World Baseball League: Following the Sheffield Mountain Hares

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Luanda Red Caps - Series Recap


Logo by @low

Game 1

Monday, July 26th, 2060 — Red Suns Ballpark
Sheffield (50-50) survived a full-on rollercoaster and nicked this one in 10, 7–6, like they were trying to win on “hard mode” for fun. Adam Koehler did a bit of everything (HR, walks, 3 RBI), but the defining moment came when Nsen Ngunda detonated a 2-run homer in the 10th to finally put Luanda in the rear-view mirror. Nestor Barrios steadied the ship in relief and came away with the win (8-5), while Zerwal Niyangabo took the loss for the Red Caps after a chaotic late push-pull.

Player of the Game: Adam Koehler

⸻

Game 2

Tuesday, July 27th, 2060 — Red Suns Ballpark
Sheffield (51-50) turned the next night into a tense, whisper-quiet 1–0, the kind of game where runs are treated like endangered species. The Mountain Hares scored the only one in the first when Abdul-Karim bin Jameel drove in the key RBI single—and then the pitching did the rest. Isaac Saville worked 5.2 scoreless to earn the win (8-9), and Barrios slammed the door for save #19. Luanda starter Harun bin Kamil was brilliant (7.1, 0 ER), but got stuck with the hard-luck loss anyway.

Player of the Game: Harun bin Kamil

⸻

Game 3

Wednesday, July 28th, 2060 — Red Suns Ballpark
Sheffield (52-50) finally exhaled and put up an 8–2 that felt like a proper midweek declaration. Abdul-Karim bin Jameel went 4-for-5 with four singles and three runs, constantly turning the lineup over like a relentless metronome. The big swing in the story: Jon Milz’s 2-run single with the bases loaded in the 4th, stretching the game out of reach. On the mound, Yushua bin Saqr muscled through 7.1 innings for the win, and Luanda never really found a counterpunch.

Player of the Game: Abdul-Karim bin Jameel

⸻

Game 4

Thursday, July 29th, 2060 — Red Suns Ballpark
Luanda (40-63) avoided the broom with a 5–4 win, and they did it on the back of Lopeti Niley, who hit like he’d temporarily switched the difficulty to “rookie” (4-for-4: a triple, two doubles, 2 RBI, plus a run). Shizuya Tahara gave the Red Caps six sturdy innings for the win, and Niyangabo navigated a wobbly save (two walks, no damage). Sheffield’s late push came via timely extra-base noise and a couple of 2-out RBIs, but they couldn’t quite land the last punch.

Player of the Game: Lopeti Niley

⸻

Series Summary

Sheffield takes the series, 3–1, winning the first three (including a 10-inning thriller and a 1–0 nail-biter) before Luanda spoiled the sweep in the finale.
Overall record after the series: Sheffield Mountain Hares 52–51, Luanda Red Caps 40–63.

[dinosauryoshi]

Rome Legion at Sheffield Mountain Hares – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range


Game 1
Friday, July 30th, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (52–52)

The Mountain Hares opened the series with a game that teased and then tugged the rug away. Nine innings of restraint turned into heartbreak in the tenth, as Rome finally found daylight and edged out a 3–1 win.

Sheffield’s offence never quite got out of second gear, scoring just once and leaving runners marooned like forgotten luggage on the platform. A winnable opener slipped away, setting an early tone of frustration.

Player of the Game: Hamzah Fakhir

⸻

Game 2
Saturday, July 31st, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (53–52)

Game 2 was Sheffield deciding that patience was overrated. The Mountain Hares burst out swinging and flattened the Legion 9–2, a contest that felt settled before Rome had time to blink.

Dan Jula led the charge with a home run among three hits, while the rest of the lineup joined in like a chorus that knew exactly when to come in loud. Rome threatened briefly, but Sheffield shut it down with minimal fuss.

Player of the Game: Dan Jula

⸻

Game 3
Sunday, August 1st, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (54–52)

The finale was all control and no chaos. Isaac Saville carved through the Legion lineup with surgical calm, guiding Sheffield to a spotless 6–0 shutout.

