NALB 2007 Playoffs - League 1 Series

K. Fields
2008-11-09T13:37:36-05:00
Baseball

2007 League 1 Series - Cornfield Axemen vs. Brooklyn Knights

Game 1: Brooklyn 3, Cornfield 2
Game 2: Brooklyn 4, Cornfield 0
Game 3: Brooklyn 9, Cornfield 0
Game 4: Brooklyn 9, Cornfield 3

In a rematch of the 2006 League 1 Series, the Cornfield Axemen (110-52) squared off against the Brooklyn Knights (126-36). Last season, the Knights stunned the Axemen with a four game sweep. Cornfield hoped things would turn out differently this year. However, their chances took a significant turn for the worse when pitching ace Hap Bedford was injured on September 26.

With Bedford unable to pitch in the playoffs, the Axemen sent Atley Berger (20-4) to the mound to start game 1. His opponent was lefty Tracy Corkhill (17-3). Both teams pitched very well. In the bottom of the ninth, the score was 2-1 as closer Joe Pendarvis tried to seal the win for the Axemen. Pendarvis gave up back to back hits and then two walks. With the score tied 2-2, Dick Moran delivered a game winning single to left field.

Game 2 featured a pitching match-up of Cornfield’s Hughie Grover (12-11) vs. Brooklyn’s Dave Hambright (20-3). Hambright was spectacular as he pitched a four-hit shutout. The Knights scored four runs which was plenty behind Hambright’s masterful effort.

The League 1 Series moved to Cornfield for game 3. The Knights started Fred Millard (19-5) while the Axemen pinned their hopes on left-hander John Watkins (13-9). While Watkins struggled, Millard pitched 7.2 strong shutout innings. Brooklyn’s offense finally flexed its muscles. Home runs by Hooks Goetz and Yale Burns powered the Knights to an easy 9-0 win.

In game 4, the Axemen faced the possibility of being swept for the second straight year. They needed solid pitching from Bob Palmer (14-11) but did not get it. He was battered early and left the game in the third inning. His opponent, Omar Cambra (14-10), fared much better and lasted until the sixth inning. The Knights did their damage early. They produced six runs in the third, led by a Jeromy Bezanson home run. Brooklyn cruised to a 9-3 win.

The Brooklyn Knights are the 2007 League 1 champions and will play in the World Championship Series for the eighth consecutive year.