World Baseball Classic 20: Roleplay and results thread

[CoGreen]

THRILLEDGE WALKS OFF VS. COLMARK

Pandemonium erupted last night as the Dreadlocks of Thrilledge, desperately fighting for a playoff spot, came away with a walk-off victory. The Dreadlocks had been fairly disappointing this year, but this victory could very well be the turning point.

With one out and no one on in the bottom of the thirteenth inning, left fielder Blastings Thrilledge stepped to the plate and delivered a bomb to the center field stands. As the slugger, number 85, trotted around the bases, euphoria filled the stadium. This victory was crucial to the Dreadlocks, as now they are 4-4, gaining a game on the defeated Colmark team, now 5-3.

"You know, I was looking for a pitch I could drive, and he gave me a hanging curve up in the zone and I went with it," Thrilledge explained after the game. "It's really a great feeling getting a walk off, especially one on such a big stage."

Manager Matt Haering was quoted as saying after the victory, "We needed this game. We never stopped fighting, and we never quit on ourselves, and I'm happy we could come away with such a good win."

The Thrilledge Dreadlocks have been heating up of late, and they will need to continue their hot streak into the upcoming games if they wish to stay in the hunt for the World Baseball Classic. As the Dreadlocks celebrate their victory for now, they have another game around the corner. They've gone past the point of no return; every game now requires their undivided focus and dedication.

As Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till it's over." Don't count the Dreadlocks out just yet. Then again, Yogi also once said "baseball is 90% mental, and the other half is physical." Derive from that what you will.

[Qazox]

WBC.com/Qazox/gameid:013014

5 in a row, but starting pitching still struggling.

Kevin Hobbes only lasted 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits, but earned the win as the Eagles had 10-4 lead after 6 innings and the pen allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in the final 3 innings. But the big plays of the game came in the 3rd and 5th innings, as Qazox scored 6 runs in those innings, but only had 4 hits. 3 Wadomian throwing errors, 2 in the 3rd and one in the 5th allowed 5 runs to score due to those errors, and a solo shot by Carly Maplewood leading off the 3rd started the onslaught.

But once again, the Qazox starting pitching, which was suppose to be one of the better rotations at this WBC, still haven't shown any real domination. At times, there have been glimpses, like tonight when Hobbes retired the first 7 batters he faced. But unless this rotation turns things around quickly, this will be yet another one-and-done WBC playoffs for Qazox.

Wadomia               001 021 110 -  6 13 3
Qazox                 003 133 01X - 11 14 0

With 2 games remaining for most of the group (Bergnovinaia and Wadomia each have 1 game left) the standings look like this:

Qazox               5-1 
Bergnovinaia        5-2 
Michael VII         3-3 
Wadomia             3-4 E
New Montreal States 0-6 E

Qazox has a .5 game lead in the group and need to win just one of their final 2 games to advance to the playoffs. Two wins or a win and a Bergnovinaia loss would clinch Qazox the divison title.

[Lycrabon]

NOTE: This is a combined recap for games six AND seven.Game eight to come shortly.
NOTE 2: Yes it's late. didn't want my work to go for nothing, though.

GAME SIX

Mytannion	002	020	000 - 4 (3-3)
Lycrabon	010	110	003 - 6 (6-0)

ST. CATHERINE -- Glenn Carrillo’s second start in this Classic went much better than his first. He was dominant enough in the first five that his four runs allowed were not entirely on him. Mytannion had two solo home runs, in the third and fifth. Both of the other two were scored on errors: a misplayed fly ball in the third that led to an inside-the-park home run, that led to gene Welch’s early exit via ejection (and also Brianna Bruce’s); and a misplayed double-play ball that brought in the fourth run in the fifth. Carrillo started the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the second. The ejections of Welch and Bruce will come later. For the first time this year, the Bluer Jays needed heroics. Tyson singed and moved to second on Jeremy Kramer’s bunt. Clifford Nash walked to put two on for Jonathan Short, who hit a towering shot over the left field wall to walk-off with the win.

Maynard 1b	1-4
Price 2b	1-4
Mayo 3b	1-3	2B
McCormick ss	1-4
Tyson lf	2-4	SB
Kramer cf	1-3	3B, RBI, BB
Carrillo p	0-2	SF, RBI
Harrison p	0-1
Nash p		0-0	BB
Short rf	2-4	HR, 3 RBI
Newton c (4-9)	1-3	HR, RBI

PITCHERS:	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Carrillo, ND	5	4	2	2	9	3.60
Harrison	3	0	0	1	6	0.00
Nash, W     	1	0	0	0	0	0.00

GAME SEVEN

Lycrabon	101	300	022 - 9 (7-0)
Carasatoga	102	200	200 - 7 (1-6)

CARASTOGA -- Lycrabon crept closer to the playoffs and another group title with a 9-7 win over Carastoga. Tom Benson pitched efficiently, keeping the Jays in the game for the bullpen to win yet again. Brianna Bruce, who will be kept off the field for one game after her action in the last game, commented, “Flashy may be good. As long as we win, that’s all that matters.”

Welch will also be suspended for the remainder of the group stage after that same game; his suspension was non-appealable.

Maynard 1b	2-5	HR, 2 RBI
Price 2b	2-5	HR, RBI
Mayo 3b	    2-4	HR, 3B, RBI
McCormick ss	1-4	BB
Tyson lf	2-4	HR, 3 RBI
Kramer cf	1-4
Benson p	1-3
Johnston p	0-1
Harrison p	1-1	HR, 2 RBI
Short rf	1-4	3B
Welch c	      1-4

PITCHERS	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Benson	      5	5	5	4	7	9.00
Johnston	2	2	2	2	1	9.00
Harrison, W	2	0	0	0	3	0.00

TEAM STANDINGS:

LYCRABON		7-0	--
Sportgirls		5-2	2
Mytannion		4-3	3
z-Garon-Averia	         2-5	5
z-Cyborg Holland	2-5	5
z-Carasatoga		1-6	6

z-eliminated

Magic numbers:
Lycrabon:
Wild-card spot: 1
Group title: 2

Sportgirls:
Wild-card spot: 3
Group title: 6

[Saugeais]

