WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC XXIV - LYCRABON

[Homelands our]

Qazox Close The Gap

After a 2-6 loss to Qazox last night, Homelands Our have a crucial match with 3rd placed newcomers Zandistan and this time we're at home at Harloop Stadbase. Should we win then we are through, so would be Qazox if they beat Free South Califas, which sounds more like an amnesty international slogan than country name. More on all the permutations later as although there's still 3 matches to go both spots can be taken or be still up for grabs this time tomorrow.

Here's what our baseball experts thought of the game:

John Harrodsburg: 'A very close game despite the scoreline, we were close to many a home run. But really there is no excuse for missing so many chances and least two more should have went over. We were also very sloppy in the field, with some very inaccurate throwing for our team. Looking on the bright side that looks be the hardest match of the qualifying stages for us, with most of the rest of it an easy pre-season friendly type fixture for us. I think we can easily go 2-1 if not 3-0, but we will need the latter to top the group as Qazox are on the up.'

Richard Freeman: 'We are a dead team walking now in this group. Only if however we lose tonight vs Zandistan as our players confidence will start to get depleted. WBC21 I think it was with that infamous match with finalists Western Cuba, we had lead the group until around now I think then a sharp change in form, like we could experience happened and we were left in a one match battle with Western Cuba, which we had no hope in at all. This team I have a good feeling about though as not only do we have a much easier run in but after participating in a lot more classics I think our time is now.

Richard is as usual very comparative with the past while John is more of an here and now person. Here some statistics about the coming three matchdays:

 Homelands Our TV schedule 

Monday
Zandistan @ Homelands Our - Blue Sports 1 (8pm Harloop Time)
Qazox @ Free South Cailfas - Blue Sports 3 (8pm Harloop Time)

Tuesday
Free South Califas @ Homelands Our - Blue Sports 2 (7:30pm Harloop Time)
Belshaw and Pevenessy @ Qazox - Blue Fire Xtra Sports (8pm Harloop Time)

Wednesday 
Homelands Our @ Belshaw and Pevenessy - Blue Sports 2 (8pm Harloop Time)
Zandistan @ Free South Califas - Blue Sports Away (8pm Harloop Time)

Group Premutations (for MD8 (mon))
If Homelands Our and Qazox win then both are through.
If Homelands Our win then Homelands Our are through.
If Qazox win then no team is through.
If Homelands Our nor Qazox win then no team is through.

Latest Odds - To make it out of group 9
Qazox 1-3
Homelands Our 1-5
Zandistam 1-8
Free South Califas 1-9
Belshaw and Pevenessy and Pacificius both cannot make it out of the group.

[Zwangzug]

We beat Tyneala.

Aminda was brilliant. Not overpowering stuff, but back and forth with curveballs and sliders to keep them guessing.

She and Charlie were going ahead with the simple pitch-calling system we Zebras had agreed upon for this tournament, before we all go back to our own signs. I know the Werwolfs have their own, very compact, system when it's just them. Charlie's fingers are a lot more flexible than he lets on.

(Aminda and I faced each other in the first round of the playoffs. It wasn't a great game. Unearned runs on either side.

But we still won.)

In this game Priya came in and gave up two runs in the eighth.

We scored two more in the bottom of the half and she pitched a perfect ninth.

Aminda, then, was sick and miserable on the ICE 3 ride east, vomiting when she disembarked. But apparently says she's okay and is going to make it to Equestrian States even though she almost certainly won't have to play.

Some people have all the luck, good and bad, all at once...

It was a quiet day in the bullpen maybe nobody wants to talk to me though Danny does want me to note for the future that sports stars in Zwangzug are not incredibly well-paid, relative to everyone else, because of...there's lots of people who would want to do this so we're cheap or...he says it's "just more capitalism business." Therefore, his objections to Boipelo's shopping habits may have gotten a little off-topic in "the heat of the moment" (his words). Boipelo is able to shrug this off, although that might have been him just trying to get the heck out of Central Station and leave poor Aminda to catch the transfer on her own, somewhere where she isn't contagious.

Oh, and I signed a couple autographs before the game. Kids had brought random balls to sign, it was cool. I don't have any balls or anything from my first start, in part because it was an away game...I wonder whether I'll ever be able to sign a book and say "this is mine, I did it."

One day at a time. The group leaders are next, no big deal...

[Allinlia]

Eastman Unstoppable!
Imperial team emerges victorious from pitching duel with Eastmen's gem.

Allinlia	200 000 000 - 2
Raxillion	000 000 010 - 1

Allinlia has been officially mathematically eliminated despite an impressive win in one of the lowest scoring, most intense games of the tournament. Though it might not have been the most must-watch match of this WBC. It was between two eliminated teams sitting at 1-5 afterall. Eastman's WBC stats have nevertheless turned heads abroad. He went 8 innings giving up only a single run this game, bringing his total toruney performance to an impressive 4 runs allowed in 15 innings, which in what has become an especially high scoring tournament, places him among the top pitching performers, especially for a team of players who no one outside of Allinlia has really ever seen before.

Aiden Stairs's 2 run homer in the first inning would prove to be the only runs Allinlia would need as Matt Eastman would leave Raxillion's batters almost completely stifled until the 8th when he gave up the lone run allowed in the game. He would finish out the inning before being relieved by closer Bobby Lecroy, who struck out 2 to secure the hard fought road win.

Allinlia's offence was for the most part shut down as well, as Raxillion's starter also lasted through 8 innings of work in what has been one of the most impressive pitcher's duels in the tournament so far. Like Raxillion Allinia drew a decent number of walks and base hits but was never really able to put anyone in good scoring position.

After the game Eastman said "I'm thrilled to have played so well in this WBC, it has been a wonderful experience and I only pray that my new teamates on the pitching rotation experience similar success in our next games."

Eastman is likely done for the tournament despite his incredible consistency as the ABL brass and manager Ron Gardner want to stick to the 5 man rotation to avoid the chances of an injury for any one ballclub now that the imperial team has been eliminated from group stage contention. Allinlia's 2 wins have both been against Raxillion and Eastman has pitched in both. Despite this some are still impressed with Eastman's performance. Let's not forget that Raxillion did manage to pull off a shocking upset of #7 Lycrabon in their WBC opener.

Allinlia's defense looked very sharp throughout the game and it seems like they are playing their best ball late, and that playing loose without the expectation to dominate in the empire's debut has benefited them.

"I really can't wait to get back out there." said Jason Reece, "We might be out of the tournament but I'd love to see us win all our remaining games and make the world community take notice. Allinlia has been a baseball nations for many years and yet it really does seem we've been isolated and no one has heard of us."

Nick Fasano was next to him and laughed. "Yeah, people are going 'Wait a second just who is this Stairs guy, where did he come from?' Its pretty neat and funny to see this, we've definitely been in our own little bubble."

Ron Gardner said the team will just take things one game at a time, getting out of the group stage is out of the question but where will Alinlia end up? Will this scrappy team determined to ruin the hopes of either Lycrabon or New Montreal States succeed? Games against both these group leaders are coming up, as well as a match against PowerSith, who Allinlia would very much like to beat to show that they are THE newcomers in this group. Buddy Cox is penciled in to start that game and he seemed very determined to take revenge for his mediocre start last time. "A boxscore like that just ain't me. I'm gonna go out there and make sure my team is in position to win, there is no other option." said the Roos Aces star.



Where do YOU think Allinlia's final record will be? Vote now!
A. 2-8
B. 3-7
C. 4-6
D. 5-5 Baby!

AESN PowerStats(tm)
Stairs: 5HR 11RBI
Marteen: 3HR 5RBI
Levins: 2HR 4RBI
Majuwitz 1HR 3RBI
Hunter 1HR 3RBI
Silver 0HR 3RBI
Grimes 0HR 3RBI
Gordo 0HR 3RBI
Reece 0HR 1RBI

[Lycrabon]

Matchday eight cutoff.......do we finally have some clarity in Group 10?

Updated standings coming shortly.

