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reds1 · 06-29-2023, 03:53 AM

The Brunswick Legends and Cobourg Redlegs square off for the first time to battle for the Eastern League Pennant. This marks the second time that Cobourg has made the playoffs and the first time in four years. Meanwhile, it’s been 10 years for the Legends. This is their seventh playoff appearance and are looking for their sixth Pennant.

But the Legends will be attempting to do so without a key player. 30-year old LF Carl Patton (.285/.399/.387, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 98 BB, 15 SB, 112 OPS+, 126 wRC+, 3.6 WAR) injured his shoulder in mid-March and is gone for the rest of the season. Patton led off against RH pitchers and batted in the No. 3 spot against lefties. 27-year old switch-hitter Ismael García (52/52) will take his place and bat from the No. 5 spot. On the other hand, Cobourg enters the playoffs with all hands-on deck.

56-year old Finlay Fay (954-895, .515) was hired by the Legends to be their field manager back in 1946-47, the last time Brunswick qualified for the playoffs. He previously led the Kingston Pelicans to a United Cup championship in the United Leagues’ inaugural season.

As for Cobourg’s 62-year old manager, Tyler Baldry (476-535, .470), this is his second season at the helm of the Redlegs after serving four years as their bench coach. Last year, the team finished in the basement with a 67-87 record. But the team improved by 29 wins this year and came oh so close to finishing in first place before dropping the tiebreaker to the Legends.

Although Brunswick won the regular season matchup, both teams finished with 69 runs apiece in their 15-game regular season matchup, with 7 of those games decided by a single run. But Brunswick won the tiebreaker and earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The playoffs are here – its time to begin. Play ball!

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Game 1 – March 27

The playoffs return to a packed Babe Ruth Stadium for the first time in 10 years. The skies are clear, its warm with just a moderate breeze.

39-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian, who was with the Queensland Eagles when they defeated the Legends back in 1946-47 for the EL Pennant, makes his third career playoff start, after going 0-2, 5.14 ERA 10 years ago. He is looking for his first playoff victory. Cobourg has handed the ball to 29-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (2-0, 2.57 ERA in 4 playoff games).

Bottom of the 4th:
Ismael García smashes one down the leftfield line and into the corner for a one-out double. With two out, Francis Joicey rips one past a diving 2B Luigi Purss into rightfield. García sails around third and slides in hard, beating out the throw for the game’s first run.
Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1

Top of the 6th:
Douglas Jones hits a slow roller to the right side and beats out the throw from SP Quian for a lead-off base hit. Nihopalaoa Neho then lays down a sac bunt to move him up to second. With two out, Harry Doxey belts a high fly ball to deep left center, landing 425 ft. into the stands for a 2-run homer.
Cobourg 2 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 6th:
But Brunswick soon retakes the lead when Robert Kersey leads off with a slow roller out toward third base. Harold Prudom runs in to pick it up but doesn’t risk the throw. SP Hirst then surrenders back-to-back walks to Ismael García and Joshua Witherden, loading the bases with nobody out. Francis Joicey then comes through again, grounding one back up the middle past a draw-in infield for a 2-run base hit.
Hirst loads the bases once again. Pi-ao Quian then hits one sharply out between third base and shortstop. But SS Douglas Jones lunges to his right and backhands it, turns and whips it home to cut down Joshua Witherden to get the force out. SP Hirst then gets two quick outs to end the inning, preventing any further damage.

But in the top of the 9th, Coboug goes down on three straight fly outs as Quian finally gets his first playoff victory. Brunswick takes Game 1.
FINAL: Cobourg 2 – Brunswick 3

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Game 2 – March 28

The Legends pulled out a thrilling victory in Game 1 and look to continue rolling at Babe Ruth Park. No. 4 starter, 29-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil, makes his first career playoff appearance as he takes the hill for Brunswick. Cobourg responds with 28-year old LHP Bill Budd (1-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP). This will be his third career playoff start.

