World Baseball Classic 27- Everything Thread (IC)

[Super-Llamaland]

Group 1
Alitaba 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3
New Edom 1 0 3 0 0 1 2 0 X 7

Super-Llamaland 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 (12 Innings)
Equestrian States 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2


Pld W L RF RA RD Win %
1 New Edom 1 1 0 7 3 +4 1.000
2 Super-Llamaland 1 1 0 3 2 +1 1.000
3 Equestrian States 1 0 1 2 3 −1 0.000
4 Alitaba 1 0 1 3 7 0.000

Note: If you follow the Federation Cup, you'll understand this more, but one or the other is fine.

David Mendello dialed in a number on his cell phone.

Boop. Beep boop beep beep. Please hold. Beeep.

Finally, the other side picked up.
"Yes?"
"Mendello. Good to have you in."
"Well, I got your first guy."
"Very nicely done. I'll get you a contact straightaway."
"Thank you, Marshes."
"Thought you might like it."
"Am I on the national team yet?"
"Ah, no. I'm afraid I need you to do just one more task."
"I've had enough of this."
"Just one little thing. Please."
"No."
"One little thing...One little thing...""
(Sudden flashback)
"Okay. Fine."
"Thank you. Your contact will tell you whom."

The Game

Masorka (ND): 8 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 10 K/0 BB, 106 Pitches
Lee: 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K/1 BB, 25 Pitches
(W) Daye: 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K/1 BB, 16 Pitches
(SV) Bowden: IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K/0 BB, 15 Pitches

Ripcurrent (ND): 9 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 14 K/2 BB, 120 Pitches
Sinker (L): 2 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K/0 BB, 35 Pitches

How they scored:
Equestrian States First.
It started badly as the fine stallion Blazer tripled down the right-field line despite Evan Masorka's best 96-mph fastball. But after Masorka forced a pair of weak flyouts too shallow to tag up on, human Steven Wilson singled in Blazer before Bright Harp struck out to end the inning.
Super-Llamaland Second.
After Ripcurrent threw a 1-2-3 first inning (Question to Equestrian States: How do the equestrian pitchers throw?), Danny Mills and Chris Harder walked to lead off the inning. With one out and Mills at third, Jake Addams hit a sacrifice fly to left center to tie the game.
Equestrian States Fourth.
Steven Wilson and Bright Harp struck out in the fourth, but Evan Masorka's hanging slider was pummeled into right-center by shortstop Steel Nerves and Harder's diving attempt was off. The ball rolled to the wall and Steel Nerves evaded the tag of catcher Bryant Moreno for an inside-the-park home run.
Super-Llamaland Ninth.
With two outs, the dominant Ripcurrent on the mound, and a 2-2 count on Brett Rochester, Rochester bunted for a base hit. Jake Addams then doubled him to third, and after Bryant Moreno was walked intentionally, pinch-hitter Trevor Matthews emerged heroic with a infield hit to tie the game.
Super-Llamaland Twelfth.
Reliever Sinker came out to get a final inning of work after proving dominant in the first 1 1/3. But Bryant Moreno pounded a leadoff home run to right center and despite Sinker's 1-2-3 inning afterwards, it was all over for the Equestrian States squad with closer Nick Bowden striking out the side despite a Darren Bradley error in the victory.

[Skeckoa]

Excerpt from the Eskeckii Free Press:

The Bois in Blu are ready to hit the field tomorrow! The Skeckoa National Selection had a BYE today, but certainly wasn't an off day. After the dissapointing turnout of the 26th rendition of the World Baseball Classic, legendary manager Geronimo Cruz is more than ready to turn the nation's baseball reputation around to the right direction. It started with the team waking up and on the early to continue practicing, ironing out the little niches before getting on the field.

"It's good to see us all here. We are well aware of what is at stake,and we have nothing but good hopes for this" said Ace pitcher Paul Jobs, who will be taking the hill tomorrow against Estope.

After several hours of practice, the team then proceeded to go into the clubhouse and watch the broadcasting of the Estope - New Texaco matchup in preparation for the Road opener tomorrow.

"Those Estopians look like hell of a club and like one that has some fight in them, but I am confident that Jobs and our bats will be able to handle 'em" said 3rd baseman Herald Hedrada. And rightfully so as evidenced by the three lead changes in the last two innings of their 11 inning match-up with the Tejacinos.

As of right now, the bois are on a plane getting their rest and ready as ever to start off what should be a hell of a tournament.

Wednesday, August 21: MD 2 - #29 Estope (Mothershed) vs #40 Skeckoa (Jobs)

[Milchama]

"Wow!"

"Yeah what a bunch of folders"

"Why did we take this crap team again?"

"I really have no idea"

"I mean seriously just what an awful idea"

"Yeah they all suck, there is nothing good about this team"

"Nope"

"Just look at that result, just when we're going to win all the way to sh--hole"

"Just down the drain"

"It's really unbelievable"

"Pretty much"

"So where do we go from here?"

"Well we don't have enough games to come back"

"Why not?"

"There are only 6 and we've lost one"

"That seems like plenty"

"Nah we're screwed"

"Why?"

"Because this team sucks"

"Well you didn't mention that part"

"I know"

"It's true though"

"Did you think we had a chance before the tournament?"

"Yes because I'm always hopeful"

"Ah but now?"

"We're screwed"

"And?"

"There is nothing else to it, we're f---ed"

"So?"

"Well we need a new team, a new head of the federation and possibly a new manager"

"I like Merter"

"Me too, this is why I say possibly"

"Milchama is decadent, decaying and stuff"

"Yeah and we only won one tournament while we were the best"

"How awful is that?"

"Pretty terrible, we couldn't even make it into the finals multiple times"

"Just bad"

"Not bad, terrible! We're the best team ever and we can't even make the finals. Heck soon we're not even going to be able to get out of the group"

"True"

"So we're screwed"

"Oh most definitely"

"You know I feel like we're becoming repetitive"

"I agree"

"So let's end this before it gets too negative"

"Yeah suicide is bad"

"Who said anything about suicide?"

"I did, just now"

"Before that?"

"Nobody but I felt like I should go over the top"

"Bad idea dude! That's just beyond the pale"

"This is no time to talk about ghettoization! We're just talking about baseball"

"Like those three centerfielders"

"Yep, those guys, who shall not be named because that joke is waaaaaaaaaaaay too easy"

"And it's a bad joke"

"And the Baseball Project is a better band"

"True, Here Lies Carl Mays is a really great song"

"And now nobody knows which reality we inhabit"

"Woo hoo! No 4th wall! No 4th wall!"

"This is getting a little too explicit"

"So?"

"Let's end it now"

"Ok as long as you don't say anything stupid"

"Fine I won't"

"So will Milchama win?"

"Nope"

"And?'

"And I don't care!"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Myeeria]

A game, a loss. But not anything that wasn't expected. They were brand new to this, after all. Were they not? Although they moved as one, there were still limits to what they could do, limited by their bodies, limited by their personalities, if the personalities exist...
What is it that they are? Why is it? Hm? Mm?
No one has ever asked, no one has ever wondered.
The One has just always been, never questioned at all...

Although...
A seedling of doubt was placed on one's mind.
And somehow, The One didn't notice...

Where a seed is planted, it has a chance to sprout...
And if it sprouts, then who knows...
What will eventually happen...

[Zwangzug]

OOC: Right, sorry if I'm blatantly ripping off Equestrian States--I had a couple ideas for this, I think, but I can't remember all of them so this is what we're going with for now. The poetic form in question is called a "ghazal." I might play around with different, minor tweaks on it, as the tournament progresses.

It seemed like this would be a rout, from left field,
But now I'm beginning to doubt in left field.

Vesle got us off to a wonderful start,
By sending formidable clout to left field.

There's only four umpires working at once.
Nobody extra hears your pout in left field.

It wasn't so long ago I had to leap,
To be a standout for each scout in left field.

Our fortunes changed after the tarps were removed
And we had to dodge each small spout in left field.

The home fans were yelling in spite of the rain,
The curses were short-lived they'd shout to left field.

I'm an average joe, sometimes, trying to hold
Onto leads and to liners. Still out in left field.

[Allinlia]

Allinlians for Real
Team gets strong win over Taeshan, dispel accusations of being over hyped

Group 9

The Fair Republic      0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Southwick              5 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 X 10

Taeshan                0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Allinlia               0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 X  4

Group 9               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Southwick               1    1   0    10    2   +8    1.000
2 Allinlia                1    1   0     4    2   +2    1.000
3 Taeshan                 1    0   1     2    4   −2    0.000
4 The Fair Republic       1    0   1     2   10   −8    0.000

Triton stadium in pargo was packed for the highly anticipated opening match against respected WBC veteran powerhouse Taeshan, and the Allinlian all-stars. Much hype and excitement has been surrounding this team since the unexpected playoff heroics of last cycle but many have been openly wondering if people were getting just a little carried away when talking about this team, which was a laughingstock for it's combination of arrogance and pitiful group stage performance as recently as 2 WBCs ago. The Allinlians seemed happy to get a chance to face their likely toughest group stage opponents early and called on the ever reliable Matt Eastman to take the mound against Taeshan

Taeshan showed why they have been so dominant for so long early in the game with a quick 2 run lead over the home team in the top of the third inning. It wouldn't last, however, as Aiden Stairs turned the deficit into a lead in one swing of the bat with a towering 3 run homer. Allinlia's pitching and defense held strong and Nick Fasano would single in a bit of insurance in the bottom of the 8th to bring the final score to 4-2 giving Allinlia an early win over a dangerous opponent, in a WBC where each win is even more critical in getting into the playoffs, as there will be 2 less total games played in groups than previous tournaments.

Allinlia will be having it's bye day today which they will be using to prepare for what could be another really tough match against Southwick, a team that also proved the hype that has been surrounding them wasn't misplaced either, decimating the more expereinced Fair Republic team 10-2.

Allinlia has put itself in great position already to answer it's impressive playoff run last WBC with a dominant finish in the group stage. It would be the first time Allinlia impressed in groups, as they have a negative total w/l record in the WBC despite their fairly high world rank of 18.

[Alitaba]

Outskirts of Ma-amo, Alitaba

Ansemio was a die hard baseball fan. He went to Karditan for Alitaba's campaign in the Copa Rushmori de Beisbol. He watched all five games of the Mandaragat - three against Saugeais and two against Cassadaigua. The two games against the Cassadagans proved to be a headache for Ansemio, but at least he showed support for the team. He was outcheered by the opposing teams' fans, but little he did care.

After some months, he resumed to his normal life. Guarding their sari-sari store and selling their products to anyone that passes by. Their house was beside a bridge, and it was the only one in their area, so they were selling foods, drinks, and diesel for an inflated price, some notches higher than a normal grocery or a supermarket in the city center. Also, as the gasoline station is miles away, they also ventured on selling diesel to ones who will need them.

Along with his guarding duties, he always listens to his favorite radio station, a sports one, where updates on the Mandaragat and the Manggugubat were streamed, not to mention Fipino Federation's faltering performance at the Olympics. That day was Mandaragat's game against New Edom. The PA was announcing the lineups for the game, when someone called him. It was his brother.

"Ansemio, our mother had an accident! She is now in the hospital here in Ma-amo. Can you attend to her for a while? I am still here in Masukal so it would take some time for me to go there. Here is the address."

He was shocked. Then, without any qualms, he grabbed his helmet and rode on his habal-habal, the one he used to go to Karditan on a road trip, to go to the hospital. He was not able to get updates on the Alitaba match with New Edom.

[Southwick]

Southwick Wins, Hops to Top of the Group

The Fair Republic      0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Southwick              5 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 X 10

Manager Ernest Grant had only one thing to say after yesterday's game. "We were on fire." Southwick won their first WBC game ever, defeating The Fair Republic 10-2 in nine innings. Woodrow Paul pitched like an ace, going 8 innings and giving up only one earned run. Joel Page gave up a home run to Toucan slugger Henry Brando, but the games was never in doubt and he finished off Gary Payton to end the game. Southwick jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs in the first frame, with five different hitters getting RBI. 7 Candlemakers had RBI in total, with Alan Williams driving in three runs and Marcos Holloway driving in two. The Fair Republic scored in the third on a single by center fielder and leadoff man Harry Liddi, but Southwick responded with two more in the bottom of that inning. Southwick then scored twice more in the sixth and once in the eighth, with the Brando home run occurring in the top of the ninth.

Scoring Summary

1 - SWK - A. Williams doubles to right field, C. Chandler scores. - 0-1
1 - SWK - A. Campbell singles to center field, A. Williams scores. - 0-2
1 - SWK - D. Curry singles to center field, A. Campbell scores. - 0-3
1 - SWK - M. Holloway triples to left field, D. Curry scores. - 0-4
1 - SWK - A. Hill singles to right field, M. Holloway scores. - 0-5
3 - TFR - H. Liddi singles to center field, L. Donaldson scores. - 1-5
3 - SWK - M. Holloway singles to center, A. Campbell scores. - 1-6
3 - SWK - C. Chandler doubles to left field, M. Holloway scores, W. Paul to third. - 1-7
6 - SWK - A. Williams doubles to left field, J. Gordon scores. - 1-8
6 - SWK - A. Clark doubles to right field, A. Williams scores. - 1-9
8 - SWK - A. Williams singles to right field, R. Gomez scores. - 1-10
9 - TFR - H. Brando homers to right field. - 2-10


Play-by-Play

First Inning
TFR - H. Liddi grounds out to shortstop.
TFR - O. Jaeger lines out to second base.
TFR - J. Wilson flies out to right field.

SWK - C. Chandler singles to left field.
SWK - C. Chandler steals second base.
SWK - J. Gordon grounds out to first base, C. Chandler to third.
SWK - A. Williams doubles to right field, C. Chandler scores.
SWK - A. Clark flies out to right field, A. Williams to third.
SWK - A. Campbell singles to center field, A. Williams scores.
SWK - A. Campbell steals second base.
SWK - D. Curry singles to center field, A. Campbell scores.
SWK - M. Holloway triples to left field, D. Curry scores.
SWK - A. Hill singles to right field, M. Holloway scores.
SWK - W. Paul strikes out swinging.

Second Inning
TFR - H. Brando strikes out looking.
TFR - G. Payton grounds out to pitcher.
TFR - R. Picker strikes out swinging.

SWK - C. Chandler grounds out to third base.
SWK - J. Gordon walks.
SWK - A. Williams flies out to right field.
SWK - A. Clark strikes out looking.

Third Inning
TFR - L. Donaldson doubles to center field.
TFR - B. Eskers grounds out to second, L. Donaldson to third.
TFR - B. Natters strikes out looking.
TFR - H. Liddi singles to center field, L. Donaldson scores.
TFR - O. Jaeger grounds out to shortstop.

SWK - A. Campbell singles to third base.
SWK - A. Campbell steals second base.
SWK - A. Campbell advances to third base on a wild pitch.
SWK - D. Curry strikes out looking.
SWK - M. Holloway singles to center, A. Campbell scores.
SWK - M. Holloway steals second base.
SWK - A. Hill flies out to left field.
SWK - W. Paul walks.
SWK - C. Chandler doubles to left field, M. Holloway scores, W. Paul to third.
SWK - J. Gordon grounds out to pitcher.

Fourth Inning
TFR - J. Wilson strikes out swinging.
TFR - H. Brando grounds out to shortstop.
TFR - G. Payton grounds out to third base.

SWK - A. Williams singles to right field.
SWK - A. Clark flies out to center field.
SWK - A. Campbell fielder's choice to first base.
SWK - D. Curry strikes out swinging.

Fifth Inning
TFR - R. Picker grounds out to second base.
TFR - L. Donaldson singles to center field.
TFR - B. Eskers strikes out swinging.
*J. Brooks pinch-hits for B. Natters*
TFR - J. Brooks pops out to first base.

*R. Rodgers comes in to pitch for The Fair Republic*
SWK - M. Holloway lines out to second base.
SWK - A. Hill flies out to center field.
SWK - W. Paul strikes out swinging.

Sixth Inning
TFR - H. Liddi grounds out to third base.
TFR - O. Jaeger singles to left field.
TFR - J. Wilson strikes out looking.
TFR - H. Brando flies out to right field.

SWK - C. Chandler grounds out to third base.
SWK - J. Gordon walks.
SWK - A. Williams doubles to left field, J. Gordon scores.
SWK - A. Clark doubles to right field, A. Williams scores.
SWK - A. Campbell grounds out to first base, A. Clark to third.
SWK - D. Curry grounds out to pitcher.

Seventh Inning
TFR - G. Payton pops out to catcher.
TFR - R. Picker strikes out looking.
TFR - L. Donaldson grounds out to shortstop.

SWK - M. Holloway grounds out to third base.
*J. French pinch-hits for A. Hill*
SWK - J. French flies out to left field.
SWK - W. Paul grounds out to second base.

Eighth Inning
*M. Dunn comes in at catcher for Southwick*
TFR - B. Eskers strikes out looking.
TFR - R. Rodgers strikes out swinging.
TFR - H. Liddi grounds out to third base.

SWK - C. Chandler grounds out to second base.
*R. Gomez pinch-hits for J. Gordon*
SWK - R. Gomez singles to left field.
SWK - R. Gomez steals second base.
SWK - A. Williams singles to right field, R. Gomez scores.
SWK - A. Clark pops out to catcher.
SWK - A. Campbell walks, A. Williams to second.
SWK - D. Curry grounds out to second base.

Ninth Inning
*J. Page comes in to pitch for Southwick*
*N. Harvey comes in at right field for Southwick*
*R. Gomez comes in at second baseman for Southwick*
TFR - O. Jaeger flies out to center field.
TFR - J. Wilson grounds out to second base.
TFR - H. Brando homers to right field.
TFR - G. Payton strikes out swinging.

