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reds1 · 04-29-2026, 01:08 AM

For the sixth time in United Leagues’ history, two teams who have never won a United Cup will meet in the Championship Series. That means that one of these teams will be ending a 22-year drought.

The Cobourg Redlegs make their second appearance in the United Cup and first in six years, when they fell to the Cambria Cannons in seven games in 1952-53. They reached this year’s finals after winning the tiebreaker game over the Braeland City Monarchs to capture the wild card, then beating the first-place Wellington Athletics, coming from a 3-games-to-one deficit to win the Eastern League Pennant.

The Sherburn Tigers meanwhile won their first Western League Pennant in franchise history by knocking off the three-time defending and still powerful Pulberry Trolleys in seven games.

For only the second time in United Leagues’ history, two wild card teams will be squaring off for the United Cup. The Wolseley Unions and Stratford Barons were the first wild card teams to meet in the United Cup Series, back in 1948-49. Wolseley won the United Cup that season in seven games.

The 167 combined regular season wins for these two clubs represents the lowest combined win total for any two United Cup combatants. The previous low water mark was 173, set by the 87-68 Fort Richmond Generals and the 86-68 Stratford Barons in 1953-54.

In their six interleague games this season, Cobourg enjoyed tremendous success against the Tigers, taking five of six and outscoring Sherburn, 32-19.

The Redlegs remain without the services of one of their key players in 31-year old LF Juan Gonzáles (.242/.317/.457, 29 HR, 82 RBI, 54 BB, 8 SB, 109 OPS+, 2.5 WAR). 26-year old OF Nihopalaoa Neho (.269/.345/.500, 7 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI in Eastern Pennant Series) shifted over from rightfield to take his place late in the season, while 37-year old RF Nathan Ashman (.056/.105/.056, 1 H in Eastern League Pennant Series) was pressed into the lineup. While Ashman’s bat leaves a lot to be desired, especially at this stage of his career, the five-time Ball Hawk Award winner remains an elite defender with plenty of speed.

The Tigers however, welcome back 32-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (13-14, 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.45 FIP, 94 ERA+) to the rotation. The 10-year veteran and 3-time All-Star returns from a back sprain and will pitch out of the No. 3 spot. 26-year old LHP Kozue Saito (1-0, 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA in Western League Pennant Series) returns to his stopper role for the United Cup.

Cobourg’s 56-year old manager Ethan Umbleby (395-376, .512) and Sherburn’s 45-year old rookie manager Lee Ayling (83-71, .539) each made their first appearance in the playoffs and now their first appearance in the United Cup.

With a new Champion set to be crowned, all of Braeland’s attention has been transfixed upon the Series like never before. ‘Play Ball!’

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April 11 – Game 1

Radcliffe Field hosts Game 1 of the United Cup for the very first time. A packed house is on hand to take in the proceedings despite the threat of rain. 24-year old LHP Lachlan Lloyd (0-1, 8.1 IP, 2.16 ERA in EL Pennant Series) gets the start for the Redlegs. Sherburn counters with their ace, 35-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (0-2, 16.2 IP, 2.70 ERA in WL Pennant Series).

Top of the 2nd:
Lachlan Lloyd gets into some self-inflicted trouble in the 2nd. Jay Durham leads off and lines a 2-2 cutter into centerfield that’s just beyond CF Raymond Williams’ reach for a base hit. Robert Kersey lofts a 3-1 fastball out to short leftfield for a base hit as Durham takes second. With one out, Albert Sulley works the count full before drawing a walk to load the bases. Vic Lewis is then hit by Lloyd’s first offering. That forces in Durham for the game’s first run. However, Lloyd strikes out both Jesús Chapa and Leon Albrecht to end the inning and limit the damage.
Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 0

Top of the 3rd:
Adrian Flynn shoots a hard grounder down the third base line that just stays within the chalk. As LF Nihopalaoa Neho chases it into the corner, Flynn thinks about three. Flynn slides in safely under the tag for a one-out triple. With two out, Robert Kersey walks to put runners on the corners. Ross Shewman then sends a bouncer straight up the middle and into centerfield for a base hit. Flynn comes in to score Sherburn’s second run.
Sherburn 2 – Cobourg 0

Top of the 7th:
RHP Brian McDaniel begins the 7th inning in relief of Lachlan Lloyd. Dwayne Vick lines a 0-1 cutter into centerfield that falls in for a one-out base hit before CF Raymond Williams can reach it. Adrian Flynn is then awarded first base after getting hit by McDaniel’s errant pitch. Vick moves up to second on the play. After Jay Durham strikes out swinging, Robert Kersey draws his second walk of the game to load the bases. Ross Shewman steps in and works the count full. He then jumps all over a 91-mph cutter, sending it soaring out toward rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman races back hard but all he can do is watch, as it sails 380 ft. into the stands for a Grand Slam home run.
As if that didn’t dampen the mood in the park sufficiently, the umpires call a rain delay as the rain starts to come down. But less than a half-an-hour later, McDaniel strikes out Albert Sulley to end the inning.
Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 9th:
Harry Doxey leads off and punches the first pitch back up the middle into shallow centerfield for a base hit. But Raymond Williams flies out to rightfield, Douglas Jones strikes out swinging on a full-count and Yoshiake Ikeda grounds out to SS Dwyane Vick to end the game. The Tigers shut out the Redlegs in Cobourg to take Game 1.
FINAL: Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 0

