| Thursday August 2nd 6 PM The Drey Romulus, MI |
 - Belgian won season rivalry series 3-1. - Squirrels won 2011 1st round 4 vs. 5 series 2-0. - 3 All-Stars in series; Constanti, Tomlinson, and Corbett. - Trade on final day of season moved Skinner to Squirrels and Corbett to Belgian. - Expect pitching dominated, low-scoring games: Smallball fury in Death Valley. |
| Game 1 | |||||
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1 | @ | 0 |  |
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| WP: Corbett (1-0) HR: Tomlinson (1) |
LP: Constanti (0-1) | ||||
| Game 2 | |||||
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0 | @ | 1 | |
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| LP: Skinner (0-1) | ** 7 innings ** | WP: Castle (1-0) RBI: Buhr (1) |
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BELGIAN BEAT:
Well, the 4 vs. 5 rematch went the opposite way from last season, and the same way the meeting between the two went in July: a two game sweep by the Belgian Wiffles. In typical fashion for these teams, they were low-scoring affairs. They were not without exciting hits and plays on the basepaths, though. Game 1 saw Corbett start shaking against his former team, giving up a hit and walk before settling in nicely throughout the rest of the game. Tomlinson was the offensive hero, driving a ball over the the left-field fence in the second inning. The Squirrels best scoring chance came in the fourth when Constanti drove a ball into left-center field with Bullard on first, but Phillips got the ball in quickly and Corbett tagged out Bullard rounding third.
Game 2 saw the pitching dominance escalated to an even higher level with Castle vs. Skinner. Castle's stuff was on and he carved up Squirrels throughout the seven innings, and struck out ten in a row in the first to third innings. Ex-pat Skinner was on as well, and it looked like it could be another marathon game for the Wiffles. A seventh inning rally spared the gathered fans from the Seals and Aces that ordeal. With no outs Kyle Tomlinson shot a ball on the ground into right field, advancing hard-charging Castle to third. After an intentional walk to Phillips to get the force at home in order, Buhr crushed a deep fly ball to the wall in right-center, scoring Castle and winnings the game. Then there were fireworks.
Well, the 4 vs. 5 rematch went the opposite way from last season, and the same way the meeting between the two went in July: a two game sweep by the Belgian Wiffles. In typical fashion for these teams, they were low-scoring affairs. They were not without exciting hits and plays on the basepaths, though. Game 1 saw Corbett start shaking against his former team, giving up a hit and walk before settling in nicely throughout the rest of the game. Tomlinson was the offensive hero, driving a ball over the the left-field fence in the second inning. The Squirrels best scoring chance came in the fourth when Constanti drove a ball into left-center field with Bullard on first, but Phillips got the ball in quickly and Corbett tagged out Bullard rounding third.
Game 2 saw the pitching dominance escalated to an even higher level with Castle vs. Skinner. Castle's stuff was on and he carved up Squirrels throughout the seven innings, and struck out ten in a row in the first to third innings. Ex-pat Skinner was on as well, and it looked like it could be another marathon game for the Wiffles. A seventh inning rally spared the gathered fans from the Seals and Aces that ordeal. With no outs Kyle Tomlinson shot a ball on the ground into right field, advancing hard-charging Castle to third. After an intentional walk to Phillips to get the force at home in order, Buhr crushed a deep fly ball to the wall in right-center, scoring Castle and winnings the game. Then there were fireworks.
SQUIRRELS BEAT:
At the beginning of the season the Belgian Wiffles and the Flying Squirrels were the two “leftover” teams without a natural rival, therefore they were stuck with each other. It appears now that these two teams were meant to be rivals. With Corbett and Skinner trading places on the last day before the trade deadline, this opening round playoff series was bound to be exciting. Fans from both the Mattseals and Wicked Aces made the trip to the New Drey to watch the 4 vs. 5 matchup. On paper, it appeared the Squirrels had the advantage in the pitching matchups, but Belgian easily had the better offense.
Former teammates Constanti and Corbett faced off in the first game, and like most Flying Squirrels games, it was decided by one run. Constanti gave up a solo home run in the 2nd, courtesy of All-Star Kyle Tomlinson. The Squirrels had a few scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize. Belgian won the opener 1-0.
Game 2 saw another former teammate matchup, Castle vs. Skinner. Castle picked a good time to have the best start of his year only allowing two baserunners all game. Skinner was lights out all game until the 7th inning when Belgian loaded the bases. Captain David Buhr was the offensive hero this game, hitting a deep fly ball to right center to win the game 1-0 in walk off style.
It was a fun rivalry for the Belgian Wiffles and Flying Squirrels. In the six games they played this season, everyone stayed in good spirits and I hope it can carry over to 2013. Goodluck to Belgian in the Semifinals, and it’s off to the John Hill for the Thrill for the Squirrels!
At the beginning of the season the Belgian Wiffles and the Flying Squirrels were the two “leftover” teams without a natural rival, therefore they were stuck with each other. It appears now that these two teams were meant to be rivals. With Corbett and Skinner trading places on the last day before the trade deadline, this opening round playoff series was bound to be exciting. Fans from both the Mattseals and Wicked Aces made the trip to the New Drey to watch the 4 vs. 5 matchup. On paper, it appeared the Squirrels had the advantage in the pitching matchups, but Belgian easily had the better offense.
Former teammates Constanti and Corbett faced off in the first game, and like most Flying Squirrels games, it was decided by one run. Constanti gave up a solo home run in the 2nd, courtesy of All-Star Kyle Tomlinson. The Squirrels had a few scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize. Belgian won the opener 1-0.
Game 2 saw another former teammate matchup, Castle vs. Skinner. Castle picked a good time to have the best start of his year only allowing two baserunners all game. Skinner was lights out all game until the 7th inning when Belgian loaded the bases. Captain David Buhr was the offensive hero this game, hitting a deep fly ball to right center to win the game 1-0 in walk off style.
It was a fun rivalry for the Belgian Wiffles and Flying Squirrels. In the six games they played this season, everyone stayed in good spirits and I hope it can carry over to 2013. Goodluck to Belgian in the Semifinals, and it’s off to the John Hill for the Thrill for the Squirrels!
