Miller pitches to 2021 Wiffler of the Year Mike, who went 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored, and an RBI in the season opener.
The 2022 EWL season opener was a rematch of last year’s Wiffle Series, when Shady Characters beat Cheap Goats to earn the first Wiffle Series title in their franchise history. Despite trailing throughout the entire game, Shady Characters picked up where they left off last season, rallying from two runs down to score three in the bottom of the fifth, beating Cheap Goats 3-2.
Shady Characters’ ace Tom took the mound in the opener, and after allowing a one-out triple to Miller in the top of the first, he retired Jordan to strand the runner, ending the inning.
Miller started the game and the season for Cheap Goats, and he retired Shady Characters in order in the bottom of the first.
Cheap Goats took an early lead in the top of the second. Christian doubled, and two batters later, Joey hit a one-out two-run homer, putting Cheap Goats ahead 2-0. Tom then retired Miller to end the inning.
Tom delivers a pitch to Joey, whose two-run homer in the top of the second put Cheap Goats ahead early
Miller continued to roll in the bottom of the second, retiring Tom and Jason in order.
Christian hit a one-out single in the top of the third, but Tom stranded him, retiring Dinger to end the inning, and the score remained 2-0.
Shady Characters got their first hit in the bottom of the third, when rookie Nate hit a one-out double. Shady Characters couldn’t capitalize, however, as Miller retired Dylan to strand him at second, ending the inning.
Tom rolled through the top of the fourth, sending Joey and Miller down consecutively.
Mike led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, but Miller once again stranded the runner by retiring Tom and striking out Jason.
Christian hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, but Cheap Goats couldn’t extend the lead, as Tom retired Dinger to strand Christian at second.
Tom pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on six hits
Despite managing only two hits through four innings, Shady Characters came to life in the bottom of the fifth. Lucas led off the inning with a single, and he moved to second when Nate followed with a single. Dylan grounded out to center for the first out of the inning, but Lucas scored on the play, putting Shady Characters on the board. Mike then hit an RBI single, scoring Nate, and the game was tied at 2-2. Tom then hit an RBI double off the right-center field wall, scoring Mike and Shady Characters had taken a 3-2 lead. Miller finally escaped the inning, getting Jason to fly out to the mound.
After trailing for four and a half innings, Shady Characters needed two outs to win the game. Tom retired Joey to start the top of the sixth, but Miller followed with a one-out double. The tying run was in scoring position, but Tom buckled down, retiring Jordan to strand the runner, ending the inning and game as Shady Characters took the season opener 3-2.
The win moved Shady Characters to 1-0 on the season, and the loss dropped Cheap Goats to 0-1.
W: Tom (1-0)
L: Miller (0-1)
Game Notes
– Tom pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on six hits.
– Miller took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up three runs on six hits in five innings.
– Mike and Nate each had two hits for Shady Characters. Mike went 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored, and an RBI. Nate went 2-for-2 with a single, a double, and a run scored.
– Christian led Cheap Goats on offense, going 3-for-3 with a single, two doubles, and a run scored.
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