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April 12 – Game 2

Cobourg looks to get back on track after being held scoreless in the opening game. Once again, rain is in the forecast and a gray mist hangs over the ballpark. Cobourg’s No. 3 starter, 25-year old RHP Albert Johnson (0-1, 10.0 IP, 9.00 ERA in EL Pennant Series), takes the hill. Sherburn tasks their No. 3 starter, 32-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 5 career playoff starts). Buschlen makes his first appearance in this year’s playoffs, after returning from the injured list.

Top of the 3rd:
Leon Albrecht leads off with a walk on four straight pitches. Albrecht then gets a good jump as Adrian Flynn lays down a bunt toward the left side. 2B Noah Palmer throws Flynn out at first as Albrecht takes second. Jay Durham then drives a grounder to the right side that scoots past a diving 2B Chia-liang Fang for a base hit that puts runners on the corners. Robert Kersey then grounds out to Fang on the first pitch as Albrecht crosses the plate to open the scoring.
Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 8th:
The Redlegs finally get on the board after an 18-inning scoreless drought that went back to the final game of the Eastern League Pennant Series. With two out, Nihopalaoa Neho drives the first offering from RHP Ramón Ortíz soaring toward the alley in left center. LF Ross Shewman races back and leaps at the wall but it’s just over his glove as it sails 407 ft. into the stands for a game-tying solo home run.
Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 1

Top of the 9th:
PH Brendan Blowers leads off with a full-count walk. That end’s Albert Johnson’s afternoon as RHP Lester Bell comes on in relief. As Blowers breaks for second, Albert Sulley bunts it back towards the mound. Bell moves on it then throws to first, but Sulley beats out the throw for an infield base hit. With one out, Jack Burt walks on four straight pitches, loading the bases. PH Quincey Woolescroft then slices the first pitch to left field for a base hit as it falls in before LF Nihopalaoa Neho can reach it. Brendan Blowers comes in to score as Sherburn retakes the lead.
After Leon Albrecht strikes out swinging for the second out, Adrian Flynn comes to the plate with the bases still loaded. Flynn jumps on the first pitch and drives one to deep leftfield. Neho races back to the warning track and leaps but it just clears the wall for a Grand Slam home run, falling 338 ft. into the dispirited bleachers.
Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 1

Bottom of the 9th:
LHP Kozue Saito takes over to try and close things down. Raymond Williams leads off and strikes out swinging. Douglas Jones then draws a walk. Yoshiake Ikeda belts a 1-1 curveball into leftfield for a base hit as LF Ross Shewman tries to track it down. Jones moves up the third as Ikeda pulls up into second for a double. But Noah Palmer lofts one to short rightfield. RF Albert Sulley hauls it in then alertly whips it to second to tag out Ikeda before he can get back. The Tigers turn the double play to end the game and take a two games-to-none lead as the Series now heads to Sherburn.
FINAL: Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 1

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April 14 – Game 3

The United Cup heads to Sherburn on the western plains with the Tigers looking to take a stranglehold on the Series. The skies are cloudy but warm. No. 2 starter, 34-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (1-0, 12.2 IP, 2.70 ERA in WL Pennant Series), takes the hill. Cobourg’s ace, 30-year old LHP Bill Budd (2-0, 18.0 IP, 0.50 ERA in EL Pennant Series) looks to continue his outstanding play from the Eastern League Pennant Series.

Top of the 1st:
The Redlegs’ offense gets started early for a change as Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and drives the first pitch through the hole and into rightfield for a base hit. Harry Doxey works the count full then dumps a base hit into centerfield. Neho advances to second then hustles to third without a throw. Raymond Williams lines the first pitch into leftfield for a base hit. Neho comes home to open the scoring as Doxey takes second.
Douglas Jones bashes one to the left side. But SS Dwayne Vick backhands it and fires it to second to start a double play. Doxey moves up to third. Yoshiake Ikeda lines the first pitch into rightfield for a base hit. Doxey scores as RF Albert Sulley hurries over to corral the ball in the corner, Doxey scores. Ikeda hustles to second and slides in safely for an RBI double.
Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
Dwayne Vick smashes a 1-2 pitch into the gap in deep right centerfield. RF Nathan Ashman is in hot pursuit, but it falls in and skips to the wall. Vick pulls up into second with a two-out double. Adrain Flynn then walks on a full count. Jay Durham jumps on the first pitch and rips a hard grounder past a diving SS Douglas Jones into left centerfield. CF Raymond Williams hurries in and whips the ball in as Vick breaks for home. Vick slides in safely as Durham moves up to second on the RBI single.
Robert Kersey then drives a 2-2 slider toward the gap in left centerfield. LF Nihopalaoa Neho retreats hard but it’s over his head and skips to the wall. Both Flynn and Durham score as Kersey pulls into second for a go-ahead RBI double.
Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 3

