Shire wins 11-inning duel to even All-Star Series

BUCKLEBURY - A huge crowd of almost 70,000 at Bucklebury's cavernous Fairie Dome attended the 10th SGCBL All-Star Game, and they were treated to an 11-inning pitcher's duel and saw the Shire Conference even the series at 5 games apiece with a 2-1 win. It was all pitching this rainy night in Bucklebury, where there was a 33 minute rain delay in the 4th inning, as hitters from both sides fell to the amazing collection of hurlers.

Mirkwood's Hallalonn Brilhirion started things off by fanning 2 of the first 3 batters he faced. But Misty Mountain's Buffy the Balrog Slayer hit a solo homerun to start off the 2nd, giving the Mordor Conference a 1-0 lead.

That's the way it would stay until the bottom of the 7th, when Bywater's Neegar Nosegobbler smacked a single into right to score Valin Graniteslinger of Lake Town with the tying run.

Back and forth they went. Each side racked up 10 strikeouts, and there were 30 players left on base. A couple of great, leaping catches at the wall by Minas Tirith's Balin Bloodspear, and an over-the-shoulder running grab by Grumpus the Grumpest of Lothlorien saved runs.

In the 10th, the Mordor team threatened when Dagorlad's Marus Alu singled off Wilderland's Prarg Halflingslobbr, who then issued a walk to the Slayer's Minto Foxburr. Shire manager, Thranduil Elvenking, then brought in his next-to-last pitcher, Old Forest's Dejath Belara. Belara struck out Grumpest, but then he hit Dead Marshes' Shamina Gil-Gawen to load the bases. Golligast Gandulbo of Grey Havens came to the plate with 2 outs, and Belara struck him out to end the threat.

Finally, in the bottom of the 11th, Mirkwood's Mo Catsquisher tripled down the right field line, and the Titans' Binus Anvilworker singled him home with the winning run.

The winning pitcher was Belara. Lugkrish the Wretched of Weathertop took the loss. The player of the game was Neegar Nosegobbler.

Posted at July 27, 2006 10:51 PM | more from All-Star Game, more from League News