Like most seasons, there has not been a shortage of excitement throughout the Door County Baseball League. From Sister Bay being a handful of wins away from a Regular Season Championship, to a four team bubble watch with just three weeks left, the rest of the season is sure to be filled with excitement.
With Sister Bay nearing the championship and locking up the top seed in the postseason, and Kolberg trending towards the two seed, two spots in the August playoffs are up for grabs. Washington Island, West Jacksonport, Egg Harbor, and Maplewood are the four teams in the hunt for those spots, and just two total matchups against each other combined will have this race wild down to the last week.
We start with Washington Island, who is currently sitting in third place with a 7-4 record coming off a come from behind win over Egg Harbor 6-5. The Islanders have done their winning in many different games, winning in low scoring fashion, or showing off their high-powered offense, especially earlier in the season with a 20-6 victory over Maplewood. With nearly a 1.5 game cushion of a lead, the Islanders will rely on that cushion with a tough schedule consisting of games against Sister Bay and West Jacksonport, before finishing the season with Baileys Harbor.
West Jacksonport currently holds the final playoff spot going into the weekend, sitting at 7-4 behind the Islanders due to a 9-3 loss on Fathers Day. The Ports took care of business last Sunday against Maplewood on 105.1 The GOAT, winning 9-6. Drew Tanck has been strong as the starter for the Ports, as the duo of Tanck and Woody Schartner have led the way. West Jacksonport will also have a tough schedule down the stretch, as after starting with Baileys Harbor this week, they will play host to Washington Island and Kolberg.
Egg Harbor has been lingering on the edge of the postseason picture the past few weeks, but currently sit on the outside looking in at 6-5. The Indians have gone on winning and losing streaks this season, and have put themselves in position to sneak into the playoffs after a 2-3 start to the season. The Kita’s have been a big part of that, as Brady and Nick Kita have been sources of offense for the Indians. Egg Harbor may have the more favorable remaining schedule of any bubble team, with Sister Bay, Maplewood and Institute remaining.
Finally, Maplewood is not mathematically eliminated yet, but will need a lot of things to go right if they want to sneak into the playoffs, with their record currently sitting at 4-7. The Mets could have used a big upset at West Jacksonport last Sunday to help their cause, but came up short. Jeremiah Jahnke has been a big part of their success as of late, as the left hander has given them consistently good innings. The Mets will have the same remaining teams as Egg Harbor, as they face Institute, Egg Harbor and Sister Bay.
The final few weeks will have many playoff implications, and 105.1 The GOAT and NEW Radio Sports Network will have you covered with five games in the next three weeks.