Group 1

The Tidal Wake        301 020 030 - 9			
Byfugland             400 220 003 - 11			
			
			
Saugeais              100 610 010 - 9			
Ko-oren               201 121 07X - 14			
			
			
Pathogeria            000 210 010 000 - 4			
The Jahistic Unified  100 210 000 004 - 8

Group 2

Riyahda               010 000 121 - 5			
The Kytler Peninsula  202 210 10X - 8			
			
			
Yesopalitha           242 212 200 - 15			
Cyborg Holland        002 256 002 - 17			
			
			
Pugh                  100 000 000 - 1			
Kintratar             301 130 00X - 8

Group 3

Shadowbourne          001 110 023 - 8			
Karditan              100 111 000 - 4			
			
			
Milchama              100 112 000 - 5			
Maklohi Vai           006 010 00X - 7			
			
			
Free Swiss States     021 001 100 - 5			
Kerblaekistan         101 313 00X - 9

Group 4

Unified Hyrule        011 300 100 - 6			
Sakurakoku            100 110 000 - 3			
			
			
Darmen                214 110 000 - 9			
Torisakia             002 001 010 - 4			
			
			
Ezryel                228 010 001 - 14			
Branta Island         100 124 004 - 12

Group 5

STORMCHASE            000 000 023 00 - 5			
THRILLEDGE            101 120 000 01 - 6			
			
			
Civil Citzenry        200 110 102 - 7			
Super-Llamaland       012 001 001 - 5			
			
			
Madsen                211 020 000 - 6			
Mapletish             120 200 103 - 9

Group 6

Raxillion             200 010 001 - 4			
New Montreal States   100 120 20X - 6			
			
			
Lycrabon              100 320 000 - 6			
Sicountimont          101 000 001 - 3			
			
			
Powersith             000 000 001 - 1			
Allinlia              000 000 02X - 2

Group 7

Weatherdon            020 001 000 - 3			
Tyneala               200 110 00X - 4			
			
			
Zwangzug              224 120 210 - 14			
Equestrian States     100 141 000 - 7			
			
			
Lunar Republic Islan  000 000 230 - 5			
Backyard Sports       001 030 000 - 4

Group 8

Slembana              201 000 021 - 6			
Michael VII           300 210 001 - 7			
			
			
Western cuba          200 111 110 - 7			
Cosumar               000 010 102 - 4			
			
			
The Royal Kingdom of  000 000 000 - 0			
Westros               100 110 00X - 3

Group 9

Zandistan             100 200 000 - 3			
Homelands our         120 110 00X - 5			
			
			
Qazox                 100 210 000 - 4			
Free South Califas    221 110 00X - 7			
			
			
Pacificus             121 030 017 - 15			
Belshaw and Peveness  000 031 102 - 7

Group 10

Wyztrkstan            000 000 002 - 2			
West Guiana           100 111 21X - 7			
			
			
Taeshan               102 410 112 - 12			
Lymantia              000 030 000 - 3			
			
			
Estope                002 120 001 4 - 10			
Birolika              020 130 000 0 - 6

[Lycrabon]

OFFICIALLY UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS

Group 1				W-L	RS-RA	RD
Saugeais			6-2	72-46	26
Byfugland			6-2	46-39	7
Ko-oren				5-3	60-52	8
z-The Jahistic Unified Republic	3-5	50-52	-2
z-The Tidal Wake		2-6	44-61	-17
z-Pathogeria			2-6	40-62	-22

- Saugeais is first due to H2H sweep

- The Tidal Wake is fifth due to H2H victory

Group 2			W-L	RS-RA	RD
The Kytler Peninsulae	7-1	49-22	27
Yesopalitha		6-2	65-44	21
Cyborg Holland		5-3	61-51	10
z-Kintratar		4-4	39-37	2
z-Riyadh		2-6	35-56	-21
z-Pugh			0-8	28-67	-39

Group 3			W-L	RS-RA	RD
Maklohi Vai		5-3	63-44	19
Kerblaekisistan		5-3	42-50	-8
Shadowbourne		5-3	38-45	-7
Milchama		4-4	45-25	20
z-Free Swiss States	3-5	37-46	-9
z-Karditan		2-6	43-53	-10

- Maklohi Vai is first due to H2H (MKV 2-1; KER 2-2; SHD 1-2)

- Kerblaekistan is second due to H2H sweep

Group 4	                W-L	RS-RA	RD
y-Darmen		7-1	64-32	32
Sakurakoku              5-3	61-37	24
Torisakia		4-4	56-51	5
Ezryel         		4-4	54-73	-19
z-Branta Island         2-6	47-63	-16
z-Unified Hyrule        2-6	40-66	-26

- Torisakia is third due to H2H RD (split; TOR +11; EZR -11)

- Branta Island is fifth due to H2H RD (split; BRI +4; UNH -4)

Group 5			W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Civil Citizenry	8-0	67-42	25
THRILLEDGE		6-2	58-36	22
Super-Llamaland		5-3	52-44	8
z-STORMCHASE	        3-5	45-55	-10
z-Mapletish		1-7	37-51	-14
z-Madsen		1-7	34-62	-28

- Civil Citizenry has clinched a top ten seed due to clinching Group 5.

- Mapletish is fifth due to H2H RD (split; MPL +2; MDS -2)

Group 6			W-L	RS-RA	RD
Lycrabon		7-1	57-32	25
New Montreal States	6-2	52-37	15
Sicountimont		5-3	59-42	17
z-Allinlia		3-5	39-51	-12
z-Powersith		2-6	41-49	-8
z-Raxillion		1-7	25-62	-37

Group 7				W-L	RS-RA	RD
Tyneala				5-3	50-40	10
Zwangzug			5-3	62-42	20
Equestrian States		5-3	48-55	-7
Weatherdon			4-4	34-42	-8
z-Lunar Republic Islands	3-5	43-52	-9
z-Backyard Sports		2-6	41-47	-6

- Tyneala is first due to H2H records (TNL 2-1; ZWA 2-2; EQS 1-2)

- Zwangug is second due to H2H RD (split; ZWA +6; EQS -6)

Group 8				W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Western cuba			8-0	64-33	31
Cosumar				5-3	54-42	12
Michael VII			5-3	47-46	1
z-Westros			3-5	54-49	5
z-Royal Kingdom of Quebec	2-6	30-53	-23
z-Slembana			1-7	33-55	-22

- Western cuba has clinched a top ten seed by virtue of clinching Group 8.

- Cosumar is second due to H2H result (9-5 in MD 4). Cosumar clinches second with a win in MD 9.

Group 9			W-L	RS-RA	RD
Homelands our		6-2	57-39	18
Qazox			5-3	61-42	19
Free South Califas	5-3	57-64	-7
Zandistan		4-4	49-55	-6
z-Belshaw and Pevenessy	2-6	44-64	-20
z-Pacificus		2-6	59-69	-10

- Qazox is third due to H2H RD (split; QZX +8; FSC -8)

-Pacificus is fifth due to H2H RD (split; PAC +7; BPE -7)

Group 10	W-L	RS-RA	RD
Taeshan		5-3	40-28	12
Estope		5-3	41-48	-7
West Guiana	4-4	36-33	3
Lymantia	4-4	51-36	15
Wyztrkstan	4-4	36-44	-8
z-Birolika	2-6	34-49	-15

- Taeshan is first due to H2H result (9-4)

-West Guiana is third due to H2H (WGU 2-1; LYM 1-1; WYZ 1-2)

-Lymantia is fourth due to H2H result (17-5)

x-clinched group title
y-clinched playoff berth
z-eliminated from contention

[Estope]

The dust has settled a little bit and there is now some clarity in the Group 10 standings. Currently Taeshan and Estope are tied for first but Taeshan holds the tiebreaker due to the head to head record. West Guiana, Lymantia, and Wyztrkstan are only one game behind and will still have ample opportunities to play their way back into contention. Every game now is still critically important for any teams playoff aspirations although Estope now has a much easier path and should need only a win tomorrow against Wyztrkstan and a West Guiana win to qualify. However anything is possible so you can't count on anything until the final scores are posted. Another road game versus Wyztrkstan and then the home finale against Taeshan are the remaining games left. Birolika was eliminated by Estope in a 10-6 10 inning game. Estope has passed their first test and came back late to win in a thriller. Tomorrow's game against Wyztrkstan is crucial to knock them out of contention and leave Estope with a larger lead in the stanings. Estope beat them at home on day four but it took ten innings to do so. They are a very dangerous team but they are coming off a 7-2 loss to West Guiana.

Estope first loss was an embarrassing blowout loss to an unranked Birolika. Now Estope returned the favor by eliminating Birolika from contention is a thrilling 10 inning game. Estope did very well at the plate and was able to make clutch hits when the game was on the line. Trailing by one in the ninth and with two outs, Austin Forde hit a double up the middle that allowed for Driggers to score the tying run. In the tenth, Cory Keys hit a grand slam home run to give Estope a four run lead and the win. The starting pitcher for Estope was Cedric Mothershed who has not been playing his best and agin put together a poor start to a game. He allowed all six runs in five innings of work. The bullpen continued to play lights out and did not give up a single run. Felipe Sweigart, manager for Estope,has recognized the problems that the starting pitchers are having and claims he will fix it before next tournament. He spoke fo the big games ahead and said that the starting pitchers will definitely need to improve but the bullpen and batters have played excellent so far and should continue to excel. That is definitely true, as team batting average is an astounding .442 and the relief pitchers have given up only three runs. Estope travels to Wyztrkstan tomorrow in the most crucial match up of the tournament.

Estope                002 120 001 4 - 10			
Birolika              020 130 000 0 - 6

BIR (2-6) EST (5-3)

Hitters                  AB  R  H  RBI   BB   SO
Alex Avez SS             6   1  3    0    0    1
Max Meister LF           5   1  2    0    1    1
Cory Keys 1B             5   1  2    4    1    1
Jessie Driggers RF       5   1  2    0    1    2
Henry Fowler CF          6   2  2    0    1    0
Fabio Fernandez 3B       5   2  2    0    1    0
Austin Forde 2B          5   1  3    3    0    1
Bryant Bolman DH         5   0  2    3    0    1
James Campella C         5   1  1    0    0    2

Batting:
2B - Avez - 1st
     Fowler - 3rd
     Forde - 9th
       
3B - Bolman - 5th

HR - Keys - 10th

SAC - None

Baserunning:
SB - Driggers - 9th

CS - None

Fielding:
E - None
A - Forde - 3
    Avez - 7
    Fernandez - 6     

Pitching
Pitchers            IP   H  R  ER  BB  SO
Cedric Mothershed   5.0  9  6   6   3   4
Noel Pelot          2.0  1  0   0   1   2
Jonathon Nitka      2.1  0  0   0   0   3
     (W, 1-0)
Colin Noakes        0.2  0  0   0   0   1

Scoring Summary
Bottom 2nd: Zanders doubled, Bronx, Harlow scored. Birolika, 2-0.
Top 3rd: Forde singled, Fowler, Fernandez scored. Tied, 2-2.
Top 4th: Bolman singled, Forde scored. Estope, 3-2.
Bottom 4th: Winters hit solo home run. Tied, 3-3
Top 5th: Bolman tripled, Fowler, Fernandez scored. Estope, 5-3.
Bottom 5th: Winters singled, Harlow scored. Estope, 5-4.
Bottom 5th: Ocks singled, Winters scored. Tied, 5-5.
Bottom 5th: Molten doubled, Helk scored. Birolika, 6-5.
Top 9th: Forde doubled, Driggers scored. Tied, 6-6
Top 10th: Keys hit grand slam home run, Campella, Meister, Avez scored. Estope, 10-6.

Official Group Table

Group 10	W-L	RS-RA	RD
Taeshan		5-3	40-28	12
Estope		5-3	41-48	-7
West Guiana	4-4	36-33	3
Lymantia	4-4	51-36	15
Wyztrkstan	4-4	36-44	-8
z-Birolika	2-6	34-49	-15

Hitters                  AB   R  H   RBI   BB   SO  AVG
Alex Avez SS             37   10  20   1    4    7  .540
Max Meister LF           32   3  12    1    9    8  .375
Cory Keys 1B             33   5  15    14   8   11  .455
Jessie Driggers RF       40   2  12    2    3   12  .300
Henry Fowler CF          37   9  18    3    6    1  .486
Fabio Fernandez 3B       35   10  17   1    4    1  .486
Austin Forde 2B          34   6  23    16   5    1  .676
Bryant Bolman DH         33   3  15    9    7    9  .455
James Campella C         35   2   8    5    1   17  .229

Batting:
2B - Avez - 5
     Fowler - 4
     Forde - 11
     Fernandez - 2
     Keys - 2
     Driggers - 3
     Bolman - 3 
     Meister - 1 

3B - Bolman - 2

HR - Keys - 5
     Campella - 2

SAC - Campella - 1
      Fowler - 1

Baserunning:
SB - Driggers - 9
     Fernandez - 3

CS - Avez - 1

Fielding:
E - Meister - 3

A - Forde - 42
    Avez - 31
    Fernandez - 34     

Pitching
Pitchers            IP    H   R   ER  BB   SO
Eric Almanza        18.0  22  19  13   6   22
     (1-1)
Noel Pelot          8.0   8   2   1    4   11
Colin Noakes        5.2   0   0   0    0   10
(1-0)   (S - 2)
Cedric Mothershed   17.1  28  19  19  14   15
     (1-1)
Jonathon Nitka      11.0  5   1   1    0   14
     (1-0)
Garrett Masser      7.0   17  13  13   7    6
     (1-1)
Ed Knippenberg      5.0   4   0   0    2    5

[Sakurakoku]

"Not What We Needed"
Wolves strike out thirteen times at the plate; Namiya leaves early with possible stiffness in arm

Unified Hyrule        011 300 100 - 6 15 1
Sakurakoku            100 110 000 - 3  8 1

W - *smudge*
L - Namiya (1-1)

Partial Box Score:
Hitting

Hitters                  AB  R  H  RBI  BB  SO
Y. Katou, CF              4  1  1    0   1   0
M. Kaneko, 3B             4  0  0    0   1   2
H. Horie, DH              4  0  0    0   1   2
G. Furukawa, 2B           5  1  2    1   0   2
A. Kimihara, 1B           5  0  1    1   0   2
M. Yamagishi, RF          3  0  0    0   2   1
-> (d) A. Uemura, PR      0  0  0    0   0   0
S. Takeda, SS             4  0  1    0   0   2
-> (b) M. Dojima, PR-SS   1  0  1    0   0   0
K. Kusao, LF              0  0  0    0   3   0
-> (c) S. Yasuzumi, PH-LF 1  1  0    0   1   1
K. Suzuki, C              2  0  1    1   0   1
-> (a) O. Tanonaka, PH-C  2  0  1    0   0   0

(a) Doubled for Suzuki in 6th
(b) Pinch ran for Takeda in 8th
(c) Walked for Kusao in 8th
(d) Pinch ran for Yamagishi in 9th

Batting:
2B - Suzuki in 4th, Tanonaka in 6th, Takeda in 8th
HR - Furukawa in 5th

Baserunning: none

Fielding:
DP - Kaneko/Kimihara in 1st
Outfield Assist - Yamagishi in 9th (*smudge* at 3rd)

Pitching

Pitchers                 IP  H  R  ER  BB  SO
K. Namiya (L, 1-1)      3.2  8  5   5   2   3
Y. Saito                2.1  2  0   0   0   1
Y. Hanamura             1.2  3  1   1   0   2
S. Miyanohara           1.1  2  0   0   1   1

Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st: Katou singled to left. Kaneko popped out to shortstop. Horie walked, Katou to second. Furukawa safe at first on error by first baseman *smudge*, Katou to third, Horie to second. Kimihara singled to left, Katou scored, Horie to third, Furukawa to second, Horie out at home. Yamagishi walked. Takeda struck out. Sakurakoku, 1-0.
Top 2nd: *smudge* flied out to center. *smudge* doubled to right. *smudge* singled to center, *smudge* scored. *smudge* grounded out to first. *smudge* struck out. Tied, 1-1.
Top 3rd: *smudge* singled to left. *smudge* stole second. *smudge* struck out, *smudge* to third on passed ball. *smudge* singled to center, *smudge* scored. *smudge* struck out. *smudge* flied out to left. Unified Hyrule, 2-1.
Top 4th: *smudge* walked. *smudge* singled to center, *smudge* to second. *smudge* popped out to catcher. *smudge* doubled to right, *smudge* scored, *smudge* scored. *smudge* hit by pitch. *smudge* grounded into fielder's choice, third baseman Kimihara unassisted, *smudge* out at first, *smudge* to third, *smudge* to second. *smudge* walked. Saito pitching. *smudge* singled to left, *smudge* scored, *smudge* to third, *smudge* to second. *smudge* lined out to second. Unified Hyrule, 5-1.
Bottom 4th: Takeda flied out to right. Kusao walked. Suzuki doubled to left, Kusao scored. Katou lined out to shortstop. Kaneko struck out. Unified Hyrule, 5-2.
Bottom 5th: Horie grounded out to third. Furukawa homered to center. Kimihara struck out. Yamagishi struck out. Unified Hyrule, 5-3.
Top 7th: *smudge* homered to left-center. *smudge* popped out to third. *smudge* struck out. *smudge* popped out to catcher.

[Allinlia]

Here We Go Again!
Allinlia triumphs in yet another pitcher's duel in thrilling walk-off fashion!

Powersith             000 000 001 - 1			
Allinlia              000 000 02X - 2

Reporting from Laquete-

Another game, another nailbiter, another stupendous duel between the pitchers, and another win for Allinlia. For the second consecutive game the imperial team's pitching and defense was absolutely lights out and the team absolutely needed every bit the pitching and defense could give them. Buddy Cox got the call to start tonight going 8 very strong scoreless innings of work before being sent back to the dugout with a solo homer to a standing ovation, despite the allowed run putting the team on the brink of losing and going 2-6. Yes, Allinlia had also not scored a single run through 8 thanks to a brilliant 8 inning strong outing from the visiting team's starter, Willie Ways Jr. and Powersith's quick, athletic defense.

The home crowd stayed on their feet and cheered even louder when they saw the closing pitcher of their championship winning hometown team, Bobby Lecroy race out of the dugout to pitch relief and end the 8th inning, keeping the deficit at only 1 run.

In the bottom of the 9th the crowd went nuts for hometown star Terrell Hunter who led off the inning...and quickly ground out. Allinlia's hope at a comeback remained alive as Aiden Stairs drew a walk and in a thrilling moment, managed to steal second base through a close play at the plate to put himself into scoring position.

Catcher Cal Gordo: "I was like Wooow *laughs* Aiden has really got balls *laughs harder*. He is not a guy like Conor Levins or Jason Reece or even Terrell Hunter on the base paths, I'd grade him like a C or C+ in terms of speed, and if he got thrown out we'd be in big trouble. I really don't think Powersith expected him to take off either! Sometimes I dunno if the guy's a genius or just totally nuts."

Stairs said regarding Powersith not seeming to anticipate his steal "They clearly scouted us very well for both games but not quite well enough. I'm not a base stealing player, but because I'm a bit on the heavy side, people forget that every now and then I do get one."

Indeed, Aiden Stairs has recorded anywhere between 5 and 11 steals per season in his career, a surprising number of them in critical moments for his team.

The crowd's excitement for A-mazing's daring play turned into an eruption as the exciting young Dralin power hitter from Grand, DH Conan Marteen, smashed a double in the gap to drive Stairs home and tie the game. Ending Ways Jr.'s shutout bid and sending him back to the dugout.

It was Paul Majuwitz's turn to step up to the plate. On a 2-2 count he drove a hit to the left field warning track allowing Conan Marteen to walk off with another close play at home plate, emptying Allinlia's dugout and bullpen as the team raced to embrace Majuwitz and Marteen.

"The excitement of the crowd got to us, as it tends to in close games like this. We really wanted this one, we wanted to earn a bit of respect on the world stage." said Roos Aces left fielder Crowder Grimes.

The crowd was on the edge of thier seat and cheering hard and loud for the team the entire game. The Emperor as well as the princes seemed glued in anticipation during the 9th, and joined the wave of jubilation at the game's conclusion, jumping up and down in the imperial box suite. Throngs of cheering fans poured out of the stadium and into Laquete's bars, local police stood by on edge as several small celebratory riots were broken up.

"It's not often that you see a crowd get so worked up over a win in a game between two eliminated team's at the bottom of the standings. These lunatics are acting like they just won the whole damn thing! You can tell these fans are truly passionate about sports and love this game, I'm glad I decided to check it out, this was awesome." noted a Pegasi tourist who decided to come to Laquete from Allinlia's neighbors to the north to check out the WBC.

The matches's MVP was Buddy Cox who had expressed displeasure with himself for his previous performance against Powersith in what he described as a thoroughly mediocre and unacceptable game for him. The difference from then and now was like night and day.

"I said that I was going to do better and I did. Simple as that." said the veteran pitcher. "I think I really learned alot from this game, playing at this level has forced me to get smarter and more precise on the mound."

Ron Gardner stated during the post game interview, "We certainly have alot of very exciting young gun pitchers in this rotation, but Cox and Aidrun were chosen for a reason. These two veteran starters have been among the very best in our league for a long time now and they have the grit and composure to dig deep and do what needs to be done in tough situations like this.

Speaking of Bonser Aidrun, he will get the call against what Allinlia has viewed as its toughest game of WBC groups since before the tournament began. The road match against Lycrabon is like a perfect storm of what Allinlia has struggled with thus far in the tournament. A road game, against a strong world ranked team, with no DH allowed. Bonser Aidrun simply said in regards to the prospect of this next game: "I'm ready."

If that game is anything close to the level of intensity of Allinlia's last two, or for that matter their previous match against Lycrabon, than so are we.


---
The results from our latest "Ask the fans" poll:

2-8: 38%
3-7: 26%
4-6: 24%
5-5!: 12%

AESN PowerStats(tm)
Stairs: 5HR 11RBI
Marteen: 3HR 6RBI
Levins: 2HR 4RBI
Majuwitz 1HR 4RBI
Hunter 1HR 3RBI
Silver 0HR 3RBI
Grimes 0HR 3RBI
Gordo 0HR 3RBI
Reece 0HR 1RBI

[Free South Califas]

The Mice are shockingly still in this thing after a 7-4 upset of Qazox at home on Hisakawa's grand slam. With this surprise in the stocking, the South Califas team will prepare for Homelands our and try to run the table.

[Qazox]

Eagles lose 3rd road game.

This time it wasn't the bullpen's fault. David Christian lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 10 hits as Qazox lost to Free South Califas 7-4 and fell a game behind Homelands our in the group. Luckily for Qazox they still have a slim chance of getting the group title, but it would entail Homelands our losing their next two games, and Qazox winning their next two.

Up next, Qazox heads back home to face Belshaw and Pevenessy. A win by Qazox and a FSC loss would clinch the Eagles a playoff berth.

