WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC XXIV - LYCRABON

[Free South Califas]

Federico Fernando Epifanio		Kearny Mesa		3B	Run Scorer				Walks		Speed					S
Angela Eran			Mission Valley		SS	Speed				Contact hitter		Defense (qk turn)					R
Lusine Claribel			Echo Park		LF	Speed				Triples							R
Reggie Hisakawa			San Pedro		RF	Slugger				Strikes Out		Cannon arm					L
Slavoj Merce			North Park		1B	Slugger				Gold Glove		Defense (dig,scoop,cover)					S
Claudia Gutierrez		Chula Vista		2B	Defense (qk turn)											L
Aiolos Dubanowski		Hollywood		CF	Speed				Cannon arm							S
Steve Aiolos			San Pedro		C	Cannon arm				Not the best at handling wild pitches				Hits for power		Strikes out	L
Aram Derderian			Mission Valley		SP	Fireballer (4SF)				Forkball		2seam fastball		Curveball		Change-up	L
Parris Kalpana			Echo Park		SP	Fireballer (4SF)				Changeup		Curveball					L
Derrick Antonio			Encanto		SP	Slider				Changeup		4seam fastball		Curveball		2seam	R
Nesrin Beverley		Sycamore Grove		SP	Knuckleball				Forkball		Split-finger		Circle-change			R
Emerson Lennart			Mission Valley		RP	Slider				2seam fastball		Curveball		Screwball			L
Phil Arnifrid			Mission Valley		IF	Utility infield sub				Pinch hitter							L
Yevpraksiya Mieczyslawa		San Pedro		1B	Pinch hitter				DH when nec		Doubles, HR		Contact			S
Mariana Theron Sanders		Chula Vista		RP	4seam fastball				2seam fastball		Changeup		Curveball			R
Salvador Mendez			Encanto		RP	Fireballer (4SF)				Curveball		Changeup		Slider			L
Anika Bartholomew		Echo Park		RP	Closer				Changeup		4seam fastball		2seam fastball		Curveball	R
Aldona Haylie			Hollywood		RP	2seam fastball				4seam fastball		Changeup		Curveball			L
Ximeno Dylan			Carmel Valley		OF	Contact hitter				Pinch hitter							R
Tobin Samu			North Park		OF	Contact hitter				Pinch hitter							L
Isidore Bentsen			El Cajon		CF	Pinch runner				Speed		Triples		Steals			L
Sanda Kisha			Sycamore Grove		C	ALWAYS STARTS WHEN SP BEVERLEY STARTS				Only Kisha can handle Nesrin's knuckleball and forkball!							L
Raul Castro Sanchez		Carmel Valley		C												R
Gwen Matias			Orange County		RF	Cannon arm				Speed	Pinch hitter/runner	Hits for power					L

[Civil Citizenry]

Civil Citizenry National Baseball Team
Roster

Buck Thurman - Head Coach - #00 ~ 53 years old

Sheldon Barton - 1B - #04 - Topher Violinists
Brandon Birch - 2B - #05 - Kent Reds
Ken Bradburn - C - #01 - Briarshaw Hawks
Ellery Brant - SP - #18 - Sparrey Stones
Somerset Byrd - SP - #16 - Eastern Chase Bobcats
Rockwell Dawson - OF - #14 - Sparrey Stones
Tucker Denman - C - #02 - Skyanter Aeros
Dale Doane - 3B/LF - #10 - Briarshaw Sims
Ken Easton - 1B - #03 - Bartewick Centurions
Gray Grantland - 2B/SS - #06 - Bartewick Inter
Austin Hamilton - RF - #13 - Bartewick Centurions
Jeff Hamilton - SS - #07 - Trewich Bears
Shaw Harper - SU - #24 - Bartewick Inter
Piran Hudson - SP - #17 - Trewich Dukes
Hal Hunter - SP - #19 - Portsdan Cyclones
Ryan Kendall - 1B/3B - #08 - Vendrall Rattlesnakes
Hayden Maxwell - CL - #25 - Briarshaw Hawks
Hyde Merlin - MR - #20 - Briarshaw Sims
King Miller - CF - #12 - Western Chase Cowboys
Colton Newman - 3B - #09 - Merrilin Jerseys
Ronald Remington - MR - #23 - Portsdan Cyclones
Symington Roxbury - MR - #22 - Topher Violinists
Salisbury Segal - MR - #21 - Merrilin Jerseys
Fenton Sterling-Ford - UT - #15 - Athenstoft Predecs
Robin Tybalt - LF - #11 - Comesby Eagles

Starting Lineup
2B Brandon Birch
SS Jeff Hamilton
3B Colton Newman
LF Robin Tybalt
RF Austin Hamilton
1B Ken Easton
C Tucker Denman
CF King Miller
Starting Rotation
Symington Byrd
Piran Hudson
Ellery Brant
Hal Hunter
Relievers
Ronald Remington
Salisbury Segal
Hyde Merlin
Symington Roxbury
Shaw Harper
Closer
Hayden Maxwell

Information
National Demonym: Citiz
Team Nickname: Explorers
Skill Modifier: +3
Home Stadium:
Centennial Field, Bartewick (50,000)
RP Limits: none

[Pugh]

After getting blasted 8-0 by The Kyter Peninsula, the Nation of Pugh is very upset with there performance. "I knew coming in this was going to be difficult, but the way we played was just terrible" Jonathan Pugh Jr. stated. "I'm disappointed in my performance, and just disgusted with the effort of all of us" Vaughn included. "It's back to the basics" Cerrano stated after going 0-3 with 3 stikeouts. Second Baseman, Troy Hardin stated it best, "We looked like some ragged bums running around out there." In the words of Roger Dorn, "the only thing we can do is go on to the next one." Good Luck Pugh!!!

[Pugh]

The Kytler Peninsula 202 111 001 - 8
Pugh 000 000 000 - 0
TKP (1-0) PUGH (0-1)

Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn was on the mound for the first ever international game for the Nation of Pugh. He lived up to his nickname with 3 base on balls, and 2 hit batters. He gave up 7 runs in 6 IP. Pugh was lead by captain Jon Pugh Jr. with a 2-4 2SB effort. Captain Timothy Hardin also went 1-4 with a 2B, and captain Troy Hardin had an awful 0-4 4K night. The Nation of Pugh struck out a combined 17 times, and only had 4 hits. They have a lot of work to do before tomorrow night's game against Cyborg Holland.

[New West Guiana]

Merto Sports
Liz Sith

Well here we are again back to the World Baseball Classic one of the very few international tournaments that a West Guianan sports team does well at. Ray Luse and his Redhawk team are trying to make their second strait playoff appearance and trying to advance further into the playoffs. The road to the playoffs started rough yesterday when new comer Estope upset the Redhawks six to five at Thomas-Johnson Field, Estope.

After three innings the games wasn't looking good WG was down six to two, but leading the way through the next six innings was aging Ray Lewis who at 38 is still as strong as ever as he struck out most, but the team didn't allow any more runs of the Estopian players giving West Guiana some hope for a come back. After six innings WG was down by one and even though they tried hard Eric Almanza,, pitcher of Estope wouldn't allow for the team to come back in any fashion.

Ray Luse wasn't happy as one would expect saying that the team hasn't been practicing like they should have been and coming into the game with too much confidence. "We simply allowed our rank speak for our selves which on our part wasn't the best thing to do." Luse said right after the finish. Now however though the Redhawks are getting ready to host (5)Taeshan who lost to un-rakned Wyztrkstan four to three. As we expect the game should be close and at times tempers may rise as neither team wants to start 0-2 as that would be a very challenging hole to dig out of.

The whether tonight in Port Salem isn't expected to be favorable for baseball with a 90% chance of thunder storms so the officials at Safeco have announced the roof will be closed. Now early reports are that out of the 51,000 tickets that went up for sale , 44,891 have been sold so we'll be expecting a loud night ahead and hopefully a WG win.

