The Pulberry Trolleys make their third consecutive appearance in the United Cup Series and look to win their third consecutive United Cup, something no other team has accomplished. The Queensland Eagles meanwhile are making just their third appearance in the United Cup, their first since winning it all back in 1946-47.
The 199 combined wins between the Queensland Eagles (96) and the Pulberry Trolleys (103) is the highest total for two teams squaring off for the United Cup. That surpasses the 197 combined wins mark set back in 1949-50 between the Downie Chiefs (96) and Wolseley Unions (101).
But despite the excellent season Queensland enjoyed, there is a distinct feeling that they may be overmatched facing the Trolleys. Not only were the Eagles forced to battle back from a 0-3 deficit to the Stratford Barons in the Eastern League Pennant Series and win the final four games to reach the United Cup, but Queensland fared poorly in their six regular season matchups with the Trolleys, losing 5 of 6 and being outscored 28-15 in those games. Their lone win was an impressive 7-0 victory back in December, led by their Satchell Paige Award candidate, 30-year old RHP
Stiofan Michkelthwait (25-6, 1.84 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.37 FIP, 205 ERA+).
Meanwhile, the Trolleys made relatively quick work of the Sherburn Tigers in the Western Pennant Series, winning 4 games to 2.
So, all eyes will be on the Series as it opens up in Pulberry to see if the Eagles can rise to the occasion and bring the United Cup back to the Eastern League for just the second time in eight years or whether the Trolleys can power their way to an unprecedented third straight Cup. ‘Play Ball!’
--------
April 11 – Game 1
Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 of the United Cup for the second consecutive year with a packed house and ideal weather conditions. Pulberry’s ace 22-year old LHP
Bart Ohara (1-1, 15.0 IP, 4.20 ERA in WL Pennant Series) gets the start for the Trolleys. Queensland counters with the No. 4 starter, 31-year old RHP
Danilo Narvaez (0-0, 6.0 IP, 4.50 ERA in EL Pennant Series).
Bottom of the 4th:
Through 3-1/2 innings, Ohara and Narvaez surrender just three hits combined. Ellis Dibble leads off and slaps an 0-2 grounder toward left field. SS Noel Eissens bobbles the ball while trying to grab it, allowing Dibble to reach base safely. Cooper Tyson then smashes Narvaez’s first offering down the third base line and all the way to the wall. Dibble hits third base and races for home as Tyson pulls up into second to open the scoring.
Queensland 0 – Pulberry 1
Top of the 5th:
The Eagles quickly respond. Matsuo Oyama laces an 0-1 slider from Ohara past the mound and into centerfield for a lead-off single. Noel Eissens then jumps on Ohara’s next pitch, a 91-mph fastball, sending it toward deep left center. CF Tyson lunges for it but it caroms off the wall as Eissens tears around second. Tyson corrals the ball and whips it to third, but Eissens slides in safely for an RBI triple to tie up the game.
Still with nobody out, Danilo Narvaez turns on an 0-1 fastball and sends it soaring out to deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle tracks it down, but Eissens tags up at third and scores easily as Queensland takes the lead.
Queensland 2 – Pulberry 1
Bottom of the 5th:
Yoshimi Sekozawa flares a 1-2 changeup into short leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Sean Abercrombie then works the count full before drawing a walk, moving up Sekozawa. Bart Ohara lays down a bunt down the first base line. 1B Ryan Conisford picks it up and throws to 2B Dennis Purcell at first for the out as the baserunners advance.
Francis Jones hits a 1-1 changeup out toward the left side. SS Noel Eissens fields it cleanly and throws out Jones at first as Sekozawa comes in to tie the game.
Queensland 2 – Pulberry 2
Top of the 8th:
Rod Dennis slams a 1-2 fastball out toward deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle races back and leaps at the wall but its beyond his reach as the ball sails 393 ft. into the bleachers for a one-out
solo home run, giving the lead back to Queensland.
Queensland 3 – Pulberry 2
Bottom of the 9th:
Paul England steps in against Kaula Mafileo, who relieved Narvaez with two out in the bottom of the 7th and drills the first pitch past the pitcher and into centerfield for a lead-off single. Joe Riding jumps on the first pitch he sees as well and pounds it into leftfield. LF Rod Dennis scoops it up but appears to be caught off guard when England sails past second and wheels toward third. Dennis fires it to third, but England slides in safely as Riding moves up to second on the play.
