Game of the week 18.06.2021 KPL v Manse PP
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| Two of the best pitchers in the game squared off in this match. |
Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat v Manse PP, Tampere
2-1s (2-3, 2-1, 4-2)
This week’s featured game is another exciting matchup between KPL and Manse. Manse came into this game with maximum points from their games, contrasted with KPL who had started the season with a startling loss to SiiPe (who outplayed them to take 3 points). Manse are a very different team to the one that took to the field last year, but this rivalry certainly is one to look out for throughout this season. Last year, the opening game between the 2 teams saw Manse wrestle a point from KPL with the big bat of Juha Niemi on 3rd July. By the end of the season, Manse managed to beat KPL in extra innings on 28th August.
Manse’s star-studded lineup has found their stride coming into this game, with Henri Puputti having reached a significant career milestone (1000 career RBIs) in the last few days against Joensuu. KPL saw the return of retired captain Anssi Lammila in a 3 point win over local rivals Hamina less than a week ago. Both of these teams are serious contenders for a top 5 finish and both have a hunger for the championship. The matchup also sees 2 of the best pitchers in the league go head to head - Juha Puhtimäki of Manse and Janne Kivipelto of KPL; the last 2 winners of pitcher of the year.
1st Jakso
KPL batted first in the first jakso, as the sun beat down on KSS Arena. Rather than starting the game with their number 1 in the lineup, KPL opted to use their first joker (and regular number 1) Tommi Mäentausta. Whilst the gamble didn’t result in a run, Mäentausta was able to get on base and set the pace for the inning.
KPL opened the scoring with a short hit from K7, which forced the throw from the left shortstop. The throw was wide of the mark and Juho Hacklin reached home for the run. Manse immediately set to work in the bottom of the 1st inning, with a bouncing hit from Henri Puputti setting up Juuso Myllyniemi on 3rd base. An easy out at home took the wind out of Manse’s sails, but with Puputti now on 3rd, the threat of a run remained. That threat was realised moments later when a short hit by Lauri Kivinen to the midfield line was mishandled by the shortstop and Puputti scampered home to level the score.
Some well executed defence in the top of the second kept the scores level; however Manse took the initiative in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs, leaving in the hosts in difficulties.The first run came from a bunt hit from Tuomas Jussila, that moved Topias Lilja to 3rd base, only for the fielder to fumble the ball. The recovery was more than enough time for Lilja to score. Myllyniemi saw his first run of the game when Juha Puhtimäki’s bouncing hit came down directly between the bases. He hit seemed to hang in the air for ever; however long it was, it was long enough to make the run a foregone conclusion.
It wasn't until the top of the 4th inning that KPL managed to narrow the visitor’s lead. Matti Latvala’s. Line drive had such speed on it that it just zipped past the shortstop to left field and Tommi Mäentausta scored. Still one run down and with only one out remaining, a non-hit pitch gave Juha Puhtimäki a choice for the out when runners from 1st and 2nd base were attempting to advance.
2nd Jakso
With the first jakso going Manse’s way, KPL had to bring the game back on track. With a scoreless 1st inning, KPL scored first in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Ossi Meriläinen came to the plate with the bases loaded and a well placed hook shot had just enough on it to bring Ville Pesu home and beat the throw. KPL’s inning collapsed soon after and Manse set about levelling the score immediately. In the top of the 3rd inning Manse went through the top of their batting lineup before they could get anything going. In the end Manse’s patience paid off; Juha Niemi shrugged off calls from a KPL fan in the stands and blasted a line drive straight to centre field to bring Juha Puhtimäki hometown score.
KPL were not going to settle for second best and a Matti Saukko double was the making of their 2nd run of the jakso. From 3rd base, Saukko sprinted home off a hook shot from Janne Kivipelto and in the blink of an eye KPL were back in the lead. Despite their efforts, Manse were held back by some solid defence work.
Supervuoro
Having pulled the game back after losing the first jakso, KPL batted first in the extra inning. Tommi Mäentausta continued to bat instead of the number 1 in their lineup with good effect. With the bases loaded and down to their final out, Janne Kivipelto used up all of his strikes before he launched the deep to centre field for a 4 run home run. The ball sailed over the left outfielder, who was in a shallow position in the outfield to try and shut down the run; however this position meant that when the ball had cleared them, KPL had 4 runs easily in the bag. Things could have got even worse for Manse when KPL loaded the bases once again; however Ossi Meriläinen struck out and the threat disappeared.
