ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

I just finished the Pro Cup Poll.
I will post it tomorrow... got to go watch this great World Series between the Dodgers and the Yankees.

My, how times have changed. In the 50s, I loved the Yankees with Mantle, Berra and Ford, and hated the Dodgers with Snider, Reese, Hodges, Robinson, Furillo, Erskine, Newcombe and Campanella.

Now I pulling for the Dodgers. I like Freeman (wish he was healthy), Ohtani and Betts.

I think the Yanks' starters will win it for them... plus Soto, Judge, Stanton are really something as hitters. Gleyber Torres is really good, too.

Not a fan of Cole... because he played for the infamous "drumbeating" Astros... but he is still a good pitcher, but not as good as he used to be.

Flahery and Yamamoto are not enough to win the World Series.

Give it to the Yanks in 6 games.

Yankees better win 4 in a row beginning tonight. Make EC's prediction come true!

I'm a Yankee fan, but before this series started I predicted Dodgers in six.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

Yankees better win 4 in a row beginning tonight. Make EC's prediction come true!

I'm a Yankee fan, but before this series started I predicted Dodgers in six.

The Yanks could have won both games.

They should not have lost the first game. They had it won.

Just one or two hits in the 9th of game two and the series is tied 1-1.

Who knows, the Yanks might come back and win tonight and then head home to friendly Yankee Stadium and its short right field fence.

Game one was the greateat game I have ever watched because I watched intensely every single pitch... living and dying with each pitch.

I turned the sound completely off... I like John Smoltz as a player... but he drives me crazy with pitch mechanics, arm angles, release points and all the various pitches in a pitcher repertoire and how to pitch each batter.

I much prefer the old time announcers that just kept you informed about what was going on in the game and didn't get deep into mechanics and strategy. I'm tired of all the detailed minutia about who has homered on their birthday in the World Series. Just give me the basic stats. Keep it simple, stupid.

Smoltz and his partner never shut up and just let me watch the game.

I watched all of game two with the sound off... Ah, it was nice.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

The Yanks could have won both games.

They should not have lost the first game. They had it won.

Just one or two hits in the 9th of game two and the series is tied 1-1.

Who knows, the Yanks might come back and win tonight and then head home to friendly Yankee Stadium and its short right field fence.

Game one was the greateat game I have ever watched because I watched intensely every single pitch... living and dying with each pitch.

I turned the sound completely off... I like John Smoltz as a player... but he drives me crazy with pitch mechanics, arm angles, release points and all the various pitches in a pitcher repertoire and how to pitch each batter.

I much prefer the old time announcers that just kept you informed about what was going on in the game and didn't get deep into mechanics and strategy. I'm tired of all the detailed minutia about who has homered on their birthday in the World Series. Just give me the basic stats. Keep it simple, stupid.

Smoltz and his partner never shut up and just let me watch the game.

I watched all of game two with the sound off... Ah, it was nice.

I agree with you regarding the announcers. Just keep it simple. What do you think of Bob Costas? I lot of Yankee fans can't stand him, but I don't mind him at all.

The Yankees have come back from 0-2 World Series deficits four times - 1956, 1958, 1978 and 1996. Can they accomplish the feat for the fifth time this year?

And to stay on topic in this thread, after reading your 2086 Pro Cup playoffs preview, I'm psyched more than ever. I agree that it would be great if Ginza could win it.

[Eugene Church]

I am torn between Belair Beach, Ginza, Rocky Rapids and Mahaska... I like the Sunbirds because they have done well the last few seasons in the playoffs. The Ninjas haven't been to the postseason in decades.
The Snappers and Haymakers have never won a Pro Cup. I would have been pulling for Marston and Ancona, too. But they don't really have a chance at the Pro Cup. They will probably lose in the first round.

Costas in his prime was fine.
I still like him because he is a baseball historian.
He may be showing his age a little bit.
I like him because he is an oldtime announcer. Not too wordy... not too heavy on modern-day baseball metrics.
He let's you watch the game and keeps quiet until it is time to explain something..

My favorite of current announcers is John Miller of the San Francisco Giants. Great voice and a good sense of humor. Really liked him when he was on ESPN with Joe Morgan.
Miller has a great baritone voice and is a professional radio announcer.
He is not an ex-player.
Ex-players are fine when they can handle the announcer part, speak clearly and can state their opinions briefly and without rambling..
Pedro Martinez is terrible... sorry, he can't speak English well enough be on TV.
Not big on Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter... they are just plain boring.
I wouldn't miss Big Papi, either, although he is a fun guy.

The current ESPN Sunday team is not very good. Karl Ravetch is fine as a studio host, but not as play-by-play. David Cone is a bore. Eduardo Perez is fairly good, especially since he fixed his real bad lisp. He had lazy lips on the MLB network and mumbled. Glad to see he overcame it by learning to articulate and move his lips properly. He is pretty good.

[Eugene Church]

I began playing the 2086 IPA playoffs today.

Need to go watch game three of the real World Series right now.

I can skip all the commercials and just watch the game.
It is an hour and a half into it now.... maybe 4th or 5th inning.

Netflix and YouTube TV have really spoiled me. Never have to watch commericals.

I don't like Prime Basic anymore.... they are forcing me to watch a few commercials now... they have only recently started this.

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, October 10, 2086

SUNBIRDS, SNAPPERS, RACERS AND NINJAS ARE OFF AND RUNNING: ADVANCE TO IPA SECOND ROUND
One series down, two more to go. Belair Beach, Rocky Rapids, Rolling Hills and Ginza all answered the call in the first round of the Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup playoffs and advanced to the second round. The Sunbirds soared past the Marston Nine in 5 games, the Snappers torched the Ancona Jumbos in a 4-game sweep, the #5-ranked Racers outplayed the #3-rated South Fork Stallions 4 games to 2 and the #4-rated Ninjas upset the #2-ranked Mahaska Haymakers. Belair Beach and Rocky Rapids will meet for the Ruthlandian Union Title and it will be Rolling Hills and Ginza in the Tycobbian Union Title Series.

SUNBIRDS IN 5 OVER THE NINE
Belair Beach, the Pro Cup favorite, performed very well against the unheralded Marston Nine with fine pitching from veteran starters Gardiner Palmquist (2-0/2.77 ERA), Georgie Adams (1-0/0.00 ERA) and closer Orval Columbus (1-0/0.00 ERA/3 saves/4 games). Almost top to bottom in the batting order each player did his job and contributed. Dutch Van Donk (.389 BA/4 RBI), Taavo Dees (.333 BA/3 RBI), Dirk MacIntyre (.263 BA/5 RBI) and Mees Achthoven (.278 BA/3 RBI) all had good series. The Sunbirds won the first two at home, 6-3 and 3-0. Palmquist won the opener, while Adams fired a shutout in game two.

