World Baseball League: Following the Sheffield Mountain Hares

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Stockholm Orcas at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1
Friday, May 28th, 2060

The Sheffield Mountain Hares edged a tense opener at Kingfisher Park, defeating the Stockholm Orcas 7–6. Sheffield rallied from a 5–2 deficit with a four-run fourth inning before Jesus Morales delivered the decisive two-out single in the eighth against Tekle-Giorgis al-Qadhafi. Morales finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Victor Mares homered for Stockholm and drove in three. Seth Phillips earned the win in relief, improving to 1–0. The victory lifted Sheffield to 24–26.

Player of the Game: Jesus Morales

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Game 2
Saturday, May 29th, 2060

Isaac Saville turned in a commanding performance as Sheffield took a 5–2 win to claim the series. The right-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out three. Elias Ali provided the offensive spark with a two-run homer in the third and a sacrifice fly later in the game. R. Graham added a pair of hits and an RBI as Sheffield built an early cushion and never looked back. Stockholm’s Waleed Fathy was tagged for five earned runs over 5.2 innings in defeat.

Player of the Game: Isaac Saville

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Game 3
Sunday, May 30th, 2060

The Orcas salvaged the finale behind a 15-hit barrage, overpowering Sheffield 9–2. Bobby Setser starred with three hits, including a run-scoring single in the seventh that put Stockholm ahead for good. E. Su-Tu gave the visitors five solid innings, while M. Braman picked up the win in relief. For Sheffield, Elias Ali and Ehsan Aas each doubled, but the bullpen faltered after a tight early contest. The Mountain Hares dropped to 25–27 on the season.

Player of the Game: Bobby Setser

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Series Summary
The Mountain Hares took two of three from the Orcas, improving to 25–27 while Stockholm slipped to 28–24.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares at Lisbon Caravels - Series Recap


Lisbon Caravels logo by @20_range

Game 1
Monday, May 31st, 2060

Sheffield opened the series with a bang, thumping Lisbon 14–3 behind a rampaging performance from Nsen Ngunda. The center fielder went 5-for-6, driving in four runs and finishing just a home run short of the cycle. He tripled twice and helped the Mountain Hares to their highest run total of the season.
A. Herzog (3–5) earned the win with 5.1 steady innings, allowing three runs. Every Sheffield starter reached base, with D. Jula and E. Ali each adding two RBIs.
Lisbon’s starter P. Tuliagi (0–5) was hit hard, surrendering nine runs in just two innings as the Caravels’ skid continued.

Player of the Game: Nsen Ngunda (Sheffield)

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Game 2
Tuesday, June 1st, 2060

The Caravels struck back emphatically, crushing Sheffield 10–1 behind a monster showing from Sung-hyun Kang, who hit two home runs and drove in four. Lisbon racked up 12 hits and built an 8–0 lead by the fifth inning.
Jati Djiojopesepito (4–5) tossed 6.1 strong innings, limiting Sheffield to one run on three hits, while E. Ali (1–3) struggled through 3.1 innings for the Hares, giving up seven earned.
P. Legky, C. Danh, and F. Castrejon all added multi-hit games for the resurgent Caravels, who evened the series at one apiece.

Player of the Game: Sung-hyun Kang (Lisbon)

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Game 3
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2060

Lisbon sealed the series with a 2–1 win in a tight pitchers’ duel. Left-hander Ilhan Yazıcıoğlu was outstanding, allowing just three hits and one run over six innings. Francisco Castrejon delivered the decisive blow in the sixth, lining a two-out RBI single to break a 1–1 tie.
Sheffield’s I. Saville (5–4) took the loss despite allowing only two runs over 5.2 innings. The Hares’ bats were stifled, managing just five hits, while Lisbon closer B. Abbott earned his 12th save.
Ngunda continued to reach base consistently, but Sheffield couldn’t find the big hit when it mattered.

Player of the Game: Ilhan Yazıcıoğlu (Lisbon)

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Series Summary:
Lisbon wins the series 2–1, improving to 24–31, while Sheffield drops to 26–29. The Caravels’ pitching was the difference after a rough opener, with Yazıcıoğlu and Djiojopesepito combining to allow just two earned runs in the final two games.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares at Vienna Whistlers - Series Recap


Vienna Whistlers logo by @low

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Game 1
Friday, June 4th, 2060

The Sheffield Mountain Hares opened the series with a 7–3 win in Vienna, powered by a two-homer night from S. Rutz. His pair of blasts drove in four runs, and A. Sandoval picked up the win with 3.1 strong innings in relief. R. Ochoa set the tone with four innings of two-run ball before the rain delay in the fifth.

Vienna’s B. Ruiz was tagged for five runs in four innings as the Whistlers struggled to keep pace. K. Saetegaluye added a solo shot for Sheffield, while J. Milz also went deep.

Player of the Game: Sergio Rutz

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Game 2
Saturday, June 5th, 2060

The Whistlers rebounded with a commanding 6–0 shutout behind a gem from Tuukka Kuitunen, who fired 6.1 scoreless innings and struck out five. T. Asani led the offense with a triple and two RBI, while J. Hughes added a solo home run.

Sheffield’s bats were silent, mustering only two hits — singles from S. Rutz and N. Ngunda — as Y. bin Saqr took the loss after allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. The game was delayed by rain for 39 minutes, and Vienna capitalized immediately after play resumed.

Player of the Game: Tuukka Kuitunen

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Game 3
Sunday, June 6th, 2060

A wild finale saw Vienna edge Sheffield 12–11 in a rain-soaked slugfest. The teams combined for 28 hits and 23 runs, with the Whistlers erupting for five runs in both the 5th and 6th innings. Martino Cacciola led the charge with a three-run homer and four RBI, earning Player of the Game honors.

Sheffield’s E. Aas and J. Morales each collected three hits, while A. Herzog suffered the loss after allowing six runs in 3.1 innings. The contest featured a 38-minute delay in the sixth before Vienna’s bullpen steadied to close out the series.

Player of the Game: Martino Cacciola

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Series Summary
Vienna took two of three at Music Park, improving to 35–23, while Sheffield slipped to 27–32. The Whistlers’ offense was explosive, while Sheffield’s bullpen woes cost them a potential series win on the road.

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2060 WBL Draft Recap: Top 5 Picks & Mountain Hares Selections

The 2060 World Baseball League Draft brought a strong influx of talent to clubs around the globe, with both power and polish headlining the class. Below are detailed looks at the top five overall selections, followed by Sheffield Mountain Hares’ first three picks.

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Top Five Overall Selections

1. Porto Velho Heliconias – 1B Bert McQuade
A 6′2″, 220-lb Australia first baseman from Victoria Springs, McQuade was the clear consensus #1 pick. His scouting report describes plus-plus raw power and elite plate discipline, with an improving eye that could support a .310 batting average. If he reaches his ceiling, multiple All-Star appearances seem likely – a potential middle-order cornerstone for Porto Velho.

2. Milan Tailors – CF John Schoen
Schoen, an 18-year-old American outfielder from Holy Spirit High School (NJ), brings plus-plus speed and raw power alongside elite defensive instincts. Scouts see him as a future Gold Glove candidate and offensive threat, projecting to be an elite big-league center fielder once his hit tool matures.

3. Edmonton Hurricanes – SP Umar bin Hamal
Bin Hamal, 21, Sahrawi, offers a high-octane fastball and an off-the-charts changeup. Scouts praise his exceptional command and poise, expecting him to become a frontline ace and Pitcher of the Year candidate. Edmonton gains a potential staff anchor from day one.

4. St. Paul Charlie Browns – SS Joel Saunderson
Born in Morayfield, Australia, Saunderson blends above-average contact ability with smooth defensive play. With plus power and strong pitch recognition, he projects to hit around .310 while anchoring the infield. A high-ceiling, two-way shortstop who should rise quickly through the system.

5. Harare Hippos – LF Jorge Diaz
Diaz, 21 year old American from the University of Southern Mississippi, offers middle-of-the-order power and plus defense in left field. At 6′2″, 200 lbs, he combines strong contact skills with emerging pop, making him a potential star hitter and dependable corner outfielder for Harare.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares Selections

Round 1, Pick 109 – SP Zhorah Berglezov
Berglezov, 18, a 6′5″ right-hander from Belarus, projects as a four-pitch starter featuring a strikeout slider, above-average cutter, and strong changeup. Though control and command may need refinement, scouts see him as a durable back-end starter with mid-rotation upside.

Round 2, Pick 108 – SP Sergei Dadov
The 19-year-old from Ukraine throws a plus-plus splitter and elite changeup. Reports describe great pitch movement and a knack for keeping the ball in the park. Stamina may limit him to shorter outings early, but he has the tools to become a dependable rotation arm.

Round 3, Pick 109 – SS Zitomir Klech
Klech, 6′0″, from the Czech Republic, was selected in the 3rd round by Sheffield. A plus-plus defender with limited speed but reliable hands, Klech’s bat is still developing, projecting around a .250 average. Scouts view him as a defensive specialist and valuable bench contributor.

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Summary
The 2060 class shows exceptional depth and balance. From McQuade’s potential slugging dominance to Saunderson’s all-around polish, the top five represent a new generation of franchise players. For the Mountain Hares, the focus was clearly on pitching and defense – Berglezov and Dadov form a promising one-two developmental punch, while Klech’s glove could make him a steady infield option in years to come.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares at Patna Roosters - Series Recap


Patna Roosters logo from here

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Game 1
Monday, June 7th, 2060

The Patna Roosters edged out the Sheffield Mountain Hares 3–2 at Patna Stadium, with Benjamin Wiesner’s two-run double in the seventh proving decisive. The Roosters’ designated hitter also threw 6.1 innings of four-hit ball, while reliever Bertrand Robert earned the win. Seth Phillips was saddled with the loss after giving up the late lead.

Jesús Morales and Rob Graham each drove in runs for Sheffield, but the Hares stranded eight runners in total. Patna’s Loi Kwan continued his fine form with a key double and two runs scored, while Arun Parthasarathy swiped his 13th base of the year.

Player of the Game: Benjamin Wiesner

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Game 2
Tuesday, June 8th, 2060

Despite a superb effort from left fielder Eskinder Ali, the Mountain Hares fell 8–6. Ali went 4-for-5 with two home runs and a double, driving in three. Sheffield led 6–4 through five, but the Roosters stormed back in the fourth on Avisa Parthasarathy’s bases-clearing double.

Benjamin Wiesner continued to torment Sheffield with a home run and triple, and Loi Kwan added his ninth homer of the year. Darren Etherington collected the win in relief, and Ángel Salgado wrapped it up for his 18th save. Isaac Saville took the loss, allowing six runs in six innings despite solid control.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali

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Game 3
Wednesday, June 9th, 2060

Rey Ochoa starred as the Mountain Hares blanked Patna 4–0. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings with six strikeouts, earning his first win of the season. Jesús Morales knocked in a run to open the scoring, and Rob Graham, Steffen Rutz, and Johan Milz each contributed RBIs as Sheffield’s bats came alive late.

Patna’s lineup mustered only five hits, while relievers Uri Bercovici and Nicolás Barrios combined for three perfect innings to seal the shutout. The victory lifted Sheffield to 28–33 on the season.

Player of the Game: Rey Ochoa

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Game 4
Thursday, June 10th, 2060

The Roosters crushed Sheffield 14–3 to take the series. Catcher Babah bin Ferran led the assault, going 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, while Kaleb Palees collected two doubles and two RBIs. Starter Bin Cu earned the win with five steady innings, improving to 2–4.

For Sheffield, Nsen Ngunda doubled and stole a base, but Yushuha bin Saqr and Alex Sandoval were hit hard, combining to allow 13 runs in 6.2 innings. Patna’s offense was relentless, collecting 15 hits to move to 27–35 in the standings.