Qazox                 100 210 000 - 4 11 0
Free South Califas    221 110 00X - 7 15 0

SCORING SUMMARY

Qazox 1st: Hodgman flied out to right. Jimenez singled to center. Hamilton singled to center, Jimenez to second. Dodge doubled to right, Jimenez scored, Hamilton out advancing (9-3-2). Zimmerman struck out. 1 run on 3 hits, 1 LOB 1-0 Qazox

FSC 1st: Epifanio struck out. Eran singled to right. Eran stole second. Claribel grounded out to second, Eran to third. Hisakawa doubled to right, Eran scored. Merce singled to left, Hisakawa to third. Gutierrez singled to center, Hisakawa scored, Merce to second. Dubanowski grounded out to short. 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 LOB 2-1 FSC

FSC 2nd: Kisha walked. Beverley sacrifice to pitcher, Kisha to second. Epifanio doubled to left-center, Kisha scored. Eran doubled to left, Epifanio scored. Claribel struck out. Hisawaka walked. Merce grounded into fielder's choice, Hisawaka out at second (6-4). 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 LOB 4-1 FSC

FSC 3rd: Gutierrez singled to right. Dubanowski hit-by-pitch, Gutierrez to second. Kisha singled to left, Gutierrez to third, Dubanowski to second. Beverley fouled out to catcher. Epifanio singled to right, Gutierrez scored, Dubanowski out advancing (9-2-5-3-6-2), Kisha to third, Epifanio to second on play. Eran grounded out to second. 1 runs on 3 hits, 2 LOB 5-1 FSC

Qazox 4th: Dodge hit-by-pitch. <UMPIRE ISSUES BENCH WARNING TO BOTH TEAMS ABOUT HBP> Zimmerman singled to left, Dodge to second. Espinoza lined out to third. Lee singled to center, Dodge scored, Zimmerman to third. Bryant singled to left, Zimmerman scored, Lee to second. Christian sacrifice to first, Lee to third, Bryant to second. Hodgman struck out looking. 2 runs on 3 hits, 2 LOB 5-3 FSC

FSC 4th: Claribel struck out. Hisakawa 427ft HR to right, Hisawaka scored. <PITCHING CHANGE: Sean Leva in for Christian> Merce flied out to left. Gutierrez struck out. 1 run on 1 hit, 0 LOB 6-3 FSC

Qazox 5th: Jimenez doubled to center. Hamilton singled to right, Jimenez to third. Dodge flied out to center, Jimenez scored. Zimmerman singled to left, Hamilton to second. Espinoza struck out. Lee grounded into fielder's choice (6-4), Zimmeramn out at second. 1 run on 3 hits, 1 LOB 6-4 FSC

FSC 5th: Dubanowski doubled to left-center. Kisha singled to right, Dubanowski to third. Beverley struck out. Epifanio singled to left, Dubanowski scored, Kisha to second. Eran grounded into fielder's choice, (4-6), Kisha to third, Epifanio out at second. Claribel flied out to left. 1 run on 3 hits, 2 LOB 7-4 FSC

[Zwangzug]

We had to go through three pitchers today--Hiroto started, then Boipelo and Sawyer filled in. The Equestrian States? Needed more than three.

Forest Stadium is rather small, they seemed to be saving it for their games against the top seeds--maybe because they didn't want so many fans to watch them lose. Cautious optimism at this point, we have just the two eliminated teams left, so we can do this. Although I'm sure they'll want to play spoiler.

It was actually some of the older players making things interesting in the bullpen today. Apparently Sawyer and Csaba have a tradition of passing the time by gauging the attractiveness of nearby fans. That's not strange. What is strange is that they've moved on to ergonomics, in terms of "sure, your mascot uniform or whatever may have lots of legs, but how is that going to fit in a seat"? No wonder the capacity is only 25,000, they have to have room for all of these people.

I'm used to these kind of mascot-things from my IABC competitions. No semifinal run for the Bears this time around. Instead, we were the only team from Zwangzug to win a series. (The Dragons, to their credit, managed to win a single game before losing their first round series.)

That is kind of demoralizing sometimes, to think about the level of parity that there can be sometimes. But I guess with best of three series, there's a lot of time for upsets, and our league's had a bumpy history anyway.

This is the place where part of me would like to be Tynealan, or even a bleeping Red-Tail, so I could say "well, so what, it's not about who wins the most ChocoMilk cartons, it's about what we have in our heart, and our fans know after train crashes and moments of silence What Matters Most." But for better or for worse, that's not who I am.

[Homelands our]

One Win Away

Well, our permutations weren't quite as even though we won because  Qazox lost to Free South Califas it means that those two are level on 5-3 and we're on 6-2. Zandistan would now need a wipeout of the other three teams to make it as their on 4-4. The other two were out prior to yesterdays meaningless match between them, and it looks like they will be propping up the group come Thursday morning. What all that weans however a win for us when Free South Califas visit tonight would send us through and Qazox would need just one win from there to make it through. So it seems the fate of three excellent baseball teams could all rest in 9 innings at the  Harloop  Stadbase with a passionate, sell out crowd watching on (as long as the city wide strike goes ahead).

The team's coach gave a press conference this morning at the teams truing base, just outside our capital city Harloop:
'Yes the group is in our hands now, but with only two matchdays to go is that really a good thing? I have noticed that no matter what we are top this time tomorrow, which means we will have two bites of the cheery to try to get to Lycrabon. What is also good is that no matter who it is we have a H2H advantage over them..."
Just then a journalist from Free South Califas noticed he had his stats mixed up
"... and that's exactly why I'm not the WBC 24 person that does the group isn't it. All joking aside we'll be in a qualification place then this time tomorrow, it still means we'll have two chances to make it through. If we win then we will be too seeds from this group, got it good."

[Ko-oren]

Talking about impossible losses: Pt. 2 A column from Lycrabon: WBC XXIV

And then, a day later, the impossible happens: your team manages to beat Saugeais, the fourth best team in the world. After some losses against Pathogeria and other teams, the Greenblues' chances were almost gone according to most experts and bookies, but now the team still has a chance. Yesterday's match was a great display of fighting for your last chances, if the team had lost it would have been all over already.

Either Saugeais or Byfugland has to drop points. These two teams are on 6-2, Ko-oren is on 5-3, which means that even if the h2h record against both is better, the overall W-L record destroys our hopes and dreams. That's what you get for dropping points against worse teams (and that's not just the Baseball team, apparently it's a skill they picked up from the football team after watching the qualification stage of the past two World Cups). Overall, group 1 is more or less a clear-cut group. Two teams at the top, no real H2H problems for the hosts to rank teams by. This sure is different from other groups, for instance Groups 3 and 7, which have three teams on 5-3 and another team on 4-4. This is still nothing compared to Group 10, where only Birolika is eliminated, but the other five teams all have a chance. Better even, all other teams have a good chance of advancing: two teams on 5-3, three teams on 4-4. Group 5 is not very open anymore, as Civil Citizenry, with 9 wins in 8 match rounds (!) is already firmly in first place.

Next round is Ko-oren at home versus Byfugland. This match is the difference between going to the WBC or not!
If Ko-oren wins by three runs or more: Ko-oren in 2nd place, because of H2H record.
If Ko-oren wins by one or two runs: Ko-oren in 2nd place, because of run differential.
If it is a draw: Byfugland in 2nd place, because of H2H record.
If Byfugland wins: Byfugland in 2nd place, because of H2H record.

Though if Ko-oren wins, by any number of runs, and Saugeais lose their match, Ko-oren advances to first place immediately because of the H2H record against Saugeais, and the run differential/H2H record against Byfugland. Should it, at any point, come to the number of runs scored, Ko-oren should be comfortable against Byfugland, but lose against Saugeais. For some weird reason, Ko-oren indeed has the H2H advantage against Saugeais... beating them twice with a combined run differential of nine!

md1 - Ko-oren v. JUR 10-7 W
md2 - Ko-oren v. Pathogeria (h) 5-1 W
md3 - Ko-oren v. Saugeais 10-6 W
md4 - Ko-oren v. Byfugland (h) 3-5 L
md5 - Ko-oren v. Tidal Wake 5-11 L
md6 - Ko-oren v. JUR (h) 5-4 W
md7 - Ko-oren v. Pathogeria 8-9 L
md8 - Ko-oren v. Saugeais (h) 14-9 W
md9 - Ko-oren v. Byfugland
md10- Ko-oren v. Tidal Wake (h)

H2H records:
Pathogeria: 13-10 W (2/2)
The Tidal Wake 5-11 L (1/2)
The Jahistic Unified Republic 15-11 W (2/2)
Byfugland 3-5 L (1/2)
Saugeais 24-15 W (2/2)

[Yesopalitha]

A two-run homer at the bottom of the ninth by a Cyborg Holland batter was the difference in this high-scoring affair as the Yesopalitha Assassins lost a game despite scoring a ridiculous amount of fifteen runs. It was the first game in World Baseball Classic that the losing team scored fifteen runs.