Players of the Game

1: Woodrow Paul, SP, W, 8 IP, 9 K, 1.13 ERA
2: Alan Williams, RF, 4-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B
3: Marcos Holloway, SS, 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, SB

Southwick Statistical Leaders

Hitting
PA: 5 tied with 5
AB: 3 tied with 5
H: Alan Williams, 4
R: 3 tied with 2
RBI: Alan Williams, 3
1B: 2 tied with 2
2B: Alan Williams, 2
3B: Marcos Holloway, 1
HR: N/A
XBH: Alan Williams, 2
BB: James Gordon, 2
K: 2 tied with 2
SF: Adrian Clark, 1
TB: Alan Williams, 6
SB: Andres Campbell, 2
SBA: 4 tied with 1.000
AVG: Ronnie Gomez, 1.000
OBP: Ronnie Gomez, 1.000
SLG: Alan Williams, 1.200
OPS: 2 tied with 2.000

Pitching
W: Woodrow Paul, 1
L: N/A
IP: Woodrow Paul, 8.0
G: 2 tied with 1
GS: Woodrow Paul, 1
GF: Joel Page, 1
SV: N/A
HLD: N/A
R: 2 tied with 1
ER: 2 tied with 1
H: Woodrow Paul, 4
HRA: Joel Page, 1
BB: N/A
SO: Woodrow Paul, 9
ERA: Woodrow Paul, 1.19
WHIP: Woodrow Paul, 0.50

Fielding
GP: 13 tied with 1
INN: 5 tied with 1
TC: Adrian Clark, 12
A: Marcos Holloway, 4
PO: Adrian Clark, 12
E: N/A
FP: 10 tied with 1.000
RF: Marty Dunn, 27.000

The Knuckler Factory: Part I

"Crack." The ball shot off of the bat like a rocket. James watched the rightfielder track back, back, back, before running out of room. The crowd cheered and James sighed as the batter ran around the bases. It was his second season in the Southwick Summer League and his prospects weren't going anywhere. Only eighteen years old, James had hoped to catch the eye of the scouts from the Baseball Federation. With their red hats and Southwick polo shirts, they were easy to spot in the stands. Instead, he was helping hitters catch the eyes of those scouts. With his fastball hitting only 89 MPH, his pitches were like meatballs waiting to be smacked. His ERA was 7.26.

"James." James looked up and saw his manager, Rick Davison, coming out to the mound. "Another early exit," he thought. "Tough luck out there," Rick said. He patted James on the back. James handed Rick the ball and walked dejectedly off of the mound. Not stopping to talk to his teammates, James went straight to the locker room. He was tired, frustrated, and angry.

He turned on the shower water and was about to get in when he saw a man walk into the locker room. "Can I help you?" he asked. "Yes, I am looking for James Lyon," the man relied. James looked the man over. He had no visible credentials and James wondered how he had gotten into the locker room in the first place. "I am James Carpenter," he said hesitantly. "Well hello James, nice to meet you," the man said, taking James' hand and shaking it vigorously. "I am William Ashby and I am the head of Pitching Administration at the Southwick Baseball Federation." James' jaw dropped. "Nice to meet you too," he said finally.

"You might be wondering why we want to talk to you," William said. "After all your numbers aren't well, good. 0 and 4 record, 7.26 earned run average, and nine home runs allowed." James winced inside as he repeated each statistic. "And your inventory isn't that great either," added Ashby. "Sub-90 MPH fastball, below-average changeup, poor slider..." James began to wonder if this was just a sick joke. "But your work ethic has caught the eye of your coaches and our scouts. You see, we here are starting a new program at the Federation called the Pitcher Reassignment Program. All we are looking for is pitchers who are willing to do anything to keep playing baseball, even if in their current form they might not be good enough to make it to next level. So, what do you say?" James thought for a second. Slowly, a smile began to creep over his face. "When do I begin?" he asked.

[Nova Anglicana]

Lions Drop WBC Opener to Lumai

Allen Talos, Londinium Courier

At first glance, it might be said that Nova Anglicana's debut on the world sporting stage was a failure, as they dropped their first game 5-3 at home to world #6 Maklohi Vai. At second glance, one could say that it was a success, as the unranked Lions lost by only two runs to the powerful Lumai. As with most things, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. A two-run loss to a world power cannot be considered a failure, but the Lions were never really in contention as they trailed by four runs going into the bottom of the fourth, with a single hit.

They would bat .188 for the game, and if it weren't for home runs by Josh Heckman and Kareem Al-Aniz, they would have only scored a single run. They displayed an appalling lack of plate discipline, taking no non-intentional walks (Jennings was walked intentionally in the first) and allowing Lumai ace Ratai Moi to cruise through eight innings on just 102 pitches, an average of fewer than 13 pitches per inning. Moi also scrambled off the mound and made a great throw to get the speedy center fielder Martín Torres on a bunt attempt. Nova Anglicana starter Elmer Sutton allowed a respectable seven hits in seven innings, but three of them were extra-base hits and he gave up some hard-hit outs as well. He caught a break when the opposing catcher, Moalna'akai Lai, blasted a pitch 419 feet into Archbishop Stadium's triples alley in right center, also known as "where home runs go to die". In many other ballparks, that would have been a towering home run, but in Nova Anglicana's cavernous home park, it was merely a triple. Reliever Trent Burkhardt, of the 100 MPH fastball, threw just 12 strikes in 23 pitches, being bailed out by a number of over-aggressive hitters, as he let in a run that, while it did not prove to be decisive, could have made it easier for a ninth-inning rally. Playing a part in that inning was NABL MVP Roman Jennings, whose ill-advised dive allowed the ball to get past him for a ninth-inning triple. The bottom four position players in the order batted a combined 0-for-14, leaving the top of the order (mostly just the young catcher Heckman) to provide the offense, though young shortstop Jarrod Novak was robbed of at least a base-hit and probably a double by second baseman Arnao's leaping catch. Arnao, 2-4 with 2 runs and a stolen base, was a thorn in the Lions' side all day.

But enough of this gloom. Let us focus on the positives that the Lions produced yesterday. Sutton, despite surrendering four runs in seven innings, permitted just two hits and a walk in the innings where he was not scored upon. This is a perfect example of the perseverance we Nova Anglicans adore and helped keep the Lions in the game. He baffled Lumai slugger Mae'ao in the first inning with a perfectly placed screwball to end the inning. Josh Heckman hit a solo blast in the 6th for the boys in gray's first WBC run, and singled in another in the eighth to close the gap to 4-2. And Kareem Al-Aniz, enduring an 0-3 with a long fly out to right-center and an inning-ending double play, lined a home run onto the arcade walkway in right field in the ninth inning to give the home fans a little hope against dominating closer Maruamo Riwara.

All in all, it was not a bad debut for the Lions. After all, who could have expected them to win this game? They receive a day off to process and perhaps take a little more batting practice, and then travel to #15 Karditan, 5-4 losers to #49 Kerblaekistan. The Wild Kards, a team composed mainly of equines (what a world we live in), will be coming off a game vs. Maklohi Vai. It remains to be seen how this Lions squad will perform. Should Karditan win, the confidence of such a win might empower them to roll over our boys, or they might have an emotional letdown and drop one they really shouldn't. Should they lose, they might be driven into the depths of despair and lose yet another game, putting them in serious jeopardy for advancing to the round of 24. However, they might be so enraged at having lost two straight that they absolutely crush the visitors. Manager Graig Lowman had best prepare young hurler Felix Murphy for every eventuality or the Lions might be looking at a long day on the road.

Addendum: Reports are filtering out that sports fans in Maklohi Vai are seeking the favor of an arbitrary force named "Margaret", a sort of luck goddess that some believe influences the outcomes of matches. Of course, no self-respecting Nova Anglican would pray to such a force, even the most die-hard fan. Nevertheless, fans and players alike might be seeking divine help (from any source) if the Lions' play does not improve.

Boxscore:http://novaanglicana.blogspot.com/2013/08/maklohi-vai-lumai-at-nova-anglicana.html

[Saintland]

Matchday 2 Results for Groups 7-12

Group 7
Karditan               0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Maklohi Vai            1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Super Bwitain          0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1  5
Kerblaekistan          0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  4


  Group 7               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Super Bwitain           1    1   0     5    4   +1    1.000
2 Kerblaekistan           2    1   1     9    9    0    0.500
3 Karditan                2    1   1     7    7    0    0.500
4 Maklohi Vai             2    1   1     7    6   +1    0.500
5 Nova Anglicana          1    0   1     3    5   −2    0.000

Group 8
New Texaco             0 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 2  7
Myeeria                3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  5

Skeckoa                0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Estope                 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3  5


  Group 8               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Estope                  2    2   0    12    8   +4    1.000
2 Sicoutimont             1    1   0     8    5   +3    1.000
3 New Texaco              2    1   1    13   12   +1    0.500
4 Skeckoa                 1    0   1     2    5   −3    0.000
5 Myeeria                 2    0   2    10   15   −5    0.000

Group 9
Southwick              1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0  5
Taeshan                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1  3

Tarrigan               0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Fair Republic      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 X  2


  Group 9               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Southwick               2    2   0    15    5  +10    1.000
2 Allinlia                1    1   0     4    2   +2    1.000
3 The Fair Republic       2    1   1     4   11   −7    0.500
4 Tarrigan                1    0   1     1    2   −1    0.000
5 Taeshan                 2    0   2     5    9   −4    0.000

Group 10
West Guiana            0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0  4
Gregoryisgodistan      0 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 X  6

Britonisea             0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
The Sova Empire        0 0 1 0 0 4 0 3 X  8


  Group 10              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 The Sova Empire         2    2   0    14    7   +7    1.000
2 Western Cuba            1    1   0     4    1   +3    1.000
3 Gregoryisgodistan       2    1   1     7    8   −1    0.500
4 West Guiana             2    0   2     9   12   −3    0.000
5 Britonisea              1    0   1     2    8   −6    0.000

Group 11
Saugeais               2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0  6
Kriegiersien           0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3

Callumackbar           0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0  3
Strawbee               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2


  Group 11              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Saugeais                2    2   0    11    3   +8    1.000
2 Callumackbar            1    1   0     3    2   +1    1.000
3 Kriegiersien            2    1   1     8    8    0    0.500
4 Unolia                  1    0   1     2    5   −3    0.000
5 Strawbee                2    0   2     2    8   −6    0.000

Group 12
Carasatoga             0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
San Jose Guayabal      0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  2

Welsh Cowboy           0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0  5
Zwangzug               0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 2  7


  Group 12              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Zwangzug                2    2   0    13   10   +3    1.000
2 Thatius                 1    1   0     4    2   +2    1.000
3 San Jose Guayabal       2    1   1     4    5   −1    0.500
4 Carasatoga              2    0   2     6    8   −2    0.000
5 Welsh Cowboy            1    0   1     5    7   −2    0.000

Nova Anglicana, Sicoutimont, Allinlia, Western Cuba, Unolia and Thatius had byes today. The nations that won their games today have their linescore bolded.

[New Edom]

1 COPPER

THE FINEBERG TIMES

---

---

CITY FINAL WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21, 2013

---

Guns Or Butter?

by Annabelle Barca

FINEBERG, New Edom After years of costly military build-up, the military now has a state of readiness capable of responding to all threats, both foreign and domestic. There is extensive debate among government officials, the military, and the average citizen over what, if anything, should be done with this powerful asset.

Discussion of the importance of New Edom’s alliances, including with Nalaya, the Imperium of Arbites Materia, Lyscania, Hutanjia and possibly with New Othman has suggested according to some Foreign Ministry and Defense officials that maintaining New Edom’s current level of readiness is vital.

However according to noted economist Gamaliel Othniel, this is untrue. "There's no point in having a military this size when our closest adversary has a water pistol strapped to a scooter and calls it an armoured brigade. Besides, the military's been getting uppity with all its funding anyway. Slash its budget, sell off its surplus, and put the money into tax relief and... of course... maintaining all those contractors. Sure, they won't make tanks anymore but they can sure make plenty of commemorative plates with all that money!"

General Martin Benajah, the Chief of Defense Staff, speaking on behalf of the President of the Council of Ministers who is also Minister of Defense, said in rebuttal, “That’s a fine way to talk about some 400,000 Deadorans armed to the teeth across our borders. Are they as well armed and trained as our forces? I doubt it. Are they a potential threat? Yes they are. This is something for the professionals to assess, not ivory tower theoreticians.”

Unionist Leader Lina Comhghall, speaking from a video conference, has said that she is concerned about the standard of living of the average Edomite citizen, who is “Suffering from a lack of guaranteed nutrition and health care in spite of recent initiatives. This is the time for the Government to start scaling things back, and I hope that they will fulfill their promises to do so.”

Comhghall added her concerns about foreign affairs. “We need to be seeking relations with responsible accountable governments that can partner with us—nations like Adiron and Free Garza. I remain skeptical about entanglements with nations that are likely to bring us into more brushfire wars abroad. This is why we’re stuck in Hutanjia—alignment with a government of questionable responsibility towards its own people. I look at New Othman and I see the same thing.”

It is expected that the Cabinet will announce a decision on the matter of defense later in the week, and that concerns about possible relations with the nation of New Othman will be discussed at that time.

---

Baseball Classic 27 off with a Bang for Diatrymas!

by Tim Stanton

FINEBERG, New Edom—The New Edomite National Team, the Diatrymas defeated the Mandragat (or Mariners) of Alitaba 7-3 today, marking the first time the national team has managed to make it to the international league. Excited fans could be heard all over the city as they cheered the home team, inaugurating the first international event for the Olympic Stadium built during the reign of King Mark I.

While the Mandragat managed to get 3 in the 7th inning, John Bonath (62) kept them off the bases for the last two innings. Gregor Serilla has demonstrated that he has some skill as a contact hitter in the third inning to the delight of family and friends holding up a banner reading SERILLA’S THE MAN following his first home run of the season.

“The team is off to a great start,” Manager Kozebue enthused in a locker room interview, “And while I think we were a little intimidated by the competition we’ve nevertheless come out swinging…no pun intended!”

---

Dear Doctor Bonasentio

(Got issues? Dr. Bonasentio is the man with the answers!)
Dear Dr. Bonasentio
I hope you can help me. A few days ago I set off for work leaving my husband at home watching TV. My car stalled and then broke down about a mile away from our home, and I had to walk back to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. My husband was in bed with our neighbor's daughter!

I am 32, my husband is 34 and our neighbor's daughter is 19. We have been married for 10 years. When I confronted him, he confessed to having an affair for the last 6 months. He won't go to counseling, and I am afraid that I am a wreck and need advice urgently. Can you help?

Sincerely, Broken Hearted


Dear Broken,

A car stalling after driving a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking to see if there is any debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solve the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty causing low intake pressure to the injectors.

Hope this helps!
Dr. Bonasentio

---

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No More Special Treatment For The Gays

I'm Plettschner! Otto Plettschner! Three times decorated in two national wars! I was killing people while your reporters were still swimming around in their father's balls! You little scumbags! I worked five years in a slaughterhouse, and ten years as a prison guard in Teman! I've protected the people from filty Anarchists, I was Dipsy Bubbleyum's body guard and now I'm a cop in Glasstower.

So what? So never say f*** you to me! Because you haven't earned the right yet!

The point is, I come from a big family, mostly we make guns for work or we fight for the Lord and cash - and we're damn proud of it. Like I said it's a big family, so I love all my cousins equally - just like the Lord commands, even the dew eyed Nancy's and Nick's. I accept, love and protect them despite their filthy unGodly impulses, just like I love and protect our familys retards, now that they're people too. Damn it, I'm even proud of those retards, God made them especial!

What I will not put up with is especial treatment for gays! Why do they get job training and such? One of my cousins, a niece and a nephew each whent 'gay for a day' and got into them programs. They all said going gay for a day was the best thing that ever happened for them.

Now they all have jobs: road work, construction, mine removal.

Now, as a reasonalble person I got to ask: why ain't this for everyone? Why just the gays or those that got to pretend to be gay? Back home, an old neighbour, well half his family is in at the same time, his son, daughter in law and one of their kids.

Is that fair? The hell it is.

Otto Plettschner
Sorry for the harsh language I just feel so td off.

[Vaugania]

"How about we all write a journal for the time capsule?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea."

"Alright. What do you think, Marty?"

"Huh? What?" Marty's eyes stared blankly into the expectant face of Nikola Vlahovic.

"The time capsule, Marty. Write journals for the time capsule. Y'know. So 30 years or whatever into the future, our children will know something about baseball back in these days.

The blank stare continued. Nikola snapped his fingers a couple times and Marty finally seemed to come to. After blinking a few times he said, "Journals. Sure. Yeah."

"It's settled then, we all write journals throughout this WBC."

---

Marty sat in his hotel room rifling through his bags. He pulled out a black notebook that was supposed to be used for taking notes on film, but he needed it to keep his journal. After setting the notbook on the table, he searched through the drawers in his hotel room. He finally founded one of the hotel's complementary pens. After scribbling on a naplin to check and see if it worked, he grabbed the notebook and sat at his desk and wrote in one of the white spaces near the top of a the notebook cover:

Confessions of a Catcher
by Marty Bzibziak

If you are reading this, then at least 30 years have passed since the time these words were written. I would hope that you followed the instructions on the team time capsule and you actually allowed these 30 years to pass. It would be a shame if you didn't just have some patience. That's beside the point. Allow me to get back on track. There is something that has been weighing very heavily on me that nobody knows about me. I am going to let you know what that is up front and not spend my entire time in the WBC dropping hints.

I am a robot.

I thought that somebody had noticed something about me once I was dubbed Obliteratron 5300. Of course, nobody knew anything and humans just like to assign "robot" names to each other as nicknames. Nonetheless, that reminded me that I wasn't human and was one robot, living amongst billions of humans across the multiverse. It reminded me that I don't belong. I thought about how I would never age. How when my good friend Roman Janicek hung up his cleats, there would be Marty, still swinging away, looking unchanged for at least a decade and how much suspicion that would raise. I have pondered the questions increasingly often and it troubles me that this is occurring, but what can I do, my life is constricted by lines of text.

