Microsoft Pitch at Del Sur: These two underperforming teams meet with the Arrows looking to sweep. Sally hit 368 at the start to give Archtown a decent first effort. Panda gave Southern a pretty narrow lead with his 387, making it a tight game at the outset. Sleepy B. decided not to draw a false start, and her playing on turned out poorly, as she ended with a measly 6 for the Arrows. Shannon fired back with 425 for the Monarchs, solidifying their lead a bit. Ruby turned the deficit around by pounding 767 for Archtown, giving them at least a temporary lead. Kirstin couldn't cover the deficit with only 48 for Southern, and they are now noticeably behind. Dusky saw a deflection end her turn at 178 for the Arrows, and they rest at 1319. Nicole's 276 came up short, as the Monarchs lose with 1136. Archtown is done for the year, with their road record at 10-22, while they are 27-37 overall. Southern's home slate finishes at 6-26, and they will close at 18-46 in dead last league-wide, but without much hope of change in the offseason due to the team's strengths this year in pool.
GE Stadium, Southridge: In yet another game with no impact on the playoffs, we have the Defenders looking to sweep the Tridents. Strawberry had a weak 131 at the start for Pronger, leaving the door open immediately. Boots shot back with 441 for Southridge, giving them the initial lead in good form. Hoot went with 655 for the Tridents, putting them ahead in a shockingly strong showing for the veteran. Stephanie had only 160 for the Defenders in her emergency appearance, and they've fallen behind halfway through the game. Debby's suspension is now complete, and she's cleared to play in the remainder of the pool tournament. Precious took 231 for Pronger, adding a little to the lead. J. Garcia got some back with 281 for Southridge, closing the gap slightly late in the game. Paps gathered 232 for the Tridents, giving them a total of 1249. Shaggy bounced 295 for the Defenders, giving them a loss with 1177. Pronger's road efforts see a record of 12-20, while they are 22-42 on the year. Southridge closes the home schedule at 12-20, and they close the season at 25-39 as losers of nine straight, mainly derailed by Debby's suspension.
Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades could really use a win here to help with winning their division, but any result will add clarity to the low end of the playoffs. Delila hit 248 for Atlantic in a middling showing. Snowball's 327 put Swordpoint ahead by a small margin early in the game. Amber covered the deficit with 281 for the Pirates, but it wasn't pretty and it didn't cover much. Dreamy pummeled 655 for the Blades, boosting their lead halfway through the game. Americus played a solid turn with 328 for Atlantic, but they're still behind. Shawn kept things level with his 304 for Swordpoint, setting them on the high ground ahead of the finish. Dominic tapped only 87 for the Pirates, and they lost with 944. Stealth had just 60, but the Blades won with 1346. Swordpoint's home schedule ends with a 24-8 record, while they are now 42-21 on the season, riding an 11-game winning streak. Atlantic finishes the road slate at 18-14, and their overall record is 33-31. With the loss, the Pirates lose a tiebreaker and will be the #15 seed, going against the Tradewinds, ceding the #14 slot to the Waves, who will oppose the Swifts.
Audi Knights Pitch, Terrace City: The Black-and-Orange Derby has a bit of impact on the playoff positions, based on what the Knights can do. Shadow led off with 603 for Web City in a strong opening attack. Kiwi couldn't get comfortable, ending on a poor 144 for Terrace City. Rainmane tacked on another 552 for the Spiders, adding significantly to their lead. Jennifer recovered some of the damage with 720 for the Knights, but they're still noticeably behind. Sugar faltered with a weak 119 for Web City, leaving them highly vulnerable. Oreo shrunk the deficit again for Terrace City, taking 279 to set up a close finish for this game. Shiny had a meager 122 for the Spiders, giving them a final of 1396. Stripes did enough with 373 to give the Knights a winning total of 1516, good for the sweep. Terrace City's home record is at 23-9 and they are up to 41-21 with a fifteenth straight home win and sixth straight win overall. Web City is at 26-37 overall, and they will have the first crack at being a spoiler, while their road record ends at 10-22. This confirms that the Infinity Torpedoes finish 7th, and will have home field against Southwestern Derby rivals, the Lighton Prestige. Also, the Golden Pilots finish 8th and will have a Generational Derby series with the Pacific Volcanoes.
