top of the 9th, Blair seeks to close out the Cannons. But Cambria makes it interesting. Seung-jae Park singles, then reaches third base when Wenceslas Jasmin cranks out a line drive double into the gap in right centerfield with one out.
But Ichizo Ando strikes out swinging on three pitches and PH Jay Durham flies out to RF Howard Ockey to end the threat and the game. Wolseley finds itself sitting pretty after two games as the Series shifts to Cambria.
FINAL: Cambria 2 - Wolseley 4

Player of the Game: Bill Blair gets the complete game win, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 110 PI (1-0, 2.00 ERA; GS: 65).

Make-Make Kamaka went 3 for 4, with 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Cambria:

Hirotada Fukushima was the second Cambria pitcher to get roughed up. His line was 6.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 105 PI (0-1, 4.50 ERA; GS: 35).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 3 – April 3

Alexander Field hosts a playoff game for the first time since April 4, 1945, almost eight years to the day. The Series shifts to Cambria as 24,530 fans hope their team’s fortunes shift to the better as well. Its partly cloudy, 73F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph).

The two clubs’ aces will face each other. Cambria’s 23-year old LHP Bill Southon, will make his first playoff appearance. 27-year old RHP Roberto Garza (3-0, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) makes his fifth playoff start, after having a sensational playoff run last year.

Bottom of the 4th:
The hitters are kept at bay until the 4th. Min-gook Lee’s hits it out to SS George Kimpton, but his throw is low and 1B Alan Cavell is unable to control it, allowing Lee to advance to second. Lee then advances to third on a Seung-Jae Park ground out to 2B Make-Make Kamaka. Wenceslas Jasmin singles sharply to right field, scoring Lee to open the scoring.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 1

Bottom of the 6th:
Carlos Corea lines a single into left centerfield to lead off and César Ruíz reaches on a walk. After advancing on a Seung-jae Park ground out, Corea and Ruíz both score when Wenceslas Jasmin lines a double into left centerfield.

Bill Southon looks to close things out in the top of the 9th. Carlton Hawking leads off with a single into leftfield, but George Kimpton strikes out and Éric Denis grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Cambria gets back into the Series.
FINAL: Wolseley 0 – Cambria 3

Player of the Game: Bill Southon comes up big in his first playoff outing. He went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 114 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 82).

Wenceslas Jasmin goes 2 for 3, 1-2B, 3 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Roberto Garza pitched well himself, but the offense didn’t come through for him. He goes 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 111 PI (0-1, 2.25 ERA; GS: 60).

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Game 4 – April 4

The Cannons took advantage of their home field to pull off an impressive victory yesterday and look for more in Game 4. 24,511 are back at Alexander Field that looks out onto Cardigan Bay in the south-west corner of Braeland. The skies are clear, 74F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph).

Cambria’s 27-year old RHP Masami Fujihara, a former 8th-round pick from 1944-45, makes his first playoff start. On the other hand, 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (4-6, 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) will make his 12th career playoff start and his third for the Unions.

Bottom of the 4th:
The Cannons get to Saunderson in the 4th. Wenceslas Jasmin leads off with a line drive double into left field. With one out, Masami Fujihara singles into left centerfield. Jasmin tears around third and races for home. CF Owen Claridge’s throw home is not in time as Jasmin opens the scoring.
After Sam Tite walks on four pitches, Luis Torres singles into leftfield. Fujimara heads for third and is given the green light for home. He scores as LF Carlton Hawking’s throw arrives too late. Tite and Torres take advantage to move up to third and second respectively.
A Carlos Corea ground out and a line drive single by César Ruiz score two more runs.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 4

Bottom of the 7th:
Seung-jae Park leads off with a single and reaches second on a sac bunt by Wenceslas Jasmin. With two out, Masami Fujihara gets his second run-scoring hit, lining a single in right field that scores Park. That ends Saunderson’s afternoon, as he is relieved by LHP Anastasio Rodríguez.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 5

Top of the 8th:
Wolseley finally gets on the board in the 8th. Éric Denis leads off and slams the first pitch into right centerfield for a double. After Paddy Leseberg and Howard Ockey both strike out looking, Owen Claridge singles into right field. Denis reaches third and tries for home. RF Seung-jae Park throws it home but Denis beats out the throw to get the Unions a run.

In the top of the 9th, Masami Fujihara wraps things up quickly, getting three straight fly outs from Alan Cavell, Make-Make Kamaka and Carlton Hawking. The Cannons even things up with another impressive performance in a game that takes just 2 hrs, 14 min. to complete.
FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Cambria 5

Player of the Game: Masami Fujihara had a memorable playoff debut, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 88 PI (1-0, 1.00 ERA; GS: 79). At the plate, he went 2 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Aaron Saunderson pitched 6.2 IP, with 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 98 PI (0-1, 6.75 ERA; GS: 41).

