NALB 2007 Playoffs - League 2 Series

K. Fields
2008-11-09T13:39:47-05:00
Baseball

2007 League 2 Series - Vancouver Wild vs. Stade Maples

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

On paper, the 2007 League 2 Series looked a bit like David versus Goliath. The Vancouver Wild (85-77) scratched and clawed their way to the club’s first division title. On the other hand, the defending champion Stade Maples (113-49) easily won their division by an impressive thirty games.

In the opening game, the Wild started their ace, Tony Martell (18-11). The Maples countered with 35 year old veteran John Hamilton (9-14). Martell was solid, as expected. Hamilton really shined, however. He pitched eight innings and gave up only two runs. The Maples won this pitching duel at home, 4-2.

Vancouver knew they needed to win game 2. The Wild relied heavily on a starting staff with only two pitching stars. After Martell’s game 1 loss, Walter Sheehan (17-13) was asked to even the series. With the game tied 1-1 in the second inning, Sheehan gave up a leadoff home run. He further hurt himself with a throwing error on the way to a four run inning. Fortunately for the Wild, their bullpen was terrific. Luis Hesterfer (17-5) pitched a fine six innings for the Maples, giving up only one run. Stade took a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning. Floyd Minoso blew the save and the game went into extra innings. The Wild scored three runs in the tenth. Mark Huff later hit a solo homer for the Maples but it wasn’t enough. The Wild had an 8-6 win and the series was tied.

The Maples felt good about their chances in game 3 as the series shifted to Vancouver. Max Brown (25-5), League 2’s Outstanding Pitcher Award winner for the past two seasons took the mound for Stade. Twink Hansen (9-17), the 38 year old veteran, was the Wild’s starting pitcher. As expected, Brown out-dueled Hansen. However, Vancouver’s bullpen was also a disappointment. Rich Sundra and Ike Holman gave up three runs combined. The Maples’ power was on display as they hit five home runs: one by Leslie Hubbard and two each by Russ Booles and Roberto Rentería.

Stade’s #2 starter, Wally Pemberton (25-7), looked to extend the Maples’ lead in the series. His counterpart was Tony Martell, Vancouver’s starter in game 1. Martell delivered the goods this time with seven strikeouts and only one run given up in a 6.1 inning outing. Despite three hits from superstar Travis Araoz, the Maples struggled to score runs and lost 6-2.

For game 5, it was John Hamilton versus Walter Sheehan. John Hamilton won his second start of the postseason. The Maples jumped on top early 5-1 and stayed there. The Wild scraped together a couple of runs but fell short in a 5-3 loss.

It was do or die in game 6 as the Wild trailed three games to two. The series was back in Stade as Twink Hansen and Luis Hesterfer got their second starts of the postseason. Hesterfer baffled Vancouver’s hitters all game. He pitched 6.2 shutout innings and only allowed one hit. Once again, Stade showed off its impressive power. Huff, Rentería, and Booles all homered as the Maples won in a 9-1 blowout.

The Stade Maples won the League 2 Series and will advance to the World Championship Series to defend their title against the Brooklyn Knights.