GBL Final Power Rankings and Week 10 Recap

When Ethan Arvay struck out to end the game between the Ninjas and Gorillas, the regular season had come to an end. The playoffs have been set and the crown as best wiffle ball team in the GBL is up for grabs. The Nighttime Ninjas, Taka Drivers, Gashouse Gorillas, and Stallionaires all punched their ticket to the GBL playoffs. The four teams all have their strengths and weaknesses. The deciding factor may be who will want it more. Gashouse is looking to win their fourth straight GBL championship but, they have not been as dominate as they were in the past. The Taka Drivers had a team full of rookies but, they have shown to be a team who can win any game no matter the opponent. The Stallionaires, who came close to losing the final spot, hunkered down and now find themselves three wins away from back-to-back World Series appearances. Last but certainly not least, the Nighttime Ninjas have had their best season in GBL history and find themselves as the favorites heading into the postseason. If the regular season was any indication of the competitive nature the GBL has come to know this season, the playoffs will be one for the ages. Which team will defy their doubts and become the GBL champion? We will find out in less then two weeks but, in the meantime here are the final regular season power rankings.

FINAL GBL POWER RANKINGS

6. Bird Gang - 5 - 15 (#6 Last Week)

The Bird Gang ended the season on a seven game losing streak and were out of postseason contention before Week 10 even began. They finished with the GBL's second highest team batting average at .397 but, they had a tough time on the mound. Even with the emergence as Nick Trauscht as their ace, they finished last in team ERA at 6.03 in a league where pitching wins. If they plan to come back next year and compete, they may want to add a few pitchers to pair with a good offense. 

5. Lightning - 7 - 13 (#5 Last Week)

After clobbering the Stallionaires in the first game, the Lightning still had hope for a playoff run. With the winning run at the plate, the Lightning failed to score and therefore ending their season. Before entering Week 10, the Lightning were 4 - 12 and needed to win every game left against the Stallionaires. But this is not the Lightning of years past. After losing the second game to the Stallionaires, they were awarded the last two via forfeit. Even though their record looks formidable, the Lightning finished fifth in team ERA and last in team batting average.  

4. Stallionaires - 9 - 11 (#4 Last Week)

The Stallionaires record is better than it looks at 9 - 11. It could easily be 11 - 9 if it was not for forfeiting the unnecessary last two games against the Lightning. Their pitching fell to second in team ERA but, it is still one of the best staffs in the GBL. Their biggest weakness this season has been their hitting where they finished fifth in team batting average. They were also last in team on bases percentage. None of that matters now, as the Stallionaires only have one number left to worry about. Seven. (Wins it would take any team to become champions)

3. Gashouse Gorillas - 12 - 8 (#3 Last Week)

The Gashouse Gorillas had a chance to steal the top seed. After losing the first game, Gashouse was locked into the three seed. In Game 2, they were able to avoid a season sweep from the Ninjas who have had their number all season. Going into the playoffs, Gashouse is still considered to be one of the GBL's best but, their competition this season has been better than years prior. Overall, the Gashouse Gorillas 2015 campaign may have not been there best but, they still have a chance to win their fourth straight championship. 

2. Taka Drivers - 13 - 7 (#2 Last Week)

With a team full of inexperienced wiffle-ballers, the Taka Drivers proved that it does not matter how long you are in the league. The only thing that matters is how you play. They finished the season with the best team ERA at 2.88 and finished fourth in the league in batting average. They have won seven straight games to close the regular season and nearly stole the top spot in the final power rankings. Up next for the Taka Drivers is a tough first round opponent in the form of the Gashouse Gorillas.

1. Nighttime Ninjas - 14 - 6 (#1 Last Week)

Before the 2015 GBL season began, the Nighttime Ninjas had a career record of 12 - 35. They never finished a season above .500. Until now. The Ninjas have the league's best record and arguably the league's most complete team. They have had some issues on the mound but, have the league's best offense without a doubt. They have crushed a league leading 45 home runs, scored the league's most runs (113), and have the league's best team batting average (.431). Anytime an offense can put up numbers like the Ninjas have this season, their issues on the mound become irrelevant. 

WEEK 10 RECAP

TAKA DRIVERS V. BIRD GANG GAME 1

THE JANKE CAGE - The postseason fate of both teams entering the regular season finale was already decided before the first pitch. But that did not stop either the Bird Gang or Taka Drivers from playing. At this point, the Bird Gang were playing for pride, while the Taka Drivers were playing for a better seed in the playoffs. Like most games in the GBL, winning the game was done with one swing. After a quick first inning of play, the Taka Drivers and Bird Gang were scoreless heading into the top of the second. Zach Duvnjak walked the first batter of the inning and one mistake cost his team the game. The GBL's batting champion, Jackson Buzea, stepped up to the lawn chair and smashed one over the cage to give his team a 2-0 lead. That was all the Taka Drivers needed as Chris Bartley and Buzea combined to only allow the Bird Gang three hits. The Bird Gang did have multiple chances to score a few runs in the third and fifth innings but, failed to capitalize

