Team Profile: New Orleans Jazz
Banners: World Series Champions (2040, 2042), North America - East Division Champions (2042, 2053, 2054)
Playoff appearances: 7
Last season: 14th
Current record: 18-19
The Jazz are one of the most storied franchises in the league, winning the very first WBL World Series in 2040, and a further title in 2042. They’ve struggled over the last few years however, and come into the game below .500.
Game 1
SP: Giobbe Marinello
Kolya Saetgaliev was the catalyst in an exciting 11-7 win for the Hares at Frenchmen Stadium, going 2-4 with a home run, a double and a walk, driving in 4 runs. Sadafumi Fujita and Werner Schilchegger hit homers too while Marinello gave up only 1 run in six innings, before the bullpen let things slip somewhat, though thankfully not enough to lose the game for the Hares. The win was the 4th in a row for Sheffield.
Game 2
SP: Adam Koehler
It was Adam Koehler’s turn to get the star role as he helped Sheffield win their 5th game in a row by going 2-4, including his 7th home run of the season as the Jazz lost 8-6. Alois Herzog didn’t inspire too much confidence, giving up 5 runs in his 6.1 innings - but the bullpen kept things steady to allow a solid offensive outing from Sheffield to be enough. Jason Portman continued what has been a surprisingly good offensive season for him so far, going 2-3 with 2 RBIs.
Player of the game: Adam Koehler
Game 3
SP: Hugo Duarte
The big news for game 3 was top Sheffield prospect Eskinder Ali finally making his debut, at 26 years old. The Central African two-way prodigy was drafted as the 4th pick in Sheffield’s expansion draft in 2055. He’s a more consistent offensive force than a pitcher, but has star potential in both. His opening performance was solid if unspectacular, as he went 1-4 with a walk at the plate. Unlike the previous games vs the Jazz, the Hares offense struggled to get much going (although Schilchegger and Koehler did hit homers), and lost 5-3. Jazz Zine Ramadhani had 4 RBIs, helping his team take one back in the series, but it was Fernando Castro’s triple off Hugo Duarte that gave the Jazz the all important lead in the bottom of the seventh. Hugo Duarte’s first start wasn’t the strongest, as he gave up 5 runs in 6.1 inning
Player of the game: Zine Ramadhani
Game 4
The Hares saved their most convincing win for the final game of the series, with a 9-1 win to take the 4-game series 3-1. Ilyas Muraguri went 3-4 with a home run and a double, with a ridiculous 7 RBIs, upping the Hares to 24-17, and 4th place in the division to the delight of the fans. He now leads the team with 28 RBIs. Isaac Saville continues his solid season since signing for the Hares, with another shutout, this time for 5.1 innings, while Su-min Kim capably took over, giving up only one run in his 3.1 innings.
Player of the game: Ilyas Muraguri
Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 24-17 (4th)