Halli SM review - Vimpelin Veto v Koskenkorvan Urheilijat (09.02.2020)

Vimpeli made use of their opportunities in a tight game against Koskenkorva
Photograph from Vimpeli Facebook (c) Vimpelin Veto 2020
Vimpelin Veto v Koskenkorvan Urheilijat 
2-0 (2-1, 3-1)
Both teams start their Halli SM campaigns this weekend and look to 2020 for success. Despite being top spot in the league at the end of the regular season, Vimpeli ended 2019 without a championship title. The Superpesis postseason saw Vimpeli tumble and they ended up losing in the bronze medal series to KPL. Koskenkorva equally had a difficult 2019, but with more significant concerns. Koskenkorva were in trouble until late in the season, narrowly escaping the relegation battle with Alajärvi and Siilinjärvi. The matchup over the last 5 games favours Vimpeli, having won all 5; however it is worth noting that the last 2 matches were decided in a kotiutuskilpailu. Vimpeli start a new chapter without Sami Haapakoski, who left for PattU in the offseason. The question now is whether Vimpeli have the firepower to still dominate the league? Koskenkorva on the other hand have made a number of changes to the lineup that ended the 2019 season with victory over Kempele. 

The first jakso started with Vimpeli at the plate. Teemu Isoketo reached 1st base from a bouncing hit along the right foul line off the first pitch of the game. Despite this start, Vimpeli came up short and were held scoreless in the 1st inning, with Teemu Isoketo being picked off at 2nd base and Jere Saukko easily out at home off Janne Mäkelä’s hit to the midfield line. Koskenkorva batted through their lineup during the 1st inning, but were prevented from scoring with Veli-Pekkinen Yli-Hirvelä being picked off at 2nd base in a similar fashion to Teemu Isoketo. The closest Koskenkorva came to scoring was when Mikka Anttila’s hit to short right found the 2nd baseman easily and was thrown to Perttu Ruuska for the out, leaving Eero Kuitunen some distance from home. In a tight game the cracks started to show in Koskenkorva’s defensive game, allowing 2 walks and a wild throw in he 2nd inning. with the bases loaded, Perttu Ruuska stepped up to the plate. With a fairly run of the mill line drive to right field just beyond the midfield line, the Koskenkorva fielder misfielded the ball and gave Teemu Isoketo time to score. Perttu Ruuska managed to advance Ville Takala and Olli Heikkala to 3rd and 2nd base respectively (reaching 1st base himself) with a short hit towards second base; however Vimpeli could not capitalise on this position and the score remained 1-0. In reply, Koskenkorva had 2 early 3rd base situations, but Otto Kauppinen and Veli-Pekkinen Yli-Hirvelä were thrown out at home to keep the score 1-0 to Vimpeli. The 3rd inning saw Mikko Vihriälä hit a ground rule double before Koskenkorva gave up 2 more walks to 1st base. Despite this, Vimpeli were unable to get runners beyond 2nd base and the inning was soon over. With a slow start to the inning, Koskenkorva got things going in style with Jesse Rantamäki hitting a double and immediately posing a threat. The threat became a reality when Aapeli Suvisalma brought Jesse Rantamäki home to level the score and bring Koskenkorva back into the game. The lead however was soon restored as Perttu Ruuska reached home off Janne Mäkelä’s hit in the top of the 4th inning. Despite having two 3rd base situations in the bottom of the 4th inning, Koskenkorva were scoreless and Vimpeli won the jakso 2-1.

In the second jakso Koskenkorva batted first, but their top order failed to register a single hit. A shift came when Aku Kettunen reached 1st base from a walk and was set up on 2nd base when Jaakko Erkkilä came to the plate and moved Aku Kettunen to 3rd base with a bunt shot towards 1st base. In his second swing of the bat Jaakko Erkkilä struck a line drive than looped over the right shortstop to allow Aku Kettunen to score. In the bottom of the 1st inning Vimpeli equalised as Janne Mäkelä’s bunt towards 2nd base saw Ville Takala sprint for home and beat the throw. The 2nd inning saw a real defensive effort from both sides and the score remained 1-1. In the 3rd inning Koskenkorva were shut out with only 4 batters taking to the plate before they had recorded 3 outs. In the bottom of the inning, Vimpeli’s lower order made way for the top of their lineup; however the score looked to stay level as leadoff man Teemu Isoketo was out attempting to reach 3rd base for the 2nd out of the inning. When Perttu Ruuska came to the plate Ville Takala was on 3rd base and Jere Saukko was on 1st. Perttu Ruuska started his at bat with Ville Takala on 3rd base and Jere Saukko on 1st. With his first shot, Perttu Ruuska hit a short ball towards 1st base to move Jere Saukko to second easily; with his second shot  Perttu Ruuska hit a line drive straight through centre field for a 2 run ground rule double. In the 4th inning Koskenkorva were chasing the game in need of 3 or more runs to force a supervuoro. Sadly their offence fell short and their only 3rd base situation of the inning was unsuccessful as Eero Kuitunen was thrown out at home to the the game.

 https://en-gb.facebook.com/vimpelinveto/videos/821888334987699/

The game was finely balanced and both teams had difficulties in converting 3rd base situations into runs. Koskenkorva however will be disappointed that they had more 3rd base situations than Vimpeli (14 compared to 12 for Vimpeli) and a better percentage at moving the point runner (53% compared to 52%) but scored only 2 runs. Of particular note was how Vimpeli shut down Mikka Anttila in the game, who went 0/8 with runners on 3rd base. Vimpeli will be pleased to have won the game given how the score line was tight throughout. For Perttu Ruuska it was another day at the office with a 7/7 record at moving the point runner, including 3 runs batted in from 3 attempts and reaching home to score. 

Koskenkorva now look for salvation in their next match against Seinäjoki who also lost their opening match. Vimpeli take on Kankaanpää next weekend, who had a strong performance against Seinäjoki and showed strength up and down their lineup. The Vimpeli v Kankaanpää game will be an interesting game to watch and could spell trouble for Vimpeli.

Up next
Seinäjoen JymyJussit v Koskenkorvan Urheilijat - 15.02.2020
Vimpelin Veto v Kankaanpään Maila - 16.02.2020

Game statistics

 Vimpelin Veto

pj:Markku Hylkilä Ismo Ankkuri
3-tilanteet:12, harhat:0, vapaat:0
#PelaajaUpLyTuKL1%2%3%K%KL %P 
1Teemu Isoketo3V15/55/5100%
2Ville Takala2V24/54/580%
3Olli Heikkala1V3/81/11/21/538%
4Perttu RuuskaL317/72/22/23/3100%
5Severi Lassila2P1/31/20/133%
6Mikko Vihriälä2K2/41/31/150%
7Viljo Sillanpää3K0/10/10%
8Juho Heikkala3P0/30/30%
9Aleksi RantalaS0/10/10%
10Jere Saukko10/20/10/10%
11Matias Rinta-aho1/51/20/320%
12Janne Mäkelä22/42/450%I
5525/487/108/155/125/1152%

 Koskenkorvan Urheilijat

pj:Mikko Vainionpää Olli-Pekka Sinkkonen
3-tilanteet:14, harhat:0, vapaat:0
#PelaajaUpLyTuKL1%2%3%K%KL %P 
1Otto Kauppinen3V3/72/61/143%
2Veli-Pekka Yli-Hirvelä3K5/91/23/51/256%
3Juho HakomäkiL5/63/32/383%
4Aapeli Suvisalmi2V13/92/40/31/233%
5Eero KuitunenS5/54/41/1100%I
6Anttoni Jakobsson2P8/95/53/30/189%
7Aku Kettunen1V12/42/20/250%
8Ville-Veikko Olli3P1/41/30/125%
9Juuso Vuorenmäki2K1/30/10/11/133%
10Miika Anttila0/90/10/80%
11Jaakko Erkkilä12/51/31/240%
12Jesse Rantamäki16/75/61/186%
2241/7714/2116/239/192/1453%

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