[EMSoccerCoach]

May 5-May 11, 2014

Northern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Heroes	19	12	.613	-
Charlotte Cougars	16	15	.516	3.0
Boston Riders	15	16	.484	4.0
Louisville Racers	15	16	.484	4.0
Philadelphia Ringers	13	18	.419	6.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Chicago Hitmen	22	9	.710	-
Indianapolis Engines	17	14	.548	5.0
Wichita Brigade	14	17	.452	8.0
Sacramento Stingers	13	18	.419	9.0
Milwaukee Bangers	12	19	.387	10.0

Southern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
Alabama Airmen	20	11	.645	-
New Orleans Knights	20	11	.645	-
Orlando Orcas	15	16	.484	5.0
Memphis Strummers	14	17	.452	6.0
St. Louis Tides	13	18	.419	7.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Arizona Sandmen	20	11	.645	-
Los Angeles Idols	15	16	.484	5.0
Las Vegas Bosses	14	17	.452	6.0
San Antonio Sheriffs	13	18	.419	7.0
Oklahoma City Scorpions	10	21	.323	10.0

Oklahoma City Helpless Against Harang Tuesday, May 6th, 2014: In an impressive mound performance, Aaron Harang of the Orlando Orcas topped the Oklahoma City Scorpions on a 3-hitter and held them scoreless. "He was getting ahead of us and keeping the ball off the plate," said Oklahoma City manager Ron Gardenhire. "Harang kept us confused the whole game." The Orlando hurler rang up 5 strikeouts and issued 2 walks in his 4-0 shutout victory. Harang was backed by a two-run double from Walton Cruise and RBIs from Honus Wagner and Jim Northrup. Harang has made 6 starts so far this year and put up a 3-2 won-lost record with a 2.09 ERA. In 47.1 innings he has allowed 30 hits, walked 10 and struck out 45.

San Antonio Loses Rafael Furcal Wednesday, May 7th, 2014: "I'm frustrated right now," said San Antonio shortstop Rafael Furcal. "I can't help this team by sitting on the bench or in the training room." Unfortunately for the Sheriffs, that's where he will be spending the next six weeks or so. Furcal suffered a fractured thumb in today's game against St. Louis, landing awkwardly after being taken out by the Tides' Pete Suder while trying to turn a double play. In 26 games Furcal is hitting .225 this season with 20 hits, 1 home run, 12 RBIs, 15 walks, a .336 OBP and 13 runs scored.

LaCoss Brilliant In Replacing Prior Wednesday, May 7th, 2014: It was like Mark Prior wasn't even hurt. Fans at MGM Field witnessed the Knights blank the Idols behind a superb effort by Mike LaCoss, brought up from the New Orleans Knights' reserve squad to make the first start in Mark Prior's slot after the star righthander went down for the season last week. LaCoss allowed 4 hits in recording the shutout. "I can't be Mark, but I am confident in my ability," LaCoss said afterward. "I've got a great team around me, so I just need to go out and execute my pitches, and that's what I did today." LaCoss was backed by four hits from Ross Barnes, and RBIs from Barnes, Sam Thompson and Prince Fielder in the Knights' 3-0 win.

Stingers Lock Up Bob Shawkey Thursday, May 8th, 2014: Happy times in Sacramento as the Stingers and star starting pitcher Bob Shawkey put the finishing touches on a $5,197,500 contract extension that will keep the 26-year-old in town through 2017. Shawkey went 18-7 with a 3.17 ERA last season after consecutive seasons of 4.61 ERAs. He threw a no-hitter against Chicago last September. "I play for the defending champions," Shawkey said. "Why would I want to go anywhere else?" So far this season, Shawkey is 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA.

Bender Superb Against New York Friday, May 9th, 2014: Boston's Chief Bender put a hex on New York in a sparkling 3-0 shutout performance, mesmerizing them on a 5-hit gem. "I feel good physically," he said. "Everything's comfortable. You should pitch well when that's the case." It was anything but comfortable for New York. "Bender used his changeup very well, very effectively," New York manager Bill McKechnie said. "He threw it in hitter's counts." The Boston Riders hurler fanned 1 and walked 1, and was backed by RBIs from Reggie Abercrombie, Harry Stovey and Dan Uggla. So far this year Bender has a 4-3 record with a 2.88 ERA.

Singer Shuts Out Struggling Oklahoma City Friday, May 9th, 2014: Bill Singer of the San Antonio Sheriffs shut out the Oklahoma City Scorpions 1-0, stopping them on 4 hits. Singer struck out five and walked none in a superb outing, as Oklahoma City's offensive woes continued. RyanBraun drove in the only run for San Antonio off Ken Holtzman, who dropped to 1-4 despite a stellar 2.54 ERA. The Scorpions are batting .248 as a team and are scoring just a tick over four runs a game. They have dropped 6 of 7 this month, scoring 14 runs in their one win over Las Vegas. They've scored 11 runs in their six losses, being shut out twice. "We need to get something going here," Scorpions manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Our pitching is keeping us in it, but we've got to get something going at the plate." Singer, however, made that difficult. After the game skipper Bobby Cox said, "He just came out and was on the attack from the first pitch he threw. When Bill stays ahead in the count, he does well. That's the key." So far this season Singer has a 3-2 record with a 2.05 ERA.

Haren Outduels McLain as Alabama Tops Orlando 1-0 Saturday, May 10th, 2014: It was a razor-sharp performance by Danny Haren of the Alabama Airmen against the Orlando Orcas. He fashioned a fine 4-hitter in blanking them 1-0. Haren struck out 6 and walked only one in outdueling Denny McLain (1-2, 2.44). Jimmy Rollins drove in Larry Stahl with a third-inning single for the game's only run. In 7 starts this season Haren has compiled a 3-0 record and a 2.60 ERA.

Charleston Hurt In FIrst Game Back Sunday, May 11th, 2014: He missed a month. He returned for three at bats. Memphis lost Oscar Charleston to the disabled list again, this time with a hamstring strain, as Charleston left after chasing down a Chad Tracy flyball to the gap. "It just popped a bit," Charleston said after the game. "I'm furious, but I'd rather miss two weeks than push it and miss two months." Memphis treaded water for April while being without Charleston, going 14-17 and staying in the hunt. But with Nick Johnson injured, Memphis is living dangerously.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NL Trophy Goes to Richardson of Louisville Monday, May 12th, 2014: Louisville signed second baseman HardyRichardson to a two-year deal in spring training. He's responded with the best start of his career. The 29-year-old Louisville second baseman is batting .311 with 13 RBI, 6 home runs and 15 runs. And, for batting .526 this week, Richardson was named Northern League Player of the Week. He racked up 10 hits in 19 at-bats, 2 home runs and 5 RBIs last week in 5 games.

SL Names Sheriffs' Dunn Player of the Week Monday, May 12th, 2014: San Antonio powerhouse Adam Dunn was named Southern League Player of the Week, going 9-for-19 with a homer. Thus far in 2014 Dunn is hitting .277 with 6 home runs, 13 RBIs, 15 runs scored and has compiled a .353 OBP.