Apple Park, Todavía: The Stills have a chance to sweep the Knights, but they'll be looking to move further up the standings. Kiwi crushed 1275 for Terrace City to lead things off in this game. Easter couldn't catch up with only 141 for Todavía, as the hosts start from way behind. Jennifer replied with 535 for the Knights, adding nicely to the lead. Sierra countered with 782 for the Stills, trying to make a big impact at the halfway mark. Oreo didn't do all that well for Terrace City, posting only 147 on her turn. Leonardo didn't really capitalize for Todavía, scoring 208 in a mediocre appearance. Stripes tapped a poor 90 for the Knights, giving them 2047 total. Sparkles tried a rally with 438 for the Stills, but they fell short at 1569 in the season-ending loss. Terrace City has won seven straight now, and stand at 42-21 in a tie for fourth place. Todavía's home schedule ends at 14-18, while they finish the year 30-34, but on a losing note.
Cisco Tysini Field, Tysini: The Hummingbirds have the chance to sweep in a game that should shape the remaining playoff picture. Jasmine wasted no time in establishing Freedom with 528, a good start from the veteran. Princess earned a replay after a false start, but only got 328 back for Tysini. Stinky used a backhand to settle a ball, but never got to clear it, ending on 684 for the Cascades after an errant backswing. Leandra went out early with only 80 for the Hummingbirds as their finale is not going well. Roxy didn't do a lot better with 162 for Freedom, but they still hold a strong lead. Charli got overwhelmed at 418 for Tysini, cutting into the deficit partially as the final players come to bat. Nikolai set the bar in the atmosphere with his massive 1554 for the Cascades, giving them a final of 2928. Bright didn't even offer up a challenge with 20 for the Hummingbirds, and they lost brutally with 846. Freedom's road slate ends at 18-14, and they will finish the year at 35-29, while Tysini's home record sits at 23-9, and they are 41-23 overall, good for the #6 seed.
Sprint Pitch, Victoria: The next two games will determine where the Knights and Blades finish, with the latter having earned the West Division title but without yet securing fourth place. Kiwi showed some fatigue with only 136 for Terrace City. Spice drilled 769 for Victoria to give them a sizable lead early on. Jennifer managed only 49 for the Knights, who are struggling in this game. B. Chapman surprisingly accepted 171 for the Spurs, adding a small amount to the lead. Oreo wowed even a partisan opposing crowd, using multiple bat tricks to keep her turn alive as she gathered 462 for Terrace City. Yekaterina erased that progress with 552 for Victoria, and it appears the hosts will pull off the upset. Stripes tried a rally with 776 for the Knights, but they suffered defeat at 1423. Kavan, in his just-now announced last cricket appearance, had 64 for the Spurs, giving them 1563 in the win. Victoria is at 10-22 at home and 24-40 overall for the year, while Terrace City's road slate finishes at 19-13, while they go to 42-22 for the year, and they'll need help to snag the #4 seed, which is on the line in the next game.
Volkswagen Stadium, Viewpoint Sound: The final West Division game features the Blades looking to secure the #4 seed, and they only need a win to earn it. Snowball batted 663 for Swordpoint to give them a nice early lead. Mr. Snowman replied with 556 for Viewpoint Sound, making it close early on. Dreamy slapped 824 for the Blades, extending their lead very well. Mams had a poor 176 for the Meteors, a typically bad performance for the struggling veteran. Shawn chopped another 655 for Swordpoint, padding their lead significantly. Zach faltered with 136 for Viewpoint Sound, squandering any remaining hope of a comeback. Stealth capped the Blades effort with 500, giving them 2642 as their likely victorious final. Kelly had no answer for the Meteors, a soft 25 putting them at 893 in the brutal loss. Swordpoint finishes the year in the #4 seed, with a road record of 19-13, an overall record of 43-21, and a division record of 14-6. Viewpoint Sound has a 14-18 home record, 23-41 overall record, and abysmal 3-17 division record to end the year.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: This game is for it all, as a Lumberjacks win in their third attempt would clinch a spot on the tiebreaker. Fluffina clobbered 542 for Maplewood, establishing a nice lead for her team. Shadow fired back with 911 for Web City against their bitter rivals, as they try to play spoiler. Bryant choked at 84 for the Lumberjacks, and they are now in danger. Rainmane tacked on another 401 to the Spiders lead as they keep the pressure high. Diddley faltered on 216 for Maplewood, making a mess of a critical game for the team. Sugar plowed through with another 522 for Web City, making their lead practically untouchable. Cubby managed a paltry 160 for the Lumberjacks, giving them 1002 in the loss. Shiny iced the Spiders win at 2234 with 400 herself, successfully spoiling the Lumberjacks' destiny. Web City's home record is 17-15, but they end the year at 27-37, and 9-11 in the division, although they did snap a seven-game losing streak. Maplewood's rough week sees them down to 31-33 overall, including a road record of 15-17 and a 12-8 division record.