They continued to roll when the series switched to Marston for the next 3 games. Behind starting pitcher Felix Poirot and Orval Columbus, Belair Beach shackled the Nine bats again, winning their third straight game, 3-1, with Columbus the winner. In game four the Nine finally salvaged a game. Augie Huffman hit two out of the park for the Nine in an 8-6 victory for their first and only win. In the fifth game Palmquist silenced Marston 2-1 to triumph in the series in 5 games. Huffman had a great series in defeat, slamming 3 homers and driving in 5 runs while batting .381. No one else offered any offense whatsoever. 'Nuff said, Marston made a quick exit for the postseason playoffs.

ROCKY RAPIDS ROCKED ANCONA IN 4-GAME SWEEP
The Rocky Rapids Snappers performed almost flawlessly in all aspects of the game and never gave the outclassed Ancona Jumbos a chance, totally dismantling them in 4 straight. Eugene Ganley (.286 BA) hit 2 homers and drove in 6 runs, Mickey Starbuck (.357 BA) popped two roundtrippers and batted in 4 runs, Julien Duvauchelle (.357 BA) had 4 ribbies and so did Henri Talleyrand (.375 BA). Franco Ragazzi (.400 BA) and Lee Drummond (.417 BA) both set the table with .400 batting averages. Backed up by the offense with almost 7 runs per game, the pitchers also came out well.

At home the Snappers slammed Ancona 11-4 in the opening game. In game two Sal Brooks (1-0/2.12 ERA) hurled a good game and took the win 4-1. In game three in Ancona, a change of venue didn't help the Jumbos, who were blanked 6-0 by Nelson Goodlee (1-0/0.00 ERA) and Dobie Mortenson (0-0/0.00 ERA/2 saves/2 games). Game four was competitive, but Rocky Rapids still wrapped up the series with a 6-4 victory. The Snappers built up a 6-0 lead early and held on. Ronnie Dabbs (1-0/3.86 ERA) posted the win with the relief help of Sandy Noland (0-0/4.50 ERA/1 save/1 game).

RH RACERS TAKE ROCK 'EM SOCK 'EM SERIES FROM SF STALLIONS IN 6 GAMES
In a slight upset #5-ranked Rolling Hills rocked favored #2-rated South Fork, four games to two. The Racers and the favored South Fork Stallions went toe-to-toe in the series. Both attacks put runs on the scoreboard. The Racers were sparked by Danny Marisnick (.409 BA/5 RBI), Emmett Spangler (.320 BA/5 RBI) and Harv Phelan (.316 BA/5 RBI). They also got some help from Jaron Shufford (.381 BA) and Clifford Stratton (.333 BA). Pacing the Stallions were Rupert Kruger (.458 BA/7 RBI), Cristian Morales (.273/6 RBI), Davy Mannington (.333 BA) and Will Wilford (.320 BA). The Racers won the duel with a little better overall pitching, mainly in the bullpen. Steve Farnham (1-0/0.00 ERA/2 saves/3 games) and J.B. Deeds (1-0/1.59 ERA/3 games) were the difference. They were crucial with 2 wins and 3 saves in the series. Actually, South Fork had the best starting pitchers with Willem Bekker (1-0/0.00 ERA) and Arjen Rijkaard (1-0/2.51 ERA). Rijkaard had two good starts. Bekker had a shutout in his first start and then sadly went out with a leg injury after one inning in game six. He was a critical loss. The Stallions bullpen really let them down. Closer Alfie Ginger (0-3/9.82 ERA/0 saves/3 games) lost 3 of the games.

RACERS EDGE STALLIONS IN TU TITLE SERIES OPENER
Rolling Hills' Danny Marisnick doubled in 2 runs in the 8th inning to win the opener 3-1. Closer Alfie Ginger was pinned with the defeat. Junior Ashmore and J.B. Deeds outpitched Ginger and South Fork starter Arjen Rijkaard.

SOUTH FORK'S BEKKER BLANKS ROLLING HILLS IN 2ND GAME -- SERIES EVEN 1-1
Willem Bekker was superb in a 4-0 shutout in the second game won by South Fork. Linc Dickens absorbed the loss and went the distance. He only allowed 4 hits. Davy Mannington led the Stallions at the plate with 3 hits, including a solo homer.

VISITING RACERS CRUSH STALLIONS TO GO UP 2-1
The series switched to South Fork for the next three contests. The Racers crushed the Stallions 13-3, bashing 17 hits, paced by 3 hits apiece from Harv Phelan and Danny Marisnick to go up two games to one in the best-of-seven series. Phelan had the game's only roundtripper, good for a pair of scores. Veteran Skeets Kazlauskas went 6 innings for the win, holding South Fork to one run. Jimmy Cravens was blasted for 7 runs in 5 innings.

ROLLING HILLS RALLY IN GAME 4, SOARS AHEAD 3 GAMES TO ONE
Rolling Hills surged ahead 3 games to one with a comeback 6-5 victory in game four. The Racers trailed 5-0 heading into the last of the 5th frame. The keys hits were a 3-run clout by Emmett Spangler in the 5th and a game-winning 2-run two-bagger by Tater Yearwood in the 8th. Rudolf Kruger led the Stallions with 3 singles and 2 ribbies. The Racers bullpen excelled again. J. B. Deeds and Steve Farnham worked 4 runless innings with the win going to Farnham. Closer Alfie Ginger lost his second game of the series.

SOUTH FORK HANGS TOUGH, BATTERS ROLLING HILLS IN 5TH GAME -- RACERS' EDGE CUT TO 3-2
Banging out 17 hits South Fork manhandled Rolling Hills in game five to the tune of 9-3 to narrow the gap to three games to two in favor of the Racers. Kruger went 3 for 5 for the Stallions, had a 2-run homer and drove in 4 scores. Will Wilford was 3 for 4 and scored 3 runs and Yank Yankovich socked 2 hits, scored twice and batted in 2. Arjen Rijkaard spun 8 solid innings and held the Racers to 3 runs and 6 hits. Junior Ashmore lost it, slammed for 6 runs in his 4 innings.

