8/14/09: 2009 PLAYOFF RECAPS

RANGERS - MVABL CHAMPS
Rangers win series 2 games to 1
   The Dayton Rangers win their first league championship in 13 years. The Rangers won game one 11-5 as Jonathan Silverman picked up the win, striking out nine. Brad Clark and Jacob Robinson drove in 3 runs apiece for the Rangers. The Slammers used outstanding defense to take game two 7-4. Matt Owens homered and tripled and drove in four for the Slammers. The Rangers took game three by the score of 16-3. Brandon Howard homered and drove in three for the Rangers, and Shawn Schmitt picked up the win.

SEMIFINALS
Rangers advance, Royals/Slammers need 1 more
   The Rangers advanced to the championship series with a 5-2 and 10-8 win over the Thunder in the semifinals. Rangers' rookie Jonathan Silverman outdueled Jeremy Lippincott in game one. Silverman struck out 13 and walked none in the victory. Lippincott was just as effective, scattering just 7 hits, but was ultimately done in by two two-out, two-run singles. Brad Clark picked up the win in game two for the Rangers, while Brandon Howard recorded two scoreless innings of relief for the save.
   The Slammers took care of the Royals in their first game by a score of 10-2. But the Royals answered with a 10-7 win in the second game to force a game three on Tuesday night.

SEMIFINALS
Thunder, Royals advance to Semis
   The Kettering Royals advance to the semifinals for the fourth straight season with a 9-8 victory over the second-seeded Astros on Thursday, Sept. 3. Frank Burgos went 8+ innings on the mound for the win. Chris Jergens registered the save. The Royals will now face the South Dayton Slammers in the semifinals. The Slammers outscored the Boys in Blue 34-15 during the regular season, winning all 3 contests.
   The Thunder's expansion season is not over yet, as they knocked off the Springfield Indians 12-7 on Thursday night. Phil Beach's grand slam to centerfield at Rotary Park brought the Tribe as close as 8-7, but Drew Bost launched an opposite field home run to help the victor's cause. The Thunder will now face the top-seeded Rangers in the semifinals. If the Thunder reach the championship series, it will mark the first time since 2003 (Ohio Woodpeckers) that a rookie squad made it to the final series.
   Both series will make for some excellent baseball out at AIA on September 12. The Royals look for a three-peat, but the Slammers have shown this postseason, that they can play with the best of 'em. And the Rangers/Thunder matchup will have a taste of some brotherly love, as opposing coaches Jonmarc and Jeremy Lippincott look for family bragging rights.

FIRST ROUND
Slammers upset Shockers, sweep Round 1
   In a sure-fire instant classic, the South Dayton Slammers pulled off the first upset of the playoffs, as the sixth-seeded Slammers knocked off the Warren County Shockers 11-10 in 12 innings on Monday in game 2 of their series. As the waning hours of Tuesday morning approached, the Slammers used two come-from-behind outbursts to advance to the second round. The Shockers took a three-run lead in the 11th, only to have the Slammers answer with three of their own in the bottom of the 11th. In desperate need for a win to continue the series to a possible third game, the Shockers would not go away quietly and pushed across two more runs in the top of the 12th. However, with the bases juiced and staring at a one-run deficit, the Slammers used a deep infield single to plate the tying run, but as the throw went to first to try and get the batter out, the runner at second raced around third and slid in slafely into home plate for the winning run.
   Congratulations to the Slammers for the playoff series win (both games were 11-10 victories). The Slammers now await the winner of the Astros/Royals series. Don't look now, but the Slammers, who went a combined 5-1 against the 'Stros and Royals this season, have a legitimate shot at playing for a league championship.
   Kudos to the Shockers for a great season, turning around a franchise that had two seasons with a .333 winning percentage, and moving above .500. Coach Fluty has started the Shockers on the right path to success, and we look forward to many competitive seasons from this Warren County club.

FIRST ROUND
First Round continues into week
   The Astros and Royals split their first two games out at West Carrollton on Sunday, August 30. The seventh-seeded Royals got a solid pitching performance from Jason Holmberg in game 1 and a long ball from Shawn Rudegeair to win 15-8. Ernie Barker went deep for the 'Stros in the loss. The No. 2 seed Astros staved off an upset by winning the nightcap 8-6 as Gregg Foster, PJ Dobbins, and Shawn Haffner contributed on the mound for the victory. Tony Duncan's HR proved to be the game-winner for the 'Stros.
   The Indians and Thunder also split in their double-dip out at Northwestern. With the wind blowing out, several players padded their postseason stats with long balls. The No. 4 seed Thunder took game 1 in a close one, 14-13. The Indians countered with strikeout king Matt Spradlin for game 2 and pulled out a 15-9 win to force game 3.
   In the lone game at Rotary on Sunday, a thrilling comeback attempt by the third-seeded Shockers was thwarted by the No. 6 Slammers. The Slammers held a commanding 11-3 lead, only to see the lead shrink. But the Slammers held on for the Game 1 win 11-10. Game 2 is on tap for Monday night, August 31 at Rotary Park at 7pm.

FIRST ROUND
Rangers advance to semis with sweep of Dragons
   The Dayton Rangers took both of their first round games against the Dragons, winning 9-3 and 16-1. Jelani Arnold and Robert Riley each hit two-run home runs in game 1 for the Rangers. Brandon Howard hit a 3-run HR and hat 5 RBIs in the nightcap. Chris Flaherty led the Dragons with 3 hits. The Rangers advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the Indians/Thunder series.