PLATTSBURGH, NY – Todays Wild Card Playoffs did not disappoint anyone in attendance as they got to see two of the best games ever played in Empire League History.
In Game one the Puerto Rico Islanders defeated the New Hampshire Wild 1-0 in a 12 inning pitchers duel. Luis Contreras was beyond perfect as he went 8.1 innings pitched without allowing a single hit. With this amazing performance, Luis also passed the league leader Matt Vogel in strikeouts and has set the Empire League record after his 13 strikeouts with a season total of 84. The League leader in ERA, Matt Quintana, came in to relief Contreras and struck out 9 batters which puts him 3rd in the season with 75 total strikeouts.
The Puerto Rico Islanders set a new record for most strikeouts in a game by striking out 22 total batters.
The Wild got their first hit of the game in the 11th inning which was a pop fly that was dropped due to miscommunication by the Islanders outfield.
Paul Geha got the start for the New Hampshire Wild and was stellar going 7 innings allowing just 4 hits and striking out 7 batters.
In the bottom of the 12th Inning, The Islanders outfielder Ryan River hit a single to the left side to score Kyle Schade and advance the Islanders to the Championship Series.
In Game two, The New York Bucks walked off on the Plattsburgh RedBirds to win 3-2. All 3 Bucks Runs were unearned as they all scored on errors including the final one which walked it off for the Bucks. The 2 RedBirds runs were also unearned which made it a defensive game. The best defense would win and they did. Zac Burke tossed 8 great innings allowing 4 hits and striking out 8 batters. RedBirds Dimitri Nunez was lights out as he went 7 innings walking just 1 batter and no earned runs.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, The Bucks lead off hitter walked. The following hitter went to sacrifice bunt and when he put the bunt down, the RedBirds third baseman sailed the throw into the right field corner that allowed the runner at first to come all the way around to score.
Two great baseball games were played in the Empire League today and great pitching was seen.
The Islanders will face off against the Bucks tomorrow at 1pm for game one of the finals.
Article by Empire Media
