Tag Archives: 2020

Shady Characters Squeeze Past Jack Shack 8-7 to Take Control of First Place

12 Jun

In one of the best games of the 2021 season, Shady Characters, led by Jason and Tom, narrowly defeated Jack Shack 8-7, assuming sole possession of first place in the EWL standings. Tom went 3-for-3 with a double, two homers, three runs scored, and two RBI, and Jason went 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run, a run scored, and four RBI, as Shady Characters came out of the back-and-forth game with a W.

Tom started on the mound, and Jack Shack got to him early. Brian led off the the game with a double, and two batters later, Dustin hit a two-run bomb, making the score 2-0. Tom then retired Adam to end the inning.

Shady Characters immediately got out their bats and took the lead back in the bottom of the first. Mike singled with one out, and he moved from first to third when Tom followed with a double. With one out and two runners in scoring position, Jason hit a three-run homer, putting Shady Characters in front 3-2. Dustin, Jack Shack’s starter, struck out Lucas for the second out of the inning.

Jack Shack bounced back in the top of the second. Josh D led off the a double, and he moved to third when Brian followed with a single, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Turbo grounded out for the first out of the inning, but Josh D scored on the play, tying the game at 3-3. Dustin then tripled, scoring Brian, and Jack Shack once again led 4-3. Tom retired Adam to end the inning, and Jack Shack was up by a run.

Shady Characters wasted no time reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the second. Dylan led off the inning with a solo homer, tying the game at 4-4. Two batters later, Tom hit a solo shot, and Shady Characters led 5-4. Jason followed with a single, but Dustin stranded him, retiring Lucas to end the inning.

Tom had met his innings limit for the week, and Shady Characters turned to Lucas from the bullpen in the top of the third. He retired Josh D, and after allowing a one-out triple to Brian, he stranded him at third, retiring Turbo to end the inning.

Shady Characters added to their lead in the bottom of the third. For the second consecutive inning, Dylan led off with a solo homer, making the score 6-4. Mike doubled, and he moved to third when Tom hit a sacrifice fly to right. Jason followed with an RBI single, scoring Mike, putting Shady Characters in front 7-4. Dustin then retired Lucas for the second out of the inning, and Shady Characters had taken a three-run lead.

Jack Shack chipped into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Dustin led off the inning with a solo homer, and Adam followed with a solo shot. The back-to-back jacks narrowed the score to 7-6. Lucas retired Josh D and Brian to escape the inning, maintaining Shady Characters’ one-run lead.

Dustin pitched his first perfect frame in the bottom of the fourth, sending Dylan and Mike down in order.

Turbo singled to start the top of the fifth, and he moved from first to third when Dustin followed with a single. Jack Shack were threatening, with no outs and two on, but Lucas buckled down. He retired Adam for the first out, and then struck out Josh D to end the inning, stranding the tying and go-ahead runners on base.

Shady Characters added one last insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when Tom led off the inning with his second solo homer of the game, making the score 8-6. Dustin retired Jason and Lucas to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two runs heading into their final at-bat.

With the score 8-6, Brian led off the top of the sixth with a solo homer, which gave him his third career cycle, and the score was now 8-7. Lucas retired Turbo for the first out of the inning, and then Shady Characters intentionally walked Dustin, who was 4-for-4 to this point in the game, putting the typing runner on base. The gamble worked, as Lucas struck out Adam to strand Dustin at first, ending the game, and giving Shady Characters the 8-7 win.

The win moved Shady Characters to 7-1 on the season, and the loss dropped Jack Shack to 3-5.

W: Tom (5-1)
L Dustin (1-2)
S: Lucas (1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Tom earned the win for Shady Characters, allowing four runs on five hits in two innings.
– Lucas picked up a four-inning save, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out two.
– Dustin pitched the complete game loss for Jack Shack, allowing eight runs on ten hits and striking out one.
– Tom and Jason led the way for Shady Characters. Tom went 3-for-3 with a double, two homers, three runs scored, two RBI, and a sac fly. Jason went 3-for-4 with two singles, a homer, a run scored, and four RBI.
– Dylan also went 2-for-4 with two solo homers for Shady Characters.
– Dustin and Brian led Jack Shack at the plate. Dustin went 4-for-4 with a single, a triple, two home runs, two runs scored, four RBI, and an intentional walk. Brian went 4-for-5 with a single, double, triple, homer, three runs scored, and one RBI. Brian hit for the cycle for the third time in his wiffle career, and has now hit for the cycle once in each of his EWL seasons.