Bottom of the 4th:
Albert Sulley works the count full then sends a hard shot out toward deep rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman sprints after it but it falls 368 ft. into the bleachers for a lead-off home run.
Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 4

Top of the 5th:
Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and lofts a 1-2 curveball out to deep centerfield. CF Leon Albrecht races back but it falls in and caroms off the wall. Neho rounds first and pulls up into second for an easy stand-up double. Neho then moves up to third when Harry Doxey grounds out to 1B Jay Durham. Raymond Williams then pulls a 1-0 fastball into leftfield for a base hit as Neho comes in to score.
Douglas Jones then sends a hard grounder past a diving SS Dwayne Vick and into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Williams moves up to second then sprints towards third. CF Leon Albrecht scoops it up and throws to third, but it sails off course as Williams slides in safely, putting runners on the corners. Yoshiake Ikeda battles Bunce to a full count then pounds a hard grounder down the third base line and into leftfield for a base hit. As it rolls into the corner, both Williams and Jones score without a throw to give the lead back to Cobourg as Ikeda pulls up into second.
Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 4

Bottom of the 5th:
Dwayne Vick and Adrian lead off with back-to-back singles into centerfield. Jay Durham then jumps on a 0-1 knuckle-curve and smashes it to deep right centerfield. RF Nathan Ashman backs up and leaps at the wall but comes up short, as Durham launches a 391 ft. 3-run shot into the stands as Sherburn retakes the lead. That ends Bill Budd’s day as RHP Carl Lampley comes on in relief.
Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 7

Top of the 6th:
RHP Roy Hay takes over from RHP Kieran Bunce to start the 6th. Nathan Ashman drives a hard shot past a diving 2B Vic Lewis and into rightfield for a lead-off base hit. After Mark Johnson strikes out looking, Nihopalaoa Neho drives a 0-1 fastball to opposite field in deep left. LF Ross Shewman races back but it lands 357 ft. into the seats for game-tying 2-run home run.
Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 7

Bottom of the 6th:
Carlos Cuevas punches a 1-2 fastball into the gap in deep left center. CF Raymond Williams lunges for it but can’t make the catch as it bounces to the warning track. Cuevas slides into second safely for a lead-off double. With one out, Dwayne Vick drives a hard grounder toward short and into left centerfield for a base hit. Cuevas moves up to third then breaks for home. CF Raymond Williams makes the throw but Cuevas slides in safely as Wellington retakes the lead.
Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 8

Bottom of the 7th:
RHP Lester Bell takes the mound to start the bottom half. But Jay Durham lofts a 0-1 cutter into short centerfield for a base hit. Durham then moves up to second as Robert Kersey grounds out to 2B Chia-liang Fang. Ross Shewman then hammers a 1-2 changeup into deep centerfield that rolls all the way to the wall for extra bases. Durham crosses the plate as Shewman slides in safely with the RBI double.
Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 9

Top of the 9th:
LHP Kozue Saito who came on in the 8th, starts the 9th to try and close down the Redlegs. After PH Ryan Copp strikes out swinging, Chia-liang Fang works the count full before drilling one to rightfield for a base hit. Harrison Covey then drives a 2-0 cutter that falls into short centerfield for a base hit. CF Leon Albrecht leans down to pick it up but it rolls past him beneath his glove. Covey ends up at second as Fang takes third on the error. PH Luigi Purss jumps on the first pitch and slashes one up the middle past the mound. 2B Vick Lewis lunges but can’t find the handle and doesn’t risk the throw. Fang comes home to score on the infield hit as Covey takes third.
After PH Hayden Billyard strikes out swinging for the second out, Harry Doxey walks on four straight pitches, moving Purss up to second and loading the bases.
But Raymond Williams sends a 0-1 grounder to the right side. 2B Vic Lewis scoops it up and throws to first to cut down Williams to end the game. In a back-and-forth high scoring affair, the Tigers take a commanding 3 games-to-none lead in the Series.
FINAL: Cobourg 8 – Sherburn 9

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April 15 – Game 4

Partly cloudy skies greet the fans and players alike on a pivotal Game 4. 34-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (2-0, 18.0 IP, 0.50 ERA in the WL Pennant Series), who was brilliant in the Western League Pennant Series, is tasked by Sherburn to try and close out the Series. Cobourg counters with their No. 4 starter, 34-year old LHP Axel MacKay (0-1, 14.0 IP, 2.57 ERA in the EL Pennant Series), to try and tame the Tigers.

