Ellsworth Wiffleball League

Shady Characters entered the 2026 playoffs as the number four seed, finishing the regular season under .500 for the first time since 2020, and their 6-14 record was the worst in franchise history. Despite coming into the series in a rut, they managed to split games one and two of their first round series with defending champs and top seed Guac Boys, and Shady Characters were a single run away from holding a commanding 2-0 series lead. Tom played well in a tough game one loss, and he carried his squad to a decisive game two victory, excelling on offense and pitching a gem on the mound. After his week 1 playoff performance, he was named Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week.

In game one, Shady Characters lost the tightly contested series opener 7-6, and Tom went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, a run scored, and an RBI.

In game two, Shady Characters evened the series with a dominant performance, and Tom went 5-for-5 with two singles, a double, two home runs, four runs scored, and four RBI. He also pitched a complete-game two-hitter, allowing only one run and neutralizing the powerful Guac Boys’ offense.

In total, Tom went 8-for-9 with four singles, two doubles, two home runs, five runs scored, five RBI, and a complete game win.

This is the ninth time Tom has been named Wiffler of the Week in his career, and the third time this season. He also earned the honors in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and twice in 2023.

Cheap Goats erased a four-run deficit with one out in the bottom of the sixth, capping a back-and-forth slugfest with Christian’s walk-off two-run double to defeat Jack Shack 13-12 and even their best-of-five first-round playoff series at one game apiece. Joey homered four times and drove in six runs, Kevin went 5-for-5, Josh had four extra-base hits and two homers, Jon M drove in five runs and went deep twice, and the teams combined for 25 runs and 31 hits in one of the most dramatic playoff games in EWL history.

Christian started for Cheap Goats, and Jack Shack jumped on him early. Josh led off the game with a solo homer, immediately giving Jack Shack a 1-0 lead. Jon M followed with a solo shot of his own, and the back-to-back jacks made the score 2-0. Jacob followed with a single, but Christian retired Jon D and Dave to strand him, escaping the inning as Cheap Goats trailed by two runs.

Jon D took the mound for Jack Shack, and the game quickly turned into an offensive showcase. Joey opened the bottom of the first with a solo homer, cutting the score to 2-1. Kevin tripled, and Courtlen followed with an RBI single to tie the game 2-2. Two batters later, Dinger lined an RBI single to score Courtlen, giving Cheap Goats a 3-2 advantage. Conor grounded out to end the inning.

Jack Shack reclaimed the lead in the top of the second. Josh doubled to begin the inning before Jon M blasted a two-run homer, his second bomb of the game, putting Jack Shack back in front 4-3. Jacob followed with a solo homer, and Jack Shack’s second back-to-back homers of the game gave them a 5-3 lead. Christian retired Jon D and Dave to end the inning, and Jack Shack had reclaimed the advantage.

Cheap Goats continued to answer. Joey led off the bottom of the second with his second solo homer of the game, making the score 5-4. Kevin doubled, and he scored from second when Courtlen grounded out for the first out of the inning, tying the game at 5-5. Christian hit a one-out single, but Jon D stranded him, retiring Dinger to end the inning with the score tied.

Josh and Jon M were retired in order in the top of the third, giving Cheap Goats their first scoreless inning on the mound.

Conor doubled to begin the bottom of the third, and Joey lined an RBI triple to score him, giving Cheap Goats a 6-5 lead. Kevin followed with an RBI single to score Joey, pushing the score to 7-5. Courtlen flew out for the first out, and Kevin was doubled up on the play, ending the inning.

Jack Shack surged back ahead in the top of the fourth. Jacob struck out to start the inning, and Jon D followed with a one-out double. Dave singled him home to cut the deficit to 7-6. Josh then crushed a two-run homer, his second blast of the game, putting Jack Shack back on top 8-7. Jon M grounded out to end the inning, but the momentum had swung once again.

Christian doubled to begin the bottom of the fourth, but Jack Shack turned a double play on Dinger’s fly ball, doubling Christian off second to erase the threat.

Jacob and Jon D were retired in order in the top of the fifth.

Conor led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer, tying the game once again, making the score 8-8. Joey followed with his third solo shot of the game, and Cheap Goats once again led 9-8. Kevin singled, but Jon D retired Courtlen and Christian to strand him, and Jack Shack trailed by a run heading into the top of the sixth.

