American Association Insider: Observations from both Game Fives

 We have a matchup for the 2025 Miles Wolff Cup Final as Kane County defeated Chicago 10-3 and Sioux Falls defeated Fargo-Moorhead 11-2. Here are my observations from the evening.

Chicago... basically in arms race that is the baseball postseason, the Dogs ran out of weapons having to utilize their main arms in Game Four. John Baker was the starter and only got through two innings. Four more Dogs pitchers were utilized, none of which where their main bullpen arms. You felt better about the Dogs solving Konnor Ash when they scored three runs in the second inning on home runs from Johnni Turbo and Henry Kusiak. But they could not solve Ash or two Cougar relievers after that. 

Kane County.... As a team that at times struggled to score runs, the Cougars have been a post season juggernaut. The Cougars scored in seven of their nine innings tonight. The veteran core of the offense is hot right now with Josh Allen, Todd Lott and Claudio Finol all hitting over .300 in the playoffs. I thought for a time after the Dogs tied the game that we would be talking about the stake of doom. A stake was left near home plate that caused a delay before the last of the second inning and may have thrown Konnor Ash off his game. But Ash would settle in after the second inning. I had discussed with others before this series, that the Cougars could win both starts from Ash and that they'd just have to find another win. That is how it played out. Though now Ash would only be available to start Game three of the MWC Finals. 

Fargo-Moorhead..... It was a shock last night when I heard Shane Barringer was getting the start for the RedHawks tonight. Barringer had good numbers since joining the club. But after what Kolby Kiser did in Game One, I thought he'd get the ball. Barringer's big mistake resulted in a Jabari Henry three run home run that sparked the Canaries. Parker Harm was the only arm the RedHawks used that pitched last night. Lamar Sparks had a nice game with three hits, equaling the rest of the RedHawks output. I feel bad for the RedHawks organization. With the deaths of Bruce Thom, Jeff Bittiger and of course, Marge, it would've been story book for them to make it to the MWC Finals. Some times stories don't have happy endings. But give the organization credit for building a good team on the fly.

Sioux Falls.... I love to be self depreciating when it comes to stuff I say, but if you read last night's observations, I'd say I was on. Tanner Brown did shut down the RedHawks throwing seven innings of two run ball. And Jabari Henry cemented his legend even further with two home runs and eight runs batted in. Henry now has five home runs in eight post season games. I was felling bad for Jordan Barth who dropped a pop up and nearly got the RedHawks back in the game but Brown was able to get Juan Fernandez out on a grounder to Barth for some immediate redemption. Don't look now, but Peter Zimmerman is now hitting .346 in the post season. Does Matt Solter get Game One on Monday even though he pitched an inning tonight (it may have doubled as his bullpen day)? Thomas Dorminy on four day's rest couldn't go till Tuesday.

                                    Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi.

Saints Alive!!!

As a St. Paul Saints guy, this match up in the Finals is like a dream. Slowly the guys that played Indy Ball in St. Paul is getting to be fewer and fewer. But they'll be on display in the MWC Finals. Both managers with St. Paul connections with George Tsamis and Mike Meyer. Josh Allen of Kane County. Jabari Henry, Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Solter representing Sioux Falls. Time for me to bust out my old Saints gear.