Bottom of the 1st:
Dwayne Vick sends a hard shot down the third base line that skips to the wall. Vick wheels past first and easily beats out the throw from LF Nihopalaoa Neho for a stand-up one out double. Adrian Flynn punches a 2-0 grounder past the mound and a diving SS Douglas Jones into centerfield. Vick takes third then breaks for home. C Yoshiake Ikeda gets the relay but Vick slides under the tag for the game’s first run as Flynn takes second.
Cobourg 0 – Sherburn 1

Top of the 4th:
Harry Doxey lofts one just over the head of SS Dwayne Vick for a lead-off base hit. Raymond Williams works the count full before belting a line drive into deep leftfield. Doxey comes in to score as LF Ross Shewman tracks it down in the corner and Williams thinks about three. Shewman whips it to third, but Williams slides in safely for an RBI triple.
Cobourg 1 – Sherburn 1

Bottom of the 4th:
Jay Durham crushes a 3-1 forkball to deep leftfield. LF Nihopalaoa Neho races back for it and leaps but it sails 351 ft. into the stands for a lead-off home run.
Two outs later, Albert Sulley laces a 2-2 forkball to the gap in right center. RF Nathan Ashman races back and reaches but can’t get it. Sulley scampers past second and slides headfirst into third for a triple. However, Sulley comes up lame, and the Tigers’ trainer races out to examine his right knee. Sulley is forced out of the game. PR Quincy Woolescroft takes his place, but the Tigers fail to capitalize on the triple.
Cobourg 1 – Sherburn 2

Top of the 5th:
Nathan Ashman drives a 0-1 changeup into short left center for a lead-off base hit. Axel MacKay lays down a bunt in front of home plate. C Robert Kersey pounces on it and guns it to second to cut down Ashman as MacKay takes first. Nihopalaoa Neho then walks on five pitches, moving MacKay up to second. After Harry Doxey flies out to LF Ross Shewman, Raymond Williams drives a 1-1 pitch to deep straightaway center. CF Leon Albrecht lunges for it but it’s over his head and it bounces off the wall for an RBI double as MacKay comes in to score with Neho in hot pursuit. Albrecht hurls it home as Williams bolts to third. 1B Jay Durham cuts off the throw then fires to third. But Williams slides in safely as Cobourg retakes the lead.
Cobourg 3 – Sherburn 2

Bottom of the 7th:
Leon Albrecht blisters a line drive toward the gap in deep right center. CF Raymond Williams races back to the warning track but can’t quite reach it as it hops to the wall. Albrecht hits second and keeps on going. Williams throws it back in but Albrecht slides in safely for a lead-off triple. Dwayne Vick then belts a 1-2 slider into left that falls in for a base hit before LF Nihopalaoa Neho can reach it. Albrecht comes in to tie the game and ultimately, sends the game into extras.
Cobourg 3 – Sherburn 3

Top of the 10th:
LHP Kozue Saito takes the mound to start the 10th. PH Ryan Copp leads off with a full-count walk. After Harry Doxey lines out to 3B Adrian Flynn, Raymond Williams slices one down the leftfield line for a base hit as LF Noah Teale chases it into the corner. Copp moves up to third as Williams coasts into second with a stand-up double. The Tigers then elect to intentionally walk Douglas Jones to load the bases. But Yoshiake Ikeda punches a 1-0 cutter into rightfield as RF Carlos Cuevas tracks it down. Copp comes into score as Williams and Jones move up. Cuevas whips it back in as Williams breaks for home. But 1B Jay Durham cuts it off and fires it to third. Jones comes into third with a hook slide as the relay is off the mark. All runners are safe as Cobourg takes a 2-run lead.
Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 3

Bottom of the 10th:
RHP Brian McDaniel, who started the 9th, takes the mound in the 10th as well. Adrian Flynn leads off and grounds out to 1B Harry Doxey. Jay Durham and Robert Kersey then draw back-to-back walks, bringing the winning run to the plate. But Jack Burt flies out to CF Raymond Williams in deep right center and Carlos Cuevas grounds out to 2B Harold Prudom to end the threat. The Redlegs finally win a game and stave off elimination to live another day.
FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 3

Note: RF Albert Sulley hyperextended his knee while legging out a triple in the 4th inning. Although listed as day-to-day, the Tigers confirmed that he will be unavailable for the rest of the Series. 25-year old OF Carlos Cuevas (.274/.321/.411, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 20 BB, 97 OPS+, 1.2 WAR – 60/69) will take his place.

