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1972 Eastern League Championship Sim

Indianapolis Racers (0) vs. Charlotte Monarchs (1)

vs.

Game 2



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Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Sim promised another chapter in what’s quickly becoming a riveting postseason battle. On October 11, 1972, the Indianapolis Racers returned to Crown Coliseum in Charlotte, NC with renewed determination to answer the Monarchs’ opening salvo from Game 1. The atmosphere was electric at the ballpark as both sides sought to carve an early advantage in this high-stakes series.

The Racers set the tone in the top of the first, with SHB Tito Fuentes working through a mix of fouls and balls before recording an early out. RHB Tony Perez broke the quiet with a well-timed single, though his efforts were soon tempered when on the first pitch to LHB Billy Williams, he was caught stealing second base. Williams drew a base on balls. An aggressive approach by RHB Dusty Baker, highlighted by a wild pitch that let Williams advance, resulted in him drawing a walk as well. This put two men on base with two outs, offering the Racers a glimmer of hope. Yet, RHB Buddy Bell’s inability to capitalize ended the inning with the Racers registering just one hit while leaving two men stranded.

The Monarchs responded in the bottom of the frame. LHB Jose Cruz opened the attack with a measured single, setting the stage for a flowing rally. RHB Bill Melton struck out. SHB Richie Scheinblum’s line drive put Cruz in motion, and soon RHB Orlando Cepeda followed with a single that advanced the runners—one daring dash from third proved successful as a run scored. The play at the plate allowed the runners to advance. LHB Duke Sims then added his own single to the mix, bringing in two and stretching the Monarchs’ lead to three runs in the opening frame.

In the second inning, the Racers continued to struggle for momentum. While RHB Juan Beniquez managed to spark a hit with a line drive single, the Monarchs’ pitchers maintained their composure, stifling further production. Down by three runs heading into the middle innings, the pressure was mounting on Indianapolis.

The third frame saw a flicker of hope from the Racers. After a couple of quick outs, RHB Tony Perez ignited the crowd with a solo home run—a powerful drive measured at 388 feet that reduced the deficit to 3–1. Despite the spark, the Racers couldn’t string together enough offense to mount a significant comeback in that inning, as subsequent plate appearances fizzled.

As the game wore on, both teams exchanged measured bursts of action. The fourth and fifth innings were marked by disciplined pitching and scattered hits. Indianapolis continued to chip away at the score, registering modest singles and walks, but the Monarchs’ lead held firm. A lengthy 44‑minute rain delay in the sixth inning only added to the tension. When play resumed, an error on a groundball allowed LHB Billy Williams to reach base, but even that opportunity couldn’t be converted into a run as the Monarchs’ pitchers kept their cool.

Entering the seventh inning, fresh from a pitching change, the Racers tried once again to spark a rally. RHB Paul Schaal and RHB Ellie Rodriguez each had their moments at the plate—both striking out swinging. RHB Juan Beniquez’ steady approach produced a hit that momentarily lifted spirits. However, with RHB Garry Maddox pinch hitting, he was picked off attempting to steal second, and the inning closed with only one hit recorded for Indianapolis.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Monarchs continued to apply pressure. A sharp single from LHB Ed Crosby opened the frame. RHB Angel Mangual reached base on a fielders choice. A line drive from LHB Jose Cruz advanced Mangual to third. Then, the wheels fell off quickly in the very next at bat when Cruz is caught stealing second and RHB Bill Melton pops out on the infield, leaving the would-be rally toothless.

The Racers mounted another mini-rally in the top of the eighth. A pinch-hit double by LHB Ed Kranepool and a subsequent single from SHB Tito Fuentes signaled a potential shift, as Kranepool advanced to third. Yet, even a fielders’ choice at the plate on a groundball by RHB Tony Perez—though it advanced Fuentes to second—failed to yield the run they needed. LHB Billy Williams and RHB Dusty Baker’s couldn’t spark any momentum; their subsequent appearances kept the inning barren, as the visitors clung to their solitary run

In the final frame, the Racers’ bats went silent. RHB Buddy Bell, RHB Paul Schaal, and RHB Ellie Rodriguez each fell short, their efforts culminating in a series of fly outs that sealed the inning—and the game.

In a hard-fought battle marked by early rallies, critical baserunning, and timely defensive plays, the Monarchs’ measured performance proved just enough to stave off the Racers’ late-game surge. As Game 2 of the ELCS came to a close, the scoreboard reflected the Monarchs’ continued dominance—a result that promises to set the stage for an even more compelling battle ahead as the series shifts to Indy.




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