All in! Everyone now has skin in the game. Every teams has finally played at least a game. We only have one mathematically elimination thus far, (Sliders 0-3, -21) but no one has secured a spot yet. We've had 5 upsets so far in our 14 games courtesy of the 4th seeded Gruesome Devils (#11 overall), twice from the 5th seeded Dusty Cleats (#14 overall); the 2nd seeded Rusty Rebels (#6 overall) and the 4th seeded Beer Bros. (#10 overall). One upset in pools A & C and 3 in pool B. Its going to be a great last 3 days
Games
Rusty Rebels Vs. Tap Masters
This game started close to the vest. The Rebels found themselves down 2-0 after one and 3-1 after two before squaring the game at 3-3 after 3 innings. From there on the Rebels offense took off. 6 in the 4th, 4 in the 5th, 2 in the 6th and 6 more in the 7th to upset the regular season champs 22-7. Everyone on the Rebels scored at least a run in a very balanced attack and Hugh Armstrong and Dave Miller led the way with 4/4 nights while scoring twice.
Dusty Cleats Vs. Dog Catchers
Geez, who saw this coming??? Me. The playoff primer edition had this line in it about the Cleats "With everyone seemingly healthy, with a fleet outfield and responsible defense, this team will contend. See you on Sunday." The Dog Catchers got their customary 4 runs in the 1st and led 4-0 after 1, 4-1 after 2 and 9-6 after 3. However the Cleats 5 run 3rd gave them life and let everyone know they were here to play. As much as Steve Lamb's 4/4 night with 4 runs was the offensive standout on the evening, it was the Cleats defense that was the difference maker. Brian Richards run saving catch on the dead run. Jim Rouleau reaching to the sky for a screaming liner over short. Cal Steeves horizontal to the ground on a beautiful diving catch.
Hot Tub Woody's Vs. Draft Kings
For the second game in a row the Draft Kings could only manage 11 runs. For the second game in a row they won. The Draft Kings got nearly half of their runs with a 5 run 2nd innings and Woody's, while close throughout, never had a sniff of the lead. Steve Wynnyk, Eric Hipkin and Bob Vienneau were all 4/4 in the Kings victory.
Sliders Vs. Sons Of Pitches
The battle of the rookie teams turned out to be not much of a battle at all. The Sons Of Pitches carried the momentum from their stirring comeback win against the Hurin' Units into this one and quickly shook off the Sliders 3-2 lead after one inning and asserted control of the game with their bats and solid "D". Jamie Allan stood out once again as he has pretty much all season. In this game he was 5/5 with 4 runs scored. The SOP's sit at 2-0 and in full control of their own destiny. The Slider are 0-3 with a tragic +/- that removes all hope of an elimination game.
Brew Jays Vs. Dodge City Rounders
The Brew Jays were the last team to get a game in, and it figures it would be against the #1 seeded Dodge City Rounders. The Jays were ready for this one. In a very well played defensive game on both sides, they Brew Jays found themselves in the very enviable position of owning a 7-6 lead over Dodge City after 5 innings. The Jays couldn't count anything in the 6th while the Rounders smashed in 5 runs to take and 11-7 lead. With their last call in the 7th the Brew Jays send 7 men to the plate but only managed 2 runs. As is often the case with the game over, the home team had no trouble getting their 7 run max in the bottom of the inning.
Beer Bros. Vs. Grisslies
The Beer Bros. opened with 3 in the 1st. The Grisslies answered with 3. The Beer Bros. were held of the board in the 2nd and the Grisslies got 1. The Beer Bros exploded for 6 in the 3rd. The Grisslies responded with 7. Nothing for the Beer Bros in the 4th, the Grisslies got 2. A four run lead for the Grisslies after four innings with an offense that had scored 46 runs in their last 11 innings. Things looked bright. The Beer Bros. would score 5 runs over the final 3 innings and the Grisslies would count zero. The Bros. were led by Brad Young's 4/4, 2 run night, but the moment of the night belonged to John Barlow for another shining example of sportsmanship. John had inadvertently interfered with a Grisslie base runner. A play that was unnoticed by the umpire who was busily tracking a fair/foul call on the other side of the diamond. John, without prompting, declared the interference on himself allowing the Grisslie runner to advance a base, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd and removing the force out. It was a critical point of the game but doing the right thing was the right thing to do. Good on you John. Good on the Beer Bros for accepting their teammate's decision without any grumbling and good on the Beer Bros for their inspired come back win.
Standings
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