Archive | September, 2020

Cheap Goats and Jack Shack Meet in Tenth EWL Wiffle Series Championship

29 Sep

Defending champions Jack Shack look to become only the second franchise in EWL history to repeat as champions, as they face Cheap Goats, making their first appearance in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series championship, which begins Tuesday.

Despite the COVID pandemic, a full twenty-game regular season was completed, as well as the best-of-five first round series, and now, only two teams remain.

Jack Shack, the 2019 EWL Champions, finished the regular season 10-10 and earned the #2 seed via tiebreaker. They lost 2019 Wiffle Series Co-MVP Adam R to injury early in the season, and the other 2019 Wiffle Series Co-MVP, Josh D, opted out of the 2020 season. Despite missing two proven veterans and stars, Jack Shack persevered, and with the help of free agent Blaine, they swept Guacamol-yay in the first round of the playoffs. The Jack Shack franchise is now 10-0 in their playoff history, and they have swept all three series that they have been a part of. New captain, Dustin, finished the season swinging a ferocious bat, which carried over to the postseason, as he was named Wiffler of the Week for week 1 of the playoffs. Turbo took a leap from 2020 and became one of the EWL’s elite hitters in 2020, and Brian continued to be a force at the plate and on the mound, setting career highs on both sides of the plate. Doc, an EWL rookie, contributed timely hits in Jack Shack victories, and free-agent signing Blaine was consistently productive with bursts of monster power. Despite being the lower seed, the defending champions will likely be favored heading into the series.

Cheap Goats are making their first appearance in the Wiffle Series after several years of disappointing first round exits. They made the biggest improvement of any team from 2019 to 2020, finishing 13-7 and clinching the #1 seed in the playoffs. Team captain and 2019 Wiffler of the Year Joey produced the best numbers of his ten-year career, setting multiple career highs, and was among the league leaders in every major category throughout the year. Cheap Goats only addition, Brett, won the 2020 EWL batting title, had arguably the best rookie season in the history of the EWL, and is a favorite for multiple 2020 Wiffle Awards. Christian made dramatic offensive improvements in 2020, becoming a key contributor to the Cheap Goats powerful lineup, particularly in the first round of the playoffs, and he also had a strong season on the mound. Ten year EWL veteran Dinger continued to deliver clutch hits and was a workhouse on the mound. Jordan steadily improved at the plate over the course of the season and had started to hit his stride offensively, but suffered a season-ending injury in game four of Cheap Goats’ first round series. The loss of Jordan likely makes #1 seed Cheap Goats the underdog in the series, but a tightly contested series is anticipated.

Cheap Goats won the season series between the teams 4-2, including winning their last three matchups.

The best-of-seven series is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 29th.

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Cheap Goats Lose Jordan to Injury but Clinch Wiffle Series Berth with 13-6 Win Over Shady Characters in Game 4

28 Sep

Christian had the best game of his EWL playoff career, going 5-for-7 with a single, three doubles, and a triple, leading Cheap Goats to a series-clinching game 4 win over Shady Characters

After exiting in the first round at the hands of Shady Characters for the past two seasons, Cheap Goats finally got over the hump, beating Shady Characters 13-6 in game 4, winning the best-of-five first round series 3-1 and advancing to the Wiffle Series for the first time in franchise history. The win didn’t come without damage, however, as Cheap Goats lost their veteran outfielder Jordan to an achilles injury which will likely end his 2020 season. All four Cheap Goats players had three or more hits, including Christian who went 5-for-7 with a single, three doubles, a triple, and four runs scored, and Dinger, who went 6-for-7 with two singles, three doubles, a triple, and five RBI. Dinger also earned the win on the mound, landing Cheap Goats in the 2020 Wiffle Series where Jack Shack await them.