National Journal
Saugeais bullpen holds down fort for victory
Rangers still very much alive in the group

Camwood               010 001 000 - 2
Saugeais              100 110 00X - 3

Batting

Player                      AVG   AB   R    H     RBI    BB    SO
Marek Atterbury (2B)       .286   4    0    1      0     0     1
Pierre Gardin (LF)         .450   4    1    2      0     0     0
Dick Robinson (C)          .391   3    1    1      0     1     1
Jacques Benoit (RF)        .429   3    0    1      1     1     0
Shawn Hamilton (DH)        .308   3    0    1      1     0     1
Christophe Lind (1B)       .227   3    0    0      0     0     0
Jean-Paul Romero (SS)      .500   3    0    1      0     0     2
Aaron Dairon (CF)          .333   3    0    0      0     0     0
Paul Roland (3B)           .474   3    1    1      1     0     1

Totals:                    .276  29    3    8      3     2     6

2B - Benoit, 1
3B - none
HR - Roland (1, 5th inning, no on, 2 out)
GIDP - Saugeais, 2

Pitching

Player                    ERA     IP      H     R    ER      BB     SO
Franklin Nopro(W, 1-1)    6.97    6.2     4     2     2       2      7
Steven Richardson         0.00    1.1     0     0     0       0      1
Terry Kazmierczak(SV, 2)  0.00    1.0     0     0     0       1      1

[Sportgirls]

World Baseball Classic 20
Qualifying: Day Nine

Pool One

Lymantatia            002 020 000 - 4 (3-6)
Miley World           104 160 00X - 12 (7-2)

Civil Citizenry       000 210 000 - 3 (3-6)
Zwangzug              200 211 10X - 7 (7-2)

Liventia              000 010 001 - 2 (3-6)
Taeshan               002 421 00X - 9 (4-5)

Pool Two

Colmark               201 101 000 - 5 (6-3)
Eeupmeduckland        101 000 000 - 2 (3-6)

Thrilledge            010 000 000 - 1 (4-5)
Churchma              102 132 10X - 10 (6-3)

Cotdelapoms           000 110 040 - 6 (7-2)
Pernam                000 010 001 - 2 (1-8)

Pool Three

Cosumar               100 000 000 - 1 (2-7)
Darmen                201 001 00X - 4 (5-4)

Western cuba          100 210 000 - 4 (7-2)
Hippostania           212 112 01X - 10 (6-3)

Allamunnic States     100 200 000 - 3 (2-7)
West Libya            330 010 10X - 8 (5-4)

Pool Four

Zebedaeus             200 100 030 - 6 (3-6)
Armorgames            000 000 000 - 0 (5-4)

Delaclava             130 001 011 - 7 (4-5)
Brodskopolis          000 000 000 - 0 (3-6)

Milchama              100 110 000 - 3 (8-1)
Thatius               100 001 000 - 2 (4-5)

Pool Five

Beldonia              330 010 111 00 - 10 (2-7)
Cassadaigua           143 110 000 01 - 11 (7-2)

Syvorji               100 000 000 - 1 (5-4)
Sakurakoku            001 101 00X - 3 (9-0)

Crotunda              000 101 020 - 4 (1-8)
Patricant             006 001 00X - 7 (3-6)

Pool Six

Weegee and Rick Stev  101 000 001 02 - 5 (5-4)
Sibirsky              002 000 001 00 - 3 (3-6)

Bluth Corporation     000 100 110 - 3 (4-5)
Tocrowkia             203 101 20X - 9 (6-3)

The Babbage Islands   100 000 020 - 3 (6-3)
Valorixian            000 010 000 - 1 (3-6)

Pool Seven

Mytannion             600 210 222 - 15 (5-4)
Garon-Averia          000 310 110 - 6 (2-7)

Sportgirls            300 010 001 - 5 (6-3)
Carasatoga            000 340 00X - 7 (2-7)

Cyborg Holland        100 200 010 - 4 (3-6)
Lycrabon              100 124 00X - 8 (9-0)

Pool Eight

Wadomia (3-4)

Qazox                 200 132 010 - 9 (6-1)
New Montreal States   100 101 000 - 3 (0-7)

Bergnovinaia          002 000 020 - 4 (6-2)
Michael VII           000 012 000 - 3 (3-4)

Pool Nine

Camwood (1-6)

Saugeais              100 211 302 - 10 (5-2)
Howdeellow            001 102 012 - 7 (0-7)

Kytler Peninsulae     021 410 100 - 9 (6-2)
Mantwenic             000 000 010 - 1 (6-1)

[Cassadaigua]

Julie Poulin’s Take

Good morning everyone, I am honored to have an opportunity to talk to you, or at least type to you, about the game against Beldonia and where we stand as a team heading into the final game against Crotunda. We are all breathing a collective sigh of relief today after surviving against Beldonia, an opponent who played their asses off in an effort to try and make one big stand before their Classic comes to a close. “Survived” is the key word but sometimes a game like this can be good for you. It was disappointing though to see Katie Byrnes have a poor start. She works as hard as everyone, and has had better days in her young career. Today, it didn’t work out for her as Beldonia put three on her in each of her two innings of work. After the game, Katie apologized for everything in the locker room, explaining to us that her location just wasn’t there tonight and she didn’t understand why. There were no excuses, and she credited Beldonia for taking advantage of it. They didn’t necessarily hit her hard, but they hit it where the fielders weren’t, with 10 hits in those two innings. Baseball can be like that sometimes, but fortunately we did everything we could to pick her up with the bats, and after three, we were up by the score of 8-6. I had a pair of singles in those innings, and scored twice, so playing a role in that was pretty good. Kristina Morris gave us four stellar innings of relief, surrendering only a 5th inning homer to Eugene Preston, and we were up 10-7 with three to play. Beldonia came back with a lone run in each of the final innings which is something that is going to increase the criticism of our bullpen, I’m sure. Those ladies have our support however, and they will get through this. This time, as I mentioned, we survived. When Sharon Scott delivered the game winning single to score Kenzie Malloy, we could have celebrated like some teams do when they win in a walk off fashion, but for us it was just a matter of relief of finally getting through this with a win. The players from Beldonia deserve a lot of credit, and if they choose to participate in the next Classic, then this can be a result they try to build off of.

