Game of the week 02.07.2021 Tahko v ViVe

The sun shone down on Pihkala as Tahko put on a stunning performance against the league leaders

Hyvinkään Tahko v Vimpelin Veto
2-0 (2-0, 8-4)

This week’s featured game is between Hyvinkää and Vimpeli. Hyvinkää are yet to find their stride this season, with some points slipping from their grasp. I’m contrast Vimpeli are on a high after a stunning 3 point victory over reigning champions and rivals Sotkamo earlier this week. 

Kalle-Tapio Huusko’s move from pitcher to the infield has been a welcome relief and has seen a rise in his batting performance compared to last season. Huusko already has 2 home runs and 5 RBI this season, compared to 10 for the whole of 2020 and is batting at a success rate of 75% in 2021 compared to 53.47% in 2020. Rounding the bases has been his stronger suit, with 13 runs on the season so far, equalling last year’s tally. The problem with Tahko’s 2020 season however was never a shortage of runs scored, but how easy their opponents seemed to pick apart their defence. Tahko are conceding 7.75 run per game on average, compared to 8.33 in 2020. Their defence still has a way to go and this game against Vimpeli was going to be a significant test.

Vimpeli have won the last 7 games between the 2 teams, with Hyvinkää’s last win coming in June 2018. If current form is a good indicator as to who will win, Vimpeli enter the game as clear favourites. Vimpeli had only lost 1 game this season coming into his game, which was a game without star pitcher Perttu Ruuska. Matias Rita-aho’s season has been very strong so far this year, with 24 RBI (equalling fellow teammate Janne Mäkelä). Matching the solid offence, Vimpeli were the team with the fewest runs scored against them per game (3.63 in their first 8 games, 3.29 in games where Perttu Ruuska was pitcher). 

Coming into the game, this was the Fantasy Pesis points totals for the 2 team’s players:

1st Jakso

Having won the hutunkeitto, Vimpeli set about putting pressure on the home team by putting them in to bat first. Despite a tight start to the 1st inning, Tahko managed to create an opportunity when Teemu Nikkanen’s line drive skimmed the catcher’s glove to find a gap in the field and allowing Kristian Malikine to reach 3rd base safely. Defensively, Vimpeli held strong and pitcher Petteri Alanen was unable to bring the runner home. 

In the bottom of the first inning, a lazy shot to the right shortstop give Hyvinkää their first out of the game, but only moments later, they faced a 3rd base situation with Ruuska at bat. Whilst neither Ruuska nor Jere Saukko could bring the runner home, it was Mikko Vihriälä’s line drive that ended the threat as it seemed to lose all power and land in the outstretched glove of the shortstop. There was no need to rush the throw and the out was cheaply given away.

With little to separate the 2 teams, the score remained tied at 0-0 through the first 2 innings and Hyvinkää’s defence seemed to grow in confidence. To break the deadlock, it was Hyvinkää that scored first in the 3rd inning. Santtu Patova’s bunt hit was mishandled at 2nd base and allowed Kalle-Tapio Huusko to reach 3rd. This set up Juha Korhonen who blasted a line drive through to right field for the RBI. Korhonen was however denied a second RBI from his at bat when Patova was ruled it at home on a close call. Tahko’s patience paid off and a second run eventually came before the inning was out. Teemu Nikkanen’s hit to left field bounced and was mishandled by the outfielder to bring Patrik Vartama home (2-0).

With Vimpeli now behind on the scoreboard, Tahko’s defence did not yield. Every out gave the home crowd a little more energy and frustrated Vimpeli. Equally however, Tahko couldn’t build on their lead, as Vimpeli remained focused defensively. In the end, Vimpeli were unable to overcome the 2 run deficit and Tahko took the first jakso (the first team to do that against Vimpeli this season when Perttu Ruuska has played). 

