Beer League

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 4

#1 Jester King Das Wunderkind (96-66, 4th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

Game 4 started out well for Red Rock, as leadoff batter Terry Sampson cranked the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to give his club a quick 1-0 lead. Another run in the second padded the lead to 2-0. Jester King finally got their cold bats going in the fourth inning, as first baseman Frank Olguin blasted a 3 run homer to snatch the lead 3-2; but that only lasted a half inning as Red Rock picked up a home run of their own in the bottom of the fourth from shortstop Jason Head. Red Rock center fielder Terry Sampson not only made an impact with his bat in this game with his leadoff homer, but also with his arm in center field. In the top of the 5th he gunned down David Pace at the plate as he tried to score from second on a Mario Aguimir single. Sampson would gun down another Jester King scoring attempt in the 6th to keep the score tied 3-3. Jester King finally broke through with a run in the top of the 7th (another Pace at second / Aguimir single, but this time to right field); and would add an insurance run (that figured LARGE) in the top of the 9th thanks to a Lorenzo Acosta home run. Red Rock would score one in the bottom of the 9th on a Cody Giordano homer, but that's as close as it would get as Jester King claimed a 5-4 win to tie the series 2-2

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 4

#2 Russian River Blind Pig (94-68, 12th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

In a back-n-forth game, Russian River jumped out to the early lead with a run in the top of the first; only to see that lead disappear in the bottom of the second as Tattered Flag put up a three spot to grab a 3-1 lead. The teams traded runs in the third and forth to make it 4-2 Tattered Flag after 4 innings. The Blind Pig would go on a tear from there, scoring 3 in the 5th, 1 in the 6th, 2 in the 7th to retake the lead 8-4. Tattered Flag would battle back, scoring 2 in the bottom of the 7th and another in the bottom of the 9th, but they would come up short as Russian River claimed an 8-7 win to tie the series at 2-2

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 3

#3 Odious Cellars Rubied Perspective (89-73, 4th post season) vs #2WC Sleeping Giant Beaver Duck (91-71, 6th post season)

Despite the heroics at the plate by Odious Cellars designated hitter Abel Lambert (3-for-5, 3 home runs, 3 RBIs), Sleeping Giant cruised along in game 4 to claim a 10-7 win and a 3-1 series victory. The entire Beaver Duck lineup picked up at least one hit, with right fielder Mike Few dealing the big damage for the club, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and 5 RBIs.

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 3

#3 Goose Island Goslings (87-76, 5th post season) vs #2WC Foulmouthed Hypnotizing Chickens (88-74, 1st post season)

With a 2-0 lead and only surrendering 2 hits after 4 innings, Goose Island was hoping to keep the Hypnotizing Chickens bats silent for another 5 innings so they could close out the series. That hope wouldn't last long as Foulmouthed came alive in the bottom of the 5th, picking up 5 runs on 4 hits (including 2 home runs) to wake up their home crowd and grab a 5-2 lead. The teams would trade runs in the next two innings, with Goose Island picking up one in the 6th, and Foulmouthed one in the 7th to make it 6-3. That's where it would finish as the Hypnotizing Chickens evened up the series 2-2

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 3

#4 Waikiki Jalapeno Mouth (83-79, 3rd post season) vs #1WC Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot (103-59, 12th post season)

Despite being the higher seed, everyone knew going in that Waikiki was a huge underdog to the 103 win Blithering Idiot. Weyerbacher slowly picked up runs, with one in the 2nd, another in the 4th and one more in the 6th; while keeping Waikiki off balance and off the scoreboard until the 5th inning. Heading into the 7th, Weyerbacher held a 3-1 lead. In the 7th, Waikiki finally strung together a series of hits and managed to push across 2 runs to tie the game 3-3. That tie wouldn't last the inning as the Blithering Idiot picked up 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th, thanks in part to a 2 run pinch hit blast by Danny Milholland. Weyerbacher would make that score stand and claim a 6-3 win to close out the series 3-1. Third baseman Marty Arkfeld picked up the series MVP after batting a scorching .875 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 4

