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reds1 · 04-29-2021, 05:37 PM

Pulberry Trolleys (88-67) vs. Fort Richmond Generals (87-68)
Season Matchup: 11-6 in favor of Pulberry

Pulberry: Runs scored – 762 (2nd in West); runs against – 653 (4th)
Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 675 (6th); runs against – 624 (1st)

A team making its first playoff appearance in three seasons and a team making its first appearance ever meet in this year’s Western League Pennant Series. The Fort Richmond Generals won the United Cup in their first playoff appearance in 1947-48. They returned to the playoffs the next three seasons but each time they hit a roadblock in the Wolseley Unions that prevented from returning to the United Cup. But this year, they will face a new challenger in the Pulberry Trolleys. The Trolleys finished in 3rd place over the past two seasons but finally got into the post-season this year. That leaves the Hespeler Stars as the only club in the United Leagues who has yet to qualify for the post-season.

As mentioned previously, the Generals enter the Series without three key players. They will be without two of their top pitchers and best position player, namely:

• 33-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (12-4, 2.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 141 ERA+)
• 35-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (6-7, 3.51 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 116 ERA+)
• 29-year old Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.320/.352/.444, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 16 BB, 3.0 WAR)

Taking their place in the rotation and lineup will be:

• 31-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (10-17, 4.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 98 ERA+)
• 26-year old LHP Diarmid Rowet (10-7, 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 110 ERA+)
• 23-year old SS Benjamin Hollamby (.267/.316/.354, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 13 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR – 42/54)

Pulberry has no significant injuries to report, other than 31-year old RHP Wilfried Schop (7-9, 4.96 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 85 ERA+), who ruptured a tendon in his finger in his second start after being traded to the Trolleys from the Queensland Eagles just before the trade deadline. Taking his place for now is 26-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (16-10, 3.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 135 ERA+), who has been shifting between the rotation and bullpen all season.

For 48-year old John Mathis, who took over as Fort Richmond’s manager the year after they won the United Cup, this year’s playoffs provide another opportunity to silence his critics and finally win his first Pennant. For Pulberry’s 48-year old Ryo Ichikawa, this year marks his return to the playoffs since he led the Embro Suns to within one game of winning the United Cup against the Wolseley Unions back in 1950-51.

With these two clubs having battled each other all season long, its time to see who the top dog in the West really is. Play ball!

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Game 1 – March 31

Trolleys Stadium hosts a playoff game for the first time. The joint is packed, and the weather couldn’t be better.

Both starters will be making their first playoff appearance. RHP Taylor Folkard takes the hill for the Trolleys while LHP Diarmid Rowet has been tabbed by the Generals.

Bottom of the 1st:
Pulberry jumps all over Rowet from the get-go. SS Francis Jones and CF Cooper Tyson lead off with back-to-back singles. RF Ellis Dibble then slams a first-pitch double into left-centerfield, scoring Jones. LF Aiden Thirkettle steps up next and cranks out a line-drive double into centerfield. Tyson and Dibble come racing home, adding to the lead. Although C Paul England follows with a four-pitch walk, Rowet retires the next three batters to get out of the inning.
Fort Richmond 0 - Pulberry 3

Top of the 2nd:
LF Daniel Paterson leads off with a first-pitch single, then reaches 3B when 1B Jacob Gadsden singles into rightfield. C Scott Sheelah then flies out to CF Cooper Tyson. Paterson tags up and beats out Tyson’s throw home to get Fort Richmond on the board.
Fort Richmond 1 - Pulberry 3

Bottom of the 2nd:
The Trolleys pick up where they left off in the 1st inning. Pulberry loads the bases when Taylor Folkard leads off with a single, Francis Jones draws a four-pitch walk and Cooper Tyson reaches base safely when 2B Benjamin Donahue mishandles his sharply hit grounder.
Ellis Dibble then singles into shallow left-centerfield. Folkard scores easily on the play. He is followed by the speedy Jones, who beats out CF Greg Cusack’s throw to the plate.
Aidan Thirkettle then doubles to score Tyson. After Paul England draws his second walk to load the bases, 1B Gerard Koerner doubles down the rightfield line, scoring both Dibble and Thirkettle.
At this point, manager John Mathis sees enough and relieves Rowet with RHP Reese McLaughlin, who makes quick work of the next three batters to end the inning.
Fort Richmond 1 - Pulberry 8

Top of the 4th:
With Reese McLaughlin keeping the Trolleys’ bats quiet, the Generals start to claw their way back. Greg Cusack leads off with a double and scores with one out when Jacob Gadsden reaches base safely after 2B Wade Billyard’s throw to 1B sails wide.
After Scott Sheelah walks, Paul England cannot corral Folkard’s pitch, allowing the runners to advance. RF Brandon Robinson then singles into the gap in right-centerfield, scoring both Gadsden and Sheelah.
Fort Richmond 4 - Pulberry 8

