Draft Order For 2015

Now that the World Series is complete, we have a complete order for the first round of the 2015 draft. The top three picks were determined by a lottery system.

1. Dutchmen
2. Nighthawks (held by Maulers)
3. Clippers
4. Breakers
5. Maulers (held by Stars)
6. Blackhawks
7. Roadrunners
8. Hornets
9. Razorbacks
10. Manatees
11. Bluejays
12. Crows
13. Pilots
14. Drivers (held by Hornets)
15. Stars
16. Irish
17. Gators
18. Dodgers (held by Maulers)
19. Huskies
20. Lions

Third Time's A Charm For Lions

Mohawk Valley shined in the 2014 postseason, winning 12 of 16 games, with a stingy pitching staff and grinding offensive attack. 

Lions pitchers (and defenders) allowed just 2.69 runs per game in a playoff context in which no other team allowed fewer than 4.00 R/G (Goldenrod). That performance might have been expected based on Mohawk Valley's regular-season showing, in which the club led the MMDA in strikeout rate (8.3 per nine innings) and ranked third in ERA (3.44) and opponent average (.237). 

The Lions offense, on the other hand, exceeded expectations during the playoffs, scoring 4.56 runs per game, which was a better rate than all but Goldenrod (5.07) and Rochester (4.86). During the regular season, Mohawk Valley led the MMDA in only one category (doubles) and ranked outside the top 10 for scoring, but with a condensed roster during the playoffs the Lions were able to put their best foot forward. They ranked third among postseason participants with a team .340 on-base percentage and strikeout rate of 17.1 percent, and they logged the top walk-to-strikeout ratio of 0.55.

But good fortune has not always smiled on Mohawk Valley, at least when it mattered most.

"Winning in 2014 is especially gratifying for the Lions," manager Matt Eddy said, "because we lost the World Series in 2012, then lost a taut, seven-game LCS in 2013. To come so close three times without winning the ring? Well, that would have been tough."

Lions End Huskies' Bid For Back-To-Back Titles

Three, two, one . . . blast off!

Mohawk Valley captured its first MMDA championship in its 13th year in the league by defeating the No. 3 Fighting Irish in the first round, the No. 2 Brooklyn Dodgers in the second round and the No. 1 Northeast Huskies in the World Series. The Lions went 12-4 (.750) in the playoffs while defeating a trio of opponents who could objectively be labeled as the three best teams during the regular season because they led the MMDA in runs scored and run differential.

Yu Darvish fired 7.2 shutout innings in Game Seven of the
World Series to pitch the Lions to victory

In the World Series, the Lions jumped out to a two games to one advantage before dropping two in a row at home to send the series back to Northeast, with the Huskies needing only one victory to clinch a second straight MMDA title. The fate of the Mohawk Valley season hinged on Games 6 and 7 starters Stephen Strasburg and Yu Darvish, plus whatever help ace relievers Joe Nathan and Koji Uehara could provide.

As it played out, that quartet of pitchers held the Huskies scoreless on 10 hits over 18 innings, and the Mohawk Valley offense scored just enough runs to win two games and claim the World Series. The Lions eked out a 2-0 win in Game 6, with the runs scoring on a wild pitch and an infield groundout, and then led Game 7 by a 1-0 score heading into the ninth inning, when a series of fluke defensive outcomes goosed the lead to 5-0.

World Series: Mohawk Valley 4, Northeast 3

Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this World Series matchup, the No. 1 Northeast Huskies (101-61) had home-field advantage versus the No. 6 Mohawk Valley Lions (87-75).

Game One
Huskies 2, Lions 0

Chris Archer (1-0) and Yu Darvish (3-1) locked horns in a pitcher's duel with Archer and the Northeast Huskies coming out on top of the Mohawk Valley Lions 2 to 0.

Northeast drew first blood jumping out to an early lead in the first inning scoring a single run. That was all the runs Archer needed. Neither team managed to score after the 2nd inning. 

Archer was helped out by Casey Janssen who recorded his 2nd save.

Round Two: Northeast 4, Goldenrod 3

Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round Two matchup, the No. 1 Northeast Huskies (101-61) had home-field advantage versus the No. 4 Goldenrod Gators (91-71).

Game One
Gators 6, Huskies 4

In a good matchup it was the Goldenrod Gators 6, the Northeast Huskies 4 at Huskie Park.

Brett Oberholtzer (1-0) won the game with a masterful relief performance. He surrendered no hits and 1 walk in 2 and 2/3 innings lowering his ERA from 1.80 to 1.17. Goldenrod had 11 hits overall, while Northeast had 8.

James Shields (0-3) was the losing pitcher. He was hit hard and gave up 8 hits and 2 walks in 2 and 2/3 innings.

Round Two: Mohawk Valley 4, Brooklyn 1

Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round Two matchup, the No. 2 Brooklyn Dodgers (99-63) had home-field advantage versus the No. 6 Mohawk Valley Lions (87-75).

Game One
Lions 5, Dodgers 2

At Dodger Stadium the Mohawk Valley Lions outscored the Brooklyn Dodgers 5 to 2.

Yu Darvish (2-0) pitched a solid game. He went 6 and 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 walks. Overall Mohawk Valley out-hit Brooklyn 11 to 8.

Darvish got relief help from Koji Uehara who gained credit for his 2nd save. Justin Masterson (2-1) was the loser. He surrendered 3 runs in 5 innings and saw his ERA increase from 1.35 to 2.45.

Round One: Northeast 4, Rochester 3

In this Round One matchup, the No. 1 Northeast Huskies (101-61) had home-field advantage versus the No. 8 Rochester Pilots (86-76).

Game One
Huskies 6, Pilots 1

First baseman Allen Craig hit a homerun at Huskie Park where the Northeast Huskies beat the Rochester Pilots 6 to 1.

Adam Wainwright (1-0) earned his pay with a solid performance for Northeast. He was reached for 9 hits and no walks in 7 and 2/3 innings. Northeast banged out 8 hits on the night.

John Lackey (0-1) absorbed the loss. He served up 3 gopher balls in 5 and 1/3 innings.