The bullpen was horrible again for the Flames, as they gave up eleven runs in the fifth and sixth innings after starter Victor Van Cruz had to leave in the fourth due to a left shoulder injury. Coach DeMarco must make a decision about the bullpen as it seems that they continue to be the weak part of the Assassins.

The offense did its job, with Valentin Sorin and Katherine Smathers both having two home runs each and the Captain, Xavier Hammond, having a good game as well. It seems that the offense is good to go, but the defense is struggling.

Despite the two-game skid, Yesopalitha still has a good chance to get into the playoffs because The Kytler Peninsulae must play Cyborg Holland, and if the Kytlerians win, Yesopalitha has a good chance to the second-place spot, while if the Cyborgs win, Yesopalitha has a chance to win the group still.

Perhaps it is good to work out the kinks now?

We sure hope so.

[Lycrabon]

It's a little early, but match nine cutoff...will tomorrow be about positioning, or a playoff spot on the line?


EDIT: Disregard that. PC went SNAFU on me (though concerns did have an effect too), scores will be up closer to 10-11 PM US East.

[Maklohi Vai]

(OOC: Assuming the cutoff will be at normal time. And apologies for the short nature, RL is just a bit more demanding right now)

Nomolo realized the potential his prayers could have after the win over Milchama. They had beaten the team who was the defending champion and who had made the world aware of the powers of Margaret. It was quite something. Nomolo thought long and hard: "What can I do to make the next offering special?" Truth be told, there had been similar prayers before, but that was also what Margaret liked, or at least appeared to like. As Nomolo stumbled over idea after idea, but to no avail, he felt depressed at his loss. Not finding an appropriate prayer, he thought, would decrease Maklohi Vai's chances of winning. Beating Milchama was great indeed, but even that did not guarantee anything. Then, searching through the archives one day, Nomolo stumbled on something he knew was gold. It was an original Milchaman prayer, from the great days of World Cup 50. It was gold.

"Nisala Coalteka Vanuska Yama!"
"Misa Jar Jar Seka!"
"Ringa pakia!
Uma tiraha!
Turi whatia!
Hope whai ake!
Waewae takahia kia kino!"
"Ka Mate Ka Mate"
"Ka Ora Ka Ora"
"Whiti te rā!"
"Hiya!"
"!נצחון"
"Oh great Margaret whatever we have done to wrong you we promise to try and undo! We are appreciative of all you have done for us on many different occasions."
"Thank you for listening to our plea Margaret and we hope for better things in the future!"

This prayer had been done with one rubber goat and one rubber chicken, but Nomolo still thought that 10,000 chickens were preferable. After all they had worked, and as Lomnai always said, "Don't mess with success." So once again, faithfully at midnight, the team and Nomolo gathered around to bring in the prayer. Nomolo was scared once again; he was afraid that this prayer would not work. He began the intonations.

"Nisala Coalteka Vanuska Yama!"
"Misa Jar Jar Seka!"
"Ringa pakia!
Uma tiraha!
Turi whatia!
Hope whai ake!
Waewae takahia kia kino!"
"Ka Mate Ka Mate"
"Ka Ora Ka Ora"
"Whiti te rā!"
"Hiya!"
"!נצחון"
"Oh great Margaret whatever we have done to wrong you we promise to try and undo! We are appreciative of all you have done for us on many different occasions."
"Thank you for listening to our plea Margaret and we hope for better things in the future!"

It felt right. Although some wording could have been changed, it still conveyed a sense of respect, servitude, and completeness. Only Margaret could now decide whether it was enough.



(OOC: Summary and stats up below, for statistical purposes)

Milchama              100 112 000 - 5			
Maklohi Vai           006 010 00X - 7

Maklohi Vai Scoring Summary
3rd: Three straight walks lead off the inning, setting up Mae'ao for a grand slam. After Koilani Ruputuo singled, Arnao hit a two run shot to left.
5th: Mae'ao hit a solo shot to lead off the inning.

Stat update:
HR: Mae'ao 16, Arnao 2, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Moalna’akai Lai 1, Ri'ino Ulnai 1, Iao Laina 1, Wolo Rakinalmanai 1, Aputo Roma’ai 1
RBI: Mae'ao 39, Arnao 6, Moalna’akai Lai 4, Aputo Roma'ai 4, Wolo Rakinalmanai 3, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Iao Laina 1, Ri'ino Ulnai 1

[Powersith]

Powersith Baseball Giants on the Verge of Collapse

After a 2-1 loss, the team is now 2-6. They are also at a 4 game losing streak. No one on the team wanted to give a statement last night or yesterday, so we are in a bit of the dark.

Also Mentov Rislo has been banned from the team and will no longer be traveling with them due to the sex scandal.

Willie Ways III will start tonight.

Mentov Rislo - 42 - L - L #1 Record: 0-1 6.5 ERA
Willie Ways - 52 - L - L- #22 Record: 0-1 8.5 ERA
Willie Ways Jr. - 34 - R - R #12 Record: 1-1 2.5 ERA
Willie Ways III - 16 - L - L # 33 Record: 1-0 0.0 ERA
Lei Wingo - 32 - L - L #13 Record: 0-0 6.0 ERA
Closers :
Joseph Wasco - 33 - L - L #2 Saves: 1
Jermey Les - 21 - R - R- #3
Relief:
Kivnov Reknov - 22 - R - R #5 Record: 0-1 1.0 ERA
Nino Rodriguesz- 27 - L - L #7 Record: 0-1 4.0 ERA
Michael Mendez - Age 40 - L - L #10 Record: 0-1 3.0 ERA

[Taeshan]

"That is how we stop a buck."

"You mean like 1 single mercural?"

"No as in a Buck, like a male deer."

"Oh, i get it now."

"Anyway 12-3 we took them and shoved their faces into a toilet and flushed. Made them feel it."

"We owned the night, raped em good."

"Yeah, we even made them feel like they had a chance in the middle of the game. We totally rocked this place."

"We brought the Hammer down. Judge and Jury."

"They ain't got nothing on us."

"Yeah, we purple and proud of it."

"We got the satisfaction we could not until then get."

"As the rolling pebbles said....We pushed them off of our cloud, and won big."

"Your darn tootin'"

[Lycrabon]

Attempt number two at cutoff number nine...

Standings to come.....

Group 1

Pathogeria            101 001 200 - 5			
The Tidal Wake        000 010 002 - 3			
			
			
The Jahistic Unified  100 000 000 - 1			
Saugeais              211 111 08X - 15			
			
			
Ko-oren               102 101 010 - 6			
Byfugland             261 110 00X - 11

Group 2

Pugh                  030 000 200 - 5			
Riyahda               011 100 22X - 7			
			
			
Kintratar             000 111 100 - 4			
Yesopalitha           101 110 001 - 5			
			
			
Cyborg Holland        030 012 000 - 6			
The Kytler Peninsula  200 110 202 - 8

Group 3

Free Swiss States     000 100 000 - 1			
Shadowbourne          010 100 20X - 4			
			
			
Kerblaekistan         020 000 200 - 4			
Milchama              102 111 00X - 6			
			
			
Maklohi Vai           002 000 000 - 2			
Karditan              102 519 00X - 18

Group 4

Ezryel                010 000 003 - 4			
Unified Hyrule        102 202 40X - 11			
			
			
Branta Island         000 000 002 - 2			
Darmen                200 111 20X - 7			
			
			
Torisakia             000 200 000 - 2			
Sakurakoku            100 110 00X - 3

Group 5

Madsen                012 110 101 - 7			
STORMCHASE            101 011 000 - 4			
			
			
Mapletish             000 000 000 - 0			
Civil Citzenry        221 332 10X - 14			
			
			
Super-Llamaland       200 000 000 - 2			
THRILLEDGE            132 211 20X - 12

Group 6

Powersith             201 001 000 - 4			
Raxillion             003 000 000 - 3			
			
			
Allinlia              100 100 001 - 3			
Lycrabon              104 120 00X - 8			
			
			
Sicountimont          030 600 000 - 9			
New Montreal States   200 211 000 - 6

Group 7

Lunar Republic Islan  100 000 000 1 - 2			
Weatherdon            001 000 000 2 - 3			
			
			
Backyard Sports       114 000 301 - 10			
Zwangzug              100 212 100 - 7			
			
			
Equestrian States     300 011 100 - 6			
Tyneala               121 301 10X - 9

Group 8

The Royal Kingdom of  030 002 010 - 6			
Slembana              101 000 000 - 2			
			
			
Westros               000 000 011 - 2			
Western cuba          200 110 00X - 4			
			
			
Cosumar               000 110 010 - 3			
Michael VII           400 211 20X - 10

Group 9

Pacificus             000 201 030 - 6			
Zandistan             000 001 000 - 1			
			
			
Belshaw and Peveness  000 102 000 2 - 5			
Qazox                 100 110 000 0 - 3			
			
			
Free South Califas    000 000 010 - 1			
Homelands our         100 311 01X - 7

Group 10

Estope                000 110 002 - 4			
Wyztrkstan            300 000 000 - 3			
			
			
Birolika              010 001 102 - 5			
Taeshan               202 111 00X - 7			
			
			
Lymantia              000 000 010 - 1			
West Guiana           103 220 00X - 8

[Sakurakoku]

Righting the Ship
Survive base-loaded ninth inning to defeat bickering Torisakia, secure playoff spot after loss by Ezryel

*photo: Wolves first baseman Akiyoshi Kimihara dives to snag a line-drive off Ice Birds shortstop Chris Jones to earn the final out.*

Torisakia             000 200 000 - 2  9 2
Sakurakoku            100 110 00X - 3  8 2

W - Kunimoto (3-0)
L - *smudge*

Partial Box Score:
Hitting

Hitters                  AB  R  H  RBI  BB  SO
Y. Katou, CF              3  1  1    1   1   1
M. Kaneko, 3B             4  1  1    0   0   3
H. Horie, DH              4  0  3    1   0   1
-> (a) A. Uemura, PR-DH   0  0  0    0   0   0
G. Furukawa, 2B           3  0  0    0   1   1
A. Kimihara, 1B           4  0  0    0   0   0
M. Yamagishi, RF          4  0  1    1   0   1
S. Takeda, SS             2  0  0    0   2   1
K. Kusao, LF              4  0  1    0   0   1
K. Suzuki, C              4  1  1    0   0   1

(a) Ran for Horie in 7th

Batting:
2B - Horie in 1st, Suzuki in 4th, Katou in 4th
GIDP - Kimihara in 7th

Baserunning:
SB - Kaneko (2nd) in 5th

Fielding:
Outfield Assist - Yamagishi in 4th (Jones at home)
E - Suzuki in 3rd

Pitching

Pitchers                 IP  H  R  ER  BB  SO
K. Kunimoto (W, 3-0)    5.2  7  2   2   3   7
H. Junji                1.1  0  0   0   1   2
R. Tachibana            1.0  1  0   0   0   1
N. Minamoto (S, 1)      1.0  1  0   0   2   0

Hit batsman - Kunimoto in 5th (Mace)

Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st: Katou walked. Katou reached second on passed ball. Kaneko struck out. Horie doubled to right, Katou scored. Kimihara flied out to center. Sakurakoku, 1-0.
Top 4th: Mace singled to left. Divine doubled to left, Mace to third. Pizzo struck out. Jones singled to right, Mace scored, Divine scored. Buck struck out. Jernigan doubled to right, Jones to third, Jones out at home. Torisakia, 2-1.
Bottom 4th: Takeda struck out. Kusao flied out to center. Suzuki doubled to left. Katou doubled to right, Suzuki scored, Katou out at second. Tied, 2-2.
Bottom 5th: Kaneko infield singled to third. Horie struck out. Kaneko stole second. Furukawa safe at first on throwing error by shortstop Jones. Yamagishi singled to right, Kaneko scored, Furukawa to third. Takeda lined out to first. Sakurakoku, 3-2.

[Qazox]

Eagles on brink.

Belshaw and Pevenessy took advantage of 4 Qazox errors by 4 different players leading to all 5 runs being unearned, including 2 in the 10th inning as Qazox fell to 5-4 in group play, leaving Homelands our as the Group 9 champion. At 5-4, Qazox is tied with Free South Califas for 2nd and are ahead of Zandistan by one game. Qazox does own tie-breakers over FSC (H2H RD) and Zandistan (H2H sweep); but they need a win over Pacificus to clinch, while a loss would eliminate the Eagles if FSC wins their game.

Belshaw and Pevenessy  000 102 000 2 - 5  5 0			
Qazox                  100 110 000 0 - 3 10 4

SCORING SUMMARY

Qazox 1st: Hodgman doubled to left. Jimenez singled to center, Hodgman scored. Hamilton flied out to right. Dodge struck out. Zimmerman grounded out to third. 1 run on 2 hits, 1 LOB 1-0 Qazox

B&P 4th: 3B reached on Darby's throwing error, 3B to second on play. RF singled to left, 3B to third. 1B flied out to center, 3B scored. 2B grounded into 4-6-3 double play, RF out at second. 1 run on 1 hit, 1 error 1 LOB 1-1

Qazox 4th: Zimmerman doubled to left. Espinoza singled to right, Zimmerman to third. Lee flied out to right, Zimmerman scored. Bryant singled to center, Espinoza to second. Darby struck out. Hodgman walked. Jimenez flied out to left. 1 run on 3 hits, 13LOB 2-1 Qazox

Qazox 5th: Hamilton singled to right. Dodge walked, Hamilton to second. Zimmerman doubled to left, Hamilton scored, Dodge out advancing (7-5-2). Espinoza grounded out to short. Lee singled to center, Zimmerman to third. Bryant grounded out to third. 1 run on 3 hits, 2 LOB 3-1 Qazox

B&P 6th: C singled to left. 3B singled to center, C to second. RF reached on Dodge throwing error, C scored, 3B to third, RF to second on play. 1B struck out. 2B flied out to left, 3B scored. CF flied out to right. 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 error 1 LOB 3-3

B&P 10th:<PITCHING CHANGE: Aaron Smith in for Desmond Montero> 2B reached on Smith throwing error, 2B to second on play. CF doubled to center, 2B scored. <PINCH-HITTER: OF#4 batting for RP#2> OF#4 reached on Hamilton fielding error, CF to third on play. SS grounded into 4-6-3 double play, CF scored, OF#4 out at second. LF struck out. 2 runs on 1 hit, 2 errors 1 LOB 5-3 Belshaw and Pevenessy

[Lycrabon]

Group 1				W-L	RS-RA	RD
y-Saugeais			7-2	87-47	40
y-Byfugland			7-2	57-45	12
z-Ko-oren			5-4	66-63	3
z-The Jahistic Unified Republic	3-6	51-67	-16
z-Pathogeria			3-6	45-65	-20
z-The Tidal Wake		2-7	47-66	-19

- Saugeais and Byfugland have both clinched spots in the playoffs; order to be determined on MD 10.

- Jahistic Unified Republic is fourth due to H2H RD (+3 to PAT's -3)

Group 2			W-L	RS-RA	RD
y-The Kytler Peninsulae	8-1	57-28	29
y-Yesopalitha		7-2	70-48	22
z-Cyborg Holland	5-4	67-59	8
z-Kintratar		4-5	43-42	1
z-Riyadh		3-6	42-61	-19
z-Pugh			0-9	33-74	-41

- The Kytler Peninsulae and Yesopalitha have both clinched spots in the playoffs; order to be determined on MD 10.