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Game 5 – April 5

After surrendering 11 runs in the first two games played in Wolseley, the Cannons have limited the Unions to just a single run in Games 3 and 4. The Series continues one more time in Cambria with 24,290 fans hoping Alexander Field continues its hex on the defending champions. The sky is partly cloudy, its 74F with the wind blowing out to center at 10 mph.

Cambria’s LHP Ricardo Cruz (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will make his second playoff start and will look to avenge his Game 1 loss. RHP Jeremy Albury (1-0, 1.23 ERA) makes his 14th playoff start and will try to get his team back on track.

Top of the 3rd:
Alan Cavell triples into right field with one out. Next up is Make-Make Kamaka, who grounds out to SS Cesar Ruíz as Cavell comes home for the game’s first run.
Wolseley 1 – Cambria 0

Bottom of the 4th:
Luis Torres leads off and crushes a 1-2 pitch 407 ft. into the left field bleachers for a solo home run, tying up the game.
Wolseley 1 – Cambria 1

Top of the 6th:
Carlton Hawking and George Kimpton lead off with back-to-back singles. After advancing a base on an Éric Denis ground out to 1B Carlos Corea, Paddy Leseberg picks up an infield hit as Hawking scores on the play.
Wolseley 2 – Cambria 1

Bottom of the 8th:
Ichizo Ando doubles into centerfield with one out. With two out, Sam Tite lines a first-pitch single into left centerfield. Ando reaches third and breaks for home. LF Carlton Hawking’s throw home is not in time as Ando ties up the game and Tite takes second on the play.
Luis Torres follows with a double into leftfield, scoring Tite.
Carlos Corea then singles down the first base line on the first pitch he sees. Torres scores the insurance run as he beats out the throw from RF Howard Ockey.

In the top of the 9th, RHP Keith Roche comes on in relief of Ricardo Cruz. Owen Claridge leads off with a single into left field. But Howard Ockey flies out to CF Sam Tite, PH Blair Toman strikes out and Alan Cavell flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. Cambria takes three straight to take the upper hand as the Series heads back to Wolseley for Game 6.
FINAL: Wolseley 2 – Cambria 4

Player of the Game: Luis Torres enjoyed a big day at the plate, collecting 6 total bases.

Ricardo Cruz picked up his first playoff victory, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 119 PI (1-01, 4.80 ERA; GS: 61).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Jeremy Albury pitched a credible game, but the Cannons got what they needed to pull out the victory. He went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 95 PI (1-1, 2.93 ERA; GS: 56).

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Game 6 – April 7

The Unions were on a two-game winning streak when they left town on April 2 but come back home reeling from a three-game losing streak. Their backs are against the wall, but adversity is nothing new to Wolseley. Three years ago, the Unions were down three games to none to the Fort Richmond Generals before taking the next four to win their third pennant. With a view to seeing their team get back into the win column, 30,557 fans have packed Satchel Paige Park to cheer them on. The skies are clear, its 74F and the wind is blowing from left to right at 10 mph.

The pitchers from Game 2 meet again. RHP Bill Blair (1-0, 2.00 ERA) is tasked with getting the Unions back on track, while LHP Hirotada Fukushima (0-1, 4.50 ERA) has the chance to close things out for the Cannons.

Top of the 1st:
Cambria gets on the board quickly. Luis Torres singles with one out. He is followed by Carlos Corea, who connects on a 3-1 pitch from Blair, sending it 384 ft. into the leftfield stands for two-run home run.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 1st:
George Kimpton gets one back when leads off and launches a 3-2 pitch 343 ft. down the leftfield line for a solo home run.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 4th:
The Unions get to Fukushima. Carlos Ortíz, playing in his first game of the series, singles in leftfield on the first pitch with one out. After Éric Denis draws a walk, Paddy Leseberg lines a single into left centerfield. Ortiz rounds third base and heads for home. The throw from CF Sam Tite is not in time as Wolseley ties things up.
Owen Claridge singles to load the bases. Howard Ockey then flies out LF Ichizo Ando. Denis tags up and scores, beating out Ando’s throw.
Bill Blair comes up next, doubling on the first pitch into deep centerfield. Leseberg and Claridge come home but CF Sam Tite relays to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin who throws to 3B Luis Torres to cut down Bill Blair to end the inning.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 5

Top of the 5th:
PH Jay Durham leads off and wrangles out a walk from Blair. Sam Tite then singles into right centerfield, putting runners on the corners. Up next is Luis Torres, who battles Blair to a full count before crushing a 3-run home run 412 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers, tying up the game.
Manager Tony Fay calls to the bullpen as RHP Shou-xin Chin comes on in relief. But Carlos Corea immediately doubles into right field and scores on a César Ruíz single, giving the lead back to Cambria.
Cambria 6 - Wolseley 5

Bottom of the 5th:
But the back and forth continues as RHP Leon Hankey comes on in relief of Fukushima. Wolseley jumps all over him, as Make-Make Kamaka walks with one out followed by back-to-back-to-back singles by Carlton Hawking, Carlos Ortíz and Éric Denis. That scores two runs, giving the lead back to the Unions.
After Paddy Leseberg walks to load the bases, Owen Claridge reaches safely on an infield hit, scoring Ortíz.
Cambria 6 - Wolseley 8

Bottom of the 6th:
George Kimpton leads off with a single, steals second on the next pitch, then reaches third when Make-Make Kamaka grounds out to SS César Ruíz. He scores the Unions’ ninth run when Carlton Hawking singles into leftfield, ending RHP Leon Hankey’s relief effort.

