Nate’s RBI single in the bottom of the eighth capped Shady Characters dramatic game three comeback win, giving them a 2-1 lead over Cheap Goats in the best-of-five first round series
In one of the best displays of pitching and defense of the 2024 season, Shady Characters and Cheap Goats battled for eight innings before the defending champs pulled ahead and held on to win game three 3-2. Down 2-1 with one out in the top of the sixth, an out away from falling behind Cheap Goats in the series, Lucas hit a solo homer to tie the game and force extra innings. Nate’s RBI single in the top of the eighth was the decisive hit, and Shady Characters moved one game away from returning to the Wiffle Series for the fourth consecutive season.
Christian started on the mound for Cheap Goats, and he allowed a leadoff single to Tom to start the game. Two batters later, Thomas hit an RBI double to score him, putting Shady Characters in front 1-0. Christian retired Billy to strand Thomas at second, ending the inning.
Tom took the mound for Shady Characters, and Joey tripled off of him to lead off the bottom of the first. Tom got Courtlen to ground out to center for the first out of the inning, but Joey scored on the play, tying the game at 1-1. Tom then retired Christian to end the inning.
Joey went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, two runs scored, an RBI, and an intentional walk in Cheap Goats game three loss to Shady Characters
Christian rolled through the top of the second, retiring Lucas and Tom in order.
Dinger led off the bottom of the second with a double, but Cheap Goats couldn’t capitalize. Tom retired Kevin and Joey to strand the runner at second, ending the inning, and the score remained 1-1.
Thomas hit a one-out single in the top of the third, but Christian stranded him, retiring Billy to end the inning.
Tom cruised through the bottom of the third, retiring Courtlen and striking out Christian.
Christian continued to pitch effectively in the top of the fourth, sending Lucas and Tom down in order. Tom matched him in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Dinger and Kevin consecutively, and the game was tied at 1-1 through four innings.
Christian once again rolled in the top of the fifth, sending Nate and Thomas down, and he had retired nine of the last ten batters he faced.
Cheap Goats reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Joey led off the inning with a solo homer. Tom retired Courtlen and Christian to end the inning, and Cheap Goats led 2-1 heading into the sixth.
Christian retired Billy to start the top of the sixth, and Cheap Goats were one out away from taking a surprising 2-1 lead in the series. The defending champs responded, however. With their backs against the wall, Lucas hit a solo homer, tying the game at 2-2. Christian retired Tom to end the inning, and Shady Characters had pulled even.
Lucas stomps on home plate after his solo homer with one out in the top of the sixth tied the game
Tom retired Dinger to start the bottom of the sixth, and Kevin followed with a one-out double, putting the winning run in scoring position. Tom elected to intentionally walk Joey, putting runners on first and second with one out. A Cheap Goats base hit would likely end the game, but Tom buckled down. He got Courtlen to ground out to left, stranding both runners, sending the game to extra innings.
Christian retired Nate to start the top of the seventh. He intentionally walked Thomas, who had been on fire all series, putting the go-ahead run on base. The maneuver worked, as Christian retired Billy to strand the runner at first, ending the inning.
Tom rolled through the bottom of the seventh, retiring Christian and Dinger, and the game would move to the eighth inning.
Christian retired Lucas to start the top of the eighth, and Tom followed with a one-out double, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Shady Characters capitalized, as Nate delivered a one-out RBI single, scoring Tom, and Shady Characters took their first lead of the game. Christian retired Thomas to strand Tom at first, ending the inning, and Cheap Goats trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Tom went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored and pitched the complete game win in Shady Characters marathon game three win
Tom remained on the mound to close things out for Shady Characters, and he was efficient in the eighth. He retired Kevin and Joey in order, ending the inning and the game, giving Shady Characters a 3-2 game three win.
Shady Characters’ win gave them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five first round series, one win away from advancing to the Wiffle Series.
W: Tom (2-1)
L: Christian (0-2)
Game Notes:
– Tom pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out and walking one, over eight innings.
– Christian took the loss in a complete game effort for Cheap Goats, giving up three runs on six hits and walking one in eight innings.
– Tom and Thomas were the only Shady Characters players with multiple hits. Tom went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Thomas went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, an RBI, and an intentional walk.
– Joey was the only Cheap Goats player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, two runs scored, an RBI, and an intentional walk in the loss.
– Christian and Tom both pitched eight innings, tying the EWL single-game playoff record for innings pitched. It was the first time in twelve years that a pitcher had gone eight innings in a playoff game, and two did. The other pitchers to pitch eight innings in a playoff game are Joey (2011 – twice), Spads (2011), Joey (2012), and Steve (2012)
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