Scoring Summary
Top 1st: Bani hit two run homerun, Sims scored. West Guiana, 2-0.
Bottom 1st: Keys hit solo home run. West Guiana, 2-1.
Bottom 3rd: Fernandez singled, Fowler scored. Tied, 2-2.
Bottom 3rd: Bolman tripled, Forde, Fernandez scored. Estope, 4-2.
Bottom 3rd: Campella hit sacrifice fly, Bolman scored. Estope, 5-2.
Bottom 3rd: Fowler singled, Avez scored. Estope, 6-2.
Top 4th: Dani singled, Fish scored. Estope, 6-3.
Top 5th: Bani hit solo home run. Estope, 6-4.
Top 6th: Ali-Velsh doubled, Daneils scored. Estope, 6-5.

West Guiana           2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 - 5
Estope                1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 X - 6

[Civil Citizenry]

The Esteemed Blog of the Esteemed Adney Alvar

An Exploration

Perhaps you would appreciate some context as to why I am turning away from my normal blogospherical bubble of writing about Hatchgreen U sports. First, there's only so much Hatchgreen athletics you can take before you feel compelled to burn a Christmas tree. Second, I am the recipient of the Warburton H. R. Somerton Scholarship Prize Award Recognizing Excellence in Collegiate Sports Journalism and Rewarding Prodigious Sports Journalists and Offering a Real World Opportunity to Engage in Professional Sports Journalism to Those Who Have Been Recognized and Rewarded Herewith. The WHRSSPAREICSJARPSJAOARWOTEIPSJTTWHBRARH (I memorized that) is very prestigious and well-known. It has built up over the years: recipients used to go to Kent Reds games or beach soccer competitions (lol), but now they get to travel with the Explorers, the national baseball team, for the duration of a competition.

So there I was at lovely Sun's Park in Stormchase, in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic. Stormchase is a far cry from Upston*, maybe because I don't know where Stormchase is and I assume it's far away. But it's a lovely place, yes, the weather's nice (maybe the sun is supposed to chase away the storm... who knows) and the army's strong. Did you know they were recently rated 9 Dawkins? (You know you're a Hatchgreen student when you hear a chorus of "datscoolbro"s shower upon you in your mind.)

You would think the Explorers players would be pretty nervous - debut game and all. But they were cooler than refrigerators out there. (...no? Sorry.) It was the Sunbirds (alright, I admit it, there was a slight drizzle between the fourth and sixth innings) who were unsettled. Starter Derrick Barnige opened with a walk to Brandon Birch. Then Jeff Hamilton worked a 3-2 count and then pounded one over the center fielder's head, good for a triple and an RBI. I guess that's what happens when your team is top ten in the world: you can afford to be confident.

I love sitting in the press section and doing my best Elvin Emmett imitation. "Fourrrrrrrth inningggg... my boy, the man, Sy Byrd... cagily toes the mound... Big Boy Byrd, weighing in at 280 whopping big ones, deeeeeliverrrrs... steeeeeerikes out Dylan Howling - and the fans are howling! Syyyyyyyyymington Byrd... glares down, walking back to the dugout... Big Boy Byrd, four innings gone, four runs allowed, but lemme tell you... this man is a monster. Myyyyyy man."

Oh, so weeeeeeeee won. 11-4, including three runs in the ninth once Coach Thurman threw in the subs. That was his first win, by the way, in his first game as Explorers head coach. A shot of ChocoMilk for him.

Food for Thought

Pasta.

POSTED BY ADNEY, 17:25

---

*: Upston is a small town just outside Portsdan.

[Milchama]

Milchama National News- Tribune- Sun- Times- Post- Gazette- Chronicle- Journal- Dispatch- Telegram- Star- Monitor- Enquirer

Sports Section

7 Run 5th Dooms Warriors

The Warriors of Milchama backstabbed themselves today committing 3 errors in a 7 run 5th inning for the opposition that saw our defending champions lose the opening game of the class 8-5. The Great Houdini was the hero for the hometown Shadowcats as he fired his way through 6 2/3 innings of a gutsy performance that left onlookers in a state of shear astonishment (and excitement for the home fans).

The first game since the Milchamians had come off their spectacular World Championship performance of yesteryear was not their best. It was not the fault of David Lillit, however. The Little Assassin had 3 hits, including a lead off home-run that put the AOniks ahead 1-0. While the Shadowcats clawed their way back to a 1-1tie in the second, the Warriors gave the home fans a worry in the fourth and fifth innings.

After Houdini retired the first two batters, Lillit surprised everyone with a smart bunt near the hot corner that The Tall Guy could not handle. That brought up the Warhorse, Aryan Clyde. While he might not have the pep he once had the fanatics were quite pleased with the result, a hard two bagger off the wall that plated David for the lead. Greg Torrent tried to outdo Graceful Clyde but the old bopper could only get a long single as his slow pace prevented what many swifter men would have surely made two, into only one. One inning later the Warriors would give the Giants something more to worry about as The Great Mongol Tosoquio Florientoas doubled in James Mentchos to give Milchama a 4 to 1 advantage.

Under normal circumstances one would expect the World Champions to take such a lead and hold it. Today was not normal circumstances. While normally one sees the Warriors pursue baseballs the way that normal humans pursue food, today they seemed to be afraid of little white spheroids. First, Ellen Stevenson seemed to run away from the first pitch of the inning, a grounder to short. Fless Toridians was the beneficiary of the largesse. Then Alexander The Great forced a simple pop up to the infield. However, all the people seemed to be blinded by the sun as the popup fell harmfully in fair ground. That brought out McKeon but to no avail as our Timothy gave up a sharp single to Mr. Links plating two runs. The lead evaporated one batter later as Sysmerilian Shadow found a slider that did not slide to the far seats in left. The fanatics cheered as their proud Shadowcats had taken a lead against the powerful Warriors.

One would expect the carnage to end there but somehow it did not. Timothy gave up two more hits before being mercifully pulled by McKeon. But McKeon might as well have put gasoline on a fire for all the good it did the Warriors. The ancient Tipikowski came in and acted every bit his age as he threw too far, too much, and too poorly. Two hits, one error and three runs later the Warriors were trailing 8-4.

While Milchama kept trying to make a game of it. Every ball that seemed to be going somewhere would be caught. The Shadowcats lived up to their nickname as they shadowed their way around the field. Even though, last year the Warriors acquired the name the Cardiac Warriors for their ability to turn certain losses into unbelievable victories today it was not to be as they could only drive across one more run.

Now the tough questions get asked, is the Warriors lineup too old? Is the MBA really doing the right thing? Why did a non-capitalist nation name anything MBA? Didn't it used to be called the MBF? Will the Warriors win tomorrow? How many tired metaphors can I put into one newspaper article? Can I really do old timey sports reporting well? Was this RP interesting or should I stick to the two anonymous fans? How many questions can I keep asking? 42?

[Karditan]

_-=Neighpon Post=-_

That was an unmitigated disaster. Both starters were unstable out there to start with, but the Swiss starter was at least sort of able to settle in without too much damage done to his side. Casey Brant... I just don't know what went wrong. His fastball had lost nearly five miles an hour and the Swiss were locking on and driving it. His slider lost ten miles per hour and hung constantly. The only pitch he sort-of had working was his changeup, but that was mediocre to start with. Ricky Hormuz lead off in his typical fashion, bunt single followed by two steals coupled with a Aaron Aaron double and a Batl Skard line-drive-off-the-wall single to pt the Kards up two to start the Classic. A leadoff double, a grounder to second advancing the runner to third, a sac fly and then a solo shot courtesy of the Swiss cleanup man nulled that early lead. The Kards managed to squeeze two more runs out of the Swiss starter (thanks to Jesse Portier going deep with Short Stop on first), but then the wheels fell off the wagon. This is how the bottom of the second went down: Single, Double, Sac Fly, Single, Homer, Double, Single (Gale Wind threw the runner out at home), Triple, deep (deep) flyout that Aaron was barely able to track down. Geoff Jones, normally very adept at handling the pitching staff, was at a complete loss. No one knew what was going wrong with Brant. As Ledée knew was he had to get the frozen fireballer off the mound; unfortunately, Delmar looked rusty, too. The Swiss rung him up for three in the third, planting themselves ahead by an six-run margin. Hapless, Ledée just prayed Delmar could eat a few more innings without further meltdown.

