Three series went the distance. And the winners are . . .
BNN Report
News from the CBO, MML, BMU, GBRL, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
3 October 2308
NCA Semifinals: #5 Starlight vs #1 Salem
Game 1 - Salem 4, Starlight 0
Association Semifinal Game 1 Victory for Thirtysix and Salem
Jaa Thirtysix and the Salem Witch Hats opened the Association Semifinal in brilliant fashion today, shutting out the visiting Starlight Killers at Vim! Park of Salem 4-0 and securing an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series. Thirtysix, the Witch Hats left-hander, threw 7.0 innings of shutout ball.
In the bottom of the second, Salem center fielder Andy Dogleash had a productive at-bat. With a runner on 2nd and one out, Dogleash stroked a 2-run home run to right. It made the score 2-0, Salem. For the game, he went 1 for 3 with a home run. He drove in 2 runs and scored once.
"I had pretty good command out there," said Thirtysix.
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Vim! Park of Salem in Salem.
Game 2 - Salem 5, Starlight 4
Tickler, Witch Hats Sink Killers Again in Game 2
A clutch 16th inning gave the Salem Witch Hats a walk-off win over the Starlight Killers and a 2-0 lead in the Association Semifinal at Vim! Park of Salem today. Young first baseman Needham Tickler, 24, earned accolades after he slugged 2 home runs.
The game was still up for grabs in the bottom of the 16th. With one out, Tickler hit a fastball from Zane Blaze for a solo home run. The Witch Hats, in dramatic fashion, had a walk-off win.
"This was one of those 'not to be denied' games," said Salem field general Nick Caudill.
The next game is set to be played for Tuesday, September 29th , 2308 at Valentine Detective Agency Field in Lexington.
Game 3 - Starlight 12, Salem 4
Raider Blasts Witch Hats, Killers Take Game 3, 12-4
The Starlight Killers have closed some of the gap between themselves and the series-leading Salem Witch Hats, winning 12-4 at Valentine Detective Agency Field today. Killers pinch hitter Ryan Raider went 1 for 1 with a home run, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once. The win cuts the deficit facing the Killers to 2-1 in the best-of-5 Association Semifinal.
The game turned with two out in the bottom of the sixth when Raider hit a grand slam home run. It propelled the Killers into the lead, 6-4.
"This win gets us that much closer to where we want to be," Raider said in postgame remarks.
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Valentine Detective Agency Field in Lexington.
Game 4 - Starlight 10, Salem 3
RF Reyes, Killers Destroy Witch Hats 10-3 to Force Game 5
The Starlight Killers and the Salem Witch Hats will take the Association Semifinal to a decisive 5th game. In a must-win situation today, the Killers beat the Witch Hats 10-3 at Valentine Detective Agency Field to force the series into what will essentially be a one-game playoff. Starlight right fielder Hurr Lee Reyes slugged 2 home runs. He scored 3 runs and drove in 3.
Willy Mazehaze, who finished 2nd in the SCA in doubles with 32 last year, aided the Starlight cause with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the first. For the game, the center fielder went 1-5 with a home run, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once.
"They say the first rule of the playoffs is to win the home games," Mazehaze said afterward. "It feels nice, but it is kind of what we were supposed to do."
Game 5 is scheduled for Friday at Vim! Park of Salem in Salem.
Game 5 - Starlight 1, Salem 0
Killers Prevail, as Association Semifinal Goes to the Wire
The Starlight Killers and Salem Witch Hats didn't hold back anything in the Association Semifinal, with each team pulling out all the stops in an effort to advance to the Association Championship.
Starlight won the final game by a score of 1-0 at Vim! Park of Salem and that concluded the series, 3-2.
"Relief is the biggest thing," Starlight shortstop Nick Maris said when asked how he felt. "It's a grind both mentally and physically to have a long series like this, but our guys stuck with it and Salem deserves credit for the hard fight."
Maris paced the Starlight offence and earned MVP honors. For the series, he hit .400 with a .423 on-base percentage, 1 home runs, 4 RBI and scored 6 runs.
The Starlight Killers will play against the Bunker Hill 75ers in the next round. Bunker Hill won their series against the Sunshine Tidings Chemists 3 games to 2. The Association Championship schedule will be announced after the Association Semifinal finishes.
NCA Semifinals: #3 Bunker Hill vs #2 Sunshine Tidings
Game 1 - Sunshine Tidings 6, Bunker Hill 4
Home Field Advantage: Sone, Sunshine Tidings Open Association Semifinal with Win
The Sunshine Tidings Chemists started the Association Semifinal in style today, downing the visiting Bunker Hill 75ers at ArcJet Systems Stadium by a score of 6-4 to grab an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series. Chemists catcher Red Sone was 1-3 with a home run and a walk, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once.
Sone had a consequential at-bat in the bottom of the first for the Chemists. Coming up with the bases loaded and Sunshine Tidings trailing 1-0, he hit a grand slam home run.