Sam, who was dominant on the mound for Shady Characters in game 3, started game 4 as well. He retired the first batter he faced, Brett, but then got into trouble. Joey doubled, and he scored from second when Jordan followed with an RBI single, putting Cheap Goats ahead 1-0. Christian doubled, putting runners on second and third with one out. Dinger emptied the bases with an RBI triple, scoring Jordan and Christian to put Cheap Goats in front 3-0. Sam then retired Brett to strand Dinger at third, ending the inning.

Jordan is examined by Dustin after injuring his lower left leg in the bottom of the first inning

Dinger took the mound for Cheap Goats, and he was effective early. The first batter he faced, Dylan, grounded out to the mound for the first out of the inning. Jordan, playing left field, took only a few steps on the play, but came up lame with a lower left leg injury. Upon evaluation, Cheap Goats feared that he had ruptured his achilles, and he was sent to the emergency room for further inspection. Dinger allowed a one-out single to Mike, but he retired Sam to strand the runner at first, ending the inning.

Cheap Goats celebrate at the plate after Joey’s solo homer in the top of the second made the score 4-0

Cheap Goats extended their lead in the top of the second. Joey led off the inning with a solo shot to left, and Cheap Goats led 4-0. Christian followed with a single, and he moved from first to third when Dinger followed with a single. Brett flew out to left for the first out of the inning, but Christian tagged and scored on the play, pushing the Cheap Goats lead to 5-0. Sam then retired Joey to strand Dinger at third, ending the inning.

Christian tags and scores on Brett’s sacrifice fly in the second inning

Shady Characters got on the board in the bottom of the second. Dylan singled with one out, and Mike hit an RBI double to score him, cutting the deficit to 5-1. Shady Characters couldn’t extend the rally, however, as Dinger retired Sam to strand Mike at second, ending the inning with Cheap Goats leading by four runs.

Mike went 4-for-6 with two singles, a double, a triple, and two RBI in the loss.

Shady Characters turned to their bullpen, bringing Dylan to the mound, and Cheap Goats took a significant lead in the top of the third. Christian led off with a double, and he moved to third when Dinger singled. With no outs and runners on first and third, Brett crushed a three-run bomb to right, putting Cheap Goats ahead 8-1. Sam retired Joey for the first out of the inning, but Christian followed with a triple. Dinger then doubled, scoring Christian, and Cheap Goats led 9-1. Sam retired Brett to strand Dinger at second, ending the inning, but Shady Characters now trailed by eight runs.

Dinger went 6-for-7 to help carry Cheap Goats, collecting two singles, three doubles, a triple, and five RBI

Dylan hit a one-out double in the bottom of the third, and Mike drove him in with an RBI single, making the score 9-2. Dinger once again avoided further damage, retiring Sam to strand Mike at first, ending the inning.

Christian doubled with one out in the top of the fourth, but Dylan escaped the inning, retiring Dinger to strand the runner at second, and the score remained 9-2.

Christian connects on one of his five hits in the game

Dylan singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Dinger continued to strand Shady Characters runners, getting Mike to ground out to left, ending the inning.

Joey doubled with one out in the top of the fifth, but Dylan also stranded more runners, retiring Christian to end the inning, and Shady Characters continued to trail by seven.

Lucas doubled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but Shady Characters couldn’t plate the run. Dinger retired Dylan for the second out of the inning, stranding Lucas at second.

Up seven, Cheap Goats added some insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Dinger started the inning with a double, and Brett followed with a double, scoring Dinger to extend the Cheap Goats lead to 10-2. Joey then singled, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Dylan retired Christian for the first out of the inning, but Dinger emptied the bases, hitting an RBI double to push the score to 12-2. Brett then tripled, scoring Dinger to put Cheap Goats in front 13-2, but he was caught out trying to extend the hit into an inside-the-park home run, ending the inning.

