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)
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.