Superpesis final review - round 2

 Joensuu know they are just 1 win away from retaining their title
Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019
Superpesis final review - round 2

Joensuun Maila (4) 2 - 0 Sotkamon Jymy (2)
1-0 (3-3, 3-1)
Prediction: In our preview we suggested that the series would be tight, with Sotkamo winning 3-2. Whilst this game was a much closer affair, Joensuu now lead the series 2-0.
Sotkamo came up short against a well drilled Joensuu
Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019
Summary: The series headed to Joensuu after a week’s break, giving both teams time to reflect on the opener. This game was much tighter, including the fact that the first jakso was tied; however Joensuu prevailed and gave the home fans something to cheer about as the current champions are now just 1 win off retaining their title. The first jakso opened with Juha Niemi’s run in the 1st inning, but Sotkamo kept them earnest, coming back and then going ahead in the bottom of the inning off hits from Antti Korhonen and Lauri Rönkkö. Superstar Juha Puhtimäki put the home side level again in the 2nd inning before Konsta Kettunen scored the go ahead run in the same inning. As the latter half of the first jakso remained tight, Sotkamo were a run behind going into the 4th inning, only for leadoff man Niilo Piiponniemi to score a stunning kunniajuoksu to tie the jakso. Sotkamo however could not convert him bringing him home from 3rd base and the jakso remained 3-3.

The face says it all. Sotkamo’s chances to become champions ebb away
Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019
The second jakso saw the home team reassert their dominance with 3 runs. Aleksi Rautiainen brought Konsta Piironen home to open the scoring and Juha Niemi brought home Tuomas Jussila. The lineup batted around again before the inning ended and Tuomas Jussila’s hit saw Iiro Kuosa cross home plate. Sotkamo narrowed the gap with Lauri Rönkkö’s hit seeing Niko Korhonen score, but this was as close as they got, with Joensuu seeing off Sotkamo’s potent batting lineup in the 3rd and 4th innings.

This win leaves Sotkamo on the brink of elimination, needing to win all three remaining games in the series to be crowned champions. Joensuu will be delighted having won in front of the home fans with the prospect of sweeping Sotkamo when the series returns on the 15th September. The short turnaround will not give Sotkamo much time to adjust; however they will take comfort in knowing that this game really could’ve ended with either team being victorious up until the close of the last inning in the second jakso. Joensuu can afford to take a more relaxed approach in the next game; however are unlikely to do so. Joensuu have been outstanding in the post season, having swept Vimpeli and Tahko before them, they surely will feel favourites now going into the 3rd game of the series.


Whilst Sotkamo had more 3rd base opportunities (15 compared to Joensuu’s 14), Joensuu had much better success at advancing the point runner (56% overall compared to Sotkamo’s 46%). Sotkamo’s Roope Korhonen had a very quiet game, going 14% overall and failing to bring runners home from 3rd on 3 occasions. Niilo Piiponniemi’s efforts kept Sotkamo in the game and his crucial kunniajuoksu in the first jakso was one of the highlights for the visiting team. Joensuu on the other hand had a number of good performances up and down their lineup, with Tuomas Jussila going 7/7 with 1 run batted in and reaching home once himself. Runs came from 5 different players for Joensuu, who showed how threatening their lineup can be in any situation. One big difference between the 2 teams seemed to be the success rate at moving runners from 2nd to 3rd, with Joensuu going 10/16 compared to Sotkamo’s 6/13. With one hand on the trophy, Joensuu head to Sotkamo for game 3 in the hope of sweeping Super Jymy and securing their names in the history books. Sotkamo however will have to bounce back if they want to take the crown from their opponents; a loss ends their season, a win will give them hope, but momentum is now firmly with Joensuu.

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