Which he did. The middle innings the Swiss put up nothing but goose eggs as the Kards tried to claw back, cutting the difference to just four runs. Hessafa Merana put the game out of reach in the seventh, though, when the young reliever gave up a two-run blast to the prolific Swiss cleanup hitter. The Kards didn't give up: they picked up a scrappy run in the eighth mostly achieved through Starline Caster making several mad dashes no veteran baserunner would dare. By some mircalulous stroke of luck (or the Swiss players not feeling particularly pressured to throw out the unicorn with such a big lead), he made it across the plate. Feliciaro gave up another run in the bottom of the eighth, though, and all the wind was sucked out of the Kards. The ninth went quietly.

Perhaps the strike-shortened KBL season had the players off their game... they better get back in their groove, and soon.

[Equestrian States]

Yes, this is a purposefully cynical blog, if you can't tell by the title. No matter what result I get, good ol' Downtrodden Crankyface will find something to complain about. I could go to the Championship, and he would still be as negative as ever.

Low Expectations
The Realistic Fan Site for Equestrian States Sports

Ponies Collapse Against Unranked Team, Sign of Things to Come
By Downtrodden Crankyface

                   1 2 3  4 5 6  7 8 9  -  R  H  E
Equestrian States  1 0 0  1 2 0  0 3 0  -  7  13 3
Backyard Sports    0 0 1  2 3 1  0 0 4  -  11 17 0

SOME CITY, BACKYARD SPORTS - After an unimpressively average run to the round of sixteen in the last event known as the World Baseball Classic, the Equestrians have returned to their old ways. In other words: they’re losing again to teams that the “experts” say they should beat.

Of course, my regular readers would be able to tell you that I predicted the Equestrians being swept by Milchama in the 23rd World Baseball Classic, and before that I was somewhat surprised to see the team win even four games in the 22nd edition of the tournament. This time, I anticipate the Ponies shall be making yet another horrid and brief attempt to move out of the group stage in something. Speaking of group stages, I will take a tiny bit of space to say I told you so to my critics after the Equestrians' embarassing exit from the Cup of Harmony. I told you foals that they were overconfident and unprepared for any semi-determined opposition. Anyways, gloating aside I shall progress to my thoughts on the more recent baseball game.

The Ponies saw their first lead of the night slip away early in the 3rd inning after an RBI single by *unavailable*. Prior to the single, starting pitcher Ripcurrent had walked two batters in a row, giving the host Backyard Sports team a scoring opportunity. This score negated a 1st inning lead-off homer by Blazer, the Equestrians' mediocre center fielder. Expectedly, the Ponies would manage to take the lead again the following inning, only to see it slip away thanks to a throwing error by Steel Nerves that cleared the bases and gave the home team a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 4th inning. Again, the Equestrians took the lead off a disputable home run call before giving it up once more.

A 6th inning triple by *unavailable* would knock Ripcurrent from the mound, and the next batter plated *unavailable* to expand Backyard Sports' lead to 7-4. However, in the 8th inning, the Ponies showed a hint of life in a game where they had been pathetic at bat and on the mound. Six consecutive equines got on base with no outs, tying the score at seven and leaving the bases loaded for the heart of the Equestrian order. For a moment, I was almost tempted to consider that the Ponies could take the lead again, but then I remembered just how unlikely that was considering the lack of real clutch hitters on the team. Thus, it was entirery unsurprising to me when Ashley Hamilton, Steven Wilson, and Firefury all struck-out to end the threat.

After a dreary couple of at-bats, the game moved into the bottom of the 9th inning. Andrew Andrus was brought in from the dugout by the Equestrians to send the game into extra innings. But despite forcing the first two opposing batters to ground into outs, Andrus couldn't finish the deal. Walking two and allowing a single to *unavailable*, the relief pitcher did little to relieve anyone besides the fans of Backyard Sports in loading the bases. The next batter was *unavailable*, who promptly fell behind in the count. But the pitch that should have finished off the home team didn't end up in Stonewall's mitt, but flying over the center field fence for a game-winning grand slam. Deservedly, Andrew Andrus trudged to the visitors dugout before disappearing from sight.

Honestly, I expected this much from the Ponies. They're a team with a few mediocre players who got lucky multiple times in the 23rd WBC, and likely will not have that same luck this time around. Next up for the pathetic Ponies is our friendly regionmates in the Lunar Republic Islands, who will probably give the Equestrians a solid beating in their home opener in Canterlot in a few days.

Until then, enjoy watching the "experts" fail to explain the real reasons for the Equestrian defeat last night.

[Lycrabon]

Cutoff for day two coming....now.

Group 1

The Tidal Wake        001 101 010 - 4			
The Jahistic Unified  410 110 00X - 7			
			
			
Pathogeria            000 000 100 - 1			
Ko-oren               101 110 01X - 5			
			
			
Saugeais              301 111 000 - 7			
Byfugland             101 000 100 - 3

Group Two

Riyahda               000 200 000 - 2			
Kintratar             301 110 00X - 6			
			
			
Pugh                  500 000 100 - 6			
Cyborg Holland        110 321 50X - 13			
			
			
Yesopalitha           120 011 200 - 7			
The Kytler Peninsula  102 000 000 - 3

Group Three

Shadowbourne          000 111 200 - 5			
Kerblaekistan         002 012 14X - 10			
			
			
Free Swiss States     004 200 000 - 6			
Maklohi Vai           210 110 000 - 5			
			
			
Milchama              100 124 001 - 9			
Karditan              000 000 002 - 2

Group Four

Unified Hyrule        101 011 200 - 6			
Branta Island         101 125 10X - 11			
			
			
Ezryel                015 020 001 - 9			
Torisakia             100 120 102 - 7			
			
			
Darmen                101 220 102 - 9			
Sakurakoku            020 002 000 - 4

Group Five

STORMCHASE            013 101 000 - 6			
Mapletish             010 000 100 - 2			
			
			
Madsen                100 000 100 - 2			
Super-Llamaland       102 110 03X - 8			
			
			
Civil Citzenry        202 200 010 - 7			
THRILLEDGE            001 100 010 - 3

Group Six

Raxillion             010 100 100 - 3			
Allinlia              012 000 22X - 7			
			
			
Powersith             122 000 110 - 7			
Sicountimont          102 212 01X - 9			
			
			
Lycrabon              101 010 006 - 9			
New Montreal States   000 101 000 - 2

Group Seven

Weatherdon            010 102 000 - 4			
Backyard Sports       400 001 02X - 7			
			
			
Lunar Republic Islan  101 002 020 - 6			
Equestrian States     104 110 00X - 7			
			
			
Zwangzug              100 210 101 - 6			
Tyneala               003 501 00X - 9

Group Eight

Slembana              000 000 010 - 1			
Westros               000 112 00X - 4			
			
			
The Royal Kingdom of  001 030 000 - 4			
Cosumar               100 110 30X - 6			
			
			
Western cuba          203 210 100 - 9			
Michael VII           102 101 000 - 5

Group Nine

Zandistan             140 000 001 - 6			
Belshaw and Peveness  000 001 010 - 2			
			
			
Pacificus             002 071 200 00 - 12			
Free South Califas    204 110 040 01 - 13			
			
			
Qazox                 202 111 100 - 8			
Homelands our         009 222 00X - 15

Group Ten

Wyztrkstan            100 201 103 - 8			
Birolika              001 211 031 - 9			
			
			
Estope                201 021 010 - 7			
Lymantia              100 210 000 - 4			
			
			
Taeshan               210 010 011 - 6			
West Guiana           101 000 000 - 2

[Estope]

Once again Estope was able to score big and upset a world ranked opponent, this time on the road against #41 Lymantatia. Playing on the road didn't phase the young Estope team as they got up early and held the lead until the end. Estope scored two runs in the first inning, and kept a steady stream of hits to come up with big scores when they were needed. There was no big inning like last night but instead EStope played a complete game that created a balanced attack at the plate and solid pitching performances. 19 year old Estope pitcher Cedric Mothershed was earned the win in his first appearance. The bullpen put together a masterful performance and provided no opportunities for Lymantatia to get back into the game. Colin Noakes earned another save by striking out one batters and allowing no hits or more importantly runs. This win puts Estope into first in the group and really has opened the door to possibly make it out of the group. Estope hosts fellow unranked, Birolika tomorrow. Birolika lost at home to Lymantia 9-3 but just beat Wyztrkstan 9-8.