In the top of the 9th, Tony Fay elects to bring in Game 4 starter RHP Aaron Saunderson in relief of Shou-xin Chin to try and close out the game. He gets two quick outs as Ichizo Ando flies out to CF Owen Claridge and Jarod Dwyer grounds out to 1B Carlos Ortíz. Sam Tite comes through with a double into right field. But Luis Torres flies out to LF Carlton Hawking on the next pitch to end the threat and game. Wolseley’s bats come alive to tie up the series and force a deciding Game 7.
FINAL: Cambria 6 - Wolseley 9

Player of the Game: Despite the loss and making the final out, Luis Torres was hot once again, collecting 6 total bases.

It was a rough day for the pitchers all around. Hirotada Fukushima went 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 64 PI (7.20 ERA; GS: 29)

Leon Hankey blew the save and took the loss, going 1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 48 PI (0-1, 27.00 ERA).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R.

For Wolseley:

Bill Blair went 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 02 K, 73 PI (4.85 ERA; GS: 26)

Shou-xin Chin picked up the win. He went 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 49 PI (1-0, 1.93 ERA).

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB.

LF Carlton Hawking went 3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 7 – April 8

With the Eastern League Pennant just awarded to Cobourg, the country has turned all its attention to the Western League’s winner-take-all Game 7. So far, the home team has won every game. 30,277 fans at Satchel Paige Park are hoping that trend continues just once more. The weather shouldn’t be a factor: clear skies, 73F with the wind blowing left to right at 12 mph.

The two clubs’ No. 1 starters fittingly square off in this deciding game, just as they did in Game 3. RHP Roberto Garza (0-1, 2.25 ERA) looks to pick up his first win of the series while Cambria’s LHP Bill Southon (1-0, 0.00 ERA) would love to repeat his Game 3 shutout.

Top of the 1st:
Cambria strikes first when Luis Torres lines a double on the first pitch with one out. Carlos Corea battles Garza to a full count then singles into centerfield, scoring Torres.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
With one out, Roberto Garza hits a grounder to 3B Luis Torres, but he mishandles it, allowing Garza to reach safely. George Kimpton then doubles into deep centerfield, allowing Garza to tie things up. Kimpton heads to third on the play and beats out the throw from CF Sam Tite. Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single into left centerfield to score Kimpton.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 8th:
Garza and Southon frustrate the hitters in the middle innings, but Wolseley scores another run when George Kimpton leads off with a walk and Carlton Hawking doubles to LF Ichizo Ando with one out. Kimpton scores on the play, but LF Ichizo Ando’s throw to 3B Luis Torres via SS César Ruíz nails Hawking when attempting to stretch his double.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3

Top of the 9th:
Roberto Garza looks to seal the win with Cambira down to their final three outs. But Sam Tite leads off with a triple into the gap in right center. Manager Tony Fay prevails upon RHP Aaron Saunderson just as he did in Game 6 to put out the fire. But Luis Torres connects on a 2-2 pitch for a double that bounces to the wall in right field, scoring Tite, while Carlos Corea follows with a sharp line drive single into centerfield, putting runners on the corners.
Saunderson gets César Ruíz to pop out to 1B Carlos Ortíz for the first out. But back-up catcher Min-gook Lee comes through, slicing a double into the right field corner. That scores Torres for the tying run. Corea is hot on Torres’ heels on the play and beats out RF Howard Ockey’s throw home for the go-ahead run.
Wolseley elects to intentionally walk Seung-jae Park. However, Wenceslas Jasmin singles into shallow centerfield to load the bases. Ichizo Ando then comes through with a single of his own into right field, scoring both Lee and Park.
Bill Southon, who now remains in the game, lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners. Tony Fay finally calls upon RHP John Palm to relieve Saunderson.
But Sam Tite, who started the inning, hits it to SS George Kimpton and beats out the throw for an infield hit, scoring Jasmin. Luis Torres then hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice to end the inning with the Cannons now up by four.

