Selkirk sent their ace Anderson to start game one, but Tempe went with Wainwright as an opener. Markakis led off with his first of three doubles on the day, but Ramirez came on and bailed out Wainwright in top of the 1st. Freeman doubled to start the bottom of the 1st, Azuna singled him to third and a Peralta sac fly gave Tempe the early 1-0 lead. Doubles by Plawecki and Freeman in the fifth off Anderson put Tempe up 2-0.
Ramierez, Kolarek, Valdez, and Sherriff pitched a scoreless six innings, but the Steelers finally got to Tempe’s 28 grade Anderson in the 7th. Siemen singled and then Markakis hit his third double of the day to drive him in. Tempe 2-1. O’Day and Hahn pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th for the hold and save. Markakis was determined to show Virginia what they were missing in the ALCS.
W – Ramirez , L – Anderson, S – Hahn

Tempe 2 – Selkirk 1

Tempe up 1 Game to 0

Another pitchers duel saw the first run of the game scored in the 5th as Selkirk struck first on an Alonso solo home run. Tempe responded in the bottom of the 6th to tie it at 1-1 after Azuna doubled and Freeman singled him home. Darvish only lasted 4 innings for Tempe, but Fried went 8.2 innings for Selkirk. The game went into extra innings and neither team could score as each team sent 20+ grade relievers out there inning after inning. Finally, in the to of the 14th, Winker doubled and then moved to 3B on a wild pitch. With the infield pulled in, Lewis snuck a grounder through the infield to give the Selkirk a commanding 2-1 lead. Y. Ramirez pitched a scoreless bottom of 14th to complete and secure the win.
W – Ramirez, L – O’Day

Selkirk 2 – Tempe 1 (14 Innings)

Sereis Tied at 1 Game Each

Keller pitched 8 solid innings and only allowed a two-run homer to Albies in the third and a rbi double to Brantley in the 6th. Kim was nearly perfect for Tempe and only allowed two hits in 6.1 innings. Rendon added an insurance solo shot in the 9th of Quantrill. E. Ramirez pitched the final 2.2 innings for the save.
W – Kim, L – Keller, S – Ramirez

Tempe 4 – Selkirk 0

Tempe up 2 Games to 1

Selkirk used Senzatela as an opener for the first inning and then shifted to the pen in the 2nd. Tempe scored two in the 2nd on a timely double by Plawecki. The Steelers responded in the bottom of the 2nd on a three-run jack off Maeda by Alonso. In the sixth, Tempe retook the lead on a Brantley rbi double and a Plawecki rbi sac fly. In the bottom of the sixth, Selkirk tied it up at 4-4 on a Winker solo shot off Sherriff. In the bottom of the 8th, Plawecki came through again with an RBI single with two outs. Valdez, Kolarek, Hahn, and Anderson combined for a scoreless 8th and 9th.
W – O’Day L – Williams, S – Anderson

Tempe 5 – Selkirk 4

Tempe up 3 Games to 1

The aces for both teams squared off with Anderson hoping to prevent elimination and Darvish looking to close out another series. Both starters were dealing early. In the 4th, Dickerson hurt his old team with his only hit of the series, an RBI double. He was thrown out trying to make it a triple. The Steelers came back and tied it the bottom half of the 4th when Lewis broke up the current no-hitter with a solo shot off Darvish. Tempe went to the pen at the end of the 5th, but Anderson stayed into the 8th. In the top of the 8th, Plawecki singled. Albies executed a perfect hit and run to put runners on the corners. Freeman then walked to load the bases. Anderson had finally ran out of gas and Selkirk brought on Quantrill to face Tempe’s MVP (Ozuna) and get them out of a tough jam. Ozuna launched a deep sac fly to right that scored a run and moved Albies to 3B. With the infield back, Tempe executed a suicide bunt with Peralta to score Albies. Hahn pitched a perfect 8th. In the bottom of the 9th, Sherriff recorded the first out, but Winker crushed a double to bring up the potential tying run to the plate. This was only Selkirks second hit of the game. Anderson then came on and got Lewis to pop up for the second out. Tempe then rolled the dice and intentionally walked Alonso allowing the potential winning run to come up in Longoria. Selkirk then brought on Rooker (960 OPS) to pinch-hit for Longoria. Rooker grounded back to the pitcher and Tempe secured the NLCS.
W – Valdez, L – I. Anderson, S – N. Anderson

