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Old 12-10-2019, 03:54 AM   #548
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Wellington Athletics (84-70) vs. Downie Chiefs (79-75)
Season Matchup: 10-5 in favor of Downie

Wellington: Runs scored – 737 (5th in East); runs against – 692 (3rd)
Downie: Runs scored – 693 (7th); runs against – 723 (4th)

Two teams each making their third playoff appearance square off for the 1951-52 Eastern League Pennant. For the Downie Chiefs, this is their third straight appearance, while the Wellington Athletics return after a 12-year absence. Wellington won the Eastern League Pennant in the United Leagues’ inaugural season, defeating the Queensland Eagles 4 games to 2. Two seasons later however, the 93-61 Athletics were swept by the 96-58 Braeland City Monarchs. Since then, Wellington has finished eight times in the second division. But a balanced roster along with parity (or mediocrity – take your pick) in the East has returned the Athletics to first place and the playoffs.

The Chiefs meanwhile came on strong late in the season to edge out both the Queensland Eagles and Embro Suns by a single game to take the wild card. After winning the United Cup two seasons ago in their first playoff appearance, Downie lost to the Suns last season in the Pennant Series.

While the Chiefs enter the Series relatively injury free, the Athletics will be missing several starters. Their top two pitchers, 25-year old RHP Bert Morrow (8-6, 3.97 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.77 FIP) and 27-year old RHP Troy Conlin (12-8, 3.87 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4.05 FIP) are out of commission until next season. In addition, their starting catcher, 24-year old C Declan Bugbie (.309/.339/.450, 11 HR, 82 RBI, 25 BB, 4.7 WAR), will not be available until the United Cup Series, should they get that far. 32-year old Mick Gunnis (.213/.279/.267, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 8 BB, 0.0 WAR), who spent most of the season in AAA, will assume catching duties.

So third-year manager Eugene Rogge has his work cut out as he tries to lead the Athletics to their first pennant in 14 years. In the opposing dugout though, Downie’s manager Bill Bouchet looks to lead his club back to the United Cup Series after falling short last year. The two southern cities that lie directly across from each other along Pearl Sound are ready to battle for bragging rights as the top team in the East. Let the games begin!

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Game 1 – March 26

The series opens at Wellington’s Santop Stadium, with 28,395 exuberant fans on hand. It’s partly cloudy, 69F with a gentle breeze blowing from left to right (9 mph).

31-year old veteran RHP Ian Peter (13-10, 4.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 4.24 FIP), Wellington’s de facto ace gets the start. Peter is 0-1, 2.16 ERA in two starts and four playoff games overall, split between the Sherburn Tigers and Wolseley Unions. Peter won a United Cup with the Unions back in 1947-48.

Downie will go with their No. 3 starter: 31-year old RHP Bernie Knowles (10-13, 4.69 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 4.42 FIP). This will be his fourth playoff start after going 1-1, 2.43 ERA with the Chiefs and Kingston Pelicans. Knowles won a United Cup championship with the Chiefs two seasons ago.

Bottom of the 3rd:
Both Peter and Knowles keep the hitters at bay until the 3rd inning, when Wellington breaks through. SS Rupert Bricknell and RF Harvey Thrornber lead off with back-to-back singles. After CF Jim Mars flies out to rightfield, LF Mathew Floyd smashes a 3-run home run, 380 ft. into the rightfield bleachers.
The Athletics continue getting on base when C Mick Gunnis reaches base safely after SS Mac Medley’s throw is too low for 1B Robin Duerden to scoop up out of the dirt cleanly. 1B Wayne Emmert follows and singles Gunnis over to third. 2B Vaiga Bultarro then grounds into a 5-4 fielder’s choice. But Gunnis comes home on the play unmolested for Wellington’s fourth run.
Downie 0 – Wellington 4

Top of the 4th:

Downie gets on the board when CF Alfonso León singles with one out and scores on SS Mac Medley’s two-out double.
Downie 1 – Wellington 4

Bottom of the 4th:

Rupert Bricknell leads off with a 4-pitch walk and reaches third when Harvey Thrornber singles, beating out CF Alfonso León’s throw on the play. Although Thornber is thrown out while trying to steal second by C Whatahui Inoke, Jim Mars comes through with a deep fly ball to centerfield. That allows Bricknell to tag up and score.
Downie 1 – Wellington 5

Top of the 5th:

After getting two quick outs, Ian Peter surrenders a 4-pitch walk to lead-off hitter LF Howard Dumbrill. 1B Robin Duerden follows with a double into centerfield. Dumbrill scampers around third on the play and beats out CF Jim Mars’ throw home.
Downie 2 – Wellington 5

