#1 University Point Deathclaws (67-41) vs #3 Atom Cats (64-44)
Game 1: Atom 5, University Point 3
Road Win Lifts Atom to 1-0 Lead in ACS
The Atom Cats started the Association Championship in style today, winning on the road against the University Point Deathclaws at Gwinnett Brewery Park by a score of 5-3 to take an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Cats right-hander Pete Pembroke threw 7.0 innings of 6-hit ball.
The Cats got a gift in the top of the sixth inning, when they were leading 4-2. With two out and the bases loaded, Pete Pembroke reached on an error by the 2B, driving in 1 run. It made the score 5-2, Atom.
"This was a good win for us," said Pembroke. "It's one more step toward our ultimate goal."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Gwinnett Brewery Park in Boston.
Game 2: Atom 9, University Point 5
Ashfire, Cats Sink Deathclaws Again in Game 2
Riding the 3-hit performance of first baseman Will Ashfire, the Atom Cats got a road win against the University Point Deathclaws, 9-5, in Game 2 of the Association Championship today. Ashfire was 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 singles. He drove in 3 runs and scored once for the Cats, who now lead the best-of-7 series, 2 games to 0.
Atom used the timely hitting of Guru Bean to seize the win. The pinch hitter stroked a 2-run single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Cats on top, 6-5. It was his only hit in 1 at-bat, but it was a game-changer.
"I just tried to make good contact," said Ashfire.
The next game is set to be played for Wednesday, September 18th , 2301 at Coolest Field in Town at the Atom Cats Garage.
Analysis
Our prediction has been a little off so far after we called for the Deathclaws to take this series in 5 games. Unless University Point figures out the Cats, every indication is that this series is fully in Atom's garage.
Game 1's big story was the three errors committed by University Point, leading to three unearned runs and the advantage for the Cats. The Claws' Bobby Van Marter (0-1) looked best of all pitchers so far, but he got no help from his infield with 2B Jason Harris, SS Aaron Nukacola, and 3B Ryan Morris all committing errors.
Again in Game 2, the Deathclaws looked to have the victory, leading 5-2 heading into the top of the 9th. Here's how that went:
TOP OF THE 9TH
Atom Cats batting - Pitching for University Point Deathclaws : RHP Matt Suds
Batting: LHB Jake Doucette 0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: DOUBLE (Groundball, 3L, EV 108.8 MPH)
Batting: RHB Jeremy Schoolboy 0-0: Reached on error, E6 (Groundball, 6, EV 93.1 MPH)
Jake Doucette scores
Batting: LHB Kareem Caravan 0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 25, EV 71.9 MPH) (infield hit)
Jeremy Schoolboy to third
Batting: LHB Garrett Machine 0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, P, EV 88.1 MPH) (infield hit)
Jeremy Schoolboy scores
Kareem Caravan to second
Pinch Hitting: SHB Shane Stabb 0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RD, EV 102.5 MPH)
Batting: LHB Justin Daros 0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Base on Balls
Kareem Caravan to third
Garrett Machine to second
Pinch Hitting: RHB Guru Bean 0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 56, EV 99.4 MPH)
Kareem Caravan scores
Garrett Machine to third
Justin Daros to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by LF to home
Pitching: RHP Chase Southie
Batting: LHB Earthbound Bussey 0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Strikes out swinging
Batting: LHB Will Ashfire 0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: 3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D, EV 104.4 MPH), Distance : 399 ft
Batting: LHB Jake Doucette 0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 7LD, EV 98.8 MPH)
Top of the 9th over - 7 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 0 left on base; Atom 9 - University Point 5