2022 Halfway Point – Stats Update
With 50 games down for each team, here's a look at how the early-season stats races are going:
Batting race:
Solo Sipet (NAT, CF): .384
Peku Karwo (ASPI, 1B): .370
Rolupi Shekesu (SIT, 3B): .346
After Sipet's intra-city move from Muni in the offseason, he looks to have upped his game even more. Despite having missed 18 games in the first half (currently recovering from a sprained ankle), Sipet looks to be on pace for his first double-digit WAR season. He also leads the league in slugging and OPS while being second in OBP and 5th on the WAR leaderboard overall.
Home runs:
Rolana Rekesu (ASPI, 3B): 34
Lope Shosotsoke (MIT, LF): 32
Lara Tsimelefo (NOKS, CF): 29
The hitting prowess of Shosotsoke, in his first EL season following promotion, is the biggest bright spot for Mithazni. He has more home runs right now than his team has wins (Mithazni are 10-41 in their last 51 games). Unfortunately for them, he has a relegation clause in his contract, so we may see him in a different EL uniform in 2023.
RBI:
Kala Koshynae (KEP, 3B): 92
Somp Awia (OAKS, 1B): 86
Silike Ruea (EAG, 3B): 86
Big bounce-back season from Ruea, whose ability to drive in runs in the clutch is usually his best attribute. In his fifth season in the capital following 4 years with Akashemo, the Eagles 3B had been on a pretty steady downward slide for the past four years, but looks to have rebounded nicely to at least his 2018 level, if not better.
Position player WAR:
Kala Koshynae (KEP, 3B): 6.8
Nekafe Natso (KEP, SS): 6.3
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS, RF): 6.0
I would definitely back Koshynae to win the MVP at this stage, especially with Kepmem's continued staying power
Stolen bases:
Sawita Pichake (EAG, 2B): 47
Anesa Mikesash (NAT, SS): 38
Tukefa Atswue (CEX, LF): 36
Ketso Kofmi (CEX, SS): 36
Pichake has stolen an amazing 28 bases since the last update (so only 45 games) and has already surpassed his career high. He is actually not hitting as well as he has in the last couple of seasons, but running like a madman once he's on base.
ERA:
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 2.28
Tupae Epofemi (ZAP): 2.68
Aro Ipo (SIT): 2.71
Wins:
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 13-0
Aro Ipo (SIT): 10-3
Tuwafo Kemo (NOKS): 10-3
Lesayo Lasheta (LUT): 10-5
Feshasu has continued his tear and, amazingly, still sits undefeated at the season's halfway point. Having made one start against each opponent, the Oaks are 15-4 when he takes the bump, including the last 7 as wins. He is definitely on the fast track to his first Pitcher of the Year award, in just his second year as a full-time starter.
Saves:
Autsu Sikiura (OAKS): 31
Akawo Nylur (ZAP): 26
Uteuche Rolei (KEP): 26
Unlike last year, where the saves leaderboard was changing hands constantly, Sikiura is building a decent lead. Moving from Hokrof to the Mighty Oaks has provided more opportunities, and Sikiura has converted them efficiently, at 31-33.
Strikeouts:
Tsarase Roshoshe (AKAU): 127
Sefti Merefife (ZAP): 126
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 123
Completely different top 3 than at the quarter pole. 4 other pitchers are within 8 of Roshoshe's league lead right now. This only averages out to about 7 per start, so strikeouts must be down a little bit leaguewide. Last year's total of 270 from Amnanache's Laotso Tirionu (also one of the aforementioned chasers) seems tough to catch.
Pitcher WAR:
Aro Ipo (SIT): 4.4
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 4.3
Santa Ketitu (NAT): 4.1
I somehow missed this at the end of last week, but Aro Ipo is going to miss potentially the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Really tough news for Sitache, especially given that Ipo, 20, will reach free agency this offseason for the first time.
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Lower Leagues Update
Second League
The race for EL promotion is interesting, with two teams way out front. One is an EL mainstay, while the other would make history!
Standings...............W..L
-- 
............Meka 62 31
-- 
............Muni 63 32
+5 
...........Nokir 55 40
-----------------------------
-1 
...Swans Menmapa 54 41
10 
.........Tishmin 52 43
+4 
Arokets.Canaries 52 43
-2 
......Nipte City 51 44
-4 
..........Semyof 50 45
+3 
......Yoho Bears 50 45
-3 
..Ransu Shockers 49 46
-5 
...Tenshe.Rubies 49 46
+2 
.........Takanse 47 48
+3 
Pelpitimochu Utd 43 51
-3 
.....Nokelto Utd 43 52
+5 
..........Onesti 42 53
-3 
.........Penhara 41 54
-----------------------------
+1 
...........Linir 41 54
-9 
.........Rasenok 39 56
-2 
...Mamtul Wolves 36 59
-1 
..........Wichku 29 65
Meka BC and Shunna Municipal (Muni) seem like locks to promote to next season's Elite League. For Muni, this is old hat - they're coming straight off a six-season stint in the EL - although many of their players are new thanks to some relegation clauses possessed by last year's team. For Meka, though, this is all new. In just their third year in the Second League, the team representing little old Meka (pop. 14,400) is on the verge of the big time. Meka will become the first team to rise from below the fifth tier of the pyramid to the Elite League with a top-3 finish, having been in tier 6 as recently as 1996. In fact, Meka began the sim (1991) in the 8th-tier Northwest League!
