7/8 7/12 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/27 7/27 7/27 7/27 7/27 8/2 8/3 8/3 8/9 8/9 8/16 8/23
FS 3|3 FS 0|0 HB 0|2 BW 0|4 EL 1|1 ON 0|0 IS 0|13 EL 1|1 IS 0|0 WW 0|0 ON 3|0 KF 6|3 KF 0|1|0 FS 0 BW 1|2 EL 1|2 R★ 2 BW 0 The
WW 0|0 WA 1|1 KF 1|3 KF 1|10 HB 0|0 WA 3|3 WO 11|8 WA 0|2 WA 3|3 ON 3|3 WW 1|1 WO 0|0 EL 4|0|1 BW 2 WA 0|1 BW 0|0 G★ 0 EL 2 Thrill

Semi-Finals: DeLoppes and Squirrels go the Distance



Game 1:
Flying Squirrels  - 0
Wiffling DeLoppes - 1
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Austin Bischoff

Game 2:
Flying Squirrels  - 0
Wiffling DeLoppes - 3
WP: Cliff Comstock
LP: Mike Merlo

Game 3:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 0
Flying Squirrels  - 2
WP: Austin Bischoff
LP: Chad Hoppe

Game 4:
** 12 innings **
Wiffling DeLoppes - 0
Flying Squirrels  - 1
WP: Austin Bischoff
LP: Cliff Comstock

Game 5:
Flying Squirrels  - 2
Wiffling DeLoppes - 6
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Mike Merlo


Photos from the tightly contested DeLoppes and Squirrels five game series

The DeLoppes took the 5-game series with the Squirrels 3-2, and it took every bit of six and a half games to get the job done! The games were close and competitive all day long. Pitchers mostly kept play in the yard, and winning often came down to capitalizing on opponents' miscues. The DeLoppes won Game 1 when Joey DeLano scored from first on a hit to center field that was overrun. Game 4, the 12 inning double feature (and then some), was won by Austin Bischoff crossing the plate for the Squirrels on a ground ball after getting to third with no outs on two uncharacteristic DeLoppe misplays.

Games 2 and 3 saw the offenses shine a bit more with 5 runs scored between the two teams. The DeLoppes 3 run victory in Game 2 came on sharp hits that found holes down the line and to the gaps. Mike Merlo provided the fire power for the Squirrels in Game 3, blasting the first home run of the day over the left field fence. Game 5 was much more tightly contested than the 6-2 score suggests; really the series in microcosm. The Squirrels led off the scoring in the first with Austin Bischoff scoring on a Brandon Corbett sacrifice fly. The DeLoppes came right back in the bottom half, though, with Joey DeLano scoring from second on a Bobby Hoppe two-out single that squeaked into left-field. BJ Hoppe followed immediately with a towering fly over the tall fence in left for a 2-run home run. The Squirrels narrowed the lead to one run, but BJ's home run proved to be enough to push the DeLoppes through to the WSEM Championship Series as they doubled their runs for some insurance in the fourth.

Half the guys may be in trouble for being late to work or missing other obligations, but this was an amazing series: a competitive series, a fun series. Pins and needles and penis jokes. Great play and great attitudes all around. It came down to the better offense stepping up to win the day. Oh yeah, and this happened: