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League Standings Weekly Summaries Wiffler of the Week Team Stats Box Scores Upsets HR Leaders RBI Leaders Run Leaders Pitching Leaders
2013 Division Standings Champions Division - ML
Contenders Division - AAA
Weekly Team Stats Return to Top
2013 3CWL Playoff Week 2 Series Summaries Early in the year, after it became common knowledge that the Tigers would be joining our league for the year, someone made the comment the season was kind of pointless because there was a 100% probability of the Tigers meeting the Legends in the World Series. I chuckled knowing there are a lot of things that have to go right for any team to make it to the World Series, and given the new league designations, the path was even more fraught with peril. The Divisional Playoff round validated my suspicions and even though the eventuality the person predicted with 100% likelihood has come to pass - it was in dire jeopardy on both Friday and Sunday nights and could have easily crumbled to 0% had a single wrong turn occurred for the Tigers or Legends in their series. We had very strong suspicions the TRLF vs Tigers series would be extremely close - and thought if TRLF could get a strong 3rd pitching start (they did) and get some timely hits from someone besides Josh Wonderleigh and Corey White (at times they did), and if they managed to steal a game on CC field (they did), the Tigers could be in real trouble (and they were). Although the Tigers are certainly one of the best Wiffle ball teams in Ohio, our format of requiring different pitchers for each game evens the field somewhat. While Justin Collins, Chris Garrard, Kevin Flax, Jeremey Porter and Adam Ellars have been the model of consistency at the plate (every series it seems they all have 10 HRs, 15 RBIs and 15 Runs) the teams with solid pitching have played them very close this year and typically do very well in our league - despite other team deficiencies. Which brings us to TRLF's pitching staff. Amos Jones and Josh Wonderleigh are both difficult to hit off of for very different reasons. Amos hugs the noodle and will hazard walks with called flat pitches, but if he gets ahead, which he often does, these pitches are just plain hard to hit. In short, he has no fear of walking batters with flat pitches. You will hit his pitch or not hit at all - a very difficult position for batters who are used to swinging for the fences. His pitches are perfectly legal, skirting the noodle, and difficult to get in the air. Josh is just crazy. His delays, hitches and behind-the-back, between-the- legs and no-look pitches are difficult to maintain concentration on. He makes more mistakes than Amos because he often winds up behind in the count - but to hit him a batter has to be very patient - somewhat unnerving for players used to just hacking away. I am not sure what else we can say about the Tigers. Up and down the lineup they are the best team in our league, and maybe anywhere. We have been somewhat amazed as we put in their stats this year. They are machine-like. There have been few 15+ HRs series, which has surprised us, but NO, zip, nada, zilch, series for any players on this team with less than 5 HRs. All the Tigers routinely hit 10 HRs each series. A good series is 12 HRs and a bad series is 8 HRs. No other team in league history, with the exception of the 2010 Legends, has been so consistent with HRs up and down the lineup.