RACERS ROAR BACK IN 9TH -- BEATS STALLIONS IN 6 GAMES
Game six began well for South Fork with Willem Bekker on the mound, but he suffered an arm injury in the first frame and left the game. The relief corps did well for awhile and had a 4-1 edge going into the top of the 9th. Chaos erupted. The Racers scored 4 runs and won the series four games to two to advance to the Tycobbian Union Title Series against Ginza. Terrence Stonich singled in the winning scores. 4 bases on balls were decisive in the outcome of the game. Poor Alfie Ginger walked 5 batters and dropped his 3rd game of the series. Steve Farnham closed it out for the Racers and got his 2nd save. Dominic Bard was the winner with a scoreless 8th.

MILD UNDERDOG KARATE KIDS SNEAK BY HAYMAKERS IN 6 GAMES
It was a hotly-contested humdinger of a series. Mild underdog and #4-rated Ginza edged past #2-ranked Mahaska four games to two. The Ninja closer Louis St. Pierre (2-0/2.77 ERA/1 save/4 games) played a vital role in their victory over the tough Haymakers, along with starter Asmund Bjornstad (1-0/1.80 ERA/2 starts).

MAHASKA GRABS TENSE OPENER FROM GINZA AT HOME
At home, favored Mahaska copped the first game 3-2 by scoring single runs in the 8th and 9th to come back and win it. Manny Savallas plated the winning run with a walk-off double. On the hill starter Mel Golden and three relievers chalked up the victory. Asmund Byornstad started and pitched well, holding the Haymakers to one run in his 6 innings. His relief Luis Rosario lost it.

NINJAS' HOSHINO HR TIES SERIES WITH HAYMAKERS AT 1 GAME EACH
In the second game Ginza's Muzuki Hoshino's three-run clout in the top of the 5th proved to be the game winner by the score of 4-3. Eddy Bohannon and Louis St. Pierre combined for the win. The Ninjas returned home with a split in the opening two games.

GLATNEY'S 9TH-INNING CLOUT GIVE MAHASKA 2-1 EDGE OVER GINZA
In a tense struggle in Ginza, game three went to Mahaska 2-1 with strong pitching by Corky Jasker, Izo Utterbach and Goldy Keane. Loser Taichi Taka tossed a solid game, holding the Haymakers to one run and 3 hits in his 6 frames. Luis Rosario again lost the game in relief, victimized by Galan Glatney's solo swat in the top of the 9th. Keane got the win.

KARATE KIDS COME BACK IN GAME 4 -- HAYMAKERS SERIES TIED 2 GAMES APIECE
The Karate Kids of Ginza evened it up at two games apiece with a 7-4 victory in game four. Louie Patino and reliever Louis St. Pierre teamed up to knock off the Haymakers. Kazz Yamazaki provided the go-ahead run in the 5th inning with a 2-run shot for a 5-3 margin. Izo Utterbach was the losing pitcher.

BYORNSTAD HURLS GINZA PAST MAHASKA IN GAME 5 FOR 3-2 LEAD -- YOSHINO AND DE WILDE DRILL 2-RUN HOMERS
Game five was all Ginza. Asmund Byornstad went all the way, stopping Mahaska 6-2 on 5 hits. Muzaki Hoshino and Rikki De Wilde led the Ninjas with a pair of 2-run homers.

KARATE KIDS NICK HAYSEEDS IN TENSE DUEL IN GAME 6 -- GINZA BEATS FAVORED MAHASKA 4 GAMES TO 2
Ginza won another nailbiter 5-4 over Mahaska in the sixth game of the best-of-seven series, sending the Haymakers home for the winter. That gave the Ninjas the series four games to two. They will now advance to the Tycobbian Union Title Series, opposed by the Rolling Hills Racers. Once again Louis St. Pierre picked up the win, his second of the series with 3 and two-thirds innings of good relief. Kazz Yamazaki had 4 hits and 2 RBIs to pace the Ninjas. Ko Yoshino homered for the winners. Byron Bennigan and Clete Shotwell kept Mahaska close with solo homers. In relief, Izo Utterbach dropped his 2nd game of the series.

[jg2977]

What were the scores of each game of the Rolling Hills vs. South Fork series?

The IPA Semifinals should be a doozy!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

What were the scores of each game of the Rolling Hills vs. South Fork series?

The IPA Semifinals should be a doozy!

Thanks for catching my error.
Sorry, I must be getting old and senile. I will post them later today in the same post with the series recaps of first-round games.
See post 10208 above.

[jg2977]

Wow, the Racers/Stallions series was filled with drama. What a heartbreaking loss for the Stallions.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, October 19, 2086

NO SURPRISES IN RU AND TU TITLE SERIES
2086 PRO CUP SERIES FEATURES FAMILIAR FOES BELAIR BEACH AND ROLLING HILLS
No Cinderella's and no dark horses made the 2086 IPA Pro Cup Series this year. Old standbys Belair Beach and Rolling Hills will lock horns once again for the Pro Cup Trophy. The Sunbirds beat the Racers in the 2084 Pro Cup Finals in six games. Both clubs are riding high after knocking out up-and-coming whippersnappers Rocky Rapids and Ginza in rather easy fashion. Pro Cup favorite Belair Beach rode its impressive pitching staff to upend Rocky Rapids four games to two for the Ruthlandian Union crown and Rolling Hills did the same to the Ginza Ninjas, winning the Tycobbian Union Title Series four games to one.

SUNBIRDS' STAFF TOTALLY SHUT DOWN SNAPPERS FOR RU CROWN
The Sunbirds' staff of starters Gardiner Palmquist, Georgie Adams, Felix Poirot and Jim Brockington combined with closer Orval Columbus to shackle the red-hot bats of the Snappers. Neither club put many runs on the scoreboard. Belair Beach hurlers held Rocky Rapids to just 11 runs in the six-game series. The Sunbirds only scored 19 themselves. Mees Achthoven (.333 BA/7 for 21/5 RBI) was one of the few productive bats in the lineup, but its offense was enough to beat the Snappers. Belair Beach now moves to the Pro Cup Series and will seeking their 3rd Pro Cup, their second in the last three seasons. The Sunbirds triumphed over Rolling Hills in six games in 2084. The Pro Cup Finals is a toss-up. Either team can win it. According to the baseball experts there is no clear favorite.

