WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 17 ROSTERS/RP/SCORES

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
Falcons to face Oxen; Marrada Throws Complete Game

TM    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9    F
Tar   1   0   3   1   1   0   0   1   0 -  7
SAU   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0 -  1

Charlestown, Lycrabon - The Tarrentum Falcons survived the darkhouse contender Saugeais to move on in the XVII World Baseball Classic. The team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they hounded the Saugeain pitchers and flexed their proverbeal muscles once again with home runs from Dessea Vallena-Favella (14) and Erni Washini (1) as well as a triple from Ferdini Zappataro. Yet the real story was the continued dominance of Liona Marrada. While the talk of the first WBC Tarrentum competed in was the beloved Juliana Italiana, the niece of our Supreme President has taken a reliever role in this international competition and dropped, somewhat, out of the spotlight. Marrada has been one of the main consistent performers on the pitching staff in the three Classic's that Tarrentum has participated in. This night was the pinnacle of her career.

Name Liona Marrada

IP 9

W 1

ERA 1.00

ER 1

H 2

BB 0

K 15

WHIP 0.22

The line score tells the tale of a pitcher in her groove. Fifteen strikeouts propelled Marrada through 7 scoreless, no-hit baseball. It was this type of performance that most people thought would occur every game against the little republic. However, one game, the elimination game, was a perfect opportunity to show the developedness of Tarrentian baseball. Marrada lost her bid for her no-hitter with two hits, a single and a double, in the bottom of the 8th as she game to Saugeais' heart of the order for the third time. A little bloop to right followed by a ball down the left field line helped score Jim Baylor from first. Marrada, after a conference on the mound with Pitching Coach Joe Greene, stayed in the game and struck out the next batter then caused a groundout to first to end the inning. The Lycrabonian crowd, a highly developed baseball fan base, gave Marrada a standing ovation as she walked off the mound for the eighth inning. The applause helped Marrada through the ninth, she later told us, as it "gave me something to prove - that I could go more than 8 innings and get the last 3 outs."

Marrada was helped by the power of the Falcons bats and even by her own legs. Zappataro opened the scoring in the first when Gradoni hit a single through the infield, scoring the speedster from second. The third inning saw a lead-off single by Marrada who was then brought home by a Zappataro triple. Marrada's running gave the Falcons bench a great laugh and lightened the mood of a 1-0 game. As she rounded second Marrada's helmet flew off with her twin ponytails flapping behind. As she passed the shortstop's position her right cleat came flying off. With Greene waving her home (Zappataro was hot on her heels) Marrada stepped on third, took three strides and lost her left cleat. So in comes Marrada to home with no cleats, no helmet and sucking in air as quickly as she can. Her determination spurred the Falcons to bring in two more runs (a 2-run home run by Liona Marrada) in the top of the third as well as two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Falcons scoring was capped by Erni Washini's solo home run in the top of the eighth.

The Falcons move on to face the Oxen of Qazox in the city of Summersville. While the Oxen enter as the #8 seed in the Playoffs, this has been the elder team of the Classic. No amount of preparation can really prepare for the Oxen's stubborn determindness but hopefully, as the Qazoxians have had rough times in the tournament as of late, the Falcons can once again prevail to make it to their first WBC Championship Series ever. So far, this team has exceeded expectations, let's hope they can continue to do so.

WBC 17 Updated Stats

[Newmanistan]

I’m throwing a changeup today. No combat mentions.

Sometimes when you are the heavy favorite in a series, you have to look for ways to keep your team on their toes. After all everywhere you look, prognosticators are calling for a Newmanistan-Qazox final (OOC: Interesting side note, when we met in the WBC 9 final, Qazox defeated me on Christmas Day). It would be a historic final, given someone would win their fourth championship, and even if Newmanistan would favored there as well, there would be no worry about getting “up” for Qazox. The people who are not talking about that matchup, seem to be talking about Newmanistan-Tarrentum. That too, would be a great series, perhaps not for the historic nature, but for an “old school/new school” flavor. Everyone knows that the Falcons are an up and coming team in this and it is only a question of when as to whether or not they will win a title one day. We’re sure they would enjoy it all the more if we were the team that they defeated in the finals. In either case, it seems as though everyone has already advanced Newmanistan into the championship series.

Fortunately, the Rockets are led by Christina Sanders, who has been the only coach of the national baseball team. She’s seen and done it all, and if there’s one person who knows they can’t take anything for granted it would be her. But what about the players? Well, just in case anyone was having a tough time getting pumped up and motivated for the series against Silver Beach, Sanders posted the following headline on the Rockets bulletin board:

“they are in the semifinals for the WBC against the #2 team in the world, Newmainstain.”

Sanders sighed, and told us, “First of all, we are the #1 team in the World, not the #2 team. No one entered the Classic with a higher rank. We are simply a #2 seed. But that’s not even the big thing. They refer to us as a New Main Stain? Well that’s downright insulting! If they think we are the main stain on the World Baseball Classic, then we’re going to have to teach them a few things.” Many players shook their head, finding despair over the insult, which was more then likely an innocent typo. But whenever you are playing a team looking for motivation as are these Rockets, that is a big mistake.

The series kicks off in Lakeview, with Courtney Ratigan on the mound. There is no concern about fatigue following the 19-inning marathon since there would have been one, and likely two days off for everyone.

[Lycrabon]

Apologies for the early scores, but everyone involved has done their thing already for game one. Reason being Christmas Eve stuff.

Anyway, onto the game one scores!! Winners lead 1-0.

Silver Beach 6, Newmanistan 4
Qazox 5, Tarrentum 3 (F/12)

Game 2's Sunday, and Merry Christmas!

[Silver Beach]

6-4 victory takes game 1 in an upset for Silver Beach!

In game 1 of the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, Silver Beach beat Newmanistan, the #1 team in all the world when it comes to baseball, in Lybracon, 6-4 at a night game where the baseball was flying the entire time. Don Virk went 6 2/3 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 earned runs as Silver Beach took a 1-0 lead in this semifinal.

In the first inning, Don Virk got into a tad bit of trouble. He allowed a leadoff single, and after making the next batter pop up to the shortstop, Don Virk allowed a double to let people onto 2nd and 3rd, with only one person out. The next hitter hit a single to the right side, and after a play at the plate, both runners scored, leaving it to be 2-0 Newmanistan after the first inning. The fast start made it seem like the game, and the series would go according to most predictions. Newmanistan would dominate and win big, get a sweep, etc... But Silver Beach showed some real heart fighting back.

In the 4th inning, the leadoff hitter, Connor McMall, the youngster, hit a leadoff single for the Silverians, their first hit of the game. After Todd Jones struck out on three pitches, Hank Johnson hit a line drive to the gap, and Connor used his wheels to score on that double to make it 2-1 Newmanistan. Silver Beach was fighting back, but they were not quite there yet.

In the 6th inning, Yamano LaFave was up to bat for the Silverians. After fighting off a few pitches, on the 9th pitch of the at bat, LaFave hit a seamer to the right field corner, getting a leadoff triple to start the inning, and get the small section of Silverian fans, about 1/3 of the stadium, on their feet. Connor McMall proceeded to hit a sacrifice bunt down the first base line which the catcher had to field, to tie the ballgame at 2-2. But it was not over yet for Silver Beach in that inning.

The next hitter Todd Jones, the DH, hit a towering solo shot down the right field line, that ended up hitting the foul pole, so Silver Beach all of a sudden had a 3-2 lead over Newmanistan, and had a lot of momentum. The team likes to score in bunches, so more after that came next. After Hank Johnson grounded out, Ramirez hit a single, and then Sartorious hit a home run, to make it 5-2 after the 6th inning for the Silverians. The majority Newmanistan crowd was getting silent, but the loud Silverian section in left field was getting very loud.

In the 7th inning, Don Virk allowed a solo shot to begin it, so Newmanistan narrowed the gap from 5-2 to 5-3. Don Virk then retired the next two batters, as he walked off to a standing ovation from the Silverian side of the crowd, even though they were generally behind him, not anywhere near the Silver Beach dugout. Anyway, they got out of the 7th inning with a 5-3 lead.

After Todd Jones tacked on another solo shot in the 8th inning to take a 6-3 for Silver Beach to the 9th inning, the 9th inning was filled with trouble. Jonathan Green, the closer came out and immediately on his third pitch, allowed a solo home run to let Newmanistan cut the gap from 6-3 to 6-4, which made the manager sweat. The next hitter got a double for Newmanistan, and all of a sudden, the tying run was at the plate with nobody out. That hitter hit a single to center field, but LaFave threw the runner out at the plate to make it 1 out, and pretty much drain the Newmanistan momentum. The next two hitters popped up, as Silver Beach took a 6-4 win in game 1 of the semifinals.

