Superpesis roundup

It’s deja vu all over again as Joensuu sweep Vimpeli for the second consecutive season in a semi final Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Semi finals review Vimpelin Veto (1) 0 v 3 Joensuun Maila (4) 1-2k (0-2, 5-3, 0-0, 1-2) Prediction: In our preview we struggled to pick a winner for this series, ultimately plumping for Vimpeli 3-2. Sadly for the league leaders, this was not to be their year and they have been bested by the reigning champions for the second year running in the semi final. So we didn’t predict this one correctly at all - wrong winner and by a sweep! Well when you actually look at the games individually they could have been won by either team if only one little thing had gone their way; but who lives in a world of “if only’s”? Tuomas Jussila slides into 1st base in a game of tight margins Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Summary: This was an epic series; despite the fact that it was a clean sweep

Photograph from Oulu Facebook (c) Oulun Lippo Pesis 2019 Promotion series review - round 1 Oulun Lippo Pesis (Y) 1 v 0 Siilinjärven Pesis (S) 2-1k (1-3, 3-2, 2-2, 4-3) Prediction: Oulu to win, 3 games to 1. After this thriller there can be no doubt that Oulu have the drive and determination to win this series, the question is whether Siilinjärvi have anything left in the tank after such a long and difficult season. Summary: An epic battle between the two teams went right down to the wire, with Oulu edging Siilinjärvi in an extended kotiutuskilpailu. Siilinjärvi took the first jakso 1-3 with all 3 runs coming in the third inning. The second jakso started to shape up well for the visitors as  Kimmo Lukkari brought runners home in the 1st and 2nd innings to give SiiPe an 0-2 lead. Oulu however were not to be beaten and scored twice in the 3rd inning thanks to Oskari Salmela and Tapio Salo. With the game on the line Siilinjärvi let the win slip through their fingers as a

A slick performance from KPL puts them level in the series Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019 Semi finals review Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät (3) 1 v 1 Sotkamon Jymy (2) 1-0 (2-2, 3-2) Prediction: In our preview we suggested that the series would be tight, but Sotkamo would win 3-1. With the series now level it is anyone’s game, especially given that both games have been decided by a single run. Little adjustments made the difference as Sotkamo came up short Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019 Summary: In an almost identical score line to game 1, KPL edged ahead of Sotkamo in the second jakso and won game 2 to level the series at 1 game apiece. KPL opened the first jakso with 2 early runs in the 1st inning thanks to Juho Hacklin and Sasu Toikka, but Sotkamo chipped away at their lead in the bottom of the 1st and in the 2nd inning to level the score 2-2. Sotkamo’s first run came off a wild throw as Markus Tuikka scrambled for home

A victorious Joensuu address the sell out crowd Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Semi finals review Joensuun Maila (4) 2 v 0 Vimpelin Veto (1) 2-0 (6-1, 5-4) Prediction: In our preview we struggled to pick a winner for this series, ultimately plumping for Vimpeli 3-2. With JoMa now 2-0 up in the series, the next game is a must win for Vimpeli to keep their post season hopes alive. Vimpeli came up short in the game as JoMa dominated defensively Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Summary: Joensuu head to Vimpeli with the wind in their sails, knowing that victory will secure their place in this year’s final. The home crowd of 3145 packed out the stadium and created a daunting atmosphere for the visitors. Vimpeli were truly beaten in this game and they will need to show some of the resilience and spirit that they displayed in the regular season, if they want to keep this series alive, when they return for game 3 on 31s

As the sun began to fade in Sotkamo, SuperJymy celebrated their close victory against KPL Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019 Semi finals review Sotkamon Jymy (2) 1 v 0 Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät (3) 1-0 (5-5, 3-2) Prediction: In our preview we suggested that the series would be tight, but Sotkamo would win 3-1. Chalk this game up for Sotkamo, but there is likely to be a push back by KPL, who were so close to toppling their hosts in front of the bumper crowd of 2148. Roope Korhonen gives the ball a trip to the outfield Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019 Summary: By the slender margin of a single run over 2 jakso, Sotkamo claim victory in the first game of the series. The game was an overall back and fore and it was anybody’s game to win going down to the last out in the second jakso. The first jakso saw its first runs from KPL in the 2nd inning thanks to hits from Juha Hacklin and Sasu Toikka. Sotkamo responded in the botto

Could Oulu be a new face for Superpesis 2020 after a short stint in Ykköspesis? Photograph from Oulu Facebook (c) Oulun Lippo Pesis 2019 Promotion series preview Siilinjärven Pesis (S) v Oulun Lippo Pesis (Y) Head to head: Oulu have won all of the previous games between these two teams, all of which were in Ykköspesis in 2014 and 2015. This statistic is probably of little importance to the teams as they currently stand, although it may weigh heavy on Siilinjärven players minds that  Oulu are not easily beaten. Form: Siilinjärvi ended the regular season on a poor run in their final 5 games, which saw them slip back into 13th in the table, losing all 5 and only taking 1 point out of a possible 15. Siilinjärvi beat Alajärvi 3-1 in the elimination series to give them a fighting chance to stay in superpesis next season. Oulu are in top form at the moment, having swept Ulvila to reach the Promotion series, off the back of 4 wins out of their final 5 games in the regular s

Can Joensuu repeat history and beat Vimpeli in 2 semi final series in 2 years? Photograph from Joensu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Semi finals review Vimpelin Veto (1) 0 v 1 Joensuun Maila (4) 1-2k (7-1, 4-2) Prediction: In our preview we struggled to pick a winner for this series, ultimately plumping for Vimpeli 3-2. It was of significance that of the games this season, both went to extra innings and going back to last year’s semi final, 2 of the 3 games went to extra innings and the other had a tied jakso. This series has all the hallmarks and hype to be a classic. Summary: If this game was but a shadow of things to come, then this series is going to be a nail bitter. Vimpeli lept to an early lead in the first jakso with runs from Janne Mäkelä and Perttu Ruuska. Joensuu came back in the 3rd inning and tied the jakso with Henri Litmanen and Juha Niemi bringing runners home. In the bottom of the 3rd Vimpeli pulled back out in front with 2 more runs from Pert

Postseason preview: semi finals Vimpelin Veto (1) v Joensuun Maila (4) Head to head: This matchup is tight - on ahead to head, both games in the regular season went to extra innings, one to a supervuoro (won by Vimpeli) and one to a kotiutuskilpailu (won by Joensuu). Going back beyond this season, Joensuu have won the 5 previous matchups, including last years semi-final series. On that basis one could argue that Joensuu are clear favourites, but that was last year - this year’s games have been much tighter. Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Form: Both teams have swept their opponents in the quarter-finals off the back of solid runs to end the season. Vimpeli took 14 out of 15 points in the final 5 games of the season, albeit they played some much lower ranked teams to get those wins. Joensuu has taken 12 out of a maximum 15 points in their last 5 games, winning 4. Prediction: Vimpeli to win, 3 games to 2. Summary: Vimpeli are the team to

The stage was set for a must win home game for Alajärvi Photograph from Alajärvi Facebook (c) Alajärven Ankkurit 2019 Postseason review: Round 4 Elimination series Commiserations to Alajärvi as they are now relegated from Superpesis for 2020 following their defeat to Siilinjärvi. We here at Superpesis roundup wish Alajärvi well and hope to see them again soon in the top division. Alajärven Ankkurit 1 v 3 Siilinjärven Pesis 1-2k (1-3, 5-4, 0-0, 4-5) SiiPe win game 4 to send Alajärvi down to Ykköspesis Photograph from Siilinjärvi Facebook (c) Siilinjärven Pesis 2019 Prediction: In the Elimination series preview post we pegged Siilinjärvi to win, 3 games to 1. After Alajärvi’s win in game 3, this result means that we correctly predicted the winner of the series and the number of wins. Summary: What an effort from Alajärvi yet again in front of the home crowd; this blockbuster of a game showed how intense and exciting this series was. It is such a shame that

Joensuu celebrate their sweep of Tahko and progression to the semi finals Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 Postseason review: Round 3 Quarter finals Congratulations to Vimpelin Veto, Sotkamon Jymy, Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat and Joensuun Maila for winning their respective series and advancing to the semifinals. Vimpelin Veto 3 v 0 Kiteen Pallo-90 2-0 (5-2, 6-2) Matias Rinta-aho lays down a hit in Vimpeli’s impressive win Photograph from Vimpeli Facebook (c) Vimpelin Veto 2019 Prediction: At the outset we predicted that Vimpeli would win, 3 games to 0, which was spot on! Summary: Vimpeli dominated this series. The away game to Kitee was tight and was a narrow victory for them; however they looked in control of this series from the start. Vimpeli scored in every inning that they took to the batters box and had almost double the 3rd base situations that Kitee had (21 to 11). Mikkolanaho Kanala and Sami Haapakoski had big games goin