Surprisingly there was no upsets in the Elite Eight! So below is the final four. Vote away by clicking this link HERE! Below is a refresher on the matchups… Results will be revealed Monday as we then vote on potential Winner!!
#1 Seed – Semifinal Win vs Keith Kemp to Advance to Championship in 2019– JRF had never beaten Kemp in a playoff game, not to mention Keith Kemp had won several league championships and The Panthers had never advanced to a championship game. Despite being an underdog, behind timely hitting by Kevin Noll, Jordan Gottshall and Eric Nester the Panthers survived 8-6 to advance to their first ever league championship.
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#4 Seed- 5-4 Extra Inning Loss vs Kemp in 2014 Playoff – Keith Kemp was the defending champions and JRF had just barely beaten one of the worst teams in the league for its first ever playoff win. This game was supposed to be a no contest. The way it started it sure looked like the would be the case. Keith Kemp was up 3-0 in the first inning with bases loaded and nobody out. That’s when Derek Evans made the controversial decision to pull TJ and sub in Cody Manmiller to Pitch. On the very next pitch, Kemp hit into a triple play. JRF went on to score 4 unanswered runs to miraculously take the lead. Kemp eventually tied the game and would win in extra innings but the fact this game was even this close was a story itself.
#2 Seed – 2019 Fall league Championship Game– The 2019 Fall Season was a roller coaster ride. It got so low that the team had to forfeit one game due to not enough players showing up. Come playoff time it was a different story. Despite losing the first game of a double elimination tournament, JRF won 4 straight for their first ever league title. David Griesemer had a breakout year batting .700 on the season.
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#3 Seed – The Teams First ever win in a playoff game (Big John Game Saving Catch and Tag 2014) – Up until 2014, JRF had not won a playoff game. That was about to change but it would not come easy. Despite facing and inferior opponent, JRF was hanging on by a thread in the final inning. On a base hit, the other team tried scoring to tie up the game. Luckily, Matt Bryan threw a laser to out of all people Big John at home plate who made the catch and tag to give JRF their first postseason victory.