The win, coupled with a Syvorji loss to Sakurakoku means that we have clinched second place in the group. It will make our final game against Crotunda to be for nothing more then playoff seeding, but as we have seen in the last two World Baseball Classics particularly, seeding isn’t something to blow off. We’ll be playing to win against them, and they might be playing hard for pride tomorrow the way we saw from Beldonia today so we can’t just write them off. Before I close this off, we received word that the playoffs are only in Sportgirls once the quarterfinals begin, so CAB didn’t give us the correct information, which was clearly spelled out by the Sportgirls officials. Perhaps CAB was too busy checking to make sure of those stadium capacities were correct. We’ve also been informed that the stadiums are actually quite beautiful. That’s a wonderful thing but adding a deck or three could be good, too! Rest assured though that there are indeed subservient men in Sportgirls.

[Cotdelapoms]

Who Will Be the Serge Charest-X'Arc'H of Cotdelapomais Baseball?

Cotdelapoms is very close to making the second round of the 20th World Baseball Classic, escaping the group stage for the first time in its history. Baseball has been on the fringe of public sports consciousness for years- it is very popular in isolated patches, usually in the areas around universities wherein baseball is a varsity sport. Intercollegiate baseball has some televised presence, and IBL baseball was popular on TV in Montréal and Outremont before the league fell apart. In an attempt to capitalise on this, a small group of investors have started the Cotdelapomais Elite League, a league grassroots baseball fans around the country hope will succeed.

Kids play baseball, many Cotdelapomais know the basic rules of the sport. The problem the sport faces in this country is that without a major professional league and a popular star, these kids have no real heroes to look up to to make them want to continue to play. When lacrosse saw it's brief surge of success it was largely due to the wildly popular Serge Charest-X'Arc'H, whose excellent play, interesting story and wild hair made him a celebrity across the sporting world. Lacrosse has died out, but people still know who he is, even if t hey haven't watched him play in a while.

The Cotdelapomais Elite League will be drafting players from the national team soon in order to fill out it's rosters and many teams have been thinking about this- outside of Montréal and Outremont, success is not really guaranteed at the box office. The Albionpool AppleSox have been selling tickets door to door, and the Cap Nordique NorthStars have been working with the CFL's Argonauts to try to get fans. A major star would go a long way towards helping the league- both in marquee and secondary markets. Two main stars are likely to be used as the selling points for baseball- the fireballing Martinus Øen, who can throw 160 km/h and strikes out everyone (and who Cap Nordique will certainly do everything to acquire, in order to have a local hero) and the entertaining Benoît Larcher, formerly of Napoliroma Legion, who is an excellent hitter playing a difficult position (catcher) with a propensity for saying peculiar things when made to speak English (famously telling Sport+ "the only thing that concerns me when I am at the plate is bees").

Thusfar the AppleSox seem to be the model organisation of the Elite League- they have had some success selling tickets door to door and have an innovative idea to put together a supporter section like at a hockey or football match that can be used to sell the team as much as the players on the field. Being innovative is likely the only way the league will succeed- broadcasting games through mobile and broadband means, not relying on the typical sports networks, et cetera. The people who run the league have suggested that teams try to work with, rather than against, the other teams in each market to share advice and fans. Of course, the players themselves can help the league out by advancing far in WBC20, and they are on pace to do just that. Go Apples Go!

[Qazox]

WBC.com/Qazox/gameid:013128

Stanton does the distance, Qazox back in playoffs.

Scattering 8 hits in a complete game that was desperately needed, Julia Stanton's effort not only helped get Qazox into the playoffs, but gave the bullpen a much needed off day as well. While not a overwhelmingly dominant performance, (8 hits, 4 walks, 5 K's, 2 WP); it was more than enough to beat a NMS team that has struggled to score this WBC.

Offensively, interim coach Jake Martsen, decided to shake-up the line up, starting Carly Germaine, Sandra Wu and Chuck Bath today, giving some time off to Carl Holmes, Jayde Sinclair and Carly Maplewood. Holmes and Sinclair are the two oldest players on the team (35 and 33 respectively) and Maplewood had a undisclosed shoulder injury.

Qazox' next game is back at home v. Michael VII, and Marsten is expected to start the reserves in an attempt to give everyone a day off before the playoffs begin this weekend.

Qazox                 200 132 010 - 9 17 0
New Montreal States   100 101 000 - 3  8 1

With 1 games remaining for most of the group (except for Bergnovinaia) the standings look like this:

Qazox               6-1 P
Bergnovinaia        6-2 P
Michael VII         3-4 E
Wadomia             3-4 E
New Montreal States 0-7 E

Qazox has a .5 game lead in the group and need to win their final game to win the group. With just one game left for most of the remainder of the WBC groups, let's take a quick look at the other teams that have clinched a playoff berth as well or are in contention for a playoff berth (teams in Bold are in, italics are still alive):

Pool 1: Zwangzug and Miley World (7-2). Zwangzug's been here before, but Miley World's run in their 1st WBC has raised some eyebrows.

Pool 2: Cotdelapoms (7-2),Colmark andChurchma (6-3). The 3 C's, as expected are all battling for the 2 playoff berths. Cotdelapoms are in thanks to Colmark and Churchma playing each other tommorrow; with the winner of that game clinching the other playoff berth.

Pool 3: Western Cuba (7-2), Hippostania (6-3), Darmen and West Libya (5-4). All we know is, Western Cuba is in. Hippostania with a win over Cosumar would be in. Darmen and West LIbya, need a win and help to get in.

Pool 4: Milchama (8-1), Armorgames (5-4), Delaclava and Thatius (4-5). Any suprise that Milchama's in? Armorgames can get in with a win over Milchama, or else the Delaclava-Thatius winner might get in.