Tempe 3 – Selkirk 1

Tempe Wint the Series 4 Games to 1

Detroit jumps out to an early 1-0 lead from an RBI single by Shwarber scoring LaStella, In top o the 3rd Biggio tied up with a solo shot,In the 4th Voit put Det up 2-1 with an opposite field HR and in the 5th Schwarber knocked a 3 run HR out to make the score 5-1 In the 7th Carrasco gave up a 2 run HR to Merrifield, the Detroit bullpen closed out the contest 5-4, Hoyt picked up the Save.

Detroit 5 – Virginia 4

Detroit up 1 Game to 0

This game was a blowout as Detroit scored in 1 in the 3rd rom a solo HR by Machado , 2 in the 4th and 5 in the 5th as Machado hits a grand slam, Bassitt was dominant going 8IP giving up only 2 hits. 

Detroit 9 – Virginia 1

Detroit up 2 Games to 0

Voit started of the scoring for Detroit going deep in the 1st making the score 2-0, Virginia came back with hits by Bradley , 3B by Segura and a sac fly, 2-2, HRs by Jimenez and Rizzo put them up 6-3 then and excellent bullpen pithcing going 4IP 1 hit 0 runs sealed the deal as Virginia wins.

Virginia 6 – Detroit 3

Detroit up 2 Games to 1

Deroitt got an early lead on Virginia on a 2 run HR from Machado in the 1st, they also got another 2run HR in the 3rd from Grandal Detroit 4-0, Machado hit another 2 run HR in the 5th but in the bottom o the 5th Virginia started there comeback with a 3 run HR from Merrifeild ; In the bottom of the 7th Detroit with a 8-3 lead relied on the pen which totally imploded giving up 6 runs , the final 4 coming on a Grand Slam from Bradley off of Britton, Virginia then closed out the contest.

Virginia 9 – Detroit 8

Series Tied at 2 Game Each

Detroit jumped out to another 1st inning lead with a 3 run HR from Voit, in the 4th Springer got Virginia on the board with a solo shot, Detroit 3-1; In the 6th Jimenez got an rbi 2b scoring Merriefield, Detroit tried to close out the game but failed giving up RBIs from Segura and Biggio, forcing extra innings; Harper with a 3b brought in the go ahead run and Perez closed out he game

Detroit 5 – Virginia 4 (10 Innings)

Detroit up 3 Games to 2

This one was no contest as Bassitt was dominant again going 8 IP giving up only 3 hits 0 runs 5 Ks; Machado provided the offense with 2 more HRs (6 total in series) and 5 RBIs Detroit takes this last game.

Detroit 6 – Virginia 0

Detroit wins the series 4 Games to 2

Classic Selkirk win Anderson was great over 6 innings and Williams locked the dorr as Alonso homered. 

Selkirk 3 – Columbus 0

Classic Columbus huge bats that even Fried could not stop as Carpenter drives in 3 and Story homer. 

Columbus 8 – Selkirk 6

Again a Sekirk game Keller 7.2 2 hit innings and Semein stays playoff hot with 2 hoemrs and Profar adds another.

Selkirk 5 – Columbus 0

Another great Selkirk start by Anderson 3 hits 1 run in 6 and four Selkirk homers Winker, Lewis, Alonso and Semein.

Selkirk 7 – Columbus 2

Looked like an easy Columbus wins up 3-0 as Fried again did not have it as DJ Lamieux gets hits and a homer. Brault was great 1 hit in 5.1 but the pen blows it. But knizler gives up 2 in the 7th and marshall allows a 2 run homer to Lewis int he 8th. Willaims goes 2 plus for the win.

Selkirk 4 – Columbus 3

Series opens in Virginia
VIR draws first blood in the B4 with a Merrifield 1b, he steals 2nd, and Jimenez rbi-2b brings him home. In the HOL T6 Olson ties the game with a solo-HR.

In the T7 Finnegan comes on for VIR and promptly walks Chapman, Gordon, and Yelich to load the bases. Alberto then hits a SF for a 2-1 HOL lead. HOL adds an insurance run in the T9 on a Cronenworth solo-HR.