Bottom of the 1st:
Edilberto Mandac lines one down the rightfield line. RF Nathan Ashman lunges for it but its out of his reach as it bounces into the corner. Mandac rounds second and sails into third with a headfirst slide ahead of the throw for a 1-out triple. Jay Mitchell then ropes one into shallow centerfield, scoring Mandac.
Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 3rd:
Pilapil lines one into centerfield that drops in front of CF Raymond Williams for a 1-out single. Lead-off hitter Jorge Arredondo hits a slow tapper to the right side. SP Budd gloves it and throws to second for one, but Pilapil breaks up the double-play with a good slide.
With two out, Edilberto Mandac launches one into the gap in left center. LF Nihopalaoa Neho races back and just misses corralling it as the ball bounces up against the wall. Arredondo takes third then breaks for home. C Yoshiake Ikeda catches the relay, turns and applies the tag but its not in time as Arredondo scores Brunswick’s second run.
Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 2

Top of the 4th:
Harold Prudom lines one out to left center. LF Edilberto Mandac lunges for the ball but its just gets past his glove and rolls to the base of the wall. Prudom wheels past first and slides headfirst into second for a 1-out double. With two out, Nathan Ashman slices one down the rightfield line. RF Jay Mitchell catches up to it as Prudom crosses the plate. Mitchell throws to second as Ashman slides in awkwardly for a double. Play is called as the trainer examines Ashman’s back. Ashman is forced out of the game and is replaced by PR Randy Spivey.
Cobourg 1 – Brunswick 2

Top of the 5th:
Douglas leads off and quickly ties things up as he smashes a solo-shot 344 ft. down the leftfield line and into the stands.
With two out, Harry Doxey lofts one out to shallow leftfield for a base hit. Next up is Yoshiake Ikeda, who launches Pilapil’s first offering 393 ft. into the left-centerfield bleaches for a go-ahead 2-run shot.
Cobourg 4 – Brunswick 2

Top of the 7th:
Nihopalaoa Neho sends a hard drive into deep right-center. CF Joshua Witherden races back to the track but the ball sails over his head and bangs off the wall. Neho tears around second and slides headfirst for a lead-off triple. Raymond Williams is then given a free pass, putting runners on the corners.
Harry Doxey then launches one out to centerfield. Neho tags up and beats out the throw from Witherden.

With one out, Jay Mitchell sends one out to deep centerfield past a lunging Raymond Williams. As it caroms off the wall, Mitchell chugs past first and slides in safely for a double.
But after Robert Kersey strikes out, Harris Yaag lines one back up the middle. SS Douglas Jones stretches for it and makes a brilliant catch to end the threat and the game, as the Redlegs tie the series up.
FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Brunswick 2

Note: Nathan Ashman suffered back spasms while sliding into second, but it was not serious (Day-to-day, 1 day).

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Game 3 – March 30

The Series shifts to a packed house at Radcliffe Field in Cobourg for the next three games. Cobourg hands to the ball to their 23-year old sophomore RHP Albert Johnson. For Brunswick, they turn to their No. 2 starter as well: 24-year old RHP Dave Ball. Both will be making their playoff debuts.

Bottom of the 4th:
SP Ball induces back-to-back grounds outs from Harry Doxey and Yoshiake Ikeda. But Harold Prudom jumps all over a 3-1 cutter and crushes it 410 ft. into the right-centerfield stands for a solo home run to get the Redlegs on the board.
Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 1

Bottom of the 5th:
Ball surrenders a one-out walk to Nihopalaoa Neho and then a two-out walk to Harry Doxey. Yoshiake Ikeda then smashes a hard grounder down the third base line and past a diving 3B Jorge Arredondo as the ball heads into the corner. Neho scores easily on the play. Doxey is given the windmill at third and scores without a throw as Ikeda pulls up into second for a 2-run double.
Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 3

Bottom of the 6th:
Luigi Purss leads off with a first-pitch single that finds the hole into shallow leftfield then moves up to second when Nathan Ashman walks on a full count. After Albert Johnson lays down a sac bunt to move up the runners, Douglas Jones battles SP Ball to a full count before launching a fly ball out to centerfield. Purss tags up and beats the throw from CF Joshua Witherden.
Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 4

