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Elendil · 02-14-2008, 07:41 PM

2018: Photo Finish

While Fairbanks used August to sew things up in the Denali Division, the race in the Seward Division couldn't have been tighter. But first, some anecdotes.

Two Interesting Games

On July 25, superstar slugger Phil Botfield gave the Sentinels a win in style, crushing a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against Chugiak. The final score in Sitka's come-from-behind victory was 11 to 10.

On August 3, Sitka was embroiled in another slugfest, but came out on the wrong end this time. The Yukoners outscored them 19-12 in a game that lasted well over four hours. The two teams combined for 31 runs on 39 hits, 14 of which were extra-base hits. There were also six errors and six stolen bases in the game. It was a Pyrrhic victory for Whitehorse, though, as their best hitter Fred MacGregor went down on an injury that would last 2 weeks, more or less dooming his Rookie of the Year chances.

The Grizzlies and Glacier Pilots Come On Strong

The Pilots had to battle through injuries to make their way to the top of the Seward Division. At various times in August, they lost catcher Chris Normore, outfielder Mike Collette, center fielder Wynn Dunsmore, reliever Bill Gardner, reliever Guy Auger, and third baseman Griffin Shea. While the others made only short trips to the disabled list, Auger and Shea went down for the season - and could both miss some of next season.

Shea's injury was particularly devastating given his .294/.345/.509 line in 2018. He might never be the same player again after tearing his ACL.

Meanwhile, Kodiak's hitters started performing. Michael Samson went on a rampage. He hit three homers in a game on August 6, then went on to slug seven homers in 25 at-bats for the week. For August, he ended up hitting .373 with 12 HR, 30 RBI, and 28 runs.

On September 1, the final day of the season, Kodiak and Anchorage were tied for first. The Grizzlies were hosting the Oilers, while the Pilots and Bucs faced off at Mulcahy.

Kodiak fell behind 4-1 in the 8th inning of their game, but battled back and ultimately scored 2 in the bottom of the ninth to tie it at 9 and send it to extras. Peninsula then took the game in the 10th inning, 6-5.

The Pilots by contrast squandered a 4-1 lead and went down to defeat, also by a score of 6-5. Thus the two teams remained tied and would have to play a one-game playoff for the division pennant.

The Playoff

The playoff took place the next day, and because the Glacier Pilots had won the season series between the two teams, they would host the game. Davis Murdock (11-3) took the hill for Kodiak, while veteran Chip Becker (13-6) started for Anchorage.

The Grizzlies worked three runs off Becker over eight innings, while the Pilots remained stymied. Murdock walked two, struck out seven, and allowed three hits over his seven innings of work. In the 8th, though, the home team got their chance, when Murdock was lifted for Ben Bow. Dominic Gagne singled off Bow, which was enough to chase him and bring in Turley. Then 36-year-old Don Goodyear hit a pinch-home run to make it 3-2.

They couldn't get any more, though. Boutillier came in for Kodiak in the bottom of the 9th and shut them down. Kodiak won the game 3-2, and for the third straight year, Kodiak and Fairbanks would be facing off in the Alaska Championship Series.

02-14-2008, 07:41 PM	#206
Elendil Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the dynasty forum Posts: 2,318	2018 Stretch Run 2018: Photo Finish While Fairbanks used August to sew things up in the Denali Division, the race in the Seward Division couldn't have been tighter. But first, some anecdotes. Two Interesting Games On July 25, superstar slugger Phil Botfield gave the Sentinels a win in style, crushing a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against Chugiak. The final score in Sitka's come-from-behind victory was 11 to 10. On August 3, Sitka was embroiled in another slugfest, but came out on the wrong end this time. The Yukoners outscored them 19-12 in a game that lasted well over four hours. The two teams combined for 31 runs on 39 hits, 14 of which were extra-base hits. There were also six errors and six stolen bases in the game. It was a Pyrrhic victory for Whitehorse, though, as their best hitter Fred MacGregor went down on an injury that would last 2 weeks, more or less dooming his Rookie of the Year chances. The Grizzlies and Glacier Pilots Come On Strong The Pilots had to battle through injuries to make their way to the top of the Seward Division. At various times in August, they lost catcher Chris Normore, outfielder Mike Collette, center fielder Wynn Dunsmore, reliever Bill Gardner, reliever Guy Auger, and third baseman Griffin Shea. While the others made only short trips to the disabled list, Auger and Shea went down for the season - and could both miss some of next season. Shea's injury was particularly devastating given his .294/.345/.509 line in 2018. He might never be the same player again after tearing his ACL. Meanwhile, Kodiak's hitters started performing. Michael Samson went on a rampage. He hit three homers in a game on August 6, then went on to slug seven homers in 25 at-bats for the week. For August, he ended up hitting .373 with 12 HR, 30 RBI, and 28 runs. On September 1, the final day of the season, Kodiak and Anchorage were tied for first. The Grizzlies were hosting the Oilers, while the Pilots and Bucs faced off at Mulcahy. Kodiak fell behind 4-1 in the 8th inning of their game, but battled back and ultimately scored 2 in the bottom of the ninth to tie it at 9 and send it to extras. Peninsula then took the game in the 10th inning, 6-5. The Pilots by contrast squandered a 4-1 lead and went down to defeat, also by a score of 6-5. Thus the two teams remained tied and would have to play a one-game playoff for the division pennant. The Playoff The playoff took place the next day, and because the Glacier Pilots had won the season series between the two teams, they would host the game. Davis Murdock (11-3) took the hill for Kodiak, while veteran Chip Becker (13-6) started for Anchorage. The Grizzlies worked three runs off Becker over eight innings, while the Pilots remained stymied. Murdock walked two, struck out seven, and allowed three hits over his seven innings of work. In the 8th, though, the home team got their chance, when Murdock was lifted for Ben Bow. Dominic Gagne singled off Bow, which was enough to chase him and bring in Turley. Then 36-year-old Don Goodyear hit a pinch-home run to make it 3-2. They couldn't get any more, though. Boutillier came in for Kodiak in the bottom of the 9th and shut them down. Kodiak won the game 3-2, and for the third straight year, Kodiak and Fairbanks would be facing off in the Alaska Championship Series.