2017 NSL SEASON PLAYOFFS

 

Cooper Conference Final: East York and Crosstown

 

The Cooper Conference representative would be decided between East York and Crosstown.  One the wild card winner and the other the #3 seed.  Games started in EY with Kershaw squaring off against Verlander.  The Dales got a singleton in the top of the 1st, and were happy Kershaw wouldn’t get the upgrade?   The lead was short lived as Bautista and Rendon went back to back to put the 66ers on top        2 – 1, after 3.  Then something strange happened, the Dales saw 6 straight hitters reach base, plating 4 to go up 5 – 2.  Back to back doubles in the 5th, cut it to 5 – 3, but the Dales pen surrendered only an unearned run in the 9th, to hold on 5 – 4.  Verlander the win, Kershaw the loss, Dull the save.

Game 2 paired Carrasco and Lackey and the Dales jumped on top with Davis double and a Castellanos rbi single in the 2nd.  They added a run on a solo shot from Davis in the 4th, but saw doubles from Seager and Kiermaier cut it to 2 – 1.  A Naquin bomb made it 3 – 1 in the fifth.  Crosstown scratched the final run of the game, drawing a pair of walks off of the zz Belisle.  Carrasco went 8 for the win, Lackey took the loss and Dull got his second save.

On to Crosstown with the Dales holding the surprising 2 – 0 lead.  Tillman on the bump for CT, Norris toeing for EY.  Both were scoreless through 3, but Stanton drove in a run in the 4th.  The Dales answered quickly with Davis hitting his second HR of the series, this one a 3 run shot.  Tillman surrendered a solo shot in the 8th to Ruppie, but Dull came on for his 3rd save as the Dales take the squeaker 3 – 2. Tillman the win, Norris the loss.

The Dales were hoping to ride some cold 66er dice to a sweep, but Kershaw stood in the way and dominated.  Rosales staked him to a 2 run lead with a bomb in the 1st.  Sanchez went 44 back to back for the Dales only run in the game in the 4th.  Kiermaier added a solo shot and Rupp and rbi double to set the final at 5 – 1.  Kershaw dominated, striking out 13 without a walk.  Verlander couldn’t match and took the loss.

This would be the final phone game as both managers agreed to finish at the meetings if necessary.   Bautista led the game off with a 66er namesake, but Naquin hit a 2 run bomb in the bottom of the 1st to move the Dales ahead 2 – 1.  Then in the 4th the Dales got another string going, batting around and putting 5 on the board.  Napoli had a big error that opened the flood gates.  Cargo had a 2 run shot to cut the lead to 7 – 3, but that was a close as it got as the Dales move on to make their first finals appearance since ought 5. Carrasco picked up his second win, Lackey took the loss.

The sticks were quiet on both sides, seeing the Dales hit .199 and the 66ers .192, with the 66ers launching 7 HR, and CT managing just 5.  CT was fortunate to hold the 66ers to just 11 walks, an indication that Mick had some cold dice.  We may get to see them splash in the Atlantic in about 11 days?  Tough choice for MVP, but Carrasco’s 2 wins, trumped Dull’s 3 saves and 0 earned runs.

We had fun shooting the shit over the phone and had some good NSL chats, before and after the games.  Thanks to Mick for playing over the phone and breaking out the cold die.

 

Conference Final with Albany vs hosting Duneland

Battle between two franchises that joined the NSL in 2002.  Both teams match up in the playoffs for the first time.  Series turns out to be a great one that would go down to the wire.

Game #1

Hendricks vs Scherzer. 

Availa hit a solo HR in top of 3rd to make it a 1-0 lead for Albany.  J. Pederson hits another HR to make it 3-0.  It would be more than enough for Hendricks.  Hendricks controls the Crusaders for 5 hit shut out to grab a 1-0 lead in series.

Grossman has 2 doubles along with J D Martinez with 2 double. 

Homeruns for Bryant, Pederson and Availa.

Albany              8          13      3

Duneland           0           5       0

Hendrick W (1-0)

Scherzer L (0-1)

 

Game #2

An MLB instant classic.  One of the best playoff games that I have been a part of.

Albany sends out Rich Hill vs JA Happ.  Two A starters matching up.

Top of 3rd Votto put Wildcats up 1-0 and Nate’s team will add 3 more in top of 4th to go up 4-0.

Bottom of 5th Duneland scores for the first time with a 2 run HR by H Kendrick to cut lead to 4-2.

