Editor’s note: The games in the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
An extra inning was needed before the last ticket to the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament championship tilt was punched by the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes
After a 5-4 victory in 10 innings over the 1938 Kansas City Monarchs, the Buckeyes will entertain the 1924 Hilldale Athletic Club in the title affair.
Sam Jethroe began the winning rally in the top of the 10th with a two-out double off Kansas City starter Floyd Kranson. Parnell Woods singled to give the Buckeyes the lead.
It good have been a worse situation for the Monarchs as Clevelamd eventually loaded the bases, but Andy Cooper replaced Kranson and got the final out.
In the bottom of the 10th, Harry Else had a pinch-hit single for Hilldale before Flash Bremer retired the last two batters to finish with a complete game.
Bremer surrendered 12 hits and had three strikeouts as the Monarchs stranded 13 runners. Kranson also allowed a dozen hits as he fanned seven to be tagged with the loss.
Both Teams Lead
The Buckeyes took as 2-0 lead in the third inning on a RBI double by Avetino Canizales and a run-scoring single from Archie Ware.
Kansas City answered in the fourth when Hilton Smith doubled to drive in a run. Turkey Stearnes put the Monarchs in front 3-2 with a two-run triple in the fifth.
Jethroe tripled with one out in the sixth befpre Woods was able to tie it at 3-3 on a ground out.
In the seventh, Kansas City took the lead again with a run thanks to a triple by Buck O’Neil and a RBI single from Smith.
Down to their final out in the ninth, the Buckeyes had some help to tie the contest at 4-4 and set the stage for the game-winning rally.
Cleveland player-manager Quincy Trouppe reached on an error by Kansas City second baseman Newt Allen. Trouppe moved to third on a single be Buddy Armour before racing across the plate on a single by Johnnie Cowan.
Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship Game
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club at 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes
Semifinals
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club 2, 1916 Chicago American Giants 1
1945 Cleveland Buckeyes 5, 1938 Kansas City Monarchs 4 (10 innings)
First Round
1916 Chicago American Giants 7, 1936 Pittsburgh Crawfords 5
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club 4, 1944 Birmingham Black Barons 3
1938 Kansas City Monarchs 7, 1922 Indianapolis ABCs 6
1945 Cleveland Buckeyes 6, 1931 Homestead Grays 1