Jack Shack continued to fight back in the top of the sixth. Dave singled and Josh doubled, putting the tying run and go-ahead run in scoring position with no outs. Jon M cleared the bases with a two-RBI double, giving Jack Shack a 10-9 lead. Two batters later, with one out, Jon D launched a two-run homer, putting Jack Shack in front 12-9. Cheap Goats turned to their bullpen, bringing Dinger to the mound to replace Christian. He retired the first batter he faced, Dave, to end the inning, but Jack Shack had turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, two outs away from a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Down to their final two outs and facing a deep hole in the best-of-five first round series, Cheap Goats mounted one last rally. Dinger grounded out to begin the inning, putting Jack Shack one out away from winning the first two games of the series. Conor doubled, and Joey followed with a two-run homer, his fourth deep shot of the game, cutting the deficit to 12-11. Jon D was removed from the mound and replaced by Jon M, who looked to close things out for Jack Shack. Kevin continued the one-out rally, hitting a double, putting the tying run in scoring position. Jack Shack elected to intentionally walk Courtlen, putting the winning run on base. Christian came to the plate and lined a walk-off two-run double down the first base line, clearing the bases as Kevin and Courtlen both scored, completing an improbable four-run one-out rally and giving Cheap Goats an epic 13-12 victory.

The win evened the best-of-five first-round playoff series at one game apiece. The winner of the series advances to the 2026 EWL Wiffle Series Championship.

W: Dinger (1-1)

L: Jon M (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Dinger earned the victory in relief for Cheap Goats after recording the final out of the sixth before the offense completed the walk-off rally.
Christian started for Cheap Goats and earned a no-decision, allowing twelve runs on thirteen hits and striking out one in 5.5 innings.
Jon M took the loss for Jack Shack, allowing two runs on two hits without retiring a batter.
Jon D started for Jack Shack, allowing eleven runs on sixteen hits in 5.5 innings.
Joey powered the Cheap Goats offense with a historic offensive performance, going 5-for-5 with a triple, four home runs, five runs scored, and six RBI. He led off the bottom of the first with a home run, the eighth leadoff homer of his playoff career with the others coming in 2015, 2017 (3), and 2025 (3).
Kevin also had a monster game for Cheap Goats, finishing 5-for-5 with two singles, two doubles, a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI.
Christian delivered the game-winning walk-off hit, and in total went 3-for-5 with a single, two doubles, and two RBI.
Josh led Jack Shack in the loss, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs, four runs scored, and three RBI. He led off the game with a home run, the third leadoff homer of his playoff career with the others coming in 2016 and 2024.
Jon M also had a big game in the loss, going 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI.

After dropping game one, Shady Characters erupted for five runs in the opening inning of game two and never let up, cruising to a 10-1 victory over Guac Boys to even their best-of-five first-round playoff series at one game apiece. The four-time former champions were in elite form, racking up runs and stifling the potent Guac Boys offense. Tom homered twice and drove in three runs, Shady Characters pounded out seventeen hits, and Tom backed his offensive performance with a dominant complete game on the mound, holding the defending champions to just two hits.

Jan took the mound for Guac Boys, and after a narrow game one loss, Shady Characters wasted no time taking control of game two. Zach led off the game with a single, and Billy doubled to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Tom followed with an RBI single to score Zach, giving Shady Characters a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, with one out, Lucas lined a two-run single to clear the bases and extend the advantage to 3-0. Nate followed with a double, and Zach capped the rally with a two-run single, giving Shady Characters a commanding 5-0 lead. Billy grounded out to end the inning, but Guac Boys faced an early five-run deficit.

Tom started for Shady Characters and retired Bohn and Tone in order in the bottom of the first.

Shady Characters added another run in the second. Tom led off with a double, and Thomas followed with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Nate later singled with one out, but Jan limited the damage by retiring Zach to end the inning.

Tom continued to dominate in the bottom of the second, striking out Jan and Form in order to keep Guac Boys off the scoreboard.

Billy was retired to begin the third before Tom crushed a solo homer, stretching the lead to 7-0. Thomas and Lucas followed with back-to-back singles, but Nate flew out to end the inning, and Jan stranded two runners to avoid further damage.

Bohn and Tone were both retired in the bottom of the third as Tom remained in complete control.

Shady Characters put the game away in the fourth. Zach singled to open the inning, and two batters later, Tom then launched a two-run homer to extend the lead to 9-0. Thomas followed immediately with a solo shot, making it 10-0. Lucas was retired to end the inning, but Shady Characters had built a double-digit advantage.

Tom struck out Jan to begin the bottom of the fourth before retiring Form on a groundout, and he was perfect through four innings.

Nate doubled to begin the fifth, but Guac Boys avoided further damage by retiring Zach and Billy to end the inning.

Guac Boys finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Bohn led off with a triple, Guac Boys’ first hit of the game, and after Tone flew out, Jan drove him home with an RBI triple to spoil the shutout and cut the deficit to 10-1. Form flew out to end the inning, and Tom limited the damage to a single run.

Tom singled in the top of the sixth, but Jan retired Thomas and Lucas to send the game to the bottom of the sixth.

Needing nine runs to extend the game, Guac Boys were unable to mount a rally. Tom retired Bohn and Tone to finish off the complete game, securing a 10-1 game two victory for Shady Characters.

The win evened the best-of-five first-round playoff series at one game apiece. The winner of the series advances to the 2026 EWL Wiffle Series Championship.

W: Tom (1-0)

L: Jan (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Tom earned the complete game victory for Shady Characters, allowing one run on only two hits while striking out three.
Tom became only the third pitcher in EWL playoff history to strike out the side, joining Dinger (2025) and Dylan (2022) in the Record Book.
Tom also tied the single-game playoff record for strikeouts, with three, tying Dylan (2022).
Shady Characters tied the team-single game playoff record for strikeouts with three. Shady Characters also struck out three batters in a 2022 playoff game.
Jan took the loss for Guac Boys, allowing ten runs on seventeen hits and striking out one in a complete game effort.
Tom led Shady Characters offensively with a monster performance, going 5-for-5 with two singles, a double, two homers, four runs scored, and four RBI.
Zach also had a strong game, going 3-for-5 with three singles, two runs scored, and two RBI.
Thomas went 3-for-5 with two singles, a homer, a run scored, and two RBI.
Bohn and Jan each tripled for Guac Boys’ only two hits in the contest.
Jan tied the single-game record for strikeouts, with two, tying Charlie (2013), Dinger (2015), Doc (2020), and Christian (2023).
Guac Boys tied the single-game team playoff record for strikeouts with three. They tied Cheap Goats, who struck out three times in a 2022 playoff game.

Jack Shack broke open a one-run game with a six-run fifth inning, defeating Cheap Goats 7-2 in Game 1 of their best-of-five first-round playoff series. Jacob had four extra-base hits, the Jack Shack defense was on point, and Jon M was in command on the mound, tossing a complete game as Jack Shack grabbed an early series lead with a dominant late-game performance.

Dinger got the start for Cheap Goats and retired Josh and Jon M in order in the top of the first.

Jon M matched him in the bottom half, retiring Joey and Kevin in order.

Jack Shack threatened in the second. Jacob led off with a triple, but Dinger stranded him by retiring Jon D and Dave, preserving the scoreless tie.

Cheap Goats struck first in the bottom of the second. Christian doubled with one out before Dinger drove him home with an RBI double, giving Cheap Goats a 1-0 lead. Conor grounded out to end the inning.

Josh and Jon M were retired in order in the top of the third as Dinger continued to cruise.

Joey grounded out to begin the bottom of the third before Kevin doubled, but Jon M retired Courtlen to leave him stranded and keep the deficit at one run.

Jack Shack finally broke through in the fourth. Jacob led off the inning by crushing a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. Dave later doubled with one out, but Dinger retired Josh to end the inning with the game still even.

Christian and Dinger were both retired in a quick bottom of the fourth as Jon M kept the momentum on Jack Shack’s side.

Jack Shack seized control in the top of the fifth. Jon M led off with a triple before Jacob lined an RBI double to give Jack Shack its first lead at 2-1. Jon D followed with another RBI double, scoring Jacob and extending the advantage to 3-1. Dave singled, and Josh brought home two more runs with a two-RBI groundout to make it 5-1. Jon M then doubled, and Jacob added another RBI double to score him, pushing the lead to 6-1. Jon D followed with his second RBI double of the inning, scoring Jacob and stretching the lead to 7-1. Dave grounded out to finally end the inning, and Jack Shack had taken a commanding six-run lead.

Cheap Goats answered with one run in the bottom of the fifth. Joey tripled with one out and Kevin followed with an RBI double to trim the deficit to 7-2, but Jon M retired Courtlen to prevent any further rally.