ROLLING HILLS ROLLS OVER PUNCHLESS GINZA IN 5 GAMES FOR TU TITLE
Rolling Hills' mound staff outdid themselves in the Tycobbian Union Title Series as they befuddled and bedazzled the Ginza Ninjas four games to one. The entire 8-man pitching corps performed admirably, allowing only 14 runs in the 5-game series. In contrast the Ninjas' staff struggled and gave up 31 runs. Skeets Kazlauskas (2-0/4.15 ERA) won 2 games in the series and yet had the worst ERA. Linc Dickens (0-0/1.69 ERA), Junior Ashmore (1.80 ERA) and Dain Holman (1-0/3.86 ERA) were the other three starters. The bullpen was superb with J.B. Deeds (1.59 ERA), Ivan Malek (0.00 ERA) and Dominic Bard (3.00 ERA). Even Steve Farnham (4.50 ERA) picked up a save. The primary bats belonged to Liam Geraghty (.500 BA/10 for 20/7 RBI), Fabian Quigley (.412 BA/7 for 17/2 RBI) and Danny Marisnick (.316 BA/6 for 19/3 RBI). Several others contributed timely hits, too. It really was a team effort. In all respects the Racers played very well against the Ninjas. Everything went right for Rolling Hills. Nothing much good happened for the outmanned Ninjas. Beware, the 11th Pro Cup Trophy may be well on its way to Rolling Hills. However, the Racers have quite a daunting task ahead of them. The Belair Beach Sunbirds are a rock-solid club, too. It should be a great Pro Cup Series.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION TITLE SERIES GAME RECAPS

SUNBIRD TWIRLER ADAMS TOO TOUGH IN RU TITLE SERIES OPENER
Georgie Adams (2-0/0.57 ERA) hurled Belair Beach to a 4-1 victory in the Ruthlandian Title Series opening game on the Sunbirds' home field. Home runs were supplied by rookie Bucky Keats (.348 BA/1 HR) and Mees Achthoven (.333 BA/1 HR). Pat Buckland (1-1/5.54 ERA) went 7 innings in defeat, yielding all 4 runs. Tony Nobles (.158 BA/1 HR) homered for the Snappers. Orval Columbus (1-1/2.84 ERA) nabbed his 4th save for Belair Beach.

ROCKY RAPIDS' BROOKS AND MORTENSON TAME FAVORED SUNBIRDS IN GAME 2
Game two in Belair Beach was a ding-dong dilly captured by Rocky Rapids. Starters Gardiner Palmquist for Belair Beach and Sal Brooks for Rocky Rapids dueled for 7 innings with the Sunbirds holding a 1-0 edge. The Snappers rocked reliever Orval Columbus (2-1/3.09 ERA) for 4 runs in the 8th and 9th frames to even the series at one game each. Brooks (2-0/1.29 ERA) notched the victory with the help of 2 scoreless innings from Dobie Mortenson (0-1/4.05 ERA). It was his 3rd save. Lanny Moultrie (.091 BA) provided a decisive 2-run base hit for the game winner in the top of the 8th.

SURPRISE!
SNAPPERS WIN AGAIN! UP 2-1 IN SERIES OVER SUNBIRDS
Playing at their home park, Rocky Rapids took the series' lead two games to one with a splendid 2-0 win behind Nelson Goodlee's 6 scoreless innings and Dobie Mortenson's 3 runless frames. Goodlee (2-0/0.00 ERA) posted the victory. He is unscored upon in 2 postseason starts. In 4 postseason assignments Mortenson has 4 saves and a 0.00 ERA. So far in the playoffs he hasn't given up a run in 10 innings. Julien Duvauchelle hammered the game's only roundtripper. The Snappers had 7 hits, while the Sunbirds could muster only 5. Losing pitcher Felix Poirot (0-1/1.93 ERA/2 starts) worked a fine game, too, going the distance

SUNBIRDS REBOUND!
BELAIR BEACH TIES SERIES AT 2 GAMES EACH BEHIND SHUTOUT PITCHING OF BROCKINGTON AND COLUMBUS
The two clubs traded victories by the identical scores. Game one went to the Sunbirds 4-1, the Snappers nabbed game two by the same score. The Snappers won the third game 2-0. Yep, the Sunbirds came right back in game four with a identical 2-0 shutout. Now the series is deadlocked two games each. Jim Brockington (1-0/2.13 ERA) spun 8 scoreless innings for the win. Orval Columbus (1-1/2.84 ERA) struck out the side in the 9th for his 5th postseason save. Dilan Munsey (.500/2 HR) homered in the 3rd frame for the game's only scores. Otherwise, the Snappers got excellent pitching from loser Ronny Dabbs (0-1/3.46 ERA) and his relief Bobby Ray Timberlake (0-0/0.00 ERA) and Sandy Noland (0-0/3.00 ERA)

BELAIR BEACH BLAST ROCKY RAPIDS IN PIVOTAL 5TH GAME AND TAKE 3-2 LEAD
Critical game five in Rocky Rapids was another low-scoring skirmish most of the game between Rocky Rapids' Pat Buckland and Belair Beach's Georgie Adams. They were all even at 1-1 heading into the top of the 8th when the Sunbirds erupted for 8 runs for a 9-4 victory, highlighted by Yiannis Kostakos' (.364 BA) grand slam. Belair Beach is now up three games to two in the best-of-seven series. Orval Columbus (2-1/2.45 ERA/5 saves) chalked up the win with 2 scoreless innings. Belair Beach bombed Rocky Rapids for 14 hits. The Snappers smacked 8 singles, 5 of them in their 3-run 9th against Delmar Keel. Dobie Mortenson (0-1/3.97 ERA/4 saves/5 games) was pinned with the defeat. He allowed 6 runs. Evan Murdoch (.303 BA), Lucky Hayden (.211 BA) and Mees Achthoven (.314 BA) all had 3 hits for the Sunbirds.

SUNBIRDS' PITCHING SUPERB -- WRAP UP SNAPPERS IN 6 GAMES FOR RU CROWN AND SPOT IN IPA PRO CUP FINALS
In decisive game six back in Belair Beach, two unbeaten 24-year-old starters, righty Sal Brooks and lefty Gardiner Palmquist were again foes and they both did their jobs well. Belair Beach had the best bats and Palmquist (3-0/1.37 ERA) was the victor 3-0 in the 11-hit shutout. After trailing two games to one, the Sunbirds copped the series four games to two. The Sunbirds are the 2086 Ruthlandian Union champion. Brooks (2-1/1.35 ERA) took the loss, but only permitted 1 earned run in his 6 innings. Dependable Orval Columbus (2-1/2.16 ERA/5 saves/9 games) followed Palmquist with 2 runless frames and Ty Griffith closed it out with a scoreless 9th to advance the Sunbirds to the IPA Pro Cup Series against Rolling Hills, the champion of the Tycobbian Union. Belair Beach only managed 6 hits with Henrik Bogen (.229 BA) slamming one out of the ballpark in the 2nd inning. The Sunbirds got another run on an error in the 3rd frame and tacked on an insurance run in the 7th on a base hit by Bucky Keats (.256 BA). The Snappers got a lot of hits, but could not hit with men on base.