In the bottom of the 9th with the Unions now facing elimination, Bill Southon looks to be the hero for Cambria. But Wolseley refuses to give up, as Éric Denis and Paddy Leseberg lead off with back-to-back singles. Owen Claridge flies out to LF Ichizo Ando for the first out. Denis tags up on the play and advances to third.
At this point, manager Benjamin Sadler brings in stopper RHP Keith Roche to complete the job. But Howard Ockey walks on four-straight pitches, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate.
But Roche bears down, getting PH Blair Toman to fly to CF Sam Tite in shallow centerfield. George Kimpton comes to the plate and battles Roche to a full count. On the ninth pitch, Kimpton flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. The Cambria Cannons come from behind in dramatic fashion to win their first Western League Pennant in 11 years and are off to face the Cobourg Red Stockings for the United Cup!
FINAL: Cambria 7 - Wolseley 3

Player of the Game: A great effort by both starters, but Roberto Garza pitched a great game that ended up being squandered. He went 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 108 PI (2.25 ERA; GS: 69).

Aaron Saunderson couldn’t close things out this time. His line was 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 21 PI (0-2, 10.80 ERA, 1 BS)

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

For Cambria:

Bill Southon kept the Cannons in the game, and they rewarded him big time with his second victory of the playoffs. He went 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 127 PI (2-0, 1.04 ERA; GS: 58).

Luis Torres sets the Western League playoff game record for doubles with three.

Sam Tite went 2 for 5, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R.

