Today was by far the best we’ve looked as a team. The games were close, the pitching was great and all three teams played with as much enthusiasm as anyone would hope to see on the field. In game one, Team 1 was looking to clinch a spot in Saturday’s Championship Game and jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Nick Robinson RBI-groundout. It stayed that way until the fourth inning when Team 3 tied the game at a run apiece. With the game tied at one, Ryan Kosack singled in Dan Cladis with the winning run. The 2-1 victory delayed Team 1’s celebration of the regular season championship. On the mound for Team 3, Tyler Gordon scattered five hits over five innings allowing only one run and Aaron Kovac threw a scoreless sixth to earn the win in relief. Mike Kloss went the distance for Team 1 and took the loss despite allowing only three hits. Kloss hurt his own cause by walking four. Team 3 needed the momentum from the walk-off win in game one to carry over in game two. But Team 2 took a 1-0 lead in the third thanks to a Dusty Gilbreth RBI-single. If Team 3 had its choice, it would have liked Eric Vogrin’s game-tying sacrifice fly to come in the sixth or seventh, rather than the fifth. The run scored in the bottom of the fifth which earned two points, leaving Team 3 one point short in the 1-1 final. Scott Randecker allowed one run and struck out four in six innings pitched for Team 3. For Team 2, Nate Gomez allowed a run on two hits over five innings.
The standings have tightened heading in to the final day of regular season play. Team 1 needs to split their double-header with Team 3 to win the regular season and play for the fall title on Saturday. A Team 3 sweep could earn them the crown if they can earn enough points. Meanwhile, Team 2 is idle and is guaranteed to play on Friday. The only thing in question is whether they will be the #2 seed or the #3 seed. In six previous meetings, Teams 1 and 3 have split the series with three wins apiece. The double-header will take place on Thursday beginning at 1:30 pm.
Standings.....W-L-T.....Points
Team 1.........8-6-0.......82
Team 2.........8-8-0.......73
Team 3.........6-8-0.......65
