Just 11 Veto Leaguers met for the post season opener at Ridgewood Field on Sunday afternoon. After a successful 45-game regular season featuring a record number of newbies, the post season success wasn’t as great. Saturday’s game was cancelled due to lack of player turnout. Sunday’s game was played with “right field out” rules in play due to not having enough players to fill an entire field.
After splitting their heads up regular season three games a piece, the Playaz (1-0) took advantage of home field. They rallied from three runs down early to take a 4-3 lead going into the third inning of the predetermined five inning game. The All-Stars (0-1) , captained by Tony Zier, followed up with a five-run third to take an 8-4 lead. The Playaz scored three runs in the bottom frame. Both teams went into the final inning with the All-Stars up by one run. The Playaz managed to tie the game on a sharp grounder to the right side by Jim Wesson and were able to walk away with a victory after winning the contest 9-8.
The Playaz were helped by Ryan Barton’s three extra base hits, including two doubles and a homerun. Scott Ellefritz had four hits, including a game high three RBI to secure a victory. Zier and Dan Tomlin batted a combined 12-for-14 in the top two spots for the All-Stars, also accounting for five of the teams eight runs.
The Playaz took the lead in the best-of-five divisional playoff. They will play games 2 and 3 this Saturday as Veto League returns home to Douglas Park.