Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat v Sotkamon Jymy - round 2

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, the second run came from Antti Korhonen’s hit that saw Niilo Piiponniemi reach home safely. For the remainder of the jakso, both teams had equal chances to take the lead, but were denied by good defensive plays. In a less bountiful replay of game 1’s first jakso, there was nothing to separate the two teams at the break and the first jakso remained tied.

Sotkamo opened the second jakso with a well worked run that saw Joni Rytkönen score off Roope Korhonen’s hit. KPL immediately responded in the bottom of the 1st with Juho Hacklin getting his second run batted in for the day. The jakso looked as if it would stay tied until Matti Latvala blasted KPL ahead in the 3rd inning. With Sotkamo’s defence looking a little shaky KPL pounced again in the inning with Janne Kivipelto making it 3-1. As Sotkamo came to the plate for the final inning Roope Korhonen worked a run with leadoff man Niilo Piiponniemi crossing home for his second of the day. From there Sotkamo’s offence stalled and what looked like a comeback fell just short as KPL stood firm and showed excellent discipline to get the final outs in the inning.

Anssi Lammila was vital to KPL’s success
Photograph from KPL website (c) Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat 2019

KPL will feel revitalised having beaten Sotkamo to level the series. The game was a tight affair and both sides looked like they could emerge as victors right down to the final out. The difference in the game was defensive errors, not major errors, but a missed ball or two and the odd throw to a base that took to long to get there (either because it was slightly off target or was a looping throw). These small dips in performance showed up against the well drilled KPL side, who were able to effectively shut down Sotkamo for periods in the game. Antti Hartikainen had a strong game finishing 7/9 overall, amongst a top order that was hitting in the 67% and above bracket (save for Tommi Mäentausta who was 3/10). Runs came from the middle order, with Juho Hacklin going 2/4 and Matti Latvala, Sasu Toikka and Janne Kivipelto all batting a runner home once. Niilo Piiponniemi had a solid performance as leadoff man, going 6/6 to first base and crossing home plate twice in the game. Joni Rytkönen was also a key player for Sotkamo in the game, going 5/7 overall. Sadly runs seemed to be hard to come by, with the only runs coming from Antti Korhonen and Roope Korhonen (who were 3/6 overall) and a wild throw. Whilst Sotkamo had a better percentage at moving the point runner (58% compared to KPL’s 51%), it was KPL who made better use of their chances to get runners in scoring position, as they had 16 scoring opportunities compared to Sotkamo’s 12. With nothing between the two teams, the series heads back to Sotkamo for round 3 and everything still to play for.