Top of the 7th:
Dermott Morris sends one sailing into deep right center. Morris busts it to second and slides in headfirst for a lead-off double. After moving up to third when PH Dane Evans grounds out to SS Douglas Jones, Jorge Arredondo singles Morris home as his grounder finds the hole into leftfield, getting Brunswick on the board.
Brunswick 1 – Cobourg 4

Top of the 9th:
PH Harley Truman smashes RHP Brian McDaniel’s 2-1 cutter into deep right center with CF Raymond Williams in hot pursuit. As it bounces to the wall, Truman slides in safely for a one-out double. After moving up to third when Jorge Arredondo grounds out to SS Douglas Jones, Harris Yaag lofts one into short centerfield for a base hit. Truman scores easily to narrow the gap.
Jay Mitchell follows and lines a bullet down the line to short rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman hurries the ball back in, but Yaag reaches third while Mitchell pulls into second standing up, representing the tying run.
Robert Kersey lines one out to the left side. But just as he did in Game 2, SS Douglas Jones reaches out and snares the hot liner to end the threat and the game. Cobourg takes the upper hand in the series.
FINAL: Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 4

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Game 4 – March 31

The Redlegs look to try and take a commanding lead while they continue to host the Series. A couple of pitchers making their playoff debuts get the start. Cobourg calls upon their No. 4 starter, 30-year old RHP Seb Frew while Brunswick answers with their ace, 31-year old LHP Luke Henty.

Bottom of the 1st:
Douglas Jones puts a charge into SP Henty’s 1-1 changeup and sends it soaring 420 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers for a lead-off home run.
Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 1

Top of the 2nd:
Joshua Witherden sends a sinking line drive to straight away center for a lead-off base hit, one that CF Raymond Williams is forced to play on the hop. Up next is Francis Joicey, who blasts Frew’s 88 mph fastball 374 ft. into the rightfield stands for a two-run home run.
Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 1

Bottom of the 6th:
Similar to what he did in the 1st inning, Douglas Jones leads off and drives Henty’s first offering down the leftfield line for a 352ft. solo home run, his second of the game.
Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 2

Top of the 8th:
With one out, Harris Yaag draws a walk on four-straight pitches. Jay Mitchell then raps one hard out to center for a base hit as Yaag takes second. After Robert Kersey grounds into a fielder’s choice at second base, putting runners on the corners, Ismael García bloops one out to centerfield for a base hit. Yaag comes in to score as Brunswick retakes the lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, Henty gets the Redlegs to go down in order, tying up the series.
FINAL: Brunswick 3 – Cobourg 2

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Game 5 – April 1

The Legends eked out a victory in Game 4 to tie things up a 2-apiece. Both clubs will be looking to try and take the lead before the series heads back to Brunswick. And both clubs will be doing it under hot, sunny skies in a jam-packed Radcliffe Field. The Game 1 starters face each other once again. Cobourg’s 29-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (0-1, 3.86 ERA) looks to avenge his loss while Brunswick’s 39-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (1-0, 2.00 ERA) aims to build upon his first career playoff victory.

Top of the 3rd:
Dermott Morris leads off and belts out a hard grounder past the mound. SS Douglas Jones knocks it down and whips it to first, but Morris beats out the throw for an infield hit. Pi-ao Quian then sac bunts Morris over to second.
After Jorge Arredondo strikes out, Harris Yaag threads a hot grounder through the left side hole and into leftfield for a base hit. Morris rounds third and just beats out the throw from LF Nihopalaoa Neho as Brunswick opens the scoring.
Brunswick 1 – Cobourg 0

Top of the 4th:
Robert Kersey lifts one out to shallow leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Ismael García then crushes the payoff pitch out toward deep centerfield. CF Raymond Williams races back for it but can’t get to it in time as the ball caroms off the wall. Kersey takes third as García motors into second. Hirst gets two quick outs but then walks Dermott Morris to load the bases.
Pi-ao Quian then cracks one down the line into short leftfield for a base hit. Kersey comes into score. García takes third then breaks for home. But LF Nihopalaoa Neho’s throw home is on target. C Yoshiake Ikeda spins around and tags out García to end the inning.
Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 0

