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Pastime Baseball League

PBL Championship Series Preview

New Orleans Knights (95-67) vs New York Heroes (98-64)


NEW ORLEANS LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG J. Fournier .326 J. Rowe .314 S. Thompson .304 T. Hartsel .297 R. Barnes .293	Team Leaders HR S. Thompson 37 E. Longoria 28 G. Wright 26 P. Fielder 22 T. Hartsel 22	Team Leaders RBI S. Thompson 132 T. Hartsel 112 P. Fielder 104 E. Longoria 100 C. Granderson 95
Team Leaders W M. Prior 23 D. Willis 19 D. McJames 15 R. Nolasco 13 R. Harden 7	Team Leaders ERA D. Willis 3.16 M. Prior 3.21 D. McJames 3.89 R. Nolasco 4.78	Team Leaders K M. Prior 258 D. McJames 173 R. Nolasco 124 D. Willis 118 R. Harden 77

NEW YORK LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG R. Connor .319 D. Higham .313 J. Viox .303 J. Burkett .295 F. Jones .293	Team Leaders HR R. Connor 26 D. Wright 23 J. Burkett 17 F. Jones 15 I. Meusel 12	Team Leaders RBI 2 tied with 108 I. Meusel 108 D. Wright 108 J. Burkett 96 F. Jones 84
Team Leaders W J. McCormick 24 B. Byrd 21 H. Howell 20 B. Drake 9 2 tied with 6	Team Leaders ERA B. Byrd 3.18 J. McCormick 3.35 B. Drake 3.44 H. Howell 4.21	Team Leaders K B. Byrd 221 J. McCormick 166 H. Howell 158 B. Drake 150 B. Fuentes 71

It's a hard way to into a series if you're a New York fan, and a disappointing one if you're simply a baseball fan. But the absence of Roger Connor in the lineup is very real and something the New York Heroes have to cope with.

His replacement, Aaron Miles, hit .278 with 4 RBI in the five-game win over Wichita. Will that be enough against New Orleans? Perhaps not, but given Miles' .196 average during the season, the Heroes will take it.

As for New Orleans, their lineup beat the PBL's bet staff, but did it with the major caveat that San Antonio was without its ace. New York his its ace - two in fact. There will be a heavy load on Jim McCormick and Bill Byrd to carry New York through here.

As for New Orleans, they ride ace Mark Prior into the Championship. Prior will be given a full four days rest, meaning Doc McJames will start the opener against McCormick. Prior will go in Game 2 against Bill Byrd.

Season Series: New Orleans won 3 of 4

Prediction: New Orleans is flying high right now. New York shocked many with the ease by which they dispatched of Wichita in the Northern League Championship, considering they are without Outstanding Hitter candidate Roger Connor. It's too much to ask New York to do that again. New Orleans in 6.