Bottom of 6th after working the base loaded, Chris Carter get a grand slam to give the Crusaders the first lead of the series going up 6-4.  But Albany answers right away with 1 in the top of the 7th to make it 6-5 Duneland.  Duneland gets 2 more to make it 8-5 bottom of 7th.

Albany never stops getting men on base and picks up 2 runs in the top of 8th and 2 more in the top of 9th to win exciting game.  Galvis has the big hit Strop the Win.  Chapman gives up 3 ER and a HR. Carlos Martinez get the loss.

Albany              9          9         0

Duneland           8          9         2

Strop W (1-0)

Martinez L (0-1)

Morrow S (1)

 

Game #3

Albany heads home with a 2-0 series lead.

Duneland get 2 runs in the top of 3rd but Albany answers again with 2 in the bottom.  Duneland gets 1 in the top top of 5th and 3 runs in the top of 8th.  Chris Carter get the big hit.  Albany gets HR from Grossman and second for Pederson.  Duneland get it first win of series to make it 2-1 Albany.

Duneland   6   9    0

Albany      3   4    0

Jeffress  W (1-0)

Cueto L (0-1)

Chapmand S(1)

 

Game #4

Rematch of Hendrick and Scherzer.

Hendricks continues to dazzle adding 5 more scoreless innings.  Albany is up 2-0 in the top of 6th when Duneland finally scores on him.  Duneland get 2 in the 6th 1 in the 7th 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th

Duneland 6   7    0

Albany      2   6    0

Jeffress W (2-0)

Hendricks L (1-1)

Chapman S(2)

 

Game #5

Albany jumps ahead with solo shots by Votto and Grossman.  Rich Hill dominates with 7 innings 9 strikeouts and helps Crusdaers leave 8 men on base.  Albany take a 3-2 lead in series heading back to Duneland with just one win away from series final.

 

Duneland                    1          7          0

Albany                                    4          6          0

 

Game #6

Duneland back against the wall.  Cueto up against C Martinrez.

Duneland manufactures a run in the bottom of 1st.  Duneland picks up a run in the bottom of the 3rd.  Top of 7th Votto gets his 4th RBI to get game to a 2-1.  Bottom of 7th Daniel Murphy finally make an impact in a game with a 3 run HR to make the game 5-1. Albany leaves 9 guys on base and Duneland leaves 10 on base.

Albany                                    1          4          0

Duneland                    5          11        0

 

Martinez W (1-1)

Cueto      L(0-2)                     

 

 

 

Game 7 – to move to the final.  Scherzer against Hendricks for the third time.  Below is from the game script.

 

J. ALTUVE facing M. SCHERZER, T 2nd, No Outs, Bases Empty, Tied 0-0

The offering to ALTUVE ... uh-oh! ... way back ... BRAUN looks up ... put it on the board

Wildcats 1, Crusaders 0

BOTTOM OF THE 2nd, Wildcats 1, Crusaders 0

* C. CARTER facing K. HENDRICKS, B 2nd, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 0-1

HENDRICKS into his motion ... delivers ... hit deep ... it's going ... it goes!

over the left field wall

Wildcats 1, Crusaders 1

C. CARTER facing K. HENDRICKS, B 4th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Tied 1-1

He wheels and deals ... CARTER swings ... and mashes it ... it might go all the way

MARTINEZ is at the warning track ... but he'd need a ladder to get to this one

a four-bagger for CARTER

Wildcats 1, Crusaders 2

Y. CESPEDES facing K. HENDRICKS, B 4th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 2-1

To the plate ... cut on ... hit deep to left field ... way back ... MARTINEZ is racing back

it's long gone! ... he got all of that one ... back-to-back home runs for the Crusaders

Wildcats 1, Crusaders 3

D. MURPHY facing K. HENDRICKS, B 6th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 3-1

The offering from HENDRICKS ... MURPHY shatters his bat ... and the ball rolls toward HILL

and he can't find the handle ... on the ball, that is ... MURPHY on first on the error

R. BRAUN facing K. HENDRICKS, B 6th, 1 Out, 1st and 2nd, Ahead 3-1

HENDRICKS cranks it up ... clubbed to deepest center ... BRYANT sprints for the fence

but the ball wins this race ... BRAUN will touch all the bases ... a three-run homer

