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reds1 · 01-19-2025, 04:31 PM

For the third consecutive year, the Pulberry Trolleys and Sherburn Tigers square off for the Western League Pennant. The Trolleys finished in top spot for the 5th consecutive season and have won back-to-back United Cups. They won over 90 games the previous three seasons as well but have out-down themselves this year, winning 103 games and finishing 16 games ahead of the second-place Tigers. It is the 12th time a team has reached 100 victories in the ULB and Pulberry is now the 8th team to accomplish it. It’s the first time in five years that a team has reached the 100-win plateau; the Cobourg Red Stockings won 100 back in 1952-53. The Trolleys’ 103 wins is just one off the high-water mark of 104, reached by three teams: the 1942-43 Embro Suns, the 1945-46 Kingston Pelicans and the 1948-49 Braeland City Monarchs.

All of which is to say that the Sherburn Tigers have their hands full even more if they hope to win their first Pennant in team history this year. Although they have been a model of consistency, winning 89, 86 and 87 games over each of the past three seasons, they have finished second to the Trolleys each time and have been unable to get past them to advance to the United Cup.

Their performance against Pulberry this season offers little signs of hope either, to be honest. While Sherburn went 7-8 against the Trolleys in each of the previous two regular seasons, they could only muster 4 wins in 15 matchups this season. The Trolleys won the first 7 games between them and outscored the Tigers 72-49 overall.

There is only one injury to speak of affecting this Series. Sherburn’s 25-year old LHP Kosue Saito (Career: 28-32, 4.30 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 4.27 FIP, 94 ERA+) was a non-factor this year, having his season come to an end in just his third start due to bone chips discovered in his throwing elbow. The four-year veteran has suffered multiple setbacks, and it is unclear when he will be ready to pitch again.

Nevertheless, 44-year old manager Jaime Blair (400-370, .519) has managed to shepherd this club to the playoffs once again and his easy going style is still very popular with his players. On the other side, 52-year old Ryo Ichikawa (1198-962, .554) has established himself as the best manager in the United Leagues, with his adept handling of egos in the clubhouse and his attention to detail.

With the Tigers looking to finally break through while their playoff window is still open and the Trolleys looking to cement their place in history as perhaps the greatest team in ULB history, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be an eventful one. Play ball!

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April 1 – Game 1

For the 5th straight year, Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 under partly cloudy skies.

Pulberry’s ace, 22-year LHP Bart Ohara (4-2, 1.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7 career playoff starts) takes the mound, while Sherburn goes with their No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (0-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 3 career playoff starts with Kingston and Sherburn).

Bottom of the 1st:
Pulberry takes advantage of an error to put runs on the board early. Francis Jones leads off and slaps a hard grounder toward the right-side hole. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snags it. Bouncing to his feet, Timberlake throws it to Bunce covering first, but Bunce juggles the relay. Jones reaches safely on the error. Ellis Dibble then taps one out to the mound and uses his speed to beat out the throw from Bunce. Jones moves up to second. After Cooper Tyson strikes out looking, Aiden Thirkettle smacks a 1-1 fastball down the leftfield line, sending it 372 ft. into the bleachers for a 3-run home run.
Sherburn 0 - Pulberry 3

Top of the 3rd:
Kieran Bunce leads off and gets clipped by a 2-2 slider, sending him to first. Albert Sulley then walks on four-straight pitches, moving Bunce up to second. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht jumps on a 1-2 cutter, driving it to deep left centerfield. LF Aiden Thirkettle races back for it but its out of his reach as it hits the wall on a hop. Bunce and Sulley cross the plate as Albrecht hook slides into third for a two-run triple.
Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 3

Bottom of the 6th:
After getting two quick outs, Bunce sees Joe Riding jump all over his first offering, an 89 mph fastball. Riding hits it deep toward the gap in right center. The ball skips to the wall as CF Leon Albrecht chases it down. Riding careens around second and slides headfirst safely into third. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slaps a 1-2 grounder out past the mound. SS Dwayne Vick swipes at it but loses the handle and doesn’t risk a throw. Sekozawa reaches safely on an infield single as Riding comes into score.
Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 4

