ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, October 26, 2088

BP MUSKIES AND SUMMERLAND UP 3-2 ON FC FIREBIRDS AND OZARKA IN IPA UNION TITLE SERIES
Lots of difference in the offensive-minded Ruthlandian Union postseason games compared to the pitching-dominated Tycobbian Union playoff games. In pivotal games Belle Plaine plastered Forest City 7-4 in the TU Title Series and Summerland skimmed by Ozarka 3-2 in the Ruthlandian Union. That lifts both the Musketeers and Sunsets up into the driver's seat in the best-of-seven series with a three games to two edge.


HOST MUSKIES NABS CRITICAL GAME 5 FOR LEAD IN RU TITLE SERIES
Playing pivotal game five at home at Musketeer Field, Belle Plaine zapped the Forest City Firebirds for 12 hits in a 7-4 victory to gain a three games to two lead in the Ruthlandian Union Title Series. Musketeer shortstop Jean-Paul Lacombe (.455/6 HR/16 RBI) continued to sizzle in the postseason, rapping out 2 hits and driving in 3 runs. Lacombe has lashed 6 homers in the playoffs so far. He could be headed for IPA postseason marks in homers and RBIs. Lacombe had plenty of help from Olav Frandsen (.250) and Claude Mayeux (.395/2 HR/9 RBI) with 3 hits each, plus a pair of hits from Luc Barbier (.289/1 HR/5 RBI). Even the pitching was fairly good. Allie Tuthill (2-1/4.34 ERA) tossed 7 and one-third frames and held the big bad bats of the Firebirds to 4 runs, but he was tagged for 10 hits. Dependable closer Johnny Koonce (2-0/0.00 ERA/2 saves/6 games) again did his job, stopping Forest City one hit and not allowing a run over the last 5 outs. Shannon Slate's playoff woes continued. The 19-game winner is now 1-3 with a 4.76 ERA this playoff season. Belle Plaine banged him around for 5 runs and 9 hits in his 6 innings. Slate (.400) was the Firebirds' best bat with his solo homer.

Forest City has the homefield advantage. With their backs to the wall, the Firebirds will have to take both games at Riverside Stadium Wednesday and Thursday afternoon to keep their hopes alive for the IPA Pro Cup Trophy. The teams get a day off for travel on Tuesday.


SUNSETS VANDERZEE AGAIN OUTDUELS NATS ACE CHAUCER FOR 3-2 ADVANTAGE IN TU TITLE SERIES.
Summerland's Joren Vanderzee blanked Ozarka and Miles Chaucer in the opening game of the TU Title Series and his mastery continued in game five with a 3-2 decision. That put the Sunsets in front three games to two and just one victory away from the IPA Pro Cup Finals. Vanderzee (3-0/1.67 ERA) threw 8-hit ball, fanned 6 batters and only allowed one base on balls, while going the route. Chaucer (2-2/1.59 ERA) also fired a complete game, permitting 3 runs on 7 hits with 5 Ks and just one walk.

In the bottom of the 6th frame Guus Lutjens (.286/2 HR/6 RBI) broke the scoreless stalemate and swatted a two-run roundtripper, scoring Norris Chance (.385/2 RBI), who was hit by a pitch. The same two combined for the third score in the 8th on a Chance double and a Lutjens base hit. Ozarka's Ernie Packenham (.424/1 HR/8 RBI) made it close with a 2-run shot in the top of the 9th. Vanderzee kept his composure and got the final two outs to put the Naturals away in game five.

After a day off for travel the last two games of the best-of-seven series will be fought on Ozarka's home grounds at Ellie Ewing Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, if necessary.