Ellsworth Wiffleball League

Four time EWL champions Shady Characters came into week 8 mired in a six game losing streak, but Tom snapped them out of it with one of the best outings on the mound by any pitcher this season and by racking up base hits across two big wins that showed the former champs are still contenders. Offenses wilted in the week 8 summer heat, but Tom shined, and as a result, he was named Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week for week 8.

In a 3-1 win over Guac Boys, Tom went 2-for-4 with a single, a solo homer, a run scored, and two RBI, and he pitched the complete game win, allowing only one run on three hits.

In a 10-5 win over Jack Shack, he went 5-for-6 with three singles, a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI.

In total, Tom went 7-for-10 with four singles, a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and four RBI in two big Shady Characters wins.

This is the eighth time Tom has been named Wiffler of the Week in his wiffle career, and the second time this season. He also earned the honors in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and twice in 2023.

Bohn and Jan held Cheap Goats to only three hits, and timely solo homers from Tone and Jan proved to be the difference as they defeated Cheap Goats 4-2 in another tightly contested matchup between the two squads. The win gave Guac Boys a three game cushion over both Cheap Goats and Jack Shack with four games left in the regular season.

Bohn started for Guac Boys and he struck out Joey and retired Kevin in the top of the first.

Dinger took the mound for Cheap Goats, and Guac Boys took an early lead. Bohn led off the bottom of the first with a double, and when Tone grounded out, Bohn scored to give Guac Boys a 1-0 lead. Dinger got Alec to fly out to end the inning.

Cheap Goats answered in the top of the second. With one out, Christian hit a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. Dinger flew out to end the inning, and the game was even.

Form and Jan were retired in order in the bottom of the second as Dinger settled in.

Guac Boys turned to Jan on the mound to begin the top of the third. Joey hit a one-out double, but Kevin flew out to strand the runner at second, ending the inning.

Guac Boys reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third. With one out, Tone crushed a solo shot, putting Guac Boys back in front 2-1. Alec followed with a double, but Form grounded out to leave him stranded, and Guac Boys led by a run.

Courtlen and Christian were both retired in a quick top of the fourth as Jan continued to keep Cheap Goats off the board.

Jan provided his own run support in the bottom of the fourth, leading off the inning with a solo homer to extend the Guac Boys lead to 3-1. Dinger retired Bohn and Tone to end the inning, and Cheap Goats trailed by two runs.

Cheap Goats pulled back within a run in the top of the fifth when Dinger provided his own support with a solo homer, trimming the deficit to 3-2. Jan retired Conor and Joey to end the inning, and Guac Boys led by a run.

Guac Boys answered in the bottom of the fifth. Alec led off with a triple, and he scored when Form grounded out for the first out of the inning, extending the lead to 4-2. Jan followed with a triple, but Dinger retired Bohn to strand the runner, preventing further damage.

Jan returned to the mound looking to finish the game in the sixth. He retired Kevin and Courtlen in order to end the game, securing a 4-2 victory for Guac Boys.

The win moved Guac Boys to 11-5 on the season while Cheap Goats fell to 8-8.

W: Jan (2-1)

L: Dinger (4-5)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Jan picked up the win for Guac Boys, allowing one run on two hits over four innings of relief.
Bohn started for Guac Boys, allowing one run on one hit and striking out one over the first two innings before turning the game over to Jan.
Dinger took the loss for Cheap Goats, allowing four runs on six hits in a complete game effort.
Alec and Jan led Guac Boys on offense. Alec went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and a run scored. Jan also went 2-for-3 with a triple and a solo homer.
Christian and Dinger each hit solo homers for Cheap Goats in the loss.

Shady Characters erupted for five runs in the opening inning and never looked back, defeating Jack Shack 10-5 to earn their second straight victory after a six-game losing streak. Nate homered three times and drove in four runs, Tom reached base safely five times including a solo homer, and Lucas turned in a complete game performance as Shady Characters continued their late season revival.

Josh took the mound for Jack Shack, and Shady Characters wasted no time taking control. Zach led off the game with a single, and Thomas followed with another base hit, putting two runners on. Tom drove in Zach with an RBI single to give Shady Characters a 1-0 lead. Lucas grounded out, but Thomas and Tom both managed to score on the play, extending the advantage to 3-0. Nate followed with a solo homer, making it 4-0. Zach and Tom both singled, and Lucas followed with an RBI single to score Zach, pushing the score to 5-0. Josh finally escaped the inning by striking out Nate, and Shady Characters had hit six singles and a homer in the top of the first to take a five run lead.