Pool 5: Sakurakoku (9-0) and Cassadaigua (7-2). The two teams that everyone expected to make the playoffs did, just not with Cassadaigua losing twice to Sakurakoku.

Pool 6: Tocrowkia and The Babbage Islands (6-3), Weegie and Rick Steves (5-4). Tocrowkia and TBI both get in with a win, but Weegie and Rick Steves can get in with a win over Tocrowkia tommorrow.

Pool 7: Lycrabon (9-0), Sportsgirls (6-3) and Mytannion (5-4). Lycrabon looks to be the prohibitive favorite to take home the WBC title this time around, while Hosts Sportsgirls need to beat Lycrabon to get in. If they don't, the door opens for Mytannion to get in.

Pool 9: Mantenwic (6-1), The Kytler Peninsulae (6-2) and Saugeais (5-2) . A potential cluster-}uck. If Mantenwic beats Saugeais tommorrow, then Mantenwic and TKP get in. If Saugeais wins, then we have a 3-way tie at 6-2 and each team is 2-2 vs. the other 2 teams. If that happens, it will come down to tiebreakers, involving runs per game, run differential and possibly a play-in game to get into the playoffs.

[Miley World]

New York Times

Miley World wins again!
I think we can say that Miley World is the cinderella team of the World Baseball Classic, they aren't ranked a they still can win their group if they wins tomorrow and Zwangzug loses. If there's a tie I don't know who wins. Miley World scored 12 runs against Lymantatia at the Trace Cyrus stadium and won 12-4. Carlos Flores hitted a two runs homerun in the 3rd inning, and Brandon Wolf hitted a grand slam in the 5th inning. Caleb James was 4 on 4 with 2 runs and 4 runs batted in.

Lymantatia            002 020 000 - 4 (3-6)
Miley World           104 160 00X - 12 (7-2)

Name                             Runs RBI  HR  BB 
1. Jake Ashley (CF)          3/5   3   1
2. Enrique Salazar (3B)      2/4   1            1
3. Caleb James (LF)          4/4   2   4        1
4. Jesus Maldonado (1B)      1/5   1
5. Carlos Flores (RF)        2/5   2   3    1
6. Ryan Zagurski (C)         0/3   1            1
7. Megan Gallagher (SS)      2/4   1
8. Brandon Wolf (2B)         2/4   1   4    1
9. Sarah Meyer (P)           1/3
     Kyle Cooper  (DH)       0/1

Name                  IP ER BB  K
Sarah Meyer           7  4  2  6
Jordan Boxberger      2  0  1  1

Well after some calculations made by Miley World's reputed statistician, Jackson Stewart, who studied at Stanford, Miley World could win the tiebreaker. Please take note that these stats aren't official:

x                                    Runs    Avg Run
STANDINGS    W   L  H2H  Runs for  Allowed   per Game   Diff.
Miley World  7   2  1-1     67         38     7,444     +29
Zwangzug     7   2  1-1     58         36     6,444     +22

Tomorrow's game:
Miley World (7-2) at Liventia (3-6)
Zwangzug (7-2) at Lymantatia (3-6)

[Western cuba]

Pablo and Pablo

Pablo M:
Pablo R:

" Wow what happened today. That was terrible. There was our chance to be a #3 seed in the knockout rounds, or possibly even better and we blow it. God damnit it...excuse me for my language. However though that was inexcusable. Ah god I don't feel like talking. Explain to the fans what happened today. "

" Well baseball fans we played terrible. In a not even close game we lost to Hippostania by a score of 10-4. "

" Should we keep this short? "

" Yeah I really don't feel like talking either I'm just too upset. Here's a box score of the game below me. "

Western cuba          100 210 000 - 4 (7-2)
Hippostania           212 112 01X - 10 (6-3)

" As you see Roberto Beshirov got whooped while pitching, allowing 6 runs before being benched in the Fourth inning, then our relieving did terrible allowing four more runs. That's all I can say it hurts thinking about it. Now because of our lose were 7-2 and Hippostania is one game behind us. If we win tomorrow or Hippostania losses we secure the group. However though no matter what, we secured a visit to the knockout rounds, but that's not what where here for. Were here for a Group Stage win, and a WBC title. "

" We'll see you tomorrow fans, make sure you tune into tomorrow's game against West Libya in which we will attempt to revenge a lose to them from last time. "

[Saugeais]

National Journal
Rangers defeat Howdeellow in must-win game
Rangers bats flourished, but the bullpen remains inconsistent
Must win against Mantwenic to advance into the playoffs

Saugeais              100 211 302 - 10
Howdeellow            001 102 012 - 7

Batting

Player                      AVG   AB   R    H     RBI    BB    SO
Marek Atterbury (2B)       .360   4    2    3      0     1     0
Pierre Gardin (LF)         .417   4    2    1      0     1     1
Dick Robinson (C)          .407   4    0    2      2     1     1
Jacques Benoit (RF)        .462   5    2    3      5     0     2
Shawn Hamilton (DH)        .294   4    2    1      2     1     1
Christophe Lind (1B)       .231   4    0    1      0     0     0
Jean-Paul Romero (SS)      .500   4    0    2      1     0     0
Aaron Dairon (CF)          .273   4    0    0      0     0     2
Paul Roland (3B)           .455   3    2    1      0     1     0

Totals:                    .389  36   10   14     10     5     7

2B - Atterbury, 2 (3 total); Gardin, 1
3B - none
HR - Hamilton (2, 4th inning, 1 on, no out); Benoit (3, 7th inning, 2 on, 2 out)
SB - Atterbury (1, 3rd inning)
GIDP - Saugeais, 3

Pitching

Player                    ERA     IP      H     R    ER      BB     SO
Richard Cochon(W, 2-0)    4.26    5.2     6     4     4       3      3
Dexter Reeve              0.00    0.2     1     0     0       0      1
Gervais Buday             2.25    0.2     0     0     0       1      1
Aaron Jones               8.31    1.0     1     1     1       0      1
Steven Richardson         4.50    0.1     3     2     2       1      0
Terry Kazmierczak(SV, 3)  0.00    0.2     0     0     0       0      1

[Syvorji]

Syvorji News 24

Syvorji 100 000 000 - 1 (5-4)
Sakurakoku 001 101 00X - 3 (9-0)

Overall, that game was disappointing, with 1-3, in a fairly obvious win by Sakurakoku, one of the pool's history teachers. Luckily, due to our 5-4 win-loss total, we may get in by tomorrow, and actually experience the playoffs for the WBC. Here are the scores.

