Around the league - 11th August 2020

 

KPL clinch victory with a strong performance in the kotiutuskilpailu

Imatran Pallo-Veikot v Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät  
1-2k (4-2, 1-3, 1-1, 1-4)

KPL have been struggling of late and found themselves dropping firmly into 3rd place n the table. To make matters worse, KPL’s game manger Iiro Haimi suffered a head injury in Sunday’s game against Joensuu, which despite some strong performances ended 0-2 to JoMa. Haimi was absent from this game and recovering from the ball striking him behind the left ear. In his place, KPL’s captain Anssi Lammila took up the role for this game. Whilst KPL are in some distress and frustration, IPV were looking to celebrate Sami Partanen’s recent milestone of playing 600 games, but their last game against KPL was a shutout, where IPV only recorded 5 3rd base situations in the whole game.


The first jakso started well for IPV and they immediately put runs on the board to put the visitors under pressure. Juho Toivola’s hit towards 3rd base bobbled and gave Juuso Lattu time to score before KPL could even settle into the game. Arttu Vilander’s bunt hit into space towards an unmanned 1st base gave KPL’s 3rd baseman, Toni Laakso, too far to run and it was 2-0 to the jubilant home team. With KPL’s bats being silenced, it was Toivola again in the 3rd inning who struck for IPV with Joona Sikiö and Tuomas Jussila scoring from a shot that beat the 3rd baseman and shortstop. KPL left it late to mount a comeback,  but Matti Latvala’s bunt hit towards 3rd base earned the visitors their first run of the game. Jere Dahlström made it 4-2 in the 4th inning with a routine line drive perfectly placed in centre field; however KPL came up short and IPV took the first jakso.


The man of the hour - Sami Partanen
Things started to look bleak for KPL as IPV struck first in the second jakso, when Mikko Kosonen’s hit to the midfield line in the bottom of the 1st inning was misfielded by the shortstop and allowed Tuomas Jussila to score. Matti Latvala gave KPL the tying run in the 3rd inning with a line drive to left field. The throw was not enough to beat leadoff batter Tommi Mäentausta and the score was 1-1. With the game in the balance, KPL had to produce in the 4th inning or face another loss. Dahlström gave Kopla the breathing space they needed with a bunt hit that was chased by IPV’s pitcher, allowing Mäentausta to score. Iiro Nokkala gave KPL an insurance run with a tight hit along the right foul line to leave the score 1-3. IPV’s Sami Partanen couldn’t bring Joona Siikö homie from 3rd base in the bottom of the 4th an the game went to a supervuoro.


KPL secured a run in the supervuoro off a home run from Matti Latvala off a hit to left field past 3rd base that just kept going. IPV weren’t out of the game yet, and Mikko Kosonen’s looping hit just cleared the right shortstop to level the score. The game was then decided in a scoring contest (kotiutuskilpailu) as the sun started to disappear in the skies. KPL’s offence showed their stuff as 4 of their 5 pairings were successful compared to IPV’s 1 in 5. 


Whilst IPV didn’t win the game, taking a point against KPL was a significant improvement on their last match against them. IPV’s crowd were definitely entertained by a very exciting and close game; however it didn’t have the fairytale ending that was deserved to mark Sami Partanen’s celebrations. Tuomas Jussila’s speed around the bases gave IPV 4 of their runs and Juho Toivola’s 2 run hit in the first jakso knocked KPL’s chances. In the end, the power up and down KPL’s lineup was too much for IPV in the scoring contest and that was truly the difference between the 2 sides. Statistical, both sides had equal success at moving the point runner (51%) and almost equal chances at scoring from 3D base (19 for IPV and 21 for KPL). Tommi Mäentausta was an ever present threat for KPL with 9/10 successful hits to 1st base, culminating in 3 runs.


IPV have to be pleased with their performance here, but will be frustrated the couldn’t close the game down in the second jakso. KPL are relieved to take 2 points and give them the best chances of choosing their opponents in the postseason.


Elsewhere in the league


11th August

Manse seem to be Kankaanpää’s nemesis this season, with the newly promoted side racking up another win in a closely contested game. Joensuu faced their nemesis also, narrowly beating local rivals Kitee in a scoring contest. Kitee are the only side to have beaten Joensuu this year and each game has been fiercely contested. One thing is certain; if the two teams meet in the post season it could cause an upset!


Despite a close score line in both jakso, Seinäjoki took 3 points from their win against a hit and miss Kempele. Vimpeli beat PattU in a Supervuoro to leave Pattijoki without a win in 4 games. PattU are falling down the table with only 1 win in the last 8 games, whereas Vimpeli are starting to close in on KPL for 3rd place. SiiPe silenced Patrik Wahlsten at the plate, limiting him to just 1 run from 7 attempts as SiiPe took 3 points against Koskenkorva.



Manse PP, Tampere v Kankaanpään Maila

1-0 (2-2, 2-1)


Joensuun Maila v Kiteen Pallo -90

2-1k (4-2, 0-1, 1-1, 4-3)


Pattijoen Urheilijat, Raahe v Vimpelin Veto 

1-2s (2-3, 2-0, 1-2)


JymyJussit v Kempeleen Kiri

2-0 (3-2, 4-2)


Siilinjärven Pesis v Koskenkorvan Urheilijat

2-0 (1-0, 5-1)


Photographs
Cover - (c) Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat 2020
Photograph 2 - (c) Imatran Pallo-Veikot 2020

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