Splitting the A-team: The Manchester Project

		Your Junk my Happy Zone
		by Brandon Corbett

The Manchester Punchouts may not have won the Commissioner's Cup, due to reasons ultimately anticlimactic and a little bit nauseating. However, what they were able to do is absolutely dominate the 2012 season (26-2, +160 run differential) and the individual stat categories. Punchouts owned the number-one spot in the five big offensive categories (AVG, HR, RBI, OBP, SLG%), and had the second slot in all of them except for AVG. Altogether, they filled 13 of the 25 possible slots; representing 52% of the league's offensive leaders!

It was three players filling those slots and doing all that damage: Evan Bortmas (2012 MVP, Batting Champ, co-HR King, and NWLA 1st Team Hitter), Dakota LaDouceur (2012 co-HR King and NWLA 2nd Team Hitter) and Sam Hatt, who may not have the offensive bling of his former teammates, but he does have the substance - top 5 in AVG, OBP, and RBI. Where Sam's stock really starts to shoot up, though, is on the mound. He narrowly missed out on the Clown Shu, finished the season second in Ks (138) and ERA (0.27), tied for first in wins (10), and earned a spot as an NWLA 1st Team Pitcher. Evan also gets a boost from his pitching: another NWLA 1st Team and 10 win pitcher, and top 5 finisher in K (136) and WHIP (0.94)in WSEM.

Three undeniably explosive players, who have all split up and signed with new teams. It was early in the offseason that Bortmas divulged he and Hatt may not be back for 2013, but the team might continue if someone else wanted to run it. LaDouceur was attempting to retool a Punchouts roster minus Evan and Sam. However, after Bortmas' signing with the Wicked Aces was announced in early October, LaDouceur accepted an offer to play with El Diablos in 2013. It was not until November 26th, after being courted by several captains over a parade of Thanksgiving dinners, that Sam finally announced his return to WSEM for the 2013 season, signing with the revived Westside Warriors.

Three better suitors could not have been found for the former Punchouts to spread their talents across. The impact of these free agent signings should be tremendous - assuming semi-regular participation, of course. Most early power rankings put the reigning champion Aces at the top with some combination of El Diablos, Warriors, and Ducks in spots two through four.

For the Aces, the Bortmas signing is out of Steinbrenner's book. They add a fourth pitcher with a sub-1.00 ERA, and third with a WHIP below 1.00. The team already ran a three/four man rotation last season with brothers Austin and Evan Bischoff, Justin Hughes, and Joel Crozier. So, having many effective options to run out is not new territory for them. That said, Bortmas' biggest contribution to the lineup is his bat. Last season the Aces' regulars hit between .246 and .291; Bortmas hit nearly .100 points higher with a .389 AVG. The Aces team hit 18 HR; Bortmas hit 20. Couple his power with moving into Poolside Park for a possible 14 games, and the new Evan may put up crazy numbers in 2013. What has already happened is a dominant Aces pitching staff not only got padded, but just added lot of firepower behind it.

Similarly, what LaDouceur brings to El Diablos is a huge bat to run out at the top of their lineup. 2012 RoTY, Kyle Tomlinson (.346 AVG, .515 SLG), prefers batting further down in the four spot. So, being able to slide LaDouceur (.339, .835) in at the top of the order will still bring up strong El Diablos at-bats more often in games. In 2012 it took Dakota until his sixth game to record his first hit. However, after that, he was only held hitless in two games for the rest of the season. Chandler Phillips and Craig Skinner have El Diablos pitching well-stocked, so the key to El Diablos getting the most impact from this signing seems to be, simply, getting Dakota out to games early and often.

Hatt provides a fantastic player to lean on early in the season for Alex Shore and a Warriors roster returning many players who have taken a year off, and bringing in a new crop of rookies. Having Hatt's arm in the rotation could give Maclin Malloy time to find the form he is capable of possessing on the mound. At the plate, Hatt and Shore are similar hitters: lefties with a good deal of power and solid contact. Also, once on base, both are smart, aggressive baserunners making them a dangerous duo to build a lineup around. This signing has the makings of one that can push the Warriors up to the front of the line to play for a Commissioner's Cup.