First Inning - 1 home run by Syvorji
Third Inning - 1 home run by Sakurakoku
Fourth Inning - 1 triple + single by Sakurakoku
Sixth Inning - 1 home run by Sakurakoku

One is one, and that is Syvorji's points, but 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 and that is Sakurakoku.

From Jeung Wai, Syvorji News 24, Sportsgirls.

[Lycrabon]

Garon-Averia	002	101	000 - 4 (2-6)
Lycrabon	400	110	00X - 6 (8-0)

ST. CATHERINE -- The Jays are in, and Brianna Bruce is out, for two games.

Lycrabon continued their best-ever start to a classic, posting an 6-4 victory over Garon-Averia. The win clinches a playoff spot for the Blue Jays, keeping them a game in front of host Sportgirls with the second matchup in the host country on the final day still to come.

Miss Bruce, following the win, withdrew her appeal of the suspension for her actions in the Carastoga game. Due to the appeal, her suspension was extended to two games -- the final two in the group stage.

The Jays got off to a roaring start as JC Tyson hit a one-out grand slam that just missed the river, his lone highlight of the game. Tyson left the game in the top of the fourth after slamming hard into the left field wall, allowing an inside-the-park two-run homer for the Averians. He is listed as day-to-day with a separated shoulder, and Alonzo Osborn will replace him. Tyrone Conley had a methodical six inning performance: ten strikeouts, two walks.

Maynard 1b	1-2, 2B, BB
Price 2b	1-4, RBI
Mayo 3b	    	1-4, 2B
McCormick ss	1-3, BB
Tyson lf	1-1, GS, 4 RBI		
Osborn lf	1-3, HR, RBI
Kramer cf	1-4, 2 K
Conley p	1-3, K	
Nash p		1-1, 2B
Short rf	0-4
Newton c	0-4

PITCHERS	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Conley, W	6	4	4	2	10	6.00
Nash		1	0	0	0	0	0.00
Lane, S		1	0	0	0	0	0.00

[Lycrabon]

GAME EIGHT

Cyborg Holland 100 200 010 - 4 (3-6)
Lycrabon       100 124 00X - 8 (9-0)

ST. CATHERINE -- Courtesy of others, the Jays are guaranteed of a top nine finish. Now all that’s left is a perfect group finish.

Lycrabon continued their strong showing with a dominating 8-4 victory in the home finale of the group stage. Throughout the ninth inning, there was a chant of ‘thank you, blue jays” in the stadium. Zachary Francis shook off his disastrous first start with an eight inning plus run. Frank Thompson said after the game, ‘He deserved it. I wanted him to get a good feel of the atmosphere.”

Following a run given up in the top of the first, Sean McCormick provided the opening fireworks with a near two-run inside-the-park shot. He was gunned down at the plate with a perfect strike to end the frame. Then, the floodgates opened. First, Chad Price led off the fourth with a towering splash drive. Four straight hits to lead off the fifth scored two more to make it 4-3. Another grand slam, this one from Alonzo osborn, made it 8-3 after six innings. Following a Jeremy Kramer single, Zachary Francis was hit by a pitch. In the top of the seventh, Francis hit the leadoff hitter to warrant a warning to both benches. Cyborg Holland picked up a run in the eighth to set the final.

Brianna Bruce, despite being out with a suspension, still mad headlines in the post-game interviews. “PROHIBITIVE favorites? [expletive]. Should we face the pink [expletive], I [expletive] GUARANTEE we will hit their leadoff batter EVERY [expletive] game.” No word yet on any repercussions from that statement.

Maynard 1b	2-4
Price 2b	1-3	BB, HR, RBI
Mayo 3b	    	2-4	2B
McCormick ss	1-3	3B, BB, RBI		
Osborn lf	2-4	GS, 2B, 4 RBI
Kramer cf	1-4	RBI
Francis p	1-2	HBP,2B
Short rf	1-3	3B, RBI
Newton c	1-3	K

PITCHERS	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Francis, W	8.1	4	4	5	10	4.00
Johnston	0.2	0	0	0	1	0.00

[Zwangzug]

"So it turns out that they have playoff games in the teams' home countries."

"Yeah, I knew that."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Why come now, then?"

"It is probably cheaper."

"There is that..."

Zwangzug got out to an early lead, with Bixler thwapping a double off the left-field wall after Hamweigh was walked in the first. In the third, however, Mardi-Rosen began losing control, and although Zwangzug put up two more runs to match Civil Citizenry, the Explorers led off the top of the fifth with a double a few feet below the fence.

"We got lucky," said Douglas, shaking his head and writing it into his scorecard.

"Kid can hit!" said Ambrose, squinting at the scoreboard. "Does that say..."

"Newman, yep," Douglas flipped through the program. "No, I mean, it looks like it makes sense. Keisler Cup winner, this is his first...wait, professional international baseball? What does that even mean?"

"Like the LAZY."

"No, not like the LAZY, they're saying this is professional. Are these guys getting paid for this?"

"Mardi-Rosen had better not be," groused Ambrose, as Theodore Montgomery helped his own cause with a single down the right-field line.

"Maybe she's just hoping it goes extras. Getting paid by the hour."

"That gives an altogether new meaning to the phrase "free baseball"..."

The Zebras got out of the inning, eventually, and Ambrose began trying to get on the wifi. This was a slow process and he paused it to watch the Zebras re-secure their lead yet again, that time around through a Mervin Stove-Happs drive, but eventually snorted once he found the page he was looking for. "So turns out Colton Newman never technically played for the Keisler Cup team."

Douglas did not look up. "Forgive me if I trust the scorecard more than whatever page you found."

