Archive | October, 2024

Shady Characters Hold Off Late Jack Shack Rally to Win Game Six and Claim Fourth Consecutive EWL Championship

22 Oct

Shady Characters clinched their fourth consecutive Wiffle Series championship with a 5-3 win in game six

After falling behind twice in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series, three-time defending champions Shady Characters won games four, five and six to defeat Jack Shack in six games, earning their fourth consecutive EWL championship. After a dramatic win in game five to take their first series lead, Shady Characters took game six 5-3 behind another solid pitching performance from Lucas and home runs from four of their five hitters. Jack Shack’s miraculous second-half run came to an end, but not before putting up a fight in the bottom of the sixth. After clawing their way to the top throughout the regular season and securing the 2024 pennant, Shady Characters reclaimed their spot on the throne, becoming the second team in EWL history to win four total or consecutive Wiffle Series titles.

Jon D started for Jack Shack, and he retired Billy and Nate in order in the top of the first.

Lucas took the mound for Shady Characters, having won games two and four, and he matched Jon D in the bottom of the first, sending Josh and Jon M down consecutively.

Tom hit a one-out double in the top of the second, but Jon D stranded him, retiring Lucas to end the inning.

Lucas once again rolled in the bottom of the second, retiring Ryan and Jon D in order, and the game was scoreless through two innings.

Jon D retired Billy to start the top of the third, but Nate followed with a solo homer to center, putting Shady Characters on the board. Jon D retired Thomas to end the inning, and Shady Characters led 1-0.

Jon D delivers a pitch to Nate, whose solo homer in the top of the third broke a scoreless tie in game six

Lucas cruised in the bottom of the third, retiring Jacob and Josh in order, and he had retired the first six Jack Shack batters he had faced in game six.

Tom led off the top of the fourth with a single, and two batters later, Billy clubbed a two-run homer to left, putting Shady Characters ahead 3-0. Nate followed with a one-out double, and Thomas singled, putting runners on the corners. Jon D avoided further damage, however, retiring Tom to strand both runners, ending the inning, and Shady Characters led by three runs.

Jon M got Jack Shack’s first hit of game six when he led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. He moved to third when Ryan followed with a single. Jack Shack had runners on the corners with no outs, and Jon D put them on the board with an RBI single, scoring Jon M to cut the deficit to 3-1. Jack Shack once again had two runners on and no outs, but they couldn’t capitalize. Lucas retired Jacob and Josh to strand both runners, ending the inning, and Shady Characters maintained a two-run lead.

Lucas provided his own run support when he led off the top of the fifth with a solo homer, making the score 4-1. Billy followed with a double, but Jon D stranded him, retiring Nate and Thomas to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by three runs.

Lucas retired Jack Shack in order in the bottom of the fifth, sending Jon M and Ryan down, and Shady Characters led by three runs heading into the final inning.

Tom led off the top of the sixth with a solo homer, providing an additional insurance run and extending the Shady Characters lead to 5-1. Jon D struck out Lucas and retired Billy to end the inning, and Shady Characters were two outs away from the championship.

Shady Characters celebrate at the plate after Tom’s solo homer to lead off the top of the sixth extended their lead to 5-1

Lucas remained on the mound to close things out for Shady Characters. He retired the first batter he faced, Jon D, and Jack Shack were down to their final out of the 2024 season. Jacob tripled, keeping their hopes for game six and the Wiffle Series alive. Josh followed with a two-run homer to right, and Jack Shack had cut the Shady Characters lead to 5-3. The rally would end there, however, as Lucas got Jon M to ground out to center, ending the inning, the game, the series, and the season, as Shady Characters had won the 2024 Wiffle Series championship with a 5-3 win in game six.

Josh connects on a two-run homer that cut the score to 5-3 with one out in the bottom of the sixth

The victory clinched the 2024 Wiffle Series for Shady Characters, winning the best-of-seven series 4-2 in six games.

Jack Shack and Shady Characters shake hands after Shady Characters won the 2024 Wiffle Series title

W: Lucas (4-0)
L: Jon D (1-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing three runs on five hits.
– Jon D took the loss for Jack Shack in a complete game effort, giving up five runs on nine hits and striking out one in six innings.
– Tom led Shady Characters on offense in the win, going 3-for-4 with a single, a double, a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI.
– Billy and Nate each went 2-for-4 for Shady Characters. Billy had a double, a home run, a run scored, and two RBI, and Nate had a double, a home run, a run scored, and one RBI.
– All five Jack Shack players had one hit in the loss.

