If nothing else, the Groundhogs left their fans with a victory in the
2001 season. In the final game to played at Punxatawney Phil Memorial
Stadium until April, the Punxatawney Groundhogs topped the Galena
Hamsters 6-2. Behind a solid pitching performance from Rocky Coppinger,
rebounding from a game 2 loss, and a solid offensive effort from Jason
and Jeremy Giambi, the Hogs took an early lead, staved off a Galena
comeback, and piled on a few late insurance runs in one of the most
important games in franchise history.
In this game, the Hogs touched up Galena starter Kevin Appier for 3 runs
in the third inning. Appier only lasted 4 innings, and Jeremi Gonzalez
came in to try and hold the lead. He did for three innings while Wilton
Guerrero batted home Andruw Jones and Bernie Williams to make the score
3-2. But with the score 3-2 in the 7th, the Hogs score three more
times, taking a secure 6-2 lead. Scott Ruffcorn threw a solid 7th and
8th innings and Juan Guzman finished it off in the final frame.
While Coppinger and the bullpen shut down the Hamsters, the Giambi boys
were powering the offense. Cleanup hitter Jason went 3-4 with a run,
and RBI, and a double. But he was outdone by 9th hitter Jason, who went
3-4 with 2 runs, an RBI, a double, and a homerun.
"It's not a competition," said Jeremy. "We're all working at this
together. I'm glad I did my part today, that's all."
Amazingly, the Hogs are now one victory from a World Championship. In
1999, they didn't get to this point until game 6, so this time they've
given themselves two shots to win. And the rotation has set up well, as
the team's all-time strikeout king Bobby Thomas and ace Jon Lieber are
scheduled for games 6 and 7, respectively. Meanwhile, Galena has just
used their two aces, Scott Erickson and Kevin Appier, so they will have
to go with Tennessee Jones and then either Kevin Appier on short rest or
another starter.
"The situation is in our favor," said Shapiro. "That doesn't mean we've
already won. We have to beat Galena, which is no small feat. I think
the boys are up to it, but they have to go out and prove it."
For Punxatawney fans, the team has purchased a few thousand seats and
bus tickets. Interested fans should call the team's hotline to
register, and some lucky fans will get to go to the final two games of
the World Series in Galena!