"Oh no, it was definitely him! He was just going by Coza Nenessak then."

Douglas raised his eyebrows. "Well...I mean...didn't they all..."

"Change their names? Yeah."

"That's weird, I'd want to go by Coza Nenessak if that was my name. Not that Newman isn't...er...evocative."

"There once was a guy real evocative, who said things that were provocative, and--"

"Shut up."

"I didn't even get to the rocketive part!"

"Good."

"Come on."

"But I definitely would, still."

"That's the thing, isn't it? You show off what makes you special, or you turn away from it?"

"They picked option two. So what."

"So what about Zwangzug?"

"What about Zwangzug?"

"Did they do the same thing?"

"Are you kidding me? We have the no-bullpen thing. We have the lack of slugging thing--we take a little flak for that, okay, but at least people care. We're definitely special."

Ambrose narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Then, a few minutes later, he asked if the program said what the Citiz flag meant. It didn't.

[Sportgirls]

World Baseball Classic 20
Qualifying: Day Ten

Pool One

Miley World           101 011 000 - 4 (7-3)
Liventia              002 200 100 - 5 (4-6)

Taeshan               010 001 010 - 3 (4-6)
Civil Citizenry       010 431 00X - 9 (4-6)

Zwangzug              200 130 010 - 7 (8-2)
Lymantatia            000 002 022 - 6 (3-7)

Pool Two

Eeupmeduckland        101 000 010 - 3 (3-7)
Cotdelapoms           100 112 01X - 6 (8-2)

Pernam                110 002 100 - 5 (1-9)
Thrilledge            102 110 20X - 7 (5-5)

Churchma              404 132 000 - 14 (7-3)
Colmark               000 210 000 - 3 (6-4)

Pool Three

Darmen                000 101 101 - 4 (5-5)
Allamunnic States     101 012 00X - 5 (3-7)

West Libya            000 002 000 - 2 (5-5)
Western cuba          113 112 00X - 9 (8-2)

Hippostania           002 202 000 - 6 (6-4)
Cosumar               100 311 004 - 10 (3-7)

Pool Four

Armorgames            000 011 010 - 3 (5-5)
Milchama              100 111 00X - 4 (9-1)

Thatius               100 000 000 - 1 (5-5)
Delaclava             000 000 000 - 0 (4-6)

Brodskopolis          101 002 000 - 4 (4-6)
Zebedaeus             100 001 000 - 2 (3-7)

Armorgames advance with 2-0 head-to-head record over Thatius.

Pool Five

Cassadaigua           620 130 000 - 12 (8-2)
Crotunda              211 104 000 - 9 (1-9)

Patricant             000 011 030 - 5 (3-7)
Syvorji               300 131 00X - 8 (6-4)

Sakurakoku            101 102 000 - 5 (9-1)
Beldonia              021 000 21X - 6 (3-7)

Pool Six

Sibirsky              000 011 000 - 2 (3-7)
The Babbage Islands   121 111 20X - 9 (7-3)

Valorixian            004 100 012 - 8 (4-6)
Bluth Corporation     001 000 000 - 1 (4-6)

Tocrowkia             100 000 011 - 3 (6-4)
Weegee and Rick Stev  021 001 06X - 10 (6-4)

Weegee and Rick Steves advance with 2-0 head-to-head record over Tocrowkia.

Pool Seven

Garon-Averia          001 010 000 - 2 (2-8)
Cyborg Holland        211 010 00X - 5 (4-6)

Lycrabon              100 110 001 - 4 (10-0)
Sportgirls            011 000 010 - 3 (6-4)

Carasatoga            044 110 000 - 10 (3-7)
Mytannion             011 002 001 - 5 (5-5)

Pool Eight

Bergnovinaia (6-2)

Michael VII           002 010 033 - 9 (4-4)
Qazox                 210 140 000 - 8 (6-2)

New Montreal States   021 100 000 02 - 6 (1-7)
Wadomia               103 000 000 00 - 4 (3-5)

Qazox place first over Bergnovinaia (H2H 1-1, average R/G 8.50-6.00).

Pool Nine

Kytler Peninsulae (6-2)

Mantwenic             100 200 000 - 3 (6-2)
Saugeais              300 110 00X - 5 (6-2)

Howdeellow            104 000 000 - 5 (0-8)
Camwood               011 201 02X - 7 (2-6)

All three tied teams equal head-to-head (2-2).
Saugeais (6.63 runs per game) place first.
The Kytler Peninsulae (5.75 runs per game) advance.
Mantwenic (5.25 runs per game).

---

Playoff Seeding and Schedule

No Team                    Pct   R/G
 1 Lycrabon               1.000  8.20
 2 Sakurakoku              .900  7.30
 3 Milchama                .900  5.90
 4 Cassadaigua             .800  7.70
 5 Zwangzug                .800  6.50
 6 Western Cuba            .800  6.30
 7 Cotdelapoms             .800  6.20
 8 Qazox                   .750  8.50
 9 Saugeais                .750  6.63
10 Bergnovinaia            .750  6.00
11 The Kytler Peninsulae   .750  5.75
12 Miley World             .700  7.10
13 Churchma                .700  6.70
14 The Babbage Islands     .700  5.70
15 Hippostania             .600  7.60
16 Sportgirls              .600  6.50
17 Weegee and Rick Steves  .600  5.20
18 Armorgames              .500  4.80

Monday, October 24
Hippostania at Armorgames
Sportgirls at Weegee and Rick Steves

Tuesday, October 25
Armorgames at Hippostania
Weegee and Rick Steves at Sportgirls

Wednesday, October 26 (if necessary)
Armorgames at Hippostania
Weegee and Rick Steves at Sportgirls

Thursday, October 27
Lycrabon at (Sportgirls or Weegee and Rick Steves)
Qazox at Saugeais
Cassadaigua at Churchma
Zwangzug at Miley World
Western Cuba at The Kytler Peninsulae
Milchama at The Babbage Islands
Cotdelapoms at Bergnovinaia
Sakurakoku at (Hippostania or Armorgames)

Friday, October 28
(Sportgirls or Weegee and Rick Steves) at Lycrabon
Saugeais at Qazox
Churchma at Cassadaigua
Miley World at Zwangzug
The Kytler Peninsulae at Western Cuba
The Babbage Islands at Milchama
Bergnovinaia at Cotdelapoms
(Hippostania or Armorgames) at Sakurakoku

Saturday, October 29 (if necessary)
(Sportgirls or Weegee and Rick Steves) at Lycrabon
Saugeais at Qazox
Churchma at Cassadaigua
Miley World at Zwangzug
The Kytler Peninsulae at Western Cuba
The Babbage Islands at Milchama
Bergnovinaia at Cotdelapoms
(Hippostania or Armorgames) at Sakurakoku

Quarterfinals begin in Sportgirls on Monday, October 31.

