Weekly Wrapup: September 23, 2004
Playoff Races Down to the Wire
MIDDLE EARTH - With just 14 games left in the regular season, there are still a few races undecided in the SGCBL. In the Mordor Conference, only 3 teams have been eliminated from Wild Card contention. Misty Mountain currently leads the Orc Division, but Grey Havens is only 2 games out. And the Stars are just 1 game ahead of the Numenor Kings of the Goblin Division. Dead Marshes and Dunharrow round out the rest of the contenders, with Isengard and Dol Guldur of the Troll Division still technically in the race.
In the Shire's Elf Division, Mirkwood is hanging on by a thread at 5 games behind Rivendell. Meanwhile in the Dwarf Division, Bucklebury and Bree are fighting over who will win the division and who will be the wild card team. Currently, the Fairies hold a 1 game lead over the Cheese.
Axecutter (MM), Sowyn (BYW) win Player of the Week award
MIDDLE EARTH - The Shire Conference Player of the Week award goes to Thuvvia Sowyn, Bywater's starting third baseman. Thuvvia was on fire, hitting .545 with 2 HR and 7 RBI. Denar Axecutter wins his 1st Player of the Week award. Mordor Conference pitchers couldn't figure out how to retire this guy all week long. Denar went 10 for 20 (.500), while hitting 2 HR and collecting 6 RBI. Denar is hitting .290 this year, with 152 hits in 525 at bats. He has driven in 84 runs, slugging .459.
Carrock Pitcher Wins 20
CARROCK - Erunai Cleaverpunishr became only the third pitcher in the league's short history to win 20 games in a season--and the first non-Wilderland hurler to do so. Erunai won 2 games this week against Silvan and Lake Town to up his record to 21-12.
Prilak Hammershaker pitches 2-hit shutout against Isengard
NUMENOR - Prilak Hammershaker had some fun again. Isengard hitters did not. Numenor's right-hander gave up just 2 hits in his 2nd shutout of the season. He now has 2 career shutouts in 43 games started. The bid for a no-hitter was broken up when Boran Armormasher singled with one out in the 8th inning. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today.' Hammershaker (13-7) fanned 6 and walked none, throwing 93 pitches. The hitting star for Numenor was second baseman Meroman Legeolbo, he got 2 hits in 3 AB. Numenor scored 1 run on 4 hits.
Valinor has no chance in a 1-hitter by Legeron Iseomer
VALINOR - Legeron Iseomer had some fun, too. Rohan's left-hander gave up just one hit in his 3rd shutout of the season. He now has 3 career shutouts in 67 games started. Iseomer (14-8) struck out 8 and issued 1 BB, throwing 61 of 99 pitches for strikes. 'Things like that happen. You take the mound and everything works. My velocity was pretty good today and I guess it showed.' Rafur Rockback helped Iseomer at the plate, he stroked 1 hit in 2 AB, homering once, and driving in 3 runs. Rohan improved its record to 87-58, scoring 4 runs on 8 hits.
Nering Breaks Hitting Record
NUMENOR - Numenor rookie sensation, Theo Nering, broke the league record for hits, set last year by Mordor's Lumtina Elväwen, when he got number 201 in a game against Gondor on September 19. "Precioussss" now holds the league record and rookie record for most hits in a season, as well as the league record in stolen bases and the rookie RBI record.
Elilmalad Wins 12th, Sets Rookie Record
BUCKLEBURY - Fairies rookie pitcher, Issth Elilmalad, won for the 12th time on September 16, making him the winningest rookie in Shire Conference history. He ran his record to 12-8 with the win over the Miners at Moria.
Campana sets strikeout record
GONDOR - Rookie pitcher Joshua Campana struck out his 167th batter on September 20, breaking the Mordor Conference record for strikeouts by a rookie. Campana is one of the bright spots for the Condors this year with a 14-8 record and a 4.16 ERA.
Mangrove Breaks Record
BREE - Throatwarbler "Raymond" Mangrove, the Bree right fielder, broke the league record for triples in a season when he took third in the bottom of the 4th against Mirkwood on September 22. Burt Axetorturer from Moria and Elreamer Elóndir of Carrock have hit 12 3-baggers this season to tie the record, but for now, Mangrove is the League record-holder.
Bywater Pitcher Out with Broken Elbow
BYWATER - To add insult to injury this season, Bywater has lost another player. This time left-handed starter Gorodoc Golleon broke his elbow in a freak accident. Golleon started a game against Wilderland on September 19 and pitched to a single batter, Ariagast Anilmang. Anilmang hit a fly ball to right field that was caught by Zudor Tinönduil. When the ball left the bat, Golleon started to run toward first and slipped. He landed on his right elbow, breaking it! Team trainers are looking at an 8-week recovery time for the hurler who is 6-8 with a 5.73 ERA this season.
Mordor outfielder down
MORDOR - Gamaugrin Eowàldor was injured while making a catch on September 20. He has a fractured finger that will take about 3-4 weeks to heal, effectively ending his season. He batted .287 with 0 HR and 15 RBI in 80 games, dividing his time between left and center field.
Demonsmasher Sets Loss Record
CIRITH UNGOL - Fral Demonsmasher picked up his 18th on September 22...his 18th loss, setting a new league record for pitching futility. In a terrible turnaround for the 32-year-old righthander, his 7-18 record this season almost mirrors his 2003 record of 18-6. In his last 6 starts, Fral has only made it out of the 3rd inning once.