The only thing that has changed is the name of one of the two teams. Formerly known as the Anti-Heroes, the Stallionaires will make the their second straight World Series. On the other hand, the Gashouse Gorillas will be looking to win their fourth consecutive Griffleball Championship (5th straight appearance). Both teams will battle once again to see who will be crowned Griffleball Champs.
Both teams, while being dominant in the postseason, had their share of struggles during the regular season. Before the season began, the Gashouse Gorillas were riding a 30 plus game winning streak. At one point during the season, Gashouse fell below the .500 mark for the first time and were looking for answers. In their defense, the GBL had a better crop of teams then years prior and they may have struggled to make some adjustments. They would eventually find their identity behind the arm of Jim Tucker, the bat of Jeremy Ratajczyk, and the resurgence of Ryan Galiher. Gashouse began to peak at the right time and now have a shot at GBL glory.
Meanwhile, the Stallionaires have found themselves in the same position as last year and looking for revenge against the team who shattered their dreams last year. The Stallionaires also had their fair share of problems during the regular season and finished the year under .500 at 9-11. The weather may be to blame but, they had trouble hitting early in the season. They have been shut out five times this season, tied for most in the league and finished fifth in team batting average. While their hitting took time to get into a rhythm, their pitching was lights out. Behind the arms of Matt Kuna, Nate Bryan, John Reyna, and David Konopasek (Reliever of the Year), the Stallionaires have a staff that can demoralize any opponent (just look at what they did to the league's best hitting team).
While the GBL looks forward to the two teams in the finals, the teams who lost in the semi-finals deserve credit as well. The Nighttime Ninjas and Taka Drivers took the league by storm this year. The Ninjas finished with the league's best record and had the league's Most Valuable Player (Ethan Arvay). It was the best season the Ninjas have ever had and it was also the first time they won more then four games in any season. The homer-happy Ninjas hit their way into a playoff match-up with the Stallionaires but, it seems Griffleball is still and may always be dominated by pitching.
Speaking of pitching, the Taka Drivers finished the year with the league's best team ERA but, their opponent was just a bit better on the mound. In their first year of existence, Taka had a squad of three rookies and one second year player. Without much experience, the GBL can chew up and spit out new players (cough cough me cough). Yet, the Taka Drivers were still ready to play each week and became one of the league's better teams practically overnight. Congratulations to the Taka Drivers and Nighttime Ninjas on great seasons.
Needless to say (even though I am going to say it anyways), this year has been a season to remember for Griffleball. With the first round in the books, let's take a look back and see how the Stallionaires and Gashouse Gorillas found their way back to a World Series.
Stallionaires v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 2
THE JANKE CAGE - The Stallionaires needed nine innings to finish off the Nighttime Ninjas in the first game. They would not need extra innings in Game 2, as they jumped on the Ninjas early to earn a 2-0 series advantage.
Without Sammy Krucek in Game 1, the Ninjas welcomed him back for Game 2 and he got the starting nod for his team. He was great on the mound during the regular season but, the Stallionaires showed him why the playoffs are different.
In the top of the second, Krucek ran into a bit of trouble. After a single by David Konopasek and an error in the field, Matt Kuna stepped to the lawn chair. Kuna made the Ninjas pay for the error by blasting one over the fence and the Stallionaires took a 3-0 lead.
It did not get much better for the Nighttime Ninjas in the top of the third. Already trailing 0-3, Konopasek and Nate Bryan smashed back to back doubled to increase their lead to four. Then, Kuna did it again. Kuna homered for the second time and the Stallionaires had a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
After two good innings pitched by John Reyna, the Ninjas finally broke through in the third. Krucek led off the inning with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 6-1. It was the first and only hit given up by Reyna.
A five run lead is not insurmountable by any means in the GBL and the Ninjas attempted the comeback in the bottom of the fourth. With Reyna out of the game, Konopasek came in for him in relief and the first two batters were not too kind. Ethan Arvay and Krucek led off the inning with back-to-back solo home runs.
With the score now 6-3, it may have looked like Kuna would come in to shut the door but, Kuna believe in Konopasek. He left him on the mound and Konopasek got the next four hitters out in two innings. The Stallionaires would take the second game of the series and now were one game away from back-to-back World Series apperances.
Nighttime Ninjas v. Stallionaires Game 3
THE JANKE CAGE - It was do or die for the Nighttime Ninjas in Game 3 and they came out hitting to start the game. It just was not enough as the Stallionaires brought their brooms to the park. They would only need one big inning to seal the fate of their foes and move on to their second straight GBL World Series.
With their back against the walls, the Nighttime Ninjas got off to a hot star in the top of the first. After a double by Arvay, Krucek homered to give the Ninjas an early 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Arvay hit a solo home run to increase their lead to 3-0.
The Stallionaires responded with one run of their own in the bottom half of the first. Nate Bryan singled with the bases loaded to cut the Ninjas lead to 3-1. It would be the only run given up by Ethan Arvay during the game as he only allowed three hits in three innings of work.
By the fourth inning, it appeared that the Nighttime Ninjas had the game under control. Then all hell broke loose in the bottom of the fourth. The Stallionaires put on a show for the fans to remember.
After Kubacki Jr. gave up a triple to David Konopasek, he removed himself from the game in favor for Sammy Krucek. As it turns out, it would not have matter who was on the mound, the Stallionaires caught fire. Bryan doubled to score the runner from third to cut the Ninjas lead to just one. Then, the fun began.