.   Estope          2 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 - 7
#41 Lymantatia      1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 - 4
    
EST (2-0) LYM (1-1)

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

Batting:
2B - Avez - 1st
     Fernandez - 2nd
     Driggers - 3rd
     Forde - 5rd
     Bolman - 8th
       
3B - None

HR - Corey Keys - 1st

SAC - None

Baserunning:
SB - Driggers - 3rd
     Fernandez - 4th

CS - None

Fielding:
E - None
A - Forde - 5
    Avez - 3
    Fernandez - 5     

Pitching
Pitchers            IP   H  R  ER  BB  SO
Cedric Mothershed   6.0  5  4   4   3   7
     (W, 1-0)
Jonathon Nitka      2.0  0  0   0   0   2
Colin Noakes        1.0  0  0   0   0   1
      (S - 1)

Scoring Summary
Top 1st: Keys hit two run homerun, Avez scored. Estope, 2-0.
Bottom 1st: DeLisle doubled, Stephen scored. Estope, 2-1.
Top 3rd: Driggers doubled, Avez scored. Estope, 3-1.
Bottom 4th: Claude singled, McIntyre scored. Estope, 3-2.
Bottom 4th: Gonzalez hit sacrifice fly, Claude scored. Tied, 3-3.
Top 5th: Forde doubled, Fowler, Fernandez scored. Estope, 5-3.
Bottom 5th: Nicholas hit solo home run. Estope, 5-4.
Top 6th: Avez singled, Bolman scored. Estope, 6-4.
Top 8th: Bolman doubled, Forde scored. Estope, 7-4

[Torisakia]

Carlos: I told you not to hit the curve ball.

Jason: Well, how was I suppose to know that their pitcher would throw a 95 mile per hour curve ball?

Carlos: Two runs in the bottom of the 9th and we still lose. And it's all your fault.

Jason: My fault? One person doesn't take the blame for the loss. If you feel that way, why are you even part of this team?

Carlos: For the pay. I signed a 4 yr/3.2M contract with this team. Possibly even higher since I'm the DH.

Jason: I don't care. If a team loses, everyone plays a part in it. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Carlos: Look buddy, I'm the best player on this pitiful excuse we call a team. Without me, this team wouldn't even exist.

Jason: There's no "I" in team.

Carlos: No, but there is a "me".

Jason: God dammit, Carlos. You need to lose the conceded attitude. It'll get you cut from this team so fast it'll make your head spin.

Carlos: It's not like you aren't good. You're the second best player on the team, and yet you continue to complain about me not being a team player. Fucking logic.

Jason: If you don't want to be a team player, then I fucking quit this team. Without me, this team's whole game plan will be messed up. I have a great proficiency in fielding. Our backup left-fielder has barely any experience in a tournament like this.

Carlos: No one's making you stay on this team. If you leave, no one will care. Especially me.

Jason: I can't wait till the day you get the crap beat out of you because of your attitude. Once Coach sees how you feel about this team, you won't play another inning of baseball in your life.

Carlos: Again, no one is making you stay. And I highly doubt that Coach will care about my attitude, since I'm the DH and I basically lead this team.

Jason: Screw you. I'm off this team. If you feel this conceded about playing a simple game of baseball, then you have some very bad problems. Problems that can't be eliminated. I hope you never get to play baseball in your life again. Piece of shit!

Carlos: Bye bye, then. The best thing about you leaving is that we'll never have to see you wear a Torisakia uniform every again.

Jason: Whatever. I'm going to tell Coach I'm leaving. Have fun with your life, if it lasts long enough...

BOX SCORE

Ezryel                015 020 001 - 9			
Torisakia             100 120 102 - 7

Torisakia (1-1)
Ezryel(1-1)

UP NEXT: @ (3)Darmen (2-0)
TV: TSPN
RADIO: 102.2 The RЏSH

[Powersith]

Powersith recieves 2nd Loss in Group Play

More dissapointment today as the Powersith Baseball Giants lost to Sitcoumount today 7-9.
Powersith 122 000 110 - 7
Sicountimont 102 212 01X - 9

Willie Ways had let up 9 runs today. However, our offense kept going as we came to a near game. To start out group play Powersith goes 0-2, not the exact way to start the tournament. Disappointed fans back at home when on the streets and rioted near the Imperial Senate, which caused the 5th Emperor Security Riot Police to step in. As game 3 comes in tomorrow, everyone wants a win.

"We all know we want the win tomorrow," says starting pitcher for tomorrow Willie Ways Jr. "I still got that fastball and curve ball, so I can really bring the heat."

For the fans at home, our televisions will be on, and waiting for that first win.

Update On Pitchers:
Mentov Rislo - 42 - L - L #1 Record: 0-0 5.0 ERA
Willie Ways - 52 - L - L- #22 Record: 0-1 9.0 ERA
Willie Ways Jr. - 34 - R - R #12
Willie Ways III - 16 - L - L # 33
Lei Wingo - 32 - L - L #13
Closers :
Joseph Wasco - 33 - L - L #2
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
Michael Mendez - Age 40 - L - L #10

Reporting from Sitcoumount,
I am Rachel Crazty reporter for PSSN

[New Montreal States]

New Montreal States Reformed Expos Roster
Manager: Lionel Dayton
Home games are played WITH the DH

Starting Lineup

CF 19 Marcel Hammersmith
2B 4 Nicholas Thivierge-Laurent
1B 30 Hugo McKinnon
RF 8 Mo Shannon
3B 22 Alexandre Thompson
DH 3 Grant Baltimore
LF 18 Jean Johnson
C 15 André Bourque
SS 7 Greg Gagne

Bench

OF/1B 13 Cédric Laplace (best pinch hitter)
IF 22 Félix L'Heureux
SS/2B 31 Réjean Roland (best pinch runner)
C/LF/RF 11 Dustin Johnstone
OF/3B 17 Étienne Beauséjour

Starting Rotation

RHP 24 Luc Woods
LHP 00 Bernard Laporte
LHP 10 Kyle Woodgate
RHP 6 Stephane Cloutier

Long Relief

RHP 5 Jean-Michel Lagacé
LHP 28 Chris McPeters

Short Relief/Situational

RHP 20 Gordon Wingate
LHP 9 Yann Lecavalier
LHP 27 Loic Winfield
RHP 36 Fabrice Martin (setup man)
RHP 2 Nhan Bao Tran (closer)

[THRILLEDGE]

"Grounded to Birch, on to first and that will do it. The Explorers of Civil Citizenry have taken out the Dreads by a score of seven to three. Let's send to the studio for the post game."

"Hello and welcome to the post game report here on Thriledge Baseball Network Radio. After a convincing win over Madsen in their first game, the Dreads fell to Civil Citizenry tonight. A combination of poor pitching and nonexistent offense did the Dreads in tonight as the bats did not get going. Despite drawing five walks tonight, the Dreads could not capitalize on the opportunities they were presented with. The one that hurts the most has to be in the eighth inning. After a double by Armstrong, a single by MacDougal, and a walk to Pendarvis, there were no outs and the bases loaded. Only being able to put one on the board in that inning is not quality offense.