Wildcats 1, Crusaders 6

J. VOTTO facing M. SCHERZER, T 8th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-6

Now the delivery ... on the hands ... VOTTO flicks it to right ... MURPHY might have a play

racing back for it ... but it falls in ... just out of reach

and VOTTO is aboard with a single

* K. BRYANT facing M. SCHERZER, T 8th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-6

Big hole on the right side ... VOTTO not wandering too far ... here's the pitch from SCHERZER

he goes the opposite way ... it's lifted deep to right center

right fielder REDDICK going back ... all he can do is watch ... it's out of here!

home run for BRYANT ... he seems to like base runners

Wildcats 3, Crusaders 6

J. MAUER facing J. JEFFRESS, T 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 3-6

JEFFRESS comes to him ... fastball ... high ... free pass to MAUER ... and the ump gives him first

that was MAUER's first walk of the season

And here comes Crusaders manager ... he's asking JEFFRESS for the ball ... pitching change

lefty Aroldis CHAPMAN climbs the hill ... and that will turn around GALVIS

JEFFRESS pitched one inning in relief ... he yielded ... no runs or hits ... one walk

one strikeout ... he's responsible for the runner ... CHAPMAN comes from the left side

ERA at 4.05 ... this is his 5th appearance ... he's worked six and two thirds ... 2 saves

he's looking for one out ... it's his game to save

* F. GALVIS facing A. CHAPMAN, T 9th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 3-6

CHAPMAN with the offering ... smoked to right ... back on the ball goes REDDICK

can he run it down? ... yes, he can ... and does ... and that's the final out of the game

FINAL SCORE : Wildcats 3, Crusaders 6

 

Scherzer W(1-1)

Hendricks L(1-2)

Chapman S (3)

 

Thank you Nate for playing the games online always a class act.

Stat highlights- Hendricks 3 starts (1-2) Shutout 5 HRs 3.63 ERA

Altuve .280 6 runs 7 hits 1 double and 2 HR 5RBI

Wildcats club 14 Home runs 15 doubles but hits .199

Duneland bullpen – 5.03ERA and 6 Homeruns

Chapman  3 saves Jeffress 2 wins

Team hits 10 Homeruns Carter hits 3 Homeruns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sparrow Lake vs East York Report

Game #1 saw J Fernandez battle Kershaw in what looked like a pitchers duel and the starters didn't disapoint. Game was scoreless till the top of the 4th when N Walker led off with a single and C Blackmon quickly deposited one in the seats to give the Stallions a 2-0 lead. Fernandez went 4 shutout inn and Mark went to his A's in the pen. The scored stayed 2-0 until East York was finally able to get on the board and tie things up 2-2 in the bottom of the 7th on a leadoff double by Seager a walk to Rosales and a bases clearing double by K Kiermier. The next two inn went quietly and we headed to xtra inn. Kershaw went nine only giving up the two runs on one walk while whiffing 15.Each team had a guy in second twice in the next three inn but neither could get them in so on to the13thwe went. With one out C Blackmon blasted a solo shot to give Sparrow Lake a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the 13th Rosales got a two out single but Kiermier grounded out to end the inn and Sparrow Lake grabbed a 1-0 series lead.
WP- D Jennings
LP- M Belisle
SV- D Tepera

Game #2 saw I Kennedy battle J Lackey. The main story to this game was the performance by J Lackey as he pitched a complete game shutout giving up five hits and striking out 13. East York won the game 5-0 With the hitting star being A Tendon who went 2-4 and knocked on three runs.

WP-J Lackey
LP- I Kennedy

Game #3 The series shifts to Marks place for game 3 and the starters are D Norris vs J Samardzija. East York jumps out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the second with the help of two Stallion errors and East York doesn't look back plating five more in the 6th winning the game 10-4. The 66er's go long three times for their first homers of the series. Bautista and Gonzalez both knock in 4 runs each hitting a homer.
WP- D Norris
LP- J Samardzija.

Game #4-  Back to the game one starters and this time Kershaw gets the best of Fernandez. Kershaw goes nine again giving up three runs while walking 3 and striking out 14. Bautista led off the game with a solo homer while Rosales and Gonzalez each knocked on two runs tonight game 6-3. J Turner went 2-4with a long ball to lead the way for the Stallions.
WP- C Kershaw
LP- J Fernandez

Game #5 - Sees Lackey and Kennedy square off again in a must win situation for Sparrow Lake. East York jumps out to a 1-0 lead thanks to another error by Sparrow Lake but the Stallions bounce right back in the bottom of the second on a solo shot by Turner and doubles by Y Tomas and K Suzuki. Sparrow Lake plates a single run in the 3rd on a 2 out single by Turner to give the Stallions a 3-1 lead and the bullpen does the rest giving Mark a 3-1 win in a must win game. J Turner goes 2-4 with2 rbi in the game.