Jon Milz supplied the biggest punctuation mark with a two-run homer, and from there the Hares cruised home, windows down, engine humming. A tidy, emphatic way to put a bow on the series.

Player of the Game: Isaac Saville

⸻

Series Summary

Sheffield Mountain Hares take the series 2–1, rebounding from an extra-innings stumble to claim the final two games in convincing fashion. The Hares close the set at 54–52, carrying momentum forward after a sharply played home stand.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares - July 2060 Monthly Report

Overview

July felt like June’s more volatile sibling. Where June was about steady accumulation and survival, July swung between dominance and damage. The offence showed clearer identity and punch, but the pitching staff lost some of its early-summer balance. Individual excellence kept Sheffield afloat, yet cracks widened.

Hot Bats

N. Ngunda (CF) was the offensive engine of the month, finishing July with a .281 AVG / .363 OBP / .506 SLG, 5 HR, 16 RBI, and 1.3 WAR across 23 games. Compared to June, his power output ticked up noticeably, turning solid contact into genuine run production and anchoring the lineup on most nights.

R. Graham (2B) continued his steady upward curve, posting a .283 / .371 / .533 slash with 4 HR and strong situational hitting. While his overall line closely mirrored June, July reinforced his value as a stabiliser rather than a streak bat.

E. Ali (SP) was in great form at the plate as well as on the mound (we'll get to that later). In July, he produced a staggering 9 HR, 1.017 OPS, and slugged .617.

Underperforming Bats

J. Morales (RF) endured a difficult July, hitting just .185 with a .553 OPS, a clear regression from his already muted June output. Contact issues persisted, and his struggles frequently stalled rallies.

E. Aas (1B, NOR) also slipped backwards month-to-month, finishing July at .192 AVG with 23 strikeouts, the highest total on the team. His power failed to surface consistently, limiting his impact in run-producing spots.

Bench production remained thin, offering little relief when regulars faltered - a continuation, and slight worsening, of June’s trend.

Rotation & Bullpen

June leaned on rotation depth. July leaned on one arm.

E. Ali (SP, ETH) was Sheffield’s clear ace in July, posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and holding opponents to a .183 batting average across 22.2 innings. All three marks represented improvements over June, and he was the only starter to consistently halt losing streaks.

Behind him, June’s warning signs hardened into July problems:

I. Saville (SP, NZL) struggled with command, finishing the month with an elevated ERA and frequent early exits.
R. Ochoa (SP, VEN) faced similar issues, running high pitch counts and exposing the bullpen more often than in June.

Out of the bullpen, S. Burhan (RP) emerged as a major positive, recording a 1.04 ERA over 9 appearances, with excellent strike efficiency and minimal traffic. Conversely, N. Barrios (CL, DOM) battled command, allowing inherited runners to score and turning multiple save chances into high-stress situations.

Defence & Fundamentals

Defence remained broadly steady compared to June, but July’s pitching volatility magnified every minor lapse. Where June’s staff could absorb an error, July’s often could not. Aggressive baserunning stayed central to Sheffield’s identity, though success rates dipped slightly under increased pressure.

July Awards

Pitcher of the Month: Eskinder Ali (SP, ETH)
3.57 ERA, 22.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, .183 OPP AVG
Ali was already strong in June, but July marked a clear leap. Improved command, run suppression, and workload stability made him indispensable.

Batter of the Month: Nsen Ngunda (CF)
.281 / .363 / .506, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 1.3 WAR
A tangible month-to-month improvement, combining patience, power, and consistency to become Sheffield’s most reliable bat.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Budapest Red Squirrels - Series Recap


Logo by @low


Game 1
Monday, August 2nd, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (54-53) - Budapest Red Squirrels (54-53)

Budapest kept the party loud at Budapest Grounds and handed Sheffield a 7-1 loss. The Hares actually struck first - E. Aas launched a solo homer in the 1st (his 18th) off Corey Root - but that was Sheffield’s lone run on the night.