As bad as the offense was, the pitching was just as bad. Southpaw Israel Armenson only lasted four and two-thirds innings in a crucial game. By the time Heywood Barnsfield came in to relieve Armenson, the damage was already done. Six runs were put on the board by the Explorers, a deficit the Dreads would not be able to overcome. The one bright spot for the Dreads tonight was the bullpen who gave up only one run in five and a third innings tonight. A good stat for a usually unreliable bullpen.

What I would like to know is where did the offense go? Did the leave it in Madsen? After scoring eleven in the opener, they could only manage three? This needs to change if we want to challenge Civil Citizenry for the group title. No, winning the group in not completely necessary but it would be nice to get a little advantage in the playoffs and maybe get out of the Round of 16 eventually. It's early and there is still a lot of baseball to be played. We will see you tomorrow as the Dreads travel to Stormchase to take on the Sunbirds who defeated Mapletish today. As always, the post game report is brought to you by Galnorris Whiskey: 'If you can't hit the ball, hit the bar.' Good night Thrilledge."

[Qazox]

Reyes' injury leads to Eagles loss.

It's not too often that Qazox gives up 10+ runs in a WBC game; in fact this is only the 4th time in almost 300 games that it has happened. But the real story was Sean Reyes, who over the last two WBC's had emerged as Qazox' most consistent pitcher, was taken out of the game in the 3rd inning after a line drive from the home team's SS struck Reyes in the face, breaking the orbital bone under his left eye. Reyes will miss the rest of the WBC, and Marie Darby was called up from the practice squad to replace him. The Bullpen, which continued its struggles, allowed 15 runs over the next 4 innings, blowing an early 4-0 lead for the Eagles.

Up next, Qazox heads home to open their home schedule against Free South Califas, 13-12 winners in 11 innings over Pacificus tonight.

Qazox                 202 111 100 -  8 17 2
Homelands our         009 222 00X - 15 23 0

SCORING SUMMARY

Qazox 1st: Hodgman lined out to short. Jimenez singled to right. Hamilton singled to center, Jimenez to 2nd. Dodge struck out. Zimmerman doubled to left-center, Jimenez and Hamilton scored. Espinoza struck out. 2 runs on 3 hits, 1 LOB; 2-0 Qazox

Qazox 3rd: Hodgman doubled to left. Jimenez grounded out to first, Hodgman to 3rd. Hamilton singled to center, Hodgman scored. Dodge singled to right, Hamilton to 2nd. Zimmerman flied out to right. Espinoza doubled to left, Hamilton scored, Dodge to 3rd. Lee grounded out to short. 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 LOB; 4-0 Qazox

Homeland our 3rd: SS singled to pitcher. <INJURY: Reyes hit in face by line drive. Sean Leva in for Reyes>. CF doubled to center, SS to 3rd. SP#2 sacrificed to pitcher, SS scored, CF to 3rd. LF 387ft HR to left-center, CF and LF scored. 2B singled to left. 3B reached on Dodge throwing error, 2B to 3rd, 3B to 2nd on play. RF 411 ft HR to right-center, 2B, 3B, and RF scored. 1B 405 ft HR to right, 1B scored. <PITCHING CHANGE: Aaron Smith in for Leva>. C singled to right. SS doubled to left-center, C to 3rd. CF singled to right, C and SS scored. SP#2 grounded out to first, CF to 2nd. LF flied out to right. 9 runs on 9 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB; 9-4 Homelands our

Qazox 4th: Bryant singled to left. Smith struck out. Hodgman doubled to center, Bryant to third. Jimenez flied out to center, Bryant scored. Hamilton grounded out to second. 1 run on 2 hits, 1 LOB; 9-5 Homelands our

Homeland our 4th: 2B reached on Smith fielding error. 3B singled to right, 2B to 2nd. RF doubled to left, 2B scored, 3B to third. 1B intentionally walked. C grounded into 4-6-3 double play, 3B scored, RF to 3rd, 1B out at 2nd. SS struck out. 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB; 11-5 Homelands our

Qazox 5th: Dodge singled to center. Zimmerman infield single to third, Dodge to 2nd. Espinoza grounded into 6-4-3 double play, Dodge to 3rd, Zimmerman out at 2nd. Lee singled to right, Dodge scored. Bryant walked. <PINCH-HITTER: Santos batting for Smith> Santos flied out to center. 1 run on 3 hits, 2 LOB; 11-6 Homelands our

Homeland our 5th: <PITCHING CHANGE: David Scott in for Smith> <FIELDING CHANGE: Santos in for Dodge and will bat 9th, Pitcher's spot batting 4th> CF flied out to left. <PINCH-HITTER: OF#4 batting for SP#2> OF#4 singled to right. 2B doubled to left-center, OF#4 scored. 3B walked. RF singled to center, 2B scored, 3B to 2nd. 1B lined into double play (4-5-4), 3B out advanacing to third. 2 runs on 3 hits, 0 LOB; 13-6 Homelands our

Qazox 6th:<PITCHING CHANGE: RP#1 in for SP#2> Hodgman flied out to center. Jimenez struck out. Hamilton 433 ft HR to right-center, Hamilton scored. <PINCH-HITTER: Brian Garnett batting for Scott> Garnett grounded out to pitcher. 1 run on 1 hit, 0 LOB; 13-7 Homelands our

Homeland our 6th: <PITCHING CHANGE: Desmond Montero in for Scott> <FIELDING CHANGE: Garnett in for Zimmerman and will bat 4th, Pitcher's spot batting 3rd> C doubled to left. SS struck out. CF doubled to left, C scored. <PINCH-HITTER IF#5 batting for RP#1>. IN#5 grounded out to 1st, CF to third. LF singled to right, CF scored. 2B singled to center, LF to 2nd. 3B lined out to short. 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 LOB; 15-7 Homelands our

Qazox 7th:<PITCHING CHANGE: RP#2 in for RP#1> <PINCH-HITTER: Artie Ramos batting for Zimmerman> Ramos singled to left-center. <PINCH-HITTER: Toby Wade batting for Espinoza>, Wade grounded into 4-6-3 double play, Ramos out at 2nd. Lee doubled to left. <PINCH-HITTER:Jordan Elliot batting for Bryant> Elliot hit-by-pitch. Santos singled to left, Lee scored, Elliot to 2nd. Hodgman struck out. 1 run on 3 hits, 2 LOB; 15-8 Homelands our

[Sakurakoku]

Can't Cash In
Wolves leave bases loaded in 8th and 9th innings to drop first game against Darmen since WBC 19

*photo: Mami Kaneko's grand slam bid in the bottom of the 8th is denied with a leaping catch at the wall by Darmen center fielder Roland Payne.*

Darmen                101 220 102 - 9 14 1
Sakurakoku            020 002 000 - 4 11 1

Partial Box Score:
Hitting

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

(a) Struck out for Kusao in 9th

Batting:
2B - Kaneko in 3rd, Yamagishi in 8th
HR - Takeda in 2nd
Reached on error - Furukawa in 9th
HBP - Suzuki in 6th

Baserunning: none

Fielding:
E - Kimihara in 5th

Pitching

Pitchers                 IP  H  R  ER  BB  SO
S. Yoshino (L, 0-1)     4.2  8  6   5   3   5
S. Miyanohara           2.1  2  1   1   1   3
H. Junji                1.1  4  2   2   2   0
Y. Hanamura             0.2  0  0   0   0   1

Scoring Summary
Top 1st: Prince doubled to center-left, Ott scored. Darmen, 1-0.
Bottom 2nd: Takeda homered to center-left, Furukawa scored. Sakurakoku, 2-1.
Top 3rd: Hilton homered to right. Tied, 2-2.
Top 4th: Thomas doubled to right, Garret scored, Parish scored. Darmen, 4-2.
Top 5th: Garret singled to center, Cannon scored, Prince to second. Darmen, 5-2.
Top 5th: Thomas singled to right-center, Prince scored, Garret to third. Darmen, 6-2.
Bottom 6th: Katou singled to right, Yamagishi scored, Kusao scored, Suzuki to second. Darmen, 6-4.
Top 7th: Garret homered to center. Darmen, 7-4.
Top 9th: Thomas singled to left, Garret scored, Parish to second. Darmen, 8-4.
Top 9th: Payne singled to right, Parish scored, Thomas to second, Thomas out at third. Darmen, 9-4.

