News Around the EBL
Kentala Blasts 3 out of the Park: It was a good day for the Trinidad City Jets and an exceptional one for Taylor Kentala. The 26-year-old catcher sent three bombs out of the park to help the Jets beat the Ladue Ducks 10-5 at Field of the Jets.
"When you're in the zone, the game really slows down," Kentala said when asked about his performance later. "I couldn't even tell you what pitches were thrown. Today feels great, but it is a long season and tomorrow is another day."
For the day, he scored 3 times, drove in 3 runs and smacked 3 hits in 4 at-bats.
Taylor Kentala hit a solo-shot off Paul Katz in the 2nd, grounded out in the 4th, hit a solo-shot off Tim Spires in the 6th and hit a solo-shot off Ryan Stansberry in the 8th.
So far in 2157 Kentala is batting .335 with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and 47 runs scored. He has 68 hits in 203 at-bats and a .429 OBP.
CL Awards Player of the Week Trophy: At the age of 29, Joe Duncan might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The New Charleroi shortstop put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .455 batting average. For his efforts Duncan collected the Continentall League Player of the Week Award.
He racked up 10 hits in 22 at-bats, 5 home runs and 10 RBIs last week in 7 games.
Duncan is hitting .360 this year with 15 home runs, 56 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He has 86 hits in 239 at-bats, 28 walks and a .422 on-base percentage. Duncan has played in 68 games.
NL Player of the Week Selected: 26-year-old Taylor Kentala made a few Trinidad City headlines during this past week as the rookie catcher proved he could compete at the plate with his high-school idols. He captured the attention of fans, journalists and National League officials last week and today took home Player of the Week honors for his effort.
He cracked 11 hits in 17 at-bats to put up a .647 average. Kentala collected 7 home runs, 12 RBIs and scored 9 runs.
For the year Kentala is batting .335 with 68 hits and 13 home runs. He has scored 47 times and driven in 50.
Mazur Out 5 Weeks: The Emmaus Pelicans have made it official: Nate Mazur is headed to the disabled list. The 26-year-old left fielder has been out since 06/19/2157 with shoulder tendinitis. He is expected to miss 5 weeks.
This year Mazur has socked 59 hits in 202 at-bats for a .292 average with 18 home runs. He is getting on base at a .365 pace and his totals also include 49 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
Great Day for Marinakis -- 5 Hits: Getting 5 hits in a game has always been memorable feat in baseball. In the Clayton's 8-5 win over Elyria today, shortstop Jon Marinakis was red-hot, scorching them for hit after hit at Sizemore Park.
"To hit the ball consistently well, you have to relax," Marinakis said afterward. "I was relaxed for the first four hits, but I have to admit, I got a little tight when I realized I had a chance for five. On the last at-bat, I was ready to swing at anything close."
Jon Marinakis singled in the 2nd, hit a two-run home run off Brent Connors in the 4th, singled in the 6th, doubled in the 9th, grounded out in the 11th and singled in the 13th.
Looking at his season stats, Marinakis has compiled a .378 batting average and a .423 on-base percentage, while hitting 12 home runs and driving in 54 runs.
Grissinger Stretches Hit String to 20: The Clayton Crows may have proven to be mere mortals today as they lost 11-3 to the Trinidad City Jets, but Jon Grissinger continued to hit like a god.
The second baseman collected 1 hit in 4 at-bats in the loss and extended his hitting streak to 20 games.
"Grissinger is playing great and is on fire right now," Crows manager Austin Dial said. "Hopefully his play can spark the rest of our team and help us pick up some wins."
Grissinger was apparently not happy with the game and when pressed by reporters in the locker room only said "nothing else matters but the loss."
Jon Grissinger flied out in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, struck out in the 6th and struck out in the 8th.
Presently Grissinger is batting .341 with 1 home run and 46 RBIs. He has played in 71 games and scored 42 times.
Weekly Team Power Rankings: Here are the current team power rankings for Elyrian Baseball League:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Trinidad City Jets (126.2, o)
2) Clayton Crows (110.2, o)
3) Emmaus Pelicans (108.6, +)
4) Tamarac Unforgiven (108.5, -)
5) Soulard Apache (100.4, +)
6) Ladue Ducks (100.1, +)
7) New Charleroi Vipers (93.6, -)
8) Alameda Outlaws (89.4, +)
9) East Winslow Buccaneers (88.8, --)
10) East Winslow Stags (86.1, +)
11) Oakdale Park Ravens (83.0, -)
12) Elyria Continentals (74.8, +)
13) Old Town Thugs (71.5, +)
14) Bonhomme Raiders (70.8, +)
15) Melrose Park Centaurs (69.8, --)
16) Leyden Seals (59.3, -)
Trades going on in the league:
Titans, Jets Trade Players: Both sides appear content with the trade finalized today that will send 33-year-old LF Seth Ernst and $6,008,710 in cash to the Trinidad City Jets, while the Ladue Titans will receive 26-year-old RHP Jason Murray.
"This is a move that filled a few gaps in our roster," said Pete Hunt, Titans general manager.
For his part, the Jets GM said the trade was made "in the best interest of our organization's future." BNN analysts reported that on paper the trade seemed to be a plus for both ball clubs. The players involved are expected to join their new teams for the next scheduled game.
Thus far this season in 26 games Ernst is batting .383 with 3 home runs, 25 RBIs and 22 runs scored. He has 36 hits in 94 at-bats.
Swap: Winn for Barnett: Both sides appear content with the trade finalized today that will send 34-year-old minor league 1B Andy Winn to the East Winslow Buccaneers, while the Old Town Thugs will receive 35-year-old minor league RHP Joey Barnett.
"This is a move that filled a few gaps in our roster," said John Staples, Thugs general manager.
For his part, the Buccaneers GM said the trade was made "in the best interest of our organization's future." BNN analysts reported that on paper the trade seemed to be a plus for both ball clubs. The players involved are expected to join their new teams for the next scheduled game.
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