Bottom of the 6th:

Ian Peter cranks out a clean single into centerfield with one out. Rupert Bricknell then steps to plate and connects on a 1-2 pitch for a two-run home run, 348 ft. into the leftfield bleachers, giving the Athletics a seemingly commanding lead.
Downie 2 – Wellington 7

Top of the 7th:

Downie keeps battling however. Whatahui Inoke draws a full-count walk with one out. SS Francis Burrows, who substituted for SP Bernie Knowles in the 6th inning, doubles into leftfield. Inoke reaches third and heads for home, beating out Matthew Floyd’s throw.
Downie 3 – Wellington 7

Top of the 8th:

Alfonso León singles into right-centerfield with out one. RF Connor Bing follows him and gets all over Ian Peter’s 1-1 offering, smashing a two-run home run, 392 ft. into the rightfield bleachers.
Downie 5 – Wellington 7

Top of the 9th:

RHP Scott Wheeler takes over from Ian Peter and immediately gives up a first-pitch double to Whatahui Inoke. Inoke then reaches third base on a Francis Burrow 4-3 ground out. Howard Dumbrill immediately singles into rightfield, scoring Inoke and getting the Chiefs to within one.
After Robin Duerden flies out to leftfield for Downie’s second out, Dominic Dudding singles into shallow centerfield, advancing Dumbrill to second base. But Alfonso León hits a 3-1 pitch right to SS Rupert Bricknell who simply tosses it to Vaiga Bultarro to force out Dudding at second base and end the game. The Athletics hang on to take Game 1.
FINAL: Downie 6 – Wellington 7





Ian Peter picks up his first playoff victory, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 103 PI (1-0, 5.63 ERA; Game Score: 50).

For Downie:

Bernie Knowles lasted just 5.1 IP, with 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 86 PI (0-1, 10.13 ERA; GS: 22).

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Game 2 – March 27

Although its cloudy, the heat has shot up (79F) and there’s scarcely any wind (9 mph blowing from left to right) as 28,081 fans throng Santop Stadium for Game 2.

29-year old RHP Wilfried Schop (13-9, 3.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.87 FIP), Wellington’s No. 2 starter, makes his first appearance in the playoffs. Downie goes with their ace, 29-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (12-13, 4.61 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4.73 FIP), who will be making his 6th start playoff start (4-1, 2.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3.93 FIP).

Top of the 1st:
Downie immediately gives the Aruban Schop a rude welcome to the playoffs. LF Howard Dumbrill leads off with a first-pitch double into right-centerfield. 1B Robin Duerden then singles into shallow leftfield. The speedy Dumbrill passes third and beats out LF Matthew Floyd’s throw to home for the game’s first run as Duerden takes second base. 2B Dominic Dudding and CF Alfonso León then crank out back-to-back singles to score Duerden before Schop gets a pop fly and a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Downie 2 – Wellington 0

Bottom of the 2nd:

Wellington returns the favor when Matthew Floyd leads off with a first-pitch double and reaches third base on a C Mick Gunnis U3 ground out. 1B Wayne Emmert then comes through with a double to score Floyd. 2B Vaiga Bultarro and 3B Juan Maldonado both battle Pelanekelina for back-to-back full-count walks to load the bases. After Wilfried Schop strikes out, SS Rupert Bricknell connects for an infield hit. That scores Emmert, tying the game.
Downie 2 – Wellington 2

Bottom of the 6th:

Wellington puts runners on second and third when Vaiga Bultarro singles and Juan Maldonado doubles with one out. Wilfried Schop then connects for an infield hit, scoring Bultarro. Up next is Rupert Bricknell, who draws a walk to load the bases. With two out, CF Jim Mars pushes a single into shallow leftfield. Maldonado scores easily from third on the play. Schop is also given the green light and beats out LF Howard Dumbrill’s throw home to extend the Athletics’ lead to three.
Downie 2 – Wellington 5

Top of the 8th:

Downie narrows the gap as Dominic Dudding leads off and battles Schop to a full count before smashing a solo home run, 393 ft. into the rightfield bleachers. The Chiefs then load the bases with one out, as RF Connor Bing doubles, SS Mac Medley singles and 3B Louie Revill is hit by a pitch. C Whatahui Inoke then smacks Schop’s first pitch deep to rightfield. It is caught by Harvey Thornber, but Connor Bing tags up and beats out the throw to home plate, getting the Chiefs to within one.
Downie 4 – Wellington 5