The chance of former Punchouts returning to the WSEM Championship Series looks promising. The fact that we very well may see them on both sides of it is enticing, in that we may finally get the chance to see these stars play for the Commissioner's Cup!

Comparison of Stats per Team from 2011 to 2012

Stats per Team (Season)
	11	12	11*	12*
BB	99.63	96.5	99.17	96.75
K	215.75	231.9	215	235.5
R	86.13	60.17	81.83	54.13
H	126.25	110.4	122.17	111.25
HR	16.75	16.7	16.67	14.75
TB	197.63	175.8	190	170.38
* Adjusted with high/low extremes removed

Stats per Team (Game)
	11*	12*
BB/g	3.54	3.46
K/g	7.68	8.41
R/g	2.92	1.93
H/g	4.36	3.97
HR/g	0.60	0.53
TB/g	6.79	6.08
* Adjusted with high/low extremes removed

First, league batting average fell from a respectable .281 in 2011 to a painful .226 in 2012. That free fall came even with the introduction of the rotation rule, which halved the number of games the most dominant starters could pitch.

Walks came down from 99.17 to 96.75 per team on the season, a 2% change. Per game this is a .08 reduction, to 3.46 from 3.54. Well within the margin of error, maybe, but it does show that number-two and three pitchers handling half of the games did not have any effect on control.

Strike outs increased by 20.5 per team on the season: a 10% change. Per game that is an increase from 7.68 to 8.41. Further showing increasing dominance of pitching over hitting, with even number-two and three pitchers able to boost KpG.

Hits and power numbers (total bases and home runs) saw similar fall off around 10%: 9% for H, 10% for TB, and 12% for HR. There were nearly 2 less HR hit by a team in 2012 - 16.67 in 2011, 14.75 in 2012 - resulting in 1 HR hit every 2 games instead of 3 in every 5. Team hits were reduced to below 4 per game, from 122.17 on the season to 111.25. And team total bases dropped by 0.71 per game to just over 6, falling from 190 on the season in 2011 to 170.38.

Perhaps the most striking drop-off, runs per team plummeted by 27.71 on the season: from 81.83 in 2011 to 54.13 in 2012. A staggering 34% decrease. This equates to a 1-run per game fall-off from 2.92 to 1.93.

* Numbers used for this analysis derived from league averages after the the highest and lowest were taken out to remove extremes. Except league AVG, which is all inclusive. Unadjusted numbers are also displayed in the table.

Ducks are Covered

		Your Junk my Happy Zone
		by Brandon Corbett

The Ducks dropped the Thunder from their name and early forecasts saw them limping into the 2013 season. The reason for the dismal outlook was the departure of Chris Lewis and, founding member, Nick Braden to play for the Holy Balls. The move left powerhouse arm Dennis Pearson and big bats Dylan Braden and Josh Nagorski as the only ducks on the pond. Yes, the three totalled 28 HR in 2012, knocked in 68 runs and hit .287, collectively; an impressive three-hit combo to be sure. However, three men does not a Wiffleball team make; just ask the Belgian Wiffles in 2011 or the Manchester Punchouts in the 2012 Championship Series. Who would fill the needed slots on a Ducks roster expecting nothing short of a return to a second championship?

Well, it did not take long to see the big changes brought in - changes that center on one key facet of the game. Freed of the "thunder," the Ducks adopted a new look: a swerving Wiffle pitch with the ball and its trail forming a Ducks head and beak. That designing around the pitch has been the basis of the team's offseason strategy, as well. The Ducks first free agent signing was Mike Constanti. In 2012 with the Squirrels Constanti had a 0.56 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 79 K to 21 BB in 45 IP. Those numbers earned him the start for Garcia in the All-Star game; he now joins the other Garcia All-Star pitcher, Pearson, in the Ducks rotation. They were not done yet, though. David Castle, formerly with Belgian, was then signed as a third dangerous arm in their arsenal. Castle's season numbers were up and down, however, he turned it on when the games mattered in the playoffs: dialing up his speed and locking in his accuracy.


