NL Finals Summary; Fall 2007
Underdogs: 13
Dirty Pirate Hookers: 16
The NL Finals was a rematch of a contentious regular season battle; although the Underdogs and Dirty Pirate Hookers share a common lineage though Bad Company and Toyota of C.P./sOs, much acrimony exists between the teams. While this was evident during the regular season game, the Finals saw no such ill will. Trash talk and cries of foul play cast a dark shadow over the initial contest. Solid play and focus on the game dominated the Finals as the Dirty Pirate Hookers overcame early defensive woes to defeat the Underdogs, 16-13.
The Underdogs took advantage of Mark E's control problems; "I just couldn't get the ball down for their girls..." he said after uncharacteristically giving up 3 walks in the first two innings. Despite his troubles and some sloppy defense, Mark E stuck with his approach of jamming batters and moving the ball around the strike zone. Mark E started the game by issuing a walk to Glen W and then gave up a hard single to Kim F after falling behind 2-0. After two quick outs—one on a nice unassisted fielder's choice off the bat of Mike W to Tracy Z at third—control problems continued to plague Mark E as he gave up a 3 run shot to Jimmy C after falling behind in the count. Mark E's last inning was easily his best, but the Hookers defense refused to make it easy for him allowing the Underdogs to tack on 3 more runs. "Taking Mark out after 3 innings was part of my game plan...he was doing fine...I'd rather not have batters face the same pitcher more than twice...it's about controlling the game...." said John C. In a defensive switch, Mark E turned the game over to Ben Ho in the 4th with the Hookers down 10-6.
The rough start by their defense did not affect the Hookers' approach at the plate. Matt T opened their half of the first with a booming triple and used his speed to score on a wide throw to third. Jess followed with a very patient PA fouling off several pitches and working a walk. Todd S continued the Hookers' march by ripping a double to the RC gap. Deryl B, coaching 3B, boldly sent Jess home and she was thrown out at the plate after the Underdogs completed a series of perfect throws. Her slide was flawless, but Joe R placed a text book tag and Jess was called out. "It's easy to question Deryl's decision to send her" said John C, "...it all had to be perfect....he was trying to pressure the Underdogs...put 'em on their heels...Jess runs well...it nearly worked...I can't argue with the call (decision). Honestly, I think this game was the Underdogs best defensive effort that I’ve seen…" Todd S later scored on a sac fly by Mark M after being advanced to 3B on a single by Christina. The Hookers added 3 runs in the 2nd after putting 2 runners on with consecutive singles by Mike F and Jo Ho. Brett B ripped a line drive to LC and scored Mike F for the Hookers' third run. After a FC by Erika eliminated Brett from the bases, Mark E helped his cause by scoring Jo Ho on a single up the middle. The Hookers added another run on a RBI 2B by Matt T. Todd S opened up the 3rd for the Hookers with another 2B and scored on a 6-3 sacrifice by Christina. Mark M was stranded on the bases after Kim F made a great diving tag on 1B to force out Mike F ending the inning.
Ben Ho took over in the fourth and quickly worked 2 outs. "The knuckler was wobbling nicely tonight..." said Ben Ho; "It wasn't moving that well at Coyne (against Softballs) the other night....but it was breaking across the plate...it wasn't being called for strikes, though." Jimmy C blasted a solo HR before Ben Ho retired Kristin to end the top of the 4th. The Underdogs went right back to work in the top of the 5th when Don K smacked a single to LC. Don K scored on a ground ball double that kicked off of 3B by Keith E. "I saw their defense (with Matt T in RC) and decided to try to exploit 3B for the game..." Keith said. Keith scored the Underdogs second run of the 5th—their last of the game—on a weak line drive by Glen W that floated over the head of Jess playing behind 1B. "That was on me," said John C, "I was too slow getting my defense set up for Glen..." Once again the Hookers employed another unconventional defensive shift with Jess (2B) moving behind 1B into mid RF, Mark M moving over to 2B and Tracy Z playing SS. It seemed as if the Hookers were daring Glen W to push it to the left side. He refused to adjust with Ben Ho pounding him inside and would ultimately end the game in the top of the 7th on a high pop up to Ben Ho and 40 feet of dirt between Tracy and 3B.
