Ellsworth Wiffleball League

Vassallo drove in the first of 18 Cookies & Cream runs and led them on offense, going 5-for-6 with 2 singles, a triple, 2 home runs, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

Cookies & Cream clinched a third consecutive Wiffle Series appearance and sealed their comeback in the best-of-five first round series with Eastbound & Dahn by winning game 5 in blowout fashion 18-1. Guthrie was unhittable, allowing only one base runner, and the Cookies bats were on fire as they stormed past Eastbound & Dahn. After losing game 1 and game 2 to walk-off home runs in the bottom of the sixth, Cookies scraped past Eastbound in game 3 to extend the series. They rolled in game 4, and they won even more decisively in game 5, winning three straight games to take the series.

Despite being unable to put Cookies away in games 3 or 4, Eastbound & Dahn remained one win away from winning the series and having a shot at the championship. They returned to Christian as their starting pitcher. He had won game 1 in relief and narrowly lost game 3. He got off to a good start in game 5, retiring Joey and Blose in order for a scoreless inning.

Cookies & Cream started Guthrie on the mound. He was hit hard in game 1 and earned a no decision and was the winning pitcher in game 3 despite a below average performance. He also started well, retiring Nate and Dustin consecutively in the bottom of the first, and the game was tied after an inning.

Cookies would get on the board in the top of the second and break the scoreless tie. Guthrie started the inning with a double, and he scored from second when Dinger grounded out for the first out of the inning. Vassallo followed with a one-out triple, and he scored on a Joey RBI single to make the score 2-0. Blose then singled, and Joey scored from first to put Cookies ahead 3-0. Guthrie followed with his second double of the inning, scoring Blose, and the score was 4-0. Christian then retired Dinger to end the inning, and Eastbound trailed by four.

Joey went 5-for-7 with 3 singles, a double, a homer, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI

Guthrie rolled through the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order.

Up four runs, Cookies extended their lead in the top of the third. Vassallo led off the inning with a solo homer, and the score was 5-0. Joey followed with a double, and Blose drove him in with an RBI triple that made the score 6-0. Guthrie grounded out for the first out of the inning, but Blose scored on the play, pushing the lead to 7-0. Christian then retired Dinger to end the inning.

Blose tied the single-game playoff record with 2 triples,

Down seven, Eastbound got their first hit in the bottom of the third when Nate led off the inning with a solo homer to left-center. The bomb cut the score to 7-1, but it was the last and only hit Guthrie would surrender in the game. Dustin and Christian were retired to end the inning.

Vassallo led off the to of the fourth with a single and moved from first to third when Joey followed with a single. The next batter, Blose, hit a shallow fly to left field. Dustin caught the ball and fired it to the mound, doubling up Joey, who had wandered off of first, for the second out of the inning.

Guthrie continued to cruise in the bottom of the fourth, sending Ryan and Nate down in order.

Up 7-0, Cookies & Cream put the game and the series to rest in the top of the fifth. They unleashed a seven-run inning fueled by home runs and Eastbound fielding errors, and it left little doubt that Cookies would be advancing to the next round. Guthrie led off the inning with a single, and he scored from first when Dinger followed with an RBI double, making the score 8-1. Vassallo followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Joey singled in Dinger to make the score 9-1. Blose came to the plate with runners on first and second, and he hit an RBI triple, clearing the bases and extending the Cookies lead to 11-1. Guthrie followed with a two-run blast, and Cookies were up 13-1. Dinger then went deep with a solo homer, and the back-to-back jacks gave Cookies & Cream a 14-1 lead. Cookies had started the inning with 7 consecutive hits with all 7 runners scoring. Christian then retired Vassallo and Joey to end the inning, but Cookies & Cream led by 13 runs with only two innings left to play.

Dinger had a single, a double, a homer, and 4 RBI in game 5

Eastbound couldn’t get their bats going in the bottom of the fifth, as Guthrie continued to roll, retiring the side in order.

