DCL Baseball: Playoff Fight Goes to Final Week

With the final week of the regular season upon us, there are still a lot of things to sort out. What we do know is that Sister Bay and Kolberg have locked up playoff spots. However, who will win the title is still up in the air. Then the final two playoff spots come down to three teams. 

Washington Island, West Jacksonport and Egg Harbor all are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Ports seem to have the toughest road in the final week. It could all be finalized after Sunday, or we could have an extra week of games to sort it all out. 

The Swami was 3-1 last week, to make him 44-8 on the year. Let’s take a look at the final week. 

Egg Harbor (8-5) @ Institute (1-12)

Win or lose, the Indians have aided in most of the Swami’s losses this year. When right, this team can rake, and on Sunday, they did just that. They collected 19 hits, with Eric Dejardine and Cory Anthony Jennerjohn getting four each. Nick Posh, Cody Giesseman, Cole Krause and Cory Fuller had three hits each, with Krause and Fuller hitting home runs. Over a week ago, defending batting champ Fuller was hitting right at .500, with Nick Kita and Brady Kita both being in the top 10. 

The Cubs came out and jumped on the Bays early and showed some life. A couple of errors and inning-ending double plays later, they found themselves in a familiar spot, ending the day after only eight innings. Robby Pollman stayed hot with three hits, and on the whole, he put the ball in play plenty. The Cubs may just be pesky in this one. 

Swami says: Indians.

Kolberg (10-3) @ West Jacksonport (8-5)

A lot is at stake in this game. Kolberg still has an outside shot at the title, and the same can be said for West Jacksonport and the playoff race.

The Braves made quick work of the A’s on Sunday with Austen Dart, Jack Schneider, Trevor Hawkey and Devin Schinktgen all getting two hits. As of a week ago, Jake Schneider was blowing away the league with 104 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. 

The Ports looked unstoppable during the first half, but now they find themselves staring at a possible end to the season. Alec Schartner had two home runs in the loss on Sunday, and Riley Cordier chipped in two hits. Manager Eric Bley and the team will have the home crowd at their disposal, and they’re going to need it. Kolberg throttled them the first time around, and Kolberg needs the game just as badly.

Swami says: Braves.

Sister Bay (11-2) @ Maplewood (5-8)

The Bays started slowly on Sunday before turning it on. Matt Hecht led the way with three hits, and Casey Weddig, Sawyer Johnson and Stewart Larson had two hits each. Sam Forkert started out a little wild but then tightened up and shut the Cubs down. As of a week ago, Griffin Cole was leading that league at a .528 average. 

The Mets scored some runs again Sunday against the Indians but gave up way too many. Kordell Draves led the way with three hits, and Adam Gutschow had two. Coach Kevin Brauer would love nothing more than for the team to be giant killers and go into the offseason on a high note. 

If the Bays come out as flat as they did Sunday, it could spell trouble because you better not sleep on the Mets. 

Swami says: Bays.

Baileys Harbor (1-12) @ Washington Island (8-5)

The A’s got off the goose egg this year and also played even in a couple of games, so there are plenty of positives to take into the offseason. On Sunday, Hunter Pawelski and Matt Francesconi were the hitting stars, each collecting two hits on the day. 

The Islanders won a huge game on Sunday, and if they have a win this week, they will most likely be in the playoffs. However, they very well could be in a three-way tie jumble at the end of the day as well. The Bens had their way on Sunday as Ben Johnson and Ben Geiger both hit home runs, but it was Geiger’s that broke the Ports’ bat as it was a grand slam and helped stake the Island to a big early lead. Luke Geiger had three doubles, and Ray McDonald chipped in with two hits. Coach Joey Cornell will be all smiles after this one.

Swami says: Islanders.

Week 13 Results

Egg Harbor 19, Maplewood 11

Kolberg 13, Baileys Harbor 3

Washington Island 8, West Jacksonport 4

Sister Bay 13, Institute 2

Standings

Sister Bay 11-2

Kolberg 10-3

West Jacksonport 8-5

Egg Harbor 8-5

Washington Island 8-5

Maplewood 5-8

Baileys Harbor 1-12