HOL Kershaw comes out for the B9 and gets 2 outs before giving way to R.Rodriguez, who gets the last out for the save.

HOL WP-C.Kershaw Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-Finnegan

Hollywood 3 – Virginia 1

Hollywood takes a 1-0 lead in the series.

VIR opens up a can of whoop a** on HOL C.Morton in the B2. VIR Springer leads off with a bb, Devers 1bs, Bradley rips an rbi-1b, Segura follows with another rbi-1b, Murphy’s rbi-1b chases Morton bringing on B.Wilson. Rizzo walks to load the bases and Biggio’s rbi-1b makes it 4-0 VIR.

HOL Wilson bears down and gets Merrifield to F9 and then gets Jimenez to hit into a DP to slavage the inning.

In the HOL T4 Marte is HBP, moves up on a groundout, and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b. HOL stays on the attack in the T5 when Gordon bbs and Yelich hits a 2-run HR! In the HOL T6 the ‘Wolves tie it up on back-to-back doubles by Vazquez and Cronenworth.

The pitchers take over from there as we got to the bottom of the 9th still tied at 4-4. HOL D.Castillo opens the B9 and Devers leads off with a 2b, Velazquez PRs, and HOL brings in R.Rodriguez. VIR Bradley grounds out moving Velazquez to 3rd. VIR calls on C.Frazier to PH and he drives a ball over the LF wall for a 2-run HR and a Virginia win!

VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-D.Castillo

Virginia 6 – Hollywood 4

The series is now tied 1-1

Series shifts to Hollywood
HOL out in front in the B2 when Marte 2bs and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b.

The game is then dominated by the pitching through the 7th as VIR E.Hernandez, Hartlieb, and Borucki give up no more runs. HOL D.May is even better giving up no runs through the 7th and only allowing 2 hits.

But the fickle finger of fate points at Hollywood as D.May leaves the game in the T8 with a wrist injury and is gone for 11 days. D.Castillo comes on and gives up a Frazier 2b, a Biggio bb, and then gets Merrifield on a FC moving Frazier to 3rd. Jimenez follows with a SF to tie the game at 1-1!

But HOL has the answer in the B8 when Cronenworth 2bs with 2 outs and PH Kirk then doubles him home for a 2-1 HOL lead!

HOL R.Rodriguez comes on and tosses a perfect T9 for the save and a HOL win.

HOL WP-D.Castillo Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-R.Borucki

Hollywood 2 – Virginia 1

Hollywood up 2-1 in the series.

In the HOL B3 Gordon 1bs, Yelich is HBP, Alberto SAc moves both runners, and Goldschmidt gets an rbi INF-1b. But Marte hits into a DP to end the inning.

VIR takes the lead in the T4 when Merrifield 1bs, Jimenez reaches on a FC, Frazier 1bs, a B.Anderson rbi-1b, and a Segura rbi-1b makes it 2-1 VIR. VIR adds another run in the T5 when Rizzo 2bs sending Lester to the showers bringing on W.Harris; Biggio then 1bs, and Merrifield follows with an rbi-1b.

HOL W.Harris bears down and Ks Jimenez, gets Springer to F8, and Ks Frazier to end the inning which would prove to be crucial for HOL.

HOL ties the game in the B7 when Gordon draws a 2-out bb and Yelich hits a 2-run HR!

The VIR and HOL bullpens take over and toss scoreless innings through the 12th inning. In the B13 VIR has to finally go to little used T.Hill with 1 out. Hill gets Goldschmidt, but then Marte 2bs, Gamel bbs, and then Knizner wins the game with an rbi-1b!

HOL WP-M.Givens / VIR LP-T.Hill

Hollywood 4 – Virginia 3

Hollwood takes a 3-1 lead in the series!

Virginia with their backs to the wall facing Hollywood’s ace Kershaw.

VIR serves notice right away that they will not go easily as Biggio opens the game with a 2b, Merrifield 1bs, and Jimenez hits a SF for a 1-0 VIR lead.

