BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
22 September 2312
Sole Survivor Series: Fort Hagen Silver Shroud vs Vault 81 Dwellers
Season Series: Vault 81 2, Fort Hagen 1
May 10-12 @V81: V81 10-3, FtH 6-2, V81 7-1
Analysis
From 2298-2304, the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud looked to be on the brink of a dynasty. Except . . . they could not win the Sole Survivor Series. With three trips to the big series, the Shroud came up empty all three times, losing to Diamond City in 2299 and 2300 and Roxbury in 2303. With this fourth trip, the Shroud is third all-time behind Nordhagen Beach (7) and Roxbury (5) in Sole Survivor Series appearances.
Vault 81 is making its first Sole Survivor Series. In both of the seasons where they were the #1 seed in the SCA, the Dwellers reached the SCA Championship Series before getting upset. This season, they were almost an afterthought throughout the season, but they took care of business as the #3 seed, having relatively easy series over #6 University Point (2-0), #2 Goodneighbor (3-1), and #5 Jamaica Plain (4-0). It is safe to say that Vault 81 enters the Sole Survivor Series as the hotter team.
Looking at a comparison of statistics, the Shroud seem to have just about every advantage but power hitting. For Fort Hagen to win four, they will need to keep up their tough offense while getting the outs needed on the mound, trying their best to keep their starter in as long as possible. For the Dwellers, hitting home runs will help them win games, so they should hope that they find their power in this series.
Looking at player vs player at positions, first let's look at those and then show a comparison of the matchups as expected in Game 1.
SP1 - Sarthis Idren (12-7, 3.72) > Exxie Summerset (13-8, 3.92)
SP2 - La'Ray Kalel (19-6, 3.00) > Scruffy Taguchi (12-13, 3.82)
SP3 - Admiral Kelm (14-7, 5.27) < Ryan Goodpryce (9-5, 3.93)
RP1 - Elastic Man Haley (14-9, 3.09 as a SP) > Ryan Downing (11-11, 4.59 as a starter)
CL - Nien Nunb (33 SV, 2.75) > Closecall Jones (25 SV, 3.91)
C - Sleve McDichael (.260/7/66) > Phantom Vargas (.299/21/74)
1B - Rival Hey (.337/8/39) > Chris Connexx (.270/10.43)
2B - Nauseous Revere (.326/16/87) > Harry Byrd (.285/25/79)
3B - Jaxon Grits (.265/11/64) > Knud Bather (.229/13/61)
SS - Brennan Colt-45 (.304/19/86) < End Yamada (.270/21/60)
LF - Admiral Kelm (.294/21/82) > Mace Pageturner (.297/9/48)
CF - Hid Matsumoto (.223/9/48) < Stu Gains (.298/28/80)
RF - Orcin Cardinal (.275/22/70) < Joe Rathmann (.328/23/69)
Fort Hagen has most of the matchup wins at individual positions. Now a look at the lineup advantages:
Key Injuries
Fort Hagen
RP Clueless Gunsmith (0-4, 6.26)
Vault 81
None
Prediction
Both teams come in on hot streaks and both deserve to be here. Historically speaking, most of the advantages would point to Fort Hagen as being here before. Of course, the last Silver Shroud that got here, led by players such as Ben Pawlak, Ginger Rogers, Andrew Nuka, David Green, and Mike Cartrette has had nearly a complete makeover in the last nine years (RP Kevin Marsh, who had 32 saves that season). Vault 81 is in desperation mode. Their roster is aging with 13 of their 25 players 30 or over. It seems to be a now or much later for them. Desperate teams can sometimes be more dangerous. We're going to bet on the danger factor.
Vault 81 4, Fort Hagen 2