Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW
NORTHERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Wichita Brigade (91-71) vs New York Heroes (96-66)
Game Four: David Wright finally broke out, slamming an eighth-inning three run homer.
It was the very definition of too little, too late, for Wichita had an 11-0 lead at the time, en route to an 11-3 victory, a four-game sweep and a brutally abrupt end to a New York season marked by the Heroes winning the best pennant race in PBL history.
Al Orth threw 7 1/3 innings of shutout baseball, allowing six hits and striking out five. And New York's surprising decision to bypass ace Frank Killen to pitch Harry Howell (11-9, 4.02) blew up in their face.
Wichita scored one in the first, two in the second, two in the third, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh in a 12-hit, 9-walk assault aided by five New York errors. Robinson Cano had three hits and both Buddy Kerr and George Davis had two, including a homer from Davis in the third.
"We picked the worst time to play our worst baseball of the year," New York manager Pat Moran said after the game. "Wichita's a great club, but we didn't put forth our best effort here, and that's incredibly unfortunate."
Wichita catcher Frank Chance was named NLCS MVP, batting .429 with 9 RBI in the four games, including three in the finale.
"We just did what we've done all year. Everyone contributes, we play fundamental baseball and get it done," he said.
Now, it's off to the PBL Championship Series, where the Brigade will try to win their second crown in three years.
Wichita wins series 4-0.