Ellsworth Wiffleball League

Nate’s fifth inning grand slam, the first in Wiffle Series history, gave Shady Characters a 9-0 lead and they later won game four 11-3

Nate became the first player in EWL history to hit a grand slam in the Wiffle Series, and it came as part of an eight-run fifth inning that gave Shady Characters an 11-0 lead. Lucas earned the win on the mound and also contributed three hits, including two home runs, as the defending champs stormed ahead and held on to win 11-3, tying the best-of-seven championship series at 2-2.

Jon D started for Jack Shack, and he retired Shady Characters in order in the top of the first, sending Billy and Nate down consecutively.

Lucas took the mound for Shady Characters, and he matched Jon D in the bottom of the first, retiring Josh and Jon M in order.

Jon D rolled through the top of the second, retiring Thomas and Tom.

Ryan led off the bottom of the second with a double, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Jon D and Jacob, and the game was scoreless through two innings.

Jon D retired Lucas to start the top of the third, and he had retired the first five batters he had faced. Billy put Shady Characters on the board when he hit a one-out solo homer, making the score 1-0. Nate followed with a solo shot, and the back-to-back homers gave Shady Characters a 2-0 lead. Jon D retired Thomas to end the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two runs.

Lucas continued to pitch effectively in the bottom of the third, retiring Josh and Jon M in order.

Jon D retired Tom to start the top of the fourth, but Lucas followed with a solo shot to right-center, making the score 3-0. Jon D retired Billy to end the inning, and Shady Characters led by three runs.

Lucas once again cruised in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Ryan and Jon D in order, and he had retired eight of the first nine batters he had faced.

Up 3-0, Shady Characters blew the game open in the top of the fifth. Nate led off with a single, and Thomas followed with a two-run homer, making the score 5-0. Tom doubled, and Lucas followed with a single, putting runners on first and third. Billy singled, loading the bases for Nate. Nate launched a deep fly to right, and the ball cleared the fence, becoming the first grand slam in the history of the EWL Wiffle Series. The towering shot gave Shady Characters a 9-0 lead, and Jon D had not recorded an out in the fifth. He finally retired Thomas for the first out, but Tom followed with a single. Lucas clubbed a two-run homer, and Shady Characters led 11-0. Jon D retired Billy to end the inning, and Jack Shack would need a major rally to stay alive in game four.

Jacob led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, and he moved to second when Josh followed with a single. Jack Shack had collected more hits in the fifth than they had in the previous four innings, and Jon M emptied the bases with a three-run homer, making the score 11-3. It looked as if Jack Shack may make the game interesting, but Lucas buckled down. He retired Ryan and Jon D, ending the inning, and Jack Shack contiuned to trail by eight runs.

Nate led off the top of the sixth with a double, but Shady Characters couldn’t add any additional insurance runs. Jon D retired Thomas and Tom to strand Nate at second, and Shady Characters led by eight runs heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Lucas stayed on the mound to close things out for Shady Characters, and he made quick work of Jack Shack in the bottom of the sixth. He retired Jacob and Josh in order, ending the inning and the game, giving Shady Characters an 11-3 game four victory.

Lucas pitched the complete game win, allowing only three runs on four hits, and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a single, and two home runs

Shady Characters’ win tied the best-of-five championship series at 2-2.

W: Lucas (3-0)
L: Jon D (1-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing three runs on four hits.
– Jon D took the loss in a complete game effort for Jack Shack, giving up eleven runs on twelve hits in six innings.
– Nate led the way for Shady Characters, going 4-for-5 with a single, a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI. He became the first player in EWL history to hit a grand slam in the Wiffle Series, and the first player since his teammate Dylan, in 2022, to hit a playoff Grand Slam. It was the fifth grand slam in EWL playoff history.
– Lucas also went 3-for-4 for Shady Characters, with a single, two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI.
– Josh (single), Jon M (three-run homer), Ryan (double), and Jacob (single) each had one hit for Jack Shack in the loss.

Tags: 2024, August, Jack Shack, Playoffs, Shady Characters, Wiffle Series

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)

Box Score

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.