I was built in a basement in Abel by a robotics engineer who worked for one of the major tech companies in Vaugania. His name was Ian Bzibziak. I have a foggy memory of the man who built me. The man who was essentially my father, but they are there is still some memory nonetheless. I remember starting school, youth baseball, high school, my graduation. Though I again only have very foggy memories of the people involved. I don't quite understand I could have gone to being a grown man from a young boy unless I went under the knife every summer. That seems unlikely, but perhaps my father did do that. I learned at one point what the reason for building me was and it gives support to that theory. His wife, Greta, was barren and could have no children of her own. So Ian instead built one for her. So she could be a mother.

There are still many things that I don't understand. I would ask my father, but he passed about 8 years ago. My mother 1 year after that. I do know that I was given adaptable AI and as such have the ability to learn. My code also contains language that allows for me to speak English. But the one question that stabs into my mid is, how am I able to share these feelings with you? I am a robot. I have no human emotion. I shouldn't be capable of opinions, but it seems that I have formulated my own anyway. I am beginning to question everything I know about the world. Or rather, everything I think I know. I just have so many questions. And they all just popped into my head at this one stage of my life. My neverending life.

Enough with the depressing details and back to baseball. We played Cassadaigua, ranked 43rd, on the road today. In fact, we will be leaving to go back home to Vaugania rather soon so we can play FSC at Landvik tomorrow. Those ladies really had us going for a while and they had a 5-4 lead in the 8th. I grounded out to 3rd for the first out of the inning. Chelsea Gomez was really going strong on the mound. Then Cliff changed all of that. Gomez gave him curveball. It really seemed like a nice pitch, but Cliff tracked it the entire way in the plate. He took a swing and knocked it over the fence for a solo homer to tie up the game. Gomez seemed a little shaken up, but she made it out of the inning with no more damage caused. Good for her.

The game dragged on a little while longer. Roman made some sloppy plays at second base and was replaced by Brett Springsteen. Luckily, the Cassadagans weren't able to pull away with a walk-off due to those. In the top of the 11th, Radim Mencher got on base with a single on a ground ball up the middle. I fell in to an 0-2 hole right away in my at-bat. I was given a slider low and away and I ended up chasing at it. I really reached out and got a piece of it with the meet of my barrel. It took off down the right field line. It looked like it was going to be foul as it curled back towards the foul pole, but it nicked the pole just above the wall for a two run homer. As I rounded the bases, I almost felt like I was cheating because nobody knew I was a robot. But wouldn't that put them at an advantage? Wouldn't that just make it obvious that there is a pattern to the way I do things? Nevertheless, Jonas Abel shut the Cassadagans down in the bottom of the inning striking out 2 and I got the third on a foul pop-up. It was a good game all in all. I will continue later about my life as a robot and how I function from day-to-day.

[Sakurakoku]

Knocking the Eight-Ball
Wolves break out 6-run eighth, seize opening game against #2 Milchama

Picture: Mami Kaneko hi-fives her teammates Hikaru Horie and Mio Yamagishi at the plate following her three-run homer to get the lead for Sakurakoku in the eighth inning.

Mami Kaneko's three-run home run was the centerpiece of a six-run outburst by the Wolves in the eighth inning, the key point in a 7-2 victory by Sakurakoku over Milchama to open the Wolves' WBC 27 campaign. With the Wolves down 2-1 entering the inning, Yuuhi Katou scored on a misplayed grounder by Milchama first baseman Karl Flork to tie the game before Kaneko's homer, and would later add an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in catcher Kazuhide Suzuki. Suzuki himself also had an RBI in that inning, singling in Akiyoshi Kimihara from second.

The final score belies a game that had been much closer for most of those innings than it would suggest, however. Wolves ace Shizuru Yoshino and her Milchama counterpart Kenny Valentine put up a tight pitcher's duel in the early innings. Yoshino's knuckleball gave fits to both herself and Suzuki all day, with a wild pitch and six walks issued for Yoshino and three passed balls recorded for Suzuki over the 7 2/3 innings Yoshino pitched. However, that same knuckleball also gave fits to Milchama's bats - Yoshino struck out seven and allowed two runs.

Valentine, however, was a bit better for most of the game. He also went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two walks while striking out nine. Through the first seven innings he allowed just three hits and one run, that one run coming off a solo shot by Mio Yamagishi in the fourth inning that tied the game 1-1. And even in the eighth he got two outs with Katou representing the tying run on second and managed to get Horie tap a grounder to first. Flork's error allowed Horie's grounder to roll into the outfield and let Katou score the tying run with his speed. Then came a single from Yamagishi before Valentine was relived for Tim Lillian, who promptly served a hanging curve that Kaneko launched out to the bleachers to break the game open 5-2. Valentine finished with four runs charged to his name, though only one of them was earned.

Both pitchers also had great defensive efforts to keep each other's offense largely muzzled through the early innings. Saki Yasuzumi was robbed of extra-base hits twice by Milchama center fielder Tal Artik with diving catches near the warning track, once in the first inning and again in the sixth - Yasuzumi ended the day 0 for 5 with a strikeout. For the Wolves, their play came in the top of the fourth with Flork on second and one out, when Yamagishi retrieved a Millar single from right field and, with Flork being waved home, fired a rocket that one-hopped into Suzuki's glove, who then tagged Flork out at the plate.

The Silver Wolves have an off day before heading out on the road to WBC debutants Levivania.

Milchama               0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  2  7 1
Sakurakoku             0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 X  7  8 1

W - Kono (1-0)
L - Valentine (0-1)

Scoring Summary

Top 3rd: Artik walked. Flentstein struck out swinging. On passed ball, Artik to second. Finter grounded out to second, Artik to third. Vlorber singled to center, Artik scored. HaLivini popped out to shortstop. Milchama, 1-0.

Bottom 4th: Horie grounded out to third. Yamagishi homered to center. Kaneko lined out to third. Kimihara singled to center. Suzuki struck out swinging. Tied, 1-1.

Top 7th: Flentstein flied out to left. Finter doubled to right. On wild pitch, Finter to third. Vlorber sacrificed flied out to center, Finter scored. HaLivini walked. Stevens lined out to second. Milchama, 2-1.

Bottom 8th: Dojima grounded out to shortstop. Katou singled to left. Yasuzumi struck out swinging, Katou to second on passed ball. Horie reaches safely on error by first baseman Flork, Katou scored. Yamagishi singled to left, Horie to second. Lillian pitching. Kaneko homered to right-center, Horie scored, Yamagishi scored. Kimihara doubled to left-center. Suzuki singled to right, Kimihara scored. Uemura hit by pitch, Suzuki to second. Skelton pitching. Dojima singled to right, Suzuki to third, Uemura to second. Katou walked, Suzuki scored, Uemura to third, Dojima to second. Yasuzumi grounded out to second. Sakurakoku, 7-2.

[New Texaco]

New Texaco Strikes it Rich Against Myeeria 7-5

Myeeria started the game off well with 3 runs in the first, but yet again Adam Davis responded with a double and driven in by a Scott Pence single. Pence then stole second before David Gant grounded out moving the outfielder to third. Chris Dunn flew out to deep center driving in Pence and the second inning ended on a Brad LaRue strikeout. The Myeeria team responded with another run in the 3rd inning. Bruce Jakes hit a solo shot to the right field foul pole which the ball noisily banging off of the bright yellow pole like the swing of an aluminum bat hitting a ball in a little league game but New Texaco still was behind 4-3. Myeeria hit in their final run in the fifth inning and afterwards it was all New Texaco with a solo shot by Chris Dunn in the 7th, a RBI single by Jorge Canto in the 8th, and a two run home run by Chris Dunn to finish off the run production in the 9th inning.

Tomorrow's Game is against #3 Sicoutimont, a juggernaut of a team that is highly regarded as both a favorite to advance out of group play and to win the overall championship. There is both trepidation and excitement about playing such an opponent as Sicoutimont's Les Royales with Carlos Santa Maria facing the New Texaco #3 in Dean Danks. Danks is considered to be little more than an innings eater who can in theory go the entire length of a game plus some assuming that the hitters don't take him out first with a barrage of hits. As a result, Danks tends to only last 5 to 7 innings as hitters will not be so easily fooled by his stuff the second or third time through the batting order. It should be noted how many players come from a single team called Ile Perrot Epee. Most would have to presume that team must be particularly strong as well in their individual league back in Sicoutimont. New Texaco's players are scattered throughout multiple leagues in baseball including the Transamerican League which is a league with teams throughout North America, the Japan League, and the Texacan League which has teams in both New Texaco and Mexico.

[Estope]

Another game, another win for Estope in this World Baseball Classic. This team finally seemed to regain the swagger they once had and look to be on track to make the playoffs. While Estope's opening game of the WBC 27 was an exciting 11 inning game, game 2 proved to be just as thrilling. After starting the game down 2-0, Estope started getting hits in the fifth inning and tied it up in the seventh. The pitching staff also did a brilliant job, allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits. Jonathon Nitka did an especially good job allowing no runners to reach base in almost 3 innings of relief pitching. While the batting was the problem in the beginning, the ninth inning proved to be a huge one. Alex Avez starting the inning off earning a walk. Next up was Max Meister, a sporadic hitter with a history of blowing it in important situations. Somehow though he was able to hit a line drive single right back up the middle to put two on with no outs. Cory Keys, Estope's big hitter, was up next in the tied game. On the first pitch he fouled it just left of what would have been a home run. But on the second pitch he really hit it and just stood watching as it sailed over the fence for the walk-off home run. The fans at Thomas-Johnson Field could not have been happier. So far Estope has been clutch in big situations and it has paid off. We currently sit in first place in the group goiing into a bye. After the bye Estope will face Myeeria in an important game. Myeeria is unranked and so needs to be a win for Estope in order to maintain a realistic shot of qualifying. Myeeria hasn't done so well so far and just lost 7-5 to New Texaco, a team that Estope already beat. Garrett Masser will get the start for Estope but head coach Nicolas Carr stated that he will have a short leash and will be pulled before things get out of hand. This will be a road game and so it will be difficult but it should be a win still.

Notable Game Stats
- Paul Jobs - the starter for Skeckoa - went 7 1/3 innings giving up only 2 runs.
- Carlos Mejia (Skeckoa) went 2/3 inning and allowed 3 runs, getting the loss.
- Herald Hedrada (Skeckoa) went 0-4.
- Cedric Mothershed - Estope starter lasted 6 1/3 innings allowing 2 runs.
- Jonathon Nitka pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing 0 run and earning the win.
- Cory Keys (Estope) went 2-4 with a game winning 3 run home run.

Next Up
Thursday, August 22: MD 3 - Bye
Friday, August 23: MD 4 - Myeeria vs #29 Estope

Tuesday, August 20: MD 1 - New Texaco vs #29 Estope - WIN 7-6 (11)
Wednesday, August 21: MD 2 - #29 Estope vs #40 Skeckoa - WIN 5-2
Thursday, August 22: MD 3 - Bye
Friday, August 23: MD 4 - Myeeria vs #29 Estope
Saturday, August 24: MD 5 - #29 Estope vs #3 Sicoutimont
Sunday, August 25: MD 6 - #29 Estope vs New Texaco
Monday, August 26: MD 7 - #40 Skeckoa vs #29 Estope
Tuesday, August 27: MD 8 - Bye
Wednesday, August 28: MD 9 - #29 Estope vs Myeeria
Thursday, August 29: MD 10 - #3 Sicoutimont vs #29 Estope

Group 8
New Texaco             0 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 2  7
Myeeria                3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  5

Skeckoa                0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Estope                 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3  5

.  Group 8               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Estope                  2    2   0    12    8   +4    1.000
2 Sicoutimont             1    1   0     8    5   +3    1.000
3 New Texaco              2    1   1    13   12   +1    0.500
4 Skeckoa                 1    0   1     2    5   −3    0.000
5 Myeeria                 2    0   2    10   15   −5    0.000

[The Fair Republic]

The Fair Republic Toucans win over Tarrigan 2-1 this win moves them to 3rd in the group

[Taeshan]

"We suck."

"Sure do."

"Top seed, can't even open with a win."

"Just continuing the trend of suckiness."

"Yeah, maybe we should quit."

"Yeah i hear the Soccer team needs some good players."

"Hell no i ain't playing no soccer."

"Why?"

"After that disgraceful attempt at qualifying they are stigmatized."

"True."

"Atm least we always make the second round, even when we can't beat start ups."

"True."

"Well lets go lose to someone else."

"Yeah."

"Might as well."

[Maklohi Vai]

Matchday 2 Scores for Groups 1-6

Group 1
New Edom               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2
Super-Llamaland        0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 X  4

Cyborg Holland         0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Alitaba                2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  4


                       Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 Super-Llamaland        2   2  0    7   4  +3    1.000
2 New Edom               2   1  1    9   7  +2    0.500
3 Alitaba                2   1  1    7   9  −2    0.500
4 Equestrian States      1   0  1    2   3  −1    0.000
5 Cyborg Holland         1   0  1    2   4  −2    0.000


Group 2
Saintland                        0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0  4
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

North Franklin                   0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0  6
Cowardly Pacifists               1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  4


                                 Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 Darmen                           1   1  0   10   3  +7    1.000
2 North Franklin                   1   1  0    6   4  +2    1.000
3 Cowardly Pacifists               2   1  1    7   6  +1    0.500
4 Saintland                        2   1  1    4   3  +1    0.500
5 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec      2   0  2    3  14 −11    0.000



Group 3
Free South Califas      2 3 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 12
Vaugania                0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  2

New Wolfopolis          0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1  4
Hardwinter              0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 X  5


                        Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 Hardwinter              2   2  0   10   4  +6    1.000
2 Free South Califas      2   1  1   12   7  +5    0.500
3 Vaugania                2   1  1    9  17  −8    0.500
4 New Wolfopolis          1   0  1    4   5  −1    0.000
5 Cassadaigua             1   0  1    5   7  −2    0.000


Group 4
Levivania              0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0  3
Milchama               0 2 3 0 2 0 0 0 X  7

Qazox                  1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2  4
Lymantatia             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


                       Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 Sakurakoku             1   1  0    7   2  +5    1.000
2 Qazox                  1   1  0    4   1  +3    1.000
3 Milchama               2   1  1    9  10  −1    0.500
4 Lymantatia             2   1  1    7   9  −2    0.500
5 Levivania              2   0  2    8  13  −5    0.000


Group 5
Imota                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
The Sovan Antithesis      7 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 X 10

Kinzar                    2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0  8
Ko-oren                   1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2  7


                          Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 The Sovan Antithesis      2   2  0   15   4 +11    1.000
2 Kinzar                    1   1  0    8   7  +1    1.000
3 Imota                     2   1  1    3  11  −8    0.500
4 Ko-oren                   2   0  2    8  10  −2    0.000
5 Aardenland                1   0  1    3   5  −2    0.000


Group 6
New Montreal States        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Sangti                     0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  4

Kingdom of Costa Luna      0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ukrainya                   1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4  7


                           Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD    Win % 
1 Sangti                     2   2  0   10   5  +5    1.000
2 New Montreal States        2   1  1    8   4  +4    0.500
3 Ukrainya                   2   1  1    7   9  −2    0.500
4 The Serbian Empire         1   0  1    3   6  −3    0.000
5 Kingdom of Costa Luna      1   0  1    3   7  −4    0.000

Reason for edit: It appears there was a mistake with the table in group 3 where Vaugania was placed at the bottom by xkoranate. That has been rectified and has no external consequences.

[Tarrigan]

Disappointing Start to WBC27 as Swordsmen drop to the Toucans 2-1
THE FAIR REPUBLIC
Written by Ryane Curtis, Baseball Editor

Tarrigan               0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Fair Republic      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 X  2

Scoring

↑3: Ward, 1B. Grenneville to 2B, Palmer to 3B, Buckingham scores. TAR 1 – 0 TFR
↓7: Brando, HR. TAR 1- 1 TFR
↓8: Eskers, 2B. Donaldson scores from 1B. TAR 1 – 2 TFR

The Tarrigi offense did not provide Selina Norris with any support throughout her pitching, but she was able to hold the game close. In fact, their only run was unearned, and scored on a single that barely got between James Wilson and Gary Payton. She pitched through 6.2 innings of scoreless baseball, but unfortunately gave up a homerun in the bottom of the seventh. This would tie up the game at 1-1.Later in the eighth, Coach O’Donnell would take Norris out of the game, and put in Allan Watts for relief. He would pitch one inning, giving up three hits and the game winning run.

Notable Stats
E. Grenneville: 0/0 AB, 2 BB, 0 K. Reached base in the third on a throw that hit him at first.
S. Norris: 7.0 IP, 9 K, 3 H, 2 BB, 1.28 ERA. Pitched 73 strikes and only 21 balls.
A. Watts: 1.0 IP, 0 K, 3 H, 0 BB, 9.0 ERA.

Quotes

“Nothing.” – Casey O’Donnell, on what he would change about this game.
“He probably stuck his arm out on purpose.” – Shaw Buckingham, on the error in the third.
“Shaw (Buckingham) is a mean old man. Put that down, I mean it.” - Eli Grenneville, countering on Shaw’s quote.

[Skeckoa]

Excerpt from the Skeckoa Free Journal:

And round the bases they go...

The Eskeckiis faced Estope today ready to kick off the tournament with a bang. And they got one.

After taking a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, it looked like Skeckoa was going to get off on the right foot in the competitive Group 8 standings, and going to give the otherwise strong Estopian Cedric Mothershed, the L. Everything was going right. Hitters were taking pitches, staying inside, and Ace Paul Jobs was throwing a gem, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning until a slider that caught too much of the plate met the bat of Estopian 1st Baseman for a solid double. Jobs would finish with an impressive line score allowing only two earned over 7 1/3 innings.

With the game tied, the Eskeckiis were able to put men on the corners to begin the ninth, but failed to score after a Hernán Ortega strikeout and a GIDP for Eskeckii clean-up man Herald Hedrada, the latter of which finished the night 0-4.

The tenth, Carlos Mejia gets the hill. First batter gets walked on an edgy call none-the-less followed by a Max Meister single up the middle putting good contact on a Mejia 2-seamer that caught too much of the plate.. Hope was still high in the Skeckoa dugout as Mejia has earned himself a reputation for getting himself out of tight situations.

It wouldn't happen.

1st Baseman Cory Keys would get Mejias second pitch, and drive it over the Left field wall and onto the Standings as Estope walked-off with a 5-2 victory.

"I don't know how it happened. But as a reliever, you know you got that one chance, and sometimes you f**k it all up" said Mejia after the game through a translator.

"We fix our mistakes and we come back tomorrow and play even better" said Portis, who will get the nod tomorrow. "It's not a predictable game, this baseball. But we know what we have to do"

A win is a must now as Skeckoa will face of against unranked Myeeria(0-2).

Thursday Aug 21 Myeeria(#0023453412) @ Skeckoa (Portis) 20.00

Group 8 Pld W L RF RA RD Win %
1 Estope 2 2 0 12 8 +4 1.000
2 Sicoutimont 1 1 0 8 5 +3 1.000
3 New Texaco 2 1 1 13 12 +1 0.500
4 Skeckoa 1 0 1 2 5 −3 0.000
5 Myeeria 2 0 2 10 15 −5 0.000

[New Montreal States]

BALTIMORE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS

Indios profit from Expos' discombobulation to win on Decolongon's 3-run moon shot

CIUDAD SANGTI - The Reformed Expos found themselves locked in an extra-inning pitching duel for the ages - the sort of thing that happens once a month whenever the Reformed Expos take to the field - when things took a tragic, and incredibly painful, turn.

Lon Bentwell threw nine innings of one-run, three-hit baseball, only to be matched by Cyril Sumaoang's identical performance. Ville-Marie fireballer Trent Baltimore came on in the bottom of the 10th, a sign from manager Lionel Dayton that he was prepared for this one to go late into the night.

Baltimore delivered five innings of no-hit relief, allowing only one baserunner after plunking Indios centerfielder Erick Navarette in the elbow with an inside curveball. Baltimore's mistake was erased when Benjamin Dimacuha hit into an easy double play on an 0-1 cutter from Baltimore.

It was smooth sailing from there until Ramil Magtalas came to the plate in the bottom of the 14th to start Sangti's sixth cycle through the lineup. With closer Patrice Pommier unavailable after tweaking his ankle during bunting drills before the game, manager Lionel Dayton left Baltimore in to protect a 1-run Expos lead. After testing the outside corner with a pair of fastballs, before moving inside with a low slider, Baltimore pulled even when Magtalas swung at a high fastball.

The entire left half of Baltimore's jersey and pants then burst into flames. Baltimore had the presence of mind to stop, drop and roll, while third baseman Clayton McMurdo-Labonté ran up and began kicking dirt on Baltimore, hoping to smother the flames. Baltimore was immediately removed from the game for medical examination; fortunately, he only suffered first-degree burns and should be ready in time for the second half of qualifiers. Ciudad Sangti's equivalent of a fire marshal announced that the probable cause of the fire was friction between Batimore's left jersey sleeve and his torso.

A shaken Ulysses Johnstone was hustled out to the mound, and never came close to establishing a rhythm, giving up a basehit to Magtalas on his first pitch. Romie Datu laid down a sacrifice bunt, and reached base safely after Johnstone threw the ball over the head of Reformed Expos' first baseman Noel Latendresse. Indios' right fielder Levin Dabu fouled out behind the plate, and Lionel Dayton brought in Étienne Roy, usually the setup man, to put the game on ice for the Expos.

Roy gave Sangti DH Dale Decolongon his best shot, and Decolongon replied admirably, driving a 97-mph offering from Roy into the right-field bleachers and sending the crowd at Estadio Beisbol de Sangti into a frenzy.

The Reformed Expos, at 1-1, find themselves staring at an early must-win as The Serbian Empire look to make a statement and put the Expos in an early hole during their visit to Bloomington. Dayton, and fans everywhere, will be looking for more than two runs in sixteen innnings from the Reformed Expos.

[Ko-oren]

Kinzar                    2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0  8 R  10 H  2 E
Ko-oren                   1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2  7 R   9 H  1 E

@Kinzar. A: ??? (1,500 Ko-orenite fans). T: 3:10

PITCHING
Name		IP K  BB H  ER ERA
Yoritomo	3  4  4  5  4  12.00
Yoshinori	2  3  1  4  3  13.50
Ieyasu       	3.2  6  2  1  1  2.45
Yoshimitsu	0.1  1  0  0  0  0.00

HITTING
1B - Tsunayoshi (6), Nobunaga (6), Ashikaga (6), Jinmu (6), Yoritomo (7)
2B - Fujiwara (9)
3B - Godaigo (6)
HR - Minamoto (1), Yoshimune (9)

WBC 27 overall
Ko-oren                   1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 2
Not Ko-oren               2 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 0

Next matchday is our bye day. There was only one thing that we did not want before the bye day: two losses. Two teams we should have beaten, based on experience, rank, but apparently the other teams had enthusiasm and belief, something we lacked. Imota and Kinzar, two teams we never met before, and two teams that we will play again later. Both games were also losses. The bye day is a fantastic day if you're going into it with two wins, or with a good feeling... but with two losses... that's a different story. The bye day is there to practice a bit, or to goof off for a day, or to allow the coaching staff some time to evaluate statistics and strategy. With two wins, that would have been a good day, with relaxation and probably reinforcing the rhythm that the team has. Two losses means that the bye day is on par with the feeling of being trapped in quicksand: you can't do anything, and you know that whatever you do will get you in a worse position. No game to revenge our losses means that this bad feeling will stick no matter what for another day.

The Kinzar match was not bad at all. Although, the Greenblues conceded eight runs in the first six innings, with no 'clean' inning in between. The top of the sixth inning had the last Kinzar run, while the bottom of the sixth had Ko-oren gaining some ground in the form of four runs(!). Before that, Minamoto opened the game fantastically with a home run, while being the first at bat. This sure got the Ko-orenite fans' hopes up, despite the fact that Kinzar was still up 2-1 at that point. The sixth inning had four consecutive hits, before Godaigo made a sacrificial bunt which allowed the four to run home, after some problems with the Kinzar defense. This was a costly mistake, yet still they managed to endure it and still be ahead 8-5. Near the end of the game, Fujiwara and Yoshimune set the score to 8-7, and unfortunately the rest of the Greenblues were out immediately after after.

Two games in, six to go because of the group format. That means that Ko-oren has to win the remaining six. All of them. Dropping one more could be fatal, already at this point in the competition. After two consecutive qualifications and a fourth place, will the story of the Greenblues end this way? Ko-oren has been tipped as one of the qualifiers from this group by the hosts themselves, but at this rate, this cycle will be one of restructuring and taking a step back. We won't let that happen.

But hey, at least we didn't suffer from spontaneous combustion, though the second consecutive loss sure made it feel like that.

[Super-Llamaland]

Group 1
New Edom 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Super-Llamaland 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 X 4

Cyborg Holland 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Alitaba 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 4

Mendello walked down the hallway. There was somebody to meet him. Brown eyes, brown hair, forgettable face. Mendello forgot what the face looked like...while looking at it.

"Here you go. Everything's inside. Open only in Room 274. Hotel Room 274."

"Good. My room."

"Leave. Good luck, Mr. Mendello."

David pulled out his phone again, now holding the box.
"Hello?"
"Marshes! Good to hear from you."
"Mendello! Did you see Mr. Reyes?"
"Reyes?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Umm...yeah. Hmm."
"What?"
"Nothing. I'll do this and be on the national team again."
"Yes. Very well then."
*BEEP*

The man he had gotten the box from was not Mr. Reyes. But Mendello didn't know that.

Onwards to thou game!

(W, 1-0) Lucas: 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 6 K/2 BB, 97 Pitches
(H, 1)Raymond: 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K/2 BB, 25 Pitches
(SV, 2)Bowden: 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 K/1 BB, 21 Pitches

How they scored: Tigers Second
Martin Levy got into trouble as he hit Danny Mills and allowed Chris Harder to single in the second. With the bags loaded and one down, Bryant Moreno pounded a ground-rule double into left-center to score a pair, much to the relief of Chris Evans (who had mistakenly put on the "bunt" sign).
Tigers Third
Max Danks doubled to start the inning, stole third, and scored on an Alex Cameron flyout to deep center.
New Edom Fifth
Joesph Bovee lead it off with a solo shot to right field, showing impressive power on the 420-foot blast.
Tigers Fifth
Solo shot, circa Bryant Moreno.
New Edom Ninth
New Edom showed life to load the bases, but a double play and a strikeout ended the threat with one run allowed.

[Saintland]

Sister Polus's Thoughts

Hello, I am Sister Maria Polus, High Inquisitor and Headmistress at Progress High School. I am joining you today on Sanctustube to discuss a number of events that have taken place recently. As you are undoubtedly already aware, our Kingdom will be co-hosting the latest edition of the World Baseball Classic. The group stage is already underway and the National Baseball Team has split their first 2 games. Andreas Fundanus pitched a complete game shutout against the Royal Kingdom of Quebec and now our Kingdom's National Baseball Team has a win and a defeat.

