WMS edges MCM to take AC WC series

AP (Williamstown) -- In one of the most exciting series ever, the 
Williamstown Thunder edged the Motor City Marauders 4-2 in the 5th and 
deciding game. Jim Brower, in relief of Colon and Rincon, pitched 4.1 
innings of 1 hit ball to carry the Thunder into the next round. Bad news 
came for Williamstown in 4th inning as Preston Wilson pulled up lame with a 
hamstring injury. He will most likely miss the rest of the playoffs 

All 5 games of the series were extremely close. Game 1 was won by 
Williamstown 5-4, game 2 by MCM 4-2, game 3 by WMS 5-2, game 4 by MCM 4-3, 
and 4-2 in the rubber match for WMS. 

The series MVP honors went to Shannon Stewart for a clutch inside the park 
HR in game 3, and the game winning RBIs on a triple in game 5. 

After the game, manager Selder had this to say, "I'm so happy for the guys 
and the Williamstown franchise. It's great to finally win a playoff series 
for this great bunch. We're so lucky to escape this series. It really could 
have gone either way. Our bullpen pitched its heart out and we caught a few 
lucky breaks. It could have very easily been Motor City celebrating tonight. 
I have the utmost respect for those guys. I can't wait to renew the rivalry 
next season." At this point his players dragged Selder away and the 
champagne started flying. 

Game 1

In a nail biter of a game, Todd Walker singled home Shannon Stewart from 2nd 
bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, giving Williamstown a 6-5 
victory. 

Motor City opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on back to back doubles 
off starter Bartolo Colon. Brad Penny's defense betrayed him as back to back 
errors led to a 3 run 3rd for Williamstown. The Thunder extended their lead 
to 5-1 as two more runs chased Penny in the 5th. 

The Thunder's lead was short lived as the Marauders exploded for 4 runs in 
the 6th on 4 singles, an error, and a walk. This is remained the situation 
until the bottom of the 9th. Mariano Rivera was on for the Marauders and was 
greeted with a lead-off double by Stewart. Walker then smacked the first 
pitch down the first base line past the drawn-in Klesko. 

Bud Smith picked up the win in relief, while Rivera took the loss on a damp 
dreary night in Williamstown. Todd Walker took home player of the game 
honors going 3-4, with a 2b and 3 RBI. 

Game 2 is scheduled for tonight. 

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