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

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05-21-2020, 02:42 AM	#579
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,925	Wolseley Unions (87-67) vs. Cambria Cannons (85-69) Season Matchup: 8-7 in favor of Wolseley Wolseley: Runs scored – 547 (8th in West); runs against – 506 (1st) Cambria: Runs scored – 667 (1st); runs against – 644 (6th) The Wolseley Unions are unquestionably the most successful franchise in the United Leagues’ recent history. They qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight year (the Kingston Pelicans hold the record for 10 straight playoff appearances) and have won the Western League Pennant four seasons in a row. That streak matches both the Kingston Pelicans and Brunswick Legends – and all three teams have won the United Cup three times as well. But no team has won the United Cup three years in a row. The Unions now have the chance to be the first. And having won three of the last four Cups, Wolseley can strengthen their case as being the most successful franchise, period. Facing them this year for the Pennant are the Cambria Cannons, who led the Western League for most of the season until Wolseley overtook them in the final month. The Cannons’ greatest success came earlier in United Leagues history, when they reached the playoff four straight seasons, winning two Pennants and one United Cup. Their return to the playoffs this season ends an eight-year drought. The Unions’ strength this season has been their pitching, which was tops in the United Leagues, while their offense ranked among the worst. Not helping matters is the loss of 23-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.276/.348/.390, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 55 BB, 3.0 WAR) for at least a part of the Pennant Series. He fractured a rib in mid-February. Taking his place at the start will be 26-year old Alan Cavell (.242/.292/.309, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, -0.3 WAR), whose speed will see him bat either in the second spot (RHP) or lead off (LHP). The Cannons by contrast, were tops in the West on offense while they lagged behind most of the other teams in pitching. Not helping is the loss of 35-year old C Heung-su Park (.300/.381/.514, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 51 BB, 5.7 WAR) to a groin injury. Filling in for him in the playoffs will be 26-year old Min-gook Lee (.309/.342/.450, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 7 BB, 1.5 WAR). He will bat out of the no. 5 spot in the lineup. The clubs’ managers are very similar to one other in that they are both temperamental. But where they differ is in their experience. 53-year old Tony Fay has been at the helm of the Unions since Day 1 in 1937 and has a proven track record. On the other hand, 55-year old Benjamin Sadler is in his first year as a field manager, after spending eight years as a bench coach with four different clubs. With the Unions looking to burnish their claim for greatness and the Cannons out to revenge the loss of first place, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be a dandy. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 31 The Series opens at Wolseley’s Satchel Paige Park for the fourth straight year and 30,400 fans on hand to cheer on their Unions. The skies are partly cloudy, the heat is on (79F) all along the west coast with a breeze blowing out to right at 12 mph. 29-year old veteran RHP Jeremy Albury (6-4, 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP – career playoffs) will make his 14th playoff start for Wolseley, while Cambria’s 33-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz makes his playoff debut. Bottom of the 1st: Wolseley gets something going right off the hop, as Alan Cavell leads off with a double and Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single, putting runners on the corners. Carlton Hawking hits into a 6-4-3 double play but Cavell scores on the play. Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1 Top of the 3rd: Cambria gets on the board when rookie Sam Tite slams a solo home run 379 ft. into the leftfield stands with one out. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 4th: Carlton Hawking leads off with a four-pitch walk and reaches third when George Kimpton follows him with a double lined into right-centerfield. Éric Denis then doubles into centerfield off the first pitch, scoring both Hawking and Kimpton. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3 Bottom of the 5th: Alan Cavell leads off with a walk and reaches third base on a sac bunt by Make-Make Kamaka and a ground out by Carlton Hawking. George Kimpton then lines a single into centerfield scoring Cavell. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4 Bottom of the 6th: Owen Claridge draws a walk with one out and reaches second when Howard Ockey grounds out to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin. Jeremy Albury then singles into leftfield. Claridge rounds third and beats out the throw from LF Ichizo Ando for the Unions’ fifth run. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 5 Bottom of the 8th: Éric Denis leads off with a four-pitch walk. That ends Ricardo Cruz’s afternoon as he is relieved by RHP Philip Stranaghan. Paddy Leseburg lays downs a bunt. Stranaghan throws hard to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin but its off-target, allowing Denis to reach second safely. Wolseley loads the bases when Owen Claridge singles into shallow right field. Howard Ockey battles Stranaghan to a full count before drawing a walk to force in Denis. With two out, Alan Cavell flies out to LF Ichizo Ando. Leseberg tags up and scores without a throw. In the top of the 9th, LHP Axel MacKay comes in to close things out. Seung-jae Park grounds out to SS George Kimpton on the first pitch, Wenceslas Jasmin strikes out swinging and Ichizo Ando flies to LF Carlton Hawking to end the game. The Unions take the first game comfortably at home. FINAL: Cambria 1 - Wolseley 7 *Player of the Game:* Jeremy Albury kept all but one of the Cambria hitters off the board, going 7.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 98 PI (1-0, 1.23 ERA; Game Score: 67) George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R. For Cambria: Ricardo Cruz got worn down by the Unions’ bats, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 107 PI (0-1, 7.71 ERA; GS: 31) -------- Game 2 – April 1 The Unions look to take the first two games, as 30,275 fans cheer them on. Its 72F, partly cloudy with the wind blowing out to left at 10 mph. The two starters are no strangers to the playoffs. Wolseley’s 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (6-3, 2.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) will be making his 13th career playoff start (split between Stratford and Wolseley). For Cambria, LHP Hirotada Fukushima (7-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) will make his 16th playoff start and his first with the Cannons. The 38-year old Fukushima previously pitched for the Brunswick Legends in the playoffs from 1941 to 1946. Bottom of the 1st: The Unions get something going right off the hop as they did in Game 1, as Alan Cavell and Make-Make Kamaka lead off with back-to-back singles. After Carlton Hawking grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to put runners on the corners, George Kimpton draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Éric Denis then singles into shallow right field, scoring Cavell for the game’s first run. Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 2nd: Owen Claridge leads off and hits it out to second base. Weceslas Jasmin is unable to corral it, allowing Claridge to reach safely. But Claridge is forced out at second when Howard Ockey hits into a fielder’s choice. With two out, Alan Cavell singles into left centerfield. Ockey races around second and reaches third, beating out CF Sam Tite’s throw. Make-Make Kamaka singles into shallow right field, scoring Ockey. Cambria 0 - Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 5th: Make-Make Kamaka leads off with his third single of the game while Carlton Hawking reaches safely on a walk. George Kimpton then singles into left field. Kamaka rounds third and scores without a throw from LF Ichizo Ando. Hawking then advances to third base when Éric Denis hits into a 4-6-3 double play. Paddy Leseberg follows with a line drive single into right field to bring home Hawking. Cambria 0 - Wolseley 4 Top of the 6th: Cambria get a run on the board when Luis Torres and Carlos Corea bang out back-to-back doubles with one out. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4 Top of the 8th: With two out, Carlos Corea jumps all over Bill Blair’s first offering, sending it 371 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run. In the top of the 9th, Blair seeks to close out the Cannons. But Cambria makes it interesting. Seung-jae Park singles, then reaches third base when Wenceslas Jasmin cranks out a line drive double into the gap in right centerfield with one out. But Ichizo Ando strikes out swinging on three pitches and PH Jay Durham flies out to RF Howard Ockey to end the threat and the game. Wolseley finds itself sitting pretty after two games as the Series shifts to Cambria. FINAL: Cambria 2 - Wolseley 4 *Player of the Game:* Bill Blair gets the complete game win, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 110 PI (1-0, 2.00 ERA; GS: 65). Make-Make Kamaka went 3 for 4, with 1 RBI, 1 R. For Cambria: Hirotada Fukushima was the second Cambria pitcher to get roughed up. His line was 6.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 105 PI (0-1, 4.50 ERA; GS: 35). Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 3 – April 3 Alexander Field hosts a playoff game for the first time since April 4, 1945, almost eight years to the day. The Series shifts to Cambria as 24,530 fans hope their team’s fortunes shift to the better as well. Its partly cloudy, 73F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph). The two clubs’ aces will face each other. Cambria’s 23-year old LHP Bill Southon, will make his first playoff appearance. 27-year old RHP Roberto Garza (3-0, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) makes his fifth playoff start, after having a sensational playoff run last year. Bottom of the 4th: The hitters are kept at bay until the 4th. Min-gook Lee’s hits it out to SS George Kimpton, but his throw is low and 1B Alan Cavell is unable to control it, allowing Lee to advance to second. Lee then advances to third on a Seung-Jae Park ground out to 2B Make-Make Kamaka. Wenceslas Jasmin singles sharply to right field, scoring Lee to open the scoring. Wolseley 0 – Cambria 1 Bottom of the 6th: Carlos Corea lines a single into left centerfield to lead off and César Ruíz reaches on a walk. After advancing on a Seung-jae Park ground out, Corea and Ruíz both score when Wenceslas Jasmin lines a double into left centerfield. Bill Southon looks to close things out in the top of the 9th. Carlton Hawking leads off with a single into leftfield, but George Kimpton strikes out and Éric Denis grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Cambria gets back into the Series. FINAL: Wolseley 0 – Cambria 3 *Player of the Game:* Bill Southon comes up big in his first playoff outing. He went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 114 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 82). Wenceslas Jasmin goes 2 for 3, 1-2B, 3 RBI. For Wolseley: Roberto Garza pitched well himself, but the offense didn’t come through for him. He goes 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 111 PI (0-1, 2.25 ERA; GS: 60). -------- Game 4 – April 4 The Cannons took advantage of their home field to pull off an impressive victory yesterday and look for more in Game 4. 24,511 are back at Alexander Field that looks out onto Cardigan Bay in the south-west corner of Braeland. The skies are clear, 74F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph). Cambria’s 27-year old RHP Masami Fujihara, a former 8th-round pick from 1944-45, makes his first playoff start. On the other hand, 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (4-6, 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) will make his 12th career playoff start and his third for the Unions. Bottom of the 4th: The Cannons get to Saunderson in the 4th. Wenceslas Jasmin leads off with a line drive double into left field. With one out, Masami Fujihara singles into left centerfield. Jasmin tears around third and races for home. CF Owen Claridge’s throw home is not in time as Jasmin opens the scoring. After Sam Tite walks on four pitches, Luis Torres singles into leftfield. Fujimara heads for third and is given the green light for home. He scores as LF Carlton Hawking’s throw arrives too late. Tite and Torres take advantage to move up to third and second respectively. A Carlos Corea ground out and a line drive single by César Ruiz score two more runs. Wolseley 0 – Cambria 4 Bottom of the 7th: Seung-jae Park leads off with a single and reaches second on a sac bunt by Wenceslas Jasmin. With two out, Masami Fujihara gets his second run-scoring hit, lining a single in right field that scores Park. That ends Saunderson’s afternoon, as he is relieved by LHP Anastasio Rodríguez. Wolseley 0 – Cambria 5 Top of the 8th: Wolseley finally gets on the board in the 8th. Éric Denis leads off and slams the first pitch into right centerfield for a double. After Paddy Leseberg and Howard Ockey both strike out looking, Owen Claridge singles into right field. Denis reaches third and tries for home. RF Seung-jae Park throws it home but Denis beats out the throw to get the Unions a run. In the top of the 9th, Masami Fujihara wraps things up quickly, getting three straight fly outs from Alan Cavell, Make-Make Kamaka and Carlton Hawking. The Cannons even things up with another impressive performance in a game that takes just 2 hrs, 14 min. to complete. FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Cambria 5 *Player of the Game:* Masami Fujihara had a memorable playoff debut, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 88 PI (1-0, 1.00 ERA; GS: 79). At the plate, he went 2 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI. For Wolseley: Aaron Saunderson pitched 6.2 IP, with 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 98 PI (0-1, 6.75 ERA; GS: 41). -------- Game 5 – April 5 After surrendering 11 runs in the first two games played in Wolseley, the Cannons have limited the Unions to just a single run in Games 3 and 4. The Series continues one more time in Cambria with 24,290 fans hoping Alexander Field continues its hex on the defending champions. The sky is partly cloudy, its 74F with the wind blowing out to center at 10 mph. Cambria’s LHP Ricardo Cruz (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will make his second playoff start and will look to avenge his Game 1 loss. RHP Jeremy Albury (1-0, 1.23 ERA) makes his 14th playoff start and will try to get his team back on track. Top of the 3rd: Alan Cavell triples into right field with one out. Next up is Make-Make Kamaka, who grounds out to SS Cesar Ruíz as Cavell comes home for the game’s first run. Wolseley 1 – Cambria 0 Bottom of the 4th: Luis Torres leads off and crushes a 1-2 pitch 407 ft. into the left field bleachers for a solo home run, tying up the game. Wolseley 1 – Cambria 1 Top of the 6th: Carlton Hawking and George Kimpton lead off with back-to-back singles. After advancing a base on an Éric Denis ground out to 1B Carlos Corea, Paddy Leseberg picks up an infield hit as Hawking scores on the play. Wolseley 2 – Cambria 1 Bottom of the 8th: Ichizo Ando doubles into centerfield with one out. With two out, Sam Tite lines a first-pitch single into left centerfield. Ando reaches third and breaks for home. LF Carlton Hawking’s throw home is not in time as Ando ties up the game and Tite takes second on the play. Luis Torres follows with a double into leftfield, scoring Tite. Carlos Corea then singles down the first base line on the first pitch he sees. Torres scores the insurance run as he beats out the throw from RF Howard Ockey. In the top of the 9th, RHP Keith Roche comes on in relief of Ricardo Cruz. Owen Claridge leads off with a single into left field. But Howard Ockey flies out to CF Sam Tite, PH Blair Toman strikes out and Alan Cavell flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. Cambria takes three straight to take the upper hand as the Series heads back to Wolseley for Game 6. FINAL: Wolseley 2 – Cambria 4 *Player of the Game:* Luis Torres enjoyed a big day at the plate, collecting 6 total bases. Ricardo Cruz picked up his first playoff victory, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 119 PI (1-01, 4.80 ERA; GS: 61). Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI. For Wolseley: Jeremy Albury pitched a credible game, but the Cannons got what they needed to pull out the victory. He went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 95 PI (1-1, 2.93 ERA; GS: 56). -------- Game 6 – April 7 The Unions were on a two-game winning streak when they left town on April 2 but come back home reeling from a three-game losing streak. Their backs are against the wall, but adversity is nothing new to Wolseley. Three years ago, the Unions were down three games to none to the Fort Richmond Generals before taking the next four to win their third pennant. With a view to seeing their team get back into the win column, 30,557 fans have packed Satchel Paige Park to cheer them on. The skies are clear, its 74F and the wind is blowing from left to right at 10 mph. The pitchers from Game 2 meet again. RHP Bill Blair (1-0, 2.00 ERA) is tasked with getting the Unions back on track, while LHP Hirotada Fukushima (0-1, 4.50 ERA) has the chance to close things out for the Cannons. Top of the 1st: Cambria gets on the board quickly. Luis Torres singles with one out. He is followed by Carlos Corea, who connects on a 3-1 pitch from Blair, sending it 384 ft. into the leftfield stands for two-run home run. Cambria 2 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 1st: George Kimpton gets one back when leads off and launches a 3-2 pitch 343 ft. down the leftfield line for a solo home run. Cambria 2 - Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 4th: The Unions get to Fukushima. Carlos Ortíz, playing in his first game of the series, singles in leftfield on the first pitch with one out. After Éric Denis draws a walk, Paddy Leseberg lines a single into left centerfield. Ortiz rounds third base and heads for home. The throw from CF Sam Tite is not in time as Wolseley ties things up. Owen Claridge singles to load the bases. Howard Ockey then flies out LF Ichizo Ando. Denis tags up and scores, beating out Ando’s throw. Bill Blair comes up next, doubling on the first pitch into deep centerfield. Leseberg and Claridge come home but CF Sam Tite relays to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin who throws to 3B Luis Torres to cut down Bill Blair to end the inning. Cambria 2 - Wolseley 5 Top of the 5th: PH Jay Durham leads off and wrangles out a walk from Blair. Sam Tite then singles into right centerfield, putting runners on the corners. Up next is Luis Torres, who battles Blair to a full count before crushing a 3-run home run 412 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers, tying up the game. Manager Tony Fay calls to the bullpen as RHP Shou-xin Chin comes on in relief. But Carlos Corea immediately doubles into right field and scores on a César Ruíz single, giving the lead back to Cambria. Cambria 6 - Wolseley 5 Bottom of the 5th: But the back and forth continues as RHP Leon Hankey comes on in relief of Fukushima. Wolseley jumps all over him, as Make-Make Kamaka walks with one out followed by back-to-back-to-back singles by Carlton Hawking, Carlos Ortíz and Éric Denis. That scores two runs, giving the lead back to the Unions. After Paddy Leseberg walks to load the bases, Owen