Cookies would add to their lead in the top of the sixth. Christian retired Blose to start the inning, but Guthrie followed with a double and scored on a Dinger RBI single which made the score 15-1. Vassallo then cleared the bases with a two-run homer, and the score was 17-1. Joey followed with a solo homer, and the back-to-back homers put Cookies & Cream ahead 18-1. Christian then retired Blose to end the inning.

Down seventeen runs, Eastbound had seen the series and their season slip away over the course of games 3, 4, and 5. Guthrie was too much for them in game 5, as he retired Ryan and Nate to end the inning, the game, and the series. Cookies & Cream had won game 5 by the score of 18-1, completing a dramatic comeback in which they won the final three games of the series after losing the first two. Eastbound’s roster, momentum, and spirit had been depleted over the course of the series as Cookies & Cream clawed their way out of the 0-2 hole. Eastbound will look to build on their successful 2015 regular season when they return in 2016 with a new lineup.

With the win, Cookies & Cream advance to the Wiffle Series for the third consecutive season where they will face Questionable Outfit, who beat them in the championship series last season.

W: Guthrie (2-0)
L: Christian (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie earned the win for Cookies & Cream, pitching the complete game while allowing only one hit in 6 innings.
– Christian took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, giving up 18 runs on 21 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Vassallo led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 5-for-6 with 2 singles, a triple, 2 home runs, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Guthrie went 5-for-6 for Cookies with a single, 3 doubles, a home run, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBI. Guthrie’s 3 doubles broke the single-game playoff record of 2, previously set by many other players.
– Blose had 2 triples in the game, tying the single-game playoff record previously set by Brad (Downtown Bobby Brown) in 2012 and Tom (Questionable Outfit) in 2014.
– Joey went 5-for-7 with 3 singles, a double, a home run, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Cookies & Cream tied the team single-game record for triples with 3, previously set by Eastbound & Dahn in this series.
– Nate had the only hit of the game for Eastbound & Dahn, a solo homer.

Tags: 2015, August, Cookies & Cream, Eastbound & Dahn, EWL Playoffs, First Round, Game 5

Dinger was dominant in game 4, pitching a 3-hit shutout for Cookies & Cream to force game 5

Dinger had his best outing of the 2015 season when it mattered most for Cookies & Cream, pitching a 3-hit shutout in a 9-0 win that forced a pivotal game 5 in their first round series with Eastbound & Dahn. Cookies had lost game 1 and game 2 in heartbreaking fashion before rallying to win game 3. Now, after winning game 4, they had evened the series, and game 5 will decide who advances to the Wiffle Series to meet Questionable Outfit.

After leading 5-0 late in game 3 with only 6 outs separating them from winning the series, Eastbound looked to bounce back in game 4. They struggled early, as Dinger retired the side in order in the top of the first.

Eastbound started Nate on the mound, and he looked to repeat his winning effort in game 2 of the series. He retired Joey to start the game, but the next batter, Blose, hit a mammoth solo homer to center, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0. Nate avoided further damage, retiring Guthrie to end the inning.

Blose’s solo homer in the bottom of the first put Cookies & Cream ahead early

Dinger rolled through the top of the second, sending Christian and Ryan down in order, and he would get all of the run support he needed in the bottom of the second.

Trailing 2-1 in the series but up 1-0 early in game 4, Cookies sent a message that the series may be turning in the bottom of the second, hitting four consecutive homers to start the inning. Dinger hit a solo homer to start things off, and he was followed by Vassallo, Joey, and Blose, who each went deep, and the back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers put Cookies & Cream ahead 5-0. Nate retired Guthrie to end the streak and Dinger to end the inning, but Eastbound now trailed by five runs.

Joey and Blose celebrate at the plate after Joey hit the second of four consecutive Cookies & Cream homers in the bottom of the second

Eastbound couldn’t get on the board in the top of the third, as Nate and Dustin were sent down in order.

Vassallo led off the bottom of the third with a triple, and he scored on when Joey grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. Blose then singled, but was caught in between first and second for the second out of the inning.

