Manager Isaac Oladipo, the morning of Game 3, sitting with reporters in a pre-game press conference
A manager's media responsibilities always changed when the Championship Series was being played. You were, of course, playing for a world championship. And that meant the media scrutiny was high. There would be both post-game press conferences, and his employers, at the Olympic Committee of Banija, also required him to hold pre-game press conferences in the morning. That meant, of course, there was rarely a day off. The extra day of questioning was great for the die-hard fans, and particularly for the networks who wanted baseball content all the time. The morning press conferences would tend to be much more challenging, and focus on the broader picture, rather than simply the events of the night before.
So Isaac Oladipo walked into the room, water in hand. Banijans, of course, weren't coffee drinkers- so he politely declined the offer from one of the Zwang workers for a pipping hot coffee, and sat down. He began with this statement. "Well, thank you for having me back here this morning." He looked around as he said that, and then continued. "Like I said yesterday, I'm glad to be back here, with the series tied at 1 game a piece. I think this is a series that is going to go deep. We've got two excellent, championship-caliber squads here. Our own pedigree speaks for itself, in my view, as we chase being a truly big baseball nation- we wanted to be mentioned among the great names, like Schlitzberg, Nova Anglicana, Cassadaigua, etc... We've got the multi-generational consistency and success for that to happen, in my view, and we are hoping that a series win over the best team in baseball will get us there."
Oladipo looked around, and pointed at the ABSM reporter. "Thank you, Mr. Oladipo." The reporter said. "I've got a question for you. How would you tell Xolile Gola to prepare for today's game?"
Oladipo smiled. "Well, of course, today is her Championship Series debut, although she's obviously a very experienced and veteran pitcher for this team. But I would tell here, above all, to relax." Oladipo said. "We are facing an excellent Elephants lineup, of course. Studying them can become a mind game of its own- reading through the scouting reports of each hitter in the lineup can intimidate many pitchers. They defeat some opponents simply with the name on their jerseys. But not us. She should breathe deeply, and get comfortable. Faraba Conateh's first six innings yesterday were the perfect way to get through the South Newlandian lineup. She can learn from him, but mostly- trust her stuff. Don't let the pacing get away from her, and she'll do well."
He answered a few more questions, and then, took one about his bullpen. "Mr. Oladipo." The Busukuma Post reporter said. "How do you feel about your bullpen, after yesterday's contest? Are you confident in Oyella Lagum and Yoro Coulibaly in this series?"
Oladipo sighed slightly, and then continued. "Coulibaly and Lagum have been with this team for a very long time." He told the reporters. "We've ridden them to this moment, and frankly, you're not going to win a world title, in this modern day and age, without the back end of your bullpen helping you get there. I know they had bad outings yesterday. I know that Coulibaly, specifically, has had some very up and down moments throughout this Classic. But-" And he paused before he said this- knowing that, for confidence purposes, he had no choice but to issue a ringing endorsement. "I choose to have faith in my pitchers. I know what they've done in this tournament and tournaments past. They are some of the best relievers that Banija has. I truly believe that they can put yesterday's game behind them, and improve. The pen has been such a strength throughout this tournament- despite last night, I believe that they can continue to be a strength for us."
Oladipo wasn't exactly saying it with his chest. But what choice did he have? Not like he could replace his bullpen after Game 3 of the Championship Series. You have what you have. He was simply trying to pray that the backend of the bullpen could find their command and confidence, and soon.
The Seven Run Fifth Inning- The Play-By-Play behind the most explosive inning in Championship Series history for team Banija
Banijan fans celebrate during the team's explosive 5th inning
SPENSEN, ZWANGZUG- Game 3 was our 13th ever Championship Series game. And well- maybe the unlucky #13 only effected Banija's bullpen. As Banija's leading sports content provider, the All-Banija Sports Magazine has all the analysis behind last nights' bullpen collapse. The cover story, of course, is the game summary. We have analysis behind Banija's pitchers, and specifically, Banija's bullpen, deeper into this edition of the magazine.
But in our 13 ever Championship Series games played, we have never scored 7 runs in an inning. In fact, we've only scored more than 7 runs in a game just once- an 11-9 extra innings thrilling victory we had, over this very South Newlandia, in Game 2 of the WBC 51 Championship Series. So let's dissect the anatomy behind Banija's offensive explosion? Let's do one better- we're going to do a play-by-play of this inning. Talk about, briefly, every single at-bat of the fifth inning, and how they led to Banija's success.
