Fellowship Series Recap
Fairies take series from Archers, 4-1
LAKE TOWN - With their ace starters, Beardcutter and Shinsnapper, winning 2 games apiece, the Bucklebury Fairies defeated the Lake Town Archers in their Fellowship Series matchup. This is the first time the Archers have not made it past the initial round in 4 seasons of making it to the playoffs. In Game 1, Fabur Beardcutter struck out 11 and allowed just 1 run for the Fairies' 3-1 win. Game 2 saw Torg Shinsnapper blanking the Archers on 4 hits, as Bucklebury won it 1-0. When the series went back to Lake Town, the Archers showed some life, exploding for 7 runs in the first inning of Game 3 and hanging on to win it by a score of 8-5. But in Game 5 it was back to Beardcutter, who turned in an 8 K game for the Fairies, who won it 9-3. Finally, in Game 6, Shinsnapper allowed just 2 earned runs over 8 innings, and the Fairies took the game 4-3.
Isengard defeats Grey Havens
GREY HAVENS - The Isengard Raiders took the Fellowship Series from the Stars, 4-games-to-1, with their star outfielder, Gandaudur Eowöldor, slamming 5 homers. In Game 1, the Raiders took the lead early and never lost it. Eowöldor slammed 2 HR to win it 8-2. Game 2 saw Isengard pitchers, Denealf Eärölas and Mili "Vanilli" Orctearer, combining on a 1-hit shuout of Grey Havens. In Game 3, rookie outfielder Maltame Rethiel was the star, as his 3-run HR in the 7th put the Raiders on top to stay. The Stars avoided a sweep by winning Game 4, 10-6. Finally, in Game 5, Eowöldor and Rethiel struck again for 3 HR and 7 RBI, giving Isengard the series win.
Mirkwood advances to Shire Conference Finals
MIRKWOOD - Three-time champions, Mirkwood, are going to get another shot at defending their title, as they defeated the Bree Cheese, 4-games-to-2. In Game 1, Bree fought back in the late innings, scoring 8 runs in the last 3 frames, but Mirkwood scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th off Mohair Catsquisher's 3-run HR and Valin Graniteslinger's game winning single. In Game 2, Bree's Deagol Fishslapper tied the game in the 9th with an RBI single, then Arwildoc Belebrindil drew a bases-loaded walk off Disil Axesmith to win the game for the Cheese. Game 3 was another 1-run affair, taken by Mirkwood when Curt Ballscarer drove in Catsquisher with a double in the 8th, breaking a 7-7 tie. In Game 4, the Cheese struck again in the bottom of the 9th with a bases loaded walk to Ralin Rockbinder, tying the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 went to Mirkwood, as Galaigast Faromli, the Shire HR leader, blasted 2 homers and drove in 5 runs to give the Marauders the 6-4 win. Finally, in Game 6, Mirkwood went back to pitching, as Hallalonn "Bring It" Brilhirion combined with "Phantom" Fil-Gar and Axesmith kept the Cheese to 2 runs and Mirkwood won the series.
Kings hang on to defeat Slayers in Series
NUMENOR - In their first playoff appearance, the Minas Morgul Slayers put up a valiant effort against the team with the best record in the Mordor Conference, but in the end their bullpen failed them, and they lost to the Kings in 6 games. In Game 1, the Kings scored 3 runs in the 7th to overcome a 5-3 Slayers lead to win 6-5. Game 2 saw Slayer ace, Beama Belil-Gariand, scatter 10 hits over 9 innings for a 8-2 victory. In Game 3, Numenor bats exploded, with shortstop Theo Nering slamming 2 HR to cruise to a 12-3 win. Ghash the Sneaky came up with a 2-run homer in the 8th inning of Game 4 to erase another Slayer lead and win the game for the Kings, 4-3. The Slayers forced a return to Numenor by winning Game 5 in the bottom of the 9th. After the Kings scored 2 in the top of the inning to tie the game at 7-7, Myrtai Elvywyn hit a double and scored on Tina Legàl's pinch hit. Finally, in Game 6, with the score tied 7-7 in the 8th, Numenor's Imredoc Gwildur hit a solo homer and Nering drove in Meroman Legeolbo to seal series for the Kings.