Top of the 9th:

Wilfried Schop starts the inning but fails to get an out. Howard Dumbrill and Robin Duerden lead off with back-to-back singles. Dominic Dudding then comes through with a double, scoring both base runners and giving the Chiefs the lead for the first time. After Alfonso León is given a free pass, RHP Scott Wheeler comes in to relieve Schop.
While Wheeler gets both Connor Bing and Mac Medley to fly out to leftfield, Louie Revill drives a single into shallow leftfield. Dudding heads to third but LF Matthew Floyd’s throw to the base sails wide. Dudding scampers home, giving Downie a two-run lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Carl Luscombe, who came in to start the 8th inning, gets Matthew Floyd to fly out to leftfield. Although Mick Gunnis draws a walk, Wayne Emmert grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. The Chiefs tie up the series as they head back home for the next three games.
FINAL: Downie 7 – Wellington 5





Player of the Game: Dominic Dudding had a big game, going 4 for 5 with 2-2B, 1 HR to go along with 3 R and 3 RBI.

3B Louis Revill went 3 for 4, with 1 RBI.

RHP Kelii Pelanekelina went 6.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 115 PI (0-0, 7.50 ERA, GS: 31).

RHP Carl Luscombe picks up the win, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 26 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

For Wellington:

CF Jim Mars went 2 for 5, with 2 RBI in a losing cause.

Wilfried Schop had a rough outing in his first playoff appearance. He went 8.0 IP, 14 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 122 PI (0-1, 7.88 ERA; GS: 29).

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Game 3 – March 29

The Series shifts to Downie and the Chiefs’ home, Gibson Ballpark. 29,758 fans gather under gorgeous clear skies (74F), with the wind blowing 11 mph left to right to see who will take the upper hand.

32-year old RHP Joong Ling (13-13, 4.65 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 4.49 FIP) takes the hill for Downie. It will be his fifth playoff start (2-1, 4.00 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 4.51 FIP). For Wellington, 27-year old RHP Matt Price (12-12, 4.07 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 4.38 FIP) will make his first playoff appearance.

Top of the 2nd:
Wellington hits Ling hard in the second. 1B Wayne Emmert leads off with a single. Up next is 2B Vaiga Bultarro, who connects on Ling’s 0-1 offering for a 2-run home run, depositing it just fair, 363 ft. into the leftfield bleachers.
3B Juan Maldonado then doubles into right-centerfield but is cut down with a tremendous throw by RF Connor Bing at third base as Maldonado attempts to stretch his double. But after Matt Price grounds out to SS Mac Medley, SS Rupert Bricknell puts a charge into Ling’s 2-1 pitch, sending it 418 ft. into the left-centerfield bleachers for a solo home run.
Wellington 3 – Downie 0

Bottom of the 2nd:

RF Connor Bing leads off with single to centerfield. Jim Mars bobbles the ball on the play, allowing Bing to reach second. Back-to-back walks to Mac Medley and Louie Revill load the bases. Whatahui Inoke then grounds out to 2B Vaiga Bultarro, allowing Bing to score. But back-to-back strikeouts to Joong Ling and Howard Dumbrill end the inning without further damage.
Wellington 3 – Downie 1


Top of the 8th:

RHP Bill Lafontaine takes over for Joong Ling and immediately surrenders a lead-off walk to C Mick Gunnis. Wayne Emmert then singles into shallow leftfield. After Vaiga Bultarro lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Juan Maldonado singles home Gunnis for the Athletics’ fourth run.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Scott Wheeler takes over from Matt Price and induces three straight ground outs from Whatahui Inoke, PH Héctor Gutiérrez and Howard Dumbrill to end the game and give the Athletics a 2-1 lead in the series.
FINAL: Wellington 4 – Downie 1





Player of the Game: Matt Price pitched a fine game, going 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 6 K, 127 PI (1-0, 1.13 ERA; GS: 68).

2B Vaiga Bultarro goes 1 for 3, 1 HR, 2 RBI.

SS Rupert Bricknell goes 2 for 5 with 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI.

For Downie:

Joong Ling goes 7.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 96 PI (0-1, 3.86 ERA; GS: 46).

2B Dominic Dudding went 3 for 3, 1 BB.

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Game 4 – March 30

The second game at Gibson Ballpark sees 30,122 eager fans ready to cheer their team on to a second victory and a tied series. Skies are partly cloudy (70F) with a moderate breeze (15 mph) blowing out to right.

36-year old LHP Gavin Hewat (14-10, 3.99 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3.88 FIP), Downie’s No. 4 starter, takes the hill, while Wellington goes with 24-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (2-2, 4.58 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 4.11 FIP). Hewat makes his second start in the playoffs (0-2, 1 SV, 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.23 FIP) over 4 games with Downie and Wolseley, while the young Snell makes his playoff debut.

Bottom of the 1st:
Downie wastes no time roughing up Snell as LF Howard Dumbrill leads off with a single and 1B Robin Duerden draws a full-count walk. Up next is 2B Dominic Dudding, who lines a double into left-centerfield, scoring Dumbrill and moving Duerden over to third. CF Alfonso León then flies out to CF Jim Mars, scoring Duerden for Downie’s second run.
RF Connor Bing then steps up to the plate and connects on a 2-2 pitch that just stays fair down the leftfield line for a 2-run home run (357 ft).
Wellington 0 – Downie 4

Top of the 2nd:

2B Vaiga Bultarro triples into deep right-centerfield with two out. 3B Juan Maldonado then singles him home to get Wellington on the board.
Wellington 1 – Downie 4

Top of the 6th:

LF Matthew Floyd lines a single into shallow leftfield with one out. C Mick Gunnis then doubles into centerfield. Floyd guns it past third, but CF Alfonso León’s throw and SS Mac Medley’s relay are on the money as Floyd is cut down at home plate. 1B Wayne Emmert follows and singles into rightfield. Gunnis rounds third and this time beats out Alfonso León’s throw to home for Wellington’s second run.

In the top of the 9th, Gavin Hewat gets two quick outs before surrendering a four-pitch walk to SS Rupert Bricknell. RHP Carl Luscombe then comes on in relief and gives up a single to RF Harvey Thornber, putting runners on first and second. But CF Jim Mars goes down swinging as the Chiefs tie up the series at 2 games-apiece.
FINAL: Wellington 2 – Downie 4





Player of the Game: RF Connor Bing came up big, going 2 for 3 with 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1-2B and 1 HR.

LHP Gavin Hewat picks up his first playoff victory. He went 8.2 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 126 PI (1-0, 2.08 ERA; GS: 55).

For Wellington:

Vinnie Snell’s nerves and control got the better of him, especially in the first inning where he gave up all the runs Downie scored. In all, he went 8.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 108 PI (0-1, 4.50 ERA; GS: 50).

2B Vaiga Bultarro went 3 for 4, with 1-3B, 1 R.

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Game 5 – March 31

The two clubs meet again for the rubber match as 29,771 fans look for their Chiefs to keep their momentum going. The weather couldn’t be more perfect: clear skies, 71F with just a light breeze blowing left to right (11 mph) at Gibson ballpark.

The starters of Game 1 get the call: Downie’s RHP Bernie Knowles squares off against Wellington’s RHP Ian Peter. Peter eked out a 7-5 victory in their first matchup.

Top of the 1st:
The game turns into a stellar pitching duel, but Wellington manages to get on the board early. SS Rupert Bricknell leads off with a walk and reaches third base when RF Harvey Thornber doubles into centerfield. After CF Jim Mars draws a walk to load the bases, LF Matthew Floyd grounds into a 5-4 fielder’s choice. That allows Bricknell to score the game’s opening run before C Mick Gunnis grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Wellington 1 – Downie 0

Bottom of the 8th:

Peter and Knowles allow just four hits combined after the top of the first inning until Peter runs into trouble in the 8th. 3B Louie Revill leads off with a single, advances to second on a C Whatahui Inoke sac bunt, then reaches third base on a wild pitch. PH Héctor Gutiérrez then hits a deep sac fly to leftfield. Revill tags up and scores without a throw to tie things up. Downie then loads the bases on two singles and an error (E6). But CF Alfonso León pops it up to SS Rupert Bricknell to end the inning.
Wellington 1 – Downie 1

Top of the 9th:

RHP Carl Luscombe comes on in relief of RHP Bernie Knowles and quickly gets Matthew Floyd to pop out to 2B Dominic Dudding. Mick Gunnis pops up to Dudding as well, but this time Dudding drops it, allowing Gunnis to reach base safely. Wayne Emmert draws a 4-pitch walk, putting runners on first and second. 2B Vaiga Bultarro then comes through with a line drive double into deep rightfield. That scores Gunnis for the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Ian Peter completes his gem, getting Connor Bing, Mac Medley and Louie Revill to all ground out (4-3, 6-3 and 6-3) to end the game. The Athletics take the upper hand in the Series as the two teams head back to Wellington for Game 6.
FINAL: Wellington 2 – Downie 1





Player of the Game: Ian Peter wins his second playoff game, going the distance: 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 118 PI (2-0, 3.18 ERA; GS: 72).