Top of the 8th:
Fort Richmond strikes again in the 8th when Daniel Paterson leads off with a single. Manager Ryo Ichikawa then makes a double switch, relieving Folkard with LHP Ramón Castro. But the wheels fall apart, as Jacob Gadsden promptly singles, putting runners on the corners. Scott Sheelah flies out to CF Cooper Tyson, allowing Paterson to score.
After Brandon Robinson singles, 3B Mason Geake doubles home Gadsden. Up next is PH Louis Wearne, who gets a hold of a 0-1 pitch and smashes it 468 ft. into the right-centerfield bleachers for a three-run home run, giving the Generals the lead.
Fort Richmond 9 - Pulberry 8

Top of the 9th:
LHP Dermott Rathbone takes over from Castro, but the Generals continue to roll. Greg Cusack, Daniel Paterson and Jacob Gasdsen start off with three straight singles, scoring a run.
After Scott Sheelah lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Brandon Robinson lines a single into left field, scoring Paterson.

In the bottom of the 9th, 3B Makani Kahale doubles into leftfield with two out off RHP José Rodríguez. But Rodríguez gets PH Bruno Lapthorne to ground out to SS Benjamin Hollamby to end the game. The Generals mount an impressive comeback to take game 1.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 11 - Pulberry 8

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Game 2 – April 1

The Trolleys look to regroup after their stunning loss the day before. They will try to do so under a blazing hot sun in Pulberry.

RHP Ron Cowen will make his first career start. He previously appeared in two playoff games with the Brunswick Legends, one in 1941 and the other in 1946. He went 0-0, 2 SV, 1.59 ERA. Pitching for Fort Richmond, RHP Kazunori Fujimoto makes his first career playoff start.

Top of the 1st:
SS Benjamin Hollamby leads off with a walk, then steals 2B with one out. CF Greg Cusack singles into left-centerfield, allowing Hollamby to race home for the game’s first run.
Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Pulberry quickly loads the bases when SS Francis Jones and RF Ellis Dibble lead off with back-to-back singles and LF Aidan Thirkettle draws a walk. After CF Cooper Tyson strikes out, SS Scott Sheelah lets a pitch get by him, allowing Jones to score. C Paul England walks to reload the bases. With two out, 3B Makani Kahale steps to the plate and throttles a 2-2 pitch, sending it 455 ft. into the roaring left-centerfield stands for a Gram Slam home run.
Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 5

Bottom of the 3rd:
Cooper Tyson leads off with a walk, advances to 2B on a Paul England sac fly and reaches 3B when 1B Gerard Koerner grounds out to 1B Jacob Gadsden. Makani Kahale lays down a dribbler, but 1B Jacob Gadsden cannot get a hold of C Scott Sheelah’s throw, allowing Kahale to reach safely and Tyson to score.
Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 6

Bottom of the 4th:
Ron Cowen and Francis Jones lead off with back-to-back singles. Aidan Thirkettle then draws a walk with one out to load the bases. Cowen comes in to score when Cooper Tyson grounds into a fielder’s choice at 2B and Francis Jones scores when Paul England reaches base safely as 1B Jacob Gadsden again has trouble holding onto the throw, this time from 2B Benjamin Donahue.
Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 8

Top of the 5th:
Fort Richmond finally responds in the 5th. 3B Mason Geake lines a first-pitch double into right-centerfield with one out. However, Geake sprains his right ankle sliding into 2B. PR Belarmino Barbedo comes in to take his place both on the basepaths as well as in the field. RHP Reese McLaughlin, who relieved Kazunori Fujimoto late in the 4th, bats for himself and hits a first-pitch double into right-centerfield, scoring Barbedo.
With two out, Benjamin Donahue smacks the third double of the inning into right-centerfield, scoring McLaughlin.
Fort Richmond 3 – Pulberry 8

Bottom of the 6th:
Ellis Dibble leads off with a four-pitch walk. Up next is Aidan Thirkettle, who smashes McLaughlin’s 2-2 offering 414 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a two-run home run.
Fort Richmond 3 – Pulberry 10

Top of the 9th:
Ron Cowen starts the 9th striking out Scott Sheelah, but then walks Brandon Robinson. Manager Ryo Ichikawa goes to the bullpen and calls for RHP Shinzo Okamoto. But the Trolleys nearly blow it, as Okamoto gives up back-to-back doubles to Belarmino Barbedo and PH Alberto Esquivel, scoring both Robinson and Barbedo. SS Benjamin Hollamby then triples into left-centerfield scoring Esquivel. But after giving up a walk to Benjamin Donahue, Okamoto gets Greg Cusack to line out to 1B Gerard Koerner and Daniel Paterson to fly out to CF Cooper Tyson to end the game. Pulberry holds on to even up the Series.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 6 – Pulberry 10

Update: Following the game, Mason Geake’s injury is listed as Day-to-Day but substantial. It is expected to affect his play over the next 5 days.