Top of the 5th:
Jorge Arredondo leads off with a four-pitch walk. Harris Yaag bunts it back to the mound and is thrown out as Arredondo takes second. Jay Mitchell then steps in and jumps all over a 1-1 forkball, launching it 418 ft. into the right centerfield stands for a 2-run homer.
Brunswick 4 – Cobourg 0

Top of the 7th:
Jorge Arredondo leads off and lines one over second base for a base hit. Harris Yaag once again lays down a sac bunt back to the mound, advancing Arredondo to second. Jay Mitchell battles Hirst to a full count before drawing a walk.
After Robert Kersey strikes out on a disputed call by the umpire, Ismael García draws a walk to load the bases. Joshua Witherden then draws a walk as well, forcing in Arredondo. That ends SP Hirst’s afternoon.
But Francis Joicey works the count full against LHP Lester Bell before lining one into short right center. Mitchell scores easily on the play. García rounds third and chugs home as Joicey reaches base safely for a 2-run single.
Brunswick 7 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 8th:
Cobourg finally gets on the board when Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and gets all of Quian’s 2-2 change-up, sending it 344 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a solo home run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Nathan Ashman bangs out a grounder straight up the middle for a 1-out base hit. PH Bernie Vantassell then lines one out to centerfield for a base hit as Ashman takes second. One a 1-1 pitch, Douglas Jones swings and misses, but the umpire rules catcher’s interference, awarding Jones first base to load the bases.
But after Nihopalaoa Neho strikes out, Raymond Williams lifts one out to shallow left centerfield. LF Ismael García waves off CF Joshua Witherden and pulls it in to end the threat. The Legends take the upper hand as the series heads back to Brunswick.
FINAL: Brunswick 7 – Cobourg 1

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Game 6 – April 3

The Series returns to Babe Ruth Park with Brunswick needing just one more victory to capture the Pennant. Meanwhile, Cobourg is looking to try and swing the momentum away and extend the series. A full house and clear, blue skies set the stage. The pitchers of Game 2 face each other once again. Cobourg goes with their ace, 28-year old LHP Bill Budd (1-0, 2.00 ERA), who won game honors in the second match. Brunswick responds with 29-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (0-1, 6.14 ERA) who is looking to bounce back from a rough outing in his first playoff appearance.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Robert Kersey jumps all over a 1-0 pitch and sends into right center. CF Raymond Williams races back for it, but it sails 403 ft. into the stands for lead-off home run.
Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 7th:
Dermott Morris leads off and bounces one through the hole into rightfield for a base hit. Mhelter Pilapil lays a bunt down the third base line. But 3B Harold Prudom pounces on it and cuts down Morris at second. With two out, Harris Yaag lifts one out to centerfield in front of a charging Raymond Williams for a base hit as Pilapil takes second.
Jay Mitchell then slices one out to left for a base hit. Pilapil moves up to third as Yaag takes second. Pilapil then charges for home as LF Nihopalaoa Neho throws to the plate. Pilapil slides into home safely as Yaag and Mitchell move up to third and second respectively.
On a full count, Robert Kersey drives one down the line into rightfield. RF Rizalino Ringor reaches for it but the ball drops in and skips into the corner. Kersey slides safely into second as both Yaag and Mitchell come home to score.

