Suomi Tour 2021: Game review - Roihuttaret v SiiPe 15.08.2021

SiiPe couldn’t break open Roihu’s much improved defense and struggled to create scoring opportunities

Roihuttaret, Helsinki v Siilinjärven Pesis
2-0 (2-1, 2-1)

On Sunday it was time to venture back out to the east end of Helsinki for another regular season game in women’s Superpesis. This game was between Roihuttaret and Siilinjärven Pesis. Much like the last matchup against MyVe, this was an important game for both teams, who are looking to stay up in Superpesis next season. After Roihu’s win over MyVe on Friday, they were in 10th place going into this game, with a 6 point lead over 12th place SiiPe. 

The last time these two teams met, Roihu won the game in a supervuoro after winning the first jakso, only to fade in the second. For SiiPe, this was a “must win” game, with games against Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit and Kirittaret looking likely to be flat out losses. SiiPe’s last point came against Pori 4 days previously, so SiiPe were not to be underestimated (especially if errors start creeping in in the outfield).

1st Jakso

Roihu created chances, but cashing in was tough

SiiPe won the hutunkeitto and decided to bat first. The start looked worrying for Roihu as Roosa Lappalainen  reached 1st base off a missed pop fly towards 1st base and then reached 2nd base off a wild throw by pitcher Nummikari towards 1st base. Roihu reset and focused defensively. Having settled down after the opening at bat, Roihu blocked SiiPe’s every advance and SiiPe frankly couldn’t find any gaps in the field to exploit. In contrast, Roihu quickly got runners to 3rd base, but the absence of hard hitter Teea-Kaisa Vikiö became noticeable and Roihu simply couldn’t score.

The 2nd inning was more of the same, as both teams couldn’t break the tie. Roihu again came closer to scoring, with Salli Palola poised on 3rd base, but the pressure was eased as the bases were cleared on a caught ball. Despite Roihu getting a second chance with Charlotta Höglund reaching 1st base from an error and walked to 2nd base, the home side couldn’t close the deal.

In the 3rd inning SiiPe looked completely dominated, as they couldn’t get runners past 1st base safely. This gave Roihu the platform to break the deadlock and Lilian Koskela found the narrowest gap between shortstop and outfielder in right field to bring home Salli Palola and Vilma Haapala. In the 4th inning, SiiPe had to create something to stay in the game. Petra Väistölä smashed the ball to centre field and Laura Pohjola scampered home from 3rd base to cut Roihu’s lead to 1 run. But the final out came in the very next pitch as Sohvi Korhonen was beaten by the throw to 2nd base.

2nd Jakso

Nummikari keeping the runner in check

Roihu started the second jakso with a run, hoping to claim 3 points from this game. Tilda Palola hit the ball to the right shortstop, who then missed and mishandled the ball, giving enough time for Camilla Höglund to score. SiiPe found a line drive over Sieppari Salli Palola’s head to try and score, but the throw to home shut down their attempts and SiiPe remained scoreless in the bottom of the 1st inning.

In the 2nd inning, Oona Rantomaa hit the ball straight down the middle for an easy second run as Charlotta Höglund came home to score. The score remained 2-0 then until the bottom of the 4th inning, with the tension building for SiiPe to find a way back into the game. 

The chance of a comeback came when Petra Väistölä’s hit to 3rd base was misfielded and Emmi Hannuniemi scored. But the inning was soon over, as too was the game, with a line drive caught at the midfield line and thrown home to beat the runner.

Analysis

Roihu’s defensive efforts were greatly improved since their last game. Whilst Teea-Kaisa Vikiö was a notable absence from the lineup, Roihu’s offence did just enough to win the game. Roihu had so many 3rd base situations it could have been a complete anahilation for SiiPe, but Roihu couldnt consistently find the gaps to give the runners a chance to score.

SiiPe in contrast had virtually no3rd base situations - with only 2 in the first jakso compared to Roihu’s 10. The second jakso wasnt much better, with SiiPe having 4 more situations and Roihu had a further 8. Charlotta Höglund had a solid performance as leadoff hitter, going 7/8 with1 run. Lilian Koskela gave Roihu the runs they needed to win, going 2/4 with runners on 3rd base. 

SiiPe had few highlights to note, but joker Petra Väistölä went 2/3 with runners on 3rd base. If SiiPe had been able to get more 3rd base situations there could have been more chances for Väistölä, but Roihu was fir in defence.

The game was tight on the scoreboard, but really Roihu had the upper-hand throughout. The 3 points will all but secure Roihu’s place in upper Pesis for next year; for SiiPe, relegation remains likely and the prospect of both men’s and women’s teams dropping to Ykköspesis seems the most likely outcome.

                                                                 

Game stats