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The Islandian Times
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two
Roosters Rule, Sweep Crusaders 9-4 in Elite 8
The Middlefield Roosters continued their rampage through the IPA playoffs by sweeping their third straight series. The Roosters roared past the St. John Crusaders 9-4 for their sixth consecutive victory and will now meet the Valmara Vipers for the Ruthlandian Union title in the Final 4. Sterling Eccles had their number for seven innings today as he shut them down 1-0 on a two-hitter, but that bubble burst in the six-run eighth. Middlefield tacked three more on in the ninth to win in a runaway. C Kevin Dial (.190) and 1B Allie Ludlow (.417) supplied the big blows as each walloped three-run homers in the Roosters nine-hit attack. CF Ty DeWitt had two hits and two RBIs. Starter Denny Yarrow (1-0 4.15) did a credible job for the win, holding St. John to three runs and five hits over seven and one-third innings. Yarrow walked three and fanned six. Closer Dave Webb (0-0 2.45) got his first postseason save, but did allow a run in his one and two-thirds innings. Eccles (0-1 3.68) absorbed the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits overall in seven-plus frames. Eccles struck out nine batters. Crusader RF Kenny Hatcher (.286) and 2B Tike Farthing (.304) both ripped homers in the last two innings.
The Final 4 Series will open in Middlefield this Thursday. It will be a best-two-out-of-three with Valmara having the homefield advantage in games two and three.
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