After celebrating this monumental upset though, Silver Beach will face some tough competition, as Newmanistan knows that Silver Beach, despite its ranking, are now for real. Watch the next game on SBBC as the veteran Grant Hendell takes the mound.

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News - LITE

The Falcons remain at the top of the World Baseball Classic tournament as one of four remaining teams. Yet longevity in a tournament has little to do with acutally performance. The Falcons brought an appetite for the long ball into this Best-of-5 series with Qazox. The Oxen are just hoping for a return to winning ways and have done just that so far. A return to the finals has to be in their sights and they have already predicted a Game 5 win that will put them into those finals against either Newmanistan or a resurgent Silver Beach (whose IBL franchises in York, Morgantown, Plymouth and Lulika City could get a good fan support boost from their continued advancement).

So far the Oxen are on their way to getting back to the main International Spotlight with their Game 1 win in 12 innings against the Falcons. With an eye to consistent pitching, the Oxen outlasted the relieving corps of the Falcons. With Natalie Pessotto throwing a good six innings of ball and leaving with the lead intact, no one thought that Guignard Arico or Sergio Arias would have such poor showings. Ferdini Zappataro and Dessea Vallena-Favella were held to only one hit each as the Falcons were not able to produce very much offense whatsoever.

The Falcons and Oxen now look to Game 2. If the Falcons go down 2-0 with the series switch in leadoff teams (though no home-field advantage in this one stadium series) it will be tough for them to pop back. Keep rooting for your Falcons and let's see some spirit!

[Lycrabon]

Game 2 Semifinal cutoff......do either game 1 winners take that commanding 2-0 lead?

Scores coming up.

Newmanistan 6, Silver Beach 3, [series tied 1-1]
Tarrentum 6, Qazox 5 (F/11) [series tied 1-1]

With these results, both series are guaranteed to go at least 4 games. Does anyone know if there's ever been a series where every gam went extra innings? Phoenix-Oxen may just do that.

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
Game 1 and 2 Box Scores; Falcons Tie Up Series on Torretta Heroics

Summerville, Lycrabon - After their 12-inning loss to Qazox in Game 1, the Falcons bounced back and outlasted the Oxen in another Extra Innings game in Game 2 of the Semifinal matchup. The consistent hitting that has been a trademark of the Falcons this tournament returned in Game 2 as all but two of the Falcons 11 hitters recorded a hit. The power came once again from Dessea Vallena-Favella who hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th inning but also from Gina Torretta, who hit her first homer of the tournament in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the 11th.

Game 1 was all about the Qazoxian hitters. First it was the display of power in the top of the 7th inning where Jayde Sinclair hit a run-scoring double, followed by an Emma Flint single to pull ahead of the Falcons 3 - 2. After Tarrentum tied it up in the bottom of the 8th, Daniel Jae started the beginning of the end as hit reached base with the second single of the inning off Juliana Italiana (Sinclair reached on the first at bat of the inning). Janet Corell then brougth Sinclair and Jae home on a deep double to right field. While the Tarrentum pitching staff did not give up any home runs in Game 1, the ability of Qazoxian hitters to string together hits seriously hampered any attempt for Tarrentum to "change the momentum" of the game.

Game 1 Boxscore:

TM   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12   F   H
Qaz  0   0   0   0   0   1   2   0   0   0   0   2   5   17
TAR  0   0   1   0   1   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   3   12

W: Isaac Greene L: Juliana Italiana


Game 2 saw a sustained willingness by Tarrentum to outlast the Oxen. You could see it in the concentration of the Falcons players. Whenever a big inning would come around where multiple hits would be strung together, the Falcons simply went about their business. Not too much, not too little - they must have been listening to Father DeSalvo's teachings again! Just as the Oxen were able to take advantage of sustained high performance in Game 1, so too were the Falcons in Game 2. This see-saw of performance between the teams leads one to believe that this series may well go to the fifth game. While the Qazoxian press was quick to award themselves a Game 5 victory in their preview of the matchup, most believe that the Falcons have a legitamate shot at advancing to the finals. Darkhorse indeed!

Game 2 Boxscore:

TM   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11   F  H
Qaz  1   0   0   2   0   0   0   1   1   0   0   5  11
TAR  1   0   1   1   1   0   0   1   0   0   1   6  15

[OOC: After looking over these I realize they suck, suck donkey balls]

[Lycrabon]

Game 3 cutoff....who moves to the brink of a finals berth?

Silver Beach 6, Newmanistan 5 (F/13) [Silver Beach leads 2-1]
Qazox 2, Tarrentum 1 [Qazox leads series 2-1]

[Newmanistan]

The Emperor glanced over the proposal from Queen Cassie and grateful that it wasn’t as insane as the concept of the Rockets actually being eliminated by Silver Beach. Is this all Her Highness wanted? Very well, it could be arranged. After all, this was mainly about Amherst, and Amherst had fallen into his hands. He had since renamed it and over the last little bit acclimating its citizens to becoming Newmanistanians. In fact, he drew up a bid for the hosting of World Bowl 13 and knew that if he got the bid approved then Jessicaville (formerly Amherst) would get a handful of meaningful games, and perhaps even the third place game.

The conflict staged had died down. Rebel Secristani forces had little fight left in them since they were getting no support from the majority of the citizens. For most former Secristanis, the fact that the nation would no longer be in a state of anarchy was a heart-warming thought. Then you had your previously poor and underprivileged peoples, those who were so widely abused and manipulated by the previous government. While they knew that Newmanistan was not a haven for social welfare either, it would be so much better then what they had. And now, they wouldn’t have to worry about the legal slavery that had existed in Secristan or some of their silly laws that were based on one’s wealth. As for the former upper class citizens, they too knew that a state of anarchy was not benefitting them. With people able to steal and loot at will, they were the targets, and what had been viewed as assets, much of it destroyed. A government in place, even one ruled by Emperor Michael IV would be better then nothing.

The Emperor was glad for this, and now the diplomatic resolution with Cassadaigua was in place. He would accept the Queen’s offer, and was happy too that she had awarded Newmanistan an interzonal for World Cup 54. That gesture, and the resolution as a whole showed that the nations would be able to peacefully co-exist with their new borders. 70% of Secristan to become Newmanistan and 30% to become ruled by Cassadaigua. Newmanistan and Cassadaigua would now be neighbors, and the relationship was off to a good start. It would have been more fun, perhaps, if they met in the finals of World Baseball Classic 17 like some would have wanted, but that would not be the case. The challenge now for the Emperor might not be as daunting as overcoming a 2 games to 1 deficit, but it would be a chore none the less. Re-name cities, establish governments and assorted agencies. It could at least, be fun.

It is a new Newmanistan, and no matter what happens in Lycrabon, the new and re-vitalized Empire was happy to be back and now looked to make splashes in competitions in which they had a presence in at one time.

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
Oxen Trudge on to Victory; Vallena-Favella Hits 16th Dinger of Tournament

TM   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  - F
Tar  0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  - 1
QAZ  0   0   0   0   1   1   0   0   X  - 2

W: Sean Carey
L: Fironte Sareb (2-2)

Tarrentum failed to make a definitive statement in this series once again as they failed to produce any run scoring chances in last night's game against the Qazox Oxen. Mustering only 6 hits in the game, the Falcons were plauged by missed opportunities. The Oxen, on the other hand, were able to put runners on base throughout the evening. However this game could be looked at as more of a pitchers matchup than a hitters contest.

Qazox put Sean Carey on the mound to start the game while the Falcons had wunderkid Fironte Sareb starting. While Carey gave up the solo home run to Dessea Vallena-Favella at the top of the 2nd inning, he was "money" the rest of the game until he was pulled in the 8th for Greg Chambers. Sareb pitched 7 innings, being pinch hit for by Brenaccio Macca in the bottom of the 7th. Carey gave up 6 hits, 1 walk and 1 RBI in 8.3 innings of work. Sareb, meanwhile, pitched 7 innings, giving up 10 hits, 2 walks and 2 Earned Runs - netting himself the Loss also.

The Falcons now must look to winning the next two games in order to advance to the finals. Ferdinand Cossomo, manager of the national squad, was upset but not downtrodden in the post-game press conference. "I'm disappointed for sure, but I'm not going to sit up here and pass the buck. The team needs wins and needs runs, I'm hoping we discover that in the next game." The team was similarly upbeat in the lockerroom speaking with reporters. Erni Washini even joked around with reporters about his lack of production - paralleling it with his lack of "sucess" in bed lately due to being in Lycrabon. Washini said they were both like a "cool winter breeze through the forest." Not known for his poetic license, he clued in this reporter that he had taken to reading old Imperial poems in his off time.

The Favellas were both looking forward to the next game - where Cossomo had said that Antoni Favella (starting catcher for the most of WBC 15 and all of WBC 16) would get a "good look" in the next game. Yet under the surface there was some tension between the starlet SS and her husband. While it could be the stress of the tournament, could something else be fueling the divide between Tarrentum's "First Couple" of baseball?

