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Magic Sweep Wildcards, picking up right where they left off
NEW CARLISLE- In the final series in what was a beautiful Opening Day around the league, the 3x defending champions picked up right where they left off, sweeping the Bourissa Hills Wildcards (18-8) (10-0) (4-3).
After the Magic and Wildcards each scored 3 runs in the 1st inning of Game 1, Maple City piled on 10 runs over the next 2 innings as Jared Jonkman and Shane Anderson each belted a pair of Home Runs in that span.
Anderson would settle in on the mound as the only Wildcard who was feeling it in Game 1 was the skipper Zach Rehlander. Anderson also did it at the plate as he went 5-8 with 4 HR, 7 RBI & 5 Runs. Jared Jonkman also had a great game at the plate going 7-8 with 4 HR, 6 RBI & 5 Runs.
In Game 2, both teams were struggling to hit as the Magic had a 1-0 lead with 2 outs in the top of the 3rd. Magic skipper Alex Friedman kick started a 2 out rally with a solo HR of his own as part of a 4 run inning with 2 outs.
Maple City scored 4 more in the 4th inning behind a Drew Luther 3 run blast that would put this game away for good. Shane Anderson remained dominant on the mound as he finished the game with a complete game shutout. Luther finished the game with 2 HR & 6 RBI to lead the way at the plate.
With the wind fully shifted for all of Game 3, hits and runs become harder to come by. Caleb Jonkman robbed a would be Wildcard Home Run early in Game 3 as he caught the ball falling over the fence. As he was on his way down, Jonkman tossed the ball up in the air back in to the field of play where Drew Luther secured the catch to complete the remarkable play.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 3rd, Wildcards slugger D.J. Hill blasted a 3 run Home Run that sent the Wildcards dugout into a frenzy as they took a 3-1 lead.
Experiencing their first true test of the season, Maple City battled right back as Jeremy Ratajczyk belted a line drive, game tying 2 run Home Run through the wind. In the bottom of the 4th, Caleb Jonkman entered the game in relief as he would hold the Wildcards scoreless in the 4th.
With the game all tied up at 4, Caleb Jonkman perfectly placed a double down the left field line before Drew Luther picked up the go ahead RBI single which would put Maple City ahead for good.
Despite the Wildcards getting the lead off man on in the 6th, Jonkman was able to shut the door on the Wildcards to complete the Opening Day sweep for Maple City.
The Magic (3-0) will now head home as they will host the County Line Kings (0-3) as they will receive their 2020 World Series rings & unveil their championship banner. Bourissa Hills (0-3) will look to bounce back as they will play host to the Twin Branch Billy Goats (1-2).