TYCOBBIAN UNION TITLE SERIES GAME RECAPS

RACERS ROCK NINJAS IN TU OPENER
At home at the Mid Towne Base Ball Grounds, Rolling Hills cracked 10 hits and got homers from Liam Geraghty (.267 BA) and Pete Palazzi (.300 BA) to rock the Ginza Ninjas 7-1 in the opening game of the best-of-seven-game series for the Tycobbian Union title and the right to advance to the IPA Pro Cup Series against the Ruthlandian Union champion. Skeets Kazlauskas (2-0/1.29 ERA) outpitched Taichi Taka (0-1/4.26 ERA), holding the Ninjas to one run and 7 hits in his 8 innings. In the 9th frame Ivan Malek tossed a 1-2-3 inning, striking out 2 of the 3 batters. Losing pitcher Taka was battered for 5 runs in 6 innings.

RACERS SMASH NINJAS AGAIN FOR 2ND GAME IN A ROW
Rolling Hills didn't get a bunch of hits, just 5 singles, but they beat Ginza for the second day in a row, winning 6-1. It was a close 2-1 game until the Racers broke it open with 4 runs in the last of the 8th against closer Louis St. Pierre (2-0/3.60 ERA/1 save/5 games). The defeat, however, went to Asmund Byornstad (1-1/1.29 ERA), who only allowed 2 hits and no earned runs in 6 frames. Winner Junior Ashmore (1-1/4.40 ERA) posted the victory with the help of J.B. Deeds (1-0/1.04 ERA/4 games) and Dominic Bard (1-0/3.86 ERA/4 games). Ashmore even drove in a pair of runs in the win. The other 3 RBIs came from Liam Geraghty (.273 BA), Pete Palazzi (.273 BA) and Fabian Quigley (.115 BA).

GINZA CUTS RACERS' EDGE TO 2-1 IN TU TITLE SERIES
13-year veteran right-hander Eddy Bohannon saved the day and kept the Ginza Ninjas from going down 3-0 in the Tycobbian Union Title Series. He spun 5 strong innings, holding Rolling Hills to 4 hits and a run with 5 Ks and no walks in a 2-1 squeaker. Bohannon also got splendid help from closer Louis St. Pierre (3-0/2.84 ERA/1 save/6 games), who redeemed himself after a miserable outing in the game-one loss. St. Pierre got credit for the win with 4 scoreless frames and only one hit and a walk allowed. Muzuki Hoshino (.371 BA/4 HR/8 RBI) and Takahito Tomiyama (.194 BA/1 RBI) supplied the runs with solo swats. Linc Dickens (0-1/3.86 ERA/3 starts) matched the Ninzas, firing 5 innings, fanning 6 and permitting only one run in his start. Closer J.B. Deeds (1-1/1.59 ERA/5 games) was tagged with the loss, though he gave up only one hit and one run in his 4 frames. Tomiyama's circuit clout in the 7th won the game.

RACERS TRIM NINJAS IN PIVOTAL GAME 4 FOR 3-1 LEAD IN TU TITLE SERIES
It didn't take long for the Rolling Hills Express to get rolling again. On the road at Ninja Stadium, the Racers blasted 14 hits and trimmed Ginza 6-4 to go up three games to one in the best-of-seven TU Title Series. One more win for Rolling Hills and they will get another chance at their 11th IPA Pro Cup. Pacing the Racer attack were Liam Geraghty (.333 BA) and Fabian Quigley (.242 BA) with 4 hits apiece and Danny Marisnick (.333 BA) with 2 hits. They also got decent pitching from starter Dain Holman (1-0/6.00 ERA/2 starts) and reliever Steve Farnham (1-0/1.29 ERA/3 saves/4 games). Holman went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs and 7 hits, while Farnham finished up and permitted one run in 2 innings for his 3rd postseason save this season. Ginza's Kazz Yamazaki (.500 BA/3 HR/9 RBI) continued his torrid postseason pace with 3 hits, 2 RBIs and his 3rd roundtripper. Reliever Louis St. Pierre (3-1/3.43 ERA/1 save/7 games) suffered his first playoff loss, knocked around for 2 runs and 3 hits in his 2 innings. He allowed the go-ahead runs in the 7th when the Racers took the lead and snapped a 3-all tie.

RACERS RAVAGE NINJAS IN 5 GAMES; HEAD TO PRO CUP FINALS
Rolling Hills is headed back to the IPA Pro Cup Finals. In game five the Racers ravaged the Ginza Ninjas for 17 hits and outscored them in game five 11-6 to defeat them four games to one in the Tycobbian Union Title Series. Rolling Hills will now take on the Ruthlandian Union champion Belair Beach Sunbirds for the 2086 IPA title. The Racers' blistering bats were too much for Ginza, led by Clifford Stratton (.310 BA) with 4 hits, Emmett Spangler (.304 BA) and Danny Marisnick (.366 BA) with 3 hits each and Liam Geraghty (.319 BA), Fabian Quigley (.270 BA) and Harv Phelan (.270 BA) with 2 hits apiece. The Racers ran up a 9-1 lead after 7 and a half innings, which was too much for the Ninjas to overcome. Thanks to the great run support, Skeets Kazlauskas (3-0) picked up the victory, but he was hit hard for 5 runs in 5 innings. Dominic Bard (1-0/4.05 ERA/4 games) and Ivan Malek (0-0/2.57 ERA/4 games) saved it for him, holding Ginza to one run over the last 4 frames. In vain Kazz Yamazaki (.535 BA/3 HR/11 RBI) has another great day at the plate for the Ninjas with 2 doubles, 2 singles and 2 ribbies. Danny Cantrell (.150 BA/1 HR) doubled and homered and drove in 3 runs for Ginza.

Rolling Hills will now take on the tough Belair Beach Sunbirds for the IPA Pro Cup beginning Sunday afternoon at Bayside Park in Belair Beach. Yeah, buddy, it should be a great series. Anyone can win it. They are two very impressive, good all-around teams.

[Eugene Church]

Special Thanks to hurricanekevin for the excellent Rolling Hills logo.
Special Thanks to txranger for the wonderful IPA logo.