Tonight's deciding Game 4 will see Liona Marrada go up against Michella Brown as the Oxen try to close out the Falcons and return to the WBC Finals for the first time since WBC 9, when they beat Newmanistan in a 5-game series 3 - 2. In the other matchup, Silver Beach looks to go to their first finals as they are up 2 games to 1 over Newmanistan. Exiciting baseball is on the way, stay checked in with TFSN and keep waching TSPNN for all WBC tournament games!

[Silver Beach]

Extra Inning Thriller Nets Silver Beach 6-5 win, and 2-1 lead in the semifinals of the WBC 17

In the World Baseball Classic, Silver Beach took Newmanistan to 13 innings, and scored another upset, this time taking a 6-5 victory over Newmanistan off of a Todd Jones 2 run home run in the 13th inning. This victory takes a 2-1 to Silver Beach, and have to win once in the next two games to clinch a trip to the WBC finals. Louis De Graza pitched a great game, going 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 ER in his appearance.

In the first few innings, Newmanistan dominated the field of play. In the second inning, they led off with a solo shot to take a 1-0 lead over the Silverians. This lead was backed up by the pitcher, who did not allow a baserunner for Silver Beach until the 5th inning , and a baserunner did not pass second until the 7th inning, after they knocked him from the game. But, Silver Beach, led by De Graza fought hard, and fought back, as they kept the game within reach with his outstanding pitching.

In the 5th inning, Silver Beach got their first hit with a Hank Johnson single, when Alphonso Ramirez immediately grounded into a double play to eliminate that threat right away. In the 6th inning, Newmanistan had a routine ground ball that Hank Johnson muffed at third base to get onto first base with an error, and the next man drove him home with a 2 run bomb, taking a 3-0 Newmanistan lead to the 8th inning.

In the 8th inning, the Newmanistan starter was pulled, allowing 1 hit in a shutout of Silver Beach, and that proved to be exactly what was needed for the Silver Beach offense to ignite. The Silver Beach offense went wild. After the #9 hitter had a leadoff single, Yamano LaFave hit a double to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Connor McMall then hit a sacrifice fly to move LaFave to third base, and get the #9 hitter to score, to let Silver Beach cut into the deficit, to make it 3-1 instead of 3-0. Todd Jones then drove LaFave in with a double down the right field line, to make it 3-2 Newmanistan. After Hank Johnson struck out, Alphonso Ramirez hit a ground rule double to drive in Jones to tie it up and 3-3, and after both pitchers had a 1-2-3 9th inning, to take it to extra innings.

In the 10th inning, both teams hit solo shots to make it 4-4. Silver Beach then put in Grant McLeonard, who pitched 3.2 innings, as he came in after the solo shot, and he ended up getting the victory for the Silverians. In the 11th and 12th innings, both teams went 1-2-3, so when Newmanistan came up in the 13th inning and scored on bases loaded walk, it seemed like Silver Beach would be in huge trouble. McLeonard though got an inning ending double play to get out of the jam, and to keep it 5-4 Newmanistan going into the bottom of the 13th.

In the bottom of the 13th, LaFave ledoff the inning with a strikeout. Then, Mr. McMall drew a 12 pitch walk, so Todd Jones was up at the plate, being the winning run, with the tying run on first. Then- “The pitcher throws the pitch and it looks like its hanging for Mr. Jones…. FLY BALL!!!! He hit it wayyyy back there, and it looks like a flyout NO! The wind is carrying it over the left field wall as he hit it the other way and…. IT’S GONE!!!!!! 2 run walkoff home run in extras sends Silver Beach home with a 6-5 win over the #1 team in the world!!!! Upset!!!! Silver Beach win!!!!!!!”

Silver Beach then will be looking to close out the series tonight when they send the 21 year old Ryan Johnson on the mound.

[Lycrabon]

Game 4 cutoff...at least 1 series has gone the distance so far. Will that continue?

Newmanistan 5, Silver Beach 4 [series tied 2-2]
Tarrentum 8, Qazox 5 [series tied 2-2]

Schedule for the next few days:
Wednesday (12/29): Game 5
Friday (12/31): Game 1 of Third-place and Championship Series
Saturday (1/1): Game 2
Sunday (1/2): Game 3

[Newmanistan]

Reporter Erika Andrews chats with manager Christina Sanders as the team prepares for their deciding fifth game.

(Off camera)

EA: What happened to my regular hair-stylist?

Cameraman: He had to go back to Newmanistan. Family emergency.

EA: The only emergency here is my....

Cameraman: Well too late, we’re on in 5... 4....

CS: It’ll be ok.

(On camera)

EA: Good evening from Lycrabon everyone! We’re live as the Rockets forced a fifth game against the nation of Silver Beach, keeping their hopes alive in what has been a nutty and unpredictable Classic. I’m here with Christina Sanders, the greatest baseball coach ever. Hello, Christina.

CS: It’s a pleasure to be here, Erika.

EA: So, you’re not going to say that I don’t need to exaggerate about you being the best ever? (Laughs)

CS: Well, the numbers are what they are and people can make their own opinions.

EA: The team forced a fifth game with Brittany (Castelli) coming up big, as well as Kristen Wheeler, who went 4-for-4, 3 RBI’s, missing just a triple for the cycle.

CS: It was a good game for Brittany and Kristen, but credit goes for everyone. Meghan’s bear handed play at third base to throw out the speedy LaFave was huge. That was a big out in the 7th to help keep the score at the time at 5-3.

EA: That was a great play. So it’s a deciding fifth game now, and I’m sure the experience of this team in this kind of situation is of benefit.

CS: It is, but they will be playing with nothing to lose, too.

EA: Can you believe how unpredictable this Classic has been?

CS: It will go down certainly as the most unpredictable of all-time. Some think it’s good for the game, but I think most would have preferred to have seen more normalcy. A good Newmanistan vs Qazox or Tarrentum series will probably make everything ok in the long run. For those who haven’t like this unpredictability as much, a team like Silver Beach in the final is going to be another slap in the face.

EA: Isn’t that kind of insulting to your opponent?

CS: Show me an example where Silver Beach has even looked at any of our media reports.

EA: Well....

CS: Their journalists are not championship caliber. Look at their recent report, not one Rocket player named. Our pitcher called the “Newmanistan starter”. Even if you go back, there is no acknowledgment of anyone on this team. Our roster is as public as theirs. At this point, I’m not concerned with bulletin board material. I just hope that things like this are considered, you know, when medias are evaluated by people who do that.

EA: I guess, why is this such a big deal though?

CS: You know that there is traditionally in sport, a correlation between media production and sports results. It’s one of those unexplained phenomenons.

EA: Yeah, I recall the well-known statistician Margaret Johnson’s study. She wouldn’t tell us the method to her madness, only to say, “screw you, I will do whatever I want and be as random as I want. Don’t try to understand me. Just worship me. Rubber chicken sacrifices always appreciated.”

CS: Margaret will always do as she pleases. But eventually she evens things out, I’m confident she will do that.

EA: And that Brianna Bruce will pitch big. Or will you go back to the top of the rotation and Courtney Ratigan?

CS: Good question. You know, I have always hated skipping over a 5 starter because you have to have the same confidence in them as you do in everyone else. But here and now, I have to make this tough call. It will be Courtney on three-days rest.

EA: I’m sure she’ll be fine.

CS: She will. I hate making this decision more because Brianna has earned the right to pitch this game, and she is still young rather then me having any concern about Courtney. But I have to do it. We have to get to that final.

EA: Absolutely. So what do you think about the military action and the expansion of the Empire while you have been gone?

CS: Well, we all support our troops. We would love to do this for them. If we could win this championship I would let all our brave men and women join in on a private party with the trophy. It would be great. It’s going to be different thinking of some of the Secristani cities as being part of Newmanistan now.

EA: You could also expand your talent pool a little more. Not that you really needed to.

CS: I suppose. But we got a group of champions here and they are ready to prove that tomorrow. The world wants Newmanistan vs Qazox. The world would enjoy Newmanistan vs Tarrentum. The world would turn off the TV with Silver Beach vs either.

EA: Well I’m being told we need to move on to the World Bowl 13 segment now. Have you heard that Newmanistan is bidding to host?

CS: That’s good. There’s a solid bid there from the Bluth Corporation, too.

EA: And an aspiring new nation.

CS: As I said (chuckles) it’s us or Bluth. It’d be great to host the Classic again.

EA: Well that’s a wrap. Thanks for your time, Christina.

CS: My pleasure, Erika.

(Off camera)

EA: You were relentless on Silver Beach.

CS: That’s Newmanistan baseball. (Laughs) We’ve always been that way.

EA: I hope my hair didn’t ruin the interview.

CS: Your hair is fine.