Root did the rest, working 5 innings for the win (6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K) to move to 7-7. Sheffield’s Y. bin Saqr took the loss (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K), and Budapest steadily pulled away with a pair in the 5th (including Mauricio Robles’ run-scoring sac fly) before breaking it open late.

Player of the Game: Joe Jackson

⸻

Game 2
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (54-54) - Budapest Red Squirrels (55-53)

Another early avalanche buried Sheffield as Budapest rolled 9-2 to extend their streak. The decisive blow came in the 3rd - Jonas Saarinen crushed a 2-run homer, and D. Christie followed with a 3-run shot in the same inning, turning a quiet game into a rout.

Abdul-Fattah Hana earned the win with a steady 5.2 innings (4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) to improve to 6-9, while Eskinder Ali wore the loss after getting tagged for 8 earned runs in 2.1 frames. Sheffield’s lone highlight was T. Ramirez’s 2-run homer in the 6th, but the Hares never seriously threatened after that third-inning surge.

Player of the Game: Abdul-Fattah Hana

⸻

Game 3
Wednesday, August 4th, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares (55-54) - Budapest Red Squirrels (55-54)

Sheffield finally flipped the script, outslugging Budapest 11-7 to salvage the finale and square Budapest’s record. The Hares piled up 13 hits and repeatedly answered when the Squirrels made noise, with Nesen Ngunda at the center of everything - 2-for-4 with a triple, a 2-run homer, a walk, and 3 runs scored.

Budapest starter B. Peet was knocked around (5.0 IP, 4 ER), and Sheffield did damage in layers - extra-base hits from M. King, E. Aas, and J. Milz, with Milz adding a late 3-run homer in the 9th to put the game out of reach. The Squirrels’ big counterpunch was H. Pongia’s 3-run homer in the 8th, but it wasn’t enough to erase the gap.

Player of the Game: Nesen Ngunda
Special Note: Klas Cederberg tied the BUD regular season game record for bases on balls with 4.

⸻

Series Summary
Budapest takes the series, 2-1. Sheffield leaves town at 55-54 after dropping the first two before winning the finale; Budapest finishes the set 55-54.

[dinosauryoshi]

Moscow Blizzard at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap


Game 1
Friday, August 6th, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares 6, Moscow Blizzard 0

Sheffield opened the series with a dominant shutout, riding a superb start from A. Herzog, who worked six scoreless innings to earn the win. The Mountain Hares struck decisively in the fourth inning when T. Juhl unloaded a grand slam, turning a tight contest into a comfortable cushion. Juhl finished 1-for-4 with four RBIs, accounting for most of the offence on the night. A. Sandoval closed the door to secure the save, while Moscow managed just four hits and left ten runners on base. The win pushed Sheffield two games over .500 and sent Moscow to their fourth straight loss.

Game 2
Saturday, August 7th, 2060
Moscow Blizzard 7, Sheffield Mountain Hares 0

Moscow responded emphatically, flipping the script with a shutout of their own. C. Hutchins led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 with three doubles and two RBIs, repeatedly punishing Sheffield pitching. A steady bullpen effort secured the victory after L. bin Isra’il exited early due to injury. Sheffield were held to 14 hits but failed to cash in, stranding 13 runners and grounding into two key double plays. The result snapped Moscow’s skid and pulled them closer in the standings.

Game 3
Sunday, August 8th, 2060
Moscow Blizzard 6, Sheffield Mountain Hares 3 (10 innings)

The series finale delivered late drama as Moscow edged Sheffield in extra innings. M. Wehilani was the difference maker, producing a 4-for-5 performance that included a home run, two doubles, and the decisive go-ahead double in the tenth inning. S. Peric earned the win with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen, while S. Burhan was tagged with the loss. Sheffield fought back to force extras but were ultimately undone by Moscow’s timely hitting, evening their record at .500.

