StLee

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  1. Posted

    Year 6: 2290 Mojave Series - Game Four

     

    Griffin’s Home Run Boosts Westside, Evens Series

     
    Dave Griffin came up to bat against reliever Gary Clark with his team trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth. However, Griffin knocked a fastball over the fence for a two-run home run and a 3-2 Westside victory over North Vegas in Game Four of the Mojave Series. 
     
    Vincent Floyd led off the inning by reaching on an error by third baseman Chris Towns. Just like the situation in Game Two, Towns was a defensive substitute after pinch hitting. After Edward Simpson flew out to move Floyd to third base, Clark came on in relief of Radscorpions’ starter Rich Richmond. On a 2-2 pitch, Griffin then hit the two-run bomb. 
     
    Will Stewart was the starter but had a no decision. In 6.2 innings, he allowed two earned runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Michael Smith was the winning pitcher by striking out the side in the top of the eighth. Carlos Colon earned his fourth save of the postseason by pitching a perfect ninth. 
     
    Ernest Emmons was the best performer on offense for North Vegas. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI and two steals. The Radscorpions stole five bases in the game, including two by Norris Carr who scored both of the team’s runs.
     
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  2. Posted

    Year 6: 2290 Mojave Series - Game Three

     

    Glass Shatters Radscorpions, Westside Takes Game Three

     
    Robert Glass’ two home runs helped boost the Westside offense in defeating North Vegas 9-3 in Game Three of the Mojave Series. The Sarsaparillas now trail in the series 2-1. 
     
    Glass finished the day 4 for 4 with two RBI and two runs off solo shots. He homered in consecutive innings in the fifth and sixth. His home runs did not matter in the final result, but he did help to reinvigorate the Sarsaparilla’s energy for his performance, thus his game MVP honors. 
     
    Dave Griffin added three RBI and Jeffery Thomason added another two to also help Westside to add to their five extra base hits in the game. George O’Kill was the best performer for the Radscorpions, going 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run. 
     
    Angel Polanco was the winning pitcher for Westside, raising his postseason record to 3-0. In 5.1 innings pitched, he allowed three earned runs on nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts. 
     
    Nate Camp suffered the loss for the Radscorpions. He gave up four earned runs on seven hits with two walks in just two innings. Reliever Bobby Hutchins gave up four runs, three earned, on four hits with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings.
     
    2290PlayoffsC3-1_zpsb6a80b97.jpg2290PlayoffsC3-2_zps1a28e1b6.jpg

  3. Posted

    Year 6: 2290 Mojave Series - Game Two

     

    Ninth-Inning Error Dooms Sarsaparillas, Westside Trails 2-0

     

    Rob Mathis again was involved in the winning run for the 2290 Mojave Series. Mathis reached on an error in the bottom of the ninth and scored on a pinch-hit walk off single to give North Vegas a 4-3 victory over Westside. 

     

    Mathis hit a screamer right at Westside third baseman William Crum, but Crum could not handle it, allowing Mathis to reach on the error. Crum entered the game as a defensive substitute in the eighth inning. With Squirrel And up, Mathis stole second off reliever Carlos Colon. He then took off on the next pitch to swipe third base, too. Colon then intentionally walked And and Arthur Glass to load the bases with no outs. Following a strike out, pinch hitter Paul Grady singled to left center to end the game. 

     

    All three of the Sarsaparillas’ runs came via solo home runs. Nelson Kirby’s lead off triple in the sixth was North Vegas’ only extra base hit. 

     

    Despite the no decision, the Radscorpions’ Dave Davis was named game MVP. He allowed three earned runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Lee Burke, who gave up a walk and struck out three in 1.1 innings, was the winning pitcher. 

     

    Westside’s Brandon Kerr started and gave up three earned runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts in seven innings. Colon suffered the loss by giving up the unearned run in the ninth.

     

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  4. Posted

    Year 6: 2290 Mojave Series - Game One

     

    Radscorpions Edge Sarsaparillas, Take 1-0 Series Lead
     
    Westside rallied to tie the game in the top of the eighth, but Rob Mathis’ two-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning sealed the victory for North Vegas, 5-4. The Radscorpions now lead the Mojave Series, 1-0. 
     
    Edward Simpson of the Sarsaparillas was named the MVP in the losing effort. He was 2 for 4 on the day with three RBI. Westside managed to outhit North Vegas 13-8, but could not find many extra base hits. 
     