Cameraman: First internet comment on the interview: What happened to Erika’s hair? Second comment: First!!!!!11111one!!!!

EA: Fire the guy.

[Silver Beach]

Game 5 Forced!

Kristen Wheeler went 4-4 with 3 RBIs including a solo shot in the first inning, and a tie breaking single in the 6th, to give Newmanistan a 5-4 victory over the Silverians. Brittany Castelli dominated the Silverian lineup and went the distance, going 9 innings and allowing 7 hits and 3 ER. Not to mention she shut out Todd Jones, who went 0-4 with a walk. With that, there will be a decisive game 5 for all the marbles, to get to the final, and we bring you a complete preview.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Courtney Ratigan vs. Victor Ruiz

Advantage- Newmanistan

Since the manager announced that Ms. Ratigan will be pitching on three days rest in the deciding game 5 of this series, the pitching pedigree has swung hugely in favor of Newmanistan. Courtney Ratigan, the ace of this Newmanistan staff, is 27 years old. She has amazing heat, as she has been known to hit 100 mph on the gun multiple times. She also has a cutter that reaches the lower 90s, not to mention her slider really paints the corners. The slider and curveball are her strikeout pitches, and especially against lefties, the slider is a devasting pitch because it swings low all the way across the strike zone. She will have a strong game, though it will be interesting to see if she can keep those velocities up there, pitching on three days rest.

Victor Ruiz on the other hand, is the #5 starter in the Silver Beach rotation. He has a slow fastball, but if he stays away from using it, he should be good. Victor Ruiz has some good offspeed stuff, like a cutter that rises to the low 90s like his counterpart, Ms. Ratigan, and that is his main strikeout pitch. If he uses that and his offspeed stuff against this Newmanistan lineup, he should survive long enough to put Silver Beach in a position to claim victory, and put them through to the finals. Obviously Courtney Ratigan is the stronger pitcher, But Silver Beach has a chance since she is on three days rest. If they can make her tired, and only use the heat, then they might have a chance to break her.

Hitting Matchup: Silver Beach order vs. Newmanistan Order

Advantage- Slightly to Newmanistan

The Newmanistan batting order is filled with superstars, led by Kristen Wheeler. Last night, she went 4-4 with 3 RBIs to really destroy the young left hander on the mound. She had a solo shot in there, and she also had two doubles and a single, which means she was a triple short of the cycle. Her bases loaded two run single in the 6th inning broke the game open, as it moved a 3-3 deadlock into a 5-3 lead for Newmanistan, which proved to be all it needed in order to beat Silver Beach, and force the decisive game 5 tonight. They also have speed all the way throughout the order, especially with their leadoff hitter, Stacie Meadows. Evan Sartorious will have a heck of a job throwing out baserunners, as he needs to be on the top of his game. They cannot afford to have Newmanistan run them out of the WBC into the third place series.

The Silver Beach batting order is a bit weaker, but Todd Jones, the lefty #3 hitter, and the power in this lineup, will be very important to the sucuess of Silver Beach. If he has a big night, like he did in the Silverian victories, then Silver Beach should be fine. He has lots of power and is a pull hitter, which means that we should not be surprised if Cristina Sanders calls the shift against him, because he always hits the ball towards right field. Though remember, the other day he did have an opposite field double, so let’s see if that is in the back of her mind. Alphonso Ramirez always seems to come up big in clutch situations, and he is batting .403 in the 7th inning or later in the WBC. Look for him to come up big if its still close in the later innings.

Bullpen Matchup: Silver Beach Bullpen vs. Newmanistan Bullpen

Advantage- Silver Beach

I’m gonna call the bullpen matchup for Silver Beach. If there is one weakness on this dominant Newmanistan baseball team, it has to be the bullpen. Cristina Sanders likes to stretch out her starters ‘the whole 9 yards’ or 9 innings as it seems like in this game. The Newmanistan bullpen has struggled in this series, allowing 6 ER in Silver Beach’s comeback win in game 3. They have not pitched since, as game 4 was a complete game by the Newmanistan pitcher, Brittany Castelli. Look for Cristina Sanders to try and stretch out Courtney Ratigan for as long as possible, and if the Newmanistan bullpen comes in, look out. Silver Beach’s hitters are better against that bullpen, that is where they will score their runs.

For Silver Beach though, the bullpen starts with Mr. Grant McLeonard. The do-it-all setup man, he went 3 and 2/3 innings when he got the extra innings victory over Newmanistan, doing it with 60 pitches, and allowing 1 ER. McLeonard though was given the day off yesterday because of it, and the Silverian bullpen still shut the door on the Newmanistan offense, even though they got to Ryan, the young southpaw starting pitcher. Overall, the Silverian bullpen is stronger, and look for the long reliever Ryan Brown to get some significant innings.

Final score

I’m gonna have to go with Newmanistan taking a 4-1 win. Victor Ruiz gets knocked out early, and Courtney Ratigan goes for a complete game over Silver Beach. They cannot get to her, and a solo shot by Todd Jones is a little too late. Silver Beach stops defying the odds, and drops it 4-1 against Newmanistan.

[Tarrentum]

[OOC: My apologies if this seems like Zwangzug's posts but, I need to change something up as I'm bored with my usual. Look at WBC 16 for my variety in RPs]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News - LIVE PODCAST

You navigate to TFSN.com on your Web Browser and after a pop-up add for PhastPizza's new "World Cup of Pain" pizza featuring 15 kinds of meat you find a new link to a live pod cast. In luck, you made it just in time

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Whatever! It's time for the TFSN Live Podcast. - The announcer's loud voice startles you but...eh, it's the internet, what did you expect?

"Hello everyone and welcome to the first Live Podcast of TFSN.com. I'm Wyle Brocciolo," While? "and with me I've got Mario 'Super Fresh' Freccenza."

Super Fresh: "Yo."

Brocciolo: "Well Super Fresh the Falcons have tied it up in the World Baseball Classic."

S.F.: "That they have Wyle my man. Amazing game, simply amazing."

W.B.: "Not so amazing as the lovely Miss Marrada."

S.F.: "Hotness personified."

W.B.: "I thought that was your opinion of one Mrs. Valenna-Favella?"

S.F.: "The Dream. 'Twould be a dream to see The Dream outside my dreams for a dream...night."

W.B.: "Smooth."

You leave the pod cast on but begin to peruse pictures of the two stars of the Falcons team. You are followed by pop-ups for PhastPizza and TFSN.com itself.

W.B.: "Almost nothing but God Herself could stop the Falcons getting into the Finals now."

S.F.: "Possibly Oxen or two renegade angels."

These two must be on a Kevin Smith tear lately/

W.B.: "Well yes, there's that. But after the Falcons took control of the game last night after being down 3-0 it really shows that this team has a lot of grit."

S.F.: "Of course they do. This is a team that went on a 5 game winning streak in the Group Stage. The Falcons know how to win. It's getting there that's the problem."

W.B.: "Of course the most exciting news of the night was Liona Marrada's 3-run homerun in the top of the 7th to put the Falcons ahead by two runs. Let's go to that Fresh."

S.F.: (under his breath) "It's Super Fresh."

Game Announcer begins
"It's looking pretty good here. Falcons down by a run with Erni Washini and Nax Gatto on. Washini with the lead and - This ball is hit beautifully! Chasing it down is Emma Flint in left but you can kiss this one GOODBYE!!! Liona Marrada helps her own cause and hits the second international home run of her career!

W.B.: "Simply amazing."

S.F.: "You know, it's this kind of versatility that will push the Falcons into the final series against Newmanistan."

W.B.: "Making a prediction huh?"

S.F.: "Silver Beach a winner? Something would be seriously fucked if that ever occurred."

W.B.: "You know, I'm sure there are plenty of Tocrowkians saying the same thing about us."

S.F.: "Yeah but they've been bitching and moaning since they joined the WBC tournament. They are the only team to forfeit a series."

W.B.: "I believe the all-powerful council made a ruling that was no longer allowed after that incident."

S.F.: "At least they are first in something!"

W.B.: "ZIING! Now back to the Falcons and Marrada's home run-"

You begin looking up news stories relating to Tocrowkia's forfeit and find, surprisingly little.

S.F.: "Don't feel like going down the path of evil huh? I got ya. The home run was great. The second of Marrada's career in the WBC. Last year on the second day of the Group Stage she smashed a solo to right field off a Grantanatan pitcher. Can't remember the name though..."

W.B.: "Evidently not important."

S.F.: "Nope."

W.B.: "This was actually the Falcons most productive game in terms of home runs."

S.F.: "Three altogether. Washini, Vallena-Favella and, of course, Marrada. Damn, it's a great sight seeing your pitcher smash a dinger over the wall."

W.B.: "It is, but is there any other way to 'smash a dinger'? It wouldn't be a dinger if it didn't go over the wall."