FINAL - TAKA DRIVERS 2 BIRD GANG 0

(W) - CHRIS BARTLEY

(L) - ZACH DUVNJAK

(S) - JACKSON BUZEA

TAKA DRIVERS V. BIRD GANG GAME 2

THE JANKE CAGE - While the first game of the series only took one swing, the second became a slug-fest. The scoring started off with the first batter. Jackson Buzea welcomed Brian Brilmyer to the GBL with a lead-off home run. Brilmyer's pitching debut did not last much longer. Later in the inning, Chris Bartley hit a two run home run and Brilmyer ended up walking six batters in the first inning. He was pulled before the final out of the first inning and the Taka Drivers took a 5-0 lead. The Taka Drivers were not able to hold that lead for very long. In the bottom of the second, Lucas Baked and Zach Duvnjak both hit two run home runs to cut the lead to 5-4. When the Bird Gang cam back to bat in the next inning, Brilmyer made up for his mistakes on the mound. With two men on base, down by one, Brilmyer earned his first career hit in the GBL and it just happened to be a home run. The 5-0 lead the Taka Drivers gained had evaporated and they found themselves down 7-5. Down by two, Bartley tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with his second two run home run and he wasn't done yet. After a Buzea triple (off the foul pole in right) and a Ryan Voges double, the Taka Drivers regained the lead 9-7. Then, Bartley did it again. He hit his third two run home run of the game. The Taka Drivers took the 11-7 lead into the fifth and they ended up holding on to sweep the Bird Gang. 

FINAL - TAKA DRIVERS 11 BIRD GANG 7

(W) - RYAN VOGES

(L) (BS) - ZACH DUVNJAK

STALLIONAIRES V. LIGHTNING GAME 1

THE JANKE CAGE - The 2015 season has not been kind to the Lightning but, even at 4 - 12 they still had a chance to make the playoffs. The only thing standing in their way was the Stallionaires. The Lightning needed to win their next four games against the Stallionaires and they proved that they would not go down without a fight. The Stallionaires struck first with a Nate Bryan two run home run in the first. But the Lightning answered right back. Andrew Felde matched Bryan's two run home run with one of his own tying the game at 2. After Cole Felde was able to complete a quick 1-2 inning in the second, the Lightning turned into thunder. Andrew Felde lead the bottom of the second with a solo home run to give his team a 3-2 lead. The Lightning would have been content with their lead but, they weren't done. With the bases loaded, Cole Felde hit a grand slam to take a 7-2 lead. Later in the inning, the bases were loaded once again for Andrew Felde, who proceeded to clear the bases with a triple. Then, Cole Felde hit his second home run of the inning. Heading into the top of the third, the Lightning had a 12-2 lead and the Stallionaires did not stand any chance of a comeback.

FINAL - LIGHTNING 12 STALLIONAIRES 2

(W) - COLE FELDE

(L) - NATE BRYAN

STALLIONAIRES V. LIGHTNING GAME 2

THE JANKE CAGE - With the Lightning only three wins away from sneaking into the playoffs, the Stallionaires only needed to win one. If the Stallionaires did not win this game, both teams would have needed to play next week in order to decide one another's fate. The Stallionaires started the first inning the same way they did in the last game. With a man on, Nate Bryan hit a two run home run to give his team a 2-0 lead. This time Matt Kuna was on the mound for the Stallionaires and he did what he normally does. In his three innings pitched, Kuna struck out three and held the Lightning to only one hit. He helped his own cause in the third with a solo home run. Kuna's solo home run gave the Stallionaires a 3-0 lead and proved to be the deciding factor in the game. The 3-0 deficit for the Lightning remained the same heading into the last inning and nearly came home with a sweep. Cole Felde tripled to lead off in the fifth then, Derek Revis hit a two run home run to cut the lead to one. The next batter, Andrew Felde, doubled and there were still no outs. The Stallionaires David Konopasek almost let the lead slip away but, he was able to get the next two batters to ground out. The Stallionaires clinched a playoff spot with a win but, it was not as easy as most thought.

FINAL - STALLIONAIRES 3 LIGHTNING 2

(W) - MATT KUNA

(L) - COLE FELDE

(S) - DAVID KONOPASEK

(AFTER CLINCHING THEIR PLAYOFF SPOT, THE STALLIONAIRES FORFEITED BOTH MAKE-UP GAMES TO THE LIGHTNING)

