NALB 2007 World Championship Series - Game 5

The World Championship Series was tied at two games apiece. Game 5 was a rematch between the game 1 starters, Tracy Corkhill and Max Brown. The Knights won that pitching duel in Brooklyn but neither starter got the decision. On the other hand, Game 4 was a slugfest and the runs came easily for both teams. Would pitching or hitting dominate in game 5?

Game 5 was possibly the greatest game in World Championship Series history. It was undoubtably the best pitched. Max Brown and Tracy Corkhill baffled opposing hitters. Neither gave up an extra base hit over 7.0 and 5.2 innings, respectively. The bullpens were equally as good. After nine innings, the game was still scoreless and headed to extra innings. The old adage, “Great pitching beats great hitting,” was certainly true here. Another six innings went by and the score was 0-0 as the 16th inning began. Floyd Minoso was on the mound for the Maples when Ted Pollet singled. Two batters later, Hooks Goetz scored the first runs of the game with a 2-run home run. Rip Sukeforth pitched the bottom of the 16th for the Knights. He walked “The Beast,” Travis Araoz, the first batter. Unfortunately for Stade, Leslie Hubbard grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. Sukeforth struck out Topper Blefary to end the inning and win the game.

Final score: Brooklyn 2, Stade 0