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Billy’s Walk-Off Homer Wins Game Five and Puts Shady Characters at Brink of Fourth Consecutive Title

22 Oct

Shady Characters celebrate Billy’s game-winning homer that clinched a 6-5 game five victory

In one of the best games of the 2024 playoffs, Jack Shack took an early lead, Shady Characters later pulled ahead, Jack Shack reclaimed the lead, Shady Characters jumped in front again, Jack Shack evened things up in the sixth, and Billy put Shady Characters a game away from a four-peat with a walk-off solo homer to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. In a thrilling 6-5 win, Shady Characters took their first series lead with their second consecutive win, moving ahead 3-2 in the best-of-five Wiffle Series with two chances to earn a fourth consecutive championship in games 6 and 7 (if necessary). In addition to the walk-off homer, Billy had three singles and scored a run, and Nate, Thomas, and Lucas each delivered two hits to overcome four doubles from Josh and three runs scored from Jacob. Jack Shack will need a win in game six to remain alive and force a pivotal and decisive game seven.

Tom took the mound for Shady Characters and after striking out Josh to start the game, he allowed a one-out double to Jon M. Tom retired Ryan, however, stranding the runner and ending the inning.

Jon M started for Jack Shack after earning victories in games one and three with dominant outings that quieted the vaunted Shady Characters offense. He allowed a leadoff single to Billy to start the bottom of the first, but stranded him, retiring Nate and Thomas to end the inning.

Jon D led off the top of the second with a double, and he scored when Jacob followed with an RBI single, putting Jack Shack up 1-0. Josh then doubled, scoring Jacob, and Jack Shack led 2-0. Jon M followed with his second double in as many innings, scoring Josh, and Jack Shack had opened up a 3-0 lead. The first four Jack Shack batters had reached base safely to start the second inning, and it looked as if they would blow the game open, but Tom cracked down. He retired Ryan and Jon D to strand Jon M at second, ending the inning, and Shady Characters trailed by three runs.

Jon M rolled through the bottom of the second, retiring Tom and Lucas in order.

Josh hit a one-out double in the top of the third, but Tom stranded him, retiring Jon M to end the inning, and the score remained 3-0.

Jon M retired Billy to start the bottom of the third, and Nate followed with a one-out triple, Thomas put Shady Characters on the board with a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Jon M retired Tom to end the inning, and Jack Shack led by a run.

Tom cruised through the top of the fourth, sending Ryan and Jon D down consecutively.

Lucas led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, and he moved from first to third when Billy followed with a single. Two batters later, with one out and runners on the corners, Thomas singled, scoring Lucas to tie the game at 3-3. Shady Characters once again had runners on the corners with one out, but Jon M avoided further damage, striking out Tom to strand both runners and end the inning.

Billy went 4-for-5 in game five and his walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the sixth put Shady Characters a win away from another championship

Jacob led off the top of the fifth with a double, and Josh followed with an RBI double to score him, putting Jack Shack back in front 4-3. Tom retired Jon M and Ryan to strand Josh at second, ending the inning, and Shady Characters trailed by a run.

Lucas started the bottom of the fifth with a double, putting the tying run in scoring position. Billy followed with an RBI single to score him, and the game was tied at 4-4. Nate singled, putting runners on the corners. Two batters later, with one out, Tom hit an RBI single to score Billy, and Shady Characters once again led 5-4. Shady Characters had runners on first and third with one out, but Jon M stranded both runners, retiring Lucas to end the inning, and Jack Shack would need a run in the top of the sixth.

Tom remained on the mound to close things out for Shady Characters. He retired the first batter he faced, putting Shady Characters an out away from victory. With the game on the line, Jacob came to the plate and launched a solo homer, tying the score at 5-5. Josh followed with his fourth consecutive double, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Tom and Shady Characters elected to intentionally walk Jon M, putting two runners on with one out. Tom faced Ryan, and the strategy worked. He got him to fly out to the mound, stranding both runners, and the game was tied heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Jack Shack celebrate at the plate after Jacob’s solo homer with one out in the top of the sixth tied the game and kept his team alive in game five

Jon M also remained on the mound for Jack Shack. He had pitched very effectively through games one and three, but his luck ran out in game five. The first batter he faced in the bottom of the sixth, Billy, launched a homer to deep left-center, giving Shady Characters a 6-5 win in game five and putting Shady Characters a game away from another title.