#1 Jester King Das Wunderkind (96-66, 4th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

Hoping to avoid being the second top seed to lose in the first round this post season, Jester King had their work cut out for them as they went up against Red Rock ace starter Ryan Bernstein (18-7, 2.16 ERA in the regular season, and 1-0 in this series). Bernstein would do his job for most of the game, keeping Jester King off balance. While his final stat line included 3 earned runs, only 1 crossed the plate while he was on the mound. Red Rock would open the scoring with a run in the 2nd, another in the 3rd, and one more in the 4th to take a 3-1 lead. In the top of the 6th, the Elephino would blow the game open with 4 runs, thanks in part to a Cody Giordano 3 run homer to make the score 7-1. Jester King would try to answer back in the bottom of the 8th when Lorenzo Acosta cranked a grand slam to close the gap to 7-5; but that's as close as it would get. Red Rock would celebrate the 7-5 win and a 3-2 series victory.

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 5

#2 Russian River Blind Pig (94-68, 12th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

In the winner-take-all game 5, it was a low scoring pitcher's duel for the first two thirds of the game, as Russian River starter Jaime Kreps (6.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts) and Tattered Flag starter Matt Parra (5.1 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 3 walks 4 strikeouts), kept the opposing batters off balance and, for the most part, off the scoreboard. The Blind Pig held a thin 1-0 lead as the game headed into the 7th. After notching two quick outs, Kreps gave up a single to Cole MacInnes. The Russian River manager would make a fateful decision at that point and pulled Kreps to bring in reliever John Meurer. He would walk the next batter, Jeremy Hernandez on 4 pitches. Trevor Powell would bat next, and after working the count full, would blast a 3 run homer into the left field stands to give the Man of War a 3-1 lead. Russian River would get one back on a solo shot from Sergio Sierra; but Tattered Flag would get that right back on a solo shot by Kyle Rodgers as the Man of War would claim a 4-2 victory and clinch the series 3 games to 2

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Milling Series: Game 5

#3 Goose Island Goslings (87-76, 5th post season) vs #2WC Foulmouthed Hypnotizing Chickens (88-74, 1st post season)

Hoping to continue their first ever trip to the post season, Foulmouthed took an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning; but knew it would take more than that if they wanted to win. Goose Island struck back in the bottom of the 6th with a 2 run homer from Edward Moore to grab a 2-1 lead. That lead would only last to the next inning, as the Hypnotizing Chickens would pick up two runs in the 7th to retake the lead 3-2. Foulmouthed relievers Simon Goodman, Nick Sutliff, and Nick Lukas would shut down the Goslings for the final three innings to clinch a 3-2 lead and the first ever trip to the Mashing Series for the Hypnotizing Chickens

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series:

It's wild cards-a-plenty in both Leagues as three out of four teams advancing to the Mashing Series on both sides of the playoff tree are wild cards (number 1, 2, and 4 for the Lager League; along with the 2nd seeded Meadowlark club; and wild cards 2, 3, and 4, along with the 4th seeded Apocalypse Cow for the Stout League.

Weyerbacher will face off against Scorched Earth as the only two remaining teams that have already won a Beer League championship; and Foulmouthed continues the inaugural playoff run into the second round.

Lager League

#1WC Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot (103-59, 12th post season) vs #4WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (82-81, 8th post season)

#2 Meadowlark Magic Hobo Monkeys (96-66, 5th post season) vs #2WC Foulmouthed Hypnotizing Chickens (88-74, 1st post season)



Stout League

#4 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (84-78, 7th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

#2WC Sleeping Giant Beaver Duck (91-71, 6th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 1

#4 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (84-78, 7th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

Three Floyds sent ace starter Ben Troyer to the mound to kick off their Mashing Series and he did not disappoint. Troyer would toss a solid 6.1 innings, giving up just 3 hits and 1 run with 5 walks and 8 strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen. On the offensive side, the Apocalypse Cow used the long ball, with home runs from Avery Woods, Eric Fuller, Kevin Lea, and Luis Arrendondo to coast to an 8-3 victory and a 1-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 1

#2WC Sleeping Giant Beaver Duck (91-71, 6th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

It was a low scoring affair for the opening game between Sleeping Giant and Tattered Flag, with solid pitching and defense taking center stage. Beaver Duck starter Guadalupe Sandoval went a strong 6.2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts; while his counterpart Terry Stinnett would fair a bit worse, lasting just 4.2 innings, with 6 hits and 2 runs. Those two runs came off a John L'Esperance 2 run homer in the bottom of the 5th that gave Sleeping Giant a 2-1 lead. The Beaver Duck pitching and defense would make that lead stand, as Sandoval, Greg Cameron, and Nick Guyan would close out the game to secure the 2-1 win and a 1-0 series lead.

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 1

#1WC Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot (103-59, 12th post season) vs #4WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (82-81, 8th post season)

If game one is any indication of how the series will go, fans on both sides will be certain to get their moneys worth. Scorched Earth struck first in the third inning as Matt Cronister broke his 0-for-12 post season slump and cranked a 3 run homer to grab a 3-0 lead. Weyerbacher would strike back in the bottom of the 4th with one run, and two more runs in the 6th inning to tie up the game at 3-3. The bullpens on both sides would take over from there, with neither side able to break the tie after 9 innings. The stalemate would be broken in the 12th inning, as Mitch Chandler drove in 2 runs with a double to give the Giant Killer a 5-3 lead. Scorched Earth reliever Marco Figueroa would come back out in the bottom of the 12th to pitch his second inning of work and would shut down Weyerbacher to secure the 5-3 win and a 1-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 1

#2 Meadowlark Magic Hobo Monkeys (96-66, 5th post season) vs #2WC Foulmouthed Hypnotizing Chickens (88-74, 1st post season)

The Hypnotizing Chickens got off to a decent start in game one, picking up a run in the top of the first to grab a quick 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the game lasted longer than one inning. Meadowlark's bats would strike back and then some as they picked up 4 runs in the second, and 6 more runs in the third to blow the game wide open 10-1. Foulmouthed would chip away late with 4 runs in the top of the 8th, but that's a close as it would get as Meadowlark claimed the 10-5 win and a 1-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 2

#4 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (84-78, 7th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

For game 2 of their Mashing Series, Three Floyds broke out the big bats. Center fielder Jesus Dominguez went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs, thanks to a 3-run blast in the bottom of the first inning. In the bottom of the fifth, designated hitter Kevin Lea added to that with a 2 run homer of his own; part of his 2-for-4 night with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Red Rock would put up a solid battle, but in the end the Apocalypse Cow would celebrate an 8-6 win and a 2-0 series lead.

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 2

#2WC Sleeping Giant Beaver Duck (91-71, 6th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

Tattered Flag received production up and down the lineup in game 2, as Cooper Butler, Kyle Rodgers, Wayne Gokey, and Trevor Powell each drove in 2 runs to help power the Man of War offense. On the pitching side, starter Tommy Curtin tossed 5.1 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run before handing the ball to the bullpen. Sleeping Giant would pick up some late runs off Edwin Angulo, but closer Chris Catoe would come in to finish off the game and secure a 9-5 win to even up the series 1-1

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 2

#1WC Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot (103-59, 12th post season) vs #4WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (82-81, 8th post season)

Scorched Earth starter Ken Emon was on top of his game vs Weyerbacher, tossing a solid 6 innings, giving up 4 hits and no runs with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts to keep the high powered Blithering Idiot offense off the scoreboard. On the offensive side, Chris Slovick (1-for-3, home run, 2 RBIs), Dan Payne (1-for-3, 2 RBIs), and Matt Lindsay (2-for-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI) helped stake their club to a 2-0 lead after 2 innings; 5-0 after 4 innings; 6-0 after 6 innings, and 7-0 after 7 innings. Weyerbacher would make things interesting in the bottom of the 9th, as they plated 5 runs to pull within two, but that's where it would end as the Giant Killer won 7-5 to take a 2-0 series lead.

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 2

#2 Meadowlark Magic Hobo Monkeys (96-66, 5th post season) vs #2WC Foulmouthed Hypnotizing Chickens (88-74, 1st post season)

Meadowlark took a chance in game 2 and tapped rookie starter Jeff Cowan to take the mound as they looked to take both games at home to open their Mashing Series. Cowan would make the most of the opportunity, going 6.1 innings, while giving up just 4 hits and 1 run before he was pulled to turn the game over to the bullpen. On the opposing side, Foulmouthed starter Billy Bedore also gave up just 4 hits, but in just 3.2 innings of work. He would surrender 2 runs off 4 walks before he was removed from the game. Both bullpens were perfect in relief, putting up goose eggs the rest of the way, as Meadowlark claimed a 2-1 win and a 2-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 3

#4 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (84-78, 7th post season) vs #4WC Red Rock Elephino (83-79, 6th post season)

After losing the first two games on the road, Red Rock hoped some home cooking would get them on the winning track; and with 18 game winner Ryan Bernstein taking the mound, they felt their chances were solid. However, Three Floyds would strike first, picking up two runs in the top of the 2nd off a Cody Adams single with two runners aboard. In the top of the 4th, second baseman Luis Arrendondo cranked a 2 run homer to extend the lead to 4-0. Apocalypse Cow starter Clark Egan tossed an impressive game, keeping the Elephino batters off balance and off the scoreboard until the 8th inning when shortstop Jason Head popped a solo home run. That would be as close as it would get as Three Floyds secured a 4-1 win and a 3-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 3

#2WC Sleeping Giant Beaver Duck (91-71, 6th post season) vs #3WC Tattered Flag Man of War (86-76, 4th post season)

Sleeping Giant wasn't asleep to start game 3, as they jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st, thanks to some small-ball with a double from Jerome Leclercq, a single from Mike Few that would turn into a double as Leclercq drew a throw to the plate scoring the first run; and then another single from John Pearl, driving in Few. Tattered Flag would get a run back in the bottom of the 2nd to make it 2-1; but the Beaver Duck would get that right back in the 3rd to make it 3-1. Another run in the top of the 6th extended the lead to 4-1, and it looked like Sleeping Giant would stay in control and take the lead in the series. The Man of War had other plans though, picking up 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, and another in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 4-4. The game would extend to extra innings and remain 4-4 until the top of the 13th, when pinch hitter Brian Monfette came to the plate for Sleeping Giant with two runners aboard and blasted a 3 run homer to break the tie. The Beaver Duck would tack on one more run for good measure, and make that score stand as they claimed an 8-4 win and a 2-1 series lead

[stl jason]

2031 Beer League Playoffs - Mashing Series: Game 3

#1WC Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot (103-59, 12th post season) vs #4WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (82-81, 8th post season)

Weyerbacher needed a solid game from starter Danny Ibarra in game 3, if they hoped to break through with a win, instead of falling into an 0-3 hole. Unfortunately for the Blithering Idiot, Ibarra would only last 5 outs, and would give up 6 runs in the bottom of the second before being pulled from the game. Scorched Earth would tack on 2 more runs in the 4th inning to extend their lead to 8-0. Giant Killer starter Greg Burkel would have the exact opposite experience as his counterpart, and wouldn't give up a single hit to the Blithering Idiot until the 5th inning. Weyerbacher would scrape together a run in the 5th, another in the 7th and one more in the 9th, but would fall short, as Scorched Earth won 8-3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead