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The Islandian Times
March 7, 2004
Wildcats Will Be Pussycats Again In TU West
Aaron Hankins' Kenwood Wildcats were one of the surprisingly good expansion teams in 2002 with a fine 85-69 record, good for a second-place tie with Rolling Hills in the Tycobbian West, seven games behind the division winner, the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers. But last year was dismal as the Wildcat pitching turned into pussycats and Hankins' club fell to last place with a terrible 59-95 mark, 33 games behind the champion Bayview Vikings. Unless Kenwood comes up with better pitching, the Wildcats are destined for the basement again.
Hankins has a good hitting ball club. If the pitching can recover, fifth place is not out of the question. There are several other weak teams that finished just a few games ahead of the Wildcats last season. It wouldn't take much for them to overtake Chicopee (62-92), La Claire (61-93) and Arlon (61-93). However, the baseball writers don't expect Kenwood to contend for a playoff spot. They have too much ground to make up to compete with the likes of Bayview, Rolling Hills, Denton City and Bay St. Clair.
Rookie southpaw Glenn Stewart is Kenwood's only newcomer. The rest of the mound staff is recycled from 2002 and 2003. Hankins is hoping the magic of 2002 will re-emerge in 2004.
Best Pitchers: Johnny McBee (13-6 3.58)
Top Hitters: RF Aydan Winthrop (.262 BA/24 HR/92 RBI), LF Sassy Garfield (.318 BA/12 HR/53 RBI/66 R/21 SB) in 105 games, 3B Cecil Curry (.304 BA/17 HR/75 RBI), SS Nate Chamberlain (.288 BA/18 HR/76 RBI/85 R/16 SB), 2B Denholm Carruthers (.306 BA/11 HR/62 RBI/79 R)
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