2nd Jakso

Tahko picked up where they left off with some solid defence in the 1st inning an Vimpeli were unable to get a runner safely passed 1st base. Whilst Hyvinkää threatened to score in the 1st inning, it wasn't until the 2nd inning that the scoreboard started to tick over. Matias Rita-aho broke through for Vimpeli’s first runs of the game with a hit bouncing in right field that slipped by the outfielder way outside the field of play. The hit saw Olli Heikkala and Mikko Kanala make it home.

Vimpeli’s lead soon vanished in the bottom of the 2nd inning, as Jere Vikström’s hit to left field skipped past the 3rd baseman and outfielder and  turned into a 2 run home run. Huusko’s looping hit to right field seemed to pass right through the shortstop’s glove and brought Vikström home to take the lead (3-2). Patrik Vartama’s hit to right field skimmed past the outstretched glove of the shortstop (in what was becoming a clear theme for the day) and landed just inside the foul line to allow Huusko to score (4-2).

Tahko put the game truly out of reach in the bottom of the 3rd inning with 4 more runs, including 1 from a poorly placed throw to home and another coming from a solo home run from 3rd baseman Elmo Peltonen (8-2). With the game firmly in Tahko’s grasp, Vimpeli mounted a last ditch attempt to salvage the game in the 4th inning. The first run of Vimpeli’s rally was rather deflated and came from a fielder’s choice situation, where Tahko got Rinta-aho out at 3rd base and allowed Olli Heikkala to score. With only 1 out remaining, Vimpeli scored again when Elmeri Anttila brought home Mikko Kanala with a soft hit to left field. The jakso however was clearly over by this point and the energy had drained out of Vimpeli. The game ended with Heikkala’s bouncing hit landing in the welcome arms of Tahko’s 2nd baseman to claim the final out and 2nd base.

Analysis

This game was a great win for Hyvinkää and ends their losing streak against Vimpeli. Vimpeli seemed a little flat starting the game and this allowed Tahko to set up the game defensively. By the time that Tahko had taken a lead in the first jakso, there was little that Vimpeli could do to overcome Tahko’s defence.

In contrast, Vimpeli’s defence seemed to struggle and Tahko appeared to find holes that were not there. With balls narrowly missing outstretched gloves, or fielders simply not being able to handle the ball, Vimpeli started to feel the pressure early on. Vimpeli’s performance was so perfect and so energetic against Sotkamo only a few days before, it has to be asked: did Vimpeli give “too much” in the Sotkamo game?

Jere Vikström’s 8 successful hits (including a 2 run home run in the second jakso) was a key highlight for Hyvinkää, but the overall defensive performance was probably the greatest reason for this victory. Kalle-Tapio Huusko added 3 more runs to his tally and puts him on target to beat his current career best 26 runs. Although it was veteran Juha Korhonen’s RBI that broke the deadlock in the first jakso, Teemu Nikkanen found more success overall, scoring 3 RBI in the game.

Vimpeli’s Matias Rinta-aho scored 3 RBI and was 4/5 overall in terms of moving the point runner. The usually dominant Perttu Ruuska was absent on the scoresheet with no runs and no RBIs in the game.

Tahko outplayed Vimpeli in almost every aspect of the game. Despite a clear intent from Vimpeli, there just seemed to be more energy behind the home team. Tahko seemed to find gaps that Vimpeli simply could not. Whilst the loss is frustrating for Vimpeli, it will not impact on their chances of finishing in the top 4, or even 1st in the table. For Tahko, the win means a great deal. The middle of the table promises to be hotly contested this season, with up to 8 teams realistically fighting for spots 5th to 8th. By picking up 3 points against a team like Vimpeli, Tahko give themselves an edge over their rivals.

On a personal note - this was one of the games I was planning to come and watch in person if I had been able to come over to Finland for the Cricket World Cup qualifying tournaments. Sadly, for the second year in a row I haven’t been able to visit Pihkala.  One day I will make it to Pihkala!

Game stats

Photographs 

Cover - (c) Hyvinkään Tahko 2021

Photographs2 - 2c) Hyvinkään Tahko 2021