    The Radscorpions’ Ernest Emmons had the biggest hit of the day, leading off the eighth with a triple off reliever Michael Smith. Nelson Kirby popped out to shortstop, George O’Kill was intentionally walked, and Weldon Brown struck out, making it look like the leadoff triple might be wasted. However, Mathis slammed a 1-1 pitch between first and second base to give the Radscorpions the lead going into the final inning.
     
    Gary Clark was the winning pitcher for North Vegas despite giving up the lead in the eighth. In just 1/3 of an inning, he allowed an earned run on three singles. Basket Zapp came into the ninth inning, striking out two, to earn the save. Rich Richmond was the starter. 
     
    Smith was the losing pitcher for the Sarsaparillas. Will Stewart was the starter in the no decision.
     
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  5. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: Mojave Series Preview

     

    westsidevsnorthvegas_zps5969f756.png

     

    Defending-champion North Vegas looked to be the class of the league. Wild card finisher Westside, however, has not been intimidated. 

     

    When the two teams face off in the 2290 Mojave Series, you can bet the teams know they are the bosses of the Mojave. The Radscorpions (63-37) and Sarsaparillas (60-40) were the definitive two best teams in the league, and they also matched up well on the field, splitting their 12 season games, six games apiece. 

     

    Their first matchup was in Westside from May 9 to May 11. There North Vegas took two of three: 6-1, 9-5, 4-6. Rich Richmond struck first, giving up one earned run on seven hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings for the first victory. In the second game, the Radscorpions’ Nate Camp was injured in the first inning, but the offense picked up the pace. Nelson Kirby singled, doubled, and homered in the game to lead the offensive charge. Westside was able to salvage a win in the Sunday game thanks to Dave Griffin’s five RBI through a two-RBI double and two-run home run. 

     

    The second meeting came in North Vegas from June 2-4. North Vegas again took the series in three: 3-0, 2-5, 4-3. In the first game, John Mulvaney dominated the Sarsaparillas by pitching eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while also striking out nine. Westside won the second game thanks to solid pitching by Will Stewart (two earned runs on four hits with two walks in eight innings) and three runs in the top of the ninth. In the third game of the set, the Radscorpions’ Arthur Glass knocked in three runs, including a walkoff two-RBI double to seal the comeback victory. 

     

    From July 4-6, the teams again played in North Vegas. There the Sarsaparillas finally took a series two games to one: 4-1, 1-4, 11-6. Jeffery Thomason led the charge for Westside in the first game, hitting a two-run home run in the second inning that proved to be the game winner. Camp finally pitched his masterpiece against Westside in the second game, allowing just one earned run on three hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings. In the final game, the Sarsaparillas’ bats woke up big. Five players had multiple hits, including starting pitcher Rhyme Killer King, who doubled twice and drove in two runs. 

     

    The final series came in the season finale when seeds were already set. There Westside took the last two games of three to even the season series: 2-4, 5-0, 1-0. In the first game, the Radscorpions scored two runs in the top of the eighth to complement Dave Davis’ two-run, five-hit effort. The Sarsaparillas then held North Vegas to 19 straight scoreless innings, shutting them out in the final two games. Griffin hit a three-run blast and King pitched six scoreless innings to lead the charge in the second game. In the final game of the season, Angel Polanco outdueled Glenn Brady by pitching seven scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen. 

     

    On the season, Westside had a few players who stood out against the Radscorpions. Griffin and Thomason hit four homers apiece in the 12-game set, with Griffin driving in 13 runs. King went 3-0 with a 3.71 ERA in his three starts. Will Stewart was 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA. 

     

    The best players for North Vegas were Kirby with his four homers and nine RBI, Camp with a 1-0 record and a 2.76 ERA, and Richmond with a 1-1 record and a 1.69 ERA. 

     

    Both teams match up well, and this should be an exciting Mojave Series. We are going to give a slight edge to the defending champions and predict the Radscorpions to take the series in seven games.

  6. Posted

    2013 Spring Bowl

     

    The 2013 season got under way with a bang, as some of the top seeds suffered early losses. Still, in the end, the tournament became an Alpha League face off. 
     
