Sotkamon Jymy v Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat - round 3

Is the sun about to set on Sotkamo’s season as they drop game 2 to a spirited KPL
Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019

Semi finals review

Sotkamon Jymy (2) 1 v 2 Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät (3)

1-2s (6-4, 1-2, 1-2)

Prediction: In our preview we suggested that the series would be tight, but Sotkamo would win 3-1. Yet another tight game in the series to stun the Sotkamo home crowd and put the pressure on Super Jymy when the series returns to Kouvola.

Niilo Piiponniemi sizes up his chances in another tight game
Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019

Summary: This series is shaping up to be incredibly tight; overall there have been 2 tied jakso, 3 jakso won by a single run and only 1 jakso won by 2 runs. Sotkamo took command in the first jakso scoring in each of the 3 innings they took to the plate; however their offence dropped in the second jakso and a comeback seemed in the making as the autumn sun faded over the stunning countryside backdrop. KPL’s 2 runs early in the second jakso were enough to see them through and force the supervuoro. With Sotkamo batting first, the almost clinical approach by the home side looked certain to bag them the win, yet once again KPL showed real grit and determination to grind out the win.

Sotkamo were first to open the scoring in the first jakso with Antti Korhonen bringing Niilo Piiponniemi home in the first inning, followed by Roope Korhonen’s hit bringing Niko Korhonen round to score. Matti Latvala narrowed Sotkamo’s lead in the top of the 2nd inning; however the homes side benefitted from poor fielding and Jere Vikström and Joni Rytkönen made it home safely off wild throws. Markus Tuikka added a 5th run to Sotkamo’s tally to round out the 2nd inning and put his team truly in the driving seat. KPL seemed to put their heads down at this point and found their way back into the game with runs from Antti Hartikainen, Valtteri Luoma and Juho Hacklin, making the score now 5-4. Sotkamo managed to add a single run in the bottom of the 3rd inning to set KPL a slightly bigger target in the 4th inning. Despite their offensive blast in the 3rd inning, KPL just couldn’t rally round and found themselves scoreless to end the jakso - the first one in the series to be decided by more than 1 run.

Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2019

The second jakso was less productive offensively for both teams, but KPL put the first run on the board in the 1st inning thanks to Iiro Nokkala. Sotkamo tied it at 1-1 with Antti Korhonen’s hit bringing Jere Vikström home. The go-ahead run came from KPL in the bottom of the second off Valtteri Luoma’s hit. Despite some desperate batting from Sotkamo, they simply could not break through KPL’s defence and the jakso remained 1-2 at the close of play. In the supervuoro Sotkamo batted first and the home side set themselves up perfectly to score, only for Niilo Piiponniemi to be out at home, followed by Joni Rytkönen. Sotkamo finally broke the deadlock with Lauri Rönkkö to give his team a slim 1-0 lead. KPL set straight to task and Matti Latvala levelled the scores before Janne Kivipelto scored the winning run.

KPL now have a strong position in the series, going 2-1 up with the next game at Kouvola. Sotkamo’s season hangs in the balance as they need to win both games in order to reach the final against Joensuu, who have already booked their place in the season finale after sweeping league leaders Vimpeli. Both teams are hungry to return to the final - Sotkamo have been a dominant force in recent years and they seek to return to truly place their club at the height of the sport, whereas KPL have a score to settle following last year’s final against Joensuu. If Sotkamo are to win this series, they must break open these remaining games and make KPL chase a score, KPL on the other hand will feel comfortable if the game is tight as they know that Sotkamo must win both remaining games in the series to advance.