WP- C Devenski
LP- J Lackey

Game #6- It's back to East York in another must win  situation for the Stallions. N Tropiano makes his first start of the series for Mark while D Norris gets the call for the 66ers. J Bautista leads off the bottom of the 1st with a solo shot his second lead off homer of the series while Rosales and Kiermeir hit back to back doubles to give East York a quick 2-0lead after the 1st. The stallions score in the 4th to make it 2-1 on a sac fly by J Turner. In the bottom of the 6th Seager leads off with a double and one out later Kiermier singles Seager in to make it 3-1 EY favor. In the top of the 7th the Stallions come up with 2 unearned runs off of M Belisle to tie the game 3-3.A Rosales boot s s grounder to lead things off then I Turner singles.East York gets the next two guys out but with two outs T Beckham delivers a clutch single to tie the game 3-3 and things are getting interesting !!!  East York responds to the challenge though in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs Rupp and Battista hit back to back doubles Rendon then walks and Seager plates Battista to make it 5-3 EY. In the bottom of the 8th Kiermeir goes deep giving East York a 6-3 lead and that run becomes huge. We're off to the top of the 9th with the Stallions down three but they refuse to go quietly. With one out M Cabrera doubles and with two outs T Beckham blasted two run shot to cut the lead to 6-5 and Britton looks shaky out there as he has all season. After a good talking to be gets pinch hitter R Howard to pop out to end the game and series and East York advances in to the next round.
It was a good and tough series. M Cabrera led the Stallions with a .333 avg while J Turner knocked in 6 runs. For EY Bautista knocked in 8 runs and batted.364 while Seager batted .360 and C Gonzalez knocked in6 runs and the EY era was 2.37 with 77 strikeouts in the 6 games.

WP- M Belisle
LP- D Utero
SV- Z Briton

 

 

Keystone vs. Crosstown

In an odd twist, the team with the home field advantage, made a road trip.  Big thanks to JB for traveling south to play face to face.

Game 1:

After the Dales went 1,2,3 in the top of the first, Joyce “announced his presence with authority” by taking the first offering deep to spot the C’s a one run lead in the bottom half of the frame and then got an rbi single out of Trumbo for a 2 – 0 lead. The Dales did what they do and got two solo shots from Davis and Pence, to tie it at 2 in the top of the 2nd.

In the 5th, Pence led off with a double and came in on a Harrison single, who was erased trying to get to 2nd on the throw.

In the bottom of the 6th, Piscotty led off with a double and Trumbo dropped a Trumbomb to take a 4 – 3 lead and chase Verlander.

Law and Jansen worked the 8th and 9th to close out the win for Keystone, putting them up 1 – 0 for the series, making a winner out of Roark, a loser out of Verlander and notching Jansesn a save.

Game 2:

It was a good pitching match-up, but turned into a great one.  Hamels gave the Dales nothing through 8 and watched his team get a run in the 4th with a walk, a FC that saw Arrenado (more on him later) move to second, and a timely single from Trumbo, who was putting an early stamp on the series.  That turned out to be the only score in the game, making a winner out of Hamels, a loser out of Carrasco, and netting Jansen his second 1 run save.

Game 3:

The Dales were hoping a change of venue would bring a change of luck and game 3 saw them get some footing.  In the bottom of the 1st, Sanchez followed a Garcia single with a 2 run shot and K. Davis added a solo job to move the Dales out to a 3 – 0 lead. Castellanos added a solo shot to make it 4 – 0 after 2.  Naquin added a 2 run bomb to stretch the lead to 6.

Tillman got wild in the 5th, walking 4 and allowing a run, but he settled down to complete a 3 hitter and put the Dales in the win column with an 8 – 1 victory.

Game 4:

Nothing doing until the bottom of the 3rd, when Sanchez drove in Russell with a 2 out rbi. Russell turned into the rbi guy in the 4th, driving in two with a 2 out double and a 3 – 0 lead.  In the 5th Piscotty got hit with a pitch and Pham went deep to cut the lead to 3 – 2.  K. Davis gave the Dales a little more breathing room with his 2nd dong of the series, moving the lead to 5 – 2. Thornburg got greeted in the 7th with 2 solo shots from Piscotty and Trumbo, to cut the lead to 5 – 4.