"We'll put that win in the can," said Sone, "and go after the next one."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at ArcJet Systems Stadium in Sunshine Tidings.
Game 2 - Sunshine Tidings 3, Bunker Hill 0
Sunshine Tidings Tops Bunker Hill Again, 3-0
The Sunshine Tidings Chemists got an exceptional performance from starter Mike Rubric, who silenced the Bunker Hill offense en route to a 3-0 shutout win in Game 2 of the Association Semifinal today. The 75ers could never get a bead on the right-handed Rubric, who threw 8.0 innings of shutout ball. The Chemists now hold a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-5 series.
In his 107-pitch effort, Rubric allowed no runs on 8 hits over 8 innings. He walked 0 and struck out 5.
"Throwing strikes was the main thing," Rubric said.
The next game is set to be played for Tuesday, September 29th , 2308 at Battle of Bunker Hill Memorial Stadium in Boston.
Game 3 - Bunker Hill 8, Sunshine Tidings 5
Chemists Hammered by Stickhouse, Drop Game 3 to 75ers
The Bunker Hill 75ers have closed some of the gap between themselves and the series-leading Sunshine Tidings Chemists, winning 8-5 at Battle of Bunker Hill Memorial Stadium today. 75ers first baseman Matt Stickhouse was 2-4 with 2 home runs. He scored 3 times and drove in 3. The win cuts the deficit facing the 75ers to 2-1 in the best-of-5 Association Semifinal.
In the bottom of the first, Stickhouse had one of his most important at-bats: a 2-run home run off Joey Dimes that staked the 75ers to a 2-0 lead.
"Winning is contagious," said Stickhouse. "We're looking forward to the next game."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Battle of Bunker Hill Memorial Stadium in Boston.
Game 4 - Bunker Hill 2, Sunshine Tidings 1
75ers Clip Chemists 2-1 in ASF Contest
The Bunker Hill 75ers and the Sunshine Tidings Chemists will take the Association Semifinal to a decisive 5th game. The 75ers got a dramatic walk-off victory in a must-win situation today to beat the Chemists 2-1 at Battle of Bunker Hill Memorial Stadium and force the series into what will essentially be a one-game playoff. Bunker Hill right-hander Jason Tonelli had a sizable impact in the win. He threw 6.0 innings of 2-hit ball.
Emerald Sapphire was the walk-off hero for Bunker Hill. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the 75ers shortstop hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.
"It's great when the crowd is energized," Sapphire said.
Game 5 is scheduled for Friday at ArcJet Systems Stadium in Sunshine Tidings.
Game 5 - Bunker Hill 6, Sunshine Tidings 5
Bunker Hill Takes Association Semifinal in Deciding Game
The Bunker Hill 75ers were paced by a strong offensive output from Jig McGhee as they downed the Sunshine Tidings Chemists 3-2 to win the Association Semifinal.
Bunker Hill won the final game by a score of 6-5 at ArcJet Systems Stadium to send themselves off to the Association Championship.
"I wasn't so much focused on putting up big offensive numbers as I was about ensuring we won the games. So it's mission accomplished there," said center fielder McGhee, who was named MVP.
For the series, the MVP hit .381 with a .409 on-base percentage. He had 1 home runs, drove in 2 RBI and scored 4 runs.
The Bunker Hill 75ers don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Salem Witch Hats - Starlight Killers series. That series is tied at 2 games apiece. The Association Championship schedule will be announced after the Association Semifinal finishes.
SCA Semifinals: #4 Spectacle Island vs #1 Oberland
Game 1 - Oberland 7, Spectacle Island 6
Home Field Advantage: Sharp, Oberland Open Association Semifinal with Win
The Oberland T-51s started the Association Semifinal in style today, downing the visiting Spectacle Island Reapers at Oberland Stadium by a score of 7-6 to grab an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series. T-51s pinch hitter Judge Sharp went 1-1 with a home run, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once.
Da Game was 1 for 2 with a walk, while adding 2 RBI for Oberland. In a tie game with two out in the bottom of the seventh, Game came through with a run-scoring walk. It put the T-51s in front, 7-6.
Reapers manager Logan Gossett did not take questions after the game, telling assembled reporters that he would hold a press conference "if and when we win the Sole Survivor Series."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Oberland Stadium in Oberland.
Game 2 - Oberland 6, Spectacle Island 4
Oberland Tops Spectacle Island Again, 6-4
A sweep is in sight.
The Oberland T-51s overcame a spirited performance by Spectacle Island right fielder Matt Basile to knock off the Reapers, 6-4, at Oberland Stadium in Game 2 of the Association Semifinal. Basile was 2 for 4 with 2 home runs. He drove in 4 runs and scored twice but could not will the Reapers to victory. Oberland now sits on a 2-0 advantage and has its eyes on sweeping the best-of-5 series.
Had Chase Doctorman not delivered a key base hit in the bottom of the seventh, the outcome might have been different. Instead, with two down and the bases loaded, Doctorman hit a bases-clearing double. That made the score 6-4, in favor of the T-51s.