Player of the Game: Babah bin Ferran

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Series Summary
Patna claimed the series 3–1, overpowering Sheffield with big bats in the opener and finale. The Mountain Hares’ lone highlight came via Rey Ochoa’s shutout gem in Game 3, but inconsistency at the plate proved costly. Sheffield heads home at 28–36, searching for steadier offense and bullpen reliability.

[dinosauryoshi]

Warsaw Kings at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap

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Game 1
Friday, June 11th, 2060

Warsaw took the series opener 6–4 thanks to a big night from catcher Paul Bratucu, who drove in three runs, including a decisive two-run shot in the sixth inning off Tyler Allen. Bratucu’s 11th homer of the year gave Warsaw just enough breathing room to hold off Sheffield’s late push.

Ricardo Delgado improved to 7–1 with 5.2 solid innings, while Jack Phelan notched his 16th save. For Sheffield, Espen Aas and Samuel Rutz each doubled, but Adrian Herzog struggled again, giving up four runs across five innings.

Player of the Game: Paul Bratucu (WAR)

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Game 2
Saturday, June 12th, 2060

The Mountain Hares evened the series with a tense 4–2 extra-inning victory. Eskinder Ali delivered his best start of the year, tossing five shutout innings before Espen Aas ended things in the 10th with a walk-off two-run homer off Zeljko Mitevic.

Warsaw’s Mathieu Bertin was solid but undone late as Sheffield rallied from a 2–1 deficit. The Kings’ Rene Norato reached base twice, while Tobias Mueller and Alex Bernard each doubled, but it wasn’t enough to stop Sheffield’s late surge.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali (SHF)

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Game 3
Sunday, June 13th, 2060

Warsaw claimed the rubber match in emphatic style, overpowering Sheffield 9–2. Designated hitter Rene Norato drove in three runs, hit his 14th home run, and was hit by a pitch, helping the Kings to their 39th win.

Volkan Kasapoglu earned his first victory of the season, striking out four over seven innings. Sheffield managed just two runs, both from Nsen Ngunda, while Liam Saville was tagged for seven earned runs in five innings of work.

Player of the Game: Rene Norato (WAR)

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Series Summary:
Warsaw Kings win series 2–1. The Kings improved to 39–25, while Sheffield dropped to 29–37. Warsaw’s offense was led by Rene Norato and Paul Bratucu, who combined for six RBIs in the two victories. Sheffield’s lone win came behind a strong pitching effort from Eskinder Ali and a clutch walk-off homer by Espen Aas.

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San José Sloths at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1
June 14, 2060

The Mountain Hares opened the series with a 9–7 win, powered by A. Koehler, who went deep twice and drove in three runs. Sheffield trailed early but rallied with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by E. Ali’s 2-run double and R. Graham’s RBI single. R. Ochoa earned the win after 5.2 innings of five-run ball, while U. Bercovici and T. Allen handled the late innings before N. Barrios closed it out.

For San José, K. Poelling and R. Velasquez each homered, but their pitching struggled to contain Sheffield’s offense, which tallied 11 hits.

Player of the Game: A. Koehler (Sheffield)

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Game 2
June 15, 2060

Y. bin Saqr turned in a sharp outing as Sheffield took the second game 7–2. The right-hander allowed just one run over six innings, fanning five. R. Graham again led the offense, driving in two runs with a double and a walk, while T. Juhl collected three hits.

San José’s offense sputtered, mustering only six hits, while N. Marciano and A. Matwa combined to allow ten baserunners and seven runs. A. Sandoval picked up the save for the Mountain Hares, who moved to 31–36 with the win.

Player of the Game: Y. bin Saqr (Sheffield)

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Game 3
June 16, 2060

Sheffield completed the sweep with a 7–0 shutout behind A. Herzog, who blanked the Sloths for 5.1 innings on just four hits. The Hares broke it open with four runs in the seventh, capped by a Koehler 2-run homer — his third of the series. E. Ali and J. Milz each added doubles, while the bullpen trio of U. Bercovici, T. Zhang, and T. Allen preserved the shutout.

San José’s V. Jimenez pitched decently through six innings but was undone by Sheffield’s late surge. The loss was the Sloths’ fifth straight.

Player of the Game: A. Herzog (Sheffield)

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Series Summary

The Mountain Hares swept the Sloths in dominant fashion, outscoring them 23–9 across the three games at Kingfisher Park. A. Koehler was the clear offensive catalyst with three home runs and eight RBIs for the series, while R. Graham continued his strong season with timely doubles and steady defense. Sheffield’s rotation — anchored by Y. bin Saqr and A. Herzog — delivered back-to-back statement wins to pull the Hares to 33–36 on the season.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares at Zurich Chocolatiers – Series Recap

Logo by skynet

Game 1
Friday, June 18th, 2060

Sheffield opened the series with a composed 3–1 win, built around a sharp outing from right-hander Eskinder Ali. The 26-year-old worked 7.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six. Dan Jula supplied the early punch, drilling a two-run homer in the first inning and later adding a single to help preserve the lead.

Sergio Rutz added an RBI single, while Nestor Barrios recorded his ninth save with a clean ninth. Zurich’s only run came on a homer by L. Paruzin, but the Chocolatiers otherwise struggled to threaten.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali (SHE)

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Game 2
Saturday, June 19th, 2060

Sheffield rolled to a 5–0 shutout behind a dominant start from Isaac Saville, who tossed six innings of three-hit, four-strikeout ball. Sarsour Burhan followed with three scoreless frames to complete the combined shutout.

Offensively, Sheffield broke things open in the fourth, launching three home runs: N. Ngunda, A. Koehler, and T. Juhl all went deep. Earlier, Sergio Rutz forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk. Zurich managed six men left on base but couldn’t find a breakthrough against Saville or Burhan.

Player of the Game: Isaac Saville (SHE)

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Game 3
Sunday, June 20th, 2060

Sheffield completed the sweep with a 6–3 win powered by Dan Jula, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI. J. Morales also homered as the Mountain Hares jumped out early and maintained control throughout.