[Zandistan]

COASTAL ZANDAR SENTINEL

report compiled by Jacques Coleman

---

Zandistan              140 000 001 - 6 11 0			
Belshaw and Pevenessy  000 001 010 - 2  4 1

Belshaw down, we’ll see about Pevenessy in five games. Manager William Zandington gained a fair share of supporters. He stated that it was important to not knee-jerk after a loss to such a high-ranked side, and his confidence paid off in a strong victory against fellow newcomers Belshaw and Pevenessy. Strong enough that it seemed Pevenessy didn’t even show up for the occasion. Staying with the same lineup, save for the starting pitcher, Zandistan started strong and never looked back.

Nickerson Couch led off the top of the first with a bloop single into right-center. Chero Migliotti followed with a fielder’s choice grounder he barely beat out to first base, avoiding a double play. Following a walk by Facundo Roque Carlitos, Mark Vardell sent a skyrocket into deep right-center, that looked destined to go over and give Zandistan a 3-0 lead. Sadly, for the second time in two games, it fell just short of the wall, for another long out. Still, Migliotti tagged to third on the play. And the extra base proved huge, as Xavier Shedemik lined a laser back up the middle that bounced off the pitcher’s foot, rolling over toward the third-base line as Migliotti dashed home. A lucky break, and Zandistan had their first runs of the tournament, but Felipe Tresor struck out to end the threat. Zandistan 1, Belshaw and Pevenessy 0.

The team was quick to add more in the top of the second. Kamohui Sander struck out, Über Q hit a broken-bat single to left and pitcher Jack Pollard bunted him over. It looked like the rally would die, rather quickly, but the hits kept piling on. Couch singled to right-center, scoring Q. Migliotti tripled into the right-field corner, and Couch crossed the plate. Roque Carlitos floated one just over the leaping shortstop’s outstretched glove to score Migliotti, and Vardell found redemption with another blast, this time finding the right-center turf for a double, as Carlitos sprinted home. After a Shedemik walk, Tresor yet again struck out to end the inning, but the damage was done. Zandistan 5, Belshaw and Pevenessy 0.

The B&P pitcher settled down after that, allowing no more runs through his five innings of work. But Jack Pollard was nearly spotless. He allowed a single in the second and a walk in the fourth, but he had the opposing hitters completely flummoxed. Until the bottom of the sixth. With one out, he allowed a bloop single. He would have paid it no mind, especially after striking out the next batter, but a double laced into the left field corner followed for a run. Goodbye, shutout. Still, he got a groundout to end the inning and Zandistan remained comfortably ahead. Zandistan 5, Belshaw and Pevenessy 1.

And again, they got to Pollard in the 8th. With two outs, the Belshaw and Pevenessy cleanup hitter smacked a homerun fifteen rows deep in left field, knocking Pollard out of the game. Still, it was a very solid performance for him. Iago van Southerland entered for the last out of the 8th, a harmless fly to centerfield. Zandistan 5, Belshaw and Pevenessy 2.

But Zandistan made sure they would be the first and last to score. In the top of the 9th, Jairvay Fredricks, pinch-hitting for van Southerland, singled, went first-to-third on a Couch single and scored on a Migliotti sac-fly. Cameron Conan, in his first international appearance, shut down Belshaw and Pevenessy for a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th. Final: Zandistan 6, Belshaw and Pevenessy 2.

Postgame, manager Zandington was in a cheery mood, as he deserved to be. Still, he cautioned, some portions of the lineup were not “producing as expected,” and that we might see some changes “in a game or two.” Zandington refrained from appearing too confident, as Zandistan had to travel home and prepare for their next game, against another high-ranked squad, #19 Homelands our. A loss, he said, “would be disappointing. We will do everything in our power to pull off the upset.”

Casper Martins will be making his first start of the Classic in the confrontation with Homelands our. The pressure is on to perform, after Jack Pollard’s strong performance, and the restless home fans seeking victory after the loss to Qazox. Casper, good luck. Don’t get destroyed.

WBC SUMMARY
Overall: 1-1
vs. #11 Qazox, L 0-9
at Belshaw and Pevenessy, W 6-2
Next: vs. #19 Homelands our

[Ko-oren]

Immediately after the Cup of Harmony exit, the next national team steps up! It's time for the World Baseball Classic!

Ko-oren has been drawn in Group One, together with Saugeais, Byfugland, The Jahistic Unified Republic, Pathogeria and The Tidal Wake. Based on rank before the tournament, Ko-oren is third in this group, after Saugeais (4th) and Byfugland (13th) (Ko-oren is 27th), and before JUR (44th), while the remaining to teams are unranked.

The schedule:
md1 - Ko-oren v. JUR
md2 - Ko-oren v. Pathogeria (h)
md3 - Ko-oren v. Saugeais
md4 - Ko-oren v. Byfugland (h)
md5 - Ko-oren v. Tidal Wake
md6 - Ko-oren v. JUR (h)
md7 - Ko-oren v. Pathogeria
md8 - Ko-oren v. Saugeais (h)
md9 - Ko-oren v. Byfugland
md10- Ko-oren v. Tidal Wake (h)

In a group where only the top two advance to the WBC in Lycrabon, Ko-oren has a hard time. Though they are ranked 27th, either Saugeais or Byfugland need to have a bad cycle to allow the Greenblues to advance. In the final tournament, only 20 teams will play.

In the early stages of qualifying, it is always nice to see where the team stopped last cycle. It is only the third time Ko-oren is represented at the WBC: the previous editions were 22 and 23. The first time, the team was made up of a group of friends that were playing outside the headquarters of the (at the time) newly created Ko-orenite Baseball Association, which only just started to host the national league at the time.
As for the tournament, Ko-oren finished 4th in a group of six, edging out over Patricant and Neo Utopia, and they also played Thrilledge, Taeshan... and current hosts Lycrabon.

In WBC 23, Ko-oren finished fourth again... showing that you can perform mediocrily and still rank up. Opponents in this group were Darmen, Thrilledge again and Sicoutimont, and below Ko-oren were Kintratar and Ambibia. Curious fact: despite the fourth place, Ko-oren had a positive RD, and the third best defense. The best defense was Kintratar... in fifth place.

For WBC 24, Ko-oren has never played the opponents before... Will Ko-oren finish third or higher? You'll find out soon... Brought to you by Eagle States Bank!

The roster has been published and for the first time, the nicknames of all players have been accompanied by their actual last names, as was demanded by the hosts. No more Yoritomo, Hidetada and Minamoto on the match report, everything is Lusinu, Ekhiv and Hagru now. The KBA has announced that they will use the nicknames as much as possible, however.

---

WBC Update, MD2

Matches so far:

Ko-oren               300 112 012 - 10
The Jahistic Unified  100 501 000 - 7
KOO (1-0)    TJF (0-1)

Pathogeria            000 000 100 - 1			
Ko-oren               101 110 01X - 5

Combined scoring and conceding:

Ko-oren               401 222 022 - 15
Opponent              100 501 100 - 8

We can see that Ko-oren starts off like a rocket, gets a little weaker right after that, to return steadily from the fourth inning on. There is a little depression in the seventh inning, but the stretch probably does wonders for the team and they return to their 4/5/6th innning scores. The opponents, so far, only had one good inning: the fourth, and that was just in the opening match where TJF got five runs in one inning...