See Constanti deal in the first minute of this
video, then Castle starting at four minutes in. These signings seem to be a measured response to being swept out of the playoff semi-finals by the Wicked Aces. Being able to run capably dominant starters out game after game, no matter the situation, is what the Aces were able to do on their march to the title, and now - on paper, at least - the Ducks have matched that ability and paired it with an always potent offense, which also looks to be bolstered by having Castle (.284, 19 RBI) in the mix. With eight of the nine current teams involved in the offseason movement of veteran players WSEM is going to look very different in 2013, but the Ducks have once again positioned themselves as one of the preseason favorites atop the league.

Fall Fantasy: Player Awards and Stats

	♔ ♔ ♔	-	Chandler Phillips
	Chandler was ordered by new El Diablos Captain, Mark Phillips, to play in the fall. He came, he hit the ball - a ton, and is leaving with three crowns. He could have the quintuple crown, if such a thing existed, also leading in OBP and SLG%. Mark's managing looks to be paying off already.
	Fall Clown Shu	-	Evan Bischoff
	Evan had a great 2012 season on the mound (0.00 Era, 0.61 WHIP, 70 K) yet his name was barely brought up in Clown Shu talks due to "lack of innings". Unsatisfied, Evan threw his lot in for fall ball to prove he is the real deal. And here he is: second in ERA, first in WHIP. Command struggled adjusting to mid-pitch with 10 BB, but he allowed the fewest hits of any pitcher (6). What clinched the Fall Shu for Evan were his two wins to give his team the championship.

Pitching Stats


Batting Stats

Fans everywhere enjoy a good friendly, everyone enjoys giving into a good fantasy, and everyone loves the Fall - just too bad there isn't much Wiffle going on. Ah-ha! (Take on Me) That's where the the friendly and fantasy can come across even stronger. Four teams of five have been arbitrarily selected to compete and entertain us over the slow months. To determine the outcome of each at-bat a random number generator from 1 to 1000 is used. Each player's number ranges are different: their AVG and OBP are multiplied by the opposing pitcher's WHIP to set the ranges for hits and walks; from there a player's percentage of singles, doubles, triples, and home runs are spread over their "hit range": singles start at 1, home runs end at the highest number in the hit range. Walks follow above hits, and a pitcher's number of strikeouts in the 2012 season set the strikeout range after walks. Every number above that is an out made in the field: numbers closer to 1000 are fly outs, while lower numbers are ground outs. Depending on the situation sacrifice flies, advancing runners, peg outs, and double plays also come into play. You'll see that strikeouts and walks are disproportional to a real game, and that just adds to the entertainment! Let's just say everyone agreed to play these friendlies mid-pitch.

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Game 6: 12 2 6 Curves (1-1)  VS.  Sinkers (2-0)

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- The Curves make no lineup changes despite the loss. The team feels confident that the pieces laid out as they are - 1. Bischoff, 2. Buhr, 3. Nagorski, 4. Hewlett, 5. Coffman - will be more than good enough to win the Fall Championship with Evan Bischoff taking the mound (They did score 9 in the loss, with runs at the top and RBIs from the back end).

- Sinkers haven't played since 10/14 in a 17-15 shootout win over the Risers. Asked whether the layoff may hurt their production Phillips responded, "we got this." Then asked if Sinker's championship shirts will feature the slogan Hughes interupted, "will? Been wearing mine since September," as he lifted his jersey to show off a shirt reading "Sinkers, Fall Champions 2012, We always had this." No mention of their lineup, but they haven't changed anything yet. Why start now?

