[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Saturday, April 21, 2001

Ruthlandian Baseball Union - North Division

Far Mountain Takes Tight Game from Colfax
Sonny Elliott outdueled Flash Guidry as the Far Mountain Redhawks opened the 2001 season with a 3-1 victory over the Colfax Blasters. Elliott checked them on 7 hits to get his first win. Guidry deserved a better fate. He was the victim of shoddy fielding and only gave up one earned run, while striking out 9. Second baseman Shirai Kobayashi had 2 hits to pace the Redhawks, including a solo homer.
Far Mountain drew over 10,000 to the first ever pro game at Sky High Stadium.

V's Balfour and McDonald Too Tough for A's
The Glasco A's opened their inaugural season in the IPA with an easy 6-2 drubbing of the Volusia Vigilantes. Jesse Balfour and Jeremiah McDonald teamed up to whip the V's. Balfour started and went 6.2 innings for the win. He tired and suffered from control problems with 6 walks, but held Volusia to just 2 runs before he retired for the day. McDonald shut down the Vigilantes the rest of the game on one hit to get the save.
Glasco belted out 11 hits in the game. Catcher Pete Kilgour was the Athletics batting leader with two hits and his first homer of the year. Right fielder Ox Beauvais collected 2-for-4 and drove in 2 runs.
Lefty Raul Sandoval took the loss for the V's, giving up 5 runs and 10 hits in 6 innings. Over 9,000 fans packed the ballpark.

Vipers Zalewski Zaps Elnora
On opening day 2001 it was all Zarek Zalewski. The tough righthander for the visting Valmara Vipers stopped the homestanding Elnora All-Stars 4-1, limiting them to 7 hits, while striking out 8 and walking 5 in a route-going performance. The losing pitcher was Tyrone Gray, who went 7 innings and allowed 5 hits and all 4 runs.
The All-Stars had over 12,000 in attendance at State Fair Park.