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Game 3 – April 3

The Series shifts to Generals Stadium in Fort Richmond for the next three games. The weather is even hotter in the nation’s interior without a cloud in the sky. A pair of aces are set to face each other.

Fort Richmond’s RHP Nicky Sherlock is no stranger to the playoffs. This will mark his 11th game and 7th start, but his first since 1950-51. He has been impressive in the post-season, going 6-1, 2.90 ERA. For RHP Alexander Ellacott who last pitched in the tie-breaker game, this will mark his first career playoff appearance.

Top of the 8th:
The aces come as advertised, as the two teams are unable to score through the first 7 innings. In the top of the 8th however, 1B Gerard Koerner leads off with a walk. After 3B Makani Kahale strikes out looking, 2B Wade Billyard lines a triple down the rightfield line, scoring Kahale and getting Pulberry on the board.
Pulberry 1 – Fort Richmond 0

Bottom of the 9th:
Alexander Ellacott looks to complete the game but gives up a lead-off double to 1B Jacob Gadsden. Manager Ryo Ichikawa then prevails upon RHP Taylor Folkard, who is now serving as the team’s closer, to relieve Ellacott and shut the door.
But after C Scott Sheelah strikes out and is thrown out at 1B after a dropped strike three pitch, 3B Mason Geake, who is playing with a sore ankle, lines a first-pitch single into centerfield. Gadsden is waved around third and just beats out the throw from CF Cooper Tyson, tying up the game and sending it into extras.
Pulberry 1 – Fort Richmond 1

Top of the 10th:
RHP José Rodríguez relieves Nicky Sherlock to start the 10th. After getting two quick outs, C Bennie Guis, who substituted for Alexander Ellacott in the 9th, smashes a 1-1 pitch 434 ft. into the dejected left-centerfield stands for a solo home run, giving the lead back to the Trolleys.

In the bottom of the 10th, Taylor Folkard gets PH Dylan Moyne, Greg Cusack and Daniel Paterson to all fly out to secure the win. Pulberry takes a 2-1 lead in the Series.
FINAL: Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 1

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Game 4 – April 4

The northern interior of the country remains hot and dry as the Trolleys and Generals get set for the second game at Generals Stadium.

RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li, who lost a heartbreaker in the tie-breaker game, is given the start for Fort Richmond. This will be his 11th game and 7th start in the playoffs. His record is 4-4, 2 SV, 3.68 ERA, all with the Generals. Responding for Pulberry will be RHP Harley Rodman, who is making his first career playoff appearance.

Bottom of the 3rd:
The Generals open the scoring when Ch’ang-chieh Li leads off with a walk, followed by SS Benjamin Hollamby who doubles into rightfield. 2B Benjamin Donahue hits a sac fly to CF Cooper Tyson, scoring Li. With two out, LF Daniel Paterson singles home Hollamby.
Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Benjamin Hollamby leads off with a 4-pitch walk and reaches 2B when Benjamin Donahue lines a single into shallow centerfield. CF Greg Cusack then doubles into left-centerfield, scoring Hollamby. Daniel Paterson then hits a sac fly to leftfield. Donahue tags up and beats out the throw from LF Aidan Thirkettle.
Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 4

Bottom of the 6th:
The Generals keep pouring it on. 3B Mason Geake leads off with a single but is thrown out at 2B when Ch’ang-chieh Li is unsuccessful bunting him over. Benjamin Hollamby steps up though and triples to the wall in centerfield, scoring Li. Manager Ichikawa then calls to the bullpen for RHP Joel Coles.
But Benjamin Hollamby doubles into right-centerfield and Greg Cusack follows with a single, scoring two more runs. Daniel Paterson steps up to the plate and on a 1-0 pitch, sends a 2-run home run 408 ft. into the rightfield bleachers to break the game wide open.
Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 9

Bottom of the 7th:
RF Brandon Robinson leads off with a 4-pitch walk and reaches 2B when Mason Geake grounds out to SS Francis Jones. With two out, Benjamin Hollamby drives a single into the gap in left-centerfield. Robinson is given the green light at 3B and beats out LF Aidan Thirkettle’s throw to the plate.

In the top of the 9th, Li gives up a lead-off single to PH Brian Goetz. But after PH Stewart Lutley strikes out looking, Cooper Tyson grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. The Generals skunk the Trolleys to even up the series.
FINAL: Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 10

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Game 5 – April 5

In terms of the weather, things have cooled down a little in Fort Richmond and a welcome breeze greets the participants. But its the Generals have become red-hot, having blanked the Trolleys the afternoon before.

Looking to bounce back will be LHP Diarmid Rowet, who surrendered 7 runs and failed to get out of the 2nd inning in Game 1. Pulberry has tabbed RHP Ron Cowen, the winner of Game 2.