    Results
     
    2013SpringBowlAWinners_zps752d1173.jpg2013SpringBowlBLosers_zpsa2eb40e4.jpg
     
    The Dallas Tycoons catapulted their way from 2012 Beta League pennant winners to taking the 2013 Spring Bowl title. Led by the three-headed pitching monster of Roy Oswalt, Johnny Cueto, and Jordan Zimmerman, the Tycoons were able to subdue most teams' offense. Though their own offense is not lined with stars, Dallas had a few serviceable players in second baseman Jason Kipnis, center fielder Chris Young, and right fielder Jason Heyward. 
     
    Dallas_Tycoons_Banner_Spring_Bowl_2013_z

  7. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #4 Westside vs #2 Gomorrah - Game Five

     

    Westside’s Griffin Slams Devils, Sarsaparillas Takes Series
     
    Westside entered the eighth inning trailing 4-2.  However, Dave Griffin had his second chance to make his at bat count in the first round series between the Sarsaparillas and Gomorrah. And he did just that. 
     
    Griffin’s grand slam, his second of the series, was the difference in the Sarsaparillas’ 7-4 Game Five victory over the Devils. Westside will now move on to face top-seeded North Vegas in the Mojave Series. 
     
    Griffin also homered in the fourth inning, giving him six RBI in the game. He was also named the series MVP after going 7 for 19 (.368) with two doubles, four home runs, two grand slams, 11 RBI, seven runs, a walk, a hit by pitch, and four strikeouts. 
     
    Angel Polanco earned his second victory in the series, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in seven innings. Carlos Colon had his third save. 
     
    K White was the losing pitcher. He did not record an out in the eighth inning, giving up three earned runs on a hit and two walks and Griffin’s grand slam. Winston Walker was the starter for Gomorrah. In 7.1 innings, he gave up three earned runs on six hits with nine strikeouts.
     
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  8. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #4 Westside vs #2 Gomorrah - Game Four

     

    Gomorrah, Sharpe Knife the Sarsaparillas
     
    Frederick Sharpe had two extra base hits and drove in three runs to lead Gomorrah to an 8-3 Game Four victory over Westside. The series is now tied at two games apiece. 
     
    Sharpe had an RBI double in the first inning and a two-RBI home run in the seventh to lead the Devils in batting. Gomorrah had a total of six extra base hits in the game. 
     
    Sancho Munoz was the winning pitcher, allowing two earned runs on two hits with five strikeouts in five innings. 
     
    Will Stewart was the losing pitcher for Westside, giving up six runs, five earned, on seven hits with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
     
    2290PlayoffsB4-1_zps67987822.jpg2290PlayoffsB4-2_zps16630edf.jpg

  9. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #3 Ultra Luxe vs #1 North Vegas - Game Four

     

    NV Shuts Out UL, Wins Series 3-1
     
    Rich Richmond pitched seven shutout innings, allowing North Vegas to cruise past Ultra Luxe 8-0 to win their first round series and move on to the Mojave Series for the second straight year. 
     
    Richmond allowed only two of the White Gloves’ three hits in the game and struck out five batters, never allowing Ultra Luxe to threaten. 
     
    Tower Carlson suffered the loss for the White Gloves. He allowed five earned runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in three innings pitched. 
     
    No one player had an outstanding game for North Vegas. Squirrel And was 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI, and a run. 
     
    Left fielder Arthur Glass of North Vegas was the series MVP. In four games, he was 5 for 16 (.313) with two doubles, eight RBI, four runs, three walks, a sacrifice fly, a stolen base, and two strikeouts.
     
    2290PlayoffsA4-1_zps01ab6dbb.jpg2290PlayoffsA4-2_zps6e0bb50a.jpg

  10. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #4 Westside vs #2 Gomorrah - Game Three

     

    Devils Burn Westside, Extend Series
     
    Wilfred Buckley pitched a complete game and the Gomorrah offense found the plate in an 11-2 Game Three victory over Westside. 
     
    Buckley allowed just two earned runs on seven hits to earn Game MVP honors. 
     
    DJ Gas Mask Cartwright went yard in the game and had three RBI to lead the offensive charge. Nick Walters added three hits, knocked in two, and scored two times. 
     
    Brandon Kerr suffered the loss for the Sarsaparillas. He allowed six runs, four earned, on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2.2 innings.
     
    2290PlayoffsB3-1_zpsc91b6118.jpg2290PlayoffsB3-2_zpsdb77da4e.jpg2290PlayoffsB3-3_zps385115fd.jpg

  11. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #3 Ultra Luxe vs #1 North Vegas - Game Three

     

    Radscorpions Score 19, Soil White Gloves
     
    Backup outfielder Norris Carr got a rare start and exploded with four hits, four RBI, and two runs in pacing North Vegas to a 19-3 victory over Ultra Luxe in Game Three of their first round series. 
     
