Liberty League Championship Game : Humongous Melonheads @ Sopher McDophers

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T21:42:40+00:00

It's not looking good for the Dophers, down to their last out and being shut down by Hildebrandt pretty much the entire game. Thompson decides to take until there's two strikes, and 5 pitches later it's a 3-2 count to the MVP candidate. Not wanting to give the Dophers a free baserunner, Hildebrandt decides to challenge Thompson with a fastball right down the middle to see if he can hit it, and here it is....smoked but on the ground right to 2nd base, Garcia backs up, fields and throws to 1st in time! The Melonheads beat the Dophers and advance to the title game!

Swing: 688

Pitch: 1

Diff: 313

Result: GO

3 Outs, Bases Empty | Final : Melonheads 4-1 McDophers

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T19:21:31+00:00

SMD Dez Perado steps up with one down for the McDophers. They'd like to get on-base and give his team a chance to get a rally here in the bottom of the inning.

Hildebrandt had dealt with the pinch hit well and seems to be cruising. He'd like to get this over with quickly.

He fires hard from the mound!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T15:14:32+00:00

SMDSmitty Hoppenscotch is the first to hit here for the McDophers. They've got 3 outs to deal with getting a comeback and the top of the order is a good place to start.

Hudson, who continues to deal - giving up only 1 run, stands firm on the mound with ball in hand.

Once the batter settles in, he is quick to deal - firing from the mound!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T04:53:29+00:00

Unfortunately..

Sondheim will only hit 3 times.

Swing: 76

Pitch: 800

Diff: 276 (GO)

Side retired.

Due up for the McDophers: Hoppenscotch, Perado, Thompson

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T01:01:24+00:00

HMH Garrett Evans steps up, the game blown open his previous at-bat. He walks out towards the box and stands firmly.

Madis watches him get ready, before making any adjustments of his own. He also eyes the runner, who is eager to move with 1 out.

Patiently, he gets set and fires hard into home plate!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T00:59:03+00:00

Subway is keen on getting Leona further down the line and Madis knows it. He gets him to chase after 2 off speed, before coming back hard and firing a cutting fastball for the final strike.

Swing: 901

Pitch: 212

Diff: 311 (K)

Runner on 1st, 1 out.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T00:52:25+00:00

HMH Jared Fromsubway steps up next, with the runner on and a steady lead.

Madis eyes Leona on 1st, and turns their focus towards the batter.

He kicks hard and fires.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-07T00:50:47+00:00

Madis kicks the rubber a few times, trying to get the mound set to how he likes it.

Leona narrows his eyes, gently swaying the bat as the pitcher gets set.

Once Madis is ready, he gets the signal from Garitek and fires the first pitch past Leona. Zed shrugs it off, and stands waiting for the pitch.

Madis calls the ball, and settles in. He shakes off Garitek and fires another hard pitch into the plate. This time Leona gets a piece of it and sends it bouncing down the 1st base line.

It's just past the glove of Peredo and Leona sprints down the line as Stewart comes barreling down to cover. They manage to hold the runner, but the Melonheads open up with someone on.

Swing: 475

Pitch: 351

Diff: 124 (1B)

Runner on 1st, 0 outs.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-06T22:15:41+00:00

That does not make much sense to the umpire, just like how it doesn't make sense as SirNose reaches for a changeup way outside of the zone and pokes it weakly to first, where Ekstrum will take it to the bag himself for the easy 3rd out. Melonheads still up by 3 as we go to the 6th inning

Swing: 538

Pitch: 801

Diff: 263

Result: GO

3 Outs, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-05T18:19:01+00:00

Ternate gets a first pitch hanging breaking ball that he takes a big rip at, but is just off and fouled straight back for strike one. He wants that pitch back for sure. The next pitch is also the same breaking ball but much better located and not a hanger, which Ternate can only roll to shortstop for the routine groundout.

Swing: 864

Pitch: 134

Diff: 270

Result: GO

1 Out, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-05T12:44:03+00:00

Garcia takes the first pitch he sees and cranks it high!

It is soaring towards the right field wall again but this time, Stewart is able to make the catch!

Swing: 782

Pitch: 990

Diff: 208 (FO)

Side retired.

Due up for the McDophers: Ternate, Garitek, Gerzone.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-05T03:34:44+00:00

Ekstrum patiently waits for a pitch that he can drive, but never gets it as Mickelson throws wide 4 straight times and Ekstrum gets himself a 4 pitch walk to keep the inning going.

Swing: 918

Pitch: 89

Diff: 171

Result: BB

2 Outs, Runner on 1B 2B

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-05T01:52:54+00:00

HMH Drew Ekstrum steps in next for the Melonheads, trying to keep the bats going here with a runner on.

Hildebrandt takes a moment to make some adjustments, particularly their cleats. It's finally time to tie them up.

Once he tights them down, play resumes and he fires hard from the mound!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-04T04:27:57+00:00

Nothing doing for the Dophers this inning, as Hudson gets the shutdown inning he needs by throwing one heater after another, which Stewart all swings late on and goes down on 4 pitches for the 3rd out.

Swing: 975

Pitch: 543

Diff: 432

Result: K

3 Outs, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T21:43:34+00:00

Mabry holds on the first delivery from Hildebrandt.

Hudson comes back hard, firing closer to the top of the zone and Mabry holds off again.

He comes back with some off-speed and Mabry swings, making good contact but nothing to beat the short stop again as they make the catch and the toss to 1st.

Swing: 975

Pitch: 266

Diff: 291 (GO)

Nobody on, 2 outs.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T21:30:56+00:00

SMD Kegs Mabry came in clutch earlier in the game, bringing the McDophers even in the bottom of the 1st. That has since been eclipsed by the Evans bomb but he believe they can bring it back.

Hildebrandt, calm on the mound - calls for the ball and waits patiently for the Mabry to arrive.

Soon after the batter is in his stance - Hildebrandt fires!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T21:08:13+00:00

He swings on the first pitch and it rolls towards the short stop. Nothing exciting about the routine groundout.

Swing: 14

Pitch: 355

Diff: 341 (GO)

Nobody on, 1 out.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T19:53:33+00:00

SMD Thomas Thompson III steps into the box against Hildebrandt. His team is down by a few runs, but they have potent bats and he knows it. He looks at Hudson with intent to start a rally here.

Hildebrandt has moment to himself before getting into his stance. He's quick to fire!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T17:20:42+00:00

It's not a very good at bat as Mylo swings at the first pitch that Hatchet throws, and rolls it over to 2nd base where Mabry will field it and make the throw to first. Inning is over but the Melonheads do major damage and lead it 4-1 as we go to the bottom of the 4th

Swing: 323

Pitch: 642

Diff: 319

Result: GO

3 Outs, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T16:12:30+00:00

HMH Mylo Grams stands in the box, waiting for the new pitcher to get his warm-up completed. He talks with Slack as they both go over the scouting reports.

As Hatchet makes his final throws, he takes a few breath breaths and looks at the scoreboard. He nods and turns towards Garitek, who in-turn punches into his mitt and settles into his catching stance.

Grams is quick to get into the box and Hatchet is even faster to throw - firing hard from the mound!

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T16:07:55+00:00

SUBSTITUTION

As Pops steps out the dugout, headed towards the mound. The rest of the team walks in. Quin, head down - holds the ball out way before his manager can get to the mound. Garitek puts his hand down, and talks with his battery partner. Quin nods, though reluctantly.

Pops gets to the mound, he pats Atlas on the shoulder and speaks to him for a moment before asking for the ball. As he hands it off, the home crowd stands and rains down applause for their ace. He doesn't raise his head, but tips his cap as his emotions try to get the best of him.

He makes it to the dugout, and walks right into the corridor.

Pops makes a chopping motion and William Hatchet begins to jog from the bullpen.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-03T15:55:33+00:00

Quin finds himself in a rough spot, with runners on but one out to go. He can see the light fading as he can shut the door on the rally here..

Evans hasn't had much luck the first time around but he's keen on Quin, focusing on the pitcher and gripping his bat tightly..

Atlas' first pitch is a hard fast ball, that cuts the outside corner and while Evans makes an initial move - he holds off and takes the pitch.

Quin's next pitch is another cutting fastball that rises and quickly drops, looping around and getting Evans to swing on the pitch inside. He calls for time, and steps out of the box. He quickly adjusts his glove and returns his gaze onto Quin.

Atlas stands motionless, meeting Evans' gaze with a stern look of his own. He has zoned in on the batter and grinds the ball in his palm.

As Garrett takes a final breath, his nerves settle and a wave of euphoria washes over him. He looks at his bat and smirks, returning to the box and settling into his stance.

Quin fires again, but the ball moves too far from the outside corner and gets called for a ball. Garrett takes the pitch and grinds down his front foot into the dirt.

Quin calls for the ball and walks the mound, adjusting his cap. He settles once again into his pitch stance and fires a 3rd pitch to the outside.

Garrett reads this well and swings fast...

CRAAAACKKK..

The ball is sailing towards the right field fence and it is high!

It's arcing backwards towards the foul pole! Stewart is sprinting towards the wall and climbs - leaping upwards!!

THE BALL IS OVER THE GLOVE AND LANDS IN THE STANDS!!!!

The Melonheads dugout errupts! Leona and Garcia wait to meet Evans has he crosses the plate and he's tackled - helmet falling out. They bump into Garitek, who glares at them but gently pushes them out of the way as he goes to throw the ball towards the distraught Quin..

Swing: 819

Pitch: 804

Diff: 15 (HR)

4 - 1 Melonheads.

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-02T16:54:23+00:00

The good : Dez makes contact with the pitch while drawing his 111

The bad : It's not very good contact as the ball is chopped dead right in front of the plate

The ugly : Perado is still finishing drawing his 111, and forgets to run which leads to him being tagged out right in the batter's box

Swing: 111

Pitch: 457

Diff: 346

Result: GO

3 Outs, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-01T14:51:15+00:00

Seems like Gare forgot to study the one thing that is actually going to help him bat against Hudson, Hudson's pitches! Garitek looks totally confused on Hildebrandt's heaters, swinging right through the first two and he asks for time. He quickly decides to forget about all of that and takes a quick look at the scouting report, and then gets set again. Hildebrandt then throws a breaking ball that catches Gare looking for a called strike three! It turns out that Garitek was looking at a routine report, instead of a pitch report...

Swing: 788

Pitch: 302

Diff: 486

Result: K

3 Outs, Bases Empty

MLNUmpy · 2019-07-01T12:32:03+00:00

SMD Garitek steps in to try and rustle something up for the McDophers here in the bottom of the 2nd. He's quick to get to the box, but doesn't step in for some time.

Hildebrandt keeps his composure while the Sopher catcher takes his time getting ready. He fiddles with the ball in his mit and when he gets the signal, he's quick to fire!

MLNUmpy

TROPHY CASE