Ramon Ochoa provided 5.2 steady innings, yielding two runs while Nestor Barrios shut the door in the ninth for his 10th save. Zurich’s late doubles from C. Grant and R. Godinez added pressure, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

Manager Carson Reynolds praised the effort, calling it a “no nonsense” performance to finish off the road sweep.

Player of the Game: Dan Jula (SHE)

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Series Summary
Sheffield sweeps all three games in Zurich, outscoring the Chocolatiers 14–4 and receiving standout pitching from Eskinder Ali, Isaac Saville, and Ramon Ochoa, plus eight total home runs from the lineup. The Mountain Hares move to 35–36, while Zurich slips to 34–37.

[dinosauryoshi]

London Gentlemen at Sheffield Mountain Hares – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2060

Sheffield opened the series with a tense 8–7 win, powered by a breakout performance from catcher Adam Koehler, who went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. London led early behind RBI hits from G. Hallet and C. Ellertson, but the Mountain Hares repeatedly answered, with key contributions from J. Luthanen and D. Hoganson.

The decisive blow came in the eighth. Facing reliever Kaden bin Jafar, pinch-hitter Tristan Juhl lined a full-count cutter into right for the go-ahead single, pushing Sheffield in front for good. Tyler Allen delivered a calm ninth to earn the save, while London’s bullpen faltered late despite solid early relief work from E. Ruiz and E. Blythe.

Sheffield have now won seven straight.

Player of the Game: Adam Koehler (SHF)

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Game 2
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2060

The Mountain Hares stayed hot, routing London 11–9 in a wild, offense-soaked matchup. Shortstop Jon Milz stole the show, smashing two home runs while scoring twice and driving in three. Sheffield built an early 4–1 lead thanks to a three-run blast from Nsen Ngunda, but London countered immediately with a five-run second sparked by J. Horan and Z. Galica.

Momentum swung repeatedly through the middle innings, but Sheffield’s depth proved decisive. Milz’s second homer pushed them ahead in the fifth, and the bullpen held on despite late pressure. For London, H. Duong struggled again, allowing six runs over five innings, while the bullpen combined to give up five more.

Player of the Game: Jon Milz (SHF)

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Game 3
Thursday, June 24th, 2060

London salvaged the final game, winning 11–5 behind an historic night from Jaime Bargo, who reached the 2,000-hit milestone with a 3-for-6 performance including his 31st homer of the season. The Gentlemen scored in six straight innings, steadily pulling away while capitalising on defensive miscues and sharp situational hitting.

Gerald Hallet added three hits and two RBIs, while J. Horan contributed his 26th homer. On the mound, Chris Patterson battled through six innings, allowing two runs with seven strikeouts. Sheffield managed just eight hits, highlighted by A. El Pi’s solo homer and J. Milz’s RBI double, but couldn’t string rallies together against London’s bullpen.

Player of the Game: Gerald Hallet (LON)

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Series Summary
Sheffield took the series 2–1, extending their strong June run with explosive offense in the first two games before London’s big rebound in the finale. The Mountain Hares move to 38–37, while the Gentlemen sit at 37–37 after the split-ending win.

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Athens Philosophers at Sheffield Mountain Hares - Series Recap



Logo by @20_range


Game 1
Friday, June 25th, 2060

The Mountain Hares opened the set with an emphatic 11–3 win, riding a barrage of extra-base hits to blow past Athens at Kingfisher Park. After the Philosophers scratched out an early run, Kolya Saetgaliev answered in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer off E. Zepeda, setting the tone for the night. Saetgaliev later added a run-scoring triple and finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, while R. Graham and N. Ngunda chipped in two hits apiece.

The knockout punch came in the sixth. Leading 5–2 and facing reliever Detlev Hoover with the bases loaded, Espen Aas drilled a grand slam to right for his 14th home run of the year, stretching the lead to 9–2. Athens managed 11 hits but stranded 10 runners; A. Wakil had two doubles and drove in two.

Isaac Saville was sharp on the mound, allowing just two runs on five hits over 6.1 innings, with U. Bercovici closing out the final 2.2 frames.

Player of the Game: Kolya Saetgaliev (SHM)

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Game 2
Saturday, June 26th, 2060

Sheffield clinched the series with a 4–1 victory behind an elite performance from center fielder Nsen Ngunda, whose three-hit day and sixth-inning solo homer were the difference. His long ball off R. Lewis made it 4–1, providing needed insurance for a Hares pitching staff that repeatedly escaped trouble.

Athens threatened in the seventh, trailing 4–1 with runners on first and second and one out, but J. Starke induced a pop-up before D. Hoover ended the inning with a strikeout. A. Wakil doubled and tripled for the Philosophers, but they again struggled to convert chances, leaving nine men stranded.

Rey Ochoa improved to 3–0, working 5.2 innings of one-run ball while striking out four. Sheffield’s bullpen trio of U. Bercovici, L. Zhang, and N. Barrios combined for 3.1 scoreless frames to lock it down.

Player of the Game: Nsen Ngunda (SHM)

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Game 3
Sunday, June 27th, 2060

The Mountain Hares completed the sweep in convincing fashion, rolling to a 7–1 win behind a masterful outing from Yushua bin Saqr. The left-hander threw eight shutout innings, scattering five hits and striking out six without allowing Athens a foothold. A. Sandoval handled the final inning.

On offense, power was the theme. S. Rutz homered twice off M. Reynolds—once in the first and again in the fifth—while Espen Aas added his 16th home run in the fourth. J. Morales and A. Koehler each added two-run shots late, pushing the game out of reach and giving Sheffield four home runs on the afternoon.

Athens managed a lone run off the bullpen but never seriously threatened against bin Saqr’s command and sequencing.

Player of the Game: Yushua bin Saqr (SHM)

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Series Summary

Sheffield swept the Philosophers in dominant fashion, outscoring them 22–5 across the three games. The offense delivered 11, 4, and 7 runs, powered by homers from Espen Aas, S. Rutz, Kolya Saetgaliev, Nsen Ngunda, J. Morales, and A. Koehler. On the mound, Isaac Saville, Rey Ochoa, and Yushua bin Saqr combined for 20.2 innings and just four earned runs. The Mountain Hares improve to 40–37, tightening their grip on a winning record as the season’s halfway point approaches.

