NALB 2022 Playoffs - League 2 Series

K. Fields
2022-10-07T10:11:44-04:00
Baseball

2022 League 2 Series - Stade Maples (80-82) vs. Vancouver Wild (91-71)

Game 1: Stade 2, Vancouver 0
Game 2: Vancouver 3, Stade 2
Game 3: Stade 2, Vancouver 1
Game 4: Vancouver 6, Stade 5
Game 5: Stade 6, Vancouver 2
Game 6: Vancouver 7, Stade 1
Game 7: Stade 5, Vancouver 3

The Stade Maples are no stranger to the postseason. They have won four out of the last five division titles and are in the playoffs for the thirteenth time. This year's team is different, however; they had a losing record in the regular season. The only other time that happened in NALB history was 2008 when the Vancouver Wild (80-82) shocked the world by defeating the Brooklyn Knights (113-49) for the World Championship. Facing the Stade Maples were the Vancouver Wild so there was an interesting storyline for the League 2 Series.

Game one pitted Stade's Braulio Crame (19-9, 2.41 ERA) against Vancouver's Rudolph Carpoza (6-3, 2.48 ERA) as starting pitchers. It was a low-scoring affair. The Maples struck for two runs in the second inning, which was enough to secure a 2-0 win.

The starters for game two were Renato Balcazar (10-13, 3.52 ERA) for the Maples and Rey Alvarado (12-13, 3.34 ERA) for the Wild. Alvarado was a bit better to lead his team to a 3-2 victory. He pitched six innings, struck out four, and only allowed four hits.

The series was tied 1-1 as it moved from Vancouver to Stade for game three. The Wild started Ivan Martinez (13-7, 3.47 ERA) and the Maples started Sosuke Nakamura (9-12, 2.89 ERA). Both pitchers were excellent in seven innings of work. Nakamura prevailed in this pitching duel, however, with a four-hit, no walk outing. He gave up only one run and earned the 2-1 win.

In game four, fans were finally treated to a bit more scoring. Both starters, Vancouver's Nelson Sanchez (4-5, 3.09 ERA) and Stade's Dave Kirby (3-5, 4.84), were solid. Kirby gave up one run and Sanchez's three runs were all unearned. They excitement and drama came late in the game. Down 4-1, Vancouver roared back with 4 runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead. Stade scored in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Right fielder Gregg Webb hit an RBI double in the tenth to give the Wild a 6-5 win.

Braulio Crame once again out-pitched Rudolph Carpoza to give the Maples another win in game five. This time, the Maples won 6-2 as Kurt Johnson led the way with a 2 for 3 day at the plate, including a home run.

With their backs to the wall in game six, the Wild needed a fine performance out of veteran pitcher Rey Alvarado. They got that and more. Alvarado was magnificent as he threw a 119-pitch complete game. Vancouver's bats came alive with 7 runs on 10 hits. First baseman Joe Barnstaple was impressive as he singled, doubled, and homered in four at bats in a 7-1 win.

Vancouver hosted the winner-take-all game seven. Unfortunately for fans of the Wild, there was little joy to be had in the outcome. The Stade Maples finished off the Vancouver Wild 5-3 in the deciding game of the League 2 Series. Stade's leadoff hitter, right fielder Javier Cirnernos was instrumental in the Maples' success. He was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and scored 3 runs. The Maples' Sosuke Nakamura was once again effective on the mound as he registered his second win of the series. With a 5-3 victory, the Stade Maples pulled off the upset and will play the Luisville Beasts for the NALB World Championship.

Maples first baseman Kurt Johnson was named the series MVP. He hit .385 with a home run and 7 RBI.