Jack Shack Win Game 5 and Repeat as Wiffle Series Champions

28 Oct

2020 Ellsworth Wiffleball League Champions Jack Shack, after winning the best-of-seven Wiffle Series in five games

After losing their first playoff game in franchise history, Jack Shack fell behind 6-0 to Cheap Goats in game 5. Just when it looked like Cheap Goats would push the series to a sixth game, Jack Shack, in their signature fashion, turned on the gas, scoring ten unanswered runs to win game 5 10-7, clinching their second consecutive Ellsworth Wiffleball League Wiffle Series Championship. Blaine homered twice, Doc had three hits and a homer, Turbo and Adam each contributed two hits, and Brian pitched the complete game win, as Jack Shack became only the second franchise in the ten year history of the EWL to repeat as champions.

The winning pitcher of game 4, Dinger, took the mound for Cheap Goats in game 5, and he started game 5 like he finished game 4. He retired Brian and Adam in order in the top of the first.

Cheap Goats pulled ahead immediately in the bottom of the first when Brett hit a leadoff homer, making the score 1-0. Joey followed with a double, but Brian avoided further damage. He retired Christian and Dinger in order, stranding Joey at second, ending the inning.

Brett went 4-for-6 with a double, three home runs, and five RBI for Cheap Goats

Dinger continued to roll in the top of the second, retiring Turbo and striking out Doc, and the score remained 1-0.

Brett led off the bottom of the second with a double, but once again, Cheap Goats couldn’t capitalize. Brian retired Joey and Christian to strand Brett at second, and Cheap Goats continued to lead by a run.

Jack Shack remained stifled in the top of the third, as Dinger sent Blaine and Brian down consecutively.

Dinger went 3-for-5 with three doubles in the Cheap Goats loss

Cheap Goats opened up a big lead in the bottom of the third. Dinger doubled, and two batters later, Joey hit an RBI single, scoring Dinger to put Cheap Goats ahead 2-0. Christian then singled, putting runners on the corners with one out. Dinger hit his second double of the inning, scoring Joey from third, and Cheap Goats were in front 3-0. Brett came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second, and he emptied the bases with his second homer of the game, a three-run shot that gave Cheap Goats a 6-0 lead. Brian finally retired Joey to escape the inning, and Jack Shack were in a six run hole.

Blaine went 2-for-4 with two homers and five RBI, leading Jack Shack’s late-game comeback

Jack Shack finally got to Dinger, and got on the board, in the top of the fourth. Adam led off the inning with a double, and two batters later, Doc hit a two-run shot, narrowing the deficit to 6-2. Dinger retired Blaine to end the inning, and Jack Shack had cut the Cheap Goats lead to four runs.

Doc, who went 3-for-4 with two singles and a homer, got Jack Shack on the board in the top of the fourth

Dinger doubled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Cheap Goats couldn’t capitalize, stranding another runner at second. Brian retired Brett to end the inning, and the score remained 6-2.

Brian earned his fourth win of the postseason, pitching the complete game for Jack Shack in game 5

Jack Shack continued to rally, pulling even in the top of the fifth. Brian doubled to start the inning, and two batters later, Turbo hit a one-out RBI single, scoring Brian to cut the Cheap Goats lead to 6-3. Doc followed with a single, putting runners on the corners. Blaine came to the plate and with one swing, tied the game, crushing a three-run bomb that made the score 6-6. Dinger retired Brian to end the inning, but the six-run Cheap Goats lead had evaporated, and the game was now tied.

Brian rolled through the bottom of the fifth, sending Joey and Christian down in order.

Adam, making a running catch in right field, was critical on defense for Jack Shack in game 5

The Jack Shack knockout blow came in the top of the sixth. Adam tripled to start the inning, and Turbo followed with an RBI double, giving Jack Shack their first lead of the game, 7-6. Doc followed with an RBI single to score Turbo, pushing the lead to 8-6. Blaine then hit his second homer of the game, a two-run blast that extended the Jack Shack lead to 10-6. Dinger retired the next two batters, Brian and Adam, to end the inning, but Jack Shack had taken a four-run lead heading into the final frame.

Cheap Goats had led 6-0 early and it appeared as if they would force a game 6, but after allowing ten unanswered runs, they would need a big rally in the bottom of the sixth to extend the season. Brian retired the first batter of the inning, Dinger. The next batter, Brett, hit his third homer of game 6, a solo shot that cut the score to 10-7. Joey came to the plate, and he was unable to extend the rally, the inning, or the Cheap Goats season. Brian got him to ground out to Turbo in left for the second out of the inning, ending the game and clinching the championship for Jack Shack.