In the other series, by general consent PVB is probably the team that picked their league designation most successfully this year. They averaged over 4 HRs per game - and have been around 5 all year - even though J&M was their chosen home field. With their +3 headstart against major league teams, on a field where it is difficult to hit HRs anyway, they were formidable foes, winning over 1/2 their games even against ML teams. Most fellow AAA teams had little chance to beat them - because most of these conference games were on J&M field - and their opponents averaged only 1.3 HRs per game on this field. Statistically, the reality is, many of the teams carrying AAA designations should have been AA teams. Only PVB averaged more HRs than the AA designated allotment of 3 - meaning all those who did not average 3 donated 3 runs they could have received free, back to the kitty. Aside from PVB, in only 4 individual games (out of 18 - thus 36 chances) did a team reach the 6 HR AAA allotment. In 11 of those 36 chances NEITHER team hit more than 4 HRs. But PVB had this figured out. They routinely used all 6 of their HRs (more times than all other AAA teams combined) and they even were able to generally save them until they counted - with more than 1 person on base. The Legends knew entering this series PVB would be a very, very difficult opponent. John Kepler and Dave Fisher are solid, veteran pitchers - who have played against the Legends dozens of times, knowing all their weaknesses. Jarren Iles will probably be a unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year due to his HR ability and speed. The Legends understood clearly PVB would be a dangerous foe. Game 1 of the Tigers vs TRLF occurred on CC field on Friday, August 2nd, with light air and low humidity. Justin Collins faced off against Corey White of TRLF, a surprise choice. Corey was red hot from at the plate, crushing HRs on each of his 1st 4 at bats. TRLF jumped to a 4 run lead, but the Tigers took advantage of the pitching choice and scored 13 runs on 9 HRs in the 1st 2 innings. Corey did right the ship, but not before the Tigers led 14-5. As Corey cooled at the plate Brandon Jinks caught fire, crushing 5 HRs of his own. TRLF made a valiant comeback, falling 17-14 with the tying run at the plate in the 5th. Game 1 to the Tigers who were led by Jeremey Porter with 5 HRs while both Corey and Brandon crushed 5 for TRLF. Game 2 featured many fewer HRs as Amos put the brakes on Tiger batters. Josh Wonderleigh began a series long tear, hitting 2 HRs in the 1st inning to give TRLF a lead they would never relinquish. TRLF managed to stay just ahead of the Tigers. Eventually, Amos coerced Chris Garrard to fly out ending the game with TRLF ahead 16-14 - a game steal on CC field. Josh led TRLF with 3 HRs while Jeremey again led the Tigers with 3 HRs. With the series tied 1-1 and play turned to TLC field. Game 3 paired Josh Wonderliegh from TRLF against Kevin Flax of the Tigers. The game was a see-saw affair as both teams traded turns taking the lead. The Tigers were led by Chris Garrard who crushed 5 HRs, including several of the tape measure variety. But Josh countered with 4 of his own and TRLF played small slightly better, winning the game 14-11 and moving within 1 game of clinching the series and advancing to the World Series. Game 4 saw a real enigma, as both TRLF and the Tigers turned to relatively inexperienced pitchers in Brandon Jinks and Jeremey Porter. Surprisingly, both pitchers did exceptionally well, and after 3 innings TRLF led 4-3. The Tigers used some fielding breakdowns as Chris and Justin caught fire, hammering 2 HRs each to claim a 14-3 lead. Josh again tried to carry TRLF as he also hit 2 HRs in the inning and the gap closed to 14-11. Inning 5 saw the Tigers again break loose as HRs by Chris, Kevin and Justin increased the score to 21-14. Josh and Brandon hit HRs to narrow the score to 21-16 but the Tigers evened the series at 2 games each and forced a game 5 back to CC field. With both teams having their pitching innings reset, the Tigers made a surprise move, starting Jeremey for the 2nd game in a row. TRLF countered with Josh. The Tigers used multiple HR innings by Chris and Kevin to build a 9-3 lead heading into the 4th as TRLF could not get a clutch hit to break the ice and get going. Josh stepped into the void, crushing 4 HRs in the last 2 innings to single handily power TRLF into a lead, with the last HR being a 3 runner to put TRLF up 11-9 with just 3 outs seperating TRLF from a 2nd trip to the World Series. Josh coerced Chris into a leadoff pop up for an out. Justin narrowed the score 11-10 on a 2 strike mistake to Justin who hammered the drive to right center. Kevin then tied the score on a follow up shot to right center. Jeremey laced a single to the fence in right center, bringing up Chris with one out and the game tied. With 2 strikes Chris hit his 4th blast of the game, claiming a 13-11 win and series win for the Tigers. This was just a flat out fun series to watch as there were dramatic swings in the production of each team evidenced by the 2 game streaks each team had. The surprise of the series was Jeremey Porter's mastery on the mound and how the Tigers rode this unexpected skill to a series victory. For the series Chris led the Tigers with 15 HRs and 18 RBIs. Displaying their characteristic consistency, Justin, Kevin and Jeremey all contributed 10 HRs and 16, 17 and 15 RBIs respectively. TRLF was led by Amos with 18 HRs and a huge 34 RBIs. Both Corey and Brandon contributed 7 HRs each and 17 and 9 RBIs respectively. Amos added 4 HRs and 6 RBIs. In the end it was the Tigers just refusing to get beat. They are best with their backs to the wall and won the final 2 games facing elimination.