    Ernest Emmons added another four hits and Arthur Glass contributed with four RBI and three runs scored in an offensive explosion by the defending champions. 
     
    Nate Camp earned the victory for the Radscorpions. He allowed just two earned runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in seven innings. 
     
    The White Gloves’ Ron Heath was the loser, allowing seven earned runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout in two innings. Heath allowed six runs to score in the third inning before he was pulled for reliever David Bennett. In all, Ultra Luxe used seven pitchers in the game, few of them finding any success.
     
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  12. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #4 Westside vs #2 Gomorrah - Game Two

     

    Westside Offense Opens Up in Seventh, Takes 2-0 Lead
     
    Westside trailed 3-1 entering the seventh inning before shortstop Dave Griffin stepped up to the plate. With the bases loaded, Griffin went yard, giving the Sarsaparillas a 5-3 lead on their way to an 8-4 Game Two victory and a 2-0 series lead over Gomorrah. 
     
    Angel Polanco earned the win for the Sarsaparillas, allowing three earned runs on 12 hits with a walk and a strikeout in six innings. Carlos Colon earned his second straight save. 
     
    John Harrison was the losing pitcher for the Devils, allowing three earned runs on two hits with a walk and strikeout in just a third of an inning in relief of starter Winston Walker.  
     
    Gomorrah scored only four runs despite getting 18 hits (16 singles) in the game.
     
    2290PlayoffsB2-1_zps208aaf8c.jpg2290PlayoffsB2-2_zps717d71a8.jpg2290PlayoffsB2-3_zps5ed5c787.jpg

  13. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #3 Ultra Luxe vs #1 North Vegas - Game Two

     

    Radscorpions Win in 12, Even Series
     
    Two straight 12th inning errors by Ultra Luxe’s third baseman Jorge Chavez allowed Chris Towns to reach base and then score to give North Vegas a 5-4 victory over Ultra Luxe in Game Two of the First Round Series.
     
    Chavez entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for Brian Gilbert. He stayed in and played out of position from his more comfortable second base slot. Still, his errors were the direct reason the Radscorpions took Game Two. 
     
    With one out in the 12th, Towns hit a routine grounder off reliever Jay Conrad to Chavez, but Chavez bobbled the ball and dropped it as he was trying to throw. After Towns stole second, Arthur Glass hit a ball right at Chavez that bounded off his glove into foul territory beyond third base. Towns easily came around to score on the play before it could be fielded, ending the game in anticlimactic fashion. 
     
    Basket Zapp was credited with the victory for his effort in one inning of shutout pitching. Both starters in the game, Dominic Dillingham of the White Gloves and Dave Davis of North Vegas, had no decisions.
     
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  14. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #4 Westside vs #2 Gomorrah - Game One

     

    Westside Up 1-0
     
    Will Stewart pitched a gem of a game, allowing just one earned run in 7 1/3 innings, in the Sarsaparillas’ 4-1 Game One victory over Gomorrah. 
     
    Robert Glass’ solo home run to lead off the fourth inning proved to be the winning run to give Westside a 2-1 lead at that point. The Sarsaparillas also added two more runs on Devils’ errors. 
     
    Sancho Munoz was the losing pitcher for Gomorrah despite pitching well. He allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
     
    2290PlayoffsB1-1_zps753fcc98.jpg2290PlayoffsB1-2_zps1960e5c7.jpg

  15. Posted

    Year 6 Playoffs: #3 Ultra Luxe vs #1 North Vegas - Game One

     

    Ultra Luxe Takes 1-0 Lead
     
    Tower Carlson pitched eight shutout innings and George Gray hit a two-run single in the sixth inning to lead Ultra Luxe over top-seed North Vegas, 4-1. 
     
    Each team only managed four hits in the game, with the Radscorpions’ only meaningful hit being a ninth-inning home run over closer Merlin Huggins. Huggins earned the save. 
     
    Rich Richmond was the losing pitcher, giving up three runs, one earned, on four hits in seven innings of work. 
     
    Carlson only allowed two hits and five base runners total in eight innings.
     