Josh grounded out to begin the sixth before Jon M singled, but Cheap Goats kept the score unchanged heading into their final at-bat.

Needing five runs to extend the game, Cheap Goats could not mount another rally. Dinger tripled with one out, but Jon M stranded him retiring Conor to end the inning and the game, finshing off a complete game victory, and giving Jack Shack a 7-2 win.

The victory gave Jack Shack a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five first-round playoff series. The winner of the series advances to the 2026 EWL Wiffle Series Championship.

W: Jon M (1-0)

L: Dinger (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:

– Jon M earned the complete game victory for Jack Shack, allowing two runs on six hits.

– Dinger took the loss for Cheap Goats, allowing seven runs on eleven hits in a complete game effort.

– Jacob powered the Jack Shack offense, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI.

– Jon M also starred for Jack Shack, going 3-for-4 with a single, a double, a triple, and two runs scored.

– Kevin led Cheap Goats offensively in the loss, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.

After falling behind by six runs in the second inning, Guac Boys answered with a seven-run bottom of the second and held Shady Characters scoreless the rest of the way to claim a 7-6 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-five first-round playoff series. Tone homered and drove in three runs, Jan had three hits, Bohn delivered the go-ahead two-run single to cap the second inning rally, and Guac Boys started the defense of their 2025 title with a playoff-opening win.

Bohn started for Guac Boys, and he fell behind early. Zach led off the game with a single, and two batters later, with one out, Billy launched a two-run homer, putting Shady Characters on the board 2-0. Tom followed with a double, but Bohns stranded him, retiring Lucas to end the inning.

Lucas got the start for Shady Characters, and he retired Bohn and Tone in order in the bottom of the first.

Shady Characters extended their lead in the top of the second. Nate led off with a single, and after Zach grounded out, Thomas singled home Nate to make it 3-0. Billy followed with an RBI double, scoring Thomas, and Shady Characters led 4-0. Tom added another RBI double to score Billy, pushing the lead to 5-0. Lucas lined an RBI single to score Tom, extending the Shady Characters lead to 6-0. Bohn finally escaped the inning by retiring Nate for the second out, and Guac Boys trailed by six runs early.

Facing a six-run deficit, Guac Boys responded with the biggest inning of the game. Jan opened the bottom of the second with a double, and Form followed with a single. Bohn grounded out, but Jan scored to put Guac Boys on the board 6-1. Tone then launched a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Jan singled, Form doubled, and Bohn lined a two-run single to score both runners, bringing Guac Boys within one 6-5. Tone followed with an RBI single to score Bohn and tie the game, and Jan capped the rally with an RBI triple to score Tone, completing a stunning seven-run inning and giving Guac Boys a 7-6 lead. Form flew out to end the inning, and the momentum had swung.

Zach grounded out and Thomas flew out in the top of the third as Bohn settled in after the rough start.

Bohn flew out to begin the bottom of the third before Tone singled, but Jan was retired to keep the score at 7-6.

Billy doubled to lead off the fourth, but Tom and Lucas were both retired, leaving the tying run stranded at second.

Form flew out before Bohn singled in the bottom of the fourth, but Tone was retired to end the inning.

Shady Characters mounted one final threat in the fifth. Nate and Zach opened the inning with back-to-back singles, bringing the tying run into scoring position with nobody out. Bohn responded by getting Thomas to ground out, and Zach was doubled off on the play, ending the rally and preserving the one-run lead.

Jan and Form were retired in order in the bottom of the fifth.

Billy singled to open the sixth, and Tom followed with another base hit, but Billy was forced out at second on the play. Bohn then retired Lucas to end the game, securing a 7-6 game one victory.

The win gave Guac Boys a 1-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. The winner of the series advances to the 2026 EWL Wiffle Series Championship.

W: Bohn (1-0)

L: Lucas (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Bohn earned the complete game victory for Guac Boys, allowing six runs on thirteen hits.
Lucas took the loss for Shady Characters, allowing seven runs on ten hits in a complete game effort.
Tone led the Guac Boys offense, going 3-for-5 with two singles, a homer, two runs scored, and three RBI.
Jan also had a productive game, going 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI.
Billy paced Shady Characters in the loss, going 4-for-4 with a single, two doubles, a home run, two runs scored, and three RBI.