October 18, 2048
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
The Sacramento Mad Popes took the Frick League by storm this season on route to collecting a franchise best 111 wins and securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Homefield advantage did not matter much as they played only two games at home before being knocked out by the Nashville Bluebirds. Despite being one of the best teams offensively and defensively, the Popes could not put it all together when it counted most.Barney Lindsay didn’t have his best stuff in Game 1 and allowed 9 hits and 4 earned runs in a 4-2 loss. Tony Frost did his best to rally the troops with two outs in the 9th by hitting a solo homerun off Popes closer, Keijo Reini, but the Egan candidate struck out Martin Hemming to end any threat.
‘The Wolf’ looked to stop the bleeding in Game 2 and the veteran did just that throwing a complete game as the Birds stole home field advantage away from the Popes. Abay Azzouzj got the Bluebirds off to a quick start with a 1st inning homerun and they tacked on three more runs with two outs to jump ahead 4-0. The Birds added two more runs in the 4th and three in the 8th. Hemming added a two-run HR in the 9th for the final nail in the coffin as the Bluebirds coasted to a 11-2 win.
The Bluebirds carried the momentum into Nashville to begin a three game stretch with an opportunity to clinch a Cartwright Cup spot at home. The Birds got their second consecutive complete game with a great performance by second year pitcher, Adrian Custello. Azzouzj popped off once again on the offensive side going 2 for 4 including a 3-run HR. Hemming added three hits of his own in the 9-4 rout of Sacramento and taking a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 was a slugfest as Nashville ran Sacramento starter, Eustace Tilley out of the game in the 3rd inning in which Nashville batted around and crossed the plate eight times. The Bluebirds would add five more runs in the 7th to give themselves a nice cushion in a mediocre start by Nobuhito Kan. Azzouzj homered in his third straight game and Frost was 4 for 5 with 3 RBI. Rookie, Sammy ‘Bumper’ McNeill, was 4 for 4 with two runs and three RBI. Cornelio Lozano
Remains the only Bluebirds reliever to be used this series as he threw the final 2.1 IP. Combined, the two team accounted for 26 hits and 33 LOB.
With the series on the line, Nashville was feeling confident with their ace back on the mound. Lindsay didn’t disappoint, throwing seven strong innings and allowing only 3 hits and 1 run. The Bluebirds were powered by five homeruns. Frost was 3 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI and Hemming was 2 for 3 with a run and 3 RBI. The Bluebirds gladly accepted the anti-climactic clinching win and popped champagne in the clubhouse with former cart girl, Brittani Johansson.
3B Tony Frost celebrating Doubleday Series win