    2290PlayoffsA1-1_zps79a996df.jpg2290PlayoffsA1-2_zpsaa83a3a9.jpg

  20. Posted

    2012 Champions Bowl

     

    Like before, the Tournament of Champions Bowl consisted of ten teams based on that season's regular season results: 
     
    1-4 seeds were the top four teams of the Alpha League. 
    5-7 seeds were the top three teams of the Beta League. 
    8-9 seeds were the top two teams of the Gamma League. 
    10th seed was the pennant winner of the Omega League. 
     
    Results
     
    2012ChampionsBowl_zps8d566f7b.png
     
    Miami was not able to win the Diamond Trophy following their impressive 2012 season, but the Towers took care of business in the Tournament of Champions Bowl to win the highest honors in the Champions Baseball Association. 
     
    Miami_Towers_Banner_Champions_Bowl_2012_
     
    MVP Antonio Rivera is a fictional player who entered the majors via the International Free Agents route. Besides winning the MVP of the tournament, he also finished third in voting in the AL for the Launch Pad Hitter Award. 
     
    In the 2012 regular season, the then 26-year-old had his best season of his three years at Miami. He finished the season with a .298 batting average and a .428 OBP (tops in the AL). He had 23 doubles, six triples (10th in AL), 22 home runs, and 74 RBI and scored 112 runs (1st in AL). He also led the league with 61 stolen bases and 107 walks.  

  21. Posted

    2012 Alpha League

     

    Standings
     
    2012standingsalpha_zps2fe069e9.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    Miami_Towers_Banner_Pennant_2012_zpsf506
     
    Tie Breakers
     
    Houston beat Montreal in a one-game playoff for the #4 seed. 
    Kansas City beat Brooklyn and San Diego in the overall season series lead for the #8 seed. 
    Brooklyn beat San Diego in the head-to-head season series for the #9 seed. 
     
    Honors Cup
     
    First Round
    San Diego 2, Charlotte 0
    Brooklyn 2, New Mexico 0
     
    Semifinals
    San Diego 2, Honolulu 1
    Brooklyn 2, Kansas City 0
     
    Honors Cup Final
    Brooklyn 2, San Diego 0
     
    Brooklyn_Avengers_Banner_Honors_Cup_2012
     
    Alpha Cup
     
    Los Angeles 3, Montreal 1
     
    Los_Angeles_Actors_Banner_Alpha_Cup_2012
     
    Diamond Trophy
     
    First Round
    Cincinnati 3, Oakland 1
    Miami 3, Houston 2
     
    Championship
    Cincinnati 4, Miami 3
     
    Cincinnati_Cyclones_Banner_DiamondTrophy
     
    Relegation
     
    Honors Cup First Round and Semifinals Losers:
    Honolulu Tropics
    Kansas City Sting
    Charlotte Flyers
    New Mexico Suns

  22. Posted

    2012 Beta League

     

    Standings
     
    2012standingsbeta_zps2c0ba884.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    Dallas_Tycoons_Banner_pennant_2012_zps41
     
    Tie Breakers
     
    San Francisco beat New Orleans in a one-game playoff for the #5 seed.
    Toronto had a better head-to-head season record over Seattle for the #8 seed.
    Portland beat Atlanta in a one-game playoff for the #10 seed. 
     
    Beta Survivors Cup
     
    First Round
    Atlanta 2, Oklahoma City 0
     
    Semifinals
    Toronto 2, Atlanta 0
    Seattle 2, Portland 1
     
    Beta Survivors Cup Final
    Toronto 2, Seattle 0
     
    Toronto_Thunderbirds_Banner_Beta_Survivo
     
    Beta Cup
     
    First Round
    Austin 2, Washington 0
    San Francisco 2, New Orleans 1
     
    Beta Cup Final
    Austin 2, San Francisco 1
     
    Austin_Savage_Banner_Beta_Cup_2012_zps4a
     
    Gold Trophy
     
    First Round
    Virginia Beach 3, Nashville 1
     
    Championship
    Virginia Beach 4, Dallas 2
     
    Virginia_Beach_Neptunes_Banner_Gold_2012
     
    Promotion
     
    Dallas Tycoons - Pennant winner
    Virginia Beach Neptunes - Gold Trophy winner
    Nashville Country - Top 3 seed
    Austin Savage - Beta Cup winners
     
    Relegation
     
    Beta Survivors Cup Losers: 
    Seattle Ports
    Portland Pioneers
    Atlanta Blazers
    Oklahoma City Bandits

  23. Posted

    2012 Gamma League

     