04-29-2026, 01:08 AM	#878
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,985	For the sixth time in United Leagues’ history, two teams who have never won a United Cup will meet in the Championship Series. That means that one of these teams will be ending a 22-year drought. The Cobourg Redlegs make their second appearance in the United Cup and first in six years, when they fell to the Cambria Cannons in seven games in 1952-53. They reached this year’s finals after winning the tiebreaker game over the Braeland City Monarchs to capture the wild card, then beating the first-place Wellington Athletics, coming from a 3-games-to-one deficit to win the Eastern League Pennant. The Sherburn Tigers meanwhile won their first Western League Pennant in franchise history by knocking off the three-time defending and still powerful Pulberry Trolleys in seven games. For only the second time in United Leagues’ history, two wild card teams will be squaring off for the United Cup. The Wolseley Unions and Stratford Barons were the first wild card teams to meet in the United Cup Series, back in 1948-49. Wolseley won the United Cup that season in seven games. The 167 combined regular season wins for these two clubs represents the lowest combined win total for any two United Cup combatants. The previous low water mark was 173, set by the 87-68 Fort Richmond Generals and the 86-68 Stratford Barons in 1953-54. In their six interleague games this season, Cobourg enjoyed tremendous success against the Tigers, taking five of six and outscoring Sherburn, 32-19. The Redlegs remain without the services of one of their key players in 31-year old LF Juan Gonzáles (.242/.317/.457, 29 HR, 82 RBI, 54 BB, 8 SB, 109 OPS+, 2.5 WAR). 26-year old OF Nihopalaoa Neho (.269/.345/.500, 7 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI in Eastern Pennant Series) shifted over from rightfield to take his place late in the season, while 37-year old RF Nathan Ashman (.056/.105/.056, 1 H in Eastern League Pennant Series) was pressed into the lineup. While Ashman’s bat leaves a lot to be desired, especially at this stage of his career, the five-time Ball Hawk Award winner remains an elite defender with plenty of speed. The Tigers however, welcome back 32-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (13-14, 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.45 FIP, 94 ERA+) to the rotation. The 10-year veteran and 3-time All-Star returns from a back sprain and will pitch out of the No. 3 spot. 26-year old LHP Kozue Saito (1-0, 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA in Western League Pennant Series) returns to his stopper role for the United Cup. Cobourg’s 56-year old manager Ethan Umbleby (395-376, .512) and Sherburn’s 45-year old rookie manager Lee Ayling (83-71, .539) each made their first appearance in the playoffs and now their first appearance in the United Cup. With a new Champion set to be crowned, all of Braeland’s attention has been transfixed upon the Series like never before. ‘Play Ball!’ -------- April 11 – Game 1 Radcliffe Field hosts Game 1 of the United Cup for the very first time. A packed house is on hand to take in the proceedings despite the threat of rain. 24-year old LHP Lachlan Lloyd (0-1, 8.1 IP, 2.16 ERA in EL Pennant Series) gets the start for the Redlegs. Sherburn counters with their ace, 35-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (0-2, 16.2 IP, 2.70 ERA in WL Pennant Series). Top of the 2nd: Lachlan Lloyd gets into some self-inflicted trouble in the 2nd. Jay Durham leads off and lines a 2-2 cutter into centerfield that’s just beyond CF Raymond Williams’ reach for a base hit. Robert Kersey lofts a 3-1 fastball out to short leftfield for a base hit as Durham takes second. With one out, Albert Sulley works the count full before drawing a walk to load the bases. Vic Lewis is then hit by Lloyd’s first offering. That forces in Durham for the game’s first run. However, Lloyd strikes out both Jesús Chapa and Leon Albrecht to end the inning and limit the damage. Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 0 Top of the 3rd: Adrian Flynn shoots a hard grounder down the third base line that just stays within the chalk. As LF Nihopalaoa Neho chases it into the corner, Flynn thinks about three. Flynn slides in safely under the tag for a one-out triple. With two out, Robert Kersey walks to put runners on the corners. Ross Shewman then sends a bouncer straight up the middle and into centerfield for a base hit. Flynn comes in to score Sherburn’s second run. Sherburn 2 – Cobourg 0 Top of the 7th: RHP Brian McDaniel begins the 7th inning in relief of Lachlan Lloyd. Dwayne Vick lines a 0-1 cutter into centerfield that falls in for a one-out base hit before CF Raymond Williams can reach it. Adrian Flynn is then awarded first base after getting hit by McDaniel’s errant pitch. Vick moves up to second on the play. After Jay Durham strikes out swinging, Robert Kersey draws his second walk of the game to load the bases. Ross Shewman steps in and works the count full. He then jumps all over a 91-mph cutter, sending it soaring out toward rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman races back hard but all he can do is watch, as it sails 380 ft. into the stands for a Grand Slam home run. As if that didn’t dampen the mood in the park sufficiently, the umpires call a rain delay as the rain starts to come down. But less than a half-an-hour later, McDaniel strikes out Albert Sulley to end the inning. Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 0 Bottom of the 9th: Harry Doxey leads off and punches the first pitch back up the middle into shallow centerfield for a base hit. But Raymond Williams flies out to rightfield, Douglas Jones strikes out swinging on a full-count and Yoshiake Ikeda grounds out to SS Dwyane Vick to end the game. The Tigers shut out the Redlegs in Cobourg to take Game 1. FINAL: Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 0 -------- April 12 – Game 2 Cobourg looks to get back on track after being held scoreless in the opening game. Once again, rain is in the forecast and a gray mist hangs over the ballpark. Cobourg’s No. 3 starter, 25-year old RHP Albert Johnson (0-1, 10.0 IP, 9.00 ERA in EL Pennant Series), takes the hill. Sherburn tasks their No. 3 starter, 32-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 5 career playoff starts). Buschlen makes his first appearance in this year’s playoffs, after returning from the injured list. Top of the 3rd: Leon Albrecht leads off with a walk on four straight pitches. Albrecht then gets a good jump as Adrian Flynn lays down a bunt toward the left side. 2B Noah Palmer throws Flynn out at first as Albrecht takes second. Jay Durham then drives a grounder to the right side that scoots past a diving 2B Chia-liang Fang for a base hit that puts runners on the corners. Robert Kersey then grounds out to Fang on the first pitch as Albrecht crosses the plate to open the scoring. Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 0 Bottom of the 8th: The Redlegs finally get on the board after an 18-inning scoreless drought that went back to the final game of the Eastern League Pennant Series. With two out, Nihopalaoa Neho drives the first offering from RHP Ramón Ortíz soaring toward the alley in left center. LF Ross Shewman races back and leaps at the wall but it’s just over his glove as it sails 407 ft. into the stands for a game-tying solo home run. Sherburn 1 – Cobourg 1 Top of the 9th: PH Brendan Blowers leads off with a full-count walk. That end’s Albert Johnson’s afternoon as RHP Lester Bell comes on in relief. As Blowers breaks for second, Albert Sulley bunts it back towards the mound. Bell moves on it then throws to first, but Sulley beats out the throw for an infield base hit. With one out, Jack Burt walks on four straight pitches, loading the bases. PH Quincey Woolescroft then slices the first pitch to left field for a base hit as it falls in before LF Nihopalaoa Neho can reach it. Brendan Blowers comes in to score as Sherburn retakes the lead. After Leon Albrecht strikes out swinging for the second out, Adrian Flynn comes to the plate with the bases still loaded. Flynn jumps on the first pitch and drives one to deep leftfield. Neho races back to the warning track and leaps but it just clears the wall for a Grand Slam home run, falling 338 ft. into the dispirited bleachers. Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 1 Bottom of the 9th: LHP Kozue Saito takes over to try and close things down. Raymond Williams leads off and strikes out swinging. Douglas Jones then draws a walk. Yoshiake Ikeda belts a 1-1 curveball into leftfield for a base hit as LF Ross Shewman tries to track it down. Jones moves up the third as Ikeda pulls up into second for a double. But Noah Palmer lofts one to short rightfield. RF Albert Sulley hauls it in then alertly whips it to second to tag out Ikeda before he can get back. The Tigers turn the double play to end the game and take a two games-to-none lead as the Series now heads to Sherburn. FINAL: Sherburn 6 – Cobourg 1 -------- April 14 – Game 3 The United Cup heads to Sherburn on the western plains with the Tigers looking to take a stranglehold on the Series. The skies are cloudy but warm. No. 2 starter, 34-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (1-0, 12.2 IP, 2.70 ERA in WL Pennant Series), takes the hill. Cobourg’s ace, 30-year old LHP Bill Budd (2-0, 18.0 IP, 0.50 ERA in EL Pennant Series) looks to continue his outstanding play from the Eastern League Pennant Series. Top of the 1st: The Redlegs’ offense gets started early for a change as Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and drives the first pitch through the hole and into rightfield for a base hit. Harry Doxey works the count full then dumps a base hit into centerfield. Neho advances to second then hustles to third without a throw. Raymond Williams lines the first pitch into leftfield for a base hit. Neho comes home to open the scoring as Doxey takes second. Douglas Jones bashes one to the left side. But SS Dwayne Vick backhands it and fires it to second to start a double play. Doxey moves up to third. Yoshiake Ikeda lines the first pitch into rightfield for a base hit. Doxey scores as RF Albert Sulley hurries over to corral the ball in the corner, Doxey scores. Ikeda hustles to second and slides in safely for an RBI double. Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 3rd: Dwayne Vick smashes a 1-2 pitch into the gap in deep right centerfield. RF Nathan Ashman is in hot pursuit, but it falls in and skips to the wall. Vick pulls up into second with a two-out double. Adrain Flynn then walks on a full count. Jay Durham jumps on the first pitch and rips a hard grounder past a diving SS Douglas Jones into left centerfield. CF Raymond Williams hurries in and whips the ball in as Vick breaks for home. Vick slides in safely as Durham moves up to second on the RBI single. Robert Kersey then drives a 2-2 slider toward the gap in left centerfield. LF Nihopalaoa Neho retreats hard but it’s over his head and skips to the wall. Both Flynn and Durham score as Kersey pulls into second for a go-ahead RBI double. Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 3 Bottom of the 4th: Albert Sulley works the count full then sends a hard shot out toward deep rightfield. RF Nathan Ashman sprints after it but it falls 368 ft. into the bleachers for a lead-off home run. Cobourg 2 – Sherburn 4 Top of the 5th: Nihopalaoa Neho leads off and lofts a 1-2 curveball out to deep centerfield. CF Leon Albrecht races back but it falls in and caroms off the wall. Neho rounds first and pulls up into second for an easy stand-up double. Neho then moves up to third when Harry Doxey grounds out to 1B Jay Durham. Raymond Williams then pulls a 1-0 fastball into leftfield for a base hit as Neho comes in to score. Douglas Jones then sends a hard grounder past a diving SS Dwayne Vick and into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Williams moves up to second then sprints towards third. CF Leon Albrecht scoops it up and throws to third, but it sails off course as Williams slides in safely, putting runners on the corners. Yoshiake Ikeda battles Bunce to a full count then pounds a hard grounder down the third base line and into leftfield for a base hit. As it rolls into the corner, both Williams and Jones score without a throw to give the lead back to Cobourg as Ikeda pulls up into second. Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 4 Bottom of the 5th: Dwayne Vick and Adrian lead off with back-to-back singles into centerfield. Jay Durham then jumps on a 0-1 knuckle-curve and smashes it to deep right centerfield. RF Nathan Ashman backs up and leaps at the wall but comes up short, as Durham launches a 391 ft. 3-run shot into the stands as Sherburn retakes the lead. That ends Bill Budd’s day as RHP Carl Lampley comes on in relief. Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 7 Top of the 6th: RHP Roy Hay takes over from RHP Kieran Bunce to start the 6th. Nathan Ashman drives a hard shot past a diving 2B Vic Lewis and into rightfield for a lead-off base hit. After Mark Johnson strikes out looking, Nihopalaoa Neho drives a 0-1 fastball to opposite field in deep left. LF Ross Shewman races back but it lands 357 ft. into the seats for game-tying 2-run home run. Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 7 Bottom of the 6th: Carlos Cuevas punches a 1-2 fastball into the gap in deep left center. CF Raymond Williams lunges for it but can’t make the catch as it bounces to the warning track. Cuevas slides into second safely for a lead-off double. With one out, Dwayne Vick drives a hard grounder toward short and into left centerfield for a base hit. Cuevas moves up to third then breaks for home. CF Raymond Williams makes the throw but Cuevas slides in safely as Wellington retakes the lead. Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 8 Bottom of the 7th: RHP Lester Bell takes the mound to start the bottom half. But Jay Durham lofts a 0-1 cutter into short centerfield for a base hit. Durham then moves up to second as Robert Kersey grounds out to 2B Chia-liang Fang. Ross Shewman then hammers a 1-2 changeup into deep centerfield that rolls all the way to the wall for extra bases. Durham crosses the plate as Shewman slides in safely with the RBI double. Cobourg 7 – Sherburn 9 Top of the 9th: LHP Kozue Saito who came on in the 8th, starts the 9th to try and close down the Redlegs. After PH Ryan Copp strikes out swinging, Chia-liang Fang works the count full before drilling one to rightfield for a base hit. Harrison Covey then drives a 2-0 cutter that falls into short centerfield for a base hit. CF Leon Albrecht leans down to pick it up but it rolls past him beneath his glove. Covey ends up at second as Fang takes third on the error. PH Luigi Purss jumps on the first pitch and slashes one up the middle past the mound. 2B Vick Lewis lunges but can’t find the handle and doesn’t risk the throw. Fang comes home to score on the infield hit as Covey takes third. After PH Hayden Billyard strikes out swinging for the second out, Harry Doxey walks on four straight pitches, moving Purss up to second and loading the bases. But Raymond Williams sends a 0-1 grounder to the right side. 2B Vic Lewis scoops it up and throws to first to cut down Williams to end the game. In a back-and-forth high scoring affair, the Tigers take a commanding 3 games-to-none lead in the Series. FINAL: Cobourg 8 – Sherburn 9 -------- April 15 – Game 4 Partly cloudy skies greet the fans and players alike on a pivotal Game 4. 