In the top of the 9th, Yoshiake Ikeda lifts one out to leftfield. But Ismael García is right there to haul it in. Harold Prudom then hits a grounder out toward first base. 1B Francis Joicey collects it and takes it to the bag himself for the second out. Finally, Luigi Purss hits a slow dribbler back to the mound. Pilapil fields it and throws him out at first to end the game and the series. The Brunswick Legends win their first Eastern League Pennant in 12 years and are off to the United Cup!
FINAL: Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 4

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06-29-2023, 03:53 AM	#800
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	The Brunswick Legends and Cobourg Redlegs square off for the first time to battle for the Eastern League Pennant. This marks the second time that Cobourg has made the playoffs and the first time in four years. Meanwhile, it’s been 10 years for the Legends. This is their seventh playoff appearance and are looking for their sixth Pennant. But the Legends will be attempting to do so without a key player. 30-year old LF Carl Patton (.285/.399/.387, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 98 BB, 15 SB, 112 OPS+, 126 wRC+, 3.6 WAR) injured his shoulder in mid-March and is gone for the rest of the season. Patton led off against RH pitchers and batted in the No. 3 spot against lefties. 27-year old switch-hitter Ismael García (52/52) will take his place and bat from the No. 5 spot. On the other hand, Cobourg enters the playoffs with all hands-on deck. 56-year old Finlay Fay (954-895, .515) was hired by the Legends to be their field manager back in 1946-47, the last time Brunswick qualified for the playoffs. He previously led the Kingston Pelicans to a United Cup championship in the United Leagues’ inaugural season. As for Cobourg’s 62-year old manager, Tyler Baldry (476-535, .470), this is his second season at the helm of the Redlegs after serving four years as their bench coach. Last year, the team finished in the basement with a 67-87 record. But the team improved by 29 wins this year and came oh so close to finishing in first place before dropping the tiebreaker to the Legends. Although Brunswick won the regular season matchup, both teams finished with 69 runs apiece in their 15-game regular season matchup, with 7 of those games decided by a single run. But Brunswick won the tiebreaker and earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The playoffs are here – its time to begin. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 27 The playoffs return to a packed Babe Ruth Stadium for the first time in 10 years. The skies are clear, its warm with just a moderate breeze. 39-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian, who was with the Queensland Eagles when they defeated the Legends back in 1946-47 for the EL Pennant, makes his third career playoff start, after going 0-2, 5.14 ERA 10 years ago. He is looking for his first playoff victory. Cobourg has handed the ball to 29-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (2-0, 2.57 ERA in 4 playoff games). Bottom of the 4th: Ismael García smashes one down the leftfield line and into the corner for a one-out double. With two out, Francis Joicey rips one past a diving 2B Luigi Purss into rightfield. García sails around third and slides in hard, beating out the throw for the game’s first run. Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1 Top of the 6th: Douglas Jones hits a slow roller to the right side and beats out the throw from SP Quian for a lead-off base hit. Nihopalaoa Neho then lays down a sac bunt to move him up to second. With two out, Harry Doxey belts a high fly ball to deep left center, landing 425 ft. into the stands for a 2-run homer. Cobourg 2 – Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 6th: But Brunswick soon retakes the lead when Robert Kersey leads off with a slow roller out toward third base. Harold Prudom runs in to pick it up but doesn’t risk the throw. SP Hirst then surrenders back-to-back walks to Ismael García and Joshua Witherden, loading the bases with nobody out. Francis Joicey then comes through again, grounding one back up the middle past a draw-in infield for a 2-run base hit. Hirst loads the bases once again. Pi-ao Quian then hits one sharply out between third base and shortstop. But SS Douglas Jones lunges to his right and backhands it, turns and whips it home to cut down Joshua Witherden to get the force out. SP Hirst then gets two quick outs to end the inning, preventing any further damage. But in the top of the 9th, Coboug goes down on three straight