The players so far that have scored runs:
Hidetada (Ekhiv) (3)
Yoshimune (Dasthan) (3)
Fujiwara (Kalatutrthu) (2)
Minamoto (Hagru) (2)
Nobunaga (Ohasa) (2)
Yoshinobu (Othushuno)
Shotoku (Ohasa)
Godaigo (Yulai)

[Sicoutimont]

Les Royales 2-0 after 2 games at WBC

After 2 games at the World Baseball Classic, Team Sicoutimont's national baseball team are 2-0, with a 15-6 win over Allinia and a 9-7 win over Powersith. Here, we will run down both matches:

Game 1
Starting pitcher: Javier Perrois, pitched 7 innings
Closer: Ingham Reginald, pitched 2 final innings
In the team's first game, we were up against the team from Allinia. Although they were unranked, they seemed to be a tough opponent. However, Sicoutimont's batters got swinging in the first 2 innings. Alfonso Soriano hit a home run to put the team up 1-0 in the 1st inning, and set the pace of the game. The team went through the order in the first 2 innings, and took a 5-0 lead. The biggest play of the game proved to be in the 3rd inning. Pedro Santana, Soriano, and Davis Perrault were all on base. Insert Victor Santana, Sicoutimont's best hitter. What'd he do? Put it out of the park. Score 9-0. Jose Colognon got to 2nd next, and Marcus Feldman brought him home for a 10-0 score. Feldman was left stranded, however. For Allinia, Conor Levins hit a home run to ease there pain, bringing the score to 10-1. In the middle 3 innings, Allinia made a great attempt at a comeback. Levins hit a home run in the 6th to bring the score up to 14-5. In the ninth, Santana capped off an awesome game with another home run, and Levins struck back to make the final score 15-6.

Game 2
Starting Pitcher: Fidel Sanchez, 6 innings
Closer: Fernard Dantes, 3 inning
After the win over Allinia, the team took to home turf against Powersith. After the first 6 innings, the score looked to be wrapping up for us, leading 8-5. However, after Fidel Sanchez was removed, the Powersith Giants struck back. 1 run in the 7th and another in the 8th made the score 8-7. In the 9th, Victor Santana stepped up, bringing Alfonso Soriano home with a single. The score was 9-7, and Powersith needed 2 runs in the 9th to win. Dantes struck out a batter, and 1 flew out. The 3rd batter was able to reach 1st base, but Dantes got the other with a grounder to shortstop Davis Perrault, who put out a double play although it was not needed. The game was won for Les Royales, who go to game 3 at 2-0. Will the high-powered offense continue for Les Royales, or will high-flying hosts Lycrabon teach the kids a lesson?

[Pugh]

Pugh 500 000 100 - 6
Cyborg Holland 110 321 50X - 13

Pugh drops the second game of the Baseball Classic, this time to Cyborg Holland. Pugh got off to a hot start, and looked to be on their way to their first international win. The Pugh offense looked great. Troy Hardin led off with a triple, and J. Pugh Jr. knocked him in on a two run homerun. They tacked on another 3 runs in the inning thanks to back to back homers, a two run bomb by Timothy Hardin followed up by a solo shot by Roger Dorn. Eddie Harris pitched a strong first 3 innings, but gave up 5 runs in the next 2. Demetrius Horne had a awful day giving up 5 in the 2/3 IP before Johnny Bravo came and closed the game out. Willie Hayes also added 2 SB, and a run from Troy Hardin's single in the 7th. Pugh still has a lot of work to do, but at least they proved they could hit.

[Allinlia]

*=The Laquete Times=*

SHELLACKED!

Shock and Disappointment at Ol'Marshtop as Baseball All-Stars Get Routed in WBC Home Opener

Sicountimont          325 121 100 - 15
Allinlia              001 202 100 - 6
SIC (1-0)  ALL (0-1)

Allinlia's introduction to international competition did not go how anyone expected it to (except perhaps the Sicountimont batters!) The celebrated ace of the Caoloon Bulls and reigning AL Pitcher of the Year award winner, Xavier Wilson, had the worst outing of his career and the first game where he failed to last at least 5 innings before being pulled in 2 years, getting smashed for 9 runs in 2 and 2/3rds innings including a grand slam from Victor Santana. The ace of the defending Allinlian Baseball League champions and hometown heroes, Travis Patterson of the Laquete Catfish did not fair much better coming in as the long reliever and giving up back to back doubles to Jose Colognon and Marcus Feldman before finally recording the final out of the inning bringing the score to an absolutely hideous 10-0 Les Royales favor after 3.

"It was pretty much a frustrating nightmare. Its hard to figure out really, I just wasn't hitting my spots." muttered Wilson after the game, he refused to make any further comments.

"Our performance as a pitching rotation was inexcusable." said Patterson "When your offense gives you 6 runs that should always be enough to win the game. I'm really upset that I couldn't give the Laquete fans a better show today, this really meant alot to the city. We simply have got to get better and more focused and fast because that was ridiculous."

He would not fair much better in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings ultimately giving up 5 runs in 3.1 innings of work. Boof Mendoza and Wall Pargo finished out the game. The former giving up 1 run in 2 innings pitched and the latter blanking Les Royales in the 9th.

An unusual bright spot was the inexplicable display of power hitting from lead-off specialist Conor Levins of the Avalloca Vultures. Sicountimont's pitching just could not seem to figure him out as he went 4-5 with 2HR and 3RBI. Levins is certainly not a celebrated perennial all star for his power. 13HRs in a season is his personal best and he has not hit multiple home runs in a game all year until now.

"I keep saying that I just swing for contact, but when you do that eventually one will go out." *shrug* "Guess that's what happened here I think, well twice." said Levins after the game. He seemed less than thrilled with his impressive box score saying that he "didn't care about numbers" and expressed disappointment in the team's loss.

Manager Ron Gardner said "We're gonna have to look at alot of film and really dig deep and get serious. This was a huge wake-up call for us. The fielders were not communicating well on defense and looked confused out there. This competition has actual baseball teams that are used to playing with each other and are (news flash!) more or less just as talented as our guy's, if not even more so. We don't look like a team right now, we look like a bunch of the shiniest super stars thrown at a wall to see if they stick."

he went on to add that he would not tolerate a "defeatist attitude" from the players and stressed that there were still many games left to play. "We need to hold our heads high and carry on."

There is no doubt that this is a game the Allinlian imperial all-star team would like to have back though, not just for symbolic reasons being the first international game, at home, with the emperor throwing out the first pitch. But for strategic purposes as well. Les Royales are the team with the third highest rank in the group and Allinlia still must face #7 in the world and host nation Lycrabon as well as what is quickly looking like must win games against fellow newcomers Raxillon and Powesith if Allinlia wants any hope of getting out of groups like they had set out to do. Having their best pitcher beaten this badly at home is an absolutely awful sign.

Matt Eastman of the Dallint Stallions will be called on next to try and redeem Allinlian starting pitching against Raxillon.

"I just have to believe and have faith in Cael that this was a fluke, that our pitching staff is not just in over our heads and that I will be able to help right the ship tomorrow. I'm just going to go out there and do what I do best." Eastman said.

Perhaps the most disheartening thing was that the normally legendarily exuberant Allinlian crowd was so quickly and uncharacteristically left deflated, and most surprising of all from the Allinlians, boos were heard as Les Royales began to add even more to their already huge lead. The crowd showed signs of life when a pair of doubles scored hometown super star Terrell Hunter courtesy of team captain and Meigran SkyLarks star Aiden Stairs who was in turn drove in by Roos Aces slugger Crowder Grimes. Alinllia would try to chip away further at the lead with a second Levins homer, an RBI from Normonwoth Wolves third baseman Paul Majuwitz and an RBI double from Levins in the 7th which scored Jason Reece to establish the ultimately final score of 15-6 Royales.

