[illeracula]

Current Week: 3-1 (3-1 - GB, 1st (+1)
Next Week: 2 @ Richmond Cardinals, 4 vs Washington Senators
Power Ranking: 3
Fan Interest: 62
Owners Mood: Delighted

Personal Message from the Owner: Season Expectation:
Tony,

I have now decided on the goal for the coming season. After evaluating several factors, I have come to the conclusion that the team should play .500 ball.

Good Luck!
Bill Parker

Game 1
Ellicott City 3, Norfolk 7
Don Sweetapple (1-0) had a great first game, going 8 innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 8. Not bad for opening day performance. Dalton Whitaker pitched the 9th. Newcomer Jose Escamilla lead the offense going 3-5 with a HR (1), a 2B and 5 RBI. Ron Alder added 3 hits and a stolen base.

Game 2
Ellicott City 4, Norfolk 5
Carlos Mateo (1-0) threw 8-innings of his own, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 8. Dalton Whitaker pitched a rocky 9th (a walk, a 2-run HR and 3 K's) for the save (1). Kent Davis lead the offense with a 3-4 day, and Jose Rodriquez knocked the runs in going 2-4 with a HR (1) and 2 RBI.

Transactions: Elmer Hawkins has been activated and sent to the minors for a short rehab assignment.

Game 3
Ellicott City 9, Norfolk 5
Tsuneo Sato (ND) got roughed up over 6.1 innings, giving up 9 hits, 2 HR's) and 5 runs, walking 4 and striking out 5. Essie Bookelman (0-1) took home the loss with an awful 1.1 innings of work. Essie gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Roberto Perez and Mauro Candelaria lead the offense with 2-hits a piece, and Yasutoki Ine had 2 RBI, including his first big leauge hit. The offense left 11 runners on base.

Transactions: Yasutoki Ine got his cup of coffee, a nice tribute to the spring he had, but with Tomas Reyes back from the DL I felt like I had to make the move. Ine was sent down to AAA after going 1-7 in 2 games and Reyes was activated and insterted into the starting lineup.

Game 4
Ellicott City 0, Norfolk 5
Karl Armstrong (1-0) pitched a complete game one-hit shut-out. Armstrong struck out 6, walked 7 and was the benefactor of 3 double plays. Ron Alder, Jacob Chaney and Jose Rodriquez each had 2-hits, Chaney added 2 RBI. Tomas Reyes was 0-2 with 2 walks and 2-Runs in his return to the lineup. Pablo Freitas hit a solo-hr (1).

Post Game Report:
Walks Aplenty - Armstrong Has Trouble With Command: In today's outing, Norfolk Cavaliers starting pitcher, Karl Armstrong really had trouble finding the strike zone. My command was really poor today," said the flustered Armstrong. I think I need to work on finding a better rhythm for my pitches. Obviously what I am doing right now didn't work at all today."

Players of the Week:
Delaware: n/a
MarVa: n/a

Power Rankings:
1) Annapolis Admirals (188.0)
2) New Castle Colonials (140.0)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (138.0)
4) Georgetown Sixteens (138.0)
5) Richmond Cardinals (92.0)

Major Feats:
Jorge Sanchez (Ellicot City Express) 5 Hits
Ricardo Flores (New Castle Colonails) 5 Hits
Bruce Robertson (Georgetwon Sixteens) 20 Game Hitting Streak

Major Injuries:
Steve Williams - Annapolis Admirls - knee contusion - out 2 weeks

GM Thoughts/Notes: The bullpen had a rough week, but we are only 4 games in, so I still have faith in them. Elmer Hawkins is off the DL and getting some rehab before rejoining the team. He should give us a little boost in the pen. Will be tough to decide who gets sent down though. Elmer will be our only lefty, once again... All in all this was a good start to the season. The starters seem to be off to a hot start, and the offense is scoring runs. Best part is it wasn't just one player, everyone contributed... I will probably tweak the lineup a little bit over the next week or two just to see what will work best.