Tags: 2024, August, Jack Shack, Playoffs, Shady Characters, Wiffle Series

Tom’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the sixth gave Shady Characters a 6-5 win in game two, evening the Wiffle Series at 1-1

After dropping game one of the Wiffle Series, three-time defending champions Shady Characters drew even with Jack Shack, winning game two 6-5 and finding a way to win like they have time and again over the last four seasons. Jack Shack trailed 5-2 heading into the top of the sixth before Ryan’s three-run homer tied the game at 5-5. Shady Characters were dangerously close to dropping into an 0-2 hole in the championship series, but they responded, as the first three batters in the bottom of the sixth reached base safely, and Tom’s walk-off RBI single gave Shady Characters a dramatic and critical win. Every Shady Characters player registered multiple hits, and Nate hit for the cycle for the first time in his playoff career.

Lucas started on the mound for Shady Characters, and he retired Josh and Jon M in order in the top of the first.

Jon D took the mound for Jack Shack, and after retiring Billy to start the game, Nate hit a one-out solo homer to right, putting Shady Characters ahead 1-0. Jon D then retired Thomas to end the inning.

Shady Characters celebrate at the plate after Nate’s solo homer, one of his four hits that combined to complete the cycle

Lucas rolled through the top of the second, retiring Ryan and striking out Jon D to end the inning.

Lucas hit a one-out single in the bottom of the second, and he moved from first to third when Billy followed with a single. Nate hit an RBI double, scoring Lucas, and Shady Characters led 2-0. Shady Characters had two runners in scoring position, but Jon D avoided further damage, retiring Thomas to strand both runners, ending the inning.

Jacob led off the top of the third with a single. Lucas struck out Josh for the first out of the inning, but Jon M followed with a two-run homer, tying the game at 2-2. Ryn followed with a single, but Lucas stranded him, retiring Jon D to end the inning.

Jon D retired Tom to start the bottom of the third, and Lucas followed with a one-out single. Billy doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Nate cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple, putting Shady Characters back on top 4-2. Jon D then retired Thomas to strand Nate at third, ending the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by two runs.

Lucas went 3-for-4 with three singles and two runs scored and pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters

Jacob led off the top of the fourth with a single, and he moved to second when Josh followed with a single. Jack Shack had no outs and two on, but they couldn’t capitalize. Lucas retired Jon M and Ryan to strand both runners, ending the inning, and maintaining a two-run lead.

Tom led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, but Jon D stranded him, retiring Lucas and Billy, and the score remained 4-2.

Lucas retired Jon D to start the top of the fifth, and when Jacob hit a one-out single, he was caught out trying to advance the hit to a double, ending the inning.

Thomas hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, and he scored when Tom followed with an RBI single, extending the Shady Characters lead to 5-2. Lucas followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with no outs, but Jon D worked his way out of a jam. He retired Billy to strand both runners, ending the inning, and Jack Shack trailed by three runs heading into the sixth.

Josh led off the top of the sixth with a double, and he moved to third when Jon M singled. Jack Shack had runners on the corners with no outs, and Ryan came to the plate as the tying run. He launched a three-run homer to right-center, tying the game at 5-5 and extending Jack Shack’s opportunity to take game two. Lucas had not retired a batter in the sixth, and Jack Shack had a chance to take the lead, but the rally ended there. Lucas retired Jon D and Jacob to end the inning, and the game was tied heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Ryan’s three-run homer in the top of the sixth tied the game at 5-5

Nate led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, and he moved from first to third when Thomas followed with a double. Shady Characters had two runners in scoring position with no outs, and needed a single run to clinch game two. Tom came to the plate and sealed it, hitting a walk-off RBI single to score Nate, giving Shady Characters a 6-5 game two victory.

Shady Characters’ win tied the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1.

W: Lucas (2-0)
L: Jon D (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Lucas pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out two.
– Jon D took the loss in a complete game effort for Jack Shack, giving up six runs on fourteen hits in five innings.
– Nate led the way for Shady Characters in the win, going 4-for-5 with a single, a double, a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and four RBI. He became the sixteenth player in league history to hit for the cycle in a playoff game, and the first since his teammate Thomas hit for the cycle earlier in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
– Tom and Lucas had three hits apiece for Shady Characters in the win. Tom went 3-for-5 with two singles, a double, and two RBI, including the game-winning walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Lucas went 3-for-4 with three singles and two runs scored.
– Jacob went 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored to lead Jack Shack in the loss.
– Jon M and Ryan each went 2-for-4 for Jack Shack. Jon M had a single, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. Ryan had a single, a home run, a run scored, and three RBI.

Tags: 2024, August, Jack Shack, Playoffs, Shady Characters, Wiffle Series

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)

Box Score

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.

Tags: 2024, August, Jack Shack, Playoffs, Shady Characters, Wiffle Series