Lucas started for Shady Characters and retired Josh and Jacob in order in the bottom of the first.

Zach flew out to open the top of the second before Thomas was forced to leave the game due to injury. Tom followed with a double, but Josh stranded him by striking out Lucas to end the inning.

Jon D and Dave were retired in order in the bottom of the second as Lucas continued to keep Jack Shack off the scoreboard.

Shady Characters added to their lead in the top of the third. Nate led off with his second homer of the game, pushing the lead to 6-0. Two batters later, Tom launched a solo homer, extending the advantage to 7-0. Lucas grounded out to end the inning with Shady Characters comfortably in front.

Jack Shack finally broke through in the bottom of the third. Josh doubled to lead off the inning, and Jacob followed with an RBI double to put Jack Shack on the board. Jon D then tripled home Jacob to make the score 7-2. Dave followed with an RBI double to score Jon D, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Josh followed with yet another RBI double, scoring Dave and bringing Jack Shack within three runs at 7-4. Jack Shack had hit five consecutive extra-base hits to get back into the game. The rally ended there, as Lucas retired Jacob and Jon D, stranding Josh at second, and Shady Characters led by three runs.

Nate grounded out to begin the fourth before Zach crushed a solo homer, putting Shady Characters ahead 8-4. Tom followed with a single, but Lucas grounded out to end the inning.

Dave and Josh were retired in order in the bottom of the fourth.

Nate and Zach were retired consecutively in the top of the fifth as Josh kept the score at 8-4.

Jacob and Jon D were retired in the bottom of the fifth, and Lucas remained in control heading into the final inning.

Lucas hit a one-out single in the top of the sixth, and Nate crushed his third homer of the game, a two-run shot that extended the lead to 10-4. Zach grounded out to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by six runs.

Dave led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, and two batters later, Jacob drove him in with an RBI single to cut the score to 10-5. Lucas buckled down and ended the rally there, retiring Jon D to strand Jacob, ending the game, as Shady Characters won 10-5.

The win moved Shady Characters to 5-11 on the season and Jack Shack dropped to 8-8.

W: Lucas (3-5)

L: Josh (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Lucas earned the complete game victory for Shady Characters, allowing five runs on seven hits.
Josh took the loss for Jack Shack in a complete game effort, giving up ten runs on fourteen hits and striking out two.
Nate powered the Shady Characters offense, going 3-for-6 with three homers, three runs scored, and four RBI.
Tom also had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three singles, a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI.
Josh led Jack Shack in the loss, going 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored, and an RBI.

Dave went deep three times, and his teammates Josh and Jon D each swatted two bombs, as Jack Shack belted Cheap Goats 13-7, snapping their four game winning streak and bringing the teams even at 8-7 in the season standings. Dave and Jon D each drove in five runs, and every Jack Shack player had at least three hits as the teams, who faced off in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, are now tied in second place with five games to go.

Dinger took the mound for Cheap Goats, and Jack Shack wasted no time taking the lead. Jacob hit a one-out single, and Jon D followed with a two-run homer, giving Jack Shack an early 2-0 advantage. Dave flew out to end the inning.

Jon D started for Jack Shack, and Cheap Goats answered immediately. Joey launched a leadoff homer, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Kevin and Courtlen each singled, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Jon D got Christian to ground out, but Kevin scored on the play, tying the game at 2-2. Jon D retired Dinger to end the inning, stranding Courtlen.

Jack Shack exploded in the top of the second. Josh led off with a solo homer, putting Jack Shack back in front 3-2. Jacob tripled, and Jon D followed with his second two-run homer of the game, putting Jack Shack ahead 5-2. Dave singled, and Josh crushed his second homer of the inning, a two-run shot that stretched the lead to 7-2. Cheap Goats turned to Christian on the mound, but the rally continued. Jacob doubled, and after Jon D grounded out, Dave blasted a two-run homer, capping a seven-run inning and giving Jack Shack a commanding 9-2 lead. Josh was retired to end the inning, and Cheap Goats trailed by seven runs.

Conor and Joey were retired in order in the bottom of the second as Jon D preserved the seven-run advantage.

Christian fell into a groove in the top of third, and Jacob and Jon D were retired consecutively.

Cheap Goats answered in the bottom of the third. Kevin led off with a double, and two batters later, Christian hit two-run homer, trimming the deficit to 9-4. Dinger flew out to end the inning, and Jack Shack led by five runs.

Christian retired Dave and Josh in order in the top of the fourth.

Cheap Goats continued to chip away in the bottom of the fourth. Conor led off with a solo homer, making the score 9-5. Kevin later singled with one out, and Courtlen drove him home with an RBI triple, cutting the deficit to 9-6. Christian grounded out to end the inning with Cheap Goats within three runs.

Jacob and Jon D were retired in order in the top of the fifth as Christian kept Jack Shack off the board.

Dinger doubled to begin the bottom of the fifth, and two batters later, Joey hit a one-out RBI triple, bringing Cheap Goats within two runs at 9-7. Jon D retired Kevin to end the inning, preserving the slim lead.

Jack Shack answered emphatically in the top of the sixth, putting the game out of reach. Dave led off with a solo homer, extending the lead to 10-7. Josh followed with a double, and two batters later, Jon D drove Josh home with a one-out RBI double, making it 11-7. Dave then crushed his second homer of the game, a two-run blast that stretched the lead to 13-7. Christian retired Josh to end the inning, and the two-run lead had stretched to six runs heading into the final frame.

Jon D remained on the mound to close things out for Jack Shack, and after allowing a one-out double to Christian, he retired Dinger to end the inning and the game, giving Jack Shack a 13-7 win.

The win moved Jack Shack to 8-7 on the season while Cheap Goats dropped to 8-7, with the teams tied for second place in the standings.

W: Jon D (5-2)

L: Dinger (4-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Jon D earned the complete game victory for Jack Shack, allowing seven runs on eleven hits.
Dinger started and took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up seven runs on seven hits in one inning.
Christian pitched the final five innings of relief for Cheap Goats, allowing six runs on six hits.
Dave led Jack Shack in the victory, going 4-for-6 with a single, three homers, four runs scored, and five RBI.
Josh and Jon D also had big games for Jack Shack. Josh went 3-for-7 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI. And Jon D went 3-for-6 with a double, two homers, three runs scored, and five RBI.
Kevin led Cheap Goats in the loss, going 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, and three runs scored.

Tom tossed one of the best games of his 2026 season, holding the high-powered Guac Boys to just one run on three hits while also contributing a homer and two RBIs at the plate, as Shady Characters defeated Guac Boys 3-1. Zach added two hits, including a late insurance homer, and Shady Characters snapped a six game losing skid, one of their longest in franchise history, handing first-place and defending champs Guac Boys just their fifth loss of the season.

Bohn took the mound for Guac Boys and retired Zach and Tom to open the game in the top of the first.

Tom started for Shady Characters and matched Bohn in the bottom of the first, retiring Bohn and Tone in order.

Lucas and Form were both retired in a quick second inning as neither offense could generate a threat.

Nate flew out before Zach grounded out in the top of the third, and Bohn continued to roll.

Tom continued to cruise in the bottom half of the third, retiring Jan and Bohn, and neither pitcher had allowed a hit or a run through three innings.

Shady Characters finally got on the board in the top of the fourth, registering the game’s first hit and run. Tom provided his own run support, leading off the inning with a solo homer, giving Shady Characters a 1-0 lead. Thomas and Lucas were both retired afterward, and Guac Boys trailed by a run.

Guac Boys answered in the bottom of the fourth, collecting their first hits and run. Tone singled and Alec followed with another base hit, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Form grounded out, but Tone scored on the play to tie the game at 1-1. Jan grounded out to end the inning, stranding Alec, and Tom escaped with the game tied.

Nate grounded out to begin the fifth before Zach doubled. Tom followed with an RBI single, putting Shady Characters back in front 2-1. Thomas added a single, but Bohn avoided further damage by retiring Lucas to end the inning.

Bohn led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, bringing the tying run into scoring position. Tom responded by retiring Tone on a flyout before getting Alec on a groundout to strand Bohn at second, preserving the one-run lead.

Shady Characters added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. With one out, Zach launched a solo homer, extending the advantage to 3-1. Tom later flew out to end the inning, and Guac Boys trailed by two runs heading into their final at-bat.

Tom returned to the mound looking for the complete game victory. He retired Form and Jan in order to end the game, securing a 3-1 win for Shady Characters.

The win moved Shady Characters to 4-11 on the season while Guac Boys dropped to 10-5.

W: Tom (2-5)

L: Bohn (7-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:

Tom earned the complete game victory for Shady Characters in one of the best pitching performances of the 2026 season, allowing one run on three hits.
Bohn took the loss in a strong outing for Guac Boys, allowing only three runs on five hits in a complete game effort.
Tom led Shady Characters offensively, going 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, a run scored, and two RBI.
Zach also went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, two runs scored, and an RBI.
Guac Boys were held to just three hits, and Bohn was the only player to advance past first base, going 1-for-3 with a double.