34-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (2-0, 18.0 IP, 0.50 ERA in the WL Pennant Series), who was brilliant in the Western League Pennant Series, is tasked by Sherburn to try and close out the Series. Cobourg counters with their No. 4 starter, 34-year old LHP Axel MacKay (0-1, 14.0 IP, 2.57 ERA in the EL Pennant Series), to try and tame the Tigers. Bottom of the 1st: Dwayne Vick sends a hard shot down the third base line that skips to the wall. Vick wheels past first and easily beats out the throw from LF Nihopalaoa Neho for a stand-up one out double. Adrian Flynn punches a 2-0 grounder past the mound and a diving SS Douglas Jones into centerfield. Vick takes third then breaks for home. C Yoshiake Ikeda gets the relay but Vick slides under the tag for the game’s first run as Flynn takes second. Cobourg 0 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 4th: Harry Doxey lofts one just over the head of SS Dwayne Vick for a lead-off base hit. Raymond Williams works the count full before belting a line drive into deep leftfield. Doxey comes in to score as LF Ross Shewman tracks it down in the corner and Williams thinks about three. Shewman whips it to third, but Williams slides in safely for an RBI triple. Cobourg 1 – Sherburn 1 Bottom of the 4th: Jay Durham crushes a 3-1 forkball to deep leftfield. LF Nihopalaoa Neho races back for it and leaps but it sails 351 ft. into the stands for a lead-off home run. Two outs later, Albert Sulley laces a 2-2 forkball to the gap in right center. RF Nathan Ashman races back and reaches but can’t get it. Sulley scampers past second and slides headfirst into third for a triple. However, Sulley comes up lame, and the Tigers’ trainer races out to examine his right knee. Sulley is forced out of the game. PR Quincy Woolescroft takes his place, but the Tigers fail to capitalize on the triple. Cobourg 1 – Sherburn 2 Top of the 5th: Nathan Ashman drives a 0-1 changeup into short left center for a lead-off base hit. Axel MacKay lays down a bunt in front of home plate. C Robert Kersey pounces on it and guns it to second to cut down Ashman as MacKay takes first. Nihopalaoa Neho then walks on five pitches, moving MacKay up to second. After Harry Doxey flies out to LF Ross Shewman, Raymond Williams drives a 1-1 pitch to deep straightaway center. CF Leon Albrecht lunges for it but it’s over his head and it bounces off the wall for an RBI double as MacKay comes in to score with Neho in hot pursuit. Albrecht hurls it home as Williams bolts to third. 1B Jay Durham cuts off the throw then fires to third. But Williams slides in safely as Cobourg retakes the lead. Cobourg 3 – Sherburn 2 Bottom of the 7th: Leon Albrecht blisters a line drive toward the gap in deep right center. CF Raymond Williams races back to the warning track but can’t quite reach it as it hops to the wall. Albrecht hits second and keeps on going. Williams throws it back in but Albrecht slides in safely for a lead-off triple. Dwayne Vick then belts a 1-2 slider into left that falls in for a base hit before LF Nihopalaoa Neho can reach it. Albrecht comes in to tie the game and ultimately, sends the game into extras. Cobourg 3 – Sherburn 3 Top of the 10th: LHP Kozue Saito takes the mound to start the 10th. PH Ryan Copp leads off with a full-count walk. After Harry Doxey lines out to 3B Adrian Flynn, Raymond Williams slices one down the leftfield line for a base hit as LF Noah Teale chases it into the corner. Copp moves up to third as Williams coasts into second with a stand-up double. The Tigers then elect to intentionally walk Douglas Jones to load the bases. But Yoshiake Ikeda punches a 1-0 cutter into rightfield as RF Carlos Cuevas tracks it down. Copp comes into score as Williams and Jones move up. Cuevas whips it back in as Williams breaks for home. But 1B Jay Durham cuts it off and fires it to third. Jones comes into third with a hook slide as the relay is off the mark. All runners are safe as Cobourg takes a 2-run lead. Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 3 Bottom of the 10th: RHP Brian McDaniel, who started the 9th, takes the mound in the 10th as well. Adrian Flynn leads off and grounds out to 1B Harry Doxey. Jay Durham and Robert Kersey then draw back-to-back walks, bringing the winning run to the plate. But Jack Burt flies out to CF Raymond Williams in deep right center and Carlos Cuevas grounds out to 2B Harold Prudom to end the threat. The Redlegs finally win a game and stave off elimination to live another day. FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Sherburn 3 Note: RF Albert Sulley hyperextended his knee while legging out a triple in the 4th inning. Although listed as day-to-day, the Tigers confirmed that he will be unavailable for the rest of the Series. 25-year old OF Carlos Cuevas (.274/.321/.411, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 20 BB, 97 OPS+, 1.2 WAR – 60/69) will take his place. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland