[EMSoccerCoach]

April 7-13, 2014

Northern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
Philadelphia Ringers	6	1	.857	-
Boston Riders	5	2	.714	1.0
Charlotte Cougars	5	2	.714	1.0
New York Heroes	4	3	.571	2.0
Louisville Racers	3	4	.429	3.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Chicago Hitmen	5	2	.714	-
Indianapolis Engines	3	4	.429	2.0
Milwaukee Bangers	2	5	.286	3.0
Sacramento Stingers	1	6	.143	4.0
Wichita Brigade	1	6	.143	4.0

Southern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
Memphis Strummers	5	2	.714	-
Orlando Orcas	5	2	.714	-
New Orleans Knights	4	3	.571	1.0
Alabama Airmen	3	4	.429	2.0
St. Louis Tides	2	5	.286	3.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Arizona Sandmen	6	1	.857	-
Los Angeles Idols	4	3	.571	2.0
Las Vegas Bosses	3	4	.429	3.0
San Antonio Sheriffs	2	5	.286	4.0
Oklahoma City Scorpions	1	6	.143	5.0

Papelbon Leaves First Start With Injury Monday, April 7th, 2014: The New York Heroes are hoping their plans haven't been further altered, as Jonathan Papelbon left his Opening Day start against the defending champion Sacramento Stingers with elbow pain. Papelbon, moved into the rotation after injuries to ScottSanderson and Jim McCormick, threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out five before leaving the Heroes' 3-1 Opening Day victory. The team has him listed as day-to-day.

Rusie Hurls 10-inning 2-hit Shutout Vs Boston Monday, April 7th, 2014: Everything clicked on the hill today for Amos Rusie of the Chicago Hitmen as he hurled his club to a complete game 10-inning 2-0 shutout win over the Boston Riders, limiting them to 2 hits while recording 7 strikeouts and yielding no walks. He overpowered some batters with his fastball and buckled knees with his sharp breaking pitches. Rusie went 13-13 with a 4.00 ERA for Chicago last season, topping 200 strikeouts but also topping 100 walks. The Riders had nothing to offer on the day, the optimism of their inaugural 76-86 campaign stripped, for the moment at least. Rusie outdueled Boston's Tommy John, who also went 10 innings but allowed RBI hits in the 10th to Pat Putnam and Pete Hill. Babe Ruth went 2-for-3 with a walk before being removed for a pinch runner.

Ted Trent Sidelined for One Week Monday, April 7th, 2014: San Antonio fans will be disappointed to learn that Ted Trent suffered shoulder pain while throwing a pitch in today's game. Trent's been diagnosed with mild tendinitis and could miss his next start. But the injury is not expected to sideline Trent for long. The two-time Southern League Outstanding Pitcher went 14-14 with 3.48 ERA in 2013 after making

Memphis Loses Charleston Until May Tuesday, April 8th, 2014: Memphis announced All-Star centerfielder Oscar Charleston strained an oblique muscle reaching for a ball and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. The loss is obviously a rough one, as Charleston even in an off-year as he had in 2013 (.336-19-109), was top five in the Southern League Outstanding Hitter voting. Simply, he's been the PBL's best player since its inception in 2009. Now the defending Southern League champs must make due without him. Expect Dale Murphy to see some extra playing time in the interim.

Rookie Speaker Goes 5-5 for Tides Tuesday, April 8th, 2014: Rookie Tris Speaker of the St. Louis Tides went on a hitting spree today against San Antonio pitching, racking up 5 hits in 5 at-bats, but to no avail -- the Sheriffs put a damper on his day and prevailed 8-3 over the Tides. T. Speaker singled in the 1st, hit an RBI triple in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th and singled in the 9th. "The hits were nice, but we're trying to win games here," Speaker said afterward. He'll be vital if the Tides are to step up their game after a 68-94 inaugural season.

Charlotte Loses 2B Dunlap Wednesday, April 9th, 2014: The Charlotte Cougars were informed today by team doctors that second baseman Fred Dunlap sustained an oblique strain in a recent game against the Wichita Brigade and will not play for 1-2 weeks. Dunlap was hurt colliding with a player at a base. The team did not say whether it will put Dunlap on the disabled list. For now, it appears they will see how he responds to treatment.