Dinger was strong on the mound, allowing only two runs in the first five innings before getting into trouble in the sixth

Shady Characters trailed by eleven runs heading into the bottom of the sixth. They would need a miracle to extend their season, which they didn’t get, but they showed heart in their final at-bat of 2020. Mike led off the inning with a triple, and Sam followed with an RBI single, scoring Mike to cut the deficit to ten runs. Lucas then singled, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Dylan came to the plate and launched a three-run blast to right-center, and Shady Characters had cut the score to 13-6. Cheap Goats made a call to the bullpen, bringing Christian to the mound to close things out. Christian retired the next two batters, Mike and Sam, ending the inning, game, and series. Cheap Goats had won game 4 by the score of 13-6, winning the best-of-five series three games to one.

Shady Characters and Cheap Goats shake hands after Cheap Goats win the best-of-five series three games to one, advancing to the 2020 Wiffle Series

The win advanced Cheap Goats to the Wiffle Series, where they will face Jack Shack for the 2020 EWL Wiffle Series Championship.

W: Dinger (2-0)
L: Sam (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger earned the win for Cheap Goats, allowing six runs on eleven hits in five innings.
– Christian pitched one inning of relief for Cheap Goats, retiring both batters he faced.
– Sam took the loss for Shady Characters, giving up five runs on seven hits in two innings.
– Dylan pitched four innings of relief for Shady Characters, allowing eight runs on twelve hits.
– Christian and Dinger led Cheap Goats on offense. Christian went 5-for-7 with a single, three doubles, a triple, and four runs scored. Dinger went 6-for-7 with two singles, three doubles, a triple, three runs scored, and five RBI.
– Joey also went 4-for-7 in the Cheap Goats win, with a single, two doubles, a home run, three runs scored, and an RBI.
– Mike and Dylan led Shady Characters in the loss. Mike went 4-for-6 with two singles, a double, a triple, a run scored, and two RBI. Dylan went 4-for-6 with two singles, a double, a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI.

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Shady Characters Rally Late to Win 6-2 and Extend Series with Cheap Goats to Fourth Game

27 Sep

Sam was in control on the mound in game 3, and after allowing back-to-back homers in the first, he retired twelve of the next fourteen batters he faced in a complete game win

Shady Characters were down 2-0 in their best-of-five first round series with Cheap Goats, but kept their 2020 season alive by winning game 3 by the score of 6-2. Led by Mike, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and four RBI, Shady Characters scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the victory and extend the series. Sam allowed two runs early before retiring twelve of the last fourteen hitters he faced en route to a complete game win.

Sam fell behind early in the top of the first, and it looked as if Cheap Goats would run away with the game and series. Brett led off the game with a solo homer to right-center, and Cheap Goats led 1-0. The next batter, Joey, hit a home run to left, and the back-to-back jacks gave Cheap Goats a 2-0 lead. They would be the only two runs Cheap Goats scored in the game. Sam retired Jordan and Christian to end the inning.

Cheap Goats celebrate at the plate after Brett’s leadoff homer in the top of the first

Christian started on the mound for Cheap Goats, and he was effective early. He allowed a one-out double to Mike, but stranded him at second, retiring Sam to end the inning.

Sam rolled through the top of the second, retiring Dinger and Brett in order.

Sam leaves the mound to snag a fly ball for an out

Christian matched Sam in the bottom of the second, sending Lucas and Dylan down consecutively.

Sam continued to cruise in the top of the third, retiring Joey and Jordan to end the inning.

Mike made several outstanding plays in the field in game 3, including this one-handed catch for an out

Christian allowed a one-out double to Sam in the bottom of the third, but he retired Lucas to strand Sam at second, ending the inning.

Christian doubled to start the top of the fourth, but Cheap Goats couldn’t capitalize. Sam retired Dinger and Brett to strand the runner at second, and the score remained 2-0.

Lucas snags a high fly ball for an out in right field

Shady Characters got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Mike hit a one-out solo homer. Christian retired Sam to end the inning, and Shady Characters had cut the deficit in half.

Cheap Goats continued to struggle against Sam, as Joey and Jordan were retired in order in the top of the fifth, and the score remained 2-1.