The bottom bracket series began on J&M field with PVB being the home team and sending ace John Kepler to the mound against Legends ace Jerry Driggs. The Legends managed to get out of the gate early on HRs by Jerry and Levi in the 1st and 7 runs. After a back to the pitcher double play ended inning 1, the Legends added 3 more on HRs by Levi and Collin Hill. PVB jumped back in the game with 3 of their own a 3 run dinger by Dave Fisher to make the score 10-6 after 2. Levi and Jerry each hit 3 run blasts in the top of the 3rd and another line-drive double play ended a PVB rally in the 3rd. The 4th inning saw Levi and Jerry hitting multiple HRs and Collin adding another, to the final total of 17 in the inning. The game ended with the score 30-6 in the 4th. Game 2 featured Phil King of the Legends against Dave Fisher of PVB, who held the Legends scoreless in the 1st and then hit an HR to give PVB a 4-0 lead. Jerry got the Legends started in the 2nd witha 3 run dinger and Collin added a solo shot to tie the score. PVB quickly jumped back on top with Jarren's first blast of the evening to lead 7-4, where the score remained going into the 4th. The Legends got in gear in the 4th as all 4 hit HRs in the inning. Another line drive resulting in a double play ended the 4th for PVB. Inning 5 was a replay as the Legends added 6 more on HRs by Jerry and Collin. PVB went quietly in the 5th and the Legends won game 2 16-7 to lead the series 2-0. Game 3 moved to TLC field where the home Legends started Levi against PVB's Eric Young. PVB found TLC to their liking as Jarren and Eric both hit HRs in the 1st 3 innings and the Legends never really got started. After successive 5 run innings in the 4th and 5th keyed by HRs by Jarren and Dave, PVB claimed their 1st series win with a 17-11 victory. The Legends suited up Jerry for game 4 with Jarren taking the mound for PVB. After another all Legends. The Legends added 3 more in the 2nd on HRs by Jerry and Levi but PVB got busy in the 3rd, adding 4 of their own on HRs by Jarren and Dave. The Legends responded with a 9 run inninged keyed y 2 HRs from Collin. Leading 20-7 PVB fought back as some key small ball hits and timely 3 run HRs by Jarren and Dave cut the lead to 20-17. With 2 outs and no one in Phil King stepped to the plate and provded probably the biggest hit of the series - a 3 run dinger just inside the fair pole down the right field line. The other 3 Legends followed with successive dingers and before the inning was over the Legends had added 8 more runs. Although PVB made a heroic effort at a comeback, a 3 run dinger by Eric signaled the end of their HRs and they eventually succumbed 28-20 to fall 3 games to 1 in the series.
Levi had a monster series with 17 HRs and 34 RBIs. Jerry and Collin followed closely behind with 12 and 11 HRs respectively and 28 and 16 RBIs. Phil clocked in with 4 HRs and 7 RBIs. PVB was led by Dave and Jarren with 6 HRs and 12 RBIs each. Eric added 3 HRs and 8 RBIs while John contributed 6 RBIs.
Upset Award of the Week Although both series ended probably as the Las Vegas odds makers would have predicted, neither was an easy win and both could have went the other way if key plays at crucial moments would have went different than they did.
