Jon M and the Jack Shack defense held Shady Characters to only four hits as Jack Shack took an early lead in the 2024 Wiffle Series with a 4-2 game one victory
Jon M quieted the mighty Shady Characters offense, allowing only two runs on four hits, as Jack Shack had just enough run support to steal game one 4-2 and take an early lead in the 2024 Wiffle Series. With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Jack Shack strung together four consecutive doubles, scoring three runs and taking a 4-1 lead. Shady Characters had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the sixth, but Jon M shut them down. Ryan, Jon D, and Jacob each had two hits, as Jack Shack continued their surprising run through the second half of the EWL season.
Shady Characters’ ace, Tom, took the mound to start the Wiffle Series, and he retired Josh and Jon M in order in top of the first.
Jon M, who delivered one of the best campaigns for a rookie pitcher in league history, started for Jack Shack, and he matched Tom in the bottom of the second, retiring Shady Characters in order.
Tom rolled through the top of the second, sending Ryan and Jon D down consecutively.
Jon M retired Thomas to start the bottom of the second, but Billy followed with a solo homer, putting Shady Characters ahead 1-0. Jon M retired Lucas to end the inning, and Shady Characters had taken an early lead.
Josh got Jack Shack’s first hit when he reached base on a one-out single in the top of the third, but Tom stranded him, retiring Jon M to end the inning.
Jon M once again cruised in the bottom of the third, retiring Tom and Nate in order, and Shady Characters led 1-0 halfway through game one of the Wiffle Series.
Ryan led off the top of the fourth with a double, and two batters later, Jacob hit a one-out RBI single, scoring Ryan to tie the game at 1-1. Tom retired Josh to strand Jacob, ending the inning.
Thomas led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position with no outs. Jon M escaped damage, however, striking out Billy and retiring Lucas to strand the runner, ending the inning, and the game remained tied at 1-1.
Jon M started the top of the fifth with a double, and he moved to third when Ryan followed with a double. Jon D came to the plate with no outs and two runners in scoring position, and he delivered an RBI double, scoring Jon M and giving Jack Shack a 2-1 lead. Jacob followed with Jack Shack’s fourth consecutive double, scoring Ryan, and the Jack Shack lead was 3-1. Tom got Josh to ground out to center for the first out of the inning, but Jon D scored on the play, and Jack Shack led 4-1. Jack Shack continued to have a runner in scoring position, but Tom avoided further damage, retiring Jon M to strand Jacob at second, ending the inning, and Shady Characters now trailed by three runs.
Jon M retired Shady Characters in order in the bottom of the fifth, sending Tom and Nate down consecutively, and Jack Shack maintained a three-run lead.
Jon D hit a one-out double in the top of the sixth, but Jack Shack couldn’t add an insurance run. Tom retired Jacob to strand the runner at second, ending the inning, and Shady Characters would head into the bottom of the sixth behind by three runs.
Jon M retired Thomas to start the bottom of the sixth, and was one out away from clinching a game one victory. Billy followed with his second hit of the game, a one-out double. Lucas then singled, scoring Billy, and Shady Characters had cut the Jack Shack lead to 4-2. Tom came to the plate as the tying run, and a two-run homer would keep Shady Characters alive, but Jon M buckled down. He retired Tom to strand Lucas at first, ending the inning and the game, giving Jack Shack a 4-2 win in game one.
The win gave Jack Shack a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
W: Jon (2-0)
L: Tom (2-2)
Game Notes:
– Jon M pitched the complete game win for Jack Shack, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out one.
– Tom took the loss in a complete game effort for Shady Characters, giving up four runs on eight hits in six innings.
– Ryan, Jon D, and Jacob each went 2-for-4 to lead Jack Shack. Ryan had two doubles and two runs scored, Jon D had two doubles, a run scored, and an RBI, and Jacob had a single, a double, and two RBI.
– Billy was the only Shady Characters player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI.