Lucas threw the seventeenth shutout in EWL postseason history and the first since 2022 as Shady Characters beat Cheap Goats 3-0 to advance to the Wiffle Series
After squeaking out a comeback win in game three of their series with Cheap Goats, Lucas and the Shady Characters’ defense was dominant in game four, allowing six hits in a series-clinching 3-0 shutout. Cheap Goats had only three runners in scoring position and never truly threatened Shady Characters, who advance to the Wiffle Series for the fourth consecutive year. Tom, Nate, and Billy each hit solo homers to provide more than enough run support for Lucas, and now the defending champs await the conclusion of the Jack Shack vs. Guac Boys first round series.
Dinger took the mound for Cheap Goats, and after allowing a one-out single to Nate in the top of the first, he retired Thomas to strand the runner, ending the inning.
Tom had pitched a full eight innings in game three, and with his innings limit exhausted, Lucas would have to go the distance for Shady Characters in game four. Lucas retired Joey to start the bottom of the first, and when Courtlen hit a one-out double, he was caught out trying to advance the hit to a triple, ending the inning.
Billy led off the top of the second with a solo homer, giving Shady Characters a 1-0 lead. Lucas singled, but Dinger avoided further damage, retiring Tom and striking out Nate to end the inning.
Dinger hit a one-out single in the bottom of the second, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Kevin to end the inning, maintaining the one-run lead.
Dinger rolled through the top of the third, retiring Thomas and Billy in order.
Joey led off the bottom of the third with a single, but when Courtlen followed with a double, Joey was caught out at third for the first out of the inning. Lucas then retired Christian to strand Courtlen at second, ending the inning, and the score remained 1-0.
Dinger struck out Lucas to start the top of the fourth, his second strikeout of the game. The next batter, Tom, hit a solo homer to right-center, putting Shady Characters in front 2-0. Nate followed with a solo shot, and the back-to-back homers gave Shady Characters a 3-0 lead. Dinger retired Thomas to end the inning, and Cheap Goats trailed by three runs.
Nate went 2-for-4 with a single and a solo homer in Shady Characters 3-0 game four win over Cheap Goats
Lucas cruised in the bottom fourth, retiring Dinger and Kevin in order.
Billy led off the top of the fifth with a double, but Dinger stranded him, retiring Lucas and Tom to end the inning.
Joey led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Courtlen and Christian to end the inning.
Lucas delivers a pitch to Joey, who went 2-for-4 with a single in a double as Cheap Goats were eliminated from the postseason
Dinger retired the side in order in the top of the sixth, sending Nate and Thomas down consecutively, and Cheap Goats would need three runs in the bottom of the sixth to keep their season alive.
Lucas retired Dinger to start the bottom of the sixth, and Kevin followed with a one-out single. Cheap Goats season would end there, however, as Lucas retired Joey to strand Kevin, ending the inning and the game, giving Shady Characters a 3-0 victory.
Shady Characters’ win clinched the best-of-five first round series with Cheap Goats 3-1, and they will advance to the Wiffle Series for the fourth consecutive season.
W: Lucas (1-0)
L: Dinger (1-1)
Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game shutout for Shady Characters, scattering six hits in six innings. Lucas became the first pitcher since 2022 to throw a playoff shutout and only the second pitcher since 2017. There have now been seventeen shutouts in EWL postseason history. Dinger holds the record for most postseason shutouts, with four, the most recent of which was during the 2015 postseason.
– Dinger took the loss in a complete game effort for Cheap Goats, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out two in six innings.
– Nate and Billy were the only Shady Characters players with multiple hits in the win, both going 2-for-4. Nate had a single and a solo homer, and Billy had a double and a solo homer. Tom also went deep for Shady Characters.
– Joey and Courtlen were the only Cheap Goats players with multiple hits in the loss. Joey went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, and Courtlen went 2-for-3 with two doubles.