OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

Eugene Church · 12-15-2010, 08:13 PM

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 3, 2018

David Vs. Goliath In Pro Cup Finals
Not a soul expected Ancona to defeat Rocky Rapids in the Ruthlandian Final 4, but they did. Now the task before them is the Turon Typhoons, who have played in more Pro Cups than any team in the IPA. This will be Turon sixth time to play for the Island championship. The Typhoons have been victorious on three occasions: 2003, 2006 and 2009. Twice they were beaten in seven games: 2010 and 2017. Ancona, on the other hand, has only made a very brief appearance in the playoffs prior to this season. In 2007, the Red Elephants were eliminated quickly 4 games to 1 in the first round. But as manager Manny Mickens told the press, "It's not about past years. It's about this year and the right now. And right now my Red Elephants are playing as well as anybody. We just beat a very fine team to get here and we can do it again. There have been numerous teams in Pro Cup history that were unlikely winners. Most recently, the Kenwood Wildcats, who upset all the predictions in 2014."

Ancona's success depends on its number two and three starters Dave Blair (15-10 4.14) and Nikon Maragos (17-15 3.75). If they can keep them in the ball game, the Red Elephants 2-3-4-5 hitters may be enough to pull them through offensively against the talented Turon mound corps. Bullpen specialist John Sharpe (24 saves) will have to produce as well. Ancona's ace Clete Dukas (20-12 3.01) can hold his own with anybody in the IPA. 2B Phil Alston (.267 BA/19 HR), LF Kenny Willard (.331 BA/28 HR), RF Louie DiMucci (.298 BA/30 HR) and 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.288 BA/18 HR) are a formidable foursome that can put runs on the scoreboard.

However, Nicky Engstrom (18-11 2.59), Shane Farmer (29-3 2.60) and Ted Farentino (18-13 3.72) form a very strong rotation. The Typhoons also have a fine closer in Merle Studebaker (34 saves), too. Turon also has a potent batting order with 1B Clyde Kingsford (.338 BA/44 HR), CF Mac McCurnan (.304 BA/32 HR), RF Dominick DiCaprio (.297 BA/29 HR) and LF Andy Porter (.308 BA/20 HR). Asked if he liked being heavily-favored to win, Whitey Richburn replied, "Yes... and I hope the experts are right."

The experts are forecasting a Turon victory in five or six games. They have much better pitching than Ancona.

12-15-2010, 08:13 PM	#2202
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,869	The Islandian Times Wednesday, October 3, 2018 David Vs. Goliath In Pro Cup Finals Not a soul expected Ancona to defeat Rocky Rapids in the Ruthlandian Final 4, but they did. Now the task before them is the Turon Typhoons, who have played in more Pro Cups than any team in the IPA. This will be Turon sixth time to play for the Island championship. The Typhoons have been victorious on three occasions: 2003, 2006 and 2009. Twice they were beaten in seven games: 2010 and 2017. Ancona, on the other hand, has only made a very brief appearance in the playoffs prior to this season. In 2007, the Red Elephants were eliminated quickly 4 games to 1 in the first round. But as manager Manny Mickens told the press, "It's not about past years. It's about this year and the right now. And right now my Red Elephants are playing as well as anybody. We just beat a very fine team to get here and we can do it again. There have been numerous teams in Pro Cup history that were unlikely winners. Most recently, the Kenwood Wildcats, who upset all the predictions in 2014." Ancona's success depends on its number two and three starters Dave Blair (15-10 4.14) and Nikon Maragos (17-15 3.75). If they can keep them in the ball game, the Red Elephants 2-3-4-5 hitters may be enough to pull them through offensively against the talented Turon mound corps. Bullpen specialist John Sharpe (24 saves) will have to produce as well. Ancona's ace Clete Dukas (20-12 3.01) can hold his own with anybody in the IPA. 2B Phil Alston (.267 BA/19 HR), LF Kenny Willard (.331 BA/28 HR), RF Louie DiMucci (.298 BA/30 HR) and 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.288 BA/18 HR) are a formidable foursome that can put runs on the scoreboard. However, Nicky Engstrom (18-11 2.59), Shane Farmer (29-3 2.60) and Ted Farentino (18-13 3.72) form a very strong rotation. The Typhoons also have a fine closer in Merle Studebaker (34 saves), too. Turon also has a potent batting order with 1B Clyde Kingsford (.338 BA/44 HR), CF Mac McCurnan (.304 BA/32 HR), RF Dominick DiCaprio (.297 BA/29 HR) and LF Andy Porter (.308 BA/20 HR). Asked if he liked being heavily-favored to win, Whitey Richburn replied, "Yes... and I hope the experts are right." The experts are forecasting a Turon victory in five or six games. They have much better pitching than Ancona. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-16-2022 at 01:05 PM.