Jack Shack celebrate after clinching the 2020 Wiffle Series Championship

Jack Shack had won the best-of-seven Wiffle Series Championship in five games, repeating as champions after winning the Wiffle Series in 2019.

After winning the Wiffle Series in 2019 and 2020, Jack Shack became only the second franchise in EWL history to repeat as champions

W: Brian (4-1)
L: Dinger (3-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Brian pitched the complete game win for Jack Shack, allowing seven runs on ten hits.
– Dinger took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up ten runs on ten hits and striking out one.
– Doc led Jack Shack on offense, going 3-for-4 with a single, two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI.
– Blaine also went 2-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored, and five RBI.
– Brett led Cheap Goats in the loss, going 4-for-6 with a double, three home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI. He also hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first, his third of the 2020 postseason and career.
– Dinger also went 3-for-5 in the loss, with three doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI.

Cheap Goats Extend Wiffle Series with 6-4 Win in Game 4

16 Oct

Dinger pitched the complete game win and had two hits as Cheap Goats got their first win of the Wiffle Series, avoiding a Jack Shack sweep and forcing a fifth game

Down 3-0 in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series and facing a sweep by Jack Shack, Cheap Goats rallied, as all four players had multiple hits in a 6-4 win in game four. Dinger pitched the complete game win and had two hits, Christian led the team with three hits, and Joey and Brett each contributed two runs and two extra-base hits as Cheap Goats handed Jack Shack their first playoff loss in franchise history.

Blaine, who had barely pitched all season, started on the mound for Jack Shack, and he was effective. He retired Brett and Joey in order in the top of the first.

Dinger fell behind early in the bottom of the first when Brian led off the game with a solo homer, and the leadoff shot gave Jack Shack a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Turbo singled, but Dinger avoided further damage, retiring Doc to strand the runner at first, ending the inning.

Brett connects on one of his two doubles in game four

Jack Shack removed Blaine from the mound, turning to their workhorse, Brian, and Cheap Goats bounced back in the top of the second. Christian led off the inning with a double, and two batters later, Brett hit a one-out double to score him, tying the game at 1-1. Joey followed with an RBI triple, scoring Brett, and Cheap Goats led 2-1. Christian singled for his second hit of the inning, scoring Joey from third, and Cheap Goats were in front 3-1. Brian retired Dinger to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two.

Dinger rolled through the bottom of the second, sending Blaine and Brian down in order.

Cheap Goats added to their lead in the top of the third. Brett led off the inning with a double, and Joey followed with a two-run shot, making the score 5-1. Brian retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Cheap Goats celebrate at the plate after Joey’s two-run homer in the third

Jack Shack narrowed the deficit in the bottom of the third. Turbo hit a one-out triple, and Doc, after fouling off countless pitches, hit a two-run homer to right-center, cutting the score to 5-3. Dinger then retired Blaine to end the inning.

Brian retired Cheap Goats in order in the top of the fourth, sending Brett and Joey down consecutively.

Adam, playing in his first full game back from injury, stepped into the Jack Shack lineup for Dustin and went 1-for-4 with a solo homer

Brian singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Jack Shack couldn’t plate him. Dinger retired Adam and Turbo to strand the runner, and the score remained 5-3.

Cheap Goats would add one more in the top of the fifth. Christian doubled to lead off the inning, and Dinger followed with a double, scoring him to make the score 6-3. Brian retired Brett and Joey to strand Dinger at second, ending the inning.

Christian, who led Cheap Goats with three hits, makes a catch for an out in right field

Dinger struck out Doc to start the bottom of the fifth, and after allowing a one-out single to Blaine, he retired Brian to strand the runner, ending the inning.

Dinger doubled with one out in the top of the sixth, but the Cheap Goats lead would remain at three runs, as Brian retired Brett to strand him.

Joey went 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored, and three RBI in the Cheap Goats win

Jack Shack were down 6-3 heading into their final at-bat. Adam led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot, cutting the score to 6-4. The rally would end there, however. Dinger retired Turbo and then struck out Doc to end the inning and the game, as Cheap Goats had won game four 6-4.

Jack Shack continued to lead the best-of-seven series, now ahead three games to one.