Dull came in for the two inning save and yielded only a walk, to preserve the win for Verlander, making a loser out of Roark.

 

Game 5:

After a 1, 2, 3 top of the first, may have come the most important inning of the series. A walk and a 9 put runners at 1st and second with 0 outs.  Pedroia booted a ball loading the bases, but Hamels managed a K of Pence to give the Chiefs hope.  Davis managed a sac fly to push the Dales up 1 – 0, but Castellanos delivered a 3 run bomb to give the Dales 4 unearned.  The Comanches got a run in the 3rd and 2 more in the 5th, but never overcame the big first, falling 5 – 3.  Hamels took the tough loss, Carrasco got a win and Dull picked up his second save.

Game 6:

Both teams slept on the previous days results and woke up for a Jimbo’s run, ahead of the lottery.  With the draft order established, game 6 began with some scoring.  Pence gave the Dales a 1 run lead in the top of the 1st with a 2 out double, but watched Pedrioa tie it up with a bomb in the bottom of the frame. Inciarte drove in a run in the 2nd and Trumbo stayed hot, driving in a run in the 3rd with a double.  Joyce chased Tillman in the 4th with a 2 run triple. Ed had solo shots in the 4th and 6th, but could only bring his squad to within the 5 – 3 final.

Arrieta got the win, Tillman the loss and Jansen the save.

 

Game 7:

Well the home team has won all 6 games to this point, so the Comanches have to be feeling good.  In the top of the 1st, the Dales load the bases with 0 outs, but only managed a singleton with a Davis sac fly.  Ed went deep in the 3rd to make it 2 – 0. In the 5th Naquin got a 2 out triple and came in on the Pence single. Davis drove in a run in the 6th to push it to 4 – 0.  Verlander saved his best for the last, as he shut the Chiefs down on 4 hits to give the Dales a 5 – 0 win and series win.

There were some notable events, most revealing for the Keystone faithful was the combined 1 for 49 that Arrenado and Grandal contributed to middle of the order.  Trumbo had a nice set with 8 hits and 7 rbi.  Encarnacion and Davis each managed 4 dongs, but Ed’s 3 for 4 in game 7 made him the MVP choice. The Dales out-homered the Comanches 14 – 6, which turned out to be the deciding factor in a series against teams that were pretty reliant on the long ball during the season.

I can’t tell you how great it was to be able to settle the series in face to face action, and will always be grateful for JB making the trek down to Wilmington.  The Dales get no breathers as they move on the face the 66er’s.

 

 

 

ALBANY and NEW HUDSON

Game 1

 

Game 1 calls on a couple of Aces as it matches up Rick Porcello against Kyle Hendricks.  Action started in the bottom of the 2nd.  Altuve leads off the inning with double which brings up Pederson who is asked to move him to 3rd.  Pederson lays down the bunt and moves him over to 3rd.  This is something the Cats have struggled with from time to time.  Kemp steps up and hits a grounder to 1st but Altuve holds at 3rd.  The third base coach can’t believe it.  How could the potential MVP make such a questionable decision in such a big game?  This would leave it up to Galvis but he would ground out to 3rd to end the inning.  Bottom of the 3rd and Avila leads off the inning with a Solo shot.   Grossman proceeds to walk and is then followed up by a flair single by Votto.  Up steps Bryant with no outs and tries to lay down a bunt?  The number 3 hitter trying to advance the runners?  Unfortunately or fortunately depending on who you are wanting to win he fouls it off.  So the Cats decide to take off the bunt play and Bryant grounds the ball to 3rd and Lamb throws it by Adams.  Grossman would score and Votto moves to 3rd and Bryant stays at 1st.  JD steps up and grounds into a double play but Votto scores to make it 0-3 Cats.  Altuve steps up and singles.  Then the RAIN COMES!!!!!!!  Wildcat manager Nathaniel is in the the umpires ear, “WE GOT TO GET THIS GAME GOING”.  Tarp is finally pulled off and game is back on.  Pederson would strike out to end the eventful 3rd.  Bottom of the 4th the game takes another interesting turn.  Galvis hits a 1 out double and up steps Avila.  Avila lines a single into the LF gap but Almonte and Trout collide.  Fowler the RF has to race over to retrieve the ball but not until Galvis scores and Avila ends up at 2nd.  New Hudson manager Mike races out to check on his outfielders.  Almonte is clearly in pain and Trout is trying to walk it off.  Almonte is pulled immediately and Trout tries to walk it off but it limping around.  Trout is trying to make a case to stay in the game but ends up losing his case and is removed.  Hicks and Santana dust off their gloves and head into the game.  They were not anticipating getting called on this early.  Now back to the game.  Grossman steps up after the delay and doesn’t miss a beat as he doubles in Avila to make it 0-5.  Albany makes some defensive moves as he calls on Aaron Hill to take over the hot corner and Bryant moves to the OF to replace Kemp.  Hill doesn’t take long to make his presence known as he leads off the 6th with a homer.  New Hudson finally jumps on the board in the 7th when Forsythe takes Hendricks deep to make 1-6.  That is only New Hudson’s 4th hit of the game.  Hendricks would hold on from there to go the distance. 

 

Hendricks-W

Porcello-L

 

 

Game 2

 

Game 2 matches up Jose Quintana vs Rich Hill.  Good news for the Nut Jobs as both Almonte and Trout were able to return to the lineup after a horrible collision in game 1.  This game the Nut Jobs come out swinging.  Fowler leads off the game with a double and Trout reaches on an E by Galvis.  Then steps up Alvarez but he goes down swinging.  That leaves it up to Lamb who comes through with a double to give them the 1-0 lead.  The top of the 3rd the Nut Jobs tack on another run thanks to Hill not being able to find the strike zone.  He walks Alvarez and Lamb back to back and Contreras makes him pay with a double to make it 2-0.  Bottom of 3rd Kemp would double and then would get moved over by a sac bunt by Galvis.  That brings up Barnhart who hits a shallow fly to center and Kemp tries to test Trout’s arm but comes up empty.  Kemp just doesn’t have the wheels for that.  Top of 6th Almonte and Fowler start the inning with back to back doubles to make it 3-0.  Crawford follows up with a double to make it first and third.  Hill then walks Trout(Hill’s 5th walk of game) to load up the bases.  Alvarez strikes out but Albany is not quite out of the inning.  Lamb steps up and doubles down the line to make it 5-0.  Forsythe adds a homer in the 7th to end Hill’s night.  Almonte doubles in the 8th (his 5th hit of the game) and is singled in by Crawford to extend the lead to 7-0.  Altuve breaks up the shutout with a solo shot in the 8th and Kemp later adds another to make it 7-2. 

 

Quintana-W

Hill-L

 

DUNELAND and KALAMAZOO

 

Game #1

 

Duneland host the Black Knights – Scherzer vs Kluber

 

Goldschmidt opens bottom 1st with a double – pass ball moves him to third.  Leon grounds out to get the run home.  1-0 Duneland

 

Blacknights come right back to get two gift runs on an error by Scherzer.  Kalamazoo up 2-1.

 

Bottom 3rd Leon hit a 2 Run HR for Duneland to go up 3-2.  Then with 2 outs Carter singles Murphy HBP and Braun touches them all to go up 6-2.

 

Murphy adds a double to plate Leon in the 5th and Reddick gets a Sac Fly in the 6th.

 

Duneland goes to pen after 6 strong innings by Scherzer.  Duneland wins 8-2 to go up 1-0

 

 

 

Game#2

 

A classic extra inning battle.

 

Braun gets a solo HR bottom of 2nd .

Chisenahll double in top of 5th Lawrie get an infield hit.  Montero base hit to tie game and a Sac Fly by Escobar puts the Black Knights up 2-1

Bottom of 6th Goldschmidt walks and with the hit and run on Leon doubles him home to tie up game.  Later in the inning Murphy ground into a double play but get a run home to make it 3-2 Duneland.

 

Top of 9th Duneland has Chapman to get the save.  But the Black Knights get a run home, but Chapman gets 2 outs with base loaded.

 

Bottom of 11th – Duneland wastes a great opportunity and Goldschmidt gets thrown out at the plate and the rally dies.

 

Bottom of 13th – Goldschmidt get on an error by Escobar and Leon gets a double in the corner to score Goldy to give the win and a 2-0 series lead for the Crusaders.  Now Duneland takes the best road record to sunny Michigan.

 

Braun has hit 2 HR – 4RBI and Leon is hitting .444 with 5 RBI