IN TU TITLE SERIES SUMMERLAND STOP OZARKA BATS AGAIN; IN RU TITLE SERIES BELLE PLAINE GAIN SPLIT WITH FOREST CITY
Super pitching by Summerland gave them a 2-0 advantage in the Tycobbian Union Title Series over the Ozarka Naturals. In the Ruthlandian Union Title Series so far it's the offense that has reigned. In game two it was the Belle Plaine Musketeers that prevailed. They leveled the hard-hitting Forest City Firebirds to even the series at one game each.
SUNSETS GO UP 2-0 BEHIND VANDERZEE'S BRILLIANT VICTORY
Summerland did it again. Their superb pitching shut down the Ozarka Naturals for the second straight day, blanking them 4-0 on a brilliant 2-hitter by Joren Vanderzee (2-0/1.50 ERA). The 21-year-old rookie southpaw struck out 4 and walked 2. In the regular season Vanderzee was 18-11 with a 2.75 ERA. He outhurled Ozarka's 21-year-old rookie Miles Chaucer, who was 19-9 with a 2.58 ERA. Chaucer (2-1/1.04 ERA) also performed well and only allowed 1 earned run in his 8 frames. The Nats' defense let him down with 4 miscues and 3 undeserved scores. The Sunsets only managed 7 hits. Kent Montford (.450) led them with 2 hits and an RBI. Guus Lutjens (.182) also drove in a run. The other two were gifts. Games three, four and five, if needed, are slated for Sunset Stadium in Summerland.
MUSKIES' OFFENSE EVEN SERIES WITH FIREBIRDS
There were plenty of fireworks in Forest City at Riverside Stadium in the second game of the best-of-seven Tycobbian Union Title Series. Each club smashed 11 hits, but Belle Plaine got the most out of theirs and triumphed 7-3 to deadlock the series at one game apiece. 31-year-old veteran Allie Tuthill (1-1/4.15 ERA) gritted out 7 tough innings for the victory, although he was tagged for 9 hits and 3 runs. Tuthill also issued 4 walks. Forest City had plenty of opportunities, but squandered them by stranding 12 baserunners. Closer Johnny Koonce (2-0/0.00 ERA/1 save/5 games) clinched the verdict with 2 scoreless innings.
Shortstop Jean-Paul Lacombe (.409) led the way for the Muskies with 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBIs, including a 2-run homer, his 4th in the playoffs. Third sacker Jace De Grom (.308) added 3 hits and batted in 2 runs. Forest City only got 11 singles and were paced by Fuzz Smiley (.387) and Jim Raver (.364) with a pair apiece.
Firebird starter Shannon Slate (1-2/4.03 ERA) blanked the Musketeers the first 4 innings, however they hit him hard after that, slamming him for 7 runs in 7 innings.
Friday will be a day off for travel. Game three will be at Musketeer Field on Saturday afternoon in Belle Plaine. Games four and five will also be played there.