Louisville Loses Southworth Until After Break Wednesday, April 9th, 2014: It was announced today in Louisville that Racers center fielder Billy Southworth will be out for at least 3 months. Southworth suffered a partially torn labrum that occurred during a game against the Chicago Hitmen. The injury will cause slugger John O'Rourke to move from designated hitter back out onto the field. Rookies Clyde Milan and Sherry Magee will share designated hitter duties for the moment.

New Orleans's Rich Harden Tears Tricep Wednesday, April 9th, 2014: The injury bug has nailed Rich Harden again. After making only 13 starts in 2013 thanks to separate stints for elbow and shoulder problems, Harden is on the shelf again, this time with a torn tricep. "What's there to say?" manager Walter Alston asked rhetorically. "It's unfortunate. He's a hell of a talent." The tear is small, but big enough to sideline the 26-year-old righty. He went 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA last season. First-round pick Hippo Vaughn will take Harden's slot in the rotation.

Riders Foster Dominates Stingers Thursday, April 10th, 2014: Rube Foster of the Boston Riders was one tough customer on the hill today. He blanked the Sacramento Stingers 5-0 on 5 hits, registering 6 strikeouts and 4 walks. "When he's on, he's tough to hit," said the Sacramento manager after the game. "He's just a bulldog out there." Chase Utley hit his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, and reigning Northern League Outstanding Hitter and Newcomer of the Year Buck Leonard drove in a pair as well for Boston.

Sutcliffe Dominates Brigade in Shutout Thursday, April 10th, 2014: It was a dismal game for the Wichita Brigade with Rick Sutcliffe on the hill. The Charlotte starter was in top form and made it a long day for Wichita with a 6-0 shutout. He surrendered a total of 5 hits and piled up 7 strikeouts to pick up the win in a complete game effort. Oyster Burns hit a 3-run homer to support Sutcliffe. Charlie Bennett and Bill Dahlen also drove in runs for Charlotte.

Rudy May Shuts Out New York Friday, April 11th, 2014: New York bats were ice cold today at Judges Ballpark. Boston's Rudy May chilled them down with a 9-0 victory. In a fine outing, the 22-year-old hurler allowed 2 hits while striking out 4 and walking 3. Pete Gillespie hit a 3-run double in the first inning and drove in four on the day for Boston, which continues to get excellent pitching in the season's opening week. Chase Utley and Harry Stovey each had three hits.

Pollet Too Tough, Blanks Wichita Sunday, April 13th, 2014: It was a smooth and solid performance by Howie Pollet of the Chicago Hitmen against Wichita today. He crafted a fine 3-hitter in blanking them 3-0 and chalked up 2 strikeouts and no walks along the way. "It certainly makes my job easy," said Chicago skipper Pat Moran. "When my pitcher pitches a shutout. I can just sit back, watch and enjoy." Moran got three hits from rookie third baseman Frank Baker, who's hitting .406 in the early going. Jose Cardenal, Milton Bradley and Pat Putnam drove in the runs for Chicago. Wichita continues to struggle collectively at the plate, batting .246 as they've dropped six of their first seven.

Jenkins Hurls 1-hit Shutout Against New Orleans Sunday, April 13th, 2014: Fergie Jenkins was virtually untouchable, and managed to keep his 8 walks from doing him in. The St. Louis starter hurled a 4-0 shutout victory against New Orleans, yielding 1 hit and striking out three. "A complete-game shutout. That's fun territory for me," he told reporters in the postgame interview. "I was able to keep the ball down. I can't explain the walks, but in the end it didn't matter." Ross Barnes hit a 2-out double in the sixth to break up the no-hitter. Rusty Staub had three hits for the Tides.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Northern League Names Charlotte's Hall POW Monday, April 14th, 2014: George Hall is respected by most Charlotte Cougars fans for his no-frills style of play. The 32-year-old left fielder went about his business with vigor last week to grab the Northern League Player of the Week honors. He compiled a .409 average (9-22) with 3 home runs, 8 RBIs and 7 runs scored. In Sunday's game against Milwaukee, Hall went 4-for-4 with 2 homers, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Horner Selected Top Performer in SL Monday, April 14th, 2014: Bob Horner is off to a rousing start after being given the third base job in New Orleans. The 23-year-old third baseman of won Player of the Week honors, batting .423 with 11 hits in 26 at-bats, 4 home runs and 6 RBIs. Horner takes over for Evan Longoria, whose rapid decline the past two seasons has seen him relegated to bench duty. The move to second base two years ago was obliterated by the emergence of Pete Rose last season. Now, Horner seems to have blocked him at third, at least for the near future.