The Underdogs simply could not keep the Hookers from scoring as they added 4 more runs in the 4th. Solo HRs by Brett B and Mark E and a two run shot by Matt T after a double by Ben Ho brought the Hookers within one. "I think Mark E was floating around the bases...that was a sweet shot to RC...." said John C. Mark M launched a solo blast in the 5th partially negating the 2 runs scored by the Underdogs in their half of the 5th. But Ben Ho shut the Underdogs down in the 6th and the Hookers exploded for 5 taking their first lead of the game. Deryl B started things off for the Hookers with a sharp shot past Mike W at SS; "I was going to take the first pitch, but I saw him straighten up and just placed it there..." said Deryl. "Smart hitting, smart player, that's what the Hookers are about..." added John C. Deryl scored on Brett's second HR of the game; "It just made it over, but I'll take it! That was huge...." Brett enthused. Indeed it was since the shot tied the game. The Underdogs tightened up—almost sensing what was coming. The Hookers refused to let up and added singles by Erika and Mark E. Matt T delivered on the Underdogs clairvoyance with an opposite field line drive HR past a diving Don K in RF. "He was trying to pitch around me, but I was looking outside...I put a good swing on that..." beamed Matt T after completing a perfect night at the plate. Ben Ho made sure the 3 runs were more than enough by shutting down the Underdogs in the top of the 7th to end the game and win the NL Finals for the Dirty Pirate Hookers.
In an earlier game, Palais Royale defeated Blitzkrieg (a Sunday league nemesis of the Hookers), 22-16, to win the AL finals setting up a first time confrontation with the Dirty Pirate Hookers. The game is scheduled for Thursday, 11/15, 6:30P, at Field of Dreams. Once again, the Hookers have their work cut out for them playing a team who can score runs almost at will.
Dirty Pirate Hookers: 16
The NL Finals was a rematch of a contentious regular season battle; although the Underdogs and Dirty Pirate Hookers share a common lineage though Bad Company and Toyota of C.P./sOs, much acrimony exists between the teams. While this was evident during the regular season game, the Finals saw no such ill will. Trash talk and cries of foul play cast a dark shadow over the initial contest. Solid play and focus on the game dominated the Finals as the Dirty Pirate Hookers overcame early defensive woes to defeat the Underdogs, 16-13.
The Underdogs took advantage of Mark E's control problems; "I just couldn't get the ball down for their girls..." he said after uncharacteristically giving up 3 walks in the first two innings. Despite his troubles and some sloppy defense, Mark E stuck with his approach of jamming batters and moving the ball around the strike zone. Mark E started the game by issuing a walk to Glen W and then gave up a hard single to Kim F after falling behind 2-0. After two quick outs—one on a nice unassisted fielder's choice off the bat of Mike W to Tracy Z at third—control problems continued to plague Mark E as he gave up a 3 run shot to Jimmy C after falling behind in the count. Mark E's last inning was easily his best, but the Hookers defense refused to make it easy for him allowing the Underdogs to tack on 3 more runs. "Taking Mark out after 3 innings was part of my game plan...he was doing fine...I'd rather not have batters face the same pitcher more than twice...it's about controlling the game...." said John C. In a defensive switch, Mark E turned the game over to Ben Ho in the 4th with the Hookers down 10-6.
The rough start by their defense did not affect the Hookers' approach at the plate. Matt T opened their half of the first with a booming triple and used his speed to score on a wide throw to third. Jess followed with a very patient PA fouling off several pitches and working a walk. Todd S continued the Hookers' march by ripping a double to the RC gap. Deryl B, coaching 3B, boldly sent Jess home and she was thrown out at the plate after the Underdogs completed a series of perfect throws. Her slide was flawless, but Joe R placed a text book tag and Jess was called out. "It's easy to question Deryl's decision to send her" said John C, "...it all had to be perfect....he was trying to pressure the Underdogs...put 'em on their heels...Jess runs well...it nearly worked...I can't argue with the call (decision). Honestly, I think this game was the Underdogs best defensive effort that I’ve seen…" Todd S later scored on a sac fly by Mark M after being advanced to 3B on a single by Christina. The Hookers added 3 runs in the 2nd after putting 2 runners on with consecutive singles by Mike F and Jo Ho. Brett B ripped a line drive to LC and scored Mike F for the Hookers' third run. After a FC by Erika eliminated Brett from the bases, Mark E helped his cause by scoring Jo Ho on a single up the middle. The Hookers added another run on a RBI 2B by Matt T. Todd S opened up the 3rd for the Hookers with another 2B and scored on a 6-3 sacrifice by Christina. Mark M was stranded on the bases after Kim F made a great diving tag on 1B to force out Mike F ending the inning.
Ben Ho took over in the fourth and quickly worked 2 outs. "The knuckler was wobbling nicely tonight..." said Ben Ho; "It wasn't moving that well at Coyne (against Softballs) the other night....but it was breaking across the plate...it wasn't being called for strikes, though." Jimmy C blasted a solo HR before Ben Ho retired Kristin to end the top of the 4th. The Underdogs went right back to work in the top of the 5th when Don K smacked a single to LC. Don K scored on a ground ball double that kicked off of 3B by Keith E. "I saw their defense (with Matt T in RC) and decided to try to exploit 3B for the game..." Keith said. Keith scored the Underdogs second run of the 5th—their last of the game—on a weak line drive by Glen W that floated over the head of Jess playing behind 1B. "That was on me," said John C, "I was too slow getting my defense set up for Glen..." Once again the Hookers employed another unconventional defensive shift with Jess (2B) moving behind 1B into mid RF, Mark M moving over to 2B and Tracy Z playing SS. It seemed as if the Hookers were daring Glen W to push it to the left side. He refused to adjust with Ben Ho pounding him inside and would ultimately end the game in the top of the 7th on a high pop up to Ben Ho and 40 feet of dirt between Tracy and 3B.
The Underdogs simply could not keep the Hookers from scoring as they added 4 more runs in the 4th. Solo HRs by Brett B and Mark E and a two run shot by Matt T after a double by Ben Ho brought the Hookers within one. "I think Mark E was floating around the bases...that was a sweet shot to RC...." said John C. Mark M launched a solo blast in the 5th partially negating the 2 runs scored by the Underdogs in their half of the 5th. But Ben Ho shut the Underdogs down in the 6th and the Hookers exploded for 5 taking their first lead of the game. Deryl B started things off for the Hookers with a sharp shot past Mike W at SS; "I was going to take the first pitch, but I saw him straighten up and just placed it there..." said Deryl. "Smart hitting, smart player, that's what the Hookers are about..." added John C. Deryl scored on Brett's second HR of the game; "It just made it over, but I'll take it! That was huge...." Brett enthused. Indeed it was since the shot tied the game. The Underdogs tightened up—almost sensing what was coming. The Hookers refused to let up and added singles by Erika and Mark E. Matt T delivered on the Underdogs clairvoyance with an opposite field line drive HR past a diving Don K in RF. "He was trying to pitch around me, but I was looking outside...I put a good swing on that..." beamed Matt T after completing a perfect night at the plate. Ben Ho made sure the 3 runs were more than enough by shutting down the Underdogs in the top of the 7th to end the game and win the NL Finals for the Dirty Pirate Hookers.
In an earlier game, Palais Royale defeated Blitzkrieg (a Sunday league nemesis of the Hookers), 22-16, to win the AL finals setting up a first time confrontation with the Dirty Pirate Hookers. The game is scheduled for Thursday, 11/15, 6:30P, at Field of Dreams. Once again, the Hookers have their work cut out for them playing a team who can score runs almost at will.
| Player | PA | AB | H | W | K | SF | S | 1B | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | XB | R | RBI | Avg | OBP | Slg | Iso |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christina | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.556 | 0.500 | 0.556 | 0.000 |
| Erika G | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0.000 |
| Jessica G | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.400 | 0.500 | 0.400 | 0.000 |
| Jo Ho | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.375 | 0.333 | 0.750 | 0.375 |
| Tracy Z | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.100 | 0.100 | 0.100 | 0.000 |
| Ben Ho | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.714 | 0.750 | 2.000 | 1.286 |
| Brett B | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0.429 | 0.429 | 1.286 | 0.857 |
| Deryl B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.333 | 0.333 |
| John C | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 0.500 | 0.500 | 1.000 | 0.500 |
| Mark E | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.571 | 0.571 | 1.000 | 0.429 |
| Mark M | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.900 | 0.818 | 2.200 | 1.300 |
| Matt T | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0.833 | 0.833 | 2.333 | 1.500 |
| Mike F | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.750 | 0.800 | 1.500 | 0.750 |
| Todd S | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.700 | 0.727 | 1.300 | 0.600 |
| Totals: | 38 | 35 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 45 | 24 | 16 | 12 | 0.600 | 0.579 | 1.286 | 0.686 |
| Boxscore | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |||||||||
| Underdogs | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11 | 1 | |||||||||
| DPH | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | X | 16 | 21 | 5 | |||||||||
| Pitchers | IP | R | ER | H | K | BB | |||||||||||||
| Mark E | 3 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Ben Ho | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
RBI: Matt T, 6; Christina, 1; Mark M, 2; Brett, 4; Mark E, 2
S: Christina; SF: Mark M
CA: Jess G, Todd S
EB: Matt T, Todd S