#9 JoAnna Adoyo: 2-2 count, opposite field single to right field
Always good when the #9 hitter leads the rally, isn't it? Our center fielder, at the very bottom of the order, had to work her way to a decent hitter's count. She took two strikes to start the at-bat from the southpaw, Ryan Hunter- and there were both looking. After fouled off two more pitches, she was finally able to hold and get two balls. That second ball was almost strike 3- she almost swung, but the first base ump ruled that she checked her swing. Hunter came back and delivered a circle-change that got just a little too much of the plate. Adoyo shortened her swing, and slapped it the other way, just past second base, for a base hit. Leadoff runner on base.
#1 Mesuli Calata: 1-0 Count, Lays down a bunt down the first base line for a base hit
Remember, we entered this inning down 3-0, right? And Mesuli Calata had an error in the first inning that led to the Elephants first run of the game. The ol' unearned run for Xolile Gola. And the shortstop had been 0-2 int his game, with a pair of strikeouts. Calata's a stud in every way- he plays, alongside most of his opponents, in South Newlandia. But he had been struggling mightily on this day. Could've gotten out of the fist without any runs, but when he skied a throw to get Zimmerman out at first, it created the conditions for Zimmerman to be able to score a few minutes later. And at the plate, he had been struggling on this day too- 0-2, two strikeouts. But he changed things. Keep it simple, right? Why Calata doesn't get into extended droughts. He surprised mostly everyone by laying down a perfect bunt down the first base line. Positioned almost perfectly, the catcher could not get there in time. Everybody safe.
#2 Moses Oneko: 2-0 count, Sac Fly to right field, Calata stays at first, Adoyo advances to 3rd
And now, for our 3rd baseman, Moses Oneko. He was the one who got the first out of the inning for Banija. He hit a deep fly ball to right field. Not quite to the warning track, but still, pretty deep. Fortunately for JoAnna Adoyo, she was ready at 2nd. When she saw that right fielder Fabio Ventura was going to get under it, she was always going to run on him. It was a key for the series- don't run on Zimmerman, always run on Ventura. Of course, in game 3, we did the opposite of follow that advice, and paid dearly, as Zimmerman gunned down Mbexi at the plate. But we followed it here, as Adoyo tagged up to third. It was not deep enough to right field for Calata to try and advance to 2nd.
#3 Malik Solely: 3-1 count, 2-Run Double to right center, Adoyo scores, Calata scores
And this is where things really got going. Malik Solely almost had an extra base hit in the first inning, remember. It was probably the play of the day that he didn't. Shawn Zimmerman covered how much ground to track the ball to the gap in left center? And made a brilliantly, full extension, diving catch to rob him of extra bases. Moses Oneko did tag up from first to second after that, but obviously, did not score. Solely, batting from the right side against the southpaw Hunter, did hit a sharp liner for a base hit in the 3rd inning. So he was making good contact on the day. And our star player got all of this one, mashing one the other way to right center fielder. Everybody's scooting. Obviously Adoyo scores from third, but Calata got a great jump from first. He flew all the way around the bases, and Ventura was slow getting to the baseball. Calata scored standing up, and the cutoff man went to third, as Solely had taken a wide turn around second, but decided to stay there.
#4 Luxolo Mbeki: Single to center field, Solely advances to 3rd
A 3-0 South Newlandian had just been cut to 3-2 with one swing of the bat, right? And now, Mbexi at the plate- who also plays with most of our opponents. He was first pitch swinging, as he hit a sharp single up the middle for a base hit. Now, the Banijans learning from Game 2, yes? Malik Solely took a wide turn around third, as he was going to go home. But with Zimmerman getting the ball quickly, our third base coach held Solely. That was smart, as Zimmerman's throw was on the money, and probably would've gotten Solely out by a few steps. Shoulda woulda coulda right? Doesn't really matter, as Solely was held at third. So Banija down 3-2 now, but with all the momentum, runners on the corners, and just one out. Force out everywhere.
#5 Nyaniso Hani: Full Count, single to left field, Solely scores, Mbexi advances to second
The first pitch single, of course, was when South Newlandia's manager made the call to the bullpen. Not to bring on a pitcher, of course, but start warming up a couple of relievers. Amanda Sjoberg, their pitching coach, made a visit to the mound. Hunter's last pitch had gotten far too much of the plate, and he had the platoon advantage as well, over Mbexi. But Hani was patient. This was a 9 pitch at-bat. Hani was disciplined, taking certain pitches, and fouling off stuff he did not like. On the 9th pitch of the at-bat, Hunter just got too much of the plate with his 4 seamer, and Hani slapped that into left field. Solely easily scored from 3rd, as Mbexi advanced to second base.
