Dobson Ranch Bashers 104-58 vs. Kentucky Pillbillies 106-56

Kentucky wins series 4-3

Game 1 – Coors Field – Dobson Ranch defeated Kentucky 6-2 in a high-energy game. The Bashers were powered by three home runs: Wilmer Flores hit a 2-run shot in the 3rd, and both Nelson Marte (6th inning) and Manny Machado (also in the 6th) added solo homers. Machado finished with 2 RBIs, and Flores also drove in two. Despite a strong offensive showing with 11 hits, Kentucky only managed two runs. Austin Hays contributed with an RBI double in the 2nd, and Ezequiel Tovar drove in a run in the same inning. Dobson Ranch’s pitching staff delivered an outstanding performance, with Gerritt Cole (5.1 IP, 2 ER) getting the win and Ian Hamilton, Carmen Mlodzinski, Jeff Hoffman, and David Bednar completing the shutout effort. They combined for 16 strikeouts and only allowed 2 earned runs. Kentucky’s Tanner Bibee (5.0 IP, 6 ER) took the loss after giving up 3 home runs. Relievers Drew VerHagen, Kirby Yates, Nick Sandlin, and Robert Stephenson each pitched scoreless innings, but the damage had already been done. Despite 10 runners left on base, DRB capitalized with timely hitting and 3 home runs. Nico Hoerner’s groundout in the 2nd drove in the first run. In total, they registered 9 hits and 2 errors. The Pillbillies left 12 runners on base and struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Their 11 hits were spread across the lineup, but key strikeouts in crucial moments hindered their comeback. Machado was named the game MVP, contributing a home run and 2 walks while scoring 2 runs. Ezequiel Tovar went 2-for-3 and drove in Kentucky’s second run. KYP’s catcher, Will Smith, was ejected after the 6th inning, and the game saw a few base-running miscues, including a pick-off of DRB’s Ian Happ in the 5th. In the end, Dobson Ranch used their power and pitching to secure the win.

Game 2 – Dobson Ranch (2-0) defeated Kentucky (0-2) in a strong showing, winning 6-2. Dobson Ranch’s offense was led by Josh Naylor, who homered and drove in two(2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs), and Reese McGuire, who had three hits, including a key double(3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 double). Naylor’s 6th inning HR off Stephenson provided a key cushion for DRB. Kentucky struggled to convert scoring opportunities, leaving multiple runners on base, and were unable to respond after a strong first inning. Despite a shaky start, Elder gave the DRB bullpen a comfortable lead, lasting 5.2 innings and only allowing 2 runs((W 1-0, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K). For the Pillbillies,  Brandon Belt went 2-for-3 with a double. Austin Hays was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Seth Lugo took the loss(0-1), pitching 5 Innings, allowing 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB with 7 K. In the 1st Inning the Bashers took a 2-0 lead after Naylor’s single and Manny Machado’s RBI single. The 2nd Inning saw Kentucky tie it up 2-2 on a double by Hays and an RBI single by Luis Rengifo. In the 6th Inning came Naylor’s 366 foot blast to give DRB a 5-2 lead. The top of the 9th saw the Bashers add one more run on a single by Nico Hoerner, scoring Rob Refsnyder, to make it 6-2. Naylor was named game MVP.  DRB’s Francisco Lindor was injured during the 6th inning after grounding a single. Kentucky left several runners stranded, including a bases-loaded situation in the 3rd inning, unable to capitalize on scoring chances. The win moved Dobson Ranch to 2-0, while Kentucky falls to 0-2 in the series.