Vassallo went 3-for-4 and was a double shy of the cycle

With the score 6-0, Eastbound hadn’t registered a hit through three innings. They finally got a base runner when Ryan singled with one out in the top of the fourth, but Dinger stranded him, retiring Nate to end the inning.

Nate pitched his first scoreless inning in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Guthrie and Dinger.

Dustin led off the top of the fifth with a towering fly ball to right field. Joey camped under it, but missed it, and Dustin raced around the bases. He had secured a triple, but tried to extend the hit into an inside-the-park homer. Joey grabbed the ball and fired it to the mound, catch Dustin in between third and home for the first out of the inning. Christian followed with a double, but Dinger continued to strand Eastbound runners, retiring Ryan to end the inning.

Up 6-0, Cookies would add additional insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Vassallo started the inning with a single, and scored when Joey followed with an RBI double to make the score 7-0. Blose then doubled to score Joey, extending Cookies’ lead to 8-0. Guthrie followed with an RBI single to score Blose, and Cookies led 9-0. Dinger followed with a single to put runners on first and third, and it looked as if Cookies would blow the game open. Nate then retired Vassallo and Joey to strand both runners, ending the inning with a complete collapse.

Down nine runs heading into the top of the sixth, Eastbound would need a miracle, which they had been able to achieve in game 1 and game 2. The deficit was too substantial, however, as Dinger retired Nate and Dustin in order to end the game. Cookies had taken game 4 by the score of 9-0, tying the best-of-five series at 2-2 and forcing a pivotal game 5 to determine who would advance to the Wiffle Series.

W: Dinger (1-1)
L: Nate (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game shutout for Cookies & Cream and earned the win. He allowed no runs on 3 hits in 6 innings.
– Nate took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, giving up 9 runs on 12 hits in 5 innings.
– Blose led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 4-for-4 with a single, a double, 2 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Vassallo also went 3-for-4 for Cookies with a single, a triple, a homer, 3 runs scored, and an RBI.
– Dustin, Christian, and Nate each had one hit for Eastbound.

Tags: 2015, August, Cookies & Cream, Eastbound & Dahn, EWL Playoffs, First Round, Game 4

Guthrie had a solo homer and a 2-RBI triple in bottom of the fourth, leading Cookies & Cream’s rally

Cookies & Cream trailed 5-0 and were only six outs away from being swept by Eastbound & Dahn, but they rallied with 7 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead and hold on to win game 3 and keep their season alive, forcing a game 4.

Eastbound & Dahn’s roster was depleted heading into game 3, as they were missing their MVP candidate Morrison, who had moved to DC, their best fielder and leadoff hitter Hartley, who was out of town, and their staff ace Helal, who was out for the week. They would head into game 3 with roster regulars Christian and Nate, recent free agent acquisition Dustin, and Ryan, who would be making his EWL debut as Eastbound tried to clinch their first playoff series win and advance to the Wiffle Series.

Cookies & Cream would have their full roster for the first time in weeks, playing with their 2014 playoff roster of Joey, Blose, Guthrie, Dinger, and Vassallo. With their season on the line, Cookies started their ace Guthrie on the mound.

Nate, the hero of game’s 1 and 2, led off game 3 with a double. The next batter, Dustin, singled, moving Nate to third, but Dustin was caught trying to advance the hit into a double for the first out of the inning. Guthrie then retired Christian, stranding Nate at third and ending the inning.

Eastbound turned to Christian as their starting pitcher, hoping to close out the series with a win. He retired the first two batters he faced, Joey and Blose, and the game was scoreless through the first inning.

Eastbound got on the board in the top of the second, taking an early lead. Ryan singled in his first career EWL at-bat, and he moved to second when Nate grounded out for the first out of the inning. Dustin then doubled, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. Christian followed with a line drive off Guthrie’s legs, and as the ball ricocheted into foul territory both runners came around to score. Christian’s RBI single put Eastbound ahead 2-0.

Christian continued to roll in the bottom of the second. Dinger hit a one-out single, but Christian stranded him, retiring Vassallo to end the inning.

Nate singled to start the top of the third, but when the next batter, Dustin, grounded out to the mound, Guthrie stepped on the mound to double off Nate, ending the inning.

Cookies continued to struggle at the plate in the bottom of the third, as Joey and Blose were retired, and Christian had retired 6 of the first 7 batters that he faced.

Eastbound would add to their lead in the top of the fourth. Ryan singled with one out, and he moved from first to third when Nate followed with a double. Dustin then hit a three-run bomb to center, and Eastbound & Dahn had pulled ahead 5-0. Guthrie retired Christian to end the inning, and Cookies trailed by five runs.

Dustin’s three-run blast in the top of the fourth put Eastbound ahead 5-0

Trailing by five and with only one hit, a single, through three innings, it looked as if Cookies & Cream’s season would end quietly. However, they responded in a big way in the bottom of the fourth, rallying with seven runs to take the lead in game 3. Guthrie started the inning with a solo homer to left, putting Cookies & Cream on the board. Two batters later, Vassallo hit a one-out double, and he scored on a Joey RBI single, making the score 5-2. Blose then singled to put runners on first and second with one out, and Guthrie delivered an RBI triple, clearing the bases and pulling Cookies & Cream closer at 5-4. Dinger then hit an RBI single to score Guthrie, tying the game at 5-5. Vassallo, who had missed the past several weeks, followed with a two-run blast, and Cookies & Cream had come from behind to take the lead at 7-5. Christian then retired Joey to end the inning, but Eastbound had surrendered their big lead and trailed by two heading into the fifth.

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after Guthrie’s lead off homer, which started the seven-run rally that kept their season alive

Ryan led off the top of the fifth with a solo homer, the first of his career, making the score 7-6. Two batters later, Dustin doubled with one out, and the tying run was in scoring position. But Guthrie cracked down and retired Christian to strand the runner, end the inning, and preserve a one-run lead for Cookies.

Ryan’s solo homer in the bottom of the fifth pulled Eastbound within a run

Blose led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer, putting Cookies & Cream back ahead by two runs 8-6. Christian retired the next two batters to end the inning, and Eastbound trailed by two heading into the top of the sixth.

Eastbound was used to trailing heading into their final at-bat. They were down by 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of game 1 before scoring 7 runs to win, and they were down a single run in the bottom of the sixth of game 2 before scoring 2 runs to win. This time, in game 3, they would need 2 runs to extend the game and 3 runs to win. Guthrie remained on the mound for Cookies & Cream, and he retired the first batter he faced, Ryan, for the first out of the inning. The next batter was Nate, who had won games 1 and 2 with walk-off homers. Incredibly, he hit a towering solo-homer to left, pulling Eastbound within a run at 8-7. Nate was now 4-for-4 in the sixth inning in the series, with a double, 3 home runs, 4 RBI, and 4 runs scored. It looked as if Cookies & Cream was about to blow their third straight lead in the final inning, but Eastbound couldn’t keep the magic alive. Guthrie got Dustin to fly out to right for the second out of the inning, ending the game and giving Cookies & Cream an 8-7 game 3 win.

Cookies & Cream now trailed Eastbound & Dahn 2-1 in the best-of-five first round series heading into game 4.

W: Guthrie (1-0)
L: Christian (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, giving up 7 runs on 12 hits in 6 innings.
– Christian took the loss for Eastbound, allowing 8 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings.
– Guthrie and Vassallo led Cookies at the plate. Guthrie went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI. Vassallo went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Nate and Dustin led Eastbound & Dahn on offense. Nate went 4-for-6 with a single, 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs scored, and an RBI. Dustin also went 4-for-6 with a single, 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Ryan went 3-for-5 with 2 singles, a home run, 3 runs scored, and an RBI in his wiffle debut.

Tags: 2015, August, Cookies & Cream, Eastbound & Dahn, EWL Playoffs, First Round, Game 3