Bottom of the 4th:
Rowet and Cowen keep the game scoreless until the 4th inning. CF Greg Cusack leads off with a single and reaches 2B when LF Daniel Patterson grounds out to 2B Wade Billyard. 1B Jacob Gadsden then doubles into rightfield, scoring Cusack. C Scott Sheelah then draws a walk.
With two out, 3B Mason Geake line a double into the gap in left-centerfield. Gadsden scores on the play. Closely following him is Sheelah, who scores easily as CF Cooper Tyson does not attempt the throw.
Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 3

Top of the 6th:
SS Francis Jones leads off with a single into shallow leftfield. With one out, RF Ellis Dibble gets all of a 1-2 offering and sends it 418 ft. into the leftfield stands for a two-run home run, ending Pulberry’s 14-inning scoreless drought.
Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 3

Bottom of the 7th:
SS Benjamin Hollamby starts off the inning with a single, then advances to 2B on a Benjamin Donahue sac bunt. Greg Cusack singles through the hole into leftfield. LF Aidan Thirkettle attempts to cut down Hollamby at 3B, but his throw is off target, allowing Hollamby to score.
Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 4

Top of the 8th:
Francis Jones again leads off with a single. With one out, Ellis Dibble singles into centerfield. With two out, Paul England lines a single into centerfield as well, scoring Jones.
Gerard Koerner smacks a first-pitch single into shallow leftfield. Dibble reaches 3B and heads for home. But LF Daniel Paterson cuts Dibble down at home plate, ending the inning and preventing Pulberry from tying up the game.

In the top of the 9th, Wade Billyard draws a full-count walk with one out, then reaches 2B when PH Stewart Lutley flies out deep to centerfield. But Francis Jones flies out to LF Daniel Paterson to end the game. Diarmid Rowet redeems himself by pitching a complete game victory, giving the Generals the Series lead.
FINAL: Pulberry 3 – Fort Richmond 4

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Game 6 – April 7

The Pennant Series returns to the south-west coast with the Trolleys needing a win just to stay alive. The heat has shot up with nary a cloud in the sky.

RHP Alexander Ellacott, who pitched brilliantly in Game 3 but did not get the win, will start for Pulberry in this pivotal game. Fort Richmond looks to RHP Kazunori Fujimoto, who lost his previous start in Game 2.

Top of the 1st:
The game begins ominously for Ellacott, who gives up three straight walks to start the inning. LF Daniel Paterson next flies out to CF Cooper Tyson to score the lead off hitter, Benjamin Hollamby. With two out, Scott Sheelah doubles into the gap in left-centerfield, scoring Benjamin Donahue for the inning’s second run.
Fort Richmond 2 - Pulberry 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
Pulberry gets a run back when C Paul England drives a one-out solo home run 415 ft. into the leftfield bleachers.
Fort Richmond 2 - Pulberry 1

Top of the 6th:
Scott Sheelah and Brandon Robinson lead off with a walk and a single respectively. After Fujimoto lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Benjamin Hollamby drives a two-out double into rightfield, scoring both Sheelah and Robinson. That ends Ellacott’s afternoon, as he is relieved by LHP Ramón Castro.
Fort Richmond 4 - Pulberry 1

Top of the 7th:
The Generals keep marching. Greg Cusack doubles into right-centerfield to lead off, then reaches 3B when Daniel Paterson grounds out to 2B Wade Billyard. Jacob Gadsden is then given a free pass.
With two out, Brandon Robinson triples into the gap in left-centerfield. That scores both Cusack and Gadsden as Fort Richmond extends its lead.
Fort Richmond 6 - Pulberry 1

Bottom of the 8th:
Pulberry refuses to give up. Francis Jones triples into left-centerfield with one out. After Aidan Thirkettle walks with two out, Cooper Tyson also triples into the gap in left-centerfield. That scores both Jones and Thirkettle. Up next is Paul England, who doubles off the first pitch into the same gap in left-centerfield, scoring Tyson.
Fort Richmond 6 - Pulberry 4

Top of the 9th:
LHP Dermott Rathbone relieves Ramón Castro to start the 9th, but Daniel Paterson singles with one out. Jacob Gadsden follows with a double into right-centerfield. Paterson reaches 3B and heads for home. CF Cooper Tyson attempts to cut down Gadsden who breaks for 3B, but it is not in time. Scott Sheelah immediately singles into shallow centerfield, scoring Gadsden.