For Downie:

RHP Bernie Knowles was every bit as good as Peter, but the offense came up just short. He went 8.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 111 PI (0-1, 4.72 ERA; GS: 73).

RHP Carl Luscombe took the loss, going 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 18 PI (1-1, 0.00 ERA).

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Game 6 – April 2

Santop Stadium plays host once again, as 28,442 fans look to see if their Athletics can clinch the Pennant after taking two of three in Downie. It sunny and hot along the west coast of Pearl Sound: clear skies, 78F, with just a gentle breeze blowing from left to right (10 mph).

The Game 2 starters are ready to square off once again. RHP Wilfried Schop looks to bounce back from his rough first outing for Wellington, while Downie taps RHP Kelii Pelanekelina. Neither got the decision in Game 2.

Top of the 1st:
Downie strikes first against Schop just as they did in Game 2. LF Howard Dumbrill gets hit by a pitch to lead things off. With one out, 2B Dominic Dudding bangs out a line drive triple into the gap in left-centerfield, scoring Dumbrill for the game’s first run. CF Alfonso León then lines a double into rightfield, to easily score Dudding.
Downie 2 – Wellington 0

Bottom of the 4th:

Its smooth sailing for Pelanekelina until the 4th inning. RF Harvey Thornber leads off with a bunt. Pelanekelina picks it up and throws it to 1B Robin Duerden but it’s in the dirt and Duerden is unable to corral it. Thornber advances to second as Duerden is charged with the error. CF Jim Mars then smacks a long single into left-centerfield. Thornber races home, beating out LF Howard Dumbrill’s throw. Next up is LF Matthew Floyd, who sends a line drive triple into deep centerfield. That scores Mars as CF Alfonso León tracks down the ball. C Mick Gunnis then singles off Pelanekelina’s first offering. Floyd scampers home as Wellington takes the lead.
Downie 2 – Wellington 3

Top of the 7th:

Pelanekelina singles into shallow rightfield with one out. After Howard Dumbrill strikes out, 1B Robin Duerden triples to the gap in right-centerfield. That sends Pelanekelina home as Downie ties things up.
Downie 3 – Wellington 3

Bottom of the 7th:

Wellington loads the bases as Mick Gunnis leads off with a single, Vaiga Bultarro singles with one out and Juan Maldonado follows him with a full-count walk. With two out, Pelanekelina hits Rupert Bricknell on a 1-2 pitch, forcing in Bultarro as Wellington retakes the lead.
Downie 3 – Wellington 4

Top of the 8th:

Downie doesn’t give up. SS Mac Medley and 3B Louie Revill bang out back-to-back singles. They are followed by 1B Whathui Inoke, who singles into shallow left-centerfield. Medley races around third and beats out CF Jim Mars’ throw home.
Pelanekelina follows Inoke and comes through with a double into left-centerfield. That scores Revill as Downie takes back the lead.
Downie 5 – Wellington 4

Bottom of the 8th:

But Pelanekelina can’t hold onto it. Jim Mars leads off with a single and advances to second base on Mick Gunnis’ one-out single. Wayne Emmert comes through with a single as well. Mars passes third base and beats out RF Connor Bing’s throw home, tying up the game once again. That ends Kelii Pelanekelina’s afternoon. RHP Carl Luscombe battles Vaiga Bultarro to a full count and prevails, getting him to fly out to rightfield. But Juan Maldonado connects on Luscombe’s first pitch, doubling down the rightfield line. That scores Gunnis for the go-ahead run.

In the top of the 9th, RHP Scott Wheeler, who relieved Schop in the 8th, induces ground outs from Robin Duerden, Dominic Dudding and Alfonso León (6-3, 4-3, and 1-3) to end a wild game and the series. The Wellington Athletics prevail in six games to win the Eastern League Pennant!
FINAL: Downie 5 – Wellington 6





Player of the Game: Mick Gunnis received game honors. He went 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI.

Wilfried Schop was shaky once again but did enough to help his club win. His line was 7.2 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 133 PI (0-1, 6.89 ERA; GS: 38).

Scott Wheeler picked up the win, going 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 12 PI (1-0, 2.08 ERA).

For Downie:

Kelii Pelanekelina didn’t fare much better than Schop, going 7.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 126 PI (0-1, 6.75 ERA; GS: 37).

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