Yoshimi Sekozawa lifts a 1-0 cutter out to rightfield. Hal Dhu hauls it in and throws home as England tags up at third. C Robbie Leivers is waiting for him with ball in hand but England slams into Leivers, knocking the ball loose. England ties up the game as Riding takes third.
Dwayne Stace then jumps on the first pitch he sees, a 72-mph cutter, and sends a hot grounder past the infield. Riding comes in to score on Stace’s walk-off single for the win. The Trolleys take Game 1.
FINAL: Queensland 3 – Pulberry 4
--------
April 12 – Game 2
Queensland looks to even the Series after losing their lead in heart-breaking fashion in Game 1 in the bottom of the 9th. Pulberry’s No. 3 starter, 37-year old LHP
Robin Medellin (0-0, 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA in WL Pennant Series) takes the hill. Queensland counters with their ace, 32-year old RHP
Logan Belsey (1-1, 23.2 IP, 3.80 ERA in EL Pennant Series).
Bottom of the 1st:
Cooper Tyson lines a 1-1 slider out to right centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama lunges for it but it gets past him, and it rolls all the way to the wall. Tyson races around first and slides in safely for a two-out double. Aidan Thirkettle steps up and absolutely crushes an 0-1 cutter, 458 ft. to the centerfield bleachers for a
two-run homer.
Paul England follows and slices a 0-1 change-up down the rightfield line. RF Hal Dhu corrals it and throws it back in as England slides into second safely. But England immediately writhes in pain holding his ankle and is forced to leave the game. Hokuaonani Kaili comes into the game to pitch run before Joe Riding strikes out to end the inning.
Queensland 0 – Pulberry 2
Top of the 3rd:
With one out, Noel Eissens hits a hot grounder toward the left side hole. 3B Francis Jones dives but can’t find the grip. He hangs onto the ball as Eissens reaches safely with an infield single. Logan Belsey lays down the first pitch he sees for a bunt. 3B Francis Jones charges in and throws him out at first as Eissens takes second.
Medellin’s first pitch to Hal Dhu is a 73-mph circle changeup. It falls right into Dhu’s wheelhouse, as he launches it down the leftfield line. LF Aidan Thirkettle chases after it, but it lands 370 ft. into the stands as the Eagles tie up the game on a two-out,
two-run home run.
Queensland 2 – Pulberry 2
Top of the 6th:
Apia Yarrah hits a grounder to the right side with one out. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa snaps it up and whips it to 1B Ellis Dibble, but it sails over his head and into the seats. Yarrah moves up to second on the error. Medellin then walks Dennis Purcell on five pitches.
Rod Dennis then hits one softly to rightfield that falls in for a base hit. Yarrah wheels around third and heads for home. He beats out the throw as the Eagles take the lead. Medellin then walks Ryan Conisford on five pitches to load the bases.
Medellin then walks Robbie Leivers on four straight pitches forcing in a run as the Eagles open up a two-run lead.
Matsuo Oyama then raps a grounder up the middle. SS Sean Abercrombie scoops it up and sends it home on a hop to cut down Rod Dennis at the plate. Noel Eissens then grounds out to the pitcher to end the inning.
Queensland 4 – Pulberry 2
Top of the 7th:
Logan Belsey hits a grounder into centerfield off Medellin’s first offering for a lead-off base hit, then advances to second on Hal Dhu’s sac bunt. Apia Yarrah then lofts an 0-1 splitter into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Belsey takes third then heads for home. Belsey slides in headfirst beating out the throw from CF Cooper Tyson.
That ends Medellin’s day as RHP Quintiliano Galeo comes on in relief. But Dennis Purcell connects on Galeo’s first pitch, sending a high hopper over the head of SS Yoshimi Sekozawa and into right center, putting runners on the corners. Rod Dennis then jumps on Galeo’s first offering, sending a hard liner into short centerfield for a base hit. Yarrah comes in to score, increasing Queensland’s lead to four.
