Last of Mohicans (Round 3)

[Alleghenies]

Going into the championship series vs the Niigata Gigans, everyone in Mansfield knew that this was going to be the last of their team in their great city. The papers, radio and even front office all said that they were going to be moving and renaming the team, but no one knew where they were going. With all the coach Randall told the team that they knew what had to be done and that was win it for their great fans. While Joe Randall had only won 1 championship since taking over in 2022, he only missed the playoffs once and had become a fan favorite and everyone knew that Joe wanted to stay in Mansfield.
“I told the team let’s win this for the fans and make the ownership look like the bad guys if they move us right after a championship. This team is as good as any I have coached, and they all agreed to leave it on the field for the fans, “said coach Randall.
In game 1, Manuel Avila was the starter for the Mohicans going up against tough young starter Marvin Moore. After 2.5 innings it was 0-0 when Evan Lamberts hit a solo home run to give the Mohicans a 1-0 lead and that was all that Avila would need. The Mohicans added 5 in the 4th and another in the 5th to end Moore’s day and the final ended up 8-0. While Avila was the player of the game, John Lightbody ignited the team offensively. Mohicans win.
Game 2 had Jose Vazquez going up against Esteban Martinez of the Gigans. On paper it looked like a fairly good matchup and that is what it was. In the first inning the Gigans scored 2 quick runs, while the Mohicans answered back with 1 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The game remained that score until Kokei Nishikawa hit a solo shot in the bottom of the 5th to tie the score and thanks to Fuentes single in the 6th the Mohicans got their first lead 3-2. Going into the top of the 8th Bill Rice walked Preston Murdoch and then was replaced by Cesar León. Cesar got the first 2 guys out before surrendering the lead by Joe Riley’s moonshot with 1 guy on. Going into the bottom of the 9th the Gigans looked to be in good shape with Romo on the mound, but their defense failed them and gave up the tying run due to an error. With the momentum back on the Mohicans side, the fans thought the game was easily theirs, but in the top of the 10th, Tomas Cabrera gave up 2 runs and went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning. Gigans win 4-3.
Game 3 was Alfred Zambrano vs Pedro Soliz. The Mohicans had wanted to win game 2 badly, because facing Soliz is never an easy job and during the playoffs it would be much harder with him dialed in. Well again, there is a reason they play the games. Soliz was not able to get out of the first inning as the Mohicans scored 6 runs in the top of the 1st thanks to Kim’s grand slam and never looked back. The only negative thing to come out of the game is that Zambrano was injured in the 2nd inning facing the leadoff batter. While usually this would hurt a team, the cushion of the 6 runs and having Mundy and Sorley in the pen helped shut down the Gigans. Mohicans with 7-1.
Game 4 was Pemberton vs Colin Hopps. This game did not start out well for either pitcher because after the 1st inning it was tied 2-2. The problem for the Mohicans was that Hopps righted the ship while Pemberton had a slow leak and ended leaving the game after 4 innings down 5-2. The Gigans would let hop pitch 6 innings and then put in Angelo Santiago to pitch the next 2 innings. Going into the top of the 9th inning it was still 5-2 and closer Carlos Romo came in to get the save. Once again Romo and the Gigans defense let their fans down, Romo could not finish the inning and ended up giving up 4 runs and losing the lead 6-5. The Mohicans put Tomas Cabrera back out there to close the game after losing game 3 and he easily earned the save. Mohicans win 6-5.
Game 5 was a rematch of game 1 with Moore and Avila facing each other again. And just like in game 1, the Mohicans scored first, but this time in the top of the first inning. Lightbody led off with a double, was moved over on a single by Kenny (who then stole 2nd) and then scored on a sac fly from Nishikawa. After that inning, Mr. Moore was pretty much unhittable going 7 innings giving up only 1 more hit and no more runs. The problem with that though was Avila went 9 innings giving up 2 hits and no runs. The Mohicans did not score another run but didn’t need to either. Mohicans win 1-0. Champions.

As soon as the game finished, and the team was celebrating the Mansfield management team made and announcement that the team would not be leaving the great city of Mansfield. They said the love from the fans and the joy they felt winning their 2nd championship for the city was what kept them here. So, this will not be the Last of the Mohicans and that is a good thing.