Superpesis roundup

In 5 games we were treated to some tense games and superb defence, but in the end Manse PP managed to break through and seal their first men’s championship in the club’s history in a 1-0 win over KPL. Manse finished top of the league in the regular season and soon became favourites to reach the final; however they were soon faced with elimination from the playoffs when they unexpectedly lost the first 2 games of their quarterfinal series against IPV. In the end, neither IPV or reigning champions Sotkamo could stop the star-studded team from securing their first final in only their second season in Superpesis. In my predictions going into the final, I struggled to pick a clear winner, but ended up backing KPL. At that point, I was convinced that Manse hadn’t reached their true potential this season and thought KPL would exploit that. A few weeks later and it seems that Manse did indeed unlock their potential and showed the strength of their defensive game in ways we rarely got to se...

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 ...

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...

  Kempele stun the home crowd to claim 2 vital points against the league leaders Vimpelin Veto v Kempeleen Kiri 1-2s (8-2, 2-5, 1-4) This week’s featured game is a matchup between 2 teams hoping to improve on last year’s performance. Vimpeli have their sights squarely on a championship, after claiming bronze in 2020 against JoMa. Kempele are entering the next phase of the franchise model; a playoff spot. Kempele had some great positives in 2020, but still fell short of a top 8 finish. In the off-season, some key moves (including Antti Korhonen from Sotkamo) have boosted their prospects somewhat. As it stands going into this game, Vimpeli sit at he top of the table with Manse and KPL hot on their tails. Vimpeli have proven themselves this season so far with wins over Sotkamo and KPL, but some results haven’t quite gone their way (like the away game to Tahko at the beginning of the month). On the whole, Vimpeli are a formidable opponent, especially at the iconic Saarikenttä. Ke...

  Haminan Palloilijat v Kiteen Pallo -90 0-2 (2-5, 7-18) This week’s featured game is a clash between two struggling sides. Hamina are desperate to avoid relegation at the end of the season and have recently parted ways with their game manager in an attempt to try something new. Kitee’s injury woes and poor performance is worlds apart from their 2020 run that saw them finish 5th in the table. Hamina came into this matchup without a win in the last 8 games, stretching back to 15th June. Kitee’s run has not been as bad, but compared to where they expected to be in the table this year, it has been disappointing; Kitee had only won a game in the last 5. Earlier in the season Hamina gave Kitee a scare taking the game to extra innings before KiPa managed take the victory.  With the table now based around points per game, Kitee are feeling the impact of their poor start to the season with more games played than any other team in the league. Kitee lie well outside the top 8 and ea...