In the bottom of the 9th, Fujimoto looks to finish off the Trolleys. Fujimoto gets two quick outs, but Pulberry loads the bases when PH Bruno Lapthorne and Francis Jones bang out back-to-back singles and Ellis Dibble draws a walk. Aidan Thirkettle then grounds out to 2B Benjamin Donahue to end the threat, the game and the Series. The Fort Richmond Generals win their first Pennant in six years and are off to the United Cup to face the Stratford Barons.
FINAL: Fort Richmond 8 - Pulberry 4

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04-29-2021, 05:37 PM	#647
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Pulberry Trolleys (88-67) vs. Fort Richmond Generals (87-68) Season Matchup: 11-6 in favor of Pulberry Pulberry: Runs scored – 762 (2nd in West); runs against – 653 (4th) Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 675 (6th); runs against – 624 (1st) A team making its first playoff appearance in three seasons and a team making its first appearance ever meet in this year’s Western League Pennant Series. The Fort Richmond Generals won the United Cup in their first playoff appearance in 1947-48. They returned to the playoffs the next three seasons but each time they hit a roadblock in the Wolseley Unions that prevented from returning to the United Cup. But this year, they will face a new challenger in the Pulberry Trolleys. The Trolleys finished in 3rd place over the past two seasons but finally got into the post-season this year. That leaves the Hespeler Stars as the only club in the United Leagues who has yet to qualify for the post-season. As mentioned previously, the Generals enter the Series without three key players. They will be without two of their top pitchers and best position player, namely: • 33-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (12-4, 2.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 141 ERA+) • 35-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (6-7, 3.51 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 116 ERA+) • 29-year old Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.320/.352/.444, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 16 BB, 3.0 WAR) Taking their place in the rotation and lineup will be: • 31-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (10-17, 4.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 98 ERA+) • 26-year old LHP Diarmid Rowet (10-7, 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 110 ERA+) • 23-year old SS Benjamin Hollamby (.267/.316/.354, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 13 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR – 42/54) Pulberry has no significant injuries to report, other than 31-year old RHP Wilfried Schop (7-9, 4.96 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 85 ERA+), who ruptured a tendon in his finger in his second start after being traded to the Trolleys from the Queensland Eagles just before the trade deadline. Taking his place for now is 26-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (16-10, 3.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 135 ERA+), who has been shifting between the rotation and bullpen all season. For 48-year old John Mathis, who took over as Fort Richmond’s manager the year after they won the United Cup, this year’s playoffs provide another opportunity to silence his critics and finally win his first Pennant. For Pulberry’s 48-year old Ryo Ichikawa, this year marks his return to the playoffs since he led the Embro Suns to within one game of winning the United Cup against the Wolseley Unions back in 1950-51. With these two clubs having battled each other all season long, its time to see who the top dog in the West really is. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 31 Trolleys Stadium hosts a playoff game for the first time. The joint is packed, and the weather couldn’t be better. Both starters will be making their first playoff appearance. RHP Taylor Folkard takes the hill for the Trolleys while LHP Diarmid Rowet has been tabbed by the Generals. Bottom of the 1st: Pulberry jumps all over Rowet from the get-go. SS Francis Jones and CF Cooper Tyson lead off with back-to-back singles. RF Ellis Dibble then slams a first-pitch double into left-centerfield, scoring Jones. LF Aiden Thirkettle steps up next and cranks out a line-drive double into centerfield. Tyson and Dibble come racing home, adding to the lead. Although C Paul England follows with a four-pitch walk, Rowet retires the next three batters to get out of the inning. Fort Richmond 0 - Pulberry 3 Top of the 2nd: LF Daniel Paterson leads off with a first-pitch single, then reaches 3B when 1B Jacob Gadsden singles into rightfield. C Scott Sheelah then flies out to CF Cooper Tyson. Paterson tags up and beats out Tyson’s throw home to get Fort Richmond on the board. Fort Richmond 1 - Pulberry 3 Bottom of the 2nd: The Trolleys pick up where they left off in the 1st inning. Pulberry loads the bases when Taylor Folkard leads off with a single, Francis Jones draws a four-pitch walk and Cooper Tyson reaches base safely when 2B Benjamin Donahue mishandles his sharply hit grounder. Ellis Dibble then singles into shallow left-centerfield. Folkard scores easily on the play. He is followed by the speedy Jones, who beats out CF Greg Cusack’s throw to the plate. Aidan Thirkettle then doubles to score Tyson. After Paul England draws his second walk to load the bases, 1B Gerard Koerner doubles down the rightfield line, scoring both Dibble and Thirkettle. At this point, manager John Mathis sees enough and relieves Rowet with RHP Reese McLaughlin, who makes quick work of the next three batters to end the inning. Fort Richmond 1 - Pulberry 8 Top of the 4th: With Reese McLaughlin keeping the Trolleys’ bats quiet, the Generals start to claw their way back. Greg Cusack leads off with a double and scores with one out when Jacob Gadsden reaches base safely after 2B Wade Billyard’s throw to 1B sails wide. After Scott Sheelah walks, Paul England cannot corral Folkard’s pitch, allowing the runners to advance. RF Brandon Robinson then singles into the gap in right-centerfield, scoring both Gadsden and Sheelah. Fort Richmond 4 - Pulberry 8 Top of the 8th: Fort Richmond strikes again in the 8th when Daniel Paterson leads off with a single. Manager Ryo Ichikawa then makes a double switch, relieving Folkard with LHP Ramón Castro. But the wheels fall apart, as Jacob Gadsden promptly singles, putting runners on the corners. Scott Sheelah flies out to CF Cooper Tyson, allowing Paterson to score. After Brandon Robinson singles, 3B Mason Geake doubles home Gadsden. Up next is PH Louis Wearne, who gets a hold of a 0-1 pitch and smashes it 468 ft. into the right-centerfield bleachers for a three-run home run, giving the Generals the lead. Fort Richmond 9 - Pulberry 8 Top of the 9th: LHP Dermott Rathbone takes over from Castro, but the Generals continue to roll. Greg Cusack, Daniel Paterson and Jacob Gasdsen start off with three straight singles, scoring a run. After Scott Sheelah lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Brandon Robinson lines a single into left field, scoring Paterson. In the bottom of the 9th, 3B Makani Kahale doubles into leftfield with two out off RHP José Rodríguez. But Rodríguez gets PH Bruno Lapthorne to ground out to SS Benjamin Hollamby to end the game. The Generals mount an impressive comeback to take game 1. FINAL: Fort Richmond 11 - Pulberry 8 -------- Game 2 – April 1 The Trolleys look to regroup after their stunning loss the day before. They will try to do so under a blazing hot sun in Pulberry. RHP Ron Cowen will make his first career start. He previously appeared in two playoff games with the Brunswick Legends, one in 1941 and the other in 1946. He went 0-0, 2 SV, 1.59 ERA. Pitching for Fort Richmond, RHP Kazunori Fujimoto makes his first career playoff start. Top of the 1st: SS Benjamin Hollamby leads off with a walk, then steals 2B with one out. CF Greg Cusack singles into left-centerfield, allowing Hollamby to race home for the game’s first run. Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 1st: Pulberry quickly loads the bases when SS Francis Jones and RF Ellis Dibble lead off with back-to-back singles and LF Aidan Thirkettle draws a walk. After CF Cooper Tyson strikes out, SS Scott Sheelah lets a pitch get by him, allowing Jones to score. C Paul England walks to reload the bases. With two out, 3B Makani Kahale steps to the plate and throttles a 2-2 pitch, sending it 455 ft. into the roaring left-centerfield stands for a Gram Slam home run. Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 5 Bottom of the 3rd: Cooper Tyson leads off with a walk, advances to 2B on a Paul England sac fly and reaches 3B when 1B Gerard Koerner grounds out to 1B Jacob Gadsden. Makani Kahale lays down a dribbler, but 1B Jacob Gadsden cannot get a hold of C Scott Sheelah’s throw, allowing Kahale to reach safely and Tyson to score. Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 6 Bottom of the 4th: Ron Cowen and Francis Jones lead off with back-to-back singles. Aidan Thirkettle then draws a walk with one out to load the bases. Cowen comes in to score when Cooper Tyson grounds into a fielder’s choice at 2B and Francis Jones scores when Paul England reaches base safely as 1B Jacob Gadsden again has trouble holding onto the throw, this time from 2B Benjamin Donahue. Fort Richmond 1 – Pulberry 8 Top of the 5th: Fort Richmond finally responds in the 5th. 3B Mason Geake lines a first-pitch double into right-centerfield with one out. However, Geake sprains his right ankle sliding into 2B. PR Belarmino Barbedo comes in to take his place both on the basepaths as well as in the field. RHP Reese McLaughlin, who relieved Kazunori Fujimoto late in the 4th, bats for himself and hits a first-pitch double into right-centerfield, scoring Barbedo. With two out, Benjamin Donahue smacks the third double of the inning into right-centerfield, scoring McLaughlin. Fort Richmond 3 – Pulberry 8 Bottom of the 6th: Ellis Dibble leads off with a four-pitch walk. Up next is Aidan Thirkettle, who smashes McLaughlin’s 2-2 offering 414 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a two-run home run. Fort Richmond 3 – Pulberry 10 Top of the 9th: Ron Cowen starts the 9th striking out Scott Sheelah, but then walks Brandon Robinson. Manager Ryo Ichikawa goes to the bullpen and calls for RHP Shinzo Okamoto. But the Trolleys nearly blow it, as Okamoto gives up back-to-back doubles to Belarmino Barbedo and PH Alberto Esquivel, scoring both Robinson and Barbedo. SS Benjamin Hollamby then triples into left-centerfield scoring Esquivel. But after giving up a walk to Benjamin Donahue, Okamoto gets Greg Cusack to line out to 1B Gerard Koerner and Daniel Paterson to fly out to CF Cooper Tyson to end the game. Pulberry holds on to even up the Series. FINAL: Fort Richmond 6 – Pulberry 10 Update: Following the game, Mason Geake’s injury is listed as Day-to-Day but substantial. It is expected to affect his play over the next 5 days. -------- Game 3 – April 3 The Series shifts to Generals Stadium in Fort Richmond for the next three games. The weather is even hotter in the nation’s interior without a cloud in the sky. A pair of aces are set to face each other. Fort Richmond’s RHP Nicky Sherlock is no stranger to the playoffs. This will mark his 11th game and 7th start, but his first since 1950-51. He has been impressive in the post-season, going 6-1, 2.90 ERA. For RHP Alexander Ellacott who last pitched in the tie-breaker game, this will mark his first career playoff appearance. Top of the 8th: The aces come as advertised, as the two teams are unable to score through the first 7 innings. In the top of the 8th however, 1B Gerard Koerner leads off with a walk. After 3B Makani Kahale strikes out looking, 2B Wade Billyard lines a triple down the rightfield line, scoring Kahale and getting Pulberry on the board. Pulberry 1 – Fort Richmond 0 Bottom of the 9th: Alexander Ellacott looks to complete the game but gives up a lead-off double to 1B Jacob Gadsden. Manager Ryo Ichikawa then prevails upon RHP Taylor Folkard, who is now serving as the team’s closer, to relieve Ellacott and shut the door. But after C Scott Sheelah strikes out and is thrown out at 1B after a dropped strike three pitch, 3B Mason Geake, who is playing with a sore ankle, lines a first-pitch single into centerfield. Gadsden is waved around third and just beats out the throw from CF Cooper Tyson, tying up the game and sending it into extras. Pulberry 1 – Fort Richmond 1 Top of the 10th: RHP José Rodríguez relieves Nicky Sherlock to start the 10th. After getting two quick outs, C Bennie Guis, who substituted for Alexander Ellacott in the 9th, smashes a 1-1 pitch 434 ft. into the dejected left-centerfield stands for a solo home run, giving the lead back to the Trolleys. In the bottom of the 10th, Taylor Folkard gets PH Dylan Moyne, Greg Cusack and Daniel Paterson to all fly out to secure the win. Pulberry takes a 2-1 lead in the Series. FINAL: Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 1 -------- Game 4 – April 4 The northern interior of the country remains hot and dry as the Trolleys and Generals get set for the second game at Generals Stadium. RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li, who lost a heartbreaker in the tie-breaker game, is given the start for Fort Richmond. This will be his 11th game and 7th start in the playoffs. His record is 4-4, 2 SV, 3.68 ERA, all with the Generals. Responding for Pulberry will be RHP Harley Rodman, who is making his first career playoff appearance. Bottom of the 3rd: The Generals open the scoring when Ch’ang-chieh Li leads off with a walk, followed by SS Benjamin Hollamby who doubles into rightfield. 2B Benjamin Donahue hits a sac fly to CF Cooper Tyson, scoring Li. With two out, LF Daniel Paterson singles home Hollamby. Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 2 Bottom of the 5th: Benjamin Hollamby leads off with a 4-pitch walk and reaches 2B when Benjamin Donahue lines a single into shallow centerfield. CF Greg Cusack then doubles into left-centerfield, scoring Hollamby. Daniel Paterson then hits a sac fly to leftfield. Donahue tags up and beats out the throw from LF Aidan Thirkettle. Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 4 Bottom of the 6th: The Generals keep pouring it on. 3B Mason Geake leads off with a single but is thrown out at 2B when Ch’ang-chieh Li is unsuccessful bunting him over. Benjamin Hollamby steps up though and triples to the wall in centerfield, scoring Li. Manager Ichikawa then calls to the bullpen for RHP Joel Coles. But Benjamin Hollamby doubles into right-centerfield and Greg Cusack follows with a single, scoring two more runs. Daniel Paterson steps up to the plate and on a 1-0 pitch, sends a 2-run home run 408 ft. into the rightfield bleachers to break the game wide open. Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 9 Bottom of the 7th: RF Brandon Robinson leads off with a 4-pitch walk and reaches 2B when Mason Geake grounds out to SS Francis Jones. With two out, Benjamin Hollamby drives a single into the gap in left-centerfield. Robinson is given the green light at 3B and beats out LF Aidan Thirkettle’s throw to the plate. In the top of the 9th, Li gives up a lead-off single to PH Brian Goetz. But after PH Stewart Lutley strikes out looking, Cooper Tyson grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. The Generals skunk the Trolleys to even up the series. FINAL: Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 10 -------- Game 5 – April 5 In terms of the weather, things have cooled down a little in Fort Richmond and a welcome breeze greets the participants. But its the Generals have become red-hot, having blanked the Trolleys the afternoon before. Looking to bounce back will be LHP Diarmid Rowet, who surrendered 7 runs and failed to get out of the 2nd inning in Game 1. Pulberry has tabbed RHP Ron Cowen, the winner of Game 2. Bottom of the 4th: Rowet and Cowen keep the game scoreless until the 4th inning. CF Greg Cusack leads off with a single and reaches 2B when LF Daniel Patterson grounds out to 2B Wade Billyard. 