Game 3 – Kentucky defeated Dobson Ranch 8-1 in a decisive game. Kentucky’s offense was led by Josh Lowe, who hit a three-run homer in the 3rd inning, and Austin Hays, who added a two-run homer in the 6th inning. Luis Rengifo also contributed with a solo homer in the 4th inning. Joe Musgrove pitched an impressive 7 innings for Kentucky, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven, earning him the game MVP. Dobson Ranch’s only scoring came from a solo home run by Wilmer Flores in the 4th inning. Kentucky’s aggressive baserunning saw Ronald Acuna and Johan Rojas each with multiple stolen bases. Kentucky outhit Dobson Ranch 9-6, capitalizing on their scoring opportunities early in the game and maintaining the lead throughout.

Game 4 – Oakland Co. Coliseum – In this extra-innings baseball game on October 6, 2024, the Kentucky team defeated Dobson Ranch with a final score of 4-2 after 12 innings. Kentucky scored early with two runs in the 2nd inning, driven by a sacrifice groundout from Austin Hays and an RBI single by Ezequiel Tovar. Dobson Ranch tied the game at 2-2 in the 6th inning when Wilyer Abreu hit a two-run home run. Both teams remained scoreless from the 7th to the 11th innings. Kentucky eventually broke the deadlock in the 12th inning, scoring two runs with an RBI from Will Smith and Stuart Fairchild. Kentucky’s bullpen performed well, with Robert Stephenson earning the save and Ryan Brasier taking the win. Despite a solid start from Dobson Ranch’s Mitch Keller and scoreless relief from several relievers, Blake Snell allowed Kentucky’s final runs in the 12th and took the loss.

Game 5 – Oakland Co. Coliseum – Kentucky defeated Dobson Ranch 5-4 in a close game. Kentucky scored first in the second inning but fell behind after a solo home run by ​Connor Wong and an RBI from ​Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the second, giving Dobson Ranch a 2-1 lead. The game remained scoreless until Kentucky scored three runs in the seventh, with Austin Hays and Ezequiel Tovar contributing key RBIs, putting Kentucky up 4-2. Kentucky added an insurance run in the ninth, which proved crucial as Dobson Ranch rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth but fell short. Kentucky’s Austin Hays was named MVP, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Kentucky’s bullpen held off Dobson Ranch despite some late struggles, with Tanner Scott earning the save.

Game 6 – Coors Field – In a close game on October 9, 2024, Dobson Ranch defeated Kentucky with a final score of 5-3. Kentucky led early, scoring in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but Dobson Ranch mounted a comeback in the 6th inning. Josh Naylor hit a solo home run, followed by a two-run homer from Manny Machado, putting Dobson Ranch ahead 3-2. Kentucky tied it briefly, but Dobson Ranch pulled ahead with additional runs in the 8th and 9th innings. Key plays included successful steals by Julio Rodriguez, Nico Hoerner, and Francisco Lindor, while the bullpen held off Kentucky in the final frames. Machado was named Game MVP.

Game 7 – Coors Field – Dobson Ranch scored in the 2nd inning with a single by Connor Wong driving in Noelvi Marte. Wilmer Flores hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd, extending the lead to 3-0. The scoreboard was stuck there until the bottom of the 8th inning. Kentucky then rallied with 5 runs, starting with Ezequiel Tovar’s double and Harrison Bader’s single scoring Tovar. Will Smith hit a 2-RBI double to tie the game at 3-3 and Josh Lowe’s single brought in Smith for a 4-3 lead. Alec Bohm’s RBI single made it a 5-3 ballgame. Despite multiple baserunners throughout the game, Dobson Ranch failed to score after the 3rd inning. Kentucky’s bullpen, led by Cristopher Sanchez and Tanner Scott, shut down Dobson Ranch in the late innings. Both teams committed no errors, with solid defensive plays, including deep fly catches. There were many key strikeouts by Kentucky pitchers in high-pressure situations, especially in the 8th and 9th innings. Kentucky’s explosive 8th inning, fueled by timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, erased a 3-run deficit and sealed the win. Kentucky’s perseverance and clutch performance secured their victory over Dobson Ranch, showcasing a thrilling late-game comeback and taking them to the National League Championship Series to face the Batavia Muckdogs.