Bottom of the 8th:
With one out, Joe Riding lines the first pitch into leftfield for a single. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slices a full-count slider into rightfield for a base hit. Riding tears around second and beats out RF Albert Sulley’s throw to put runners on the corners. Sean Abercrombie then slashes a 1-1 fastball into rightfield for a base hit, scoring Riding.
Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 5

Top of the 9th:
Marcus Timberlake leads off and absolutely crushes a 1-0 cutter out to dead centerfield, for a 450 ft. solo home run.
But Bonie Bandong, who relieved Ohara to start the 8th inning, gets Vic Lewis to fly out to CF Cooper Tyson, then strikes out PH Quincey Woolescroft. Albert Sulley follows and draws a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Bandong induces a high fly ball to rightfield from Dwayne Vick. RF Joe Riding gets under it and pulls it down to end the threat. The Trolleys take Game 1.
FINAL: Sherburn 3 - Pulberry 5

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April 2 – Game 2

The Tigers played tough in Game 1, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome some early missteps. For Game 2, they call upon their No. 4 starter, 33-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (0-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 2.2 IP in 3 career playoff games.), who will be making his first career playoff start. Meanwhile, No. 2 starter 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (6-1, 2.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 10 career playoff starts) counters for Pulberry.

Top of the 3rd:
Albert Sulley draws a walk on 4-straight pitches to lead off. Dwayne Vick then slices a weak sinking flyball down the line to short rightfield for a base hit as Sulley moves up to second. Leon Albrecht hits one back to the mound. Folkard grabs it and whips it to 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa to cut down Vick. But a good, hard slide from Vick prevents the relay throw to first as Sulley hustles into third.
Adrian Flynn then drives a 1-1 fastball into centerfield. Tyson runs in to field it on a hop as Sulley comes into score. Albrecht tears around second and beats out Tyson’s throw to put runners on the corners again. Folkard then surrenders a four-pitch walk to Robert Kersey to load the bases before striking out Ross Shewman. Marcus Timberlake battles Folkard to a full count then drives a fastball deep into the leftfield corner where Aidan Thirkettle rushes in to corral it. Timerberlake pulls up into second without a throw as all three base runners come into score.
Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 0

Bottom of the 5th:
Pulberry finally makes some noise as Joe Riding leads off and drives a full-count fastball down the leftfield line and into the corner. Ross Shewman tracks it down, but not before Riding pulls up into second. After Yoshimi Sekozawa and Sean Abercrombie both strike out swinging, Taylor Folkard hits a roller out to third. Albert Flynn fields it and throws it to 1B Marcus Timberlake, but his throw sails wide and bounces out of play. Riding comes into score as Folkard ends up at second on the error.
Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 1

Top of the 7th:
Dwayne Vick leads off and draws a full-count walk. After Leon Albrecht pops out to second, Adrian Flynn and Robert Kersey bang out back-to-back singles to score Vick.

In the bottom of the 9th, Woodruff gives up a 4-pitch walk Yoshimi Sekozawa to lead off. Sean Abercrombie hits a hard grounder toward first. Marcus Timberlake throws to second for one, but 2B Dwayne Vick get clobbered by Sekozawa with a hard-nosed slide, breaking up the double play. PH Gerard Koerner then loops one out to shallow leftfield, forcing Ross Shewman to play it on the hop as Abercrombie takes second.
But Francis Jones hits a 0-2 changeup back to second. 2B Dwayne Vick steps on second to for one then fires it to 1B Marcus Timberlake for the twin killing to end the game. The Tigers even things up as the Series heads to Sherburn for the next three games.
FINAL: Sherburn 5 - Pulberry 1

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April 4 – Game 3

A searing hot day greets the players and fans as the teams get set for Game 3 at The Paramount. Pulberry goes with their No. 3 starter, 37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (6-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13 career playoff starts with the Braeland City Monarchs and Pulberry). Sherburn taps their 3-time Satchel Paige Award winner, 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (2-3, 1 SV, 3.83 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 5 career playoff starts).

Top of the 3rd:
Jesús Chapa gets burned by some control issues. Chapa walks Francis Jones with one out. On the first pitch to Ellis Dibble, Jones gets a great jump and easily steals second. On the next offering, Dibble slices a liner down the line into short rightfield. Albert Sulley races in but can’t get to it in time. Jones hustles to third, then breaks for home. Jones slides in safely, beating out the tag from C Robert Kersey as Dibble takes second.
After Cooper Tyson strikes out on a failed check swing, Aiden Thirkettle draws a walk. Paul England then hits a hard grounder out toward the right side. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snares it, but England just beats out the throw for an infield single, loading the bases.
Joe Riding battles Chapa to a full count, then takes ball four, forcing in Dibble for the second run.
Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 0

Bottom of the 7th:
Robin Medellin holds the Tigers off the board, limiting them to four singles and a walk until the 7th inning.
After two quick outs, Vic Lewis pounds Medellin’s 2-1 splitter out between third and short. SS Sean Abercrombie lunges and knocks it down. But his throw to first sails wide, allowing Lewis to take second on the error. PH Carlos Cuevas taps one out toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa moves in and grabs it but Cuevas just beats out the throw for an infield single, moving Lewis up to third. Albert Sulley then flares a 1-1 fastball out to short rightfield that’s just over the head of 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa. Lewis comes into score as Cuevas beats out RF Joe Riding’s throw to take third.
After two failed pick-off attempts at first, Dwayne Vick lines a 3-2 fastball out toward short right center for a base hit. Cuevas scores easily, tying up the game.

After 9 innings, the game remains tied, forcing extras.
Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 2

Top of the 12th:
To start the 12th, manager Jamie Blair calls to the bullpen for RHP Callum Hyde. Francis Jones hits a hard grounder past first base and into rightfield for a lead-off double. Ellis Dibble is intentional walked to set up a potential double play. But Wade Billyard lines a 2-2 cutter into the gap in deep rightfield. Albert Sulley lunges for it, but it’s just past his glove as it bounces to the wall. Jones comes into score as Dibble moves up to third on Billyard’s stand-up double. Aidan Thirkettle is then intentionally walked to load the bases with nobody out.
With the infield drawn in, Paul England sends a hot grounder toward first. 1B Marcus Timberlake plays it on the hop then whips it home to cut down Dibble. C Robert Kersey then fires it back to Timberlake to complete the double play. Ángelo Ríos then draws a walk to reload the bases.
Yoshimi Sekozawa raps a grounder straight up the middle. 2B Vic Lewis lunges but can’t find the handle and doesn’t risk the throw. Billyard scores on Sekozawa’s infield hit.
Sean Abercrombie then draws the fourth walk of the inning, forcing in Thirkettle before PH Hokuaonani Kaili strikes out swinging to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 12th, RHP Alexander Ellacott takes over. After getting Dwayne Vick to fly out to deep right field on the first pitch, Leon Albrecht lofts a 1-2 cutter out to shallow centerfield for a base hit. Adrian Flynn then strikes out looking. Robert Kersey follows and draws a walk, moving Albrecht to second.
With Ross Shewman in the box, Ellacott’s 1-1 change-up is way outside and sails past Paul England as the runners move up. Shewman then takes ball four, loading the bases and bringing the winning run to the plate. But Marcus Timberlake pulls a 0-1 cutter out to leftfield. Aiden Thirkettle ranges over to make the catch and end the threat. Pulberry retakes the Series lead.
FINAL: Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 2

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April 5 – Game 4

The Tigers lost a tough one in extra innings that day before and look to try to even things up on home turf. Once again, its clear and hot in the open plains of Braeland. No. 4 starter Dermott Rathbone (3-1, 9 SV, 2.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 28.2 IP) gets the call for Pulberry. It will be the 28-year old southpaw’s first career playoff start. Sherburn hands the game ball to their No. 2 starter, 31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-1, 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 15.0 IP). It will be his third career start in the playoffs, all against the Trolleys.

Bottom of the 1st:
The Tigers pounce early. Albert Sulley leads off with a four-pitch walk. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht lines the first pitch sharply to leftfield. Sulley moves up to second as LF Aidan Thirkettle plays it on the hop. Rathbone then gets Adrian Flynn to swing at a 79 mph changeup for strike three. Robert Kersey steps up and battles Rathbone to a full count. Kersey then jumps on a cutter, sending it high toward the gap in right centerfield. RF Joe Riding give chase, but it lands 396 ft. into the stands for a 3-run homerun, Kersey’s first of the post-season.
Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3

Top of the 2nd
With one out, Paul England shoots one down the leftfield line and into the corner. As Ross Shewman races over to corral it, England swings around first and pulls up into second for a stand-up double. Joe Riding and Yoshimi Sekozawa then follow with back-to-back walks to load the bases. But Buschlen strikes out both Sean Abercrombie and Dermott Rathbone to escape the inning.
Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3

Bottom of the 3rd:
In the bottom of the 3rd, fireworks ensue. After Albert Sulley lines out to 1B Ellis Dibble, Dwayne Vick works the count full then gets a called ball four. Leon Albrecht then jumps all over 0-1 fastball, sending it soaring to deep rightfield. Joe Riding races back to the warning track but it lands 369 ft. into the stands for a two-run home run. That ends Rathbone’s day, as manager Ryo Ichikawa calls upon RHP Harley Rodman in relief.

Rodman’s second pitch, a 93 mph fastball, plunks LH Adrian Flynn. Flynn and Rodman exchange heated words before Flynn charges the mound as C Paul England unsuccessfully tries to hold him back. Flynn and Rodman exchange blows that miss their mark while both benches clear. Flynn and Rodman are ejected from the game as the umpires slowly bring things under control. PR Tyler MacGugan takes Flynn’s place at first base while RHP Eddie Roach comes on in relief of Rodman. Although Roach surrenders a two-out single to Ross Shewman to put runners on the corners, he gets Marcus Timberlake to hit into a fielder’s choice as 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa steps on second to force out Shewman to end the eventful inning.
Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 5

Top of the 5th:
Sean Abercrombie sends a bouncer toward the left side hole and into leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Eddie Roach then bunts the first pitch back to the mound. Ben Buschlen snares it and throws to first. But his throw is in the dirt and Marcus Timberlake is unable to come up with it. Roach takes second on the error as Abercrombie moves up to third. Francis Jones then lines a 2-2 splitter out to deep left center. CF Leon Albrecht races back but he comes up short and it hops off the wall. Both Abercrombie and Roach come in to score as Jones pulls up into second for a two-run double.
With one out, Cooper Tyson belts a 2-1 fastball that finds a crease into rightfield. Tyson quickly decides to hold up at first, but the speedy Jones races around third and beats out the throw to home from RF Albert Sulley as the Trolleys add another run.
Pulberry 3 – Sherburn 5

Top of the 6th:
Joe Riding sends a bouncer out to SS Dwayne Vick. Vick throws to first, but it bounces in the dirt and past 1B Marcus Timberlake. Riding takes second on the error. Yoshimi Sekozawa then draws a walk on four-straight pitches. Sean Abercrombie jumps on Buschlen’s 1-1 splitter, sending a sharp line drive down the leftfield line that gets past Ross Shewman’s outreached glove. Riding scores and Sekozawa takes third as Abercrombie pulls up into second with an RBI double.
With one out, Francis Jones lines one out to centerfield. Leon Albrecht chases it down, but Sekozawa tags up and slides in hard to score the tying run.
Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 5

Top of the 9th:
RHP Roy Hay takes over from Buschlen to start the 9th. After getting Francis Jones to line out to 1B Will Thomas, Hay surrenders three consecutive full-count walks to Ellis Dibble, Cooper Tyson and Aidan Thirkettle, loading the bases. Paul England then cranks out a broken-bat flare to rightfield that just gets over the drawn-in infield. Dibble scores on the play as Pulberry takes the lead for the first time.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Bonie Bandong, who came on in the 8th, gets Quincy Woolescroft, Albert Sulley and Dwayne Vick to go down in order to end the game. Pulberry squeaks by Sherburn to move to within one game from advancing to the United Cup.
FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Sherburn 5

Note: Sherburn’s 2B Vic Lewis suffered back stiffness while fielding an Aiden Thirkettle grounder in the 7th inning. Although he is listed as day-to-day, IF Will Thomas will be taking his place for the remainder of the Series.

