Game 1
The
Outlaws came out swinging against
Will Callahan as three of the first four batters hit singles resulting in an RBI for
Allen Beck that gave Oshkosh a 1-0 lead before the
Kernels ever stepped into the batters box. When they did it was
Ed Valentine that dominated allowing six hits and a walk but no runs in a complete game effort. Callahan would give up a seventh inning sac fly to
Manny Cedeno to end the scoring but his team couldn't score against the surprising Valentine.
POG: Ed Valentine(Win, 9 IP, 6 HA, 0 RA, 1 BB, 3 K)
Oshkosh leads series 1-0
Game 2
Oshkosh left Canton with a commanding 2-0 thanks to more great pitching, this time from 39 year old veteran
Michael Bryant. Bryant allowed just two runs, one earned in 5 1/3 innings before leaving the game with a sore hamstring in the sixth.
Rob Clemons blasted a 433 foot homer with LF
Christian King on base to give the Outlaws a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Canton would tie the game on a
Rich Silver RBI single in the bottom of the inning and the game would remain locked at two until the top of the ninth. Clemons would put the Outlaws ahead again with a 2-out, bases loaded single that scored
Anibal Cortes.
Jasper Saunders would need just nine pitches to retire the Kernels in the ninth to preserve the victory.
POG: Rob Clemons(2-4, RS, 3 RBI, HR, BB)
Oshkosh leads series 2-0
Game 3
Canton starter
Grant Hunt and Oshkosh starter
John Hensen would battle for six innings allowing just one run between them before the bullpens took over. Hensen allowed an
Albert Lineberry double to turn into a run scoring single by
Elton Caldwell in the top of the fourth. That would be enough for the Kernels as Hunt and three relievers combined for the shutout. Canton would add another run in the top of the eighth as
Colin Reese greeted
Joe Baldwin to the game with a towering homer to right on Baldwin's first pitch.
POG: Grant Hunt(WIN, 6 IP, 3 HA, 0 RA, 1 BB, 1K)
Oshkosh leads series 2-1
Game 4
Nick Hamm would put Canton up 1-0 with an RBI double in the top of the first but the Outlaws would respond with 11 consecutive runs to route the Kernels in game 4 of the HBL Championship Series. Oshkosh would back up another strong outing from starter Ed Valentine with 12 hits and 11 runs in the series first laugher. Valentine would work seven innings giving up just the one first inning run. He would allow just two base runners after the first picking up his second win of the series.
David Kelley would blow the game wide open with a three run homer off of Canton starter Will Callahan in the bottom of the fourth. Callahan would leave after that inning but the Outlaws would abuse the Kernels' bullpen for six more runs.
POG: Ed Valentine(WIN, 7 IP, 3 HA, 1 RA, 1 BB, 3 K)
Oshkosh leads series 3-1
Game 5
The Kernel's hopes of sending the HBL Championship Series back to Canton took a huge hit when All-World pitcher
Zane Carver gave up five runs in the first two innings putting them in a 5-2 early hole.
Micheal Bryant was cruising with the three run lead when everything fell apart with one out in the eighth. Four hits and two Oshkosh errors allowed the Kernels to score three runs and tie the game giving Canton new hope heading into the bottom of the inning. On the second pitch of the bottom of the eighth Canton reliever
Pat Orr gave up a 1 out double to the Outlaws'
Wes Marsh. Marsh would steal third and score on an Allen Beck single to put Oshkosh back on top 6-5.
With one out in the top of the ninth Canton catcher
Roy Piper singled putting the tying run on first. With no other catcher available the Kernels were forced to leave the slow footed Piper in the game. Oshkosh closer Jasper Saunders would enter the game and strike out
Alfonso Vargas on three pitches. Elton Cantwell would put up more of a fight and line a two out double that would have scored anyone on the team except for Piper who was forced to stop at third. Saunders would get Rich Silver to ground out weakly to second on the next pitch ending the game and the series.
POG: David Kelly(3-3, 2 RBI, BB)
Oshkosh wins series 4-1