Top 1st
Buhr and Hewlett reach base on a single and walk, but they come sandwiched between two ground outs and a fly out. Curves unable to get anything going against Phillips in the first.

Bot 1st
Easy inning to start the day for Bischoff: two outs on the ground and a lazy pop out. Score is 0-0 after one.

Top 2nd
Two one-out singles (Buhr, Nagorski) and a walk (Hewlett) get a threat going for the Curves. A fielders choice by Coffman keeps the bases loaded with two outs for Bischoff, who makes up for his K earlier in the inning with a 2 RBI double to right-center. Buhr follows with his third hit of the game, a single scoring both Coffman and Bischoff. The inning ends on a Nagorski fly out to left, but four runs in for the Curves.

Bot 2nd
Hewlett robs a home run off the bat of Phillips on the first pitch of the inning. The deep fly shakes Bischoff up, and he walks the next two batters. He settles back down, getting Braden and Alexia on more routine fly outs. 4-0 Curves after two innings.

Top 3rd
Cleansing inning in the third for Phillips with help from Alexia and Hughes turning a double play (SS - 2nd - mound) on Coffman after a Hewlett walk. Bischoff then slaps a single to left, but nothing comes of it as Buhr flies out to Roszell in center. Sinkers quiet the opponents bats, but need to wake theirs up to get in this championship deciding game.

Bot 3rd
Two more walks (Phillips, Braden) by Bischoff, but he gets the other three batters out on fielder's choices. No harm, no foul... and no hits given up yet on the day. Score remains 4-0 Curves.

Top 4th
Three up, three down for the Curves in the fourth. They make it a busy inning for Roszell chasing down fly balls in left, but nothing else. Still comfortable in command of the game, though.

Bot 4th
That comfortable feeling gets a little less as Phillips hits a hard drive to left to lead off an inning for the second time, and this time out of the reach of Hewlett. Solo home run. Bischoff seems to shake off this hard hit quicker getting the next two batters out in the air then on the ground. Braden then steps up and crushes another ball deep to left and over the wall. Second solo home run of the inning. Alexia grounds out to finish the inning, but the Sinkers get on the board and back into this game. They still trail the Curves 4-2 with one inning left to play.

Top 5th
After that scare, the Curves look to add some insurance with the top of the order due up. Bischoff steps up with a single, and Buhr hits a one-hopper to Alexia in short left that he handles for the first out (FC 2nd). Phillips then kicks it up a notch needing just two pitches K to Nagorski, get Hewlett to pop out to right and end the inning. Curves hold onto their two run lead needing just three more outs to win the Fall Championship.

Bot 5th
Bischoff walks Phillips, then trades out runners on the next two batters with fielder's choices to the circle: both out at second. One out left to get, but Braden keeps the Sinkers alive with a single to left. Alexia draws a walk, bringing Phillips back up to the plate. He draws his second walk of the inning, pushing Hughes across the plate. Tying run standing at third, two outs. Roszell slaps the ball into right, Buhr charges in and flips the ball to Bischoff for the final out! 12 2 6 Curves hang on and win the Fall Championship in exciting fashion 4-3!

	1	2	3	4	5	R	H
	0	4	0	0	0	4	7
	0	0	0	2	1	3	3

12 2 6 Curves  (2-1)			Sinkers  (2-1)
OFFENSE			OFFENSE
E. Bischoff	3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R		Hughes	0-4, BB, R
Buhr	3-5, 2 RBI		D. Braden	2-4, HR, BB, RBI, R
Nagorski	1-4, R		Alexia	0-4, BB
Hewlett	0-2, 3 BB		Phillips	1-2, HR, 3 BB, 2 RBI, R
Coffman	0-4, R		Roszell	0-4, BB
PITCHING			PITCHING
E. Bischoff	3 R, 3 H, 2 HR, 7 BB		Phillips	4 R, 7 H, 3 BB

Standings
	W	L	+/-
	2	1	-1
	2	1	+2
	1	2	-1
	1	2	0

The 2012 Fall Fantasy season comes to a rousing close. The 12 2 6 Curves took advantage of the Sinkers' cockiness and jumped out quickly to a 4-0 lead. It was big hits by E. Bischoff and Buhr in the top two spots that pushed in the runs, and that's just what they did all fall long. A classic 1-2 duo, combined to hit .517 with a .576 OBP. Their power numbers were modest, though they did hit four doubles: more than the rest of the league combined. It was the entire team getting into the act, though, to get the win with numbers 3, 4, and 5 - Nagorski, Hewlett, and Coffman - coming around to score those big early runs.

Bischoff had an off night giving up 7 walks and 2 home runs, while getting no strike outs. Luckily his defense played a great game behind him to allow only 3 hits to a powerful Sinkers offense. Even with two players vying for the triple crown, said offense showed no real life until the fourth inning. True, Phillips did have a home run robbed in the second, but taken with the rest of the Sinkers' ABs on the day, it seemed more like hitting for the home run crown than to win the game. A flat performance by the favorites, but they get to go out on fire regardless; those shirts they had made are in need of burning.

Player stats and awards for the Fall Fantasy season to come at the end of the week.

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

With the current success of the Punchouts and Wicked Aces in the NWLA Large Team Tournament, I thought it would be fun to have a WSEM mock tournament. I took the eight teams from 2011, ten from 2012, and the nine current teams signed up for 2013. I then ranked them and had them face off. I used an advanced scientific formula that took months to come up with to determine the winners . Just kidding, I simply used a random number generator. To add to the fun, I picked game MVP's and key stat lines in each match-up. Can you tell I get bored in the off-season? Enjoy!

2011			2012			2013
2011 Git R’ Done	3		2012 Manchester Punchouts	1		2013 Whiteford Wicked Aces	4
2011 Wiffling DeLoppes	6		2012 Thunder Ducks	8		2013 Ducks	5
2011 Westside Warriors	14		2012 Whiteford Wicked Aces	2		2013 El Diablos	9
2011 Flying Squirrels	7		2012 Flying Squirrels	15		2013 Holy Balls	12
2011 Belgian Wiffles	18		2012 Belgian Wiffles	10		2013 Flying Squirrels	13
2011 Ass Kickers	11		2012 Jason Mattseals	17		2013 Westside Warriors	16
2011 Campus Commandos	22		2012 Donkeys	19		2013 Belgian Wiffles	20
2011 Jason Mattseals	23		2012 Campus Commandos	24		2013 Belle Islanders	21
			2012 King Friday	26		2013 King Friday	25
			2012 Seamen	27

1st Round

1. 2012 Manchester Punchouts       vs.   32. BYE  Score:  N/A  MVP:  N/A  Key Stats:  The Punchies took advantage of their BYE by trying to find a fourth player. No word yet if they were successful.	8. 2012 Thunder Ducks       vs.   25. 2013 King Friday   Score:  Thunder Ducks 5    King Friday 1   MVP:  Dylan Braden   Key Stats:  D. Braden 11 Ks, N. Braden 3-4, HR
16. 2013 Westside Warriors       vs.   17. 2012 Jason Mattseals   Score:  Mattseals 3    Warriors 1   MVP:  Adam Cosby   Key Stats:  Cosby 12 Ks, Franzen 2-4, 2 RBIs	9. 2013 El Diablos       vs.   24. 2012 Campus Commandos   Score:  El Diablos 2    Commandos 0   MVP:  Craig Skinner   Key Stats:  Skinner 14 Ks, C. Phillips 2 RBIs
4. 2013 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   29. BYE   Score:  N/A   MVP:  N/A   Key Stats:  The 2013 favorites aren’t cocky, but they are confident.	5. 2013 Ducks       vs.   28. BYE   Score:  N/A   MVP:  N/A   Key Stats:  The 2013 Ducks have been watching videos of the 2011 Git R’ Done in hopes of recapturing their old magic.
13. 2013 Flying Squirrels       vs.   20. 2013 Belgian Wiffles   Score:  Squirrels 6    Belgian 0   MVP:  Adam Cosby   Key Stats:  Cosby 14 Ks; Myers 4-5, 2 HRs	12. 2013 Holy Balls       vs.   21. 2013 Belle Islanders   Score:  Islanders    2 Balls 1   MVP:  Alex Linebrink   Key Stats:  Linebrink 10 Ks, Egan GW RBI
3. 2011 Git R’ Done       vs.   30. BYE   Score:  N/A   MVP:  N/A   Key Stats:  2011 Dennis Pearson was a beast, this team will be dangerous.	6. 2011 Wiffling DeLoppes       vs.   27. 2012 Seamen   Score:  DeLoppes 7    Seamen 0   MVP:  Joey DeLano   Key Stats:  DeLano 4-4, Cycle; C. Hoppe 12 Ks
14. 2011 Westside Warriors       vs.   19. 2012 Donkeys   Score:  Warriors 4    Donkeys 1   MVP:   Alex Shore   Key Stats:  Shore 4-5, 3 RBIs; Malloy 11 Ks	11. 2011 Ass Kickers       vs.   22. 2011 Campus Commandos   Score:  Commandos 3    Ass Kickers 2   MVP:  Joe Seto   Key Stats: Seto 11 Ks, 2 RBIs; Grant 4 BBs
2. 2012 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   31. BYE   Score:  N/A   MVP:  N/A   Key Stats:  The 2012 champs spent this time cleaning the trophy, hoping to make it smell better.	7. 2011 Flying Squirrels       vs.   26. 2012 King Friday   Score:  Squirrels 4    King Friday 0   MVP:  Mike Merlo   Key Stats:  Merlo 13 Ks; Coffee 4-4, 2 RBIs
15. 2012 Flying Squirrels       vs.   18. 2011 Belgian Wiffles   Score:  Squirrels 2    Belgian 1   MVP:  Michael Constanti   Key Stats:  Constanti 12 Ks, Corbett 3-4	10. 2012 Belgian Wiffles       vs.   23. 2011 Jason Mattseals   Score:  Belgian 4    Mattseals 1   MVP:  David Castle   Key Stats: Castle 11 Ks; Buhr 3-4, HR

2nd Round

1. 2012 Manchester Punchouts       vs.   17. 2012 Jason Mattseals   Score:  Punchouts 5    Mattseals 0   MVP:  Evan Bortmas   Key Stats:  Bortmas 4-5, 4 RBIs; Hatt 3-5	4. 2013 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   13. 2013 Flying Squirrels   Score:  Wicked Aces 3    Squirrels 0   MVP:  Austin Bischoff   Key Stats:  A. Bischoff 14 Ks; Crozier 2-4, 2 RBIs
8. 2012 Thunder Ducks       vs.   9. 2013 El Diablos   Score:  Thunder Ducks 4    El Diablos 2   MVP:  Dennis Pearson   Key Stats:  Pearson 14 Ks, 2 RBIs; Lewis HR	5. 2013 Ducks       vs.   21. 2013 Belle Islanders   Score:  Islanders 1    Ducks 0   MVP:  Daniel Egan   Key Stats:  Egan 13 Ks; Linebrink 1-4, RBI
3. 2011 Git R’ Done       vs.   14. 2011 Westside Warriors   Score:  Git R’ Done 3    Warriors 1   MVP:  Dennis Pearson   Key Stats:  Pearson 14 Ks, N. Braden HR	2. 2012 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   15. 2012 Flying Squirrels   Score:  Wicked Aces 3    Squirrels 0   MVP:  Austin Bischoff   Key Stats: A. Bischoff 14 Ks, E. Bischoff 2 RBIs
6. 2011 Wiffling DeLoppes       vs.   22. 2011 Campus Commandos   Score:  Commandos 2    DeLoppes 1   MVP:  Alex Linebrink   Key Stats:  Linebrink 13 Ks, Seto HR	7. 2011 Flying Squirrels       vs.   10. 2012 Belgian Wiffles   Score:  Squirrels 2    Belgian 0   MVP:  Austin Bischoff   Key Stats:  Bischoff 12 Ks, Murtha HR

Elite 8

1. 2012 Manchester Punchouts       vs.   8. 2012 Thunder Ducks   Score:  Punchouts 3    Thunder Ducks 1   MVP:  Sam Hatt   Key Stats:  Hatt 13 Ks, LaDouceur 2 RBIs	4. 2013 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   21. 2013 Belle Islanders   Score:  Wicked Aces 4    Islanders 1   MVP:  Joel Crozier   Key Stats:  Crozier 12 Ks, Hughes HR
3. 2011 Git R’ Done       vs.   22. 2011 Campus Commandos   Score:  Commandos 2    Git R’ Done 1   MVP:  Joe Seto   Key Stats:  Seto 12 Ks, HR; Linebrink 2-4, RBI	2. 2012 Whiteford Wicked Aces       vs.   7. 2011 Flying Squirrels   Score:  Squirrels 2    Wicked Aces 0   MVP:  Brandon Corbett   Key Stats:  Merlo 13 Ks, Corbett 2 HRs

Final Four

1. 2012 Manchester Punchouts	VS.	4. 2013 Whiteford Wicked Aces
Score:  Punchouts 2    Wicked Aces 1       MVP:  Evan Bortmas       Key Stats:  Bortmas 12 Ks, RBI, Hatt 2-4, RBI
22. 2011 Campus Commandos	VS.	7. 2011 Flying Squirrels
Score:  Commandos 1    Squirrels 0       MVP:  Alex Linebrink       Key Stats:  Linebrink 11 Ks, Pfefferle RBI

CHAMPIONSHIP

In the inaugural WSEM Mock Tournament, one team was expected to make it this far, the other is a complete shocker. The #1 seed 2012 Manchester Punchouts roster consists of Evan Bortmas, Sam Hatt, Dakota LaDouceur, and Jimmy Hamilton. The Punchouts went 26-2 in the 2012 regular season, and then reached the Championship Series. Unfortunately they weren't able to field a team in the Championship, and had to forfeit to the Aces. The Punchouts also are currently ranked #4 in the NWLA rankings, and reached the Final Four in the NWLA Large Team Tournament. In the WSEM Mock Tournament, they have beat the #17 2012 Mattseals in the 2nd round, #8 2012 Thunder Ducks in the Elite 8, and the #4 2013 Wicked Aces in the Final Four.

The Punchouts opponent are the 2011 Campus Commandos. The #22 seed Commandos roster consists of Joe Seto, Alex Linebrink, Eric Pfefferle, and Adam Grant. In 2011, the Commandos went 9-19 in the regular season, earning them the 7th seed. In the playoffs they went two and out against the DeLoppes. To get the Mock Tournament Championship, the Commandos have pulled off an amazing four straight upsets. In the 1st round the Commandos beat the #11 2011 Ass Kickers and then followed that in the 2nd round with a win over the #6 2011 DeLoppes. In the Elite 8 the magic continued and the Commandos took down the #3 2011 Git R' Done. In the Final Four, the Commandos would meet their fourth straight 2011 team, the #7 Flying Squirrels. The Commandos took care of business against the Squirrels to reach the Championship Game. Best of Luck to both teams!

1. 2012 Manchester Punchouts	VS.	22. 2011 Campus Commandos
Score:  Punchouts 3    Commandos 2       MVP:  Sam Hatt       Key Stats: Hatt 13 Ks, 2 RBIs; Hamilton, RBI