With a runner still at second, John Reyna hit a two run homer over the tennis net in left to give his team a 4-3 lead. But, they were not done yet. The Stallionaires Bryan and Konopasek followed Reyna's home run with to solo shots of their own to go back-to-back-to-back. The Stallionaires smashed their way to a 6-3 lead going into the last inning and they never looked back.
The Stallionaires swept the Nighttime Ninjas by out hitting the best hitting team in the league and now find themselves four games away from a GBL Championship.
The Stallionaires responded with one run of their own in the bottom half of the first. Nate Bryan singled with the bases loaded to cut the Ninjas lead to 3-1. It would be the only run given up by Ethan Arvay during the game as he only allowed three hits in three innings of work.
By the fourth inning, it appeared that the Nighttime Ninjas had the game under control. Then all hell broke loose in the bottom of the fourth. The Stallionaires put on a show for the fans to remember.
After Kubacki Jr. gave up a triple to David Konopasek, he removed himself from the game in favor for Sammy Krucek. As it turns out, it would not have matter who was on the mound, the Stallionaires caught fire. Bryan doubled to score the runner from third to cut the Ninjas lead to just one. Then, the fun began.
With a runner still at second, John Reyna hit a two run homer over the tennis net in left to give his team a 4-3 lead. But, they were not done yet. The Stallionaires Bryan and Konopasek followed Reyna's home run with to solo shots of their own to go back-to-back-to-back. The Stallionaires smashed their way to a 6-3 lead going into the last inning and they never looked back.
The Stallionaires swept the Nighttime Ninjas by out hitting the best hitting team in the league and now find themselves four games away from a GBL Championship.
Taka Drivers v. Gashouse Gorillas Game 3
THE GRIFFLE GROUNDS - With the series tied at one game a piece, Game 3 may have been the most important game in the series. The momentum gained from winning this game could and would pay huge dividends in the series. Both teams knew the stakes and it was the Gashouse Gorillas who would go all-in to take the pivotal Game 3.
Last week, the Gashouse Gorillas threw Jim Tucker in one of the two games. This week, he started both and he kept the Taka Drivers guessing all game. In the three innings he pitched, Tucker struck out six batters and only allowed one run.
Although Tucker pitched great, the Gashouse Gorillas offense would need to give him some support for his efforts. Gashouse would strike first in the bottom of the second by drawing a walk with bases loaded off starter Ryan Voges (who pitched just as well as Tucker).
Then, in the top of the third the Taka Drivers would finally break through. Chris Bartley led off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game. It seemed that the Taka Drivers and Gashouse Gorillas could have been playing Game 3 until the lights turned off but, one mistake cost Taka the game.
With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Jeremy Ratajczyk hit a ball back to Jackson Buzea on the mound. Buzz was unable to make the play as the ball slipped out of his outstretched hand and was given an error on the play. The error would come back to haunt the Taka Drivers.
Later in the same inning, Ratajczyk stepped up to the lawn chair again. With the bases loaded, Rat singled and gave the Gashouse Gorillas a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
After a one-two inning in the fourth, Ratajczyk needed two more outs to give Gashouse a 2-1 series advantage. He would run into a bit of trouble by walking two batters in the fifth but, he found his way out of the jam. He preserved the victory and the Gashouse Gorillas would win the game 2-1.
Taka Drivers v. Gashouse Gorillas Game 4
THE GRIFFLE GROUNDS - The Gashouse Gorillas are three time defending GBL champions for a reason. When it comes to playoff wiffle ball, Gashouse is nearly impossible to stop when they get rolling. Nothing would change as the Gashouse Gorillas will be their fifth consecutive appearance in the GBL World Series.
The Gashouse Gorillas started the action in the bottom of the second. The Commish led off the inning with a solo home run (playoff leading fifth home run) to give his team a 1-0 lead. It turns out they would not need to score again, but they did anyways. In the bottom of the third, Ryan Galiher hit a two run home run to increase the Gashouse lead to 3-0.
The Taka Drivers needed to respond as their season was evaporating right in front on their eyes. Unfortunately for them, the only hit they had during the game came in the first inning by the form of a Ryan Voges single. After the single, the Taka Drivers would not reach base again.
With Jim Tucker on the mound, the Taka Drivers struggled. Taka only got one hit against Tucker and they would not fare much better against Ratajczyk in the latter innings. Ratajczyk struggled a bit on the mound during the regular season, but since the playoffs started he has been untouchable. In the six innings he has pitched this postseason, he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and has six strikeouts to go with his one save (There. I gave you credit for your performance on the mound. Happy?)
The Gashouse Gorillas out pitched the best pitching team in the league and now find themselves one step closer to winning an unprecedented fourth straight Griffleball Championship.
Players of the Semi-Finals
Hitter - Jeremy Ratajczyk - 11 Hits / 19 AB .579 AVG 5 HR 9 RBI .619 OBP
Pitcher - Matt Kuna - 2-0 8 IP 0.63 ERA 2 BB 13 K
Rookie - David Konopasek - 6 Hits / 14 AB .462 AVG 1 HR 2 RBI .563 OBP
Griffleball World Series Schedule
August 30th - 7 PM - Stallionaires @ Gashouse Gorillas Game 1
August 30th - 8 PM - Stallionaires @ Gashouse Gorillas Game 2
September 6th - 7 PM - Gashouse Gorillas @ Stallionaires Game 3
September 6th - 8 PM - Gashouse Gorillas @ Stallionaires Game 4
September 13th - 7 PM - Gashouse Gorillas @ Stallionaires Game 5*
September 13th - 8 PM - Stallionaires @ Gashouse Gorillas Game 6 *
September 20th - 7 PM - Stallionaires @ Gashouse Gorillas Game 7*
*If necessary
Wiffle Out!
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