The number 1 seed Wonderboys will take on the number 3 seed Plug Uglies Saturday in the championship game.
For both teams the road to the final game covered similar routes. Each broke out to big leads over their opponents and then hung on for the win.
In the case of the Ageless Wonders™, a 9-2 lead over the Phillies narrowed to 9-7 in the 8th, until they scored 6 in the bottom of the 8th to put the game away 15-7.
The Wonders combo of Nabil Hounnoush (4 inn) and Chris Ciepiela (5 inn) led their team to victory. They out-dueled Kenny Sloat (7 1/3 inn) and Miracle Max Strubel (2/3inn)
In the top of the 8th, the Phils, the defending league champions, made a charge at the Wonders, scratching out 5 runs by stringing together a series of well-placed hits and spotty defense. Going into the bottom of the 8th, the Wonders held just a 2-run lead, and were desperate for an insurance run or two against the surging Phils.
In the bottom of the 8th, they put up a 6 spot to ice the game. Jim Healy drove in one run with a single, Bob Prattico drove in 2 with a triple, and Larry Pietras knocked Prattico in with a single.
For the Plugs, they trailed 4-0 after 3, tied it in the 4th and then batted around in the 6th, scoring 7, to make it 11-4. From there it was a matter of holding on as the Grays clawed their way back.
Jon Adolph kept the Grays off balance before running out of gas in the 8th. Billy Evans came in to pitch the final two, withstanding a final charge by the Grays that saw them get the tying runs on base in the 9th.
Jeff Cabana, the Plug's third baseman, was a dagger in the heart for the Grays, making several difficult stops and turning singles and doubles into outs.
The two teams will meet Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at South Hadley High School in a contest that will determine the 2018 league champion.
Come out out, cheer on two good teams. and show your support for the league while we celebrate the end of a very successful year.
Wonder-ing about last night’s semi-final write up and pix?
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