    Standings
     
    2012standingsgamma_zpse6e4fbd3.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    Detroit_Wolverines_Banner_Pennant_2012_z
     
    Tie Breakers
     
    Cleveland won the season series over Buffalo for the #5 seed. 
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup
     
    First Round
    Louisville 2, San Antonio 0
    Boston 2, Chicago 1
     
    Semifinals
    Indianapolis 2, Louisville 1
    Boston 2, Utah 0
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup Final
    Boston 2, Indianapolis 1
     
    Boston_Night_Hawks_Banner_Gamma_Survivor
     
    Gamma Cup
     
    First Round
    Bronx 2, Buffalo 0
    Cleveland 2, St. Louis 0
     
    Gamma Cup Final
    Bronx 2, Cleveland 0
     
    Bronx_Bombers_Banner_Gamma_Cup_2012_zpsf
     
    Silver Trophy
     
    Phoenix 4, Detroit 2
     
    Phoenix_Firebirds_Banner_Silver_2012_zps
     
    Promotion
     
    Detroit Wolverines - Pennant winner 
    Phoenix Firebirds - Silver Trophy winner
    Bronx Bombers - Gamma Cup winners
    Cleveland Sluggers - Gamma Cup runners up
     
    Relegation
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup Losers: 
    Indianapolis Express
    Utah Mustangs
    San Antonio Buzzards
    Chicago Brats
    Louisville Thoroughbreds

  24. Posted

    2012 Omega League

     

    Standings
     
    2012standingsomega_zps82bba6d8.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    Las_Vegas_Dealers_Banner_Pennant_2012_zp
     
    Tie Breakers
     
    Orlando beat Denver and Minneapolis in play-in games for second place. 
    Minneapolis beat Denver in the head-to-head series for the #3 seed. 
    Memphis beat Milwaukee  in a one-game series for the #5 seed. 
    Baltimore beat Vancouver in a one-game series for the #10 seed. 
     
    Omega Cup
     
    First Round
    Minneapolis 2, Baltimore 0
    Philadelphia 2, Denver 1
    Memphis 2, Pittsburgh 1
    Milwaukee 2, Tampa 0
     
    Semifinals
    Minneapolis 2, Philadelphia 0
    Milwaukee 2, Memphis 1
     
    Promotion Series
    Memphis 2, Philadelphia 1
     
    Omega Cup Final
    Milwaukee 2, Minneapolis 0
     
    Milwaukee_Beers_Banner_Omega_Cup_2012_zp
     
    Bronze Trophy
     
    Las Vegas 4, Orlando 3
     
    Las_Vegas_Dealers_Banner_Bronze_2012_zps
     
    Promotion
     
    Las Vegas Dealers - Pennant and Bronze Trophy winner
    Orlando Rockets - Runner up
    Milwaukee Beers - Omega Cup
    Minneapolis Blizzard - Omega Cup runner up
    Memphis Hound Dogs - Promotion Series winner

  25. Posted

    Year 6: Playoffs - First Round Preview

     

    ultraluxevsnorthvegas_zps1277fd86.png

     
    North Vegas has been to the playoffs in four of the six Mojave Baseball League seasons. This is Ultra Luxe’s first trip. Though the usuals of the MBL playoffs are different this season, the White Gloves will have a tough task getting past the defending champions. 
     
    The Radscorpions, of course, are formidable, despite losing two of their players just over a month ago to a violent incident. The pitching staff is a beast. Things start with ace Rich Richmond. Though he had a down year by his standards (12-6, 3.27 ERA), he still led the team to multiple victories. Along with Richmond, Nate Camp has been a driving force for the Radscorpions. He posted team best statistics with a 12-3 record, a 1.87 ERA, and 131 strikeouts. Glenn Brady, a former first round pick of Goodsprings, has finally emerged as a pitching threat. In fact, he emerged well enough to earn the top pitcher award for the month of July. Dave Davis only had 11 starts on the season, but in those 11 starts he went 7-0 with a 2.45 ERA.  Of course, all things end with closer Basket Zapp, who notched a league-leading 32 saves. 
     
    On offense, catcher Weldon Brown and first baseman George O’Kill are a suffocating one-two punch for the Radscorpions. Both hit over 20 home runs for the second straight year. Ernest Emmons is a great leadoff hitter, skilled at getting on base and then stealing a base or two. He led the league with 57 steals. 
     