The walk-off homer and win gave Shady Characters a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series.

W: Tom (3-3)
L: Jon M (3-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Tom pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing five runs on ten hits and striking out one.
– Jon M took the loss in a complete game effort for Jack Shack, giving up six runs on eleven hits and striking out one in five innings.
– Billy led Shady Characters on offense, going 4-for-5 with three singles, the game-winning walk-off homer, two runs scored, and two RBI. His walkoff homer was the 18th in EWL playoff history, and the first since his teammate Tom hit one in the 2022 playoffs.
– Nate, Thomas, and Lucas each went 2-for-4 in the Shady Characters win. Nate had a single, a triple, and a run scored. Thomas had a single, a homer, a run scored, and three RBI. And Lucas had a single, a double, and two runs scored.
– Josh led Jack Shack in the loss, going 4-for-5 with four doubles, a run scored, and two RBI.
– Jacob also went 3-for-4 in the Jack Shack loss with a single, a double, a home run, three runs scored, and two RBI.

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Nate’s Grand Slam Punctuates Shady Characters 11-3 Game Four Victory Over Jack Shack

22 Oct

Nate’s fifth inning grand slam, the first in Wiffle Series history, gave Shady Characters a 9-0 lead and they later won game four 11-3

Nate became the first player in EWL history to hit a grand slam in the Wiffle Series, and it came as part of an eight-run fifth inning that gave Shady Characters an 11-0 lead. Lucas earned the win on the mound and also contributed three hits, including two home runs, as the defending champs stormed ahead and held on to win 11-3, tying the best-of-seven championship series at 2-2.

Jon D started for Jack Shack, and he retired Shady Characters in order in the top of the first, sending Billy and Nate down consecutively.

Lucas took the mound for Shady Characters, and he matched Jon D in the bottom of the first, retiring Josh and Jon M in order.

Jon D rolled through the top of the second, retiring Thomas and Tom.

Ryan led off the bottom of the second with a double, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Jon D and Jacob, and the game was scoreless through two innings.

Jon D retired Lucas to start the top of the third, and he had retired the first five batters he had faced. Billy put Shady Characters on the board when he hit a one-out solo homer, making the score 1-0. Nate followed with a solo shot, and the back-to-back homers gave Shady Characters a 2-0 lead. Jon D retired Thomas to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two runs.

Lucas continued to pitch effectively in the bottom of the third, retiring Josh and Jon M in order.

Jon D retired Tom to start the top of the fourth, but Lucas followed with a solo shot to right-center, making the score 3-0. Jon D retired Billy to end the inning, and Shady Characters led by three runs.

Lucas once again cruised in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Ryan and Jon D in order, and he had retired eight of the first nine batters he had faced.

Up 3-0, Shady Characters blew the game open in the top of the fifth. Nate led off with a single, and Thomas followed with a two-run homer, making the score 5-0. Tom doubled, and Lucas followed with a single, putting runners on first and third. Billy singled, loading the bases for Nate. Nate launched a deep fly to right, and the ball cleared the fence, becoming the first grand slam in the history of the EWL Wiffle Series. The towering shot gave Shady Characters a 9-0 lead, and Jon D had not recorded an out in the fifth. He finally retired Thomas for the first out, but Tom followed with a single. Lucas clubbed a two-run homer, and Shady Characters led 11-0. Jon D retired Billy to end the inning, and Jack Shack would need a major rally to stay alive in game four.

Jacob led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, and he moved to second when Josh followed with a single. Jack Shack had collected more hits in the fifth than they had in the previous four innings, and Jon M emptied the bases with a three-run homer, making the score 11-3. It looked as if Jack Shack may make the game interesting, but Lucas buckled down. He retired Ryan and Jon D, ending the inning, and Jack Shack contiuned to trail by eight runs.

Nate led off the top of the sixth with a double, but Shady Characters couldn’t add any additional insurance runs. Jon D retired Thomas and Tom to strand Nate at second, and Shady Characters led by eight runs heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Lucas stayed on the mound to close things out for Shady Characters, and he made quick work of Jack Shack in the bottom of the sixth. He retired Jacob and Josh in order, ending the inning and the game, giving Shady Characters an 11-3 game four victory.