VIR adds another in the T2 on a Segura solo-HR. But HOL comes right back in the B3 when Cronenworth 2bs, Chapman rips an rbi-2b, Gordon 1bs, and with Yelich up VIR catcher Murphy tries to pick off Gordon at 1st and throws the ball into RF allowing Chapman to score as Gordon chugs around to 3rd. But VIR Castillo bears down and Ks Yelich, Alberto hits into a FC as Gordon is caught off 3rd, and after walking Goldschmidt gets Marte to F8 to keep the game tied.

It doesn’t take VIR long to regain the lead as in the T4 Segura bbs and Murphy hits a 2-run HR to atone for his error. Kershaw would not allow another run the rest of the way. Unfortunately for Hollywood, Virginia’s Castillo matches Kershaw and closes out the game throwing shutout ball over the last 6 innings. Castillo would finish the game giving up only 4 hits along with 16 strikeouts!

VIR WP-L.Castillo / HOL LP-C.Kershaw

Virginia 4 – Hollywood 2

Virginia is still alive, Hollywood leads the series 3-2.

The series goes back to Virginia

Virginia still in a do-or-die game.

VIR C.Biggio opens the B1 with a solo-HR for an early Cavalier lead. HOL takes the lead away in the T3 on a Gordon bb and a Yelich 2-run HR (#3 in the series). HOL adds another in the T4 qwhen Marte 1bs and Cronenworth 2bs him home with 2 out.

In the VIR B6 Leibrandt is on the hill for HOL when Springer 2bs (his 1st hit of the series), Devers follows with an rbi-2b to pull VIR within one. VIR sends out Velazquez to PR and HOL brings in D.Castillo to face Bradley. Bradley promptly 2bs home Velazquez to tie the game 3-3! HOL Castillo closes out the inning to keep things tied.

HOL D.Castillo and R.Rodriguez along with VIR T.McKenzie and T.Webb pitch scoreless ball through the Top of the 11th inning. In the VIR B11 Segura 2bs with 1 out bringing Murphy to the plate. Murphy delivers again with a 2-run HR to win the game and send the series to
an all or nothing Game 7!

VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-R.Rodriguez

Virginia 5 – Hollywood 3

The series is tied at 3-Games each!

Here we go! One game to decide the series!

HOL wastes no time as Alberto 1bs, steals 2nd, Goldschmidt is HBP, and Marte unloads a 3-run HR! VIR starts to chip away in the B2 when Frazier reaches on Cronenworth’s throwing error and B.Anderson hits a 2-run HR.

In the VIR B3 C.Biggio ties the game with a solo-HR! HOL bounces right back in the T4 whan Vazquez bbs, Gordon is HBP with 2 outs, and Yelich brings them home with a 2-run 3b!

In the VIR B4 Springer 2bs (2nd hit of the series) and Frazier ties the game with a 2-run HR! B.Anderson then reaches 1st on Cronenworth’s 2nd throwing error of the game. HOL goes to the pen and brings in Givens. Givens gets Segura to F7 but then walks Murphy to
bring Rizzo to the plate. Rizzo brings the fans to their feet with a 3-run HR and a 8-5 VIR lead!

HOL gets one back in the T6 on a Chapman solo-HR. But VIR Hernandez is able to calm down and fan Gordon and pitches around a Alberto 2b in the 7th before giving way to Borucki in the 8th.

VIR Borucki pitches a perfect 8th and gives up a 2 out walk to Yelich in the B9 before getting Alberto to F7 to end the game and the series!

Somehow, Virginia comes back and wins the series!

VIR WP-E.Hernandez Sv-Borucki / HOL LP-B.Wilson

Virginia 8, Hollywood 6

Virginia wins the Series 4-3 to move onto the ALCS!

Other items of note during the series (in no particular order of importance)

Hollywood losing May for the series (tho Virginia did beat Kershaw with their backs to the wall), so who knows. Certainly as this series played out his loss was crucial.

Virginia’s Springer and Jimenez went a combined 3-55 in the series with Zero Homeruns. Springer had no rbis and Jimenez lone hit was his rbi-2b in the 1st game. If either of them had even had a mediocre series then I don’t believe the series would’ve gone 7 games, even if Hollywood had not lost May.

Cronenworth was exceptional through the first 6 games with timely hitting and solid defense. But his fielding woes caught up to him in Game 7 as he made two costly errors and he went 0-4.

All in all a most enjoyable series to play.