Epic 27-round Game 3 decides fate of extra World Series ticket
SAN FRANCISCO (IMG Wire) – With a World Series trip on the line, IMG standouts Kevin “Fear the Beard” Doidge and Brian “third-string punter” Edwards squared off in the most epic cornhole battle ever witnessed by this reporter.
Doidge (L) and Edwards before the epic battle.
In the first game, Doidge started off with a 12-0 run, putting the pressure on Edwards from the beginning. With a skunk looming in this best-of-three series, the Los Gatos native put his first point on the board to ensure a full game. Despite the first point, it looked like Doidge was in for an easy win, until Edwards answered with a 15-point run to take the lead for the first time.
Both right-handers, the two battled back and forth with as many as four “Even Steven” rounds until Edwards was able to put in a creeper to take Game One 22-15.
After the game, Doidge recalled his early start and subsequent loss.
“I never felt comfortable with that lead,” he said, rolling up his shirtsleeves. “I just need to focus and get these sleeves out of the way.”
With the wardrobe adjustment complete, a relaxed Doidge started off with a great strategy: block Edwards’ well-known right-side alley. Edwards however, found another path to the hole and jumped out to a 7-2 lead. If this series has shown us anything, it’s that leads don’t last. Doidge dug deep, finding his groove and hanging on to push the series even at one game apiece with a commanding 21-11 point win.
“I got a little rattled there,” said Edwards. “I’m not used to playing without trash-talking, and honestly this one means too much to trash-talk. Man, I wish I had sleeves to roll-up as that strategy really paid off for Doidge.”
The pressure in Game 3 was palpable, and both seemed to struggle early on. The first two tosses were wild pitches, missing the board completely. Finally, Doidge found the board first, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second round, and maintaining that lead through the fifth round.
In the first game, Doidge started off with a 12-0 run, putting the pressure on Edwards from the beginning. With a skunk looming in this best-of-three series, the Los Gatos native put his first point on the board to ensure a full game. Despite the first point, it looked like Doidge was in for an easy win, until Edwards answered with a 15-point run to take the lead for the first time.
Both right-handers, the two battled back and forth with as many as four “Even Steven” rounds until Edwards was able to put in a creeper to take Game One 22-15.
After the game, Doidge recalled his early start and subsequent loss.
“I never felt comfortable with that lead,” he said, rolling up his shirtsleeves. “I just need to focus and get these sleeves out of the way.”
With the wardrobe adjustment complete, a relaxed Doidge started off with a great strategy: block Edwards’ well-known right-side alley. Edwards however, found another path to the hole and jumped out to a 7-2 lead. If this series has shown us anything, it’s that leads don’t last. Doidge dug deep, finding his groove and hanging on to push the series even at one game apiece with a commanding 21-11 point win.
“I got a little rattled there,” said Edwards. “I’m not used to playing without trash-talking, and honestly this one means too much to trash-talk. Man, I wish I had sleeves to roll-up as that strategy really paid off for Doidge.”
The pressure in Game 3 was palpable, and both seemed to struggle early on. The first two tosses were wild pitches, missing the board completely. Finally, Doidge found the board first, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second round, and maintaining that lead through the fifth round.
As many as nine even rounds were put up during the final game.
Edwards kept the pressure on and rolled in his patented “crawly” shot to take the lead back at 3-2. Edwards’ dominance continued over the Hoosier grad, taking a 12-2 lead. However, drawing on years of experience in the Tailgate League, Doidge inched back, round by round, pushing the score all-even at 15 in the 20th round.
“I was feeling in the zone,” said Doidge. “After years of playing in the SCHIT*, I’ve learned that this game is a game of streaks. Luckily I could turn it on before Bri got too far ahead.”
The game continued to see-saw back and forth until Edwards put the dagger in the game, clenching his World Series berth with a two-hole final round to win 22-17.
“Kev was really tossing the corn great out there,” said an exuberant Edwards in his post-game interview. “I really felt the pressure, but I just want to thank God for his strength today and helping me get this GIANT win… pun intended.”
“I was feeling in the zone,” said Doidge. “After years of playing in the SCHIT*, I’ve learned that this game is a game of streaks. Luckily I could turn it on before Bri got too far ahead.”
The game continued to see-saw back and forth until Edwards put the dagger in the game, clenching his World Series berth with a two-hole final round to win 22-17.
“Kev was really tossing the corn great out there,” said an exuberant Edwards in his post-game interview. “I really felt the pressure, but I just want to thank God for his strength today and helping me get this GIANT win… pun intended.”
Concentration is key in Cornhole Alley with a unique stadium layout, including office lighting, taunting spectators and low ceilings.
We caught up with Doidge after the battle for his final thoughts.
“I tried to invoke Steve-O rules, but Edwards wasn’t open to that,” Doidge said. “Obviously I’m not happy with the outcome, but I did give it my all out there, and I can only control my game. I do take some solace in the fact that the Heat lost last night.”
*The SCHIT is the annual Sausalito Corn Hole Invitational Tournament. Doidge serves as Commissioner of the league and tournament director.
BOX SCORE
Game 1: Edwards def. Doidge 22-15
Game 2: Doidge def. Edwards 11 21
Game 3: Edwards def. Doidge 22 17
Attendance: 1
“I tried to invoke Steve-O rules, but Edwards wasn’t open to that,” Doidge said. “Obviously I’m not happy with the outcome, but I did give it my all out there, and I can only control my game. I do take some solace in the fact that the Heat lost last night.”
*The SCHIT is the annual Sausalito Corn Hole Invitational Tournament. Doidge serves as Commissioner of the league and tournament director.
BOX SCORE
Game 1: Edwards def. Doidge 22-15
Game 2: Doidge def. Edwards 11 21
Game 3: Edwards def. Doidge 22 17
Attendance: 1
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