Herbie Strange State Farm 3CWL Wiffler of the Week Return to Top The 3CWL Divisional Playoff series Wifflers of the Week were fairly easy to pick. Both of these players carried their teams at key moments in their respective series. As for those deserving Honorable Mentions, for the Tigers Chris Garrard delivered key HR after key HR, especially in the late games - even amidst some serious gruff from his team mates, until he delivered the final blow - a 2 run walkoff HR in the bottom of the 5th inning of game 5. Chris had 15 HRs and 18 RBIs in the series win. An honorable mention has to go to Josh Wonderleigh who was probably just one pitch away from being the Wiffler of the Week - had Chris hit into a double play instead of a walk off HR. Josh had 18 HRs and 34 RBIs and a pitching win in a truly epic series. But the Wiffler of the Week for this series has to go to surprise pitching ace Jeremey Porter, who went from no pitching experience to winning game 4 and then being asked to go the distance in the deciding game 5 - and delivered in spades. He also spear headed the Tiger attack in game 1 crushing 5 HRs and driving in 7, including a pivotal 3 run dinger in the bottom of the 4th that proved to be the game winner. Jeremey had 10 HRs and 15 RBIs in the series - but it was hit clamp down on the Tralfamadorians on the mound that earns him Wiffler of the Week. For the Legends Levi Driggs got started early - hitting a HR in his first at bat, and not letting up until his 17th HR in game 4 at his last at bat. In between he drove in 34 runs, obviously hitting numerous multi run HRs. Congratulations to Jeremey and Levi for being selected as 3CWL Wifflers of the Week !
Game Scores (Home team on top) Return to Top
Tigers 7-6-3-1-X= 17 Tigers 5-4-2-1-2= 14 TRLF 5-2-1-6-X= 14 TRLF 4-7-0-0-3= 14 TRLF 4-5-1-2-4= 16 Tigers 3-2-2-2-2= 11 WP – Justin Collins WP – Amos Jones WP – Josh Wonderleigh HRs - Jeremy Porter TIG(5) HRs - Josh Wonderleigh TR(3) HRs - Josh Wonderleigh TR(3) Kevin Flax TIG(3) Brandon Jinks TR(1) Amos Jones TR(2) Justin Collins TIG(2) Corey White TR(1) Corey White TR(1) Chris Gerrard TIG(1) Jeremy Porter TIG(3) Chris Gerrard TIG(5) Corey White TR(5) Kevin Flax TIG(1) Justin Collins TIG(2) Brandon Jinks TR(3) Justin Collins TIG(1) Kevin Flax TIG(1) Josh Wonderleigh TR(3) Chris Gerrard TIG(1) Amos Jones TR(2) Aaron Drake WTP(1) TRLF 0-3-1-7-5 = 16 Tigers 5-3-1-0--4= 13 Tigers 1-1-1-11-7= 21 TRLF 0-3-2-3-3 = 11 WP – Jeremey Porter WP – Jeremey Porter HRs - Chris Gerrard TIG(4) HRs - Chris Gerrard TIG(4) Justin Collins TIG(4) Kevin Flax TIG(2) Kevin Flax TIG(2) Justin Collins TIG(1) Jeremy Porter TIG(2) Josh Wonderleigh TR(5) Josh Wonderleigh TR(4) Brandon Jinks TR(2) Corey White TR(1) PVB 3-3-0-0 = 6 PVB 4-3-0-0-0 = 7 Legends 0-4-1-6-0= 11 Legends 7-3-7-13= 30 Legends 0-4-0-6-6= 16 PVB 4-3-5-5-0 = 17 WP – Jerry Driggs WP – Phill King WP – Eric Young HRs - Levi Driggs LG(5) HRs - Collin Hill LG(3) HRs - Jarren Iles PVB(2) Jerry Driggs LG(4) Jerry Driggs LG(3) Dave Fisher PVB(1) Collin Hill LG(2) Levi Driggs LG(2) John Kepler PVB(1) Phill King LG(1) Phill King LG(1) Levi Driggs LG(5) Dave Fisher PVB(1) Dave Fisher PVB(1) Collin Hill LG(3) Jarren Iles PVB(1) Jerry Driggs LG(1) Legends 7-8-2-11-X= 28 Jerry Driggs LG(4) ) Collin Hill LG(3) Phill King LG(2) Dave Fisher PVB(3) Jarren Iles PVB(2) Eric Young PVB(1)
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