[Lycrabon]

Lycrabon	100	110	001 - 4 (10-0)
Sportgirls	011	000	010 - 3 (6-4)

Thursday: at Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sportgirls
Friday: vs. Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sportgirls
Saturday: vs. Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sport girls (if necessary)

SPORTGIRLS -- With everything settled but the number one seed, last night was a tune-up game. Bruce Barrett had enough control to get an eight-inning victory: three runs, two earned, seven strikeouts, four walks. Ciff Mayo and Sean McCormick had back-to-back hits in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. Single runs in the second and third innings gave the hosts a 2-1 advantage. Alonzo Osborn’s leadoff homer tied things up at 2 in the fourth, and a Wally Newton splash shot gave the Blue Jays a 3-2 advantage. Meanwhile, Barrett was keeping the Sportgirls scoreless. Carl Maynard’s sacrifice fly in the ninth provided the winning run, and Darrell Lane closed the door with a perfect ninth.

With the win, Lycrabon closes with a 10-0 record, and will face either Sportgirls or Weegie and Rick Stevens in the round of sixteen on Thursday. Glenn Carrillo will start Game 1, and Tom Benson will start game two. The starter for a game three has not been decided.

10/27: at Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sportgirls
10/28: vs. Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sportgirls
10/29: vs. Weegie and Rick Stevens OR Sportgirls (if necessary)

Maynard 1b	1-5	2B, RBI
Price 2b	2-4	K
Mayo 3b	        1-4	2B, K
McCormick ss	1-4	RBI
Osborn lf	1-3	HR, RBI, BB
Kramer cf	1-4
Barrett p	1-3	BB
Short rf	2-3	BB
Newton c	1-4	HR, RBI

PITCHERS:	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Barrett, W	8	3	2	4	7	2.25
Lane, S	        1	0	0	0	1	0.00

[Syvorji]

Syvorji News 24

Patricant 000 011 030 - 5 (3-7)
Syvorji 300 131 00X - 8 (6-4)

This is our final game of the season, since we did not go further. At 8-5 at the Empress Sadako I stadium, here are highlights.

First Inning - 3 home runs by Syvorji
Fourth Inning - 1 home run by Syvorji
Fifth Inning - 3 out-of-field runs by Syvorji, 1 run by Patricant
Sixth Inning - 1 home run by Syvorji, 1 single + triple by Patricant
Eighth Inning - 3 home runs by Patricant

Well, this is all, my friends, for WBC20. This is so wonderful, and a great season for all of us. While this will be a disappointment, we improved significantly since last time. In conclusion, thank you for watching. From Chong Yi, Syvorjin News 24. In sadder news, in Hippostania...

[Weegee and Rick Steves]

WEEGEE AND RICK STEVES ADVANCES TO THE PLAYOFFS

For the first time in their young WBC career, the Weegee and Rick Steves National Team has advanced past the regular season. Coming off of a 8-7 mark last season, they finished regular season with a record of 6-4 in the regular season, Weegee and Rick Steves narrowly made it, but made it. D.J. Washington pitched well throughout the season. Don Drydon pitched the best game of his rookie year with a 10-3 victory over Tocrowkia to clinch it. Many key figures on the offense provided when it was needed, as well. Ryan Shannon had a great campaign, as did Rex Turner among others. Weegee and Rick Steves hope to keep the momentum and will play Sportgirls in their first playoff game.

[Qazox]

WBC.com/Qazox/gameid:013128

Bullpen implodes late, But Qazox wins group title.

John Matusj went 7 strong innigns, allowing 3 runs on just 8 hits, and left with a 8-3 lead. But the Qazox pullpen, who had been worked to death earlier in the group stage, saw that heavy early workload come back to bite them in the butt, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in the final 2 innings. The big blow came with 1 out in the 9th in a tie game, as Robert Tokadden blew his 2nd save ever allowing a 2-run double to Thomas Pferdner. Retter Marques' single just under Arthur Thomas' glove with 2 outs, scored Pferdner, who was the game winning run.

Michael VII           002 010 033 - 9 17 0
Qazox                 210 140 000 - 8 16 0

Qazox is the 8th seed in the playoffs and will face a familar foe in the first round, Saugeais. In a different method than normal, all playoff games will be contested in the participating nations, instead of Sportsgirls. Game 1 will be at Saugeais, while games 2 and 3 will be in Qazox.

[Miley World]

New York Times

Miley World loses its last game and takes the 12th seed

Miley World impressed by beating Zwangzug, Taeshan and Civil Citizenry, but they couldn't beat Liventia. Miley World took a 2-0 lead. Jake Ashley scored a run in the 1st inning when Maldonado hitted a double. Ashley scored another run in the 3rd on a sacrifice fly hitted by James. Liventia took a 4-2 lead in the 4th inning. Miley World tied it up 4-4 in the 6th inning (Ashley scored another run in the 5th and Ryan Zagurski hitted a solo homerun in the 6th) but Liventia scored another run in the 7th inning. Final result: 5-4 Liventia.