Some of you may be wondering why God allowed the Cowardly Pacifists to spread malicious lies about our Kingdom, enter our Kingdom and slither away, like that snake Satanas, with a victory over us. Those of you who are wondering about this have forgotten the lessons of the Book of Iob. Iob was a righteous and Godly man who had been blessed, by God, with great prosperity.

However, one day Satanas made a bet with God that Iob was only righteous because he had been blessed by God. God agreed to let Satanas test Iob and find out whether he was truly righteous. Satanas destroyed all of Iob's possessions, but Iob would not curse God. Then, he sent Iob's family to the grave. As this was before the days of Iesus, they were sent to a place of total darkness where they were completely separated from God. However, once Iesus was crucified, spent 3 days in the darkness of the grave and rose from the dead, all of the righteous, including Iob's children rose from the dead and entered Caelum.

Despite all of the evils that Satanas inflicted upon Iob, he would not curse God. Satanas got more and more desperate, giving Iob a very painful illness. Iob's friends came to speak to him. However, they failed to understand that God does not always reward the righteous and punish evildoers. Because of this, they kept insisting that Iob had sinned and needed to repent. This was, needless to say, inaccurate advice.

Iob maintained his innocence, but did not curse God. Another friend of Iob's maintained that while Iob was righteous, he was not perfect. Iob did not disagree with this assessment. Then, God made his appearance.

God came down from a cloud, speaking to Iob and his friends. God described his experience as the Creator of all that exists and asked a question, rhetorical of course, regarding Iob's experience and authority. As God explained to Iob, he is the Creator of everything that exists and therefore he has sovereignty in maintaining everything that exists. God does not need the approval of his Creation. Instead, he is the rightful King over all of his Creation and may do with us as he wishes. Our responsibility is to obey God's Commandments.

Iob turned speechless, recognizing God's rightful authority over him and repenting. God rebuked Iob's friends for their inaccurate advice and restored Iob's prosperity. Iob went on to have 10 more children and to become twice as prosperous. In the end, he ended up living another 140 years.

What does this story mean? It means that we are not to question God and we are not to question His Will. If He Wills that we are to undergo struggles and persecution at the Olympics or that a bunch of Cowards are permitted to spread malicious lies about our Kingdom and still defeat our National Baseball Team, so be it. That is His Will and we must accept it. Instead of criticizing God, we should look inward and consider whether we have sinned. If we have done so, we should repent and beg God's forgiveness. While it is prophesied that the entire multiverse will one day join the True Church and that there will be a Kingdom of God that lasts for a thousand years, we do not know when that day shall arrive. While we should do everything we can to save souls from the fires of Infernus, we must accept that we will not bring about God's Worldly Kingdom until He Wills it so.

While I have the opportunity, there are 2 other things I want to address. Firstly, I want to reassure everybody in the Kingdom that I have every intention of appealing the VousTube ruling. At the moment, I am waiting for officials from the King's Government to finish producing needed documents for the appeal. When they do so and the case goes to trial, I will personally travel to the New Montreal States. I will appear before their court and I will personally explain why their ruling is incorrect and why they should scrap their Godless "Constitution" and embrace God's Truth. I'm just waiting on the go-ahead from the King's Government.

Lastly, I want to discuss the comments made by Meghan Corrigan, the "coach" for Cassadaigua's national team. She recently wrote a column in one of their newspapers. According to Miss Corrigan and these are her exact words, "I will say this one time for everyone: If we make the playoffs, and we are assigned to Saintland, we will go there. We will play and do everything exactly the same as we would be doing it in Maklohi Vai, and expect that we would be treated the same as if we were in Maklohi Vai." Now, this can be interpreted in a number of ways, but knowing how unladylike the women of Cassadaigua are, I would advise that this not be interpreted in a favorable light.

Now how should I interpret their expectation to be treated "the same as if" they were playing in our co-host's country? Given that our co-host, unfortunately, permits their women to walk around with their heads and large portions of their bodies uncovered, I can only interpret this as a statement of intentions to violate even the relatively lax laws on appropriate dress that we will be enforcing on visitors to the WBC. The team from Cassadaigua apparently wants to walk around the streets of St. Petrus, attempting to inspire lustful thoughts in the hearts of our men. I have informed the King's Government about their intentions and I can confirm that there will be a heightened police presence in areas where the Cassadaigua team is likely to be. We aren't going to tolerate a bunch of hussies running around attempting to tempt our men into sin.

Finally, I wish to remind my viewers in Cassadaigua that the King's invitation to Miss Brianna Crawford of Grande Mountain State University and Mr. Preston I. Grant of Male Equality Now to visit our Kingdom for an open dialogue remains in effect, should Cassadaigua visit our Kingdom during the playoffs. I can personally assure Miss Crawford that she will be granted safe passage in and out of our Kingdom. We want everybody to embrace God's Truth, especially the women of Cassadaigua, who need it more than anybody. This is why the team from Cassadaigua should not expect any incidents of hooliganism from our fans, even if we, unfortunately, cannot say the same regarding past visits to their nation. I have spoken to the King's Government and they have assured me that there will be zero tolerance for any apple-tossing or other fruit-tossing incidents in our Kingdom. Anybody caught throwing apples at another spectator or onto the playing field will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent possible under our laws. I am Sister Maria Polus and I thank you for watching.

[The Sova Empire]

Group 10
West Guiana            0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0  4
Gregoryisgodistan      0 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 X  6

Britonisea             0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
The Sova Empire        0 0 1 0 0 4 0 3 X  8


  Group 10              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 The Sova Empire         2    2   0    14    7   +7    1.000
2 Western Cuba            1    1   0     4    1   +3    1.000
3 Gregoryisgodistan       2    1   1     7    8   −1    0.500
4 West Guiana             2    0   2     9   12   −3    0.000
5 Britonisea              1    0   1     2    8   −6    0.000

What a relief!

Britonsea bullied on backup baseballers

The Sova Empire's bats were stifled in 5 innings of 1 run baseball by the Britonsea starter, but as soon as the relievers came into game, TSE came alive. Britonsea was overwhelmed and could not recover. With that victory, the Sovans lead the group going into their bye day. Let's analyse how they got win #2.

INNING 3: BOTTOM

1. Dylan Staebler - Strikeout swinging
2. Connor Foley - Groundout 1-3
3. Grant Bridgewater - Home run, left-centerfield
4. Grant Miller - Double to right-center
5. Devin Clifford - walk
6. Reid Beffrey - infield single
7. Sam Brooks - Strikeout swinging

The only panic inning that the Britonsea starter had was the 3rd. It took him 27 pitches to get through 7 batters. After a homerun put the Sovan squad up for their first home lead of the tournament, Britonsea got out of a bases-loaded, 2 out jam by striking out Sam Brooks to stop the damage from going further.

Score: 1-0 TSE

INNING 5: TOP

1. Batter 6: Single up the middle
2. Batter 7: GIDP, 6-4-3
3. Batter 8: Ground-rule double on a ball that bounced fair into the foul area and was picked up by a fan.
4. Batter 9: RBI Triple to the same spot
5, Batter 1: Flyout to center

Tyler Janish thought he might have a 5th scoreless inning, but was stifled by 2 consecutive balls that were hit just fair down the right-field line.

Score: 1-1 tie

INNING 6: BOTTOM
(pitching change- Reliever 1 comes in for Starter)
1. Sam Brooks - Double to right-center
2. Cody Orban - Single
3. Dylan Staebler - RBI Sac fly to deep center
4. Connor Foley - RBI Triple to left field
5. Grant Bridgewater - RBI bloop single over the 2B's head
6. Grant Miller - HBP
7. Devin Clifford - RBI Groundout after a wild pitch
8. Reid Beffrey - Strikeout looking

TSE sent 8 men to the plate and got 4 runs out of it. The relief pitcher did his best, but ultimately, his fastball was slow and his breaking balls didn't break.

Score: 5-1 TSE

INNING 8: TOP

1. Batter 1: Home run just inside the foul pole
(pitching change: Luke Scharich comes in for Tyler Janish)
2. Batter 2: Strikeout looking
3. Batter 3: Strikeout swinging
4. Batter 4: Strikeout swinging

Janish's day was over after a big homerun put the game within reach of Britonsea. Luke Scharich came in, and while it was nerve wracking to see him warmup, he threw 106 mph and got the strikeouts to end any further threat.

Score: 5-2 TSE

INNING 8: BOTTOM

1. Connor Foley: Walk
2. Grant Bridgewater: Single to center
3. Grant Miller: 2nd deck home run to right field
4. Devin Clifford: Groundout 6-3
5. Reid Beffrey: Flyout to center
6. Sam Brooks: Foulout to the catcher

Grant Miller caught a 3-1 curveball that moved nowhere and about sent it out of the park. That no-doubter ended the Britonsea hopes of taking victory, as Palm struckout the side and got TSE to it's second victory.