fly outs as Quian finally gets his first playoff victory. Brunswick takes Game 1. FINAL: Cobourg 2 – Brunswick 3 -------- Game 2 – March 28 The Legends pulled out a thrilling victory in Game 1 and look to continue rolling at Babe Ruth Park. No. 4 starter, 29-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil, makes his first career playoff appearance as he takes the hill for Brunswick. Cobourg responds with 28-year old LHP Bill Budd (1-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP). This will be his third career playoff start. Bottom of the 1st: Edilberto Mandac lines one down the rightfield line. RF Nathan Ashman lunges for it but its out of his reach as it bounces into the corner. Mandac rounds second and sails into third with a headfirst slide ahead of the throw for a 1-out triple. Jay Mitchell then ropes one into shallow centerfield, scoring Mandac. Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 3rd: Pilapil lines one into centerfield that drops in front of CF Raymond Williams for a 1-out single. Lead-off hitter Jorge Arredondo hits a slow tapper to the right side. SP Budd gloves it and throws to second for one, but Pilapil breaks up the double-play with a good slide. With two out, Edilberto Mandac launches one into the gap in left center. LF Nihopalaoa Neho races back and just misses corralling it as the ball bounces up against the wall. Arredondo takes third then breaks for home. C Yoshiake Ikeda catches the relay, turns and applies the tag but its not in time as Arredondo scores Brunswick’s second run. Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 2 Top of the 4th: Harold Prudom lines one out to left center. LF Edilberto Mandac lunges for the ball but its just gets past his glove and rolls to the base of the wall. Prudom wheels past first and slides headfirst into second for a 1-out double. With two out, Nathan Ashman slices one down the rightfield line. RF Jay Mitchell catches up to it as Prudom crosses the plate. Mitchell throws to second as Ashman slides in awkwardly for a double. Play is called as the trainer examines Ashman’s back. Ashman is forced out of the game and is replaced by PR Randy Spivey. Cobourg 1 – Brunswick 2 Top of the 5th: Douglas leads off and quickly ties things up as he smashes a solo-shot 344 ft. down the leftfield line and into the stands. With two out, Harry Doxey lofts one out to shallow leftfield for a base hit. Next up is Yoshiake Ikeda, who launches Pilapil’s first offering 393 ft. into the left-centerfield bleaches for a go-ahead 2-run shot. Cobourg 4 – Brunswick 2 Top of the 7th: Nihopalaoa Neho sends a hard drive into deep right-center. CF Joshua Witherden races back to the track but the ball sails over his head and bangs off the wall. Neho tears around second and slides headfirst for a lead-off triple. Raymond Williams is then given a free pass, putting runners on the corners. Harry Doxey then launches one out to centerfield. Neho tags up and beats out the throw from Witherden. With one out, Jay Mitchell sends one out to deep centerfield past a lunging Raymond Williams. As it caroms off the wall, Mitchell chugs past first and slides in safely for a double. But after Robert Kersey strikes out, Harris Yaag lines one back up the middle. SS Douglas Jones stretches for it and makes a brilliant catch to end the threat and the game, as the Redlegs tie the series up. FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Brunswick 2 Note: Nathan Ashman suffered back spasms while sliding into second, but it was not serious (Day-to-day, 1 day). -------- Game 3 – March 30 The Series shifts to a packed house at Radcliffe Field in Cobourg for the next three games. Cobourg hands to the ball to their 23-year old sophomore RHP Albert Johnson. For Brunswick, they turn to their No. 2 starter as well: 24-year old RHP Dave Ball. Both will be making their playoff debuts. Bottom of the 4th: SP Ball induces back-to-back grounds outs from Harry Doxey and Yoshiake Ikeda. But Harold Prudom jumps all over a 3-1 cutter and crushes it 410 ft. into the right-centerfield stands for a solo home run to get the Redlegs on the board. Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 1 Bottom of the 5th: Ball surrenders a one-out walk to Nihopalaoa Neho and then a two-out walk to Harry Doxey. Yoshiake Ikeda then smashes a hard grounder down the third base line and past a diving 3B Jorge Arredondo as the ball heads into the corner. Neho scores easily on the play. Doxey is given the windmill at third and scores without a throw as Ikeda pulls up into second for a 2-run double. Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 3 Bottom of the 6th: Luigi Purss leads off with a first-pitch single that finds the hole into shallow leftfield then moves up to second when Nathan Ashman walks on a full count. After Albert Johnson lays down a sac bunt to move up the runners, Douglas Jones battles SP Ball to a full count before launching a fly ball out to centerfield. Purss tags up and beats the throw from CF Joshua Witherden. Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 4 Top of the 7th: Dermott Morris sends one sailing into deep right center. Morris busts it to second and slides in headfirst for a lead-off double. After moving up to third when PH Dane Evans grounds out to SS Douglas Jones, Jorge Arredondo singles Morris home as his grounder finds the hole into leftfield, getting Brunswick on the board. Brunswick 1 – Cobourg 4 Top of the 9th: PH Harley Truman smashes RHP Brian McDaniel’s 2-1 cutter into deep right center with CF Raymond Williams in hot pursuit. As it bounces to the wall, Truman slides in safely for a one-out double. After moving up to third when Jorge Arredondo grounds out to SS Douglas Jones, Harris Yaag lofts one into short centerfield for a base hit. Truman scores easily to narrow the gap. Jay Mitchell follows and lines a bullet down the line to short rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman hurries the ball back in, but Yaag reaches third while Mitchell pulls into second standing up, representing the tying run. Robert Kersey lines one out to the left side. But just as he did in Game 2, SS Douglas Jones reaches out and snares the hot liner to end the threat and the game. Cobourg takes the upper hand in the series. FINAL: Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 4 -------- Game 4 – March 31 The Redlegs look to try and take a commanding lead while they continue to host the Series. A couple of pitchers making their playoff debuts get the start. Cobourg calls upon their No. 4 starter, 30-year old RHP Seb Frew while Brunswick answers with their ace, 31-year old LHP Luke Henty. Bottom of the 1st: Douglas Jones puts a charge into SP Henty’s 1-1 changeup and sends it soaring 420 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers for a lead-off home run. Brunswick 0 – Cobourg 1 Top of the 2nd: Joshua Witherden sends a sinking line drive to straight away center for a lead-off base hit, one that CF Raymond Williams is forced to play on the hop. Up next is Francis Joicey, who blasts Frew’s 88 mph fastball 374 ft. into the rightfield stands for a two-run home run. Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 1 Bottom of the 6th: Similar to what he did in the 1st inning, Douglas Jones leads off and drives Henty’s first offering down the leftfield line for a 352ft. solo home run, his second of the game. Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 2 Top of the 8th: With one out, Harris Yaag draws a walk on four-straight pitches. Jay Mitchell then raps one hard out to center for a base hit as Yaag takes second. After Robert Kersey grounds into a fielder’s choice at second base, putting runners on the corners, Ismael García bloops one out to centerfield for a base hit. Yaag comes in to score as Brunswick retakes the lead. In the bottom of the 9th, Henty gets the Redlegs to go down in order, tying up the series. FINAL: Brunswick 3 – Cobourg 2 -------- Game 5 – April 1 The Legends eked out a victory in Game 4 to tie things up a 2-apiece. Both clubs will be looking to try and take the lead before the series heads back to Brunswick. And both clubs will be doing it under hot, sunny skies in a jam-packed Radcliffe Field. The Game 1 starters face each other once again. Cobourg’s 29-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (0-1, 3.86 ERA) looks to avenge his loss while Brunswick’s 39-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (1-0, 2.00 ERA) aims to build upon his first career playoff victory. Top of the 3rd: Dermott Morris leads off and belts out a hard grounder past the mound. SS Douglas Jones knocks it down and whips it to first, but Morris beats out the throw for an infield hit. Pi-ao Quian then sac bunts Morris over to second. After Jorge Arredondo strikes out, Harris Yaag threads a hot grounder through the left side hole and into leftfield for a base hit. Morris rounds third and just beats out the throw from LF Nihopalaoa Neho as Brunswick opens the scoring. Brunswick 1 – Cobourg 0 Top of the 4th: Robert Kersey lifts one out to shallow leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Ismael García then crushes the payoff pitch out toward deep centerfield. CF Raymond Williams races back for it but