The race for third looks to be very exciting, with a huge number of teams clustered together, including the other two EL relegated clubs (Canaries, Semyof) and another former EL champion (Nokir in '96). If Nipte City were to get promoted, they would accomplish the same feat as Meka, having also started in tier 8.
Northern Premier League
Standings...............W..L
+2 
........Moonside 65 30
-1 
...Sunoki Hearts 63 31
-----------------------------
+1 
..........Yasral 63 32
-2 
.Alilia Captains 62 33
+5 
.........Loshtsi 51 44
+2 
...Sowichark Utd 51 44
-2 
....Lempisho Utd 50 45
+4 
....Tsutonsu Utd 50 45
+8 
......Hiolye Utd 50 45
+1 
Enihaka Cyclones 49 46
+2 
............Kine 48 47
-6 
.......Atafe Utd 47 48
+1 
........Lisa Utd 45 50
-5 
.....Ransu Ports 44 50
-- 
.........Shalish 42 53
-- 
...........Losap 41 54
-----------------------------
+1 
.......Moshelosi 39 56
11 
..........Oyefit 39 56
-- 
Sapoyo Tortoises 34 61
-- 
...........Lesha 16 79
Moonside (Eroha, Rupakare) are on a nearly year-long heater. In August 2021, they were in last place in the NPL, but a furious last four week run (led by now-Galaxy SS Atsi Keana) saved them from relegation, and they've continued to win given a new season's worth of runway. None of Moonside, Sunoki Hearts (Ransu) or Yasral (also Ransu) have played in the 2L before.
Southern Premier League
Standings..............W..L
-- 
............Fese 67 28
-- 
...Killi.Bayside 59 36
-----------------------------
+2 
...........Fachi 58 37
-- 
........Sachlihe 55 40
-2 
.........Amkutan 53 42
+4 
.Killitash Stars 52 43
+2 
.........Shepero 51 44
-1 
.........Himespo 51 44
+3 
.........Wikyats 48 47
+5 
......Feshuyalya 47 48
-5 
Killitash Giants 46 49
-1 
South Shore Aksa 45 50
+5 
...........Hilas 44 51
-6 
....Tinshenikosh 44 51
+1 
...........Somno 43 52
-3 
...Hefem Rangers 41 54
-----------------------------
-3 
.......Takelehun 40 55
-1 
....Aksa Hornets 40 55
-- 
.....Hechemi Utd 34 61
-- 
..Hefem Monarchs 32 63
Fese taking over - what was a 1-game lead in the last update has grown to an 8-game lead. There could be a lot of 2L debutants next season, as none of the current top three in the SPL have ever played there either.
Lower League Leaders
Tier 4:
Northern Super League - Sakse BC (Sakse, HO): 56-33
Southern Super League - Sokroch BC (Pasataki, ZA): 60-29
Tier 5:
Mideast League One - Wuhalale BC (Aroketsil, KX): 50-25
Northeast League One - Kolansolo United (Kolansolo, LS): 54-21
Southern League One - Renfiso BC (Renfiso, EM): 51-24
Western League One - Motech BC (Kepits, SE): 50-25
Tier 6:
Mideast League Two - Tenelemsha BC (Tenelemsha, PI): 49-26
Northeast League Two - Shotiskir BC (Shotiskir, LS): 49-26
Southern League Two - Wulu BC (Aksa, ZA): 50-25
Western League Two - Nuretom BC (Lashpetilye, FH): 51-24
Tier 7:
Central Championship - Maputsa BC (Maputsa, KX): 31-12
Mideast Championship - Olchashe BC (Roye, HO): 29-14
Northeast Championship - Sapfyumil BC (Ransu, RA): 26-17
North Championship - Kichlichof BC (Layaltameyo, HO): 27-16
Northeast Championship - Nofeki United (Nofeki, TA): 29-14
Prairie Championship - Limu Town (Limu, SE): 28-15
Southern Championship - Yusut Saints (Yusut, KX): 31-12
South Sea Championship - Pirtset BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 29-14
Tier 8:
Central Championship - Fani BC (Fani, PI): 22-5
Mideast Championship - Melosaro United (Melosaro, HO): 18-9
Northeast Championship - Nelopute BC (Nelopute, CA): 19-8
North Championship - Osheyan Cavalry (Osheyan, HO): 20-7
Northeast Championship - Pitsehaten Wolves (Pitsehaten, TA): 20-7
Prairie Championship - Nernel South (Nernel, SE): 17-10
Southern Championship - Womasi BC (Sheshu, EE): 20-7
South Sea Championship - Shirsikol BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 17-10
The state leagues are just underway, having had their opening games here at the start of week 10.