Claridge reaches safely on an infield hit, scoring Ortíz. Cambria 6 - Wolseley 8 Bottom of the 6th: George Kimpton leads off with a single, steals second on the next pitch, then reaches third when Make-Make Kamaka grounds out to SS César Ruíz. He scores the Unions’ ninth run when Carlton Hawking singles into leftfield, ending RHP Leon Hankey’s relief effort. In the top of the 9th, Tony Fay elects to bring in Game 4 starter RHP Aaron Saunderson in relief of Shou-xin Chin to try and close out the game. He gets two quick outs as Ichizo Ando flies out to CF Owen Claridge and Jarod Dwyer grounds out to 1B Carlos Ortíz. Sam Tite comes through with a double into right field. But Luis Torres flies out to LF Carlton Hawking on the next pitch to end the threat and game. Wolseley’s bats come alive to tie up the series and force a deciding Game 7. FINAL: Cambria 6 - Wolseley 9 *Player of the Game:* Despite the loss and making the final out, Luis Torres was hot once again, collecting 6 total bases. It was a rough day for the pitchers all around. Hirotada Fukushima went 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 64 PI (7.20 ERA; GS: 29) Leon Hankey blew the save and took the loss, going 1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 48 PI (0-1, 27.00 ERA). Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R. For Wolseley: Bill Blair went 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 02 K, 73 PI (4.85 ERA; GS: 26) Shou-xin Chin picked up the win. He went 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 49 PI (1-0, 1.93 ERA). George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. LF Carlton Hawking went 3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 7 – April 8 With the Eastern League Pennant just awarded to Cobourg, the country has turned all its attention to the Western League’s winner-take-all Game 7. So far, the home team has won every game. 30,277 fans at Satchel Paige Park are hoping that trend continues just once more. The weather shouldn’t be a factor: clear skies, 73F with the wind blowing left to right at 12 mph. The two clubs’ No. 1 starters fittingly square off in this deciding game, just as they did in Game 3. RHP Roberto Garza (0-1, 2.25 ERA) looks to pick up his first win of the series while Cambria’s LHP Bill Southon (1-0, 0.00 ERA) would love to repeat his Game 3 shutout. Top of the 1st: Cambria strikes first when Luis Torres lines a double on the first pitch with one out. Carlos Corea battles Garza to a full count then singles into centerfield, scoring Torres. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 3rd: With one out, Roberto Garza hits a grounder to 3B Luis Torres, but he mishandles it, allowing Garza to reach safely. George Kimpton then doubles into deep centerfield, allowing Garza to tie things up. Kimpton heads to third on the play and beats out the throw from CF Sam Tite. Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single into left centerfield to score Kimpton. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 8th: Garza and Southon frustrate the hitters in the middle innings, but Wolseley scores another run when George Kimpton leads off with a walk and Carlton Hawking doubles to LF Ichizo Ando with one out. Kimpton scores on the play, but LF Ichizo Ando’s throw to 3B Luis Torres via SS César Ruíz nails Hawking when attempting to stretch his double. Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3 Top of the 9th: Roberto Garza looks to seal the win with Cambira down to their final three outs. But Sam Tite leads off with a triple into the gap in right center. Manager Tony Fay prevails upon RHP Aaron Saunderson just as he did in Game 6 to put out the fire. But Luis Torres connects on a 2-2 pitch for a double that bounces to the wall in right field, scoring Tite, while Carlos Corea follows with a sharp line drive single into centerfield, putting runners on the corners. Saunderson gets César Ruíz to pop out to 1B Carlos Ortíz for the first out. But back-up catcher Min-gook Lee comes through, slicing a double into the right field corner. That scores Torres for the tying run. Corea is hot on Torres’ heels on the play and beats out RF Howard Ockey’s throw home for the go-ahead run. Wolseley elects to intentionally walk Seung-jae Park. However, Wenceslas Jasmin singles into shallow centerfield to load the bases. Ichizo Ando then comes through with a single of his own into right field, scoring both Lee and Park. Bill Southon, who now remains in the game, lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners. Tony Fay finally calls upon RHP John Palm to relieve Saunderson. But Sam Tite, who started the inning, hits it to SS George Kimpton and beats out the throw for an infield hit, scoring Jasmin. Luis Torres then hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice to end the inning with the Cannons now up by four. In the bottom of the 9th with the Unions now facing elimination, Bill Southon looks to be the hero for Cambria. But Wolseley refuses to give up, as Éric Denis and Paddy Leseberg lead off with back-to-back singles. Owen Claridge flies out to LF Ichizo Ando for the first out. Denis tags up on the play and advances to third. At this point, manager Benjamin Sadler brings in stopper RHP Keith Roche to complete the job. But Howard Ockey walks on four-straight pitches, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate. But Roche bears down, getting PH Blair Toman to fly to CF Sam Tite in shallow centerfield. George Kimpton comes to the plate and battles Roche to a full count. On the ninth pitch, Kimpton flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. The Cambria Cannons come from behind in dramatic fashion to win their first Western League Pennant in 11 years and are off to face the Cobourg Red Stockings for the United Cup! FINAL: Cambria 7 - Wolseley 3 *Player of the Game:* A great effort by both starters, but Roberto Garza pitched a great game that ended up being squandered. He went 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 108 PI (2.25 ERA; GS: 69). Aaron Saunderson couldn’t close things out this time. His line was 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 21 PI (0-2, 10.80 ERA, 1 BS) George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. For Cambria: Bill Southon kept the Cannons in the game, and they rewarded him big time with his second victory of the playoffs. He went 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 127 PI (2-0, 1.04 ERA; GS: 58). Luis Torres sets the Western League playoff game record for doubles with three. Sam Tite went 2 for 5, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R. Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland