NALB 2019 Playoffs - League 2 Series

K. Fields
2020-09-13T11:29:26-04:00
Baseball

2019 League 2 Series - Stade Maples (89-73) vs. Phoenix Rattlers (91-71)

Game 1: Phoenix 3, Stade 1
Game 2: Phoenix 6, Stade 3
Game 3: Stade 3, Phoenix 2
Game 4: Phoenix 8, Stade 3
Game 5: Stade 6, Phoenix 3
Game 6: Stade 9, Phoenix 4
Game 7: Phoenix 5, Stade 4

In a rematch of last year's League 2 Series, the Stade Maples will once again play the Phoenix Rattlers. Although the Maples led their division since June, the Phoenix Rattlers surprised most onlookers with a late surge. After a last place April start, they were in third place for most of the season. It was quite a comeback to overtake the Wild and Slam to win the division.

Heath MacKissock out-dueled Braulio Crame in game one. Although Crame only gave up one run in six innings, MacKissock gave up none in 6.1 innings. Leading 3-0 after seven innings, the Rattlers held on to win 3-1.

After the solid pitching of game one, the starters struggled in game two. Ralph Kerfoot turned his ankle and only pitched one inning for the Rattlers. The Maples' Tyler Stivers didn't look good at all. He gave up seven hits and six runs and failed to make it through the first inning. Although the Phoenix bullpen surrendered three runs, the early lead was enough to carry the Rattlers to a 6-3 victory.

In game three, Stade third baseman Kurt Johnson put the Maples ahead 2-0 with a home run in the first inning. The Rattlers tied the game 2-2 in the top of the third. Kurt Johnson scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a Kensaku Shemada single.

The Phoenix Rattlers pulled off a road win in game four despite committing three errors in the field. Starter José Sandoval out-pitched Stade's David Bracy. After six innings, the Rattlers led 5-3. Phoenix sealed the win in the seventh inning, however, by scoring three runs off of five hits.

Home field advantage helped the Stade Maples win game five and stay alive in the League 2 Series. Down three games to one, the Maples relied on solid pitching from starter Braulio Crame and their bullpen. Third baseman Kurt Johnson was Stade's MVP for the game. Johnson drew a walk, had two hits (including a home run), and three RBI. The 6-3 win sends the series back to Phoenix.

The Rattlers squandered a chance to win the League 2 Series at home in game six. Phoenix fell behind 4-0 but tied the game 4-4 in the fifth inning. Both starters were out of the game by then. The Maples' relievers were excellent the rest of the way. The same could not be said about the Rattlers' bullpen. They gave up a run in the eighth and four more in the ninth. Stade's center fielder Terry Bannatyne went 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI. He was the game's MVP.

After building a 3-1 series lead, the Phoenix Rattlers had lost the momentum after dropping the last two games. Game seven presented the Rattlers with one final chance at home and they delivered. Catcher Sancho Alguirre led the offense with a 3 for 3 performance and starting pitcher Markus Wright tossed six solid innings, giving up only two runs. The Rattlers' 5-4 victory avenges last season's game seven loss to the Maples in the League 2 Series. The Rattlers move on to play for the NALB World Championship. Phoenix's last appearance in the World Championship Series was in 2009 when the lost in six games to the Nashville Firecats.

The Most Valuable Player Award went to Stade third baseman Kurt Johnson. Despite playing for the losing side, Johnson did all he could. His .370 average, 10 hits, 3 home runs, and 8 RBI helped push this series to go the distance.

Series MVP: 3B Kurt Johnson (Stade Maples)