Preview Served by Lovie's Frosty Twist
Record: 8-4 (#1 seed)
How They Got Here:
After starting the season 7-0, the Splunkers were cruising along to the top seed, however the last five games of the season were a bumpy road. After dropping three games to finish off Week 4’s night, the Splunkers were left with two games and needed to win one to be the one seed. They did that Saturday morning in Week 3 makeup games. An 11-1 victory over the Flamingos secured the top seed in the playoffs for the Splunkers.
Top Hitter:
Austin Abel leads the offense with a .500 batting average over 56 at bats this season. He has homered eight times, walked nine times, and struck out just once, all of which lead the team.
Top Pitcher:
Austin Abel is the ace of the pitching staff, as well. He has thrown 10 complete games, and started 11, going 7-4 with a 2.92 ERA. His 7 wins lead the league. Abel also tops the league in strikeouts (38), and is third in WHIP (1.15) and innings pitched (51.1).
How They Matchup:
Splunkers are in Bracket A and will play the eight seed, who is to be determined (either High Heat, LFG Slimeball, or Banana Slugs). Fourth seeded Roman Noodles and fifth seeded The Abyss join them in Bracket A.
Did not face High Heat
0-1 vs. LFG (first loss of season, Week 4 field 1 bracket, 6-2 loss)
“LFG Slimeball gave the Splunkers their first loss of the season, ensuring there would be no undefeated team in 2021. Alex Miles did the pitching for the Slimeballs, allowing two runs on six hits, and struck out three. LFG got to Splunkers ace, Austin Abel, in the top of the second for five runs, including an Alex Miles grand slam. The Splunkers were able to get the tying run to the plate in the fifth, but he flew out to end the game.”
0-1 vs. Slugs (regular season finale, Week 3 makeup on Saturday, 1-0 loss in 6 innings)
“Nate Morris and Austin Abel dueled each other on the rubber and the duel needed more than the regulation five innings to complete. In the top of the sixth, Tim Marra reached base on a one out single off the right field wall. Marra stole second on the first pitch of the next at bat. The very next pitch Marra took off again. This time Morris swung and put the ball on the ground into left field. He hustled it out to beat the throw in by the left fielder, as Marra crossed home plate to give the Slugs a one run lead off a hit and run. Morris shut down the Splunker offense in the bottom half to secure the victory. In the complete game win, Morris scattered five Splunker hits while walking none.”
1-1 vs. Roman Noodles
Splunkers Blank Noodles To Win Opening Game of Season
“Gardner and Abel hit back to back home runs to lead off the bottom of the first, and the Splunkers never looked back. Gardner pitched the complete game shutout and struck out two Noodles. Abel was a perfect 3-for-3 with 3 home runs in the season opener. Popielarczyk tossed for Noodles and got tabbed with the loss.”
Roman Noodles Down Splunkers; Earn 3-0 Week 3
“In a Week 3 makeup game, the Roman Noodles used a big second inning to down the Splunkers and earn an extra point for a 3-0 week. Matt Cottrill belted a two run homer in the bottom of the second and it was soon followed by a three run homer from Zach Roman to put the Noodles up 6-0. After a pitching change midway through the second, the Noodles added three for a 9-0 lead after two innings of play. Nick Popielarczyk handled the Splunkers offense, but not without a scare. Austin Abel hit a home run to cap off a four run third inning for the Splunkers, however that would be the last hit of the game for the Splunks.”
1-0 vs. The Abyss
Abel Outduels Kennedy in Pitchers Duel For A Splunkers W
“Cree Gardner hit a first inning RBI double and that would be all the support Splunkers pitcher, Austin Abel, needed. Abel tossed 5 shut out innings, allowed 1 hit, walked 1, and struck out 6. Jake Kennedy was nearly just as good from the rubber for The Abyss. Kennedy allowed just one hit after the first inning Splunkers score. Cam Kennedy had the lone hit for The Abyss in their first career WILL game.”
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