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.
The 1924 Hilldale Athletic Club survived a tight battle to reach the championship contest of the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament with a 2-1 win over the 1916 Chicago American Giants.
Hilldale will face the winner of the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes at 1938 Kansas City Monarchs affair for the title.
An unearned run off Monarchs starting pitcher Dick Whitworth in the top of the ninth proved to be the difference for Hilldale.
Judy Johnson began the rally with a single. Whitworth fanned George Johnson, but walked Tank Carr. After Whitworth struck out his Hilldale mound counterpart Red Ryan, Otto Briggs smashed a ball to left that was misplayed by Pete Duncan.
Trailing 2-0 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Monarchs mounted a challenge that would come up short.
Pop Lloyd singled for his third hit. He promptly stole second and then scored on a triple by Bruce Petway.
From that point, Ryan was able to hold off the rally and earn the victory despite a walk to Bill Francis that increased his problems.
In his complete game effort, Ryan allowed eight hits to go with eight strikeouts. Whitworth also went the distance giving up six hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Hilldale’s first run of the contest came in the fifth when Briggs singled, swiped second and came home on a single by player-manager Frank Warfield.
Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship Game
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club vs. TBA
Semifinals
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club 2, 1916 Chicago American Giants 1
1945 Cleveland Buckeyes at 1938 Kansas City Monarchs
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