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Sheffield Mountain Hares – June Monthly Player Report


Logo by @20_range

Overview
June was a month of contrasts for the Sheffield Mountain Hares. Several hitters — and one dominant closer — put up standout numbers, while parts of the rotation and a few regulars had a much rougher time.

Hot Bats
American catcher Adam Koehler powered the offence and earns Batter of the Month honours. The 6’8” backstop hit .299/.357/.623 with 8 HR and 16 RBI, good for 1.8 WAR. His mix of plate discipline and power gave Sheffield a true middle-order anchor.

Shortstop Jon Milz (USA) enjoyed one of his best months as a Hare, slashing .284/.330/.494 with 5 doubles, 4 homers and 1.5 WAR. His glove plus newfound pop made him a genuine two-way asset.

At first base, Honduran slugger Sergio Rutz supplied the loudest contact: a .281 average with 10 HR, 20 RBI and a 1.030 OPS. When Rutz squared up the ball, ballparks looked tiny.

In centre field, Moroccan outfielder Nsen Ngunda quietly did a bit of everything, hitting .281 with 12 RBI and 5 steals, worth 1.0 WAR. Australian second baseman Rob Graham, Romanian third baseman Dan Jula and Belarusian left fielder Kolya Saetgaliev all chipped in with timely extra-base hits, Saetgaliev in particular posting a strong .309/.406/.545 line.

Bats in the Doldrums
Not everyone clicked. Colombian right fielder Jesus Morales slogged through a difficult month at .213/.263/.333, with his strikeout issues reappearing. Corner infielders Abdul-Karim bin Jameel (Afghanistan) and Tristan Juhl (Australia) hovered around replacement level, offering modest power but little on-base impact, while catcher Drew Worsfold (AUS) never really got going in limited opportunities.

Mound Standouts
On the pitching side, Filipino closer Nestor Barrios claims Pitcher of the Month. Barrios was flawless: 10 IP, 7 SV, 0.00 ERA, allowing just 7 hits and 1 walk (0.80 WHIP). Whenever Sheffield handed him a lead, the game was effectively over.

In the rotation, Spanish right-hander Rey Ochoa put together an excellent month, going 3–0 with a 2.67 ERA across 27 innings. English left-hander Isaac Saville stabilised another spot with 29 IP of 3.72 ERA work and a 1.31 WHIP.

Out of the pen, Egyptian right-hander Sarsour Burhan turned in a spotless 0.00 ERA in 7 innings, while Chinese reliever Liu-chun Zhang flashed interesting peripherals despite a rough ERA, hinting at better days ahead.

Arms Under Pressure
The flip side was headlined by Austrian starter Alois Herzog, who struggled badly. Herzog finished June with a 7.04 ERA, giving up 36 hits and 11 walks in 23 innings as opponents hit .371 against him.

In the bullpen, Colombian right-hander Ivan Paez was hit hard (8.79 ERA), while Cuban reliever Alex Sandoval posted a 6.94 ERA with 15 hits allowed in 11.2 frames. Both will be hunting for a reset as the calendar flips.

Central African right-hander Eskinder Ali was more solid than spectacular: a 4.22 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 32 innings. The stuff clearly plays, but occasional command lapses and home runs limited his overall impact.

June Honours

• []Batter of the Month: Adam Koehler (USA) – towering offensive force and defensive anchor behind the plate.
  []Pitcher of the Month: Nestor Barrios (PHI) – perfect in save chances, zero runs allowed all month.

[dinosauryoshi]

Apologies, this one should have come before the monthly report

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Porto Alegre Winemakers - Series Recap


Logo from this fun project

Game 1
Tuesday, June 29th, 2060

Kolya Saetgaliev sparked Sheffield’s offense in a 10–6 opener, reaching base five times and scoring three runs as the Mountain Hares extended their winning streak to four. The left fielder went 2-for-3 with a double and three walks, while Rob Graham chipped in three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in two. Catcher Adam Koehler added a two-run homer as Sheffield piled up 14 hits.

On the mound, Alois Herzog limited Porto Alegre to two runs over 5.0 innings before the bullpen took over. After a rocky middle frame from the relievers, right-hander Sarsour Burhan slammed the door with 2.0 scoreless innings for his second save. The Winemakers collected 15 hits of their own, with V. Coscia and J. Vigil among the multiple-hit contributors, but they stranded 13 runners and couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

Player of the Game: Kolya Saetgaliev (SHE)

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Game 2
Wednesday, June 30th, 2060

Sheffield made it five straight wins with a 6–1 victory behind a dominant outing from Eskinder Ali and a power show from Sergio Rutz. Ali scattered eight hits over 6.0 shutout innings, walking one and striking out five to move to 3–4. Relievers T. Allen and Nestor Barrios handled the final three frames, with Barrios notching his 14th save.

At the plate, Rutz was the headline act, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI. Ali helped himself with two hits and an RBI from the leadoff spot, while J. Milz added a pair of hits and a stolen base. Porto Alegre again managed 11 hits but pushed across just a single run, finally breaking through on a late homer off Allen. DH K. Speck Jr. and third baseman W. Berschauer each doubled in the losing effort.

Player of the Game: Sergio Rutz (SHE)

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Game 3
Thursday, July 1st, 2060

Porto Alegre salvaged the finale with a 9–2 win, riding a huge night from Chi Minh Phong to halt Sheffield’s streak at five. The Winemakers’ catcher went 3-for-5 with a triple, double and three runs scored, keying a 14-hit attack. Porto jumped out early and blew the game open with a three-run sixth, finally turning persistent traffic into crooked numbers.

Sheffield briefly threatened in the fifth, trailing 3–2 with the bases loaded, but Rob Graham struck out to end the inning and the comeback hopes. Graham had earlier homered and doubled, accounting for most of the Mountain Hares’ damage, while Espen Aas and Kolya Saetgaliev each reached base twice. Starter I. Saville was tagged for six runs (four earned) in 4.0 innings, and Porto’s bullpen trio of S. Heitz, L. Thuan and L. Rivera combined for 4.1 scoreless frames to close it out.

Player of the Game: Chi Minh Phong (PAW)

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Series Summary

Sheffield continued its strong road form by taking two of three in Porto Alegre, stretching its winning streak to five before dropping the finale. The Mountain Hares’ lineup was led by Sergio Rutz, Kolya Saetgaliev and Rob Graham, while Eskinder Ali delivered the standout start on the mound and Sarsour Burhan and Nestor Barrios added key late innings. For the Winemakers, Chi Minh Phong and the heart of the order showed plenty of life, and Thursday’s rout kept them firmly in the hunt.

Sheffield leaves Brazil having won the series 2–1 and now sits at 42–38 on the season, while Porto Alegre moves to 39–40.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares – First-Half Report


Logo by @20_range

Overview
At the midway point, the Sheffield Mountain Hares look like a classic high-variance club: a deep, relentless lineup, a rotation that veers between excellent and exasperating, and a defence that’s quietly become one of the team’s strengths. A handful of stars have clearly separated themselves – especially Eskinder Ali, who is making a strong case as the club’s overall MVP from both sides of the ball.

Offensive Standouts
The headline story is the bat of Central African two-way star Eskinder Ali. Despite being listed as a starter, Ali leads the club with 3.1 WAR, hitting .323/.405/.609 with 18 HR, 50 RBI, 13 SB and 143 total bases. He’s been the most complete offensive player on the roster and sits comfortably above a 1.000 OPS.

Behind him, American catcher Adam Koehler is having a superb first half: .272/.343/.535, 17 HR and 2.6 WAR in 62 games. For a 6’8” catcher carrying a huge defensive workload, that level of production is enormously valuable.

The outfield has been a strength. Colombian right fielder Jesus Morales is at .290/.356/.460 with 7 homers, 18 steals and 1.9 WAR, while Moroccan centre fielder Nsen Ngunda sits at .270/.317/.443 with 23 doubles, 4 triples, 7 homers and 40 RBI (1.5 WAR). Both combine solid bats with above-average speed.

On the infield, American shortstop Jon Milz is matching his glove with the bat: .271/.344/.402, 6 homers and 1.9 WAR. Australian second baseman Rob Graham adds .268/.330/.472 with 10 homers and 22 doubles, good for 1.1 WAR, while the corner mix of Swedish first baseman Espen Aas (.239/.366/.492, 16 HR) and Honduran slugger Sergio Rutz (.242/.328/.459, 18 HR, 15 SB) gives the Hares plenty of power options.

Underperforming Bats
The main underachievers so far are in the depth roles. Romanian third baseman Dan Jula is at .222/.296/.353, and Afghan first baseman Abdul-Karim bin Jameel (.274/.417/.393) is getting on base but with limited power. Veteran catcher Drew Worsfold has struggled to a .214/.244/.214 line, and Yakov Tolochko is hitless in his tiny sample. None of these slumps are fatal, but they’ve kept Sheffield from having a truly top-to-bottom terrifying lineup.

Rotation & Bullpen
On the mound, the most consistent starting contributor has been English left-hander Isaac Saville. He leads the staff in innings with 97.1 IP, posting a 3.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 70 K, good for 1.3 WAR. His combination of decent strikeout numbers and strong hit suppression (opponents hitting just .238) anchors the rotation.

Workhorse Algerian right-hander Yushua bin Saqr has thrown 80.2 IP with a 5.58 ERA but still grades out at 1.7 WAR, thanks to his workload and peripherals. Austrian starter Alois Herzog mirrors that profile: 5.56 ERA, 1.3 WAR in 77.2 innings – frustrating run prevention, but enough strikeouts to retain value.

Central African right-hander Eskinder Ali adds 1.5 WAR on the mound alone: 4.62 ERA, 67 K in 64.1 IP, and a strong 9.37 K/9 with a 3.70 FIP. In a smaller sample, Spanish starter Rey Ochoa has dazzled with a 2.67 ERA over 27 innings and an opponent average of .188.

In the bullpen, Filipino closer Nestor Barrios continues to be a rock: 6–2, 14 SV, 3.31 ERA, a tidy 1.10 WHIP and an excellent 3.55 FIP. Among the middle relievers, things are spottier, but Egyptian right-hander Sarsour Burhan (4.24 ERA, strong strikeout rate) has shown promise.

Struggling Arms
The bullpen’s soft underbelly is clear: Colombian right-hander Ivan Paez, Cuban swingman Alex Sandoval, Francisco Flores, Seth Phillips, Chinese right-hander Liu-chun Zhang and Japanese veteran Mototomi Motoyanagi all carry ERAs between 5.2 and 6.8 with negative WAR. Too many free passes (Paez’s 5.69 BB/9, Motoyanagi’s 8.10 BB/9) and home runs have turned close games into uphill battles.

Defence & Fielding Standouts
Defensively, Sheffield have some genuine plus gloves:

• []Shortstop Jon Milz has been elite: over 629 innings he owns a [.978] fielding percentage, strong range and a +6.0 ZR, making him the clear anchor of the infield.
  []Second baseman Rob Graham has been a steady presence at second with a [.988] fielding percentage across nearly 600 innings.
  []Behind the plate, Adam Koehler has just one error and manages a heavy workload with a [.998] fielding percentage.
  []In the outfield, Eskinder Ali has been flawless in left (no errors, positive ZR), while Jesus Morales carries a perfect fielding percentage and a healthy positive ZR in right. Nsen Ngunda is almost error-free in centre and grades out well on range and efficiency.

On the flip side, Sergio Rutz has a strong .996 at first but a negative ZR, and a couple of infielders (Jula at third, Abdul-Karim at second in a tiny sample) have leaked some runs. On the mound, Motoyanagi, Barrios, Paez and Herzog have all committed multiple errors, while Saville, Ali and Ochoa remain spotless.

Early Team Award Favourites

• []Batter of the Year: Eskinder Ali – a 1.014 OPS, team-leading WAR and middle-order presence put him ahead of Koehler and the Morales/Milz tier.
  []Pitcher of the Year: Isaac Saville – workload, ERA and solid peripherals give him a narrow edge over Yushua bin Saqr and Eskinder Ali, with Nestor Barrios and Rey Ochoa looming as high-impact, lower-innings candidates.
• Fielder of the Year: Jon Milz – combines heavy innings at short with excellent efficiency and a big positive zone rating. Challengers include Eskinder Ali (error-free and plus in left) and Jesus Morales (clean, positive ZR in right), but Milz’s impact at a premium spot gives him the edge.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Berlin Bears - Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1

Friday, July 2nd, 2060

Sheffield opened the set with a 10–7 win, riding a huge night from second baseman Rob Graham. Graham went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI, repeatedly punishing mistakes from Berlin starter E. Houghton. The Mountain Hares scored four in the first two innings and never trailed again, stretching the lead with Graham's solo shot in the second and a late blast in the eighth.

Kolya Saetgaliev set the tone atop the order, reaching four times and scoring four runs to tie a club single-game mark. Nsen Ngunda added a triple and two RBI, while Eskinder Ali chipped in a homer of his own as Sheffield pounded out 13 hits.

On the mound, Rey Ochoa battled through 4.2 innings before the bullpen took over. Alex Sandoval earned the win with 1.2 steady frames and Nestor Barrios recorded his 15th save. Sheffield also lost right fielder Sergio Rutz to an early injury, forcing J. Morales into action, but the offense had already done enough damage.

Player of the Game: Rob Graham

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Game 2

Saturday, July 3rd, 2060

Berlin answered with an 8–6 victory, powered by right fielder Juan Guzman. Guzman went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI, repeatedly coming up in the middle of rallies as the Bears built a 6–1 lead after four.

Sheffield refused to go quietly, exploding for five runs in the sixth. Kolya Saetgaliev, Rob Graham and Nsen Ngunda all delivered big swings, with Ngunda launching a two-run shot to tie the game 6–6 and briefly flip the pressure back onto Berlin.

The Bears regained control in the bottom half. Shortstop Wolf Rohlander lined a two-out RBI single to push Berlin back in front, and the bullpen made it stand. Starter T. Pough gave the Bears five solid innings, while reliever Bhuman Sanjegapalli picked up the win with 1.1 scoreless frames. Closer Albert Jakushevich worked a clean ninth for his 17th save as Sheffield’s late threats fizzled.

Player of the Game: Juan Guzman

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Game 3

Sunday, July 4th, 2060

The finale turned into a 10-inning thriller, with Sheffield clawing out an 8–6 win to take the series. Berlin led 3–0 through five behind strong work from starter Y. Zogjani, but the Mountain Hares kept grinding.

Nsen Ngunda dragged Sheffield back into the game, crushing a solo homer off reliever B. Boulmerka and finishing 3-for-5 with three RBI. Doubles from Ngunda, Saetgaliev and Graham helped Sheffield match Berlin’s eighth-inning surge, setting up extra innings at 6–6.

In the tenth, the Mountain Hares finally broke through. Espen Aas lined a key run-scoring single and J. Morales followed with another big swing as Sheffield pushed across a decisive two-run frame against Sanjegapalli. On the Berlin side, Rohlander and P. Vojakov combined for five hits, but Juan Guzman endured a rough day at the plate, striking out five times and tying a Bears single-game mark.

Sheffield’s bullpen again did the heavy lifting. A. Herzog kept the Hares in contact over five innings, and Barrios closed it out with a scoreless tenth to move to 7–2.

Player of the Game: Nsen Ngunda

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Series Summary

Sheffield took the road series 2–1, improving to 44–39 while Berlin slipped to 29–54. Rob Graham was the offensive star, going deep three times in the set and driving in eight runs. Nsen Ngunda added two homers, six RBI and several timely extra-base hits, while Kolya Saetgaliev lived on the bases and tied a club record with four runs in the opener.

For Berlin, Juan Guzman’s Game 2 heroics and Wolf Rohlander’s steady bat kept the Bears competitive, but Sheffield’s deeper lineup and resilient bullpen — led by Nestor Barrios and Alex Sandoval — proved the difference.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Pyongyang Grasshoppers – Series Recap



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Game 1 – Monday, July 6, 2060

Sheffield dropped the opener 9–4 as the Grasshoppers took control early behind a four-RBI performance from H. bin Sayyid. The third baseman homered off I. Saville in the third, giving Pyongyang momentum they would not relinquish.

The Mountain Hares did get long balls from T. Juhl (4th inning) and E. Ali (his 20th of the year in the 3rd), but Saville struggled, allowing five earned over 3.2 innings. The bullpen didn’t steady things either, with U. Bercovici and M. Motoyanagi both conceding runs.

The win went to T. Dulecha, who delivered three key innings of relief to quiet Sheffield’s bats after an early wobble from R. López.

Player of the Game: H. bin Sayyid
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Game 2 – Tuesday, July 7, 2060

Pyongyang doubled their advantage with a 9–2 victory, fuelled by home runs from T. Iwaki and Q. bin Saud. Sheffield narrowed the deficit to 2–1 in the sixth on an RBI single from A. bin Jameel, but the Grasshoppers detonated a five-run seventh to blow the game wide open.

R. Ochoa pitched well through six but left trailing after surrendering three runs. R. bin Zahid was excellent for Pyongyang, holding Sheffield to two runs across eight strong frames.

Player of the Game: Qadir bin Saud
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Game 3 – Wednesday, July 8, 2060

Sheffield finally responded with a disciplined 4–2 win behind a steady outing from Eskinder Ali, who allowed just two runs in 5.1 innings. N. Barrios claimed his 16th save, working a clean ninth.

Ali also opened the scoring himself, hammering his 21st homer of the season in the first inning. N. Ngunda tripled in the sixth and came around to score, while J. Milz added another RBI to push the lead to four. Pyongyang never caught up, despite putting runners aboard in late innings.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali
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Game 4 – Thursday, July 9, 2060

The Grasshoppers clinched the series with a 9–5 win powered by three home runs—most notably a grand slam from J. Martinez in the fourth inning off Y. bin Saqr. S. Virasana added a solo shot in the seventh, and S. Averginos hit another in the eighth to keep Sheffield at arm’s length.

The Mountain Hares tried to claw back with homers from J. Morales (6th inning) and E. Aas (his 17th of the season in the 8th), but the early 4–0 deficit proved too steep. Costello earned the win with five innings of three-run ball.

Player of the Game: Jerry Martinez
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Series Summary
Pyongyang took three of four, improving to 37–50, while Sheffield slipped to 45–42. The Hares struggled to control the Grasshoppers’ middle-order power and conceded nine runs in three of the four games. Eskinder Ali’s two-way performance in Game 3 was the clear highlight, while J. Morales and E. Aas continued to provide reliable production.

Series Result: Pyongyang wins series 3–1
Overall Record: Sheffield Mountain Hares 45–42

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Madrid Mallards – Series Recap


Logo by skynet

Game 1
Friday, July 9th, 2060

Madrid edged the opener 1–0, denying Sheffield repeatedly in a tense pitchers’ duel. A. Herzog delivered 4.1 scoreless innings and allowed just five hits, but Sheffield couldn’t support him. The breakthrough came in the bottom of the ninth against the bullpen: with runners on the corners, J. Watkins rolled a single into right, plating V. Toohey to end the game. Sheffield mustered only three hits — singles from K. Saetagtaiev, E. Aas, and A. Koehler. Madrid starter M. Clerc threw 6.0 shutout frames, and reliever R. Rodríguez earned the win.

Player of the Game: Mauri Clerc

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Game 2
Saturday, July 10th, 2060

An explosive back-and-forth contest ended in heartbreak as Madrid won 11–10 in ten innings. Sheffield looked in control early, powered by E. Ali, who went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI. Contributions from K. Saetagtaiev, N. Ngunda, D. Iula, and V. Toohey helped build a 10–5 lead. But late homers from B. Webb and A. Tarpana dragged Madrid level, and in the tenth, pinch hitter J. Potter launched a walk-off two-run blast off N. Barrios. Sheffield used six pitchers, with I. Saville taking the no-decision after 5.0 innings. Madrid reliever B. Murphy collected the win.

Player of the Game: Eskinder Ali

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Game 3
Sunday, July 11th, 2060

Madrid completed the sweep with an 8–2 win. Sheffield briefly led 2–1 thanks to RBI from J. Morales and N. Ngunda, but the Mallards seized control with three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. The key blow was a three-run homer by J. Comte, his 22nd of the year. R. Ochoa worked 5.0 innings, giving up five runs and taking the loss. Sheffield recorded just four hits, all singles, as Madrid starter J. Martin combined with T. Asao and T. Ocampo to close out the game.

Player of the Game: Jean Comte

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Series Summary

Sheffield were swept despite strong individual moments — particularly E. Ali’s standout Game 2 performance and solid pitching from A. Herzog in the opener. Madrid’s timely power, deep lineup, and late-inning execution proved decisive throughout the series.

Series Result: Madrid Mallards win 3–0
Sheffield Mountain Hares Record: 45–45

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Minsk Bison – Series Recap


Logo by @20_range

Game 1 — Sheffield Mountain Hares (45–46)
Friday, July 16th, 2060

Minsk opened the series with a dramatic 5–4 extra-innings win, edging the Hares in ten at Minsk Grounds. Sheffield led 4–3 entering the ninth, but M. García tied it with a solo homer off N. Barrios. In the tenth, Cristian Carstea lined a clean single to left, driving in the winning run.

The Hares’ offense was paced by N. Ngunda (2-for-4, RBI) and E. Aas (3-for-4), while J. Morales added two hits. Y. bin Sagr provided 4.1 innings of 3-run work before the bullpen was asked to cover five frames.

Roméo Leleu was immense for Minsk, working 7.1 efficient innings and keeping the Bison in the game long enough for their late push.

Player of the Game: Roméo Leleu

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Game 2 — Sheffield Mountain Hares (45–47)
Saturday, July 17th, 2060

Minsk took command early and never let go, defeating Sheffield 9–2. Cristian Carstea delivered another standout performance, crushing a seventh-inning homer and driving in four across a 3-for-4 day. S. Nisipeanu contributed three more hits as the Bison steadily pulled away.

Sheffield managed seven hits but couldn’t generate sustained pressure. N. Ngunda went 4-for-4 with both Hares runs scored, while E. Ali added an RBI single. E. Ali pitched 5.2 innings (5 ER) before yielding to the bullpen.

P. Wilczynski secured the win for Minsk with 6 innings of one-run ball, striking out five.

Player of the Game: Cristian Carstea

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Game 3 — Sheffield Mountain Hares (45–48)
Sunday, July 18th, 2060

A second extra-innings heartbreaker sealed the sweep, as Minsk edged Sheffield 4–3 in ten innings. Alexander Schimpf capped a brilliant game by lashing a walk-off single to right off N. Barrios, scoring the winning run.

Schimpf went 4-for-5 with a triple and 2 RBI, setting the tone throughout. Sheffield’s scoring came via R. Graham, E. Aas and N. Ngunda, while J. Morales swiped his 22nd base. But missed opportunities in the late innings left the door open for Minsk’s decisive reply.

J. Saegert earned the win for the Bison with a clean tenth, while Barrios fell to 7–5 despite allowing just one earned run in relief.

Player of the Game: Alexander Schimpf

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Series Summary

Minsk sweeps Sheffield 3–0, dropping the Hares from 45–45 to 45–48. Two extra-inning defeats bookended a tough middle game, extending Sheffield’s losing streak to six. Despite competitive efforts in Games 1 and 3, the Hares couldn’t land the key late hit, while Minsk repeatedly came through in decisive moments.