Series Summary
Moscow Blizzard win the series, 2-1.
Final records after the series: Moscow Blizzard 55-57, Sheffield Mountain Hares 56-56.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at San Juan Garitas – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1
Monday, August 9th, 2060

The Sheffield Mountain Hares opened the series in emphatic fashion with a 12–6 win in San Juan, leaning heavily on a dominant performance from Morales at the top of the order. Morales finished 3-for-4 with a home run and a double, scoring three times and driving in two as Sheffield steadily pulled away after the middle innings.

Eskinder Ali earned the win on the mound, working five innings while allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six. Sheffield built consistent pressure throughout the night, piling up extra-base hits and capitalising with runners in scoring position. San Juan managed 11 hits of their own but struggled to string rallies together, leaving too many chances unused as their losing streak continued.

Player of the Game: Jesus Morales

⸻

Game 2
Tuesday, August 10th, 2060

Game two was far tighter, but once again Sheffield found the decisive blow late. The Mountain Hares edged out a 4–3 victory, with Rob Graham delivering the pivotal moment — a two-run single in the seventh inning that flipped the game and gave Sheffield the lead for good.

Burian Erkylov pitched well for San Juan, keeping the game within reach, but the Garitas offence could not fully capitalise. Sheffield’s bullpen held firm down the stretch, closing the door after San Juan threatened in the late innings. The result extended the Garitas’ skid and ensured Sheffield had the series win secured before the finale.

Player of the Game: Burian Erkylov

⸻

Game 3
Wednesday, August 11th, 2060

Sheffield completed the sweep in commanding style with a 7–0 shutout, silencing the Garitas bats from first pitch to last. Eskinder Ali starred again, this time from the lineup, while the Mountain Hares’ pitching staff combined to allow just seven hits without conceding a run.

A key moment came in the fourth inning when San Juan threatened with runners aboard, but the danger was extinguished and momentum swung firmly back to Sheffield. From there, the Mountain Hares steadily added insurance runs and never looked back, stretching San Juan’s losing streak even further.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali

⸻

Series Summary

Sheffield Mountain Hares sweep the three-game series, winning all three contests in downtown San Juan The Hares leave having improved their overall record across the series, while the Garitas slide further down the standings after three consecutive defeats, extending a difficult stretch of form, with one of the worst records in the WBL.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Paris Black Cats – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1
Friday, August 13th, 2060
Paris Black Cats 3, Sheffield Mountain Hares 2
(Paris 68-47, Sheffield 59-57)

Paris edged a tight opener at Black Catsdome, breaking a 2–2 deadlock in the bottom of the ninth. Andrusha Aldarov set the tone early with a home run and a double, driving in two and scoring once. Sheffield stayed within striking distance thanks to a Jon Milz homer and steady work from I. Saville, but the decisive blow came when In-goo Choi lined a run-scoring double off Sarsour Burhan to seal it. Ricky Gonzalez earned the win in relief as the home crowd erupted.

Player of the Game: Andrusha Aldarov

⸻

Game 2
Saturday, August 14th, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares 5, Paris Black Cats 1
(Sheffield 60-57, Paris 68-48)

Sheffield bounced back behind a commanding start from Yushua bin Saqr, who scattered four hits and struck out ten over 5.2 innings. The Mountain Hares did their damage early, with run-scoring hits from Rob Graham and a sacrifice fly from Adam Koehler giving Sheffield control by the middle innings. Paris never mounted a sustained response, and Burhan closed things out cleanly to secure the save.

Player of the Game: Yushua bin Saqr

⸻

Game 3
Sunday, August 15th, 2060
Sheffield Mountain Hares 8, Paris Black Cats 5
(Sheffield 61-57, Paris 68-49)

The series finale belonged to Jon Milz, who delivered one of the standout performances of Sheffield’s season. Milz went 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple, and two singles, scoring three times and driving in five. Sheffield jumped ahead early and kept the pressure on, while Paris briefly threatened behind extra-base hits from McCoy and Koubeck. Strong relief from I. Paez and another composed save from Burhan ensured the Mountain Hares left Paris with the series.

Player of the Game: Jon Milz

⸻

Series Summary
Sheffield Mountain Hares win the series 2–1, improving to 61–57.
Paris Black Cats drop to 68–49.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Kyiv Terrapins – Series Recap


Logo by @low

⸻

Game 1
Tuesday, August 17th, 2060

The Sheffield Mountain Hares edged a tight opener, defeating the Kyiv Terrapins 1-0 behind a superb start from Rey Ochoa. Ochoa was dominant across 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and no walks as Kyiv’s offence sputtered like an engine turning over but never quite catching.

The lone run came via a fourth-inning solo home run from E. Ali, a clean, efficient blow that landed like a pin dropped in a silent room. In a game played on a knife’s edge, it was all Sheffield needed. The bullpen closed things out cleanly, preserving the shutout.

Player of the Game: Rey Ochoa

⸻

Game 2
Wednesday, August 18th, 2060

Kyiv responded emphatically in the middle game, claiming a 3-0 victory behind a commanding performance from John Lomond. The Terrapins starter scattered just three hits over 7.2 shutout innings, conducting the game like a metronome, steady, precise, and entirely unforgiving.

Kyiv struck early and never loosened their grip, while Joel Henery locked down the ninth to secure his 25th save. Sheffield’s bats never found oxygen, mustering only three hits and fading quietly as the night wore on.

Player of the Game: John Lomond

⸻

Game 3
Thursday, August 19th, 2060

Sheffield took the rubber match with a 3-1 win, leaning once again on strong pitching and timely power. Isaac Saville earned the victory, allowing one run on five hits across 6.1 innings while striking out six, bending without breaking whenever Kyiv threatened.

The decisive moment came in the sixth inning when Adam Koehler crushed a two-run home run to put Sheffield ahead for good, a sudden crack of thunder that split an otherwise quiet afternoon. From there, the Mountain Hares bullpen slammed the door shut and pocketed the series.

Player of the Game: Isaac Saville

⸻

Series Summary
Sheffield Mountain Hares win the series 2–1
Final records: Sheffield 63-58, Kyiv 64-57

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at St Petersburg Pelicans - Series Recap

Game 1
Friday, August 20th, 2060

The Sheffield Mountain Hares opened the series in emphatic fashion, routing the St Petersburg Pelicans 10-1 behind a dominant all-round display. Jon Milz set the tone at the plate, collecting three hits and launching a three-run home run in the fourth inning that blew the game open.

On the mound, Yushuba bin Saqr was in complete control. The left-hander worked 6.1 scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit as Sheffield steadily piled on runs and never allowed the Pelicans a foothold. By the middle innings, the contest had the feel of a runaway train picking up speed.

Player of the Game: Jon Milz

⸻

Game 2
Saturday, August 21st, 2060

Saturday night brought fireworks from both dugouts, but it was Sheffield who emerged with an 8-7 victory in a game that refused to settle. Rob Graham was the difference, hammering two home runs and driving in three as the Mountain Hares repeatedly answered St Petersburg rallies.

The decisive swing came in the sixth inning when Graham’s second homer nudged Sheffield back in front, and the bullpen managed to hold on through a tense late stretch. The game see-sawed like a rope under strain, but Sheffield kept just enough balance to avoid being pulled under.

Player of the Game: Rob Graham

⸻

Game 3
Sunday, August 22nd, 2060

St Petersburg salvaged the finale with a 10-9 victory that unfolded in dramatic fashion. The Pelicans built an early cushion and carried a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth before delivering the decisive blow.

With two aboard, Jose Noriega jumped on a sinker and sent it over the left-field wall for a three-run walk-off home run, ending the game in a single violent swing. The ballpark barely had time to breathe before it was over, the result sealed in an instant.

The loss dropped Sheffield to 65-59, while St Petersburg climbed to 71-52.

Player of the Game: Jose Noriega

⸻

Series Summary

St Petersburg Pelicans win the series 2-1

Final records: Sheffield 65-59, St Petersburg 71-52

[dinosauryoshi]

Phnom Penh Jackhammers at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap

⸻

Game 1
Monday, August 23rd, 2060

The Mountain Hares needed ten innings, but they eventually outlasted Phnom Penh 7-6 at Kingfisher Park. The game swung back and forth before Sheffield finally landed the decisive blow in the bottom of the tenth, when pinch hitter Marty King lined a run-scoring single to left to bring it to an end.