Lucas pitched the complete game win, allowing only three runs on four hits, and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a single, and two home runs

Shady Characters’ win tied the best-of-five championship series at 2-2.

W: Lucas (3-0)
L: Jon D (1-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing three runs on four hits.
– Jon D took the loss in a complete game effort for Jack Shack, giving up eleven runs on twelve hits in six innings.
– Nate led the way for Shady Characters, going 4-for-5 with a single, a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI. He became the first player in EWL history to hit a grand slam in the Wiffle Series, and the first player since his teammate Dylan, in 2022, to hit a playoff Grand Slam. It was the fifth grand slam in EWL playoff history.
– Lucas also went 3-for-4 for Shady Characters, with a single, two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI.
– Josh (single), Jon M (three-run homer), Ryan (double), and Jacob (single) each had one hit for Jack Shack in the loss.

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Jon M Tosses Three-Hit Shutout as Jack Shack Take Series Lead with 1-0 Game Three Victory

22 Oct

Jon M and Tom went head to head in one of the most memorable pitcher’s duels in Wiffle Series history, with Jon M and Jack Shack prevailing 1-0 to win game three and take a lead in the Wiffle Series

In what may be the best outing in Wiffle Series history, Jon M once again stifled Shady Characters, outdueling Tom by allowing only three hits in a complete game shutout, and Jack Shack took a 2-1 series lead, winning game three 1-0. In games one and three combined, Jon M combined to hold Shady Characters, the league’s top offense, to only three runs in twelve innings. He also scored game three’s only run; Ryan’s RBI single to score him was the difference, and with the win, Jack Shack moved within two victories of securing the 2024 Wiffle Series championship.

Jon M retired Shady Characters in order in the top of the first, sending Billy and Nate down consecutively.

Tom took the mound for Shady Characters, and after allowing a one-out double to Jon M in the bottom of the first, he retired Ryan to strand the runner, ending the inning.

Jon M rolled through the top of the second, sending Thomas and Tom down in order.

Jacob hit a one-out double in the bottom of the second, but for the second consecutive inning, Tom escaped damage, retiring Josh to strand the runner, ending the inning.

Billy got Shady Characters’ first hit in the top of the third, hitting a one-out triple, but Jon M stranded him, retiring Nate to end the inning, and the game remained scoreless.

Tom pitched his first perfect frame in the bottom of the third, retiring Jon M and Ryan, and the two teams had combined for no runs on three hits halfway through game three.

Jon M retired Thomas and Tom in order in the top of the fourth, and Tom matched him in the bottom half of the inning, retiring Jon D and Jacob in order.

Lucas led off the top of the fifth with a single, but Shady Characters couldn’t advance him. Jon M retired Billy and Nate to strand him, ending the inning.

Tom retired Josh to start the bottom of the fifth, but Jon M followed with a one-out triple, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Ryan followed with an RBI single, the only instance in the entire game of two consecutive hits or two hits in the same inning, and Jack Shack took a 1-0 lead. Tom retired Jon D to strand Ryan at first, ending the inning, and Shady Characters would need a run in the top of the sixth.

Jon M continued to be highly effective on the mound after a strong ame one outing, pitching a three-hit shutout and scoring the game’s only run

Jon M retired on the mound to close things out for Jack Shack in the top of the sixth. He retired the first batter of the inning, Thomas, before allowing a one-out double to Tom. Shady Characters had the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run at the plate, but Jon M buckled down. He retired Lucas to strand Tom at second, ending the inning and the game, giving Jack Shack a 1-0 win in game three.

The win gave Jack Shack a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

W: Jon M (3-0)
L: Tom (2-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Jon M pitched the complete game win for Jack Shack, throwing a shutout while allowing only three hits. He became the eleventh pitcher in EWL history to throw a playoff shutout, and the first since Lucas threw a shutout for Shady Characters in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
– Tom picked up the loss in a complete game effort for Shady Characters, giving up one run on four hits in five innings.
– Jon M was the only player in the game with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and he scored the game’s only run.
– Billy (triple), Tom (double), and Lucas (single) each had one hit for Shady Characters.

