Endzone Animals clinch first-ever Division title

The Philadelphia Endzone Animals clinched a playoff spot with their first victory over Sardine City yesterday, then clinched the division with the second victory. It was the first division title for the Philadelphia franchise. The Endzone Animals started out by replacing the Lisbon Diabos back in 1998, going by the name the Philadelphia Eagle Wings. The Eagle Wings became the Endzone Animals in 2001. The Philadelphia teams struggled early on, but by the mid-2000s there was a glimmer of hope. Finally in 2005, the team finished with their first winning record and clinched their first playoff berth. They lost their series to Honolulu in five games. The Animals missed out on the playoffs last year, despite posting a winning record, but have been in control of the Morris Division for most of this season.

Things got tighter for the sixth spot over the weekend. Hillsborough is currently sitting in sixth, percentage points ahead of D.C. The Bushslappers, who were only a few games away from Marietta recently, are in freefall mode, losing their last seven games, including two losses to Honolulu on Sunday. The Sharks' bullpen shut out the Slappers 5-0 after starter Jason Schmidt was forced to leave after tweaking a muscle in the first inning. But the Shark pen held the Bushslappers to only 4 hits and struck out 11. In the second game, the Sharks were bailed out by scoring seven runs in the final three innings to win 8-4. Brian McCann hit two homers in the contest. The Sharks are now sitting in the fourth playoff spot, 2 1/2 games behind the Mighty Men.

Meanwhile Hillsborough and Hoboken split their Sunday games. Hillsborough took the first game 11-9 as Brad Hawpe drove in five runs and Juan Encarnacion hit a three-run homer. Hoboken rallied to take the second game 6-5. The Cutters were trailing by one in the ninth but Geoff Jenkins hit a solo homer to tie the game. Mike Cameron hit a double that scored Miguel Cabrera to win the game. Hoboken is now sitting comfortably in fifth, only a game out of fourth and 2 1/2 up on Hillsborough.

Vancouver and Jake Peavy shut down Marietta 5-1 to stay one game out of the final playoff spot. Peavy pitched six innings and held the Mighty Men to one run on four hits and Jason Bay was 4-5. Marietta has now lost five of their last six and begin a critical series with Hillsborough today.