S.F.: "Touche."

W.B.: "So Michella Brown gets the loss as Liona Marrada gets only her second win of the tournament as the Falcons will now be playing their 21st game overall tonight."

S.F.: "You know, even if they don't win, they'll still be playing in the consolation game."

W.B.: "That's little consolation. Be sure to watch it on TSPNN though as Natalie Pessotto will be on the mound to win it for Tarrentum. Always good shows on TSPNN, don't you think?"

S.F.: "Yeah like Tarrentum's Strongest Man and Championship Series of Rummy."

W.B.: "On to the World Lacrosse Cup, it looks as though the sister to Daestegwen Dlartanina, manager of the National Football team, earned a spot on Dorian and Sonya's team."

S.F.: "..."

W.B.: "Anything to add?"

S.F.: "We done with baseball already?"

You realize that they are done with baseball and close out the pod cast to look at the line score.

TM   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  - F
Tar  0   0   0   0   2   1   3   1   1  - 8
QAZ  0   0   3   0   1   0   0   1   0  - 5

[Lycrabon]

Game 5 cutoff....does Silver Beach's cinderella run continue? Do we have an epic final? Here comes the answer!

Obviously, winners advance 3 games to 2.

Newmanistan 6, Silver Beach 5
Tarrentum 3, Qazox 2 (F/17)

Which makes the final series':

Third place: Silver Beach vs. Qazox at Charles Davis Stadium in Charlestown
Championship Series: Newmanistan vs. Tarrentum at Riverside Stadium in St. Catherine

EDIT: Two things I forgot....

Game 1's are Friday; and the third-place is best of 5/Championship Series best of 7.

(OOC: Does the Championship Trophy have a name?)

[Newmanistan]

ON TO ANOTHER FINAL

Lakeview, Lycrabon- The Rockets are heading back to the Championship series as the clock struck midnight for cinderella Silver Beach. The game was not without suspense and excitement, but in the end the experience of being in the situation helped Newmanistan prevail in this 6-5 victory. It will be the 8th time that the Rockets have played for the trophy that does not have a fancy name attached to it, though it has seemed to enjoy a home on One Big Island recently. Opposing the Rockets will be Tarrentum, who turned aside Qazox in a 17-inning affair tonight. That result keeps the world from seeing a series which would have two three-time winners each looking to become the first four-time champion. Instead, Tarrentum has the opportunity to keep two three-time winners from getting that title this year. More on the Falcons in a bit.

It didn’t take long for the game’s first storyline to come about. The decision by Christina Sanders to skip over #5 starter Brianna Bruce in favor of ace Courtney Ratigan may seem like a no-brainer if this a series in a domestic league as to something a coach would do. But that has not been what Sanders has done in the World Baseball Classic, often saying that the #5 starter on the national team is not a traditional #5 starter at the league level, but the fifth best pitcher in the country. They are all aces on their respective rotations, and have earned the right to pitch in this kind of game. That’s been her belief for the longest time, so her decision to go with Ratigan was interesting. International Baseball Analyst Carrie Nicolette, who played from WBC 7-12 told viewers on Southport Baseball Tonight, “Chrissy has a gut feeling. But what I can tell you is that this has been one of the most difficult decisions she has made at this level in not just this Classic, but in many Classics. I’m sure there was a talk with both Courtney and Brianna and they all agree that this is best for the team. And it probably is, because its do or die for this team right now. If they win, there is no worry about not having Courtney for game one of the championship. Brazzy (Jessica Brasfield) is more then able to start that game.” On the other side of the field, South Beach’s manager Justin Wanshon opted to pitch his 28-year old cutter-specialist Victor Ruiz instead of going to the top with ace Hanzel Don Virk. Said Nicolette, “You have the contrary strategy with Silver Beach opting with their fifth starter. They have nothing lose. There is no pressure on them, all the pressure is on the Rockets, so I can understand why Wanshon does this. But if Silver Beach wins with this move, then Sanders may not skip over a five starter again.”

In the end, this game wasn’t about the starting pitching, even though both Ratigan and Ruiz were brilliant in the first three innings. Silver Beach struck for two in the top of the fourth as Todd Jones and Hank Johnson led the inning off and were driven in with a one-out double from the young Franklin De Winters. Though De Winters made a costly mistake in attempting to stretch his double into a triple. He has great speed, and when the 20-year old gets older, he will realize that he needs to respect the arms of outfielders a little more, especially at this level as he was gunned down by Danielle Scott. The hit gave the Silverians the lead, but the result gave the Rockets the momentum. In the bottom of the fourth, Courtney Weinman and Kristen Wheeler delivered doubles which sandwiched a walk to Meghan Butler. Later in the inning, a Julie Sexton single made it 3-2 in favor of Newmanistan. Then in the fifth, Stacie Meadows led the inning off with a drag bunt single, and stole a pair of bases. Ruiz fanned Danielle Scott, but an RBI single by Courtney Weinman made it 4-2 Rockets. An inning later, Rachel Cuyler hit a solo bomb to extend the lead to three, and end the day for Victor Ruiz.

It appeared as though Newmanistan was well on their way to a victory at this point, but Ratigan began to become unraveled in the 8th. Silver Beach has been resilient all tournament, and they were not going to go down quietly here. Ratigan retired the pinch hitter for the pitcher to lead the inning off but then surrendered a triple to Yamano LaFave, who’s liner painted the rightfield line and rolled into the corner. Yamano, and probably more his third base coach, were not about to test Danielle Scott and go for the inside the park-er. There was no reason to anyway. A single by McMall, and a double off the top of the wall by Todd Jones cut the lead to one and led Sanders to pull Ratigan in favor of Sara Schaefer. The member of the South Tier Seagulls was not able to retire Alphonso Ramirez, who’s single made it 5-5, but got out of the inning without any further damage. The Silver Beach faithful were cheering and perhaps sensing it, but Courtney Weinman had different ideas......

(Watching on TV)

“Remember what I asked you before we started this occupation?” asked Sargeant Hillcrest of General Freeman in a celebratory moment in Jessicaville.

“Absolutely!”

(Saying it together)

“How does someone with such a petite stature do that?!?!?”

(Back to the recap)

It was a moment where perhaps the Rockets showed their class, or experience. But in the end, it was resiliency. None of those previous Classic victories and titles had anything to do with the result of this at-bat. Year after the year, Newmanistan has been able to come up with the big hit or big play in the rounds that led up to the championship. It’s just one of those things, and here tonight, the 439-foot bomb off the bat of Courtney Weinman against a good reliever in Brian Volquez. His curve may have hung just a little too much, and presented an opportunity, an opportunity in which the Rockets are known for seizing in games like this. Volquez didn’t allow another baserunner in the bottom of the 8th, but the Rockets didn’t need one. In the 9th, the ball was in the hands of closer Erica Barrett with the 8-9-1 hitters coming up. After fanning the first two, Yamano LaFave’s slow grounder to short could have been an infield single, but a great play by Rachel Cuyler beat LaFave by a half-step. It was close. And so was Silver Beach in World Baseball Classic 17.

All of this means Tarrentum, who have become one of the best nations in the world, and one in which many think will invariably win a title. Throughout their first two attempts at the Classic, Newmanistanian players often commented about seeing them as a potential giant, a level of respect that they hadn’t always shown other teams. Christina Sanders had an explanation for that, “We demand respect. They entered this competition and gave us that respect and as such it has been reciprocated.” It’s a 7-game series, something only done once in the history of the Classic. You should remember that, because we were the ones that hosted it. (WBC 8).

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
Sweet 17!

Summerville, Lycrabon – Magical. Stupendous. Once-in-a-Lifetime. There’s so many words or phrases to express the feelings that millions of Tarrentians felt watching their team go 17 innings and 6 hours to make it to the World Baseball Classic Finals. While the Oxen played tough, the Falcons outmaneuvered them to the Championship Series. Jubilant. Ecstatic. Excitement. Such words have a huge significance when used in describing the feelings of a winning ball club. The locker room was draped in plastic as the Falcons celebrated with the finest Cafundelese sparkling wine and the best microbrews from Tarrentum.

The long box score could not tell enough of the story and so we bring to you the key moments in the Falcons epic 17 inning win over Qazox.

TM   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17   - F  H
Qaz  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   - 2  9
TAR  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   1   - 3  9

Natalie Pessotto started on the mound for the Falcons and gave the Lycrabonian and Tarrentian fans (who traveled to the game) a real treat. While her no-hitter was broken up in the 6th inning, everyone could tell that the AL’s Illio Marcuzzio Award-Winner was at the top of her game. While Pessotto has been relatively tame this WBC, only winning one game. Her ERA was at 1.72 so the Falcons were hoping that she would have another dominant game (and that it wouldn’t be lost by the bullpen). Pessotto was on fire though and lasted 8.6 innings giving up only 1 run in the top of the ninth while striking out the side in the fourth inning on her way to 10 strikeouts.