Group 3			W-L	RS-RA	RD
Shadowbourne		6-3	42-46	-4
Maklohi Vai		5-4	65-62	3
Milchama		5-4	51-29	22
Kerblaekisistan		5-4	46-56	-10
z-Free Swiss States	3-6	38-50	-12
z-Karditan		3-6	61-55	6

- Maklohi Vai is second due to H2H (3-1; MIL 2-2; KER 1-3)

- Milchama is third due to H2H RD (+1 to KER's -1)

Group 4	               	W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Darmen		8-1	71-34	37
y-Sakurakoku            6-3	64-39	25
z-Torisakia		4-5	58-54	4
z-Ezryel		4-5	58-84	-26
z-Unified Hyrule	3-6	51-70	-19
z-Branta Island         2-7	49-70	-21

- Darmen clinches top ten seed by winning Group 4. Sakurakoku has clinched second.

- Torisakia is third due to H2H RD (split; TOR +11; EZR -11)

Group 5			W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Civil Citizenry	9-0	81-42	39
y-THRILLEDGE           	7-2	70-38	32
z-Super-Llamaland	5-4	54-56	-2
z-STORMCHASE          	3-6	49-62	-13
z-Madsen		2-7	41-66	-25
z-Mapletish		1-8	37-65	-28

- Civil Citizenry has clinched a top ten seed due to clinching Group 5. THRILLEDGE has clinched second.

- Mapletish is fifth due to H2H RD (split; MPL +2; MDS -2)

Group 6			W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Lycrabon		8-1	65-35	30
New Montreal States	6-3	58-46	12
Sicountimont		6-3	68-48	20
z-Powersith		3-6	45-52	-7
z-Allinlia		3-6	42-59	-17
z-Raxillion		1-8	28-66	-38

- Lycrabon has clinched a top ten seed due to winning Group 6.

- New Montreal States is second due to H2H RD (split; +1 to SCT's -1)

- Powersith is fourth due to H2H RD (+1 to ALL's -1)

Group 7				W-L	RS-RA	RD
Tyneala				6-3	59-46	13
Equestrian States		5-4	54-64	-10
Zwangzug			5-4	69-52	17
Weatherdon			5-4	37-44	-7
z-Lunar Republic Islands	3-6	45-55	-10
z-Backyard Sports		3-6	51-54	-3

- Equestrian States is second due to H2H (2-1; ZWA 2-2; WEA 1-2). Equestrian States and Weatherdon meet in MD 10.

- Zwangzug is third due to H2H RD (+6 to WEA's -6)

- Lunar Republic Islands is fifth due to H2H sweep.

Group 8				W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Western cuba			9-0	68-35	33
y-Michael VII			6-3	57-49	8
z-Cosumar			5-4	57-52	5
z-Westros			3-6	56-53	3
z-Royal Kingdom of Quebec	3-6	36-55	-19
z-Slembana			1-8	35-61	-26

- Western cuba has clinched a top ten seed by virtue of clinching Group 8. Michael VII clinches second on H2H RD (MI7 +3; COS -3) regardless of results in MD 10.

- Westros is fourth due to H2H sweep

Group 9			W-L	RS-RA	RD
x-Homelands our		7-2	64-40	24
Qazox			5-4	64-47	17
Free South Califas	5-4	58-71	-13
Zandistan		4-5	50-61	-11
z-Pacificus		3-6	65-70	-5
z-Belshaw and Pevenessy	2-7	49-67	-18

- Homeland our has clinched a top ten seed due to winning Group 9.

- Qazox is second due to H2H RD (split; QZX +8; FSC -8)

Group 10	W-L	RS-RA	RD
Taeshan		6-3	47-33	14
Estope		6-3	45-51	-6
West Guiana	5-4	44-34	10
z-Lymantia	4-5	52-44	8
z-Wyztrkstan	4-5	39-48	-9
z-Birolika	2-7	39-56	-17

- Taeshan is first due to H2H result (9-4)

-Lymantia is fourth due to H2H result (17-5)

x-clinched group title
y-clinched playoff berth
z-eliminated from contention

Based on the current standings, this is how it would stack up:

TOP TEN

Civil Citizenry*	9-0	39	5
Western cuba*          	9-0	33	8
Darmen*			8-1	37	4
Lycrabon*		8-1	30	6
The Kytler Peninsulae*	8-1	29	2
Saugeais*		7-2	40	1
Homelands our*		7-2	24	9
Taeshan			6-3	14	10
Tyneala			6-3	13	7
Shadowbourne		6-3	-4	3

WILD CARDS

THRILLEDGE*		7-2	32	5
Yesopalitha*		7-2	22	2
Byfugland*		7-2	12	1
Sakurakoku*		6-3	25	4
New Montreal States	6-3	12	6
Michael VII		6-3	8	8
Estope			6-3	-6	10
Qazox			5-4	17	9
Maklohi Vai		5-4	3	3
Equestrian States	5-4	-10	7

[Milchama]

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"I can't believe this"

"Me neither"

"I'm glad that we agree"

"Of course the Margaret lovers would beat us"

"Yeah"

"Look the way I see it is that for the playoffs we're going to need a new roster"

"Well if we get there"

"Good point"

"I mean we're probably not at this point"

"Nope, too much good has to happen"

"And quite frankly I don't see it"

"Me neither"

"You know what's the most annoying thing about this"

"What?"

"We're the best team statistically"

"What do you mean?"

"Well we have a +22 run differential. No other team in our group has more than 10 and Shadowbourne is -4"

"Sounds like the Trolley Dodgers"

"Really though it does"

"It's annoying"

"I agree"

"Uch"

"Uch"

"Well hopefully we can win tomorrow and put it all behind us"

"I agree"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

"Heeyah!"

"Yeah!"

[Free South Califas]

Free South Califas    000 000 010 - 1			
Homelands our         100 311 01X - 7

After being absolutely trashed by group leaders Homelands-our, the Harvest Mice have more or less been dismissed from the WBC. With a game left to play, FSC are tied for second place with Qazox at 5-4, but Qazox has a now-insurmountable head-to-head advantage in run scoring. It will be a slight disappointment for Califan baseball fans after going a couple rounds into the playoffs in their first effort, but they will soon be occupied with the emergency meeting of the Baseball Assembly to discuss the way forward.

[Zwangzug]

I wish Aminda was here.

Not because we're friends. We're not.

Not because she would have made the bullpen that more amusing or interesting of a place to be. She probably would have. But again, we're not friends, so it's unlikely that I would have been able to keep up with her.

Not because she could have won this bleeping game for us. I don't think she could have, after two days ago--that's just not enough time for her to turn around and pitch again.

Although, that being said, if our opponents were any indication maybe it's just youthful energy that you need. They were fantastic, despite again really not looking that large.

Not even because seeing how bad a shape she's in makes me worry about my own health. We're doing fine. Ten games--plus maybe some playoff ones, but who knows at this point?--is not a lot of time to have to worry about getting a special team doctor or anything. Sure, she's messed up, but that's frankly her business, and not the rest of ours.

No, I miss Aminda because if she was here, I'd be able to feel sorry for myself and our pitching staff in general. Instead she's back home, getting sick yet again, and I can't even give myself permission to sulk out loud, seeing how much worse it could be.

Bleep this.

Milchama are in a similar position to us--third in their group, despite being top seeds. I only bring this up because I heard that they have, cumulatively, outscored their opponents by the biggest margin, and I guess we're in the same boat. Apparently this is important as far as tiebreakers go, but honestly, it's just such a weird statistic at least as far as baseball is concerned. Like, over a long season maybe you can use that to predict record and see who's getting lucky. But here? Ten games is just a strange number of games to play before moving on. Though maybe I only think that because we're mediocre That's the national-team scene for you.