BMW RockDome: This is the game that determines which team will meet the Eagles in the first round. Whitewater got only 153 out of Bear at the start, far from a confident performance. Misty botched the response with only 24 for Westside, and they'll play from behind. Twinkie III got a bit too aggressive and ended at 209 for the Shores, leaving the door open. Goatee tallied 450 for the Rockers, giving them a modest lead at the halfway mark. Cheddar couldn't keep calm, hitting 168 for Whitewater, covering the deficit but not by much. Midnight flicked 147 for Westside, giving them an even smaller lead with a player each to go and the postseason on the line. Wild Thing made an impact with 305 for the Shores, putting them at 835 overall. Chicky Phil completed the Rockers win, striking 336 himself for a final of 957 in a twelfth straight home win. Westside takes the last playoff spot with a 32-32 record, including a home mark of 20-12 and a division record of 11-9, earning their shot to face the Eagles in the first round. Whitewater failed to spoil, dropping to 25-38, with a 12-8 division record and a road mark of 8-24.
Samsung Whitewater Stadium, Whitewater: Watermelon picked up only 159 for Pearl, not the greatest start to the last game of the year. Bear started with 472 for Whitewater, potentially playing spoiler in this game if they can keep the lead. Neopolitan answered with 289 for the Surfers, not quite covering the deficit. Twinkie III got split with a deflection, and ended up with a measly 32 for the Shores as the game tightens at the midway point. Wings accepted 239 for Pearl, giving them a minor lead instead of gambling on an optional replay. Cheddar lifted 416 for Whitewater in a strong showing to give them a nice lead late in the game. Cowzart had a meager 80 for the Surfers, giving them a loss with 767, which will put them as the #13 seed. Wild Thing had 348 for the Shores, giving them the win with 1268. Whitewater improves to 26-38 for the year, including a home record of 18-14. Pearl drops to 35-29, and they have a 15-17 road record.
Before we move too far along, I'd like to make a few announcements. There will be a break to handle the math side of things before the playoffs start. I will be posting a special honors post, including MVP, highest scorer, most explosive player, most consistent player, highest contributor to team, and regional top 4s. This should occur either on Friday or Sunday. Also to be published: a protected players list for the top 25%, and the developmental league players from the bottom 25% that may participate in any potential Summer Cricket League-like activities.
A reminder about the playoffs: the scoring is slightly different. Any out that earns a mandatory replay (false starts and playing through technical errors) will result in the offender scored 1/x points, where x is the number of attempts required for a valid turn. More fouls results in stiffer penalties. The playoff series are as follows: 1) Everton Eagles vs. 16) Westside Rockers; 2) Commerce Tradewinds vs. 15) Atlantic Pirates; 3) Boston Swifts vs. 14) Oceanside Waves; 4) Swordpoint Blades vs. 13) Pearl Surfers; 5) Terrace City Knights vs. 12) Freedom Cascades; 6) Tysini Hummingbirds vs. 11) Central Warriors; 7) Infinity Torpedoes vs. 10) Lighton Prestige; and 8) Golden Pilots vs. 9) Pacific Volcanoes. Only seven of last year's playoff teams have made it this year: Surfers, Swifts, Prestige, Pilots, Volcanoes, Warriors, and Rockers.
Finally, I can, and thoroughly look forward to revealing new logos. Three new teams will be joining the UPCL system next year, which will be similar to this year with divisions, but based on regions. Those regions will be debuted officially in the honors post. These new teams will look like the following.
With this, in related news, the Predators will be taking over HP Field and its Events Center, with the Sharks moving into new facilities sponsored by FedEx. IBM will represent the Nighthawks, and Subway will join as the Wolves sponsor. Additionally, there are a few major redesigned logos.
These new looks are meant to represent a more complex look for the teams, and all include new standard outlining and dynamic colors. The new looks will be in use beginning with the start of the fourth season.
Finally, check in for a standings update, the last one of the season, and hold tight for the next few days as I work on my administrative tasks.
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