W: Dinger (3-0)
L: Brian (3-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete win for Cheap Goats, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out two.
– Brian took the loss for Jack Shack, pitching five innings of relief, giving up six runs on nine hits.
– Blaine started for Jack Shack and earned a no-decision, pitching one scoreless inning, the top of the first.
– Christian led Cheap Goats at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a single, two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI.
– Turbo and Brian each had multiple hits for Jack Shack. Brian went 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, a run scored, and an RBI. Turbo went 2-for-4 with a single, a triple, and a run scored.
– Brian hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first. It was his second leadoff homer of the 2020 postseason and of his postseason career.
– Doc tied the single-game postseason record for strikeouts with two. He ties Charlie, Dinger, and himself (from earlier in the 2020 postseason).
– Dinger tied the single-game postseason record for pitching strikeouts, with two. He ties Bob, Guthrie, and Josh K.
– Jack Shack tied the single-game team postseason record for strikeouts, with two, tying Ham Slams (who did it twice), Cookies & Cream, and Jack Shack from earlier this postseason.
– Cheap Goats tied the single-game postseason record for pitching strikeouts, with two, tying Questionable Outfit, Cookies & Cream, Eastbound & Dahn, and Guacamol-yay.

Jack Shack Move to Brink of Title with 6-1 Win in Game 3

12 Oct

Dustin continued his hot hand on the mound, allowing only one hit before handing the ball to Brian. They combined for a three-hitter in Jack Shack’s game 3 victory.

Dustin and Brian combined to allow only one run on three hits as Jack Shack took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series against Cheap Goats, moving them one win away from securing back-to-back titles. Dustin also homered, Turbo scored two run, and Doc drove in four of the Jack Shack runs, as Cheap Goats fell into a nearly insurmountable hole.

Dustin started on the mound, and he fell behind early. With one out in the top of the first, Joey hit a solo homer, putting Cheap Goats ahead 1-0. It would be the only run Cheap Goats scored in game three. Dustin then retired Christian to end the inning.

Cheap Goats celebrate at the plate after Joey’s solo homer in the top of the first

Jack Shack bounced back in the bottom of the first, and Dustin provided his own run support. With one out, he hit a solo homer off Cheap Goat’s starter, Christian, tying the game at 1-1. Christian then retired Turbo to end the inning.

Dustin rolled through the top of the second, retiring Dinger and Brett in order.

Doc is congratulated by teammates after his solo homer in the second inning

Jack Shack pulled ahead in the bottom of the second when Doc led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 2-1. Christian retired Blaine and Brian to limit the damage, ending the inning.

Dustin continued to cruise in the top of the third, sending Joey and Christian down consecutively.

Christian delivers a pitch to Dustin, who went 2-for-3 with a single and a solo homer in what would be his last game of the Wiffle Series

Jack Shack extended their lead in the bottom of the third. Dustin led off with a single and moved from first to third when Turbo followed with a single. With no outs and runners on the corners, Doc hit a double off the right-center field wall, clearing the bases and putting Jack Shack in front 4-1. Christian retired Blaine and Brian to strand Doc at second, ending the inning.

Dustin retired Dinger to start the top of the fourth. Despite being in control, Jack Shack turned to the bullpen, bringing Brian to the mound. He retired Brett to end the inning.

Dustin snags a fly ball on the mound as darkness settles into the Wiffle Diamond

Turbo tripled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, and Doc drove him in with an RBI double, pushing the score to 5-1. Christian retired Blaine to end the inning, stranding Doc at second.

Joey doubled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Cheap Goats couldn’t rally. Brian retired Christian and Dinger to strand Joey at second, and the score remained 5-1.

Jack Shack added a final insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Brian led off the inning with a triple, and the game was suspended due to darkness.

Doc, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, and four RBI, awaits a pitch from Christian

A week later, the teams reconvened on the Wiffle Diamond and resumed action. Dustin, Jack Shack’s 2020 captain, was injured off the diamond between games, ruling him out for the season. Adam, co-MVP of the 2019 Wiffle Series, had been out nearly all of 2020 with an injury sustained early in the season. Having healed for months, he was available to return to the Jack Shack roster, and he was inserted into Dustin’s spot in the lineup. He was the first batter when play resumed, and he hit a double, scoring Brian to make the score 6-1. Christian retired Turbo for the first out of the inning before striking out Doc to strand Adam at second, ending the inning.

Cheap Goats trailed by five runs heading into the top of the sixth. Brian remained on the mound to close things out. He retired Brett, the first batter he faced, before allowing a one-out double to Joey. Cheap Goats couldn’t rally, however, as Brian retired Christian to strand the runner at second, ending the inning and the game, as Jack Shack won 6-1.

The win gave Jack Shack a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

W: Dustin (3-0)
L: Christian (1-4)
S: Brian (3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dustin earned the win for Jack Shack, allowing one run on one hit in 3.5 innings pitched.
– Brian picked up the save for Jack Shack, pitching 2.5 innings of relief, allowing no runs n two hits.
– Christian took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up six runs on nine hits and striking out one in five innings.
– Doc led Jack Shack on offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, a run scored, and four RBI.
– Dustin and Turbo also had two hits each for Jack Shack. Dustin went 2-for-3 with a single, a homer, two runs scored, and an RBI. Turbo went 2-for-4 with a single, a triple, and two runs scored.
– Joey had the only hits for Cheap Goats, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.

Dustin Pitches Gem as Jack Shack Take Commanding Series Lead with 4-2 Win in Game Two

11 Oct

Dustin was in control on the mound, stifling the powerful Cheap Goats lineup, as Jack Shack won game two 4-2

Dustin allowed only two runs on six hits in five innings, silencing the Cheap Goats lineup that tore through the EWL in the second half of the regular season, as Jack Shack won game two 4-2 and took a two-games-to-zero lead in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series championship. Brian had three extra base hits, scored two runs, and earned the save on the mound, putting Cheap Goats in a hole and moving Jack Shack two wins away from a second title.

Christian started on the mound in game two, and after getting shelled in game one, he returned to form early. He retired Brian and Dustin in order in the top of the first.

Jack Shack’s starting pitcher, Dustin, matched him in the bottom of the first, sending Brett and Joey down consecutively, and the game was scoreless through one.

Christian continued to pitch effectively in the top of the second, retiring Turbo and Doc in order.

Dustin once again kept the pace in the bottom of the second, as Christian and Dinger were retired consecutively.

Jack Shack broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Blaine led off with a single, and he moved from first to third when Brian followed with a double. With no outs and two runners in scoring position, Dustin grounded out to right for the first out of the inning. Blaine scored on the play, and Jack Shack led 1-0. Brian moved to third on the play, but Christian avoided further damage, retiring the next batter, Turbo, to strand the runner and end the inning.

Brett lands at second after one of his three doubles in the game

Cheap Goats pulled even in the bottom of the third. Brett started the inning with a double, and two batters later, Christian hit a one-out RBI double to score him, tying the game at 1-1. Dustin retired Dinger for the second out of the inning, stranding Christian at second.

Christian got back on track in the top of the fourth, sending Doc and Blaine down in order.

Joey snags a ball in centerfield for an out

Brett led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, and Joey followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Cheap Goats were threatening, but Dustin buckled down. He retired Christian and Dinger, who each flew out to center, stranding two runners and ending the inning with the score tied at 1-1.

Jack Shack would pull ahead in the top of the fifth. Brian started the inning with a triple, and the next batter, Dustin, hit an RBI single to score him, putting Jack Shack ahead 2-1. Two batters later, Doc hit a one-out RBI single, and Dustin scored from first on the play, extending the Jack Shack lead to 3-1. Christian then retired Blaine, stranding Doc at first, and ending the inning.

Brian went 3-for-4 with three extra-base hits, and he earned the save on the mound, closing out game two for Jack Shack

Brett doubled to lead off the bottom of the fifth, and two batters later, Christian hit an RBI double to score him, narrowing the score to 3-2. Dustin then retired Dinger to strand Christian at second, ending the inning.

Brian led off the top of the fourth with a solo homer, putting Jack Shack back in front by two runs, 4-2. Two batters later, Turbo hit a one-out triple, but Christian stranded him at third, retiring Doc to end the inning.

Dustin delivers a pitch to Christian, who he outdueled on the mound in Jack Shack’s game two victory

Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Cheap Goats trailed 4-2. Jack Shack turned to their bullpen, bringing Brian to the mound to close things out. He retired the first batter he faced, Brett, before allowing a one-out double to Joey. Cheap Goats had the tying run at the plate, but they couldn’t rally. Brian retired Christian to strand Joey at second, ending the inning, and giving Jack Shack a 4-2 victory in game two.

The win gave Jack Shack a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

W: Dustin (2-0)
L: Christian (1-3)
S: Brian (2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dustin earned the win for Jack Shack, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings.
– Brian pitched one inning of relief for Jack Shack, allowing one hit, no runs, and picking up the save.
– Christian took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up four runs on seven hits in six innings.
– Brian led Jack Shack on offense, and was the only Jack Shack player with multiple hits. He went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, home run, two runs scored, and an RBI.
– Brett, Joey, and Christian each had multiple hits for Cheap Goats. Brett went 3-for-5 with three triples and two runs scored. Joey went 2-for-5 with a single and a double. Christian went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI.