Leo: “FINAL FOUR”

It’s one of my favorite times of the year, March Madness! While I’m watching the games with great anticipation of an upset, I’ve created a “Clippers Final Four” to remember the best post-season victories of last year’s championship run:

 

#1 – COLUMBUS CLAIMS TRIPLE-A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (12-6 over Tacoma)

The Clippers pounded out 19 hits in a one game “winner take all” showdown with the PCL Champions.

Jason Kipnis homered for one of his three hits, Josh Rodriguez smacked three hits, and five other Clippers had two-hit games.

David Huff pitched six innings, mostly with a comfortable lead. Zach Putnam, Josh Judy, and Vinnie Pestano each pitched one frame to close out another title-clincher.

Jared Head was named MVP.

 MILB.COM article

 

#2 -  CLIPPERS WIN GOVERNORS CUP (13-2 over Durham)

Columbus wrapped up its’ 8th Governors Cup in franchise history (first since 1996) with a 3-1 series win the best-of-five IL championship.

Jason Kipnis, having joined the Clippers just in time for the series, hit for the cycle (the first Clippers cycle since 2005). Cord Phelps, Jared Goedert, and Josh Rodriguez each added three hits.

Paolo Espino pitched six innings for the win and Aaron Laffey, Zach Putnam, and Vinnie Pestano each delivered one inning.

MILB.COM article

 

 

#3 - COLUMBUS RE-TAKES SERIES ADVANTAGE OVER YANKEES (1-0 over Scranton/WB)

Yohan Pino completed his season with seven innings of one-hit baseball to lift the Clippers to a 2-1 series lead in the best of five semifinals series.

Zach Putnam and Vinnie Pestano struck out six batters in the final two innings to finish the night.

Luke Carlin scored the lone run from second base on Jose Constanza’s infield hit.

Columbus Dispatch article

 

 

#4 – CLIPPERS OPEN POST-SEASON WITH WALK-OFF WIN (6-4 over Scranton Wilkes-Barre)

Luke Carlin crushed a game-winning homer off the scoreboard at Huntington Park to give the Clippers a series opening win.

The Yankees had tied the game in the 9th inning with a HR off Vinnie Pestano, a rare blown save for the Columbus closer.

David Huff pitched seven innings to start the game. Columbus’ offense was fueled by an Ezequiel Carrera HR and three hits from Jared Head.

Columbus Dispatch article

 

Do I have the right “Final Four” in my bracket?

Send me your thoughts to sleo@clippersbaseball.com

Enjoy some hoops action for the next couple weeks, but don’t forget the hardball season is right around the corner!