This year’s expansion team in the European Division is exceeding expectations, sitting only one win behind us.
Logos: both by @20_range
Game 1
SP: Giobbe Marinello
The Sheffield Mountain Hares could not turn a fine performance from second baseman Kolya Saetgaliev into a win. Instead, the Athens Philosphers prevailed, 3-2. Saetgaliev went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 doubles, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once.
American Steve Holland was the walk-off hero for Athens. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Philosphers catcher hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.
Player of the game: Kolya Saetgaliev
Game 2
SP: Alois Herzog
Athens Philosphers pitcher Lebna Ogunkeye was in fine form, giving up no runs in 5 innings and leading his team past the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 7-1, as the Hares lost their 4th game on the bounce, dropping to 68-65. Herzog was unspectacular, but certainly not at fault for the loss, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings, as the offence floundered.
Player of the game: Lebna Ogunkeye
Game 3
SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi
Athens Philosphers starter Willie Gutierrez turned in a sterling performance, leading his team to a thin, 3-2 win in 10 innings, as Athens swept Sheffield and improved their record to 70-64. The decisive blow was delivered by Josh O'Connor in the bottom of the tenth when he hit a run-scoring double off 29-year old left-handed pitcher Nestor Barrios to win the game for Athens. The home crowd went nuts and the travelling Sheffield fans looked dismayed as the Hares fell to their 5th straight defeat, dropping them to 68-66. Motoyanagi will be especially disappointed after he threw 6 innings giving up no runs to start the game.
SP: Willie Gutierrez