can’t get to it in time as the ball caroms off the wall. Kersey takes third as García motors into second. Hirst gets two quick outs but then walks Dermott Morris to load the bases. Pi-ao Quian then cracks one down the line into short leftfield for a base hit. Kersey comes into score. García takes third then breaks for home. But LF Nihopalaoa Neho’s throw home is on target. C Yoshiake Ikeda spins around and tags out García to end the inning. Brunswick 2 – Cobourg 0 Top of the 5th: Jorge Arredondo leads off with a four-pitch walk. Harris Yaag bunts it back to the mound and is thrown out as Arredondo takes second. Jay Mitchell then steps in and jumps all over a 1-1 forkball, launching it 418 ft. into the right centerfield stands for a 2-run homer. Brunswick 4 – Cobourg 0 Top of the 7th: Jorge Arredondo leads off and lines one over second base for a base hit. Harris Yaag once again lays down a sac bunt back to the mound, advancing Arredondo to second. Jay Mitchell battles Hirst to a full count before drawing a walk. After Robert Kersey strikes out on a disputed call by the umpire, Ismael García draws a walk to load the bases. Joshua Witherden then draws a walk as well, forcing in Arredondo. That ends SP Hirst’s afternoon. But Francis Joicey works the count full against LHP Lester Bell before lining one into short right center. Mitchell scores easily on the play. García rounds third and chugs home as Joicey reaches base safely for a 2-run single. Brunswick 7 – Cobourg 0 Bottom of the 8th: Cobourg finally gets on the board when Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and gets all of Quian’s 2-2 change-up, sending it 344 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a solo home run. In the bottom of the 9th, Nathan Ashman bangs out a grounder straight up the middle for a 1-out base hit. PH Bernie Vantassell then lines one out to centerfield for a base hit as Ashman takes second. One a 1-1 pitch, Douglas Jones swings and misses, but the umpire rules catcher’s interference, awarding Jones first base to load the bases. But after Nihopalaoa Neho strikes out, Raymond Williams lifts one out to shallow left centerfield. LF Ismael García waves off CF Joshua Witherden and pulls it in to end the threat. The Legends take the upper hand as the series heads back to Brunswick. FINAL: Brunswick 7 – Cobourg 1 -------- Game 6 – April 3 The Series returns to Babe Ruth Park with Brunswick needing just one more victory to capture the Pennant. Meanwhile, Cobourg is looking to try and swing the momentum away and extend the series. A full house and clear, blue skies set the stage. The pitchers of Game 2 face each other once again. Cobourg goes with their ace, 28-year old LHP Bill Budd (1-0, 2.00 ERA), who won game honors in the second match. Brunswick responds with 29-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (0-1, 6.14 ERA) who is looking to bounce back from a rough outing in his first playoff appearance. Bottom of the 2nd: Robert Kersey jumps all over a 1-0 pitch and sends into right center. CF Raymond Williams races back for it, but it sails 403 ft. into the stands for lead-off home run. Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 7th: Dermott Morris leads off and bounces one through the hole into rightfield for a base hit. Mhelter Pilapil lays a bunt down the third base line. But 3B Harold Prudom pounces on it and cuts down Morris at second. With two out, Harris Yaag lifts one out to centerfield in front of a charging Raymond Williams for a base hit as Pilapil takes second. Jay Mitchell then slices one out to left for a base hit. Pilapil moves up to third as Yaag takes second. Pilapil then charges for home as LF Nihopalaoa Neho throws to the plate. Pilapil slides into home safely as Yaag and Mitchell move up to third and second respectively. On a full count, Robert Kersey drives one down the line into rightfield. RF Rizalino Ringor reaches for it but the ball drops in and skips into the corner. Kersey slides safely into second as both Yaag and Mitchell come home to score. In the top of the 9th, Yoshiake Ikeda lifts one out to leftfield. But Ismael García is right there to haul it in. Harold Prudom then hits a grounder out toward first base. 1B Francis Joicey collects it and takes it to the bag himself for the second out. Finally, Luigi Purss hits a slow dribbler back to the mound. Pilapil fields it and throws him out at first to end the game and the series. The Brunswick Legends win their first Eastern League Pennant in 12 years and are off to the United Cup! FINAL: Cobourg 0 – Brunswick 4 -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland