Thursday, October 20, 2089
SF AND FC WIN GAME 4, STALLIONS TAKE CHARGE IN TU, UP 3-1; VIPERS STILL LEAD 3-1 IN RU
Unsung Valmara couldn't finish off the Pro Cup favorite Forest City. The #8-ranked Vipers were whitewashed in game four at home 4-0, giving the Firebirds a little bit of life in the best-of-seven Ruthlandian Union Title Series. Yet, Valmara still has a huge three games to one advantage in the series.
In the pivotal 4th game in the Tycobbian Union Title Series, #3-rated South Fork took charge of it with a breath-taking 13-inning 4-3 victory over #2-ranked Summerland Sunsets. The Stallions got some breathing room and lead the Sunsets three games to one. Both Forest City and Summerland are in very precarious postseason positions. They both need seldom-seen miracles to survive. It will be a monumental uphill battle. It has happened only 6 times in 89 years of IPA postseason play. The last time was in 1980.
Forest City's savior was southpaw Tommy Tate (1-0/1.84 ERA), who spun a jewel, blanking Valmara 4-0 on the road at War Memorial Stadium. The 19-game winner rose to the occasion and won a must-win game, scattering out 8 hits, going all the way, fanning 4 batters and allowing 2 walks. Brodie Northern (.200 BA/4 RBI) and Fuzz Smiley (.375 BA/5 RBI) made sure Tate had some runs on the scoreboard. Northern had 2 singles and drove in 3 runs, while Smiley was 3 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs. Jim Raver (.233 BA/3 RBI) walked twice and scored twice. Valmara loser Warren Jakobson (0-2/2.57 ERA) did well in defeat. The Firebirds only got 2 runs in his 7 innings on 7 hits.
There was a humdinger at Jock Ewing Stadium in South Fork where the hometown Stallions and visiting Summerland Sunsets went toe-to-toe and tooth-and-nail for 13 hard-fought frames. When the battle dust settled, South Fork emerged the victor 4-3 on Gillis Featherstone's (.345 BA/2 RBI) 5th hit of the game, an RBI single. The Stallions' staff was sufficient. Starter Kenny Falconer went the first 5 frames, gave up 2 runs on 5 hits. His bullpen, Chuck Landes (0-0/2.45 ERA/1 game/4 IP), Jimbo Tucker (0-0/1.42 ERA/2 saves/6 games/13 IP) and Wayland Frazee (2-0/3.00 ERA/2 games/2 games/3 IP) followed and only allowed 1 run over the last 8 innings. Frazee got the win with a scoreless 13th. South Fork outhit Summerland 16 to 13, led by Featherstone's playoff record-tying 5 hits and 3 by Rupert Kruger (.333 BA/4 RBI). The Sunsets got RBIs from Bruce Quarterman (.303 BA/3 HR/5 RBI), Hennie Hendriks (.314 BA/6 RBI) and Art Duffie (.200/1 RBI). Summerland trailed early, but got back in the game with standout work from their relievers, finally tying it up 3-3 in the top of the 9th and sending the game into overtime. Rik Boone (0-1/3.00 ERA/2 games/3 IP) was slapped with the loss. He allowed 1 run in 2 innings.
