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Nuka News Update
Reporting on the NWL, APL, NWLR, and BBL Leagues
by Evan Guy
20 August 2308
Exciting Finish to North Bradberton Division, Nuka Series Set
The Quantum Nukalurks picked up a win at World of Refreshment Field, taking down the Victory Cave Crickets, 5-4, in the North Bradberton Division tiebreaker game. The Nukalurks now move on to face the Orange Tourists in the Nuka Series. Preview below.
Starting pitcher Loweland Waterdrop was a big reason why Quantum won, pitching 56.0 innings and allowing just two earned runs. With the win over Victory, the Nukalurks improved to 49-42.
Kell Leek was 1 for 4 with a double, while adding 2 RBI for Quantum. In a tie game with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Leek came through with a run-scoring sacrifice fly. It put the Nukalurks in front, 5-4.
The Tourists finished the season with the CBO's best record at 58-32, 15 games ahead of 2nd place Quartz in the South Bradberton Division. The 58 victories are the second-most ever in the NWL, two wins short of the Cherry Ghoulrillas in 2307.
Quantum is appearing in its third Nuka Series, while Orange is making its fourth trip. The Nukalurks defeated the Tourist, 4 games to 3, in the 2305 series, the last appearance for both teams.
Nuka Series Preview
Orange held a 6-3 advantage in the season series. They finished 4th in the NWL in runs scored (439) and 1st in runs allowed (370). The Nukalurks were 2nd in runs scored (495) and 6th in runs allowed (462).
The Tourists team leaders include 1B Bill Black (.366/6/43), CF Pudding Ohnderitz (.362/6/46), and RF Holotta Love (.315/14/57) on offense and pitchers SP Allen Pucket (15-3, 3.23) and CL Gilbert Butcherman (12 SV, 2.95).
Quantum leaders on offense include 2B Signal Frummy (.396/13/54), RF Alex Hopp (.341/18/58), LF Jason Love (.341/12/40), and 1B Joe Ransom (.326/13/53) and pitchers SP Smoker Caliman (11-5, 3.77), SP Owen X (6-3, 2.22), and RP Fussy Russ Robinson (11 SV, 3.57).
Minors
APL
It was all about winning for the Nuka Bottling Plant Pack -- and win they did.
There was nothing fancy in how they went about it, players said, they just prepared mentally and physically and then went out and played baseball.
"We did the little things right and we did the big things right," said right fielder Chris Washington, who was named series MVP. "Now we're the league champions."
Nuka Bottling Plant defeated the Dry Rock Gulch Convicts by a score of 6-5 at World of Refreshment Field to take the series 4-3.
"Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you make your own luck," said Nuka Bottling Plant manager Short Circuit Ducat. "We got lucky a few times, but mostly we did the right things by being prepared for each game and playing the game the way it's meant to be played."
Vim! View
Veracious, Vivacious, Vainglorious Vision of the Vim! Leagues
by Vikky Vail
20 August 2308
Dalton Farm, Grand Hotel to Meet in Vim! Series
The Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers reclaimed the Fog Division after a year's absence, while the Grand Hotel Atoms won the Harbor Division for the second time. The two teams met in the Vim! Series two seasons ago with the Fog Crawlers winning in seven games. Dalton Farm won the season series, 6-3.
The Fog Crawlers, 1st in runs scored (570) and 4th in runs allowed (473), are led by a strong 2-4 lineup: 1B James Darling (.351/18/49), 3B Ryan Morris (.309/23/74), and RF Toppie Gunn (.315/30/82). Their three starters are efficient in Phil Cecil (11-6, 4.90), Justin Wentworth (12-5, 5.18), and Steve Maskhelm (9-4, 3.91).
Grand Hotel was 2nd in runs scored (540) and 3rd in runs allowed (462). Their top two hitters are 1B Gladder Questseeker (.447/20/51) and C Adam Henderson (.307/22/68). They are led on the mound by SP Michel Acadiaman (9-7, 4.66), SP Bossy O'Malley (13-7, 4.17), and CL Little Rat Swickard (23 SV, 2.29).
Minors
MDIL
The teams who survived the hard battles of the regular season now begin their new campaign -- the postseason. The playoffs begin today in Mount Desert Island League as the Mount Desert Island Series commences with these matchups of clubs hoping to win the title:
Brooke's Head Behemoths vs Haddock Cove Engineers.