The Imperial princes seemed distracted throughout the game and they declined to make any sort of statement on it, appearing extremely disappointed and upset. Emperor Tomni said that he thought Allinlia had showed itself off rather well to the world "Well, that is, right up until the game started at least." The city of Laquete had pulled out all the stops to make itself as accommodating and the pregame ceremony as exciting as possible. The sold out crowd at the Marshtop seemed absolutely pumped as well. said Tomni "It seems like now we're just gonna come off as spoiled brats who thought we were the best and were just gonna roll over everyone, and now can't stand to have our pride hurt. Meh, shame."

"As an audience we didn't represent ourselves accurately to the world. Quiet and subdued? Booing the other team's players? That ain't what Allinlian crowds are about. Where are the stomps? Where are the cheers? Where is our famous class? C'mon Allinlia!" said Empress Lillian who later admitted "Yeah I wasn't very excited either, game got away from us too early I guess. Next one will be better, especially if the crowd refuses to quit."

Allinlia's next game will be a home stand against Raxillon. "I wouldn't want to be them." remarked Grand Rexes cleanup hitter Conan Marteen. "We're angry now, real angry."

"We will be more focused tomorrow, We no longer have any delusions of not being underdogs in this group. We will embrace this role. It is not one we are used to as 'all-star' type players, but we have no choice." said Brineport Grays pitcher Eli Wells.

The mood after the game was unusually somber for Laquete, you could tell how badly we wanted this one, or at least didn't want to lose by 9 runs in this one. At least the Sicoutemont fans who had traveled to Allinlia to watch their team seemed to have a great time, toasting in the city's famous bars to a great start to their WBC campaign.

Where do YOU think the All-Stars will end up in group 6? Be sure to vote in our website poll at http://www.LaqueteTimes.all

[The Jahistic Unified Republic]

(Anchored by Lane Kevins (LK, Male) and Jordan Tracey (JT, Female). This will be my primary way of RPing)

LK: Well, the question now at the top of the hour is: does the Jahistic National Baseball Team have a chance of making it past the group stage in the World Baseball Classic? It's up in the air, with one win and one loss in two very close games against the Tidal Wake and Ko-oren, respectively. Both games were decided by 3 runs and were both really dramatic in the end. In the first, losing effort against Ko-oren, Ted Tsao popped out an impressive three run Home Run in the 5th inning, and Kurt Patin took home another, 2 run, Home Run, on his last strike in the bottom of the 5th, on top of the first run in the game during the first inning, as well. Patin also sent Clinton Zappia home in the bottom of the 6th, before getting tagged out in a double play with Tyrone Eisenmenger at the next at bat. Two errors costed the JUR National Team the win in the 8th and 9th inning, respectively.

Ko-oren                  300 112 012-10
JUR                      100 501 000-7

JT: You're such a flipping pessimist, Lane. Let's get to some more happy days, in game two, the Jahistic National Team took home a game against the Tidal Wake, 7-4.

LK: Wait, I'm a pessimist? What?

JT: Forget it. Kurt Patin, being the usual on the roll person he's known for...

LK: Nice grammar.

JT:... took home a Three Run home run in the first inning, batting in himself, Lance Blass and Clinton Zappia. Designated Hitter Joel Austin batted in Tyrone Eisenmenger for another run, before the inning was over. Second inning, Clayton Prenatt, not known as a big hitter, all of a sudden, popped a single home run into left field and took home another run. Fast forward to the bottom of the 4th inning, it's now 5-2 in favor of the JUR with 1 out on the board, 3 and 2 and Eisenmenger, I'm telling you, hit a possessed ball out of the park and just ended that ball's hopes of ever seeing grass. Bottom of the 5th, and who else but Kurt Patin bats in Clinton Zappia in a sacrifice fly to midfield. JUR wins 7-4.

The Tidal Wake        001 101 010 - 4			
The Jahistic Unified  410 110 00X - 7

LK: I'm still trying to get over the fact you declared me a pessimist. But anyways, in a poll conducted in the JUR, 31% of Jahistics are "Absolutely sure" the JUR National team will make it past the group stage, 21% are "Confident", 31% are "Somewhat worried" and 17% are "Certain they won't".

JT: Such a vote of confidence.

LK: Pessimist.

JT: Screw you, and with that, we're going to go to a break and we'll be back with hockey news.

RBI Standings
Kurt Patin (8)
Ted Tsao (3)
Joel Austin (1)
Clayton Prenatt (1)
Tyrone Eisenmenger (1)

[Zwangzug]

So today we were in Longhoughster. Last tournament, the Tyneala team had a couple different home stadiums. And in terms of their roster, literally nothing's changed. I mean, it's all the exact same players. Which is a pretty far cry from what we have going on.

But stadium-wise, they actually have switched things up. Now all of their home games are here, and all of the games feature a moment of silence for people killed in a train crash. On the one hand, yeesh, on the other hand...how is any of that worth your time?

Danny's response, and I quote, "it's probably some capitalism thing."

So, I'm curious about his opinion as a Red-Tail and all, so I try following up. And he just goes off on me about how capitalists have more money to spend on things, and sometimes buy things without great reason, and so would even spend money to travel to the sites of tragedies and feel bad for no reason...because...the free market drives you insane? Then he went on about how when their trains crash they just get new ones and don't make a fuss, how all the plane junk things attract more international tourists than domestic ones, and wasn't it right that after the meteorite crashed outside Zwischen we just sort of carried on and didn't turn it into some tourist trap. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean that all his raving about the capitalists is correct...

Anyway, it was just sort of a gloomy day for everyone, especially because the game went poorly. Priya Chowdhury got knocked out of the game in the fourth so Hiroto took over. And we still lost.

No sign of the mysterious Aminda yet. I say mysterious, I've met her and everything, but she's not the most conversant of rivals. Or, I suspect, international teammates. Hopefully we find out soon.

[Maklohi Vai]

The Wakita Inquirer

Free Swiss States     004 200 000 - 6			
Maklohi Vai           210 110 000 - 5

"We rested on our laurels. You cannot rest on your laurels on the biggest stage of baseball. YOU CANNOT! I am displeased with this team, but yet I will not stay angry. I know you can come back from this because I've seen what you can do. This isn't like the last WBC where we were always expected to lose. We are a favorite now! We cannot lose to unranked teams, partly because we can only have so many losses, but mostly because you're better than that. You have to flush this game and move on. Flush it." -Manager Okao Lomnai with his post game speech to the team
It was a disappointing day for the Lumai indeed, as they had mediocre pitching that didn't help a severely cooled down offense. Arwai pitched the first four innings, giving up 6 runs on 11 hits; he also allowed 3 walks, one error, and struck out 3. For the second consecutive game, Ru was a star out of the pen, pitching 4 innings and holding the Swiss to just two hits in his time. Katwo finished up the game with a perfect inning.

Maklohi Vai Scoring Summary

1st: Ri'ino Uilnai hit a double with two outs, which Mae'ao followed up with a two run shot to right. 2-0 Maklohi Vai

2nd: With one out, Moalna’akai Lai hit a single to left. Wolo Rakinalmanai followed up with another single, sending Lai to third. After the pitcher struck out, Aputo Roma’ai hit a single to knock Lai in. 3-0 Maklohi Vai

4th: With two outs, Iao Laina hit a solo shot to right. 6-4 Free Swiss States

5th: Mae'ao led off the inning with a line drive home run to center 6-5 Free Swiss States

(OOC: I hate RBIs as a stat, but it's something more recognizable to the average WBC participant)
An update on stats for this tournament:
HR: Mae'ao 6, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Moalna’akai Lai 1, Ri'ino Ulnai 1, Iao Laina 1
RBI: Mae'ao 11, Aputo Roma'ai 3, Moalna’akai Lai 2, Wolo Rakinalmanai 2, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Iao Laina 1, Ri'ino Ulnai 1