Shady Characters’ five-run fifth inning sealed a game 3 win and extended the best-of-five series with Cheap Goats

Shady Characters erupted in the bottom of the fifth, taking an insurmountable lead. Lucas led off the inning with a single, and he moved from first to third when Dylan followed with a single. Mike cleared the bases with an RBI triple, scoring both runs to put Shady Characters ahead 3-2. Sam followed with a triple, scoring Mike, and Shady Characters led 4-2. Christian retired Lucas for the first out of the inning, but Sam scored on the play, extending the Shady Characters lead to 5-2. Dylan then doubled, and Mike drove him in with an RBI double to make the score 6-2. Christian finally escaped the inning, retiring Sam for the second out.

Sam and Shady Characters had a four-run lead heading into the top of the sixth, and he made quick work of Cheap Goats. Christian led off the inning with a double, but Sam retired Dinger and Brett to strand him at second, ending the inning and the game.

Mike, who went 4-for-5 with four extra-base hits and four RBI, awaits a pitch from Christian

The win kept Shady Characters in the best-of-five series, as they trail Cheap Goats 2-1 heading into game 4.

W: Sam (1-1)
L: Christian (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Sam pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on four hits.
– Christian took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up six runs on nine hits in five innings.
– Mike led Shady Characters on offense, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and four RBI.
– Brett and Joey each hit solo homers for Cheap Goats, and Christian went 2-for-4 with two doubles.
– Brett hit a leadoff homer in the top of the first, the first of his career in the playoffs or regular season. It was the first leadoff homer in the playoffs since Erich hit one in the 2018 Wiffle Series.

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Dustin Leads Jack Shack to First Round Sweep of Guacamol-yay with 5-2 Win in Game 3

26 Sep

Dustin went a perfect 4-for-4 with two singles, a double, a triple, and three runs, leading Jack Shack back to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive season

Dustin continued his hot start to the playoffs, going 4-for-4 with two singles, a double, a triple, and three runs scored, leading Jack Shack to a 5-2 win in game 3. Brian pitched the complete game win, scattering two runs on seven hits, his second consecutive strong performance in the 2020 postseason. The Jack Shack franchise has now swept all three series they have appeared in and have a perfect 10-0 franchise record in the EWL playoffs.

Josh K took the mound for Guacamol-yay in the elimination game, and he fell behind early. Brian led off the top of the first with a double, and Dustin drove him in with an RBI triple, making the score 1-0. Two batters later, Doc hit an RBI double to right-center, scoring Dustin to put Jack Shack ahead 2-0. Josh K retired Blaine to strand Doc at second, ending the inning.

Guacamol-yay captain Josh K delivers a pitch to Jack Shack captain Dustin

Jan led off the bottom of the first with a double off Jack Shack’s starter, Brian, but Guacamol-yay couldn’t capitalize. Brian retired Josh K and Jude to strand Jan at second, and the score remained 2-0.

Dustin singled with one out in the top of the second, and he scored from first when Turbo followed with an RBI single, extending the Jack Shack lead to 3-0. Josh K struck out Doc to end the inning.

Dustin prepares for a pitch from Josh K

Brian rolled through the bottom of the second, sending Ryan and Jan down in order.

Josh K matched him in the top of the third, retiring Blaine and Brian, and Guacamol-yay continued to trail by three runs.

Some Guacamol-yay fans root for their squad to extend the series to a fourth game

Guacamol-yay got on the board in the bottom of the third. Josh K doubled to start the inning, and two batters later, Ryan hit a one-out RBI double to score Josh K, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Brian then retired Jan to strand Ryan at second, ending the inning.

Jack Shack made up the different in the top of the fourth. Dustin singled, and he advanced to second when Turbo grounded out to center for the first out of the inning. Doc hit another double off the fence, and Dustin scored on the play, putting Jack Shack in front 4-1. Blaine followed with a single, scoring Doc, and the lead was 5-1. Josh K then retired Brian to end the inning.