Miley World           101 011 000 - 4 (7-3)
Liventia              002 200 100 - 5 (4-6)

Name                              Run RBI  HR  BB
1.Jake Ashley (CF)           3/5   3
2. Enrique Salazar (3B)      1/5
3. Caleb James (LF)          1/3       1         1
4. Jesus Maldonado (1B)      2/4       2
5. Carlos Flores (RF)        0/4
6. Ryan Zagurski (C)         2/4   1   1    1
7. Megan Gallagher (SS)      0/3                 1
8. Brandon Wolf (2B)         0/3                 1 
9. Chuck Stevens (P)         0/2
      Jose Ramirez (P)       0/1
      Tyler Ross (PH)        0/1

Name                        IP    ER   BB   K
Chuck Stevens              3 2/3   4    1   1
Jose Ramirez               3 1/3   1    1   2
Hideki Tazawa              1       0    0   0
Raul Hernandez             1       0    0   1

OOC: I'm not sure who got the loss. The score was tied 4-2 for Liventia when Stevens left the game. Then Miley World tied 4-4 when Ramirez was pitching and Liventia scored and it was 5-4 when Ramirez left the game. I fink the loss goes to Stevens?

Playoffs

Miley World got the 12th seed and will play against Zwangzug who are 5th. The Untamed Robots already beat the Zebras once, can they beat them twice again? It is rumored Miley World will make some changes to their starting rotation and Chuck Stevens could end up in the bullpen and be used in long relieve like Jose Ramirez. The first game will start thursday october 27th at the Trace Cyrus Stadium in New York, Miley World.

[Lycrabon]

POS/PLAYER	G	H	AB	AVG	HR	RBI
1B Maynard	10	13	41	.317	2	7
2B Price	10	16	41	.390	5	8
3B Mayo		10	15	40	.375	5	8
SS McCormick	10	10	36	.278	1	5
LF Tyson	8	12	27	.444	4	11
CF Kramer	10	10	33	.303	2	7
RF Short	10	12	36	.333	5	9
C Welch		6	5	19	.263	2	3
1B Daniels	1	1	2	.500	0	1
2B Green	1	1	2	.5000	0	2
3B Grimes	1	0	2	.000	0	0
SS Downs	1	0	2	.000	0	0
LF Osborn	4	5	12	.417	3	6
CF Garrett	1	2	2	1.000	0	1
RF George	1	1	1	1.000	0	0
C Newton	5	4	15	.267	2	2
P Barrett	2	2	8	.250	1	4
P Benson	2	4	6	.667	1	2
P Carrillo	2	1	4	.250	0	2
P Conley	2	1	6	.167	0	0
P Francis	2	1	3	.333	0	0
P Harrison	4	2	6	.333	1	3
P Johnston	3	0	3	.000	0	1
P Nash	        2	1	1	1.000	0	0
TEAM		10	119	348	.342	34	82

PITCHERS:	W-L	SV	IP	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Carillo	        0-0	0	12	8	6	4	19	4.50
Benson	        1-0	0	13	10	10	10	21	6.92
Conley	        1-0	0	11	8	8	7	17	6.55
Francis	        1-0	0	9	7	7	6	10	7.00
Barrett	        2-0	0	17	8	7	19	12	3.71
Johnston	0-0	0	8	6	6	5	9	6.75
Nash	        3-0	0	4	0	0	0	2	0.00
Lane	        0-0	4	4	1	1	0	2	2.25
Harrison	2-0	0	11	1	1	3	18	0.82
TEAM	        10-0	4	89	49	46	54	110	4.65

SCORING

OPP.	8	1	(10)	8	6	5	3	4	4	0	49
LYC	(18)	3	4	(19)	(12)	9	2	8	6	1	82

LYCRABON NINTH INCLUDES FOUR GAMES WITH NO LYCRABON NINTH

[Sportgirls]

World Baseball Classic 20
Play-In Series: Game One

Hippostania           010 100 010 - 3
Armorgames            201 011 00X - 5

Sportgirls            200 010 000 - 3
Weegee and Rick Stev  300 001 01X - 5

Both series now shift to the other team's venue for game two (and game three, if needed).

[Lycrabon]

SS McCormick (.278, 1 HR during group stage)
RF Short (.333, 5 HR)
2B Price (.390, 5 HR)
LF Osborn (.417, 3 HR); LF Tyson (.444, 4 HR) when he returns from injury
CF Kramer (.303, 2 HR)
3B Mayo (.375, 5 HR)
1B Maynard (.317, 2 HR)
C Newton (.267, 2 HR)
PITCHER

PITCHERS:
Game 1: Harrison (2-0, 0.82 ERA during group phase)
Game 2: Carillo (0-0, 4.50)
Game 3: Nash (3-0, 0.00)

4th and 5th Starters: Benson (1-0, 6.92); Barrett (2-0, 3.71)

[Saugeais]

National Journal
Early offense propels Saugeais into the playoffs
Rangers face off against Qazox for the third straight Classic

Mantwenic             100 200 000 - 3
Saugeais              300 110 00X - 5

Batting

Player                      AVG   AB   R    H     RBI    BB    SO
Marek Atterbury (2B)       .367   5    1    2      0     0     1
Pierre Gardin (LF)         .393   4    1    1      1     0     1
Dick Robinson (C)          .387   4    1    1      0     0     1
Jacques Benoit (RF)        .467   4    2    2      2     0     0
Shawn Hamilton (DH)        .350   3    0    2      0     1     0
Jean-Paul Romero (SS)      .500   4    0    2      1     0     0
Antonio Silva (1B)         .333   3    0    1      0     1     0
Paul Roland (3B)           .462   4    0    2      0     0     0
Aaron Dairon (CF)          .269   4    0    1      1     0     2

Totals:                    .400  35    5   14      5     2     5

2B - none
3B - none
HR - Benoit (4, 1st inning, 1 on, 1 out)
SB - Atterbury, 1st inning
GIDP - Saugeais, 2

Pitching

Player                    ERA     IP      H     R    ER      BB     SO
Randy Blackman(W, 2-0)    5.11    6.0     5     3     3       2      4
Dipaka Arends             3.60    1.0     0     0     0       1      1
Steven Richardson         3.60    1.0     1     0     0       0      2
Terry Kazmierczak(SV, 4)  0.00    1.0     1     0     0       0      1