The best part was? This is what tied the game. 3-3. South Newlandia's early inning lead was wiped with this swing of the bat, and the Banijans were searching for blood.
#6 Ugonna Akachi: 3-0 Count, Home run to left field, Mbexi scores, Hani scores, Akachi Scores
Let's just use the transcript of our radio announcers here, shall we?
Color Commentator: "It's a 2-0 count here. Ryan Hunter's been struggling throughout this inning, as this third journey through the South Newlandian lineup is finally starting to show some fruit. Remember, the Banijans stranded 4 runners on base in the first four innings, with nothing to show for it. We had been threatening, but Hunter had been pitching himself out of jams. But not this time. We've scored three, and these boys are hungry for more. Hunter seems to be wearing down, as his command is escaping him- his trademark ability to basically paint the corners has all but vanished during this series.
Play-By-Play Commentator: "Hunter delivers the changeup anddddd..... BALL 3! The catcher tried to frame it, but the Quebecois ump was having none of it. Some words between Brad Moore and the Quebecois ump, as Moore really thought that was a strike."
Color Commentator: "Well, we've got a 3-0 count here. A perfect hitters count. Here's the thing- does Ugonna Akachi have the green light to swing? It may not matter if he has the green light- the teenager has always been a free swinger. But he might be too young to trust with the green light in this spot. But Hunter's guaranteed to give him something that he'll like.
Play-By-Play Commentator: "Hunter delivers the fastball anddd..... THAT'S A FLY BALL! HIT TO DEEP LEFT FIELD!!! GOING BACK, TO THE TRACK, TO THE WALL, ANDDDDDDDDDDD- AND IT'S GONE! UGONNA AKACHI HAS TURNED THIS GAME, AND POTENTIALLY THIS SERIES, ON ITS HEAD! A THREE-RUN BOMB HERE IN THE FIFTH, AGAINST THE SOUTH NEWLANDIAN ACE, TO GIVE BANIJA A 6-3 LEAD IN WHAT HAS SUDDENLY BEEN A SPECTACULAR INNING! Oh my, Oh my, the crowd's going wild! Akachi barely gets to home plate before Sofia Rasmussen makes her way up the steps and over to the mound- it looks like Hunter's day is done. My oh my, what a play."
#7 Cedron Aloo: 0-2 Count, Single to right field
The first batter after the pitching change. The young Sameul Vaughn came into the game, and yet, no changes. Aloo slapped one the opposite way, getting a base hit. Honestly, kind of unlucky for Vaughn. He came into the game, throwing strikes, as he got Aloo to swing through two of his offspeed pitches. But he decided to put a fastball off the plate, one that you think one normally wouldn't be able to reach. But Aloo reached outside, made contact with the end of his bat, and was able to basically bloop a single into extremely shallow right field. The pitcher's changed, it's all the same.
#8 Anathi Zimema: 2-0 count, double to left center, Cedron Aloo scores
The Banijans, being up 6-3 and having gotten all these consecutive batters to the plate, were going to continue to be aggressive. What did Oladipo call for? A hit and run. The pitch was thrown, and Aloo was gone from first- Zimema had no choice but to make quality contact, or Aloo would easily be thrown out at 2nd. But Zimema, who showed off his own power in game 2, continued to step up to the plate. With Aloo already on the move, he smashed one into deep left center fielder, lining the ball straight into the gap. Aloo was busting around the bases, and although Zimmerman eventually got to the ball, Aloo's jump made getting a throw to home plate impossible. The throw from Zimmerman went to the cutoff man, who simply held the ball at second base. Aloo slid with no play at the plate, and we led, 7-3.
#9 JoAnna Adoyo: 0-2 count, flyout, throw-out double play- inning over
With Adoyo at the plate, we had officially batted around the order for the inning. An incredible accomplishment in its own right. Of course, Vaughn came onto the mound to face his third batter, having already allowed a run and there being a second batter in scoring position. But Vaughn, after a visit from the pitching coach, Amanda Sjoberg, was able to calm down and show us all why he's on this roster in the first place. He pumped two fastballs by Adoyo, and then got her to flyout to center field.
But that's not all that happened. Remember we said- don't run on Zimmerman, run on Ventura? Well, we ignored our own advice again, as since the ball was hit to right-center, we tried to get Zimema to tag up. But Zimmerman, with the rocket launcher he's got attached to his shoulder, launched the ball like it came out of a cannon to third base. The throw, shockingly, was on time, as Hugo Brock fielded it and tagged Zimema for out #3 as he slid into third base.
A disappointing end to the inning, of course, but what a ride it was. 7 runs in a singular inning. The greatest inning in Banijan Championship Series history, is it not?