NIGHTTIME NINJAS V. GASHOUSE GORILLAS GAME 1

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - Before the game the Gashouse Gorillas knew they had to sweep and outscore the Nighttime Ninjas by fifteen to earn the GBL's top seed. The problem was that the Ninjas were already 2-0 against the three time defending champions and neither game was close. This one followed that exact same story. After a scoreless first, the Gashouse Gorillas were given a 3-0 advantage courtesy of a Jeremy Ratajczyk home run in the second but, their lead did not last long. In the top of the third, Mike Kubacki Jr. answered back with a three run home run of his own to tie the score at 3. Then, the Ninjas proceeded to answer Kubacki Jr.'s home run with two more consecutive home runs by Sammy Krucek and Ethan Arvay. The Nighttime Ninjas were the only team this season to beat Jim Tucker and they were on their way to handing him another loss. After giving up five runs, Tucker cut the Ninjas' lead to 5-4 with a solo home run but, it would be up to his bullpen to get him off the hook. In the top of the fourth, Ratajczyk did the exact opposite as Krucek and Arvay both hit two home runs a piece. Then, Kubacki Jr. would add a solo home of his own in the fifth. Ratajczyk gave up seven runs in two innings and the Ninjas claimed a 12-4 win. Also, earning them the best record in the 2015 season. 

FINAL - NIGHTTIME NINJAS 12 GASHOUSE GORILLAS 4

(W) - MIKE KUBACKI JR.

(L) - JIM TUCKER

NIGHTTIME NINJAS V. GASHOUSE GORILLAS GAME 2

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - After 59 games, the GBL regular season only had one left. The playoff seeding was now locked in but, the Gashouse Gorillas were attempting to avoid a season sweep from the Nighttime Ninjas. Early in the contest, it looked like the Ninjas were going to complete that task. Ethan Arvay started the game with a solo home run in the first. He added a three run home run in the second and the Ninjas went up 4-0. After giving up four runs, the Gashouse Gorillas called Nick Bobowski to the mound. He held the Ninjas scoreless for the next two innings and Gashouse capitalized. In the bottom of the third, Jim Tucker lead off the inning with a solo home run. After two walks, Jeremy Ratajczyk hit a home run of his own to tie the score at 4. Then, Tucker hit his second solo home run of the inning to give Gashouse the lead, 5-4. In the fourth, Tucker hit his third home run of the game and Gashouse increased the differential to 7-4. Entering the top of the fifth, Gashouse had a 7-4 lead but, the Ninjas would not go quietly into the night. Sammy Krucek hit a two run home run to cut the lead to one. Shortly after, the Ninjas were able to load the bases for Arvay but, Ratajczyk struck him out to end the game. Gashouse earned their first win against the Ninjas and dodged a season sweep. 

FINAL - GASHOUSE GORILLAS 7 NIGHTTIME NINJAS 6 

(W) - NICK BOBOWSKI

(L) - MIKE KUBACKI JR.

(S) - JEREMY RATAJCZYK

WEEK 10 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

HITTER OF THE WEEK - ETHAN ARVAY - 7 HITS 18 AB 5 HR 9 RBI 1 BB

PITCHER OF THE WEEK - MATT KUNA - 1 WIN 3 IP 1 HA 0 ER 3 K 0 BB

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK - CHRIS BARTLEY - 5 HITS 11 AB 3 HR 7 RBI 4 BB 1 WIN 3 IP 2 HA 3 K 0 BB

GBL FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

1. NIGHTTIME NINJAS        14 - 6

2. TAKA DRIVERS                13 - 7

3. GASHOUSE GORILLAS   12 - 8

4. STALLIONAIRES                9 - 11

5. LIGHTNING                         7 - 13

6. BIRD GANG                         5 - 15

2015 GBL Playoff Schedule

Sunday, August 16th

5:00pm - #3 GasHouse Gorillas vs #2 Taka Drivers (GAME 1)

6:00pm - #3 GasHouse Gorillas vs #2 Taka Drivers(GAME 2)

7:00pm - #4 Stallionaires vs #1 Nighttime Ninjas (GAME 1)

8:00pm - #4 Stallionaires vs #1 Nighttime Ninjas (GAME 2)

Sunday, August 23rd

5:00pm - #1 Nighttime Ninjas vs #4 Stallionaires (GAME 3)

6:00pm - #1 Nighttime Ninjas vs #4 Stallionaires (GAME 4, IF NEC.)

7:00pm - #2 Taka Drivers vs #3 GasHouse Gorillas (GAME 3)

8:00pm - #2 Taka Drivers vs #3 GasHouse Gorillas (GAME 4, IF NEC.)

Sunday, August 30th

7:00pm - #3 GasHouse Gorillas vs #2 Taka Drivers (GAME 5, IF NEC.)

8:00pm - #4 Stallionaires vs #1 Nighttime Ninjas (GAME 5, IF NEC.)

Sunday, August 30th or Sunday, September 6th

7:00pm – World Series (GAME 1)

8:00pm – World Series (GAME 2)

Sunday, September 6th or Sunday, September 13th

7:00pm – World Series (GAME 3)

8:00pm – World Series (GAME 4)

Sunday, September 13th or Sunday, September 20th

7:00pm – World Series (GAME 5, IF NEC.)

8:00pm – World Series (GAME 6, IF NEC.)

Sunday, September 20th or Sunday, September 27th

7:00pm – World Series (GAME 7, IF NEC.)

WIFFLE OUT!