The great OOTP Graphics Guys make my IPA easy on the eyes with the great logos and uniforms. It doubles my enjoyment of playing such a great game as OOTP.
I really love my graphics in the IPA. It is such a joy to play the game.

[care4ameatball]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Attachment 1033403

Saturday, October 19, 2086

NO SURPRISES IN RU AND TU TITLE SERIES
2086 PRO CUP SERIES FEATURES FAMILIAR FOES BELAIR BEACH AND ROLLING HILLS
No Cinderella's and no dark horses made the 2086 IPA Pro Cup Series this year. Old standbys Belair Beach and Rolling Hills will lock horns once again for the Pro Cup Trophy. The Sunbirds beat the Racers in the 2084 Pro Cup Finals in six games. Both clubs are riding high after knocking out up-and-coming whippersnappers Rocky Rapids and Ginza in rather easy fashion. Pro Cup favorite Belair Beach rode its impressive pitching staff to upend Rocky Rapids four games to two for the Ruthlandian Union crown and Rolling Hills did the same to the Ginza Ninjas, winning the Tycobbian Union Title Series four games to one.

SUNBIRDS' STAFF TOTALLY SHUT DOWN SNAPPERS FOR RU CROWN
The Sunbirds' staff of starters Gardiner Palmquist, Georgie Adams, Felix Poirot and Jim Brockington combined with closer Orval Columbus to shackle the red-hot bats of the Snappers. Neither club put many runs on the scoreboard. Belair Beach hurlers held Rocky Rapids to just 11 runs in the six-game series. The Sunbirds only scored 19 themselves. Mees Achthoven (.333 BA/7 for 21/5 RBI) was one of the few productive bats in the lineup, but its offense was enough to beat the Snappers. Belair Beach now moves to the Pro Cup Series and will seeking their 3rd Pro Cup, their second in the last three seasons. The Sunbirds triumphed over Rolling Hills in six games in 2084. The Pro Cup Finals is a toss-up. Either team can win it. According to the baseball experts there is no clear favorite.

ROLLING HILLS ROLLS OVER PUNCHLESS GINZA IN 5 GAMES FOR TU TITLE
Rolling Hills' mound staff outdid themselves in the Tycobbian Union Title Series as they befuddled and bedazzled the Ginza Ninjas four games to one. The entire 8-man pitching corps performed admirably, allowing only 14 runs in the 5-game series. In contrast the Ninjas' staff struggled and gave up 31 runs. Skeets Kazlauskas (2-0/4.15 ERA) won 2 games in the series and yet had the worst ERA. Linc Dickens (0-0/1.69 ERA), Junior Ashmore (1.80 ERA) and Dain Holman (1-0/3.86 ERA) were the other three starters. The bullpen was superb with J.B. Deeds (1.59 ERA), Ivan Malek (0.00 ERA) and Dominic Bard (3.00 ERA). Even Steve Farnham (4.50 ERA) picked up a save. The primary bats belonged to Liam Geraghty (.500 BA/10 for 20/7 RBI), Fabian Quigley (.412 BA/7 for 17/2 RBI) and Danny Marisnick (.316 BA/6 for 19/3 RBI). Several others contributed timely hits, too. It really was a team effort. In all respects the Racers played very well against the Ninjas. Everything went right for Rolling Hills. Nothing much good happened for the outmanned Ninjas. Beware, the 11th Pro Cup Trophy may be well on its way to Rolling Hills. However, the Racers have quite a daunting task ahead of them. The Belair Beach Sunbirds are a rock-solid club, too. It should be a great Pro Cup Series.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION TITLE SERIES GAME RECAPS

SUNBIRD TWIRLER ADAMS TOO TOUGH IN RU TITLE SERIES OPENER
Georgie Adams (2-0/0.57 ERA) hurled Belair Beach to a 4-1 victory in the Ruthlandian Title Series opening game on the Sunbirds' home field. Home runs were supplied by rookie Bucky Keats (.348 BA/1 HR) and Mees Achthoven (.333 BA/1 HR). Pat Buckland (1-1/5.54 ERA) went 7 innings in defeat, yielding all 4 runs. Tony Nobles (.158 BA/1 HR) homered for the Snappers. Orval Columbus (1-1/2.84 ERA) nabbed his 4th save for Belair Beach.

ROCKY RAPIDS' BROOKS AND MORTENSON TAME FAVORED SUNBIRDS IN GAME 2
Game two in Belair Beach was a ding-dong dilly captured by Rocky Rapids. Starters Gardiner Palmquist for Belair Beach and Sal Brooks for Rocky Rapids dueled for 7 innings with the Sunbirds holding a 1-0 edge. The Snappers rocked reliever Orval Columbus (2-1/3.09 ERA) for 4 runs in the 8th and 9th frames to even the series at one game each. Brooks (2-0/1.29 ERA) notched the victory with the help of 2 scoreless innings from Dobie Mortenson (0-1/4.05 ERA). It was his 3rd save. Lanny Moultrie (.091 BA) provided a decisive 2-run base hit for the game winner in the top of the 8th.

SURPRISE!
SNAPPERS WIN AGAIN! UP 2-1 IN SERIES OVER SUNBIRDS
Playing at their home park, Rocky Rapids took the series' lead two games to one with a splendid 2-0 win behind Nelson Goodlee's 6 scoreless innings and Dobie Mortenson's 3 runless frames. Goodlee (2-0/0.00 ERA) posted the victory. He is unscored upon in 2 postseason starts. In 4 postseason assignments Mortenson has 4 saves and a 0.00 ERA. So far in the playoffs he hasn't given up a run in 10 innings. Julien Duvauchelle hammered the game's only roundtripper. The Snappers had 7 hits, while the Sunbirds could muster only 5. Losing pitcher Felix Poirot (0-1/1.93 ERA/2 starts) worked a fine game, too, going the distance

SUNBIRDS REBOUND!
BELAIR BEACH TIES SERIES AT 2 GAMES EACH BEHIND SHUTOUT PITCHING OF BROCKINGTON AND COLUMBUS
The two clubs traded victories by the identical scores. Game one went to the Sunbirds 4-1, the Snappers nabbed game two by the same score. The Snappers won the third game 2-0. Yep, the Sunbirds came right back in game four with a identical 2-0 shutout. Now the series is deadlocked two games each. Jim Brockington (1-0/2.13 ERA) spun 8 scoreless innings for the win. Orval Columbus (1-1/2.84 ERA) struck out the side in the 9th for his 5th postseason save. Dilan Munsey (.500/2 HR) homered in the 3rd frame for the game's only scores. Otherwise, the Snappers got excellent pitching from loser Ronny Dabbs (0-1/3.46 ERA) and his relief Bobby Ray Timberlake (0-0/0.00 ERA) and Sandy Noland (0-0/3.00 ERA)