Phnom Penh had looked well placed after Muwafaq bin Zuhayr delivered a relentless performance at the top of the order, going 3-for-4 with three singles, two walks, and two RBIs. Sheffield, though, kept answering. E. Aas and E. Ali both drove in runs, while the Hares’ bullpen bent without breaking late.

M. Motoyanagi earned the win in relief, closing the door after Sheffield finally nudged ahead.

Player of the Game: Muwafaq bin Zuhayr

Game 2
Tuesday, August 24th, 2060

Sheffield followed up with a more controlled 6-2 victory, leaning heavily on Eskinder Ali, who delivered both at the plate and from the mound. Ali went 3-for-4 and launched a two-run homer early, his 34th of the season, setting the tone before the middle innings had even settled.

Isaac Saville handled the rest, working 5.2 efficient innings to pick up the win, while Sheffield’s lineup quietly kept pressure on with timely singles and patient at-bats. Phnom Penh threatened at points, but never managed to land a decisive punch.

The Mountain Hares left the field having secured the series, their late-season push gathering real momentum.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali

Game 3
Wednesday, August 25th, 2060

Game three turned lopsided early, as Yushua bin Saqr put together one of the most dominant pitching performances seen at Kingfisher Park this season. The left-hander worked 8.2 innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out nine across 109 pitches.

Sheffield’s bats did the rest. E. Aas, J. Morales, and K. Saetgaliev all found gaps, while R. Graham repeatedly cashed in with runners aboard. By the middle innings, the contest had taken on the feel of a formality, the Mountain Hares rolling to an 8-1 win.

Phnom Penh never recovered from the early pressure, their offense stifled throughout the night.

Player of the Game: Yushua bin Saqr


Game 4
Thursday, August 26th, 2060

Phnom Penh salvaged the finale with a disciplined 4-2 win, powered by Dessalegne El Borolossy, who controlled proceedings from the mound. The right-hander scattered three hits across 6.1 innings, yielding just one run while keeping Sheffield’s lineup off balance throughout.

The decisive moment came early when Otávio Soveral crushed a two-run homer in the second inning, giving the Jackhammers a lead they never relinquished. Sheffield scratched back late, but Hungfu Lau closed the door in the ninth to secure his 35th save.

It was a professional response from Phnom Penh, preventing a sweep and restoring some balance before moving on.

Player of the Game: Dessalegne El Borolossy

Series Summary

Sheffield Mountain Hares take the series, 3-1, finishing the set at 69-60, while the Phnom Penh Jackhammers leave Kingfisher Park at 70-57.

Sheffield’s rotation set the tone across the middle of the series, particularly through dominant starts from Eskinder Ali and Yushua bin Saqr, while the offense consistently did enough without needing fireworks. Phnom Penh showed resilience, especially in the opener and finale, but could not match Sheffield’s control over the long middle stretch of the series.

[dinosauryoshi]

Porto Velho Heliconias at Sheffield Mountain Hares – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range


Game 1
Friday, August 27th, 2060

The Mountain Hares set the tone early, cutting down the Heliconias 13-5 at Kingfisher Park to open the series. Sheffield broke the game open in the middle innings, turning a narrow contest into a rout with steady pressure rather than a single explosion.

M. Cooper was the centrepiece, belting two home runs and driving in three while scoring twice. The decisive moment came in the fifth when T. Juhl lined a two-run double to give Sheffield a 5-4 lead, part of a three-hit night that kept Porto Velho on the back foot. R. Graham and A. bin Jameel also chipped in with multi-hit efforts as the Hares spread the damage throughout the lineup.

On the mound, R. Ochoa worked 6.2 innings for the win, allowing five runs while keeping Sheffield in control long enough for the bats to do the rest.

Player of the Game: Mitch Cooper


Game 2
Saturday, August 28th, 2060

Porto Velho responded with their loudest statement of the series, riding a dominant performance from C. Harvey to an 11-8 win. Harvey did nearly all the heavy lifting himself, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, six RBIs, and two runs scored.