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Tom’s Walk-Off RBI Single Evens Series as Shady Characters Take Game Two 6-5

22 Oct

Tom’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the sixth gave Shady Characters a 6-5 win in game two, evening the Wiffle Series at 1-1

After dropping game one of the Wiffle Series, three-time defending champions Shady Characters drew even with Jack Shack, winning game two 6-5 and finding a way to win like they have time and again over the last four seasons. Jack Shack trailed 5-2 heading into the top of the sixth before Ryan’s three-run homer tied the game at 5-5. Shady Characters were dangerously close to dropping into an 0-2 hole in the championship series, but they responded, as the first three batters in the bottom of the sixth reached base safely, and Tom’s walk-off RBI single gave Shady Characters a dramatic and critical win. Every Shady Characters player registered multiple hits, and Nate hit for the cycle for the first time in his playoff career.

Lucas started on the mound for Shady Characters, and he retired Josh and Jon M in order in the top of the first.

Jon D took the mound for Jack Shack, and after retiring Billy to start the game, Nate hit a one-out solo homer to right, putting Shady Characters ahead 1-0. Jon D then retired Thomas to end the inning.

Shady Characters celebrate at the plate after Nate’s solo homer, one of his four hits that combined to complete the cycle

Lucas rolled through the top of the second, retiring Ryan and striking out Jon D to end the inning.

Lucas hit a one-out single in the bottom of the second, and he moved from first to third when Billy followed with a single. Nate hit an RBI double, scoring Lucas, and Shady Characters led 2-0. Shady Characters had two runners in scoring position, but Jon D avoided further damage, retiring Thomas to strand both runners, ending the inning.

Jacob led off the top of the third with a single. Lucas struck out Josh for the first out of the inning, but Jon M followed with a two-run homer, tying the game at 2-2. Ryn followed with a single, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Jon D to end the inning.

Jon D retired Tom to start the bottom of the third, and Lucas followed with a one-out single. Billy doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Nate cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple, putting Shady Characters back on top 4-2. Jon D then retired Thomas to strand Nate at third, ending the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two runs.

Lucas went 3-for-4 with three singles and two runs scored and pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters

Jacob led off the top of the fourth with a single, and he moved to second when Josh followed with a single. Jack Shack had no outs and two on, but they couldn’t capitalize. Lucas retired Jon M and Ryan to strand both runners, ending the inning, and maintaining a two-run lead.

Tom led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, but Jon D stranded him, retiring Lucas and Billy, and the score remained 4-2.

Lucas retired Jon D to start the top of the fifth, and when Jacob hit a one-out single, he was caught out trying to advance the hit to a double, ending the inning.

Thomas hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, and he scored when Tom followed with an RBI single, extending the Shady Characters lead to 5-2. Lucas followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with no outs, but Jon D worked his way out of a jam. He retired Billy to strand both runners, ending the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by three runs heading into the sixth.

Josh led off the top of the sixth with a double, and he moved to third when Jon M singled. Jack Shack had runners on the corners with no outs, and Ryan came to the plate as the tying run. He launched a three-run homer to right-center, tying the game at 5-5 and extending Jack Shack’s opportunity to take game two. Lucas had not retired a batter in the sixth, and Jack Shack had a chance to take the lead, but the rally ended there. Lucas retired Jon D and Jacob to end the inning, and the game was tied heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Ryan’s three-run homer in the top of the sixth tied the game at 5-5

Nate led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, and he moved from first to third when Thomas followed with a double. Shady Characters had two runners in scoring position with no outs, and needed a single run to clinch game two. Tom came to the plate and sealed it, hitting a walk-off RBI single to score Nate, giving Shady Characters a 6-5 game two victory.

Shady Characters’ win tied the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1.

W: Lucas (2-0)
L: Jon D (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out two.
– Jon D took the loss in a complete game effort for Jack Shack, giving up six runs on fourteen hits in five innings.
– Nate led the way for Shady Characters in the win, going 4-for-5 with a single, a double, a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and four RBI. He became the sixteenth player in league history to hit for the cycle in a playoff game, and the first since his teammate Thomas hit for the cycle earlier in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
– Tom and Lucas had three hits apiece for Shady Characters in the win. Tom went 3-for-5 with two singles, a double, and two RBI, including the game-winning walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Lucas went 3-for-4 with three singles and two runs scored.
– Jacob went 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored to lead Jack Shack in the loss.
– Jon M and Ryan each went 2-for-4 for Jack Shack. Jon M had a single, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. Ryan had a single, a home run, a run scored, and three RBI.

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