Josh went 4-for-5 with three doubles and a triple to lead Guacamol-yay on offense

Josh K doubled to start the bottom of the fourth, and Jude followed with a single, putting two runners on with no outs. Ryan followed with a sacrifice fly to center, moving Josh K to third and Ryan to second. Guacamol-yay couldn’t take advantage of the runners in scoring position, however, as Brian retired Jude to strand both runners, ending the inning and maintaining the four-run Jack Shack lead.

Dustin doubled to lead off the top of the fifth, but he was caught in between second and third when Turbo grounded out, and the double play ended the inning.

Brian started the game with a double, scored a run, and pitched the complete game win for Jack Shack

Josh K doubled for his third consecutive at-bat to start the bottom of the fifth, and he scored from second when Jude followed with a sacrifice fly. Brian then retired Ryan to end the inning with the score 5-2.

Josh K fanned Doc to start the top of the sixth, and then retired Brian for the second out, as Guacamol-yay trailed by three runs heading into their final at-bat of the game.

Brian remained on the mound to close things out for Jack Shack. He retired the first batter he faced, Jan. Josh K, the last hope for Guacamol-yay, tripled, but he was caught out trying to extend the hit into an inside-the-park home run. The out ended the game and the series, as Jack Shack sealed a first round sweep with a 5-2 win in game 3 and a 3-0 win in the best-of-five series.

Jack Shack and Guacamol-yay exchange pleasantries after Jack Shack clinched a sweep in the first round series between the teams

Jack Shack advanced to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive season. They won the 2019 Wiffle Series in a 4-0 sweep of Shady Characters.

W: Brian (2-0)
L: Josh K (0-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Brian pitched the complete game win for Jack Shack, allowing two runs on seven hits.
– Josh K took the loss for Guacamol-yay, giving up five runs on nine hits and striking out two in six innings.
– Josh K tied the single-game postseason record for pitching strikeouts, with two. He tied Bob who struck out two in 2013, and Guthrie who struck out two in 2014.
– Guacamol-yay tied the single-game team postseason record for pitching strikeouts, with two. They tied Questionable Outfit from 2013 and Cookies & Cream from 2014.
– Dustin led Jack Shack on offense, going 4-for-4 with two singles, a double, a triple, three runs scored, and an RBI.
– Josh K led Guacamol-yay at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, a triple, and two runs scored.
– Doc tied the single-game postseason record for strikeouts, with two. He tied Charlie, who struck out twice in 2013, and Dinger, who struck out twice in 2015.
– Jack Shack tied the single-game team postseason record for strikeouts, with two. They tied Ham Slams from 2013, Ham Slams from 2014, and Cookies & Cream from 2015, who all struck out twice in a single game.

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Dustin of Jack Shack Voted Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week for Week 1 of the 2020 Playoffs

25 Sep

For the second season in a row, Dustin lit up the first week of the playoffs, collecting seven extra-base hits in two Jack Shack wins.

After an impressive offensive performance leading his team to a 2-0 advantage in their first round playoff series, Dustin of Jack Shack was voted Wiffler of the Week for week 1 of the EWL playoffs for the second consecutive postseason.

Dustin, who took over for Josh D as captain of Jack Shack in 2020, helped the defending champs get to the brink of a second consecutive Wiffle Series berth with a dominant performance at the plate and a strong effort on the mound and in the field.

In a 13-2 win in game 1 of Jack Shack’s best-of-five series with Guacamol-yay, Dustin went 5-for-5 with two doubles, three home runs, five runs scored, and five RBI.

In a 6-4 win in game of the series, Dustin went 2-for-4 with two triples, two runs scored, and two RBI. He also earned the win on the mound, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings.

In total, Dustin went 7-for-9 with two doubles, two triples, three home runs, seven runs scored, seven RBI, and a win.

This is the second time this season that Dustin has been voted Wiffler of the Week, the second time in his postseason career to be honored, and the fourth time in his career in total.

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