Tuesday, October 27, 2082
UNSUNG KENWOOD RISES TO THE OCCASION, UPSETS FAVORED CRYSTAL LAKE IN 2082 PRO CUP SERIES
The underdog Kenwood Wildcats copped their second Pro Cup Trophy in franchise history. The only time they ever won the coveted trophy was in 2014 when they had to
come back from a 3-1 deficit to overcome the Belair Beach Sunbirds. This time around they righted the ship just in time. It was looking like they were going to blow the series
and let Crystal Lake be the third team to accomplish that awesome feat. However, the Wildcats put it all together in the 7th game of the Pro Cup Series and whipped the Pro Cup
favorite Crystal Lake Skippers 8-4, propelled by a pair of 2-run roundtrippers by first baseman Gabby Mortenson and a gritty mound performance by Jim Singer, who tossed 8
solid innings to nail down the title. Center fielder Ardell Armstrong also stood out with 2 hits and 3 runs scored. Left fielder Kenny Sergeant also contributed 2 runs batted in
The Wildcats took charge in the first 3 innings, built up a 5-1 lead and never gave the Skippers a chance. Kenwood went to town on Crystal Lake ace Lloyd Mason early
and never looked back. They pinned the first loss on Mason (4-1/3.09 ERA) in the postseason. Entering game seven he was a perfect 4-0.
This was the third playoff appearance by manager Rusty Bradford in his 7 seasons at the helm. As a player Bradford pitched for the Wildcats and helped win 7 pennants in his
career from 2039 to 2055. He is the Wildcats' all-time leader in victories with a 260-215 mark and a solid 3.42 ERA. "We never went far in the playoffs. We never won the Pro Cup
in my 16-year playing career," he told reporters. "There is nothing like winning a Pro Cup. It's really special, a once in a lifetime experience. You don't get many chances at a
Pro Cup. It is something we all will cherish the rest of our lives".
"After being up 3-1 in the series, let me tell you it is awfully hard to get that 4th victory. And yes, going into the 7th game was scary. I don't know if I would have gone home,
if we had lost it".
Crystal Lake skipper Pat Dillon told the press, "Yes, I was confident that we would win the series after we came back from 3-1 and tied it up. I had Lloyd Mason rested and
ready to go. We were hitting the ball and playing well. We had the momentum, we were at home and we were ready."
Dillon added, "You know, Kenwood plays in a pretty good division. Rolling Hills is in that division. Anybody that come out of the TU West is a capable ballclub. The Wildcats
weren't picked to win the Pro Cup this year, but let me tell you one thing, they are a rock-solid, scrappy team with a bunch of winners. They really played well in the Finals.
They do what they have to do to win."
Kenwood was outscored by Crystal Lake 32-27, but they still won the Pro Cup. The Skippers supposedly had better hitting, more home-run power and better pitching. And
much better press, too. However, after all is said and done, the Wildcats have the Pro Cup Trophy.
'Nuff said.