    Ultra Luxe is led by an overachieving pitching staff. In his first full season as a starting pitcher, Dominic “Brahmin Tit” Dillingham led the Mojave Baseball league in wins with 15. The 19-year-old looks to be a strikeout master, recording 167 in 155.1 innings pitched. He also had an impressive 3.01 ERA. Despite Dillingham’s success, Tower Carlson is considered to be the staff ace and the most talented up-and-comer in the MBL. Carlson did not have as much run support as Dilligham, but he still finished 9-8 with a 2.35 ERA (fourth in the league) while leading the league with 172 innings pitched, five complete games, and two shutouts. Playoff veteran Jim Crouch is not as dominant as he once was, but the former NCR Bear has lots of know-how for helping his team overcome first-year shakes. 
     
    The White Gloves’ offense could be their downfall. Left fielder Harris Cazadore is probably the most complete hitter on the team, but he does not have the superstar numbers some of the other teams’ players have. Cazadore led the team in average (.298) and RBI (62) and finished second in home runs (16). First baseman Francisco Riveria led the team in home runs with 17. He also finished with a .296 batting average and 41 RBI. 
     
    Because of North Vegas’ experience and superior talent, this series is not expected to be competitive, and we have the Radscorpions beating Ultra Luxe in three games. 
     
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    For Westside and Gomorrah, there is not much to talk about when it comes to the playoffs. Of the two teams, the Sarsaparillas made a single trip in 2287 when they were run over four games to one in the first round versus eventual champion, Goodsprings. For the Devils, they have never been anywhere near the playoffs. However, Gomorrah has had the number one Prospects League team over the years, the 188 Traders. That means, they were loaded with future talent, which may be coming of age now. 
     
    Still, Westside appears to be the better current team, finishing in second place in their division and in the league at 60-40. Gomorrah was 55-45, but lost six of eight games to the Sarsaparillas on the season. 
     
    Westside’s main power comes from its number one offense, scoring 476 runs and hitting 133 home runs to lead the Mojave Baseball League. The Sarsaparillas have the five-headed mutant in Edward Simpson, Dave Griffin, Robert Glass, Bob Franklin, and Jeffery Thomason, who combined to hit between 16 and 26 home runs and knock in between 53 and 75 runs each. Franklin, the team’s catcher, is the MBL all-time home run king (172 HR), with teammates Glass (117 HR) and Griffin (112 HR) falling sixth and seventh on that list. Westside does not depend only on power, though, with several of their hitters qualifying for the top five in several hitting categories. 
     
    The part of the squad that does not make the Sarsaparillas complete is the pitching staff. As good as their offense is, their pitching and defense keeps them from being a truly dominant team. Starter Brandon Kerr was probably the biggest surprise after arriving via a trade prior to the 2290 season. Kerr racked up a team-best 10-2 record with a 3.69 ERA in 20 starts. Staff ace Will Stewart (10-7, 4.26 ERA) and their other talented starter Angel Polanco (9-9, 3.05 ERA) did not fare well, and they will have to be better in the playoffs. Closer Carlos Colon is probably the second-best closer in the league after North Vegas’ Zapp, and he had another outstanding season with a 1.67 ERA and 32 saves.
     
    Whereas Westside relies on its steady offense to beat teams, the Devils depended on an outstanding pitching performance in 2290. At the top of the staff is Sancho Munoz. Munoz paced the Gomorrah success by going 8-6 with a 3.09 ERA in 21 starts. He also added 154 strikeouts in 128.1 innings while only walking 26. The real hero, though, may be Winston Walker. Last season’s Prospects League Pitcher of the Year and the Postseason Award winner with the 188 Traders made a huge impact in his Mojave Baseball League rookie year. He finished the season at 9-5 with a 2.67 ERA to help turn the Gomorrah franchise from worst to first candidates. Playoff veteran Wilfred Buckley also starts for Gomorrah, giving them a definitive pitching edge over Westside. 
     
    On offense, the Devils struggle overall, but not due to the efforts of catcher Frederick Sharpe. Sharpe led the squad in home runs (19) and RBI (65). Left fielder Mike Plasmagun is the only other player on the team with any real power (17 home runs), but Gomorrah is OK overall as a team at getting runners on. They just have to find ways to string multiple hits together against the Sarsaparillas’ pitching. 
     
    This series looks to be more competitive than the other first round matchup. We think Westside will take the series in five games to meet their division rival in the finals.