Queensland 6 – Pulberry 2
Bottom of the 7th:
With two out, Yoshimi Sekozawa hits a weak grounder down the first base line. Belsey tracks it down and throws to 1B Ryan Conisford, but Sekozawa just beats the tag for an infield hit. Sean Abercrombie battles Belsey to a full count then cranks one out to deep centerfield. Matsuo Oyama backtracks but can’t make the play as it drops in for extra bases. Sekozawa hits third then heads for home as Abercrombie pulls up into second for an RBI double.
Queensland 6 – Pulberry 3
Bottom of the 9th:
Hokuaonani Kaili rips the first pitch he sees out to centerfield for a one-out base hit. Joe Riding then pounds the first pitch down the leftfield line. LF Rod Dennis chases it down in the corner as Kaili pulls up into third and Riding coasts into second on the double. Logan Belsey then loads the bases, giving up a full count walk to Yoshimi Sekozawa.
Down to their final out, the Trolleys send PH Ángelo Ríos to the plate. Ríos drives Belsey’s 2-2 changeup to left center. LF Rod Dennis is in hot pursuit but can’t reach it in time. It falls in and rolls to the base of the wall. Kaili, Riding and Sekozawa all head for home as Dennis hurls it back in. All three score, but 1B Ryan Conisford runs over and cuts off the throw, firing it to third. Ríos slides into third but is called out to end the inning, but not before tying the game and sending it into extras.
Queensland 6 – Pulberry 6
Top of the 10th:
Robbie Leivers smashes RHP Bonie Bandong’s 2-1 cutter to left center. LF Aidan Thirkettle reaches back for it, but it ricochets off the wall. Leivers sprints around second and slides in safely for a lead-off triple. PH John Rose steps in and is given a free pass to set up a potential double-play. But PH Joshua Challen drives a 1-0 cutter out to centerfield. CF Cooper Tyson gets under it, but Leivers tags up at third and scores without a throw.
Queensland 7 – Pulberry 6
Bottom of the 10th:
Francis Jones connects on RHP Kaula Mafileo’s 0-1 changeup, sending a shallow fly ball down the line into leftfield that falls in for a lead-off base hit. Gustavo Hernández taps a grounder to the right side. Mafileo fields it and throws to first, but its not in time as Hernández reaches safely and Jones moves up to second. Cooper Tyson then smashes a 3-1 changeup out to rightfield. RF Hal Dhu rushes in but can’t get to in time. Jones wheels around third and heads for home. The throw comes in but 1B Ryan Conisford cuts it off and throws to third. Hernández slides into third headfirst and is ruled safe as Jones ties up the game on Tyson’s base hit.
With one out, Tyson steals second as Leivers can’t get a handle on it and doesn’t risk the throw.
Hokuaonani Kaili steps in and sends a 2-2 changeup softly into rightfield. RF Hal Dhu is unable to get there in time as Hernández comes home to score on Kaili’s walk-off base hit. The Trolleys win it in come-from-behind fashion once again and take a 2-0 lead as the Series heads to Queensland for Game 3.
FINAL: Queensland 7 – Pulberry 8
Note: C
Paul England suffered torn ankle ligaments while sliding into second base in the first inning. His season is over and is expected to be out for 3-4 months.
--------
April 14 – Game 3
The Series heads east to Queensland with the Eagles attempting to regroup after two consecutive heartbreaking losses. No. 2 starter, 30-year old RHP
Stiofan Micklethwait (1-1, 17.0 IP, 3.18 ERA in EL Pennant Series) looks to get Queensland back into the Series in front of the home crowd. Meanwhile, 30-year old RHP
Taylor Folkard (1-1, 13.0 IP, 4.85 ERA in WL Pennant Series) will make his third start for Pulberry this postseason.
Top of the 1st:
Francis Jones pounces on the first pitch of the game, pounding a hard grounder into rightfield past a diving 2B Dennis Purcell for a lead-off base hit. One pitch later, Jones takes off for second and beats out the throw from C Robbie Leivers. Ellis Dibble lifts a 1-1 cutter to deep leftfield. LF Rod Dennis races over to track it down, but Jones tags up and slides hard into third, beating out the throw. Cooper Tyson then lofts a 1-2 fastball to left centerfield. Rod Dennis calls for it and whips it back in. But the speedy Jones tags up at third and beats the throw to open the scoring. Aidan Thirkettle follows with a triple that bounces off the top of the wall in deep right center, but Yoshimi Sekozawa flies out to RF Hal Dhu to end the threat.
Pulberry 1 – Queensland 0
Top of the 2nd:
Joe Riding jumps on the first pitch and hits a slow roller out toward short. SS Noel Eissens charges in to scoop it up but juggles it slightly. He hangs on rather than risk the throw as Riding reaches base on an infield single. Facing Sean Abercrombie, Micklethwait’s 0-2 slider is off the mark, forcing C Robbie Leivers to track it down as Riding moves up to second. Abercrombie then sends a grounder past a diving Noel Eissens and into leftfield for a base hit. Riding takes third then heads home. Despite a strong throw from LF Rod Dennis, Riding beats the tag with a hook slide, increasing the Trolleys’ lead.
Pulberry 2 – Queensland 0
Bottom of the 2nd:
Rod Dennis jumps on an 84-mph fastball, sending a little flare out to short leftfield for a lead-off base hit. With one out, Robbie Leivers lines a 1-1 fastball out toward shallow centerfield for a base hit as Dennis moves up to second. Matsuo Oyama follows and sends a 2-1 slider sailing into right centerfield that falls in just before RF Joe Riding can reach it. Dennis rounds third and heads for home. Dennis slides in under the tag to get the Eagles on the board.
Pulberry 2 – Queensland 1
Bottom of the 3rd:
The Trolleys suffer some adversity in the third. Hal Dhu leads off with a four-pitch walk then steals second two pitches later. Apia Yarrah and Dennis Purcell both draw walks as well, loading up the bases with nobody out. Rod Dennis belts a 0-2 fastball out toward center. CF Cooper Tyson hustles to track it down then makes a tremendous throw home. Hal Dhu tags up and slides in headfirst, but he is cut down at the plate. Tyson immediately grabs his left shoulder in pain and is forced out of the game. OF Wade Billyard comes in to take his place.
But Ryan Conisford comes through at the plate, sending a deep fly ball to left centerfield. CF Wade Billyard runs back to the warning track but its way over his head and both him and the ball careen into the wall. Yarrah and Purcell come home to score while Conisford slides in safely for a double.
Pulberry 2 – Queensland 3
Bottom of the 6th:
Matsuo Oyama draws a full count walk with one out. Noel Eissens lines a 1-0 slider to centerfield. CF Wade Billyard is in hot pursuit but its beyond his reach and it rolls to the wall. Oyama takes third and sprints for home. Billyard quickly gets it back in, but Oyama slides in safely on Eissens RBI double.
Stiofan Micklethwait hits a grounder toward short. Abercrombie reaches for it but flubs the pickup, putting runners on the corners. Hal Dhu hits a high bounder toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa gathers it and throws to second. Micklethwait is thrown out, but his hard slide prevents the double play as Eissens comes home to increase the Eagles’ lead.
In the bottom of the 9th, Micklethwait gets Yoshimi Sekozawa, Joe Riding and Sean Abercrombie to all fly out, ending the game and getting the Eagles back into the Series.
FINAL: Pulberry 2 – Queensland 5
Note: CF
Cooper Tyson suffered a rotator cuff strain while throwing the ball in the third inning. He is gone for the rest of the Series and is expected to be out of commission for the next 5 weeks.
--------
April 15 – Game 4
Queensland finally solved the Trolleys in Game 3 and look to continue their newfound momentum. The Eagles go with their No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP
Tyler Gissing (0-1, 7.2 IP, 7.04 ERA in the EL Pennant Series). Pulberry counters with their No. 4 starter, 28-year old LHP
Dermott Rathbone (0-0, 2.1 IP, 19.29 ERA in the WL Pennant Series), who is looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Sherburn Tigers in Game 4 of the WL Pennant Series.
Top of the 4th:
Gissing is perfect through three innings but runs into trouble in the fourth. Francis Jones pounds a 1-2 fastball past the pitcher and into centerfield for a lead-off base hit. With one out, Aidan Thirkettle jumps on a 2-0 slider, sending it soaring toward the gap in left centerfield. LF Rod Dennis gives chase, but it sails 419 ft. over the wall for a
2-run home run.