01-19-2025, 04:31 PM	#836
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,899	For the third consecutive year, the Pulberry Trolleys and Sherburn Tigers square off for the Western League Pennant. The Trolleys finished in top spot for the 5th consecutive season and have won back-to-back United Cups. They won over 90 games the previous three seasons as well but have out-down themselves this year, winning 103 games and finishing 16 games ahead of the second-place Tigers. It is the 12th time a team has reached 100 victories in the ULB and Pulberry is now the 8th team to accomplish it. It’s the first time in five years that a team has reached the 100-win plateau; the Cobourg Red Stockings won 100 back in 1952-53. The Trolleys’ 103 wins is just one off the high-water mark of 104, reached by three teams: the 1942-43 Embro Suns, the 1945-46 Kingston Pelicans and the 1948-49 Braeland City Monarchs. All of which is to say that the Sherburn Tigers have their hands full even more if they hope to win their first Pennant in team history this year. Although they have been a model of consistency, winning 89, 86 and 87 games over each of the past three seasons, they have finished second to the Trolleys each time and have been unable to get past them to advance to the United Cup. Their performance against Pulberry this season offers little signs of hope either, to be honest. While Sherburn went 7-8 against the Trolleys in each of the previous two regular seasons, they could only muster 4 wins in 15 matchups this season. The Trolleys won the first 7 games between them and outscored the Tigers 72-49 overall. There is only one injury to speak of affecting this Series. Sherburn’s 25-year old LHP Kosue Saito (Career: 28-32, 4.30 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 4.27 FIP, 94 ERA+) was a non-factor this year, having his season come to an end in just his third start due to bone chips discovered in his throwing elbow. The four-year veteran has suffered multiple setbacks, and it is unclear when he will be ready to pitch again. Nevertheless, 44-year old manager Jaime Blair (400-370, .519) has managed to shepherd this club to the playoffs once again and his easy going style is still very popular with his players. On the other side, 52-year old Ryo Ichikawa (1198-962, .554) has established himself as the best manager in the United Leagues, with his adept handling of egos in the clubhouse and his attention to detail. With the Tigers looking to finally break through while their playoff window is still open and the Trolleys looking to cement their place in history as perhaps the greatest team in ULB history, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be an eventful one. Play ball! -------- April 1 – Game 1 For the 5th straight year, Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 under partly cloudy skies. Pulberry’s ace, 22-year LHP Bart Ohara (4-2, 1.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7 career playoff starts) takes the mound, while Sherburn goes with their No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (0-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 3 career playoff starts with Kingston and Sherburn). Bottom of the 1st: Pulberry takes advantage of an error to put runs on the board early. Francis Jones leads off and slaps a hard grounder toward the right-side hole. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snags it. Bouncing to his feet, Timberlake throws it to Bunce covering first, but Bunce juggles the relay. Jones reaches safely on the error. Ellis Dibble then taps one out to the mound and uses his speed to beat out the throw from Bunce. Jones moves up to second. After Cooper Tyson strikes out looking, Aiden Thirkettle smacks a 1-1 fastball down the leftfield line, sending it 372 ft. into the bleachers for a 3-run home run. Sherburn 0 - Pulberry 3 Top of the 3rd: Kieran Bunce leads off and gets clipped by a 2-2 slider, sending him to first. Albert Sulley then walks on four-straight pitches, moving Bunce up to second. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht jumps on a 1-2 cutter, driving it to deep left centerfield. LF Aiden Thirkettle races back for it but its out of his reach as it hits the wall on a hop. Bunce and Sulley cross the plate as Albrecht hook slides into third for a two-run triple. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 3 Bottom of the 6th: After getting two quick outs, Bunce sees Joe Riding jump all over his first offering, an 89 mph fastball. Riding hits it deep toward the gap in right center. The ball skips to the wall as CF Leon Albrecht chases it down. Riding careens around second and slides headfirst safely into third. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slaps a 1-2 grounder out past the mound. SS Dwayne Vick swipes at it but loses the handle and doesn’t risk a throw. Sekozawa reaches safely on an infield single as Riding comes into score. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 4 Bottom of the 8th: With one out, Joe Riding lines the first pitch into leftfield for a single. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slices a full-count slider into rightfield for a base hit. Riding tears around second and beats out RF Albert Sulley’s throw to put runners on the corners. Sean Abercrombie then slashes a 1-1 fastball into rightfield for a base hit, scoring Riding. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 5 Top of the 9th: Marcus Timberlake leads off and absolutely crushes a 1-0 cutter out to dead centerfield, for a 450 ft. solo home run. But Bonie Bandong, who relieved Ohara to start the 8th inning, gets Vic Lewis to fly out to CF Cooper Tyson, then strikes out PH Quincey Woolescroft. Albert Sulley follows and draws a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Bandong induces a high fly ball to rightfield from Dwayne Vick. RF Joe Riding gets under it and pulls it down to end the threat. The Trolleys take Game 1. FINAL: Sherburn 3 - Pulberry 5 -------- April 2 – Game 2 The Tigers played tough in Game 1, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome some early missteps. For Game 2, they call upon their No. 4 starter, 33-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (0-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 2.2 IP in 3 career playoff games.), who will be making his first career playoff start. Meanwhile, No. 2 starter 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (6-1, 2.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 10 career playoff starts) counters for Pulberry. Top of the 3rd: Albert Sulley draws a walk on 4-straight pitches to lead off. Dwayne Vick then slices a weak sinking flyball down the line to short rightfield for a base hit as Sulley moves up to second. Leon Albrecht hits one back to the mound. Folkard grabs it and whips it to 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa to cut down Vick. But a good, hard slide from Vick prevents the relay throw to first as Sulley hustles into third. Adrian Flynn then drives a 1-1 fastball into centerfield. Tyson runs in to field it on a hop as Sulley comes into score. Albrecht tears around second and beats out Tyson’s throw to put runners on the corners again. Folkard then surrenders a four-pitch walk to Robert Kersey to load the bases before striking out Ross Shewman. Marcus Timberlake battles Folkard to a full count then drives a fastball deep into the leftfield corner where Aidan Thirkettle rushes in to corral it. Timerberlake pulls up into second without a throw as all three base runners come into score. Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 5th: Pulberry finally makes some noise as Joe Riding leads off and drives a full-count fastball down the leftfield line and into the corner. Ross Shewman tracks it down, but not before Riding pulls up into second. After Yoshimi Sekozawa and Sean Abercrombie both strike out swinging, Taylor Folkard hits a roller out to third. Albert Flynn fields it and throws it to 1B Marcus Timberlake, but his throw sails wide and bounces out of play. Riding comes into score as Folkard ends up at second on the error. Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 1 Top of the 7th: Dwayne Vick leads off and draws a full-count walk. After Leon Albrecht pops out to second, Adrian Flynn and Robert Kersey bang out back-to-back singles to score Vick. In the bottom of the 9th, Woodruff gives up a 4-pitch walk Yoshimi Sekozawa to lead off. Sean Abercrombie hits a hard grounder toward first. Marcus Timberlake throws to second for one, but 2B Dwayne Vick get clobbered by Sekozawa with a hard-nosed slide, breaking up the double play. PH Gerard Koerner then loops one out to shallow leftfield, forcing Ross Shewman to play it on the hop as Abercrombie takes second. But Francis Jones hits a 0-2 changeup back to second. 2B Dwayne Vick steps on second to for one then fires it to 1B Marcus Timberlake for the twin killing to end the game. The Tigers even things up as the Series heads to Sherburn for the next three games. FINAL: Sherburn 5 - Pulberry 1 -------- April 4 – Game 3 A searing hot day greets the players and fans as the teams get set for Game 3 at The Paramount. Pulberry goes with their No. 3 starter, 37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (6-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13 career playoff starts with the Braeland City Monarchs and Pulberry). Sherburn taps their 3-time Satchel Paige Award winner, 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (2-3, 1 SV, 3.83 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 5 career playoff starts). Top of the 3rd: Jesús Chapa gets burned by some control issues. Chapa walks Francis Jones with one out. On the first pitch to Ellis Dibble, Jones gets a great jump and easily steals second. On the next offering, Dibble slices a liner down the line into short rightfield. Albert Sulley races in but can’t get to it in time. Jones hustles to third, then breaks for home. Jones slides in safely, beating out the tag from C Robert Kersey as Dibble takes second. After Cooper Tyson strikes out on a failed check swing, Aiden Thirkettle draws a walk. Paul England then hits a hard grounder out toward the right side. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snares it, but England just beats out the throw for an infield single, loading the bases. Joe Riding battles Chapa to a full count, then takes ball four, forcing in Dibble for the second run. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 7th: Robin Medellin holds the Tigers off the board, limiting them to four singles and a walk until the 7th inning. After two quick outs, Vic Lewis pounds Medellin’s 2-1 splitter out between third and short. SS Sean Abercrombie lunges and knocks it down. But his throw to first sails wide, allowing Lewis to take second on the error. PH Carlos Cuevas taps one out toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa moves in and grabs it but Cuevas just beats out the throw for an infield single, moving Lewis up to third. Albert Sulley then flares a 1-1 fastball out to short rightfield that’s just over the head of 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa. Lewis comes into score as Cuevas beats out RF Joe Riding’s throw to take third. After two failed pick-off attempts at first, Dwayne Vick lines a 3-2 fastball out toward short right center for a base hit. Cuevas scores easily, tying up the game. After 9 innings, the game remains tied, forcing extras. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 2 Top of the 12th: To start the 12th, manager Jamie Blair calls to the bullpen for RHP Callum Hyde. Francis Jones hits a hard grounder past first base and into rightfield for a lead-off double. Ellis Dibble is intentional walked to set up a potential double play. But Wade Billyard lines a 2-2 cutter into the gap in deep rightfield. Albert Sulley lunges for it, but it’s just past his glove as it bounces to the wall. Jones comes into score as Dibble moves up to third on Billyard’s stand-up double. Aidan Thirkettle is then intentionally walked to load the bases with nobody out. With the infield drawn in, Paul England sends a hot grounder toward first. 1B Marcus Timberlake plays it on the hop then whips it home to cut down Dibble. C Robert Kersey then fires it back to Timberlake to complete the double play. Ángelo Ríos then draws a walk to reload the bases. Yoshimi Sekozawa raps a grounder straight up the middle. 2B Vic Lewis lunges but can’t find the handle and doesn’t risk the throw. Billyard scores on Sekozawa’s infield hit. Sean Abercrombie then draws the fourth walk of the inning, forcing in Thirkettle before PH Hokuaonani Kaili strikes out swinging to end the inning. In the bottom of the 12th, RHP Alexander Ellacott takes over. After getting Dwayne Vick to fly out to deep right field on the first pitch, Leon Albrecht lofts a 1-2 cutter out to shallow centerfield for a base hit. Adrian Flynn then strikes out looking. Robert Kersey follows and draws a walk, moving Albrecht to second. With Ross Shewman in the box, Ellacott’s 1-1 change-up is way outside and sails past Paul England as the runners move up. Shewman then takes ball four, loading the bases and bringing the winning run to the plate. But Marcus Timberlake pulls a 0-1 cutter out to leftfield. Aiden Thirkettle ranges over to make the catch and end the threat. Pulberry retakes the Series lead. FINAL: Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 2 -------- April 5 – Game 4 The Tigers lost a tough one in extra innings that day before and look to try to even things up on home turf. Once again, its clear and hot in the open plains of Braeland. No. 4 starter Dermott Rathbone (3-1, 9 SV, 2.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 28.2 IP) gets the call for Pulberry. It will be the 28-year old southpaw’s first career playoff start. Sherburn hands the game ball to their No. 2 starter, 31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-1, 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 15.0 IP). It will be his third career start in the playoffs, all against the Trolleys. Bottom of the 1st: The Tigers pounce early. Albert Sulley leads off with a four-pitch walk. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht lines the first pitch sharply to leftfield. Sulley moves up to second as LF Aidan Thirkettle plays it on the hop. Rathbone then gets Adrian Flynn to swing at a 79 mph changeup for strike three. Robert Kersey steps up and battles Rathbone to a full count. Kersey then jumps on a cutter, sending it high toward the gap in right centerfield. RF Joe Riding give chase, but it lands 396 ft. into the stands for a 3-run homerun, Kersey’s first of the post-season. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3 Top of the 2nd With one out, Paul England shoots one down the leftfield line and into the corner. As Ross Shewman races over to corral it, England swings around first and pulls up into second for a stand-up double. Joe Riding and Yoshimi Sekozawa then follow with back-to-back walks to load the bases. But Buschlen strikes out both Sean Abercrombie and Dermott Rathbone to escape the inning. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3 Bottom of the 3rd: In the bottom of the 3rd, fireworks ensue. After Albert Sulley lines out to 1B Ellis Dibble, Dwayne Vick works the count full then gets a called ball four. Leon Albrecht then jumps all over 0-1 fastball, sending it soaring to deep rightfield. Joe Riding races back to the warning track but it lands 369 ft. into the stands for a two-run home run. That ends Rathbone’s day, as manager Ryo Ichikawa calls upon RHP Harley Rodman in relief. Rodman’s second pitch, a 93 mph fastball, plunks LH Adrian Flynn. Flynn and Rodman exchange heated words before Flynn charges the mound as C Paul England unsuccessfully tries to hold him back. Flynn and Rodman exchange blows that miss their mark while both benches clear. Flynn and Rodman are ejected from the game as the umpires slowly bring things under control. PR Tyler MacGugan takes Flynn’s place at first base while RHP Eddie Roach comes on in relief of Rodman. Although Roach surrenders a two-out single to Ross Shewman to put runners on the corners, he gets Marcus Timberlake to hit into a fielder’s choice as 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa steps on second to force out Shewman to end the eventful inning. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 5th: Sean Abercrombie sends a bouncer toward the left side hole and into leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Eddie Roach then bunts the first pitch back to the mound. Ben Buschlen snares it and throws to first. But his throw is in the dirt and Marcus Timberlake is unable to come up with it. Roach takes second on the error as Abercrombie moves up to third. Francis Jones then lines a 2-2 splitter out to deep left center. CF Leon Albrecht races back but he comes up short and it hops off the wall. Both Abercrombie and Roach come in to score as Jones pulls up into second for a two-run double. With one out, Cooper Tyson belts a 2-1 fastball that finds a crease into rightfield. Tyson quickly decides to hold up at first, but the speedy Jones races around third and beats out the throw to home from RF Albert Sulley as the Trolleys add another run. Pulberry 3 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 6th: Joe Riding sends a bouncer out to SS Dwayne Vick. Vick throws to first, but it bounces in the dirt and past 1B Marcus Timberlake. Riding takes second on the error. Yoshimi Sekozawa then draws a walk on four-straight pitches. Sean Abercrombie jumps on Buschlen’s 1-1 splitter, sending a sharp line drive down the leftfield line that gets past Ross Shewman’s outreached glove. Riding scores and Sekozawa takes third as Abercrombie pulls up into second with an RBI double. With one out, Francis Jones lines one out to centerfield. Leon Albrecht chases it down, but Sekozawa tags up and slides in hard to score the tying run. Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 9th: RHP Roy Hay takes over from Buschlen to start the 9th. After getting Francis Jones to line out to 1B Will Thomas, Hay surrenders three consecutive full-count walks to Ellis Dibble, Cooper Tyson and Aidan Thirkettle, loading the bases. Paul England then cranks out a broken-bat flare to rightfield that just gets over the drawn-in infield. Dibble scores on the play as Pulberry takes the lead for the first time. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Bonie Bandong, who came on in the 8th, gets Quincy Woolescroft, Albert Sulley and Dwayne Vick to go down in order to end the game. Pulberry squeaks by Sherburn to move to within one game from advancing to the United Cup. FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Sherburn 5 Note: Sherburn’s 2B Vic Lewis suffered back stiffness while fielding an Aiden Thirkettle grounder in the 7th inning. Although he is listed as day-to-day, IF Will Thomas will be taking his place for the remainder of the Series. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 01-19-2025 at 11:16 PM.