Shady Characters sustained their postseason run with a 5-2 victory over Cheap Goats in Game 2 of the 2026 EWL Wiffle Series Championship, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Tom continued to swing a hot bat, launching two solo home runs, while Thomas, Nate, and Zach each went deep as Shady Characters accounted for all five of their runs with solo homers. Tom also delivered a complete-game victory on the mound, holding Cheap Goats to two runs on seven hits as the once-dominant Cheap Goats offense continued to sputter on the big stage. After eliminating the defending champion Guac Boys in the first round, Shady Characters have now won five consecutive playoff games and moved within two victories of another EWL championship.
Dinger got the start for Cheap Goats, and he retired Zach and Tom in order in the top of the first.
Tom responded by retiring Joey and Kevin in order in the bottom of the first, and the game was scoreless after the first frame.
Shady Characters broke through in the top of the second when Thomas led off with a solo home run, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Dinger recovered to retire Lucas on a groundout and Nate on a fly ball, preventing Shady Characters from adding to their early advantage.
Cheap Goats threatened to answer in the bottom half. Courtlen led off with a single, and Christian followed with another single to put two runners aboard with nobody out. Dinger then lifted a fly ball deep enough for Courtlen to attempt to tag and score, but Shady Characters threw him out at the plate, completing a double play and ending the inning without allowing a run.
Dinger retired Zach to begin the third, but Tom launched a solo home run, his third homer of the Wiffle Series, extending the Shady Characters lead to 2-0. Dinger retired Thomas to end the inning, but Cheap Goats now trailed by two runs.
Cheap Goats finally got on the board in the bottom of the third. After Conor grounded out, Joey launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1. Kevin followed with a single, putting the tying run aboard with one out, but Tom retired Courtlen on a fly ball to strand the runner and preserve the one-run lead.
Shady Characters answered in the fourth, extending their lead. Lucas flew out to begin the inning, but Nate followed with a solo homer to push the lead to 3-1. Zach then launched another solo shot, giving Shady Characters back-to-back home runs and making the score 4-1. Tom followed with a single, continuing the rally, but Dinger struck out Thomas to end the inning and prevent further damage.
Cheap Goats responded in the bottom half. Christian led off with a solo home run, cutting the Shady Characters lead to 4-2. Dinger followed with a double, putting another runner in scoring position with nobody out and giving Cheap Goats an opportunity to pull even. Tom buckled down, retiring Conor on a groundout before getting Joey to fly out, stranding Dinger at second and preserving the two-run lead.
Dinger retired Lucas and Nate in order in the top of the fifth for his first scoreless inning since the first.
Cheap Goats were unable to capitalize, however, as Tom retired Kevin and Courtlen in order in the bottom of the fifth. Shady Characters carried their 4-2 advantage into the sixth, with Cheap Goats running out of opportunities to get back into the game.
Shady Characters added an insurance run in their final turn at the plate. After Dinger retired Zach to begin the sixth, Tom launched his second solo home run of the game, extending the lead to 5-2. Dinger retired Thomas to end the inning, but Cheap Goats now needed three runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend the game.
Tom returned to the mound looking to close out Game 2. He struck out Christian to begin the inning, putting Shady Characters one out away from taking a commanding 2-0 series lead. Dinger kept Cheap Goats alive with a single, bringing the tying run to the plate, but Tom retired Conor on a fly ball to end the game and secure the 5-2 victory.
The four-time former champions hold a 2-0 lead over Cheap Goats in the best-of-seven championship series.
W: Tom (3-0)
L: Dinger (1-2)
Game Notes:
Tom earned the complete-game victory for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out one.
Dinger took the loss for Cheap Goats, allowing five runs on six hits and striking out one in a complete-game effort.
Tom once again led Shady Characters at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a single, two home runs, two runs scored, and two RBI.
Thomas, Nate, and Zach each added a solo home run for Shady Characters, accounting for the team’s other three runs.
Christian and Dinger were the only Cheap Goats players with multiple hits, both going 2-for-3. Christian had a single and a solo homer, and Dinger had a single and a double.