1B Jacob Gadsden then doubles into rightfield, scoring Cusack. C Scott Sheelah then draws a walk. With two out, 3B Mason Geake line a double into the gap in left-centerfield. Gadsden scores on the play. Closely following him is Sheelah, who scores easily as CF Cooper Tyson does not attempt the throw. Pulberry 0 – Fort Richmond 3 Top of the 6th: SS Francis Jones leads off with a single into shallow leftfield. With one out, RF Ellis Dibble gets all of a 1-2 offering and sends it 418 ft. into the leftfield stands for a two-run home run, ending Pulberry’s 14-inning scoreless drought. Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 3 Bottom of the 7th: SS Benjamin Hollamby starts off the inning with a single, then advances to 2B on a Benjamin Donahue sac bunt. Greg Cusack singles through the hole into leftfield. LF Aidan Thirkettle attempts to cut down Hollamby at 3B, but his throw is off target, allowing Hollamby to score. Pulberry 2 – Fort Richmond 4 Top of the 8th: Francis Jones again leads off with a single. With one out, Ellis Dibble singles into centerfield. With two out, Paul England lines a single into centerfield as well, scoring Jones. Gerard Koerner smacks a first-pitch single into shallow leftfield. Dibble reaches 3B and heads for home. But LF Daniel Paterson cuts Dibble down at home plate, ending the inning and preventing Pulberry from tying up the game. In the top of the 9th, Wade Billyard draws a full-count walk with one out, then reaches 2B when PH Stewart Lutley flies out deep to centerfield. But Francis Jones flies out to LF Daniel Paterson to end the game. Diarmid Rowet redeems himself by pitching a complete game victory, giving the Generals the Series lead. FINAL: Pulberry 3 – Fort Richmond 4 -------- Game 6 – April 7 The Pennant Series returns to the south-west coast with the Trolleys needing a win just to stay alive. The heat has shot up with nary a cloud in the sky. RHP Alexander Ellacott, who pitched brilliantly in Game 3 but did not get the win, will start for Pulberry in this pivotal game. Fort Richmond looks to RHP Kazunori Fujimoto, who lost his previous start in Game 2. Top of the 1st: The game begins ominously for Ellacott, who gives up three straight walks to start the inning. LF Daniel Paterson next flies out to CF Cooper Tyson to score the lead off hitter, Benjamin Hollamby. With two out, Scott Sheelah doubles into the gap in left-centerfield, scoring Benjamin Donahue for the inning’s second run. Fort Richmond 2 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Pulberry gets a run back when C Paul England drives a one-out solo home run 415 ft. into the leftfield bleachers. Fort Richmond 2 - Pulberry 1 Top of the 6th: Scott Sheelah and Brandon Robinson lead off with a walk and a single respectively. After Fujimoto lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Benjamin Hollamby drives a two-out double into rightfield, scoring both Sheelah and Robinson. That ends Ellacott’s afternoon, as he is relieved by LHP Ramón Castro. Fort Richmond 4 - Pulberry 1 Top of the 7th: The Generals keep marching. Greg Cusack doubles into right-centerfield to lead off, then reaches 3B when Daniel Paterson grounds out to 2B Wade Billyard. Jacob Gadsden is then given a free pass. With two out, Brandon Robinson triples into the gap in left-centerfield. That scores both Cusack and Gadsden as Fort Richmond extends its lead. Fort Richmond 6 - Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 8th: Pulberry refuses to give up. Francis Jones triples into left-centerfield with one out. After Aidan Thirkettle walks with two out, Cooper Tyson also triples into the gap in left-centerfield. That scores both Jones and Thirkettle. Up next is Paul England, who doubles off the first pitch into the same gap in left-centerfield, scoring Tyson. Fort Richmond 6 - Pulberry 4 Top of the 9th: LHP Dermott Rathbone relieves Ramón Castro to start the 9th, but Daniel Paterson singles with one out. Jacob Gadsden follows with a double into right-centerfield. Paterson reaches 3B and heads for home. CF Cooper Tyson attempts to cut down Gadsden who breaks for 3B, but it is not in time. Scott Sheelah immediately singles into shallow centerfield, scoring Gadsden. In the bottom of the 9th, Fujimoto looks to finish off the Trolleys. Fujimoto gets two quick outs, but Pulberry loads the bases when PH Bruno Lapthorne and Francis Jones bang out back-to-back singles and Ellis Dibble draws a walk. Aidan Thirkettle then grounds out to 2B Benjamin Donahue to end the threat, the game and the Series. The Fort Richmond Generals win their first Pennant in six years and are off to the United Cup to face the Stratford Barons. FINAL: Fort Richmond 8 - Pulberry 4 -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland