The opening round match ups were :
Call to the Hall vs Ground n Pound
Wisconsin Wolves vs Team Wilson
Springfield Isotopes vs Punt Starters
The opening round was in order by points, the second round would be determined by the winners and losers each being randomized for a new match up.
The first round games:
All close games showing the 5000 point rule and balanced of the teams despite the differences in style of construction. In a losing effort Pedro went 8 innings with 11 K's for Call to the Hall. For the Isotopes Mike Sweeney went 3/4 with 2 home runs. Those were the stars of the opening round.
Round 2 Matched up
Ground n Pound vs Punt Starters
Wisconsin Wolves vs Call to the Hall
Springfield Isotopes vs Team Wilson
These games let the offense run wild with much higher scores.
Round 3 had
Springfield Isotopes vs Wisconsin Wolves
Call to the Hall vs Ground n Pound
Final Round
Springfield Isotopes (3-0) vs Call to the Hall (3-1)
The hall had a little advantage in this game as the Isotopes were on their 4th starter while the Hall was able to begin with their ace, big money player, Pedro Martinez. Loading his pitching staff seemed to pay off so far and it did in this game with 12 ks in 8 innings for Pedro. Roberto Alomar hit a solo home run and knocked in another two players with a double. It all came down to one final game with the Isotopes sending their Ace Jeff Suppan on to face the Big Unit Randy Johnson in hte Championship Game.
Championship Game 2:
Prior to this game being played the Showdown commissioner took the microphone at the pitchers mound congratulating both teams on making it this far to a big round of applause from the attending crowd. He also said this coming summer that the Showdown Cup will be returning and whoever wins this championship game will be the second team to qualify for the tournament joining last years winner the 2016 Chicago Cubs.
Top 1st Inning
FP Santangelo leads off with a single, he immediately steals second but is gunned down by Tom Lampkin.
Tony Gwynn follows with a double. Roberto Alomar singles to with Gwynn hustling around third and beating the throw to the plate for the Call to the Hall to take a 1-0 lead.
Following 2 batters would ground out.
From this point forward Randy Johnson would shut out the Isotopes through 8 innings before turning the ball over to Trevor Hoffman in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Garrett Anderson leads the inning off with a double.
Next up is Troy Glaus who goes down swinging.
Marlon Anderson follows and also strikes out.
Derek Bell pinch hits and connects with a long drive but comes up just short and flies out to end the game with Call to the Hall winning 1-0 in the Championship game of the tournament.
Tournament MVP Roberto Alomar was ecstatic to learn that his team will be playing in the cup this summer, and said Lead by this pitching staff we can compete with anyone.
Here is the Winning Roster
Can the bullpen with stand the fatigue of a long tournament is the one question that will surround this team leading into the tournament.
This was a lot of fun to play out and see all the different play style clash. I am looking forward to announcing the 2001 tournament that I will be running next, not announced yet, but its time for managers to start thinking about what players you would like to build with next.
Also for everyone that made it this far here is a little gift for all the reading. I really enjoyed the players weekend jerseys this year so I had to create a couple for the 2018 set.
Topes lose... Topes lose...
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't really begrudge it to a team full of Hall of Famers! *tips cap*
Thanks for running this, Matt. Very interesting to see the variety people came up with
No problem it was alot of fun, although it was alot of games in one day to play, next one will get spread out over a few days
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