The damage came early. Harvey launched a grand slam in the first inning to stake the Heliconias to a 5-0 lead, and Porto Velho never fully relinquished control despite Sheffield repeatedly clawing back. D. Jula’s three-RBI night kept the Hares within sight, but each rally stalled just short of a turning point.

S. Tait earned the win in relief, and D. Bugarim shut the door to collect his first save.

Player of the Game: Colm Harvey


Game 3
Sunday, August 29th, 2060

The Heliconias carried their momentum into the finale, taking the series with a 6-3 victory that leaned on timely hitting and a deep bullpen. A. Sukarno led the way, finishing 2-for-4 and driving in the go-ahead run with a single in the seventh before later adding an insurance homer.

Porto Velho struck first, and while Sheffield briefly evened things up, the visitors consistently landed the sharper blows. J. Sanchez and L. Sanders both contributed extra-base hits, and the Heliconias’ relief corps closed ranks after the seventh-inning push.

For Sheffield, E. Aas and S. Rutz provided sparks, but the Hares could not string together enough sustained pressure to flip the result.

Player of the Game: Aearu Sukarno

Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 69-62

⸻

Series Summary

Porto Velho Heliconias take the series, 2-1, winning both the middle game and the finale behind standout individual performances and timely late-inning execution. Sheffield showed plenty of life offensively, particularly in the opener, but could not quite match Porto Velho’s ability to land decisive blows when the series tightened.

Sheffield Mountain Hares overall record: 69–62

[dinosauryoshi]

Note: After this post, I'm going to trial a new (in-game) monthly post rather than the current series by series style. Might make it more manageable for me with limited time at the moment, and probably increases scope for getting a bit creative with how I write it. We shall see!

Lisbon Caravels at Sheffield Mountain Hares – Series Recap


Game 1
Monday, August 30th, 2060

The Mountain Hares opened the series with a narrow 4-2 win at Kingfisher Park, leaning on early power and a steady night on the mound. T. Juhl provided the decisive swing, launching a two-run home run in the first inning to put Sheffield in front for good.

Y. bin Saqr carried that advantage across seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five. Lisbon applied pressure late, but S. Burhan closed the door cleanly to secure his 10th save.

Sheffield’s offence was compact and efficient, doing just enough damage to stay ahead, while the defence turned two double plays to blunt Lisbon’s best chances.

Player of the Game: Yushua bin Saqr

Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 70-62


Game 2
Tuesday, August 31st, 2060

Lisbon evened the series in dramatic fashion, edging Sheffield 6-3 in 12 innings. The game simmered for much of the night before finally boiling over in the extra frames.

D. Djilas broke the deadlock in the top of the 12th with a two-run triple, a swing that finally separated the clubs after a long stalemate. Lisbon starter K. Yoshimura set the tone earlier, working 6.1 innings of two-run ball and keeping Sheffield’s bats largely muted.

The Mountain Hares had chances, but repeated rallies fizzled, leaving twelve runners on base as the game slipped away in the late hours.

Player of the Game: Keizo Yoshimura

Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 70-63


Game 3
Wednesday, September 1st, 2060

The Caravels clinched the series with a 4-3 win, striking early and then holding firm through nine tense innings. A. Muthemba delivered the decisive blow in the first, crushing a three-run home run that proved just enough separation.

T. Akida anchored Lisbon’s pitching effort, navigating 5.1 innings and limiting Sheffield to three runs before the bullpen took over. The Mountain Hares threatened late, but Lisbon’s relievers bent without breaking.

Sheffield’s comeback never quite found its final gear, and the early damage lingered like a bruise that would not fade.

Player of the Game: Trevor Akida

Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 70-64


Series Summary

Lisbon Caravels take the series, 2-1, winning two tight contests behind timely power and disciplined pitching. Sheffield opened the set with a solid, controlled win but could not quite match Lisbon’s execution in the late innings of the final two games.

Sheffield Mountain Hares overall record: 70-64