BELAIR BEACH BLAST ROCKY RAPIDS IN PIVOTAL 5TH GAME AND TAKE 3-2 LEAD
Critical game five in Rocky Rapids was another low-scoring skirmish most of the game between Rocky Rapids' Pat Buckland and Belair Beach's Georgie Adams. They were all even at 1-1 heading into the top of the 8th when the Sunbirds erupted for 8 runs for a 9-4 victory, highlighted by Yiannis Kostakos' (.364 BA) grand slam. Belair Beach is now up three games to two in the best-of-seven series. Orval Columbus (2-1/2.45 ERA/5 saves) chalked up the win with 2 scoreless innings. Belair Beach bombed Rocky Rapids for 14 hits. The Snappers smacked 8 singles, 5 of them in their 3-run 9th against Delmar Keel. Dobie Mortenson (0-1/3.97 ERA/4 saves/5 games) was pinned with the defeat. He allowed 6 runs. Evan Murdoch (.303 BA), Lucky Hayden (.211 BA) and Mees Achthoven (.314 BA) all had 3 hits for the Sunbirds.

SUNBIRDS' PITCHING SUPERB -- WRAP UP SNAPPERS IN 6 GAMES FOR RU CROWN AND SPOT IN IPA PRO CUP FINALS
In decisive game six back in Belair Beach, two unbeaten 24-year-old starters, righty Sal Brooks and lefty Gardiner Palmquist were again foes and they both did their jobs well. Belair Beach had the best bats and Palmquist (3-0/1.37 ERA) was the victor 3-0 in the 11-hit shutout. After trailing two games to one, the Sunbirds copped the series four games to two. The Sunbirds are the 2086 Ruthlandian Union champion. Brooks (2-1/1.35 ERA) took the loss, but only permitted 1 earned run in his 6 innings. Dependable Orval Columbus (2-1/2.16 ERA/5 saves/9 games) followed Palmquist with 2 runless frames and Ty Griffith closed it out with a scoreless 9th to advance the Sunbirds to the IPA Pro Cup Series against Rolling Hills, the champion of the Tycobbian Union. Belair Beach only managed 6 hits with Henrik Bogen (.229 BA) slamming one out of the ballpark in the 2nd inning. The Sunbirds got another run on an error in the 3rd frame and tacked on an insurance run in the 7th on a base hit by Bucky Keats (.256 BA). The Snappers got a lot of hits, but could not hit with men on base.

TYCOBBIAN UNION TITLE SERIES GAME RECAPS

RACERS ROCK NINJAS IN TU OPENER
At home at the Mid Towne Base Ball Grounds, Rolling Hills cracked 10 hits and got homers from Liam Geraghty (.267 BA) and Pete Palazzi (.300 BA) to rock the Ginza Ninjas 7-1 in the opening game of the best-of-seven-game series for the Tycobbian Union title and the right to advance to the IPA Pro Cup Series against the Ruthlandian Union champion. Skeets Kazlauskas (2-0/1.29 ERA) outpitched Taichi Taka (0-1/4.26 ERA), holding the Ninjas to one run and 7 hits in his 8 innings. In the 9th frame Ivan Malek tossed a 1-2-3 inning, striking out 2 of the 3 batters. Losing pitcher Taka was battered for 5 runs in 6 innings.

RACERS SMASH NINJAS AGAIN FOR 2ND GAME IN A ROW
Rolling Hills didn't get a bunch of hits, just 5 singles, but they beat Ginza for the second day in a row, winning 6-1. It was a close 2-1 game until the Racers broke it open with 4 runs in the last of the 8th against closer Louis St. Pierre (2-0/3.60 ERA/1 save/5 games). The defeat, however, went to Asmund Byornstad (1-1/1.29 ERA), who only allowed 2 hits and no earned runs in 6 frames. Winner Junior Ashmore (1-1/4.40 ERA) posted the victory with the help of J.B. Deeds (1-0/1.04 ERA/4 games) and Dominic Bard (1-0/3.86 ERA/4 games). Ashmore even drove in a pair of runs in the win. The other 3 RBIs came from Liam Geraghty (.273 BA), Pete Palazzi (.273 BA) and Fabian Quigley (.115 BA).

GINZA CUTS RACERS' EDGE TO 2-1 IN TU TITLE SERIES
13-year veteran right-hander Eddy Bohannon saved the day and kept the Ginza Ninjas from going down 3-0 in the Tycobbian Union Title Series. He spun 5 strong innings, holding Rolling Hills to 4 hits and a run with 5 Ks and no walks in a 2-1 squeaker. Bohannon also got splendid help from closer Louis St. Pierre (3-0/2.84 ERA/1 save/6 games), who redeemed himself after a miserable outing in the game-one loss. St. Pierre got credit for the win with 4 scoreless frames and only one hit and a walk allowed. Muzuki Hoshino (.371 BA/4 HR/8 RBI) and Takahito Tomiyama (.194 BA/1 RBI) supplied the runs with solo swats. Linc Dickens (0-1/3.86 ERA/3 starts) matched the Ninzas, firing 5 innings, fanning 6 and permitting only one run in his start. Closer J.B. Deeds (1-1/1.59 ERA/5 games) was tagged with the loss, though he gave up only one hit and one run in his 4 frames. Tomiyama's circuit clout in the 7th won the game.

RACERS TRIM NINJAS IN PIVOTAL GAME 4 FOR 3-1 LEAD IN TU TITLE SERIES
It didn't take long for the Rolling Hills Express to get rolling again. On the road at Ninja Stadium, the Racers blasted 14 hits and trimmed Ginza 6-4 to go up three games to one in the best-of-seven TU Title Series. One more win for Rolling Hills and they will get another chance at their 11th IPA Pro Cup. Pacing the Racer attack were Liam Geraghty (.333 BA) and Fabian Quigley (.242 BA) with 4 hits apiece and Danny Marisnick (.333 BA) with 2 hits. They also got decent pitching from starter Dain Holman (1-0/6.00 ERA/2 starts) and reliever Steve Farnham (1-0/1.29 ERA/3 saves/4 games). Holman went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs and 7 hits, while Farnham finished up and permitted one run in 2 innings for his 3rd postseason save this season. Ginza's Kazz Yamazaki (.500 BA/3 HR/9 RBI) continued his torrid postseason pace with 3 hits, 2 RBIs and his 3rd roundtripper. Reliever Louis St. Pierre (3-1/3.43 ERA/1 save/7 games) suffered his first playoff loss, knocked around for 2 runs and 3 hits in his 2 innings. He allowed the go-ahead runs in the 7th when the Racers took the lead and snapped a 3-all tie.

RACERS RAVAGE NINJAS IN 5 GAMES; HEAD TO PRO CUP FINALS
Rolling Hills is headed back to the IPA Pro Cup Finals. In game five the Racers ravaged the Ginza Ninjas for 17 hits and outscored them in game five 11-6 to defeat them four games to one in the Tycobbian Union Title Series. Rolling Hills will now take on the Ruthlandian Union champion Belair Beach Sunbirds for the 2086 IPA title. The Racers' blistering bats were too much for Ginza, led by Clifford Stratton (.310 BA) with 4 hits, Emmett Spangler (.304 BA) and Danny Marisnick (.366 BA) with 3 hits each and Liam Geraghty (.319 BA), Fabian Quigley (.270 BA) and Harv Phelan (.270 BA) with 2 hits apiece. The Racers ran up a 9-1 lead after 7 and a half innings, which was too much for the Ninjas to overcome. Thanks to the great run support, Skeets Kazlauskas (3-0) picked up the victory, but he was hit hard for 5 runs in 5 innings. Dominic Bard (1-0/4.05 ERA/4 games) and Ivan Malek (0-0/2.57 ERA/4 games) saved it for him, holding Ginza to one run over the last 4 frames. In vain Kazz Yamazaki (.535 BA/3 HR/11 RBI) has another great day at the plate for the Ninjas with 2 doubles, 2 singles and 2 ribbies. Danny Cantrell (.150 BA/1 HR) doubled and homered and drove in 3 runs for Ginza.

Rolling Hills will now take on the tough Belair Beach Sunbirds for the IPA Pro Cup beginning Sunday afternoon at Bayside Park in Belair Beach. Yeah, buddy, it should be a great series. Anyone can win it. They are two very impressive, good all-around teams.

Well. The Racers are in it again!. The gold standard of the IPA. I wish the Ninjas had won. Let's go Belair Beach!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by care4ameatball

Well. The Racers are in it again!. The gold standard of the IPA. I wish the Ninjas had won. Let's go Belair Beach!

It would have been nice to have the teams without Pro Cups qualify for it.

Ancona, Marston and Mahaska were the only ones this year in the IPA playoffs that have never won a Pro Cup.

I didn't think Ancona and Marston had any chance at it... Mahaska was the #2-ranked team in the Pro Cup rankings. Ginza beat a pretty good team.

Then Rolling Hills beat the Ninjas. The Racers look very strong. So does Belair Beach.... should be a very good Pro Cup Finals.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 20, 2086

PRO CUP FINAL SERIES: SUNBIRDS OR RACERS -- YOU PICK IT
It's too close to call.
Will the 2086 Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup go to favored and #1-ranked Belair Beach or perpetual powerhouse Rolling Hills? Both clubs have solid reasons for their backing.

Here's why Belair Beach will win its second Pro Cup in three seasons: First and foremost, the Sunbirds whipped the Racers in 2084 Pro Cup Series, two seasons ago. That says something. They won the series in six games, but it was much closer than that. Rolling Hills had leads going into the 9th frame in games five and six and lost them. So that is not a good reason to pick the Sunbirds, who, incidentally, will not have star right fielder Dutch Van Donk in the lineup. He has an arm injury and will miss the series. The teams still have many of the same performers from that season this year. The loss of Van Donk could be vital. He provides steady offense for them and plays a good right field. It will be up to the Belair Beach mound staff to win the Pro Cup this year. The Sunbirds don't have the offense the Racers do. Van Donk will be sorely missed. He provided a .315 BA, 24 homers, 113 RBIs and 118 runs this year in the regular season. Van Donk was having a solid postseason this year until he was injured. He has hit .308 in the playoffs with one homer, 4 RBIs and 3 runs in 8 games.

Belair Beach hurlers Gardiner Palmquist (3-0/1.37 ERA), Georgie Adams (.2-0/0.42 ERA), Felix Poirot (0-1/1.93 ERA) and Jim Brockington (1-0/2.13 ERA) have sparkled in the playoffs. They are the primary reason the Sunbirds have been given the favorite's role. Rookie closer Orval Columbus (2-1/2.16 ERA/5 saves/9 games) is another big plus for the Sunbirds. So far, the Belair Beach bats have been sufficient. They will need Mees Achhoven, Bucky Keats, Dirk MacIntyre and Evan Murdoch and Lucky Hayden to have good series to win the Pro Cup.

Rolling Hills will depend on its attack to bring home its 11th Pro Cup Trophy. Belair Beach is trying for #3.
Liam Geraghty (.319 BA/10 RBI), Danny Marisnick (.366 BA/8 RBI), Emmett Spangler (.304 BA/7 RBI), Clifford Stratton (.310 BA/2 RBI) and Harv Phelan (.270 BA/7 RBI). The Racers can put runs on the scoreboard. They have been rock-solid in the playoffs thus far. They need its pitching corps to step it up a notch to win. Skeets Kazlauskas (3-0/3.32 ERA), Linc Dickens (0-1/3.86 ERA), Junior Ashmore (1-1/4.40 ERA) and Dain Holman (1-0/6.00 ERA) have been unsteady and shaky in the postseason thus far. Fortunately, its bullpen has been lights out with J. B. Deeds (1-1/1.59 ERA/5 games/11 innings), Steve Farnham (1-0/1.29 ERA/3 saves/4 games/7 innings) and Ivan Malek (0-0/2.57 ERA/4 games/7 innings).

I'm going to pick Rolling Hills in 7 games. Their hitting will carry the day. Belair Beach's lack of offense will make the Racers' pitching look better than it is. Also the Racers have beaten much better teams than the Sunbirds in the playoffs. South Fork and Ginza were of better caliber than Marston and Ancona.

[Eugene Church]

IPA 2086 Pro Cup Series

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, October 22, 2086

Game 1 of the 2086 Pro Cup Series

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 23, 2086

Game 2 of the 2086 Pro Cup Series

[Eugene Church]

Friday, October 25, 2086

Game 3 of the 2086 Pro Cup Series