"We'll hit the hot tub in good spirits tonight," said Doctorman.
The next game is set to be played for Wednesday, September 30th , 2308 at Drumlin Diner Park in Spectacle Island.
Game 3 - Oberland 3, Spectacle Island 2
T-51s Dominate, Sweep Association Semifinal
Chase Doctorman said he expected the Association Semifinal to be "a battle from start to finish."
In the end, it was nothing more than a minor skirmish, as the Oberland T-51s encountered little resistance in sweeping the Spectacle Island Reapers, to advance to the Association Championship.
"It may have been a sweep, but it still was a tough series," said Doctorman.
Oberland won the final game by a 3-2 count and were led in the series by Doctorman, who was named MVP. On the series, he hit .455 with 0 home runs. He also drove in 5 RBI and scored 1 runs.
The Oberland T-51s don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Vault 81 Dwellers - Jamaica Plain Red Rockets series. Vault 81 leads the series 2 games to 1. The Association Championship schedule will be announced after the Association Semifinal finishes.
SCA Semifinals: #3 Vault 81 vs #2 Jamaica Plain
Game 1 - Jamaica Plain 1, Vault 81 0
Red Rockets Rally Past Dwellers for 1-0 Series Lead
The Jamaica Plain Red Rockets took the first game of the Association Semifinal in dramatic fashion today, topping the Vault 81 Dwellers with a ninth-inning, walk-off, 1-0 shutout victory. Red Rockets pitcher Derek Green threw 8.0 innings of shutout ball.
The clutch at-bat came in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Jamaica Plain third baseman Steven Capone, facing Chris Salazar, had a run-scoring sacrifice fly. It gave the Red Rockets the 1-0 win.
"Winning in the last at-bat, there's nothing else like it," said Green.
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Red Rockets Stadium in Jamaica Plain.
Game 2 - Vault 81 5, Jamaica Plain 2
Byrd Blasts Red Rockets, Dwellers Take Game 2, 5-2
With second baseman Harry Byrd leading the charge, the Vault 81 Dwellers got a road win over the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets, 5-2, in Game 2 of the Association Semifinal today. Byrd was 4-4 with a home run and 3 singles. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3 at Red Rockets Stadium to help Vault 81 force a 1-1 tie in the best-of-5 series.
The Dwellers took a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Facing Jamaica Plain hurler Dobbie Radoncis with two outs, Byrd hit a 2-run home run.
"It was a good effort all around," said Byrd.
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at CURIE Inc. Field in Boston.
Game 3 - Vault 81 4, Jamaica Plain 0
Vault 81 Wins at Home to Take 2-1 Lead in ASF
The Vault 81 Dwellers got an exceptional performance from starter Ryan Downing, who silenced the Jamaica Plain offense en route to a 4-0 shutout win in Game 3 of the Association Semifinal today. The Red Rockets could never get a bead on the right-handed Downing, who threw 9.0 innings of shutout ball. The Dwellers now hold a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-5 series.
Downing pitched a complete game for Vault 81. The 23-year-old right-hander was charged with no runs on 5 hits. He struck out 7 during his 117-pitch performance.
"I had pretty good command out there," said Downing.
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at CURIE Inc. Field in Boston.
Game 4 - Jamaica Plain 9, Vault 81 5
Dwellers Hammered by Doucette, Drop Game 4 to Red Rockets
With shortstop Jake Doucette leading the charge, the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets got a road win over the Vault 81 Dwellers, 9-5, in Game 4 of the Association Semifinal today. Doucette went 4-5 with a home run, 3 singles, and a walk, while scoring 3 times and driving in 2 at CURIE Inc. Field to help Jamaica Plain force a 2-2 tie in the best-of-5 series.
Jamaica Plain relied on the bat of Ken Debate to get the win. The left fielder ripped a 2-run home run in the top of the second inning to put the Red Rockets ahead, 5-0. For the game, Debate had 2 doubles and 1 home run in 4 at-bats.
"Nice win for us," said Debate. "Now we'll go after the next one."
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at Red Rockets Stadium in Jamaica Plain.
Game 5 - Vault 81 6, Jamaica Plain 4
Dwellers Advance to Association Championship
The fans in Vault 81 are delirious, while there is little joy to be found in Jamaica Plain.
The Vault 81 Dwellers finished off the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets 6-4 in the deciding game of the Association Semifinal played at Red Rockets Stadium.
They took the series 3-2 and will now head to the Association Championship.
For his standout play, Vault 81 second baseman Harry Byrd was voted the series' Most Valuable Player.
He batted .400, drove in 4 runs and scored 3 to lead his club to victory.
"We could never really figure out how to pitch to Byrd and that doomed us," said Red Rockets manager Mark Sellsword. "Hats off to Vault 81, though. That was a great series."
The Vault 81 Dwellers will play against the Oberland T-51s in the next round. Oberland won their series against the Spectacle Island Reapers 3 games to 0. The Association Championship schedule will be announced after the Association Semifinal finishes.
