Around the league 20th and 21st July 2019
Around the league
20th and 21st July 2019
Sotkamon Jymy v Imatran Pallo-Veikot 20th July 2019
2-0 (5-3, 10-5)
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| Photograph from IPV Facebook (c) Imatran Pallo-veikot 2019 |
Sotkamo came to the game feeling revitalised after their win over Vimpeli last week and Kempele to start this week. Sotkamo had won 4 of the last 5, although the loss came at the hands of Siilinjärvi at home. IPV have had some strong weeks recently but have struggled since the East-West break, losing to Alajärvi and winning only one game since the break. The head to head heavily favoured Sotkamo, who haven’t lost to IPV since 2013 when both teams were in Ykköspesis.
After blanking IPV in the top of the 1st inning, Sotkamo got their offence going immediately, with leadoff man Niilo Piiponniemi just beating the throw from 1st baseman as Niko Korhonen’s dead ball hit trickled along the left foul line. Antti Korhonen added two more in the 2nd inning with a home run (kunniajuoksu) into space in right field, bounding out of the field of play, as Niko Korhonen sprinted home to score. With Sotkamo up 3-0 going into the 3rd inning, IPV narrowed the gap to just 1 run with 2 runs from Sami Partinen - the first run came off a bunt shot to the right foul line that the Sotkamo 1st baseman was an able to take cleanly, allowing Juuso Lattu to score; the second became moments later as the Sotkamo fielder dropped an looping ball trying to pass it to his bare hand for the throw. In the bottom of the 3rd inning Joni Rytkönen added to the home team’s lead with a 2 run home run (kunniajuoksu) which narrowly missed the outstretched glove of the IPV catcher before finding space in right field and beyond. IPV tried to close the gap and Arttu Vilander brought Juuso Lattu home to score. The visitors however could only score 1 run before the jakso was over, leaving Sotkamo the victors 5-3.
Sotkamo opened the second jakso big with 4 runs, starting with a solo home run (kunniajuoksu) from Niilo Piiponniemi past the 3rd baseman and bobbling along towards the lake. Niilo was then brought home by Niko Korhonen’s looping hit across to centre field. Antti Korhonen made it 3-0 and Roope Korhonen brought Niko Korhonen home to make it 4-0. IPV were not in the mood to be beat and came back run for run to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 1st inning. Jere Dahlström opened the scoring with a tight hit down the right foul line that beat the diving 2nd baseman, allowing Teemu Nurmio and Konsta Hyötyläinen to score. Sami Partanen’s drive to centre field looked as though it would be caught, but seemed to beat the fielder to allow Konsta Kurikka to score. Mikko Kosonen made it 4-4 with a tight bunt hit to right which was almost recorded as an out at home, but the throw was wide. Sotkamo wasted no time and rebuilt a lead in the second with runs from Antti Korhonen, Roope Korhonen and Antti Kiiskinen. IPV pulled back a run, with Sami Partanen just getting enough power on the ball to clear the leaping shortstop at midfield. It would prove to be IPV’s last run in the game as Sotkamo piled on the pressure with runs from Roope Korhonen (2) and Antti Kiiskinen to leave the final score 10-5. The final run having come off the back of a bungled catch in centre field that saw Roope Korhonen spring for home and force the throw, which seemed way off target.
Sotkamo will be pleased to pick up a 3 point win here and show their intentions after a long string of narrow victories in supervuoro (the most in the league to date). IPV’s woes continue with this loss and the result sees them drop further from the top 8 and closer to being caught up in the scrap to avoid relegation.
Vimpelin Veto Joensuun Maila 21st July 2019
1-2k (3-4, 2-1, 0-0, 1-2)
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| Photograph from JoMa facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 |
Vimpeli opened the scoring in the 1st inning with Perttu Ruuska’s hit straight down the middle of the field, the awkward throw from the shortstop allowed Mikko Kanala to score as the JoMa pitcher had to leap to catch the ball. Vimpeli struck almost immediately after as Elmeri Anttila hit a looping drive across the midfield line and Jere Saukko slid home. Vimpeli were next to score again in the 2nd inning where Sami Haapakoski’s hit beat not 1, or 2, but 3 fielders before deflecting of the JoMa right outfielder’s body and into the river that runs along right field. Chaos reigned as Sami Haapakoski then tried for a home run (kunniajuoksu) and the throw to third was overshot and landed in the other river (to left field). The play caused a stir amongst officials who paused play to confer. After announcing their decision the managers set to and strong words were had before play resumed with Vimpeli 3-0 up. After this incident however Vimpeli seemed to become a little shaken, allowing Samuel Tirkkonen to score from a walk, before giving up 3 unanswered runs in the 4th inning to lose the jakso.
JoMa opened the scoring in the 2nd inning of the second jakso with Juha Puhtimäki looping hit to centre field allowing Konsta Piironen to reach home safely. Vimpeli came back in the 3rd inning with Perttu Ruuska’s deep hit to right field, which was mishandled by the JoMa outfielder giving Jere Saukko plenty of time to reach home safely. The go-ahead run came as Matias Rinta-aho’s hit fell short of the JoMa left outfielder who threw the ball to home slightly off target. Olli Heikkala’s diving slide into home was met with JoMa’s pitcher leaping over him to field the ball. 2-1 remained the score in the jakso and the game was tied at 1 jakso apiece to force the supervuoro.
In a tense supervuoro neither side managed to score and took the game to a scoring contest (kotiutuskilpailu). JoMa batted first and saw Juha Niemi and Aleksi Rautiainen bring runners home to set Vimpeli a challenge to win the game. Despite their efforts, Vimpeli could only muster 1 run with Sami Haapakoski bringing Olli Heikkala home to score.
The loss leaves Vimpeli hanging on to the top spot by a single point over Sotkamo with KPL close behind. Vimpeli will regret the fact that they gave up a 3-0 lead in the first jakso to allow JoMa to try and control the game. JoMa will be pleased with the result as it shows they can big when it counts and that they can perform in tough situations.
Elsewhere in the league
Kiteen Pallo -90 v Seinäjoen JymyJussit 20th July 2019
2-1s (6-4, 4-5, 1-0)
Koskenkorvan Urheijiat v Siilinjärven Pesis 20th July 2019
2-0 (3-0, 3-2)
Hyvinkään Tahko v Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät 21st July 2019
1-0 (9-7, 6-6)
Kankaanpään Maila v Siilinjärven Pesis 21st July 2019
2-1s (6-8, 8-6, 2-0)
Kempeleen Kiri v Sotkamon Jymy 21st July 2019
0-2 (2-4, 2-6)
Pattijoen Urheilijat, Raahe v Alajärven Ankkurit 21st July 2019
2-0 (5-1, 6-1)
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