With a mountain to climb, Manse drew upon their considerable talent to launch an offensive in the bottom of the inning. Whilst Manse managed to get runners on base, they were down to their last out by the time pitcher Juha Puhtimäki came to the plate. Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Puhtimäki launched a looping hit to left field that foxed the fielder for a 2 run home run. Despite loading the bases, Manse could not capitalise and win the game. Juha Niemi’s hook hit to the right foul line was beaten by some great fielding and the throw claimed Puhtimäki as the final out.
Analysis
Tense? Definitely! These 2 teams have some great offence and defensive aspects and this game was a great game to analyse. From the start of the second Jakso, KPL came out with more energy and greater drive to win. In reality, the game turned on a number of moments that could have gone either way and hung in the balance right until he end.
The tactic of using Mäentausta to start they inning was used to good effect, going 6 out of 8 and scoring 2 runs for KPL. When you twin this with Matti Saukko’s 4 out of 5 successful hits as well in the number 1 spot, KPL were not short of base runners. Janne Kivipelto was solid in the pitcher role and at the plate, going 7 out of 8 and scoring the game winning bases loaded home run in the supervuoro. Overall KPL had 4 more 3rd base situations and (perhaps more importantly) a higher success rate at moving the point runner (61% compared to Manse’s 51%). Aside from Puhtimäki’s 2 run home run and Tuomas Jussila’s 7 out of 8 successful hits, there was not much else to talk about the Manse lineup. Juha Niemi’s 1 out of 7 with runners on 3rd base was disappointing for the visitors, but tells part of the story - KPL managed to make the small differences here and there that ultimately gave them the victory.
Manse’s winning streak has been abruptly ended and KPL’s season has been restored after their poor start… Kopla fans should take some comfort from this victory and have one eye on where this season may take them; after all, let’s not forget that Sotkamo started 2020 with a shock defeat and they went on to win the championship.
As a side note - I am writing this review after a nail-biting 0-0 draw between Scotland and England in the euros… I don’t think my nerves can take much more.
Game stats
Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät
| 1V | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4/5 | 80 % | ||||||
| 3V | 1 | 3 | 8 | 0/2 | 3/3 | 0/3 | 38 % | ||||
| 2K | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1/1 | 0/1 | 2/3 | 0/1 | 50 % | |||
| 2V | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1/2 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 75 % | ||||
| L | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 5/6 | 88 % | ||
| S | 2 | 3 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 0/1 | 67 % | |||||
| 3P | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1/1 | 3/3 | 1/1 | 100 % | ||||
| 2P | 2 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0 % | |||||||
| 3K | 1 | 0/1 | 0 % | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 5 | 1/5 | 20 % | |||||||
| 2 | 6 | 8 | 6/8 | 75 % | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 2/4 | 50 % | |||||||
| Yhteensä | 1 | 7 | 8 | 36 | 59 | 10/16 | 11/14 | 7/12 | 8/17 | 61 % |
Manse PP, Tampere
| 3K | 2 | 4 | 8 | 3/7 | 1/1 | 50 % | |||||
| 2V | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0/2 | 3/5 | 43 % | |||||
| 2P | 7 | 8 | 2/2 | 2/2 | 3/4 | 88 % | |||||
| 3P | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 2/3 | 50 % | ||||
| L | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 0/1 | 2/2 | 2/2 | 3/3 | 88 % | |
| 2K | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 50 % | |||||
| S | 1 | 3 | 1/1 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 33 % | |||||
| 3V | 1 | 0/1 | 0 % | ||||||||
| 1V | |||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 8 | 0/1 | 1/7 | 13 % | ||||||
| 2 | 5 | 2/5 | 40 % | ||||||||
| 1 | 0/1 | 0 % | |||||||||
| Yhteensä | 1 | 4 | 6 | 31 | 61 | 9/21 | 9/15 | 8/12 | 5/13 | 51 % |
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