Pulberry 2 – Queensland 0
Bottom of the 4th:
Ryan Conisford gets one back when he connects on a 2-2 cutter, launching a high fly ball down the leftfield line. LF Aidan Thirkettle charges to the wall, but it lands 367 ft. into the stands for a one-out
solo home run.
Pulberry 2 – Queensland 1
Top of the 6th:
With one out, Francis Jones lays down a bunt in front of the plate. C Robbie Leivers gets to it and whips it to first, but the speedy Jones beats out the throw for an infield single. Yoshimi Sekozawa pounds a hard grounder through the left side hole for a single. LF Rod Dennis hustles for it while Jones digs for third. Jones arrives safely at third without a throw to put runners on the corners. Aidan Thirkettle belts one to deep centerfield. Oyama back peddles and hauls it in. Jones tags up and slides headfirst into home to add to the Trolleys’ lead.
Pulberry 3 – Queensland 1
Bottom of the 6th:
Rod Dennis hits a shot to center for a lead-off single. Ryan Conisford battles Folkard for nine pitches before drawing a walk, moving Dennis up to second. Robbie Leivers hits a line drive into leftfield. Thirkettle races over but can’t get to it in time as it gets down for a base hit. Dennis moves up to third, then is given the windmill for home. But Thirkettle’s throw is on the money as he just cuts down Dennis as he slides in.
On a full count to Matsuo Oyama, Rathbone twitches while on the rubber and is called for a balk. Conisford and Leivers move up to third and second respectively. But Oyama flies out to RF Ellis Dibble and after Noel Eissens is given a free pass to load the bases, Tyler Gissing flies out to Dibble to end the threat.
Pulberry 3 – Queensland 1
Bottom of the 7th:
Dennis Purcell swings at the first pitch and sends one into rightfield for a two-out single. Rod Dennis jumps on a 3-1 changeup and launches one to deep right centerfield. RF Ellis Dibble races back for it but it’s just out of his reach as it drops in and bounces off the wall. Purcell moves up to third as Dennis cruises into second with a double. That ends Dermott Rathbone’s day as Bonie Bandong come on in relief on a double switch.
But Ryan Conisford lines a 1-2 slider down the leftfield line for a base hit. Purcell comes home easily while Dennis tears around third and slides headfirst into home, beating out the throw from LF Aidan Thirkettle to tie up the game.
Pulberry 3 – Queensland 3
Top of the 8th:
Tyler Gissing surrenders his first walk of the game to PH Gustavo Hernández, who reaches base with one out. With two out, Yoshimi Sekozawa drives a base hit into leftfield. Hernández races around second and slides in safely at third, putting runners on the corners. With the runners going on a full count, Aidan Thirkettle rips a 64-mph cutter out to deep rightfield. RF Hal Dhu races back to the track but the gopher ball lands 376 ft. into the stands for a
three-run homer, giving the Trolleys a three-run lead. It’s Thirkettle’s second home run of the game and fourth of the playoffs.
Pulberry 6 – Queensland 3
Bottom of the 9th:
Things fall apart quickly for Bonie Bandong and the Trolleys in the 9th. Dennis Purcell shoots a hard grounder down the first base line and all the way to the rightfield wall. Purcell zooms into second for a lead-off double. Rod Dennis then walks on five pitches. Ryan Conisford sends a slow roller toward third. 3B Francis Jones reaches for it but drops the ball for an error, loading the bases with nobody out. Robbie Leivers and Matsuo Oyama then hit back-to-back line-drive singles into centerfield, each scoring a run to pull the Eagles to within one, still with the bases loaded and nobody out.
PH Joshua Challen then works the count full before drawing a walk, forcing in the tying run.
PH Harley Aynsley is then sent to the plate. Bandong’s second pitch is an 86-mph cutter. But C Hokuaonani Kaili misplays the pitch, and it gets past him. Leivers races home from third and scores the winning run. Queensland turns the tables with a walk-off win of their own to tie up the Series.
FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Queensland 7
