Superpesis roundup

The game officials meet before the game at the legendary Vallikenttä in Hamina Haminan Palloilijat v Kankaanpään Maila 1-0 (3-1, 5-5) My final game review of my Suomi Tour was perhaps the most unexpected. I had not planned to see any games on 20th, as I didn’t think I would have time; however I became available and had the opportunity to visit the iconic stadium at Hamina to watch the game against Kankaanpään Maila. This game comes as the season is drawing to a close and both teams are in need of points. Hamina ideally seek to get enough points to take home field advantage in the elimination series against (almost inevitably) SiiPe. For Kankaanpää, the aim is to avoid the relegation battle completely. Hamina have had a tough start to the season, with injuries playing a key part in the teams poor form. When the team had to self-isolate due to a positive covid result, there was a chance to reset. A change of game manager too has given Hamina a much needed boost. In the games leading ...

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 s...

Roihu had some great success at bat, but some errors in the outfield cost them a shot at 3 points Roihuttaret, Helsinki v Mynämäen Vesa   1-0 (12-1, 6-6) On Friday I took a short trip to the other side of Helsinki to catch my first regular season game in women’s Superpesis between Roihuttaret and Mynämäen Vesa. The matchup was an important game for both teams, as they both looked to score points to secure their place in Superpesis next year. Roihu came into the game with a 2 point lead in the standings, so a win here would have significantly improved their hopes of staying in Superpesis next season. The last time these 2 teams met was on 9th June, where Roihu dominated and won 0-2 (0-3, 0-4).  Both teams were in a rough patch coming into this game, with only one win each out of their last 5 games. Roihu have scored more runs than MyVe going into this game as well as conceding fewer than MyVe. More than a third of Roihu’s runs have come from the bat of power hitter (and It...

Tahko couldn’t build on their rally in the second jakso as a controversial call cast a shadow over the game Hyvinkään Tahko v Sotkamon Jymy 0-2 (1-2, 3-4) The next regular season game that I attended was the matchup between Tahko and Sotkamo. Despite a strong first jakso in their last game, Tahko were overwhelmed by Manse’s firepower. Whilst Sotkamo does not have the same style of offence as Manse, Sotkamo has consistently manufactured runs. Lauri Rönkkö has had a strong season so far and Toni Laakso has slotted into the lineup well. Sotkamo’s last game against Seinäjoki however proved that defensively they can be vulnerable, as they almost blew a 4 run lead in the 4th inning of the second jakso.  In Tahko’s last game, Manse took great pleasure in exploiting the inexperience of Joona Iivonen and put 19 runs past them across the 2 jakso. The team needed to reset and focus on this game, as the struggle for a top 8 spot intensifies. Tahko were 7th in the table going into this gam...

Hyvinkään Tahko v Manse PP, Tampere 0-1 (7-7, 3-12) After seeing the Itä v Länsi game live, this is the first regular season game that I attended. Manse are in fine form coming into this game, having dominated the East lineup in the Allstar game with 5 selections! Whilst Tahko sat at 6th in the table coming into this game, this game starts a serious of tough matchups, made even tougher by the fact that regular pitcher Petteri Alanen remains out of the lineup through injury and Teemu Nikkanen returning from injury. In Alanen’s place, Joona Iivonen has made his Superpesis debut and steadily shows improvement at the plate. Manse were heavy favourites coming into this game, but Tahko have proven this season that they can win against top teams, having beaten Joensuu (twice!), Vimpeli and (in their most recent match) KPL. Having watched the Itä v Länsi game live, the Manse players clearly stood out with superb performances - Tuomas Jussila’s leaping grab from a blisteringly fast line dr...