Slayers win 14 straight and the division

via Slayer News Press Daily
MINAS MORGUL - This season in Minas Morgul was another season filled with internal drama, turmoil, and threats to totally strip the team and start over. In fact, a couple icons had been dealt, including Galealbo Elvawen. From their high point of 2010, the team dropped 11 wins off their pace and won just 88 games, "earning" them the distinction of being the playoff team with the worst record and the only playoff team to win fewer than 90 games. Still, they scratched their way to the RotK Series - only to get slaughtered shamefully by Mirkwood.

This year looked to follow the same script - another disappointing 85 win season and it looked even worse because Dagorlad laid down a challenge and were running with the division. A solid September had the Slayers thinking they had some hope, but hardly in a good position.

The Slayers found themselved down by 5 but with a three game set against Dagorlad coming up. The Slayers needed a sweep to have any sort of chance, and that would still leave them needing help to get the division as well as the Wild Card.

"Our backs were up against the wall." Imrilron spoke, "We needed to step up and get it done or we just go home."

"It was time to get going. We had just come off a great week, and still were in trouble. I wanted them to know that we haven't done anything yet, and we had a lot of work to do." Earora spoke.

The Slayers did have a lot of work to do, but started off in fine fashion, sweeping Dagorlad to put themselves in the thick of both the race for the Wild Card and Division. Still trailing both, the Slayers had to keep playing well.

Next, the Slayers were set to face Isengard. Dagorlad got to play Dol Guldur - a match up that would seem to see both teams win the majority of these games. Instead, Dagorlad stumbled, but Minas Morgul had to win to make it worth anything. As it turned out, the Slayers would take the first three from Isengard, closing down the lead to 1 game with the final game of the season looming.

The Slayers got a great performance from Kashi Darkleaf, leading the way in a clear 8-1 win. Dagorlad lost a wild, high-scoring game whose score looked more like a football score, ending at 14-10 for Dol Guldur. Ironic, because the Diaster were 14-2 against the Dragons before this week, yet went 2-2 at this crucial time. This deadlocked the Slayers and Diaster after 162 games. In the process, the Slayers had won 13 in a row and Misty Mountain had trouble with pesky Grey Havens to allow the Slayers to secure at least the Wild Card.

That would seem to take the steam out of any sense of urgency in the playoff game. Not so claims the player set to start the game, Badgred the Hated.

"There was no let down after hearing we clinched a playoff berth. We wanted to defend our division title and anything less would be somewhat of a disappointment. Taking the ball for the playoff game, I was hyped for the game." Badgred commented.

Badgred pitched on sheer will, pushing through a complete game using 122 pitches despite being less than 100%, and allowed just one run to give the Slayers the win.

It is said that big players step up when needed, and new acquisition Badgred certainly shook off any adjustment pains he had in September. He took the ball 8 times, going 5-1 with a 1.53 ERA. Despite being in a 4-man rotation, 3 of his last 4 starts went 8 or more innings.

Hagush Eartrembler also stepped up. Considered to be excelent in the clutch, Eartrembler went 3-0 with a sub-2.00 ERA after being placed in the rotation in hopes of giving the team a spark.

Relievers Steelshaper and Xiques also were excellent in September. Steelshaper won 13 games on the season, responding to the career high workload K.L. place upon his most proven and consistent reliever.

A couple more trade acquisitions put the team on their back this September. In fact, they were involved in the same transaction. Petunia Gamgee finally lived up to her skills, putting up a 1.070 OPS in September. Relin Rockmaster, a severe disappointment for much of the season, woke up in September with a .500 OBP and crushing 8 HR. Both of those performances pale to Firbal the Nasty's however. Perhaps the team's "new Imrilron" Firbal put up his first 40/40 season of his young career. He picked up much of Imrilron's slack with 11 HR, 29 RBI, and 28 Runs scored. A lot of career highs for him as well: 3B, HR, RBI, R, K (career low), AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS.

While the team celebrates a wonderful rally to victory, another large challenge stands in the way of the Slayers making their third straight appearance in the RotK Series. The next opponant is the with the best record in the Mordor Conference, the Rohan Riders.

"Rohan will be tough as always. They present a balanced, consistent roster and that's always a challenge. Hopefully this run to the playoffs didn't sap all our energy, because we'll need to dig deep and keep this thing going." K.L. commented.

Fourteen wins in a row, but the Slayers are looking for twelve more. The twelve that would net them another claim to the title of World Champions.

Posted at September 8, 2006 06:38 AM | more from Minas Morgul