That run was off an RBI-single by Qazoxian catcher Davis Sdmer. He drove home Janet Correll who led off the ninth with a double to right. The Falcons were able to tie up the game in the bottom of the ninth (they had to, right?) with a solo home run by first-time WBC player Nax Gatto. Gatto sent his shot over the left center wall with one out on the board. This was Gatto’s third home run of the tournament while many people thought that, with 44 during the IBL’s regular season, he would be in the double-digits by now.

With Gatto’s home run tying up the ball game, Ferdinand Cossomo spoke with Joe Greene, the Falcons pitching coach, and decided to leave Will ‘Griz’ Franklin in the ball game for the top of the 10th. Cossomo even left Franklin in to bat in the bottom of the 10th because, as he said after the game, “I had this strange feeling we’d be here awhile after Griz had a 1-2-3 inning in the 10th.” With Qazoxian reliever Greg Chambers pitching 1-2-3 innings of his own after replacing closer Robert Tokadden, the game went back to how it had been in the beginning, zeros.

Then the Falcons started to get creative and the umpires and at-home statisticians began to scratch their heads. With Franklin due up in the bottom of the 11th, Cossomo pinch hit Raefele Magaglio. While Magaglio struck out, when the 12th came around the young infielder was in at second while Zappataro had replaced outspoken Erni Washini at third – a similar move to the one Cossomo made in Game 1 against Saugeais in the Quartefinals. Cossomo said that he made the move for Magaglio’s improved fielding and that fielding was more important than power in extra innings.

With Franklin out, Sergio Arias came in after warming up throughout the bottom of the 11th. Arias pitched decently not allowing a base runner into scoring position in his 2.3 innings of work. Arias was eventually pulled in the top of the 14th after Jayde Sinclair smashed a solo home run to centerfield with one out. Not expecting Arias to give up the home run, Cossomo got Sallamo up and kept Arias in for one more batter (a walk). Sallamo was then giving extra warm up pitches on the mound before causing a fly out and a ground out to end the inning with the Oxen back on top 2 – 1.

The Falcons were again faced with a “make-or-break” situation and Cossomo pinch hit Brenaccio Macca for Ederi Sallamo to lead off the inning. Macca was hitting .412 going into Game 5 with two appearances in the starting lineup during the Group Stage. While Macca didn’t get a hit and Nax Gatto struck out, Raefele Magaglio hit a double to left field to put a runner in scoring position. Ferdini Zappataro, who only had 1 hit to that point in the game, smashed a single into the outfield and Magaglio beat the throw home with his great jump on the Hit-n-Run. The game was tied once again but the Falcons knew how close they had come to ending it all. “I thought Sdmer had me but I managed to twitch out of his way at the last moment.” Magaglio said afterwards, a grin from ear to ear. Because Cossomo had put Macca into the game he intended to initiate another double-switch and pinch hit for Gina Torretta with Antoni Favella. The catcher failed to reach base and ended the inning but now the Falcons’ pitcher would be hitting in the number 2 spot.

Romeo Vasparian was brought in to pitch and the reliever looked strong. Vasparian was so strong in fact that when his time to bat came up in the 17th he left Vasparian in the game. Vasparian’s gave up 1 hit (a single) in 3 innings of work and netted himself the win.

In the 17th, with the clock turning to 2 am and Father DeSalvo struggling to keep his eyes open (we only jest, he took a monk nap in the bottom of the 12th), Ferdini Zappataro led off with a single. Vasparian struck out but Zappataro had stolen second to get into scoring position. Zappataro’s stolen base was his third of the game after he stole 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the 7th after another lead-off single. This time the Falcons made use of Zappataro’s speedy feet. Oxen reliever Randall Wynne walked Gradoni and had a long conversation with his pitching coach. Whatever was told to Wynne didn’t work as Valerio Utteroni, hitless in the game, smashed a single through the infield. Carl Holmes raced to it, but expecting a long ball was deep in the outfield. By the time Holmes got to the ball and looked up, Zappataro was already half-way to the plate and Holmes knew he had no shot. The throw was not made and the Falcons dugout erupted in cheers as Zappa came storming across home plate to win the game. Utteroni was similarly mobbed by teammates as he came back to home after hitting his single.

After the game the Falcons locker room was awash in sparkling wine and alcohol as the team celebrated. Washini even passed out some stowed away cigars for the lucky winners. Not everyone was celebrating however as the Favella’s were noticeably absent. First Base Coach Ruboni Kilia said that the Favella’s “had a long night and wanted to get back to the hotel,” with no mention of any injuries or other issues that might have arisen. We’ll be following the story closely as the Championship Series begins.

With the Oxen out of the way, Tarrentum looks to their ultimate goal – the Championship Series. However they have a huge obstacle before they get to celebrate once again, notably, Newmanistan and their bevy of superstars. While the Newmanistani press gushed adulation and praise (when considering how Newmanistan’s press corps usually acts) towards the National Team, there is no doubt that the Falcons have an uphill climb.

Many issues need to be resolved. Will the Falcons arrive for the series in St. Catherine as The Power Company or will they be just trying to reach base? We’ve seen both sides of the team this tournament but now at least four games remain. The Falcons are hoping for a win but they have to go in with level heads. It shouldn’t be too hard as St. Catherine is home to the Blue Jays of the IBL and all players on the team have been in Riverside Stadium before. Familiarity with where the locker rooms are won’t help when you have to go up against the big guns of Newmanistan: Ratigan, Brasfield, Castelli, Meadows and Stafford.

Tune in on Friday for the start of the WBC 17 Championship Series.

Up-to-Date WBC 17 Stats

[Qazox]

Qazox at WBC17

Semifinal review and finals Preview.

No thanks to a freak snowstorm that dropped 14-18" in Qazox this past week (ooc: Was in Massachusetts during the 'Blizzard of 2010" and got 14" at my dad's house...); and the associated power outages or disruptions of internet availiblity due to the storm; many people in Qazox don't know that the team did not advance to the finals, falling to Tarrentum in 5 games. While the Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News has coved all the bases in regards to the semifinals; we'd like to add our 3 cents worth:

Cent #1- Losing Juan Diego in the round of 16 might have cost us a chance at a title. While Michella Brown did pitch adequately in game 4, one can only wonder how that game would have ended if Diego was on the mound instead.

Cent #2- The bullpen needs more depth. 3 extra inning games and the Qazox bullpen lost 2 of them. Maybe this was partially due to Michella Brown having to move to the rotation, or just overwork early in the WBC when Qazox was struggling. But the pen needs at least 2-3 more quality arms.

Cent #3- The offense needs more consistency. While overall this WBC, Qazox' offense scored runs, many times it was just 1-2 runs an inning. While 2-3 innings of that is enough to win many WBC games, the offense needs to turn out the big innings consistently.

3rd place PREVIEW:
#8 Qazox v. #6 Silver Beach
BREAKDOWN:
RPG scored: Qazox 4.84::Silver Beach 4.47 Edge: Qazox
RPG allowed: Qazox 3.95::Silver Beach 3.79 Edge: Silver Beach
Playoff record: Qazox 6-3::Silver Beach 6-3 Edge: Push

Prediction: Qazox in 4. Silver Beach is the Cinderella of this WBC, but Qazox is the Dark Horse. Qazox will face their 3rd consecutive higher seeded team, while this is Silver Beach's 2nd time being the higher seed. In the playoffs both teams won thier first 5 games, before losing 3 of 4 to end up in the 3rd place series. Qazox had to fight through a tougher semifinal series than did Silver Beach, despite both series lasting 5 games; as 3 Phoenix games went into extra innings, while Silver Beach only went into extras once. Will having been so close deter either team? Our gut says that Qazox, depsite how game 5 ended; will recover better from this setback than Silver Beach will.

CHAMPIONSHIP:
Playoff recordsNewmanistan: 7-2--Tarrentum: 7-4.
#2 Newmanistan vs. #5 Tarrentum: As much as we'd love to predict a Falcons victory over the Rockets, we can't. The Falcons have gone the distance in every series, and 17 innings in Game 5 of the semis. So despite the fact that both teams had to win Games 4 & 5 in the semifinals just to get here, Tarrentum's pitching will run out of gas. Expect the first 2-3 games to be close, but Newmanistan will pull away and earn a historic 4th championship. (But we hope we're dead wrong) Newmanistan in 6.

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
Final Series Preview

St. Catherine, Lycrabon – Today TFSN finds itself in chilly St. Catherine. With BergBucks aplenty being drunk and tourists and fans alike commiserating at the many different event booths surrounding Riverside Stadium, home of the IBL’s St. Catherine Blue Jays. While the weather is tuning towards the worse for this 7-game championship series, the atmosphere is joyful and filled with life. Many have come from Newmanistan and Tarrentum, as well as local Lycrabonians, to take part in a World tournament final.

This WBC final will be the first for any Tarrentian team sport. While neighboring Meddicia stunned the world with a Baptism of Fire 40 win, Tarrentum has not been so lucky. Many international baseball pundits thought that the Allied States would one day appear in a finals, but none thought so soon. Not even did TFSN think the Orange and Blue could make it yet here we are.

The road to the final series has been a long one. QSPN reporters have pointed out that Tarrentum has gone the length in all Knockout Series played. They have played an extra 2 games than Newmanistan in the playoffs and are starting to show some general wear and tear (more on that later). So with all of the hype, Tarrentians should be pragmatic about the upcoming games.

This is not to say that Tarrentians shouldn’t be ecstatic. Not at all. The Supreme President Cesare Italiana has declared this weekend a “National Sales Tax Free” weekend in commemoration of the team’s achievements. Economists are expecting a 600% increase in weekend sales figures. The Supreme President’s staff has also announced that the Supreme President will be staying in Lycrabon for the duration of the series and that Secretary of War Antonio Ottavio will be Supreme President pro tempore during his absence.

Still we must look at the final series as a major test of Tarrentian’s baseball skill. Newmanistan is ranked #1 in the World and just missed out on the #1 ranking for the Playoffs. Tarrentum comes in ranked 14th in the world and #5 in the Playoffs. A magical run in the second half of the Group Stage saved the tournament for Tarrentum but they have not been able to repeat their win streak in the Playoffs. Newmanistani journalists are right to point out that while we may be up and coming we aren’t a giant yet. Yet.

However the Falcons look to prove to the world that they deserve to be here. For that, Ferdinand Cossomo has shaken up the pitching rotation once again. Before the Semi-finals with Qazox he noted that Bertrando Sabre would be used as an emergency starter only. Early today he released his Pitching Rotation for the first four games:

Game 1 – Christian Buonconte
Game 2 – Romeo Vasparian
Game 3 – Liona Marrada
Game 4 – Fironte Sareb

While we can understand Marrada’s Game 3 start as it is a swing game, the inclusion of Vasparian into the rotation complicates matters. His start pushes Sareb, who has been consistent this tournament, to what could be a decisive Game 4. While ‘The Kid’ has a lot of international exposure he has never been in this sort of high pressure situation. Also, with Vasparian starting, slumping Antoni Favella will start behind the plate. Favella, in 9 at bats this tournament as a pinch hitter, has hit .222 (2 singles). There’s also word coming out that he and his wife, Dessea Vallena-Favella are on the rocks due to perceived “injustices to character” against Antoni.

We hope that Cossomo is not starting Vasparian, and thus Favella, to soothe hurt egos. The Falcons lose the IBL’s MVP Valerio Utteroni with Vasparian’s start. Utteroni, as we know, hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the 17th against Qazox to bring Zappataro home. Utteroni is hitting .327 and leads the team in singles (23) and is tied for second on the team in doubles (8) for the tournament. The only poor stat for Utteroni is Seconday Average where the MVP has only a .122 (anything below .200 is considered poor – SecA is the ratio of bases gained through extra base hits, walks and net stolen bases as compared to at bats). While Favella saved the team in WBC 15 and took his share of hits behind the plate during WBC 16, these two catchers, this year, are nothing alike.

Also, we have to wonder if Liona Marrada, Romeo Vasparian and the bullpen can hold up to the long games and innings that they have gone through so far. Marrada has pitched the second most innings so far this tournament (35.3) and is only one statistical inning behind Natalie Pessotto (36.2). She has the second-highest BB/9 of all starters at 3.3 and has faced the most batters (153). Vasparian, while only registering 13.2 innings of work, was used a lot at the end of the Group Stage and into the Telamar Series. While people say this has made him fresh, Vasparian hasn’t started a game since mid-way through the IBL season 5 months ago.

The Falcons bullpen has pitched 59 innings so far (obviously 13.2 are Vasparian’s) this tournament and have been responsible for the decision on 10 of the 21 games played by Tarrentum. The bullpen has also failed the Falcons in a lot of close games with Guignard Arico being the worst offender and Ederi Sallamo, who has been fairly overused as a set-up pitcher going 13.2 innings, following suit. Both pitchers’ ERA are well above 4 with Sallamo giving up 14.3 H/9 and Arico 13.1 H/9. Arico also has the highest Batting Average Against among Falcons pitchers with .321, Sallamo isn’t that far behind with a .318 BAA.

So what to make about all of this? While Tarrentum has been on a terrific run, don’t expect it to continue. Newmanistan is too powerful and experienced to overcome, especially in a long series. Yet that long series may be just the ticket. Tarrentum has shown a propensity to hang on and win close games. A major upset could be in the works – but we should wait until next year for such an upset to occur. Newmanistan in 7.

[Newmanistan]

TARRENTUM’S RISE MUCH LIKE OURS

St. Catherine, Lycrabon- As the Rockets look to become the first team to ever win four championships, there is a team on the other side of the baseball field that might look very familiar. These Tarrentum Falcons are following a very familiar blueprint, that being the Newmanistan rise beginning in the 7th Classic. The one big difference is that these Falcons did not get all the way to the Championship in the first tournament. Regardless of that, they made quite an impression during World Baseball Classic 15. So much so, that went Tarrentum showed a willingness to host the 16th Classic, with Quintessence of Dust, the world had confidence. Sounds like WBC 8 then doesn’t it? The first Classic in which Newmanistan hosted. In World Baseball Classic 9, Newmanistan made it to the final for the second time, but were defeated by Qazox on Christmas Day. In Tarrentum’s third Classic, the timing is just about right, as we are still in the holiday season, for them to be continuing to duplicate what we were able to do. Those facts may be comforting to Newmanistan fans, because we didn’t win WBC 9, so by that logic they won’t win WBC 17, but will number 18.

When the Falcons joined the international baseball community, they were respectful of their superiors, such as the Rockets. You didn’t have any Kate Schmidt’s, John Fusco’s, or Johnny Stryker’s looking to stir things up with the sky blue and white. While the Rockets have the reputation of being arrogant and confrontational, games played against Zwangzug and Cassadaigua at these late stages have always been about baseball first and foremost, with mutual respect for one another apparent. Some critics might say that the Rockets just don’t trash talk the way they used to with Stacey Keisler, Carrie Nicolette, and Sarah Boland all having since retired. Courtney Lombardi picked up some of that slack, and for a while it looked like Jessica Brasfield was going to be next in line. Brasfield, however, has saved her outbursts more for umpires then for opponents, and when Jessica starts game one, don’t look for her to try and get under the skin of her counterpart, Christian Buonconte. “It’s his first Classic, so maybe the pressure gets to him, but I don’t see why it would. He’s pitched well so far, and Cossomo (Ferdinand, manager) obviously believes in him. He’s like 31 or so, so he’s excited and he will pitch great.” A quote that would never come out of the mouth of Stacey Keisler, for sure. No one else on the Rockets have engaged in any smack talk, either. 2B Rachel Cuyler had some perspective, “Right now we’re just thinking about our troops and we want to do it for them. There’s no point in getting into any verbal wars with the Falcons. They’re a good group of people.” Ain’t that all fine and dandy? We suppose, but how much longer until Courtney Keisler is on the team?

Courtney Keisler, serving a nice lead-in to our next thought, which is the pitching rotation for the series. There has been some grumbling throughout the Empire that it is time to change up the rotation a little bit since the team is giving up more runs then we have been used too and needing to rely on the bats a lot more, though the majority say it is simply a sign of the times. Now because Courtney Ratigan pitched the fifth game of the Silver Beach series, it is the aforementioned Brasfield on the mound for the first game. After that Christina Sanders is being extremely mum. Common logic would tell you that Kaitlyn Ahearn would just slide right into game 2, but Sanders has refused to commit to that. Rumors are that it is going to be Brianna Bruce, the #5 starter that did not pitch game five against Silver Beach, who will pitch game 2 if Newmanistan wins the first game, or it will be Ahearn if the Rockets lose. Others say it will be Bruce regardless of if the team wins or loses. Kaitlyn Ahearn and Brittany Castelli are considered to be on the hot seat more to stay in the rotation, since when Courtney Keisler is ready, someone will have to be dropped. Even though Bruce is the 5 (or 1E), due to her age, she is expected to climb over both Ahearn and Castelli. This is where things would begin to make sense for manager Sanders if she wanted to go right with Brianna in game 2. But for now, let’s worry about game one.

Offensively, the Falcons have the style of lineup that the Rockets have. It is led off by the speedy Ferdini Zappataro, who’s 57 SB’s in the IBL of Tarrentum would probably be about 100 in Newmanistan, although he can get thrown out. Coach Cossomo may be tentative to give “Zappa” the green light to run against Rockets catcher Tara Rulison, who is here for her behind the plate ability. On the flip side, look for Stacie Meadows to run frequently. After the leadoff spot, each team has a deadly heart of the order, with RBI specialists capable of bringing them in. Neither team uses the DH, so won’t have to worry about that in the championship series. Gina Torretta is an exciting player to watch, and was nearly a triple crown winner in the IBL last season.

Put all of these pieces together, and we should have a great series. But the Rockets are the favorite, and ready to take home this title.

[Lycrabon]

Respective Game 1 cutoffs....both finalists have come don the expessways to the series (one northeast, one north)...who takes step 1 to taking the trophy home (the Rockets to OBI - again; the Falcons to the Ocean (OOC: I think)?

As before, winners lead 1-0,
AT ST. CATHERINE
Tarrentum 3, Newmanistan 1 (F/11)

AT CHARLESTOWN
Qazox 4, Silver Beach 0


EDIT: Happy New Year Everyone!!

[Qazox]

Qazox at WBC17

Qazox a win away from best finish in 16 years.

in our semifnal review, we stated that the Qazox bullpen was in need of depth. So far in the 3rd place series vs. Silver Beach, the bullpen's seen nothing but the pen itself as another complete game puts Qazox up 2-0. Sean Carey went the distance, allowing just an unearned run in the 7th, as Qazox moved 1 win from taking home 3rd place. If the Pheonix do manage to win this series, it will be their best finish since WBC9, when they last won a title.

Grant Hendell allowed 6 runs to score, giving Qazox a 6-0 lead, before being pulled with 2 outs in the 7th. A good day for Carl Holmes, who drove in the last 3 runs for Qazox, breaking out of a 4-for-26 slump. Jerri Werth will start Game 3 against Louis De Graza.

BOX SCORE:

Qazox        0 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 0  6 16 1
Silver Beach 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1  7 0

Scoring Summary:
Qazox 2nd: Holmes popped out to catcher. Sinclair singled to center. Flint doubled to right, Sinclair to 3rd. Carre flied out to center, Sinclair scored. Jae singled to right, Flint scored. Thomas struck out. 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 LOB. Qazox 2-0.

Qazox 5th: Carre singled to left. Jae singled to right, Carre to 2nd. Thomas flied out to right. Corell singled to center, Jae to 2nd, Carre to 3rd. McGillicutty struck out. Sdmar singled to center, Carre scored, Jae to 3rd, Corell to 2nd. Holmes singled to right, Jae scored, Sdmar to 2nd, Corell out advancing (9-6-2-5) 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 LOB. Qazox 4-0.

Qazox 7th: Thomas singled to left. Corell walked, Thomas to 2nd. McGillicutty grounded into fielder's choice (5-6), Corell to 2nd, Thomas out at 3rd. Sdmar flied out to left. Holmes doubled to right, Corell and McGillicutty scored<Pitching change: Grant McLeonard in for Grant Hendell>. Sinclair flied out to center. 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 LOB. Qazox 6-0.

Silver Beach 7th: Alphonso Ramirez reached on Carey's throwing error, Ramirez to 2nd. Franklin De Winters singled to center, Ramirez to 3rd. Evan Sartorious flied out to right, Ramirez scored. Hanley Choo singled to center, De Winters to 3rd. Jonah Miller struck out. Yamano LaFave grounded out to 2nd. 1 run, 2 hits, 2 LOB, 1 error. Qazox 6-1.

[Newmanistan]

Prior to the game, Jessica Brasfield walked on to the field in St. Catherine, and prepared to begin her typical morning stretches. Courtney Ratigan, who pitched the fifth game of the semifinal stood beside her, and two appeared to innocently talking amongst themselves. After a few minutes, the pitchers decided to walk over to a group of kids who were wanting their autographs. They were dressed in Tarrentum orange and blue, but they seemed like nice kids and they seem to honestly want the autographs.

“I hope you give up 10 runs in the first inning!” said one of them. Jessica just smiled as it was nothing she hadn’t heard before from an opposing fan. “You’ll never be Stacey Keisler. Ever. You and your stupid friend there, whatever her name is. Ratlady? And we’re gonna kick your ass.” Jessica rolled her eyes but still played nice as she gave the program back to the kid that she had signed for and began to move toward some other fans. “Go Falcons!” he shouted, and others near him who were rooting for Tarrentum cheered. Jessica smiled, signed a few more, and then walked off.

But what that kid had said to her struck a bit of a nerve. How did her career compare, really, to Stacey Keisler? She remembered her first World Baseball Classic, also the first Classic of the Tarrentum Falcons, and she had the reputation for being Brash-field. Freely spoke her mind, and confronted hitters aggressively because she had always looked up to and idolized Keisler not just as a pitcher but for the off the field antics as well. In the NBL, she is arguably the best pitcher in the entire league, but she has not been able to completely translate that success into the international level the way that Stacey did, and that began to bother her. She had some great starts, including a one-hitter previously in this qualifying, and was the winning pitcher of record in game two vs Silver Beach. So she had been close. But what kept her from getting to that next level, the one where Stacey would be at time and time again?

After the team meeting and briefing with pitching coach Carrie Lynsder, Jessica went online to look at Stacey’s career international history, especially in the playoffs, and it was just amazing. But that wasn’t enough. Jessica looked for articles about the game the day prior and the day after and began to notice what that thing might have been. Confidence. Some called it arrogance, but it was, was extreme self-confidence, and she backed it up. Jessica thought she had that confidence as well, but not like this. Not what she had seen from Stacey Keisler in going over these articles. Then she looked at her own. Initially, that same confidence showed in World Baseball Classic 15, but because she didn’t have the same kind of results immediately, that confidence, that “brashness” was gone. No one calls her Brash-field anymore, because she simply isn’t that way anymore. She looked at her comment to the media about what she thought about Tarrentum. It was nice, cordial, and professional, but was it her? What happened to Brashfield? She stared into open space and began listening to some hardcore metal from her favorite group, Metallicism. It pumped her up, even more then it ever would before. She was ready to go, and maybe “Brashfield” would return.

Soon enough, it was game time, and while she was subdued in pre-game interviews, there was a look of determination in her eyes. As the early innings progressed, that determination turned into confidence. Tarrentum retired in order in the first. Then the second, then the 3rd and 4th. Unfortunately, her teammates were not having much success were not giving her any offensive support as pitcher Christian Buonconte only allowed one hit through 4. A one-out single from Dessea Vallena-Favella seemed innocent, and even when a sac fly from Joe Thomas moved her to second, Jessica was still confident. She got Erni Washini to hit a routine grounder to first, and the inning was....well would have been over. Julie Sexton muffed the play. The ball bounced over her glove and tricked into right field, allowing Vallena-Favella to score. It was the kind of thing that might have rattled her in the past, but she took a deep breath, and fanned Nax Gatto to end the inning. Returning to the dugout, Brasfield put her arm around Sexton to try and lift her spirits. The team saw that, and in the 6th inning, and RBI single from Danielle Scott tied the game at one.

Jessica wasn’t perfect but she got out of trouble when she needed too, especially in the 8th, with the bases loaded with one out and Gina Torretta up. Gina took a fastball at 3-2, that was called strike three, even though she thought it was ball four. (Our cameras show it was a strike). Gina shouted to the umpire but was interrupted by Brasfield who shouted back “sit down and shut up, bitch!” that got her attention. Torretta turned around, only to have Jessica offer another expletive. There was a long stare, and players on both benches stood up to the top stair of the dugout. The fans rose to their feet. But the umpire wouldn’t be upstaged, and tossed Torretta from the game and offered a warning to Brasfield. Jessica smiled, that was fun, she thought. And so was her outing, going 9 innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 10. Though on this night, there would be no run support, and the Falcons two in the 11th off of Erica Barrett, who also pitched the 10th, won the game for Tarrentum.

After the game, Jessica was disappointed she did not win, but seem to feel good anyway, “Tarrentum still has a way to go. We’re going to be scoring more, so what was good enough for them to win tonight won’t be good enough for them to win the series.” As for Torretta, “If she’s gonna be a whiner, there’s room for her next to Kate (Schmidt) and Jill (Haviland). Though I guess even her own teammates can’t stand her, (Referencing an incident between Torretta and Vallena-Favella). So whining is probably a habit.”

Following the game, Christina Sanders announced that it indeed will be Brianna Bruce, and not Kaitlyn Ahearn for game 2. Kaitlyn pitches game 3 and Brittany Castelli game 4.

[Lycrabon]

Game 2 cutoff....do we go back to all square, or is there commanding 2-0 leads?

(OOC: What's the record of 2-0 leaders all time?)

AT CHARlESTOWN
Qazox 6, Silver Beach 1 [Qazox leads series 2-0]

AT ST. CATHERINE
Tarrentum 6, Newmanistan 2 [Tarrentum leads series 2-0]