ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 49

Eugene Church · 05-22-2009, 09:08 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 29, 2003

IPA Elite 8 Series

IPA Pro Cup Elite 8 Series Begins Today
And then there were only 8 -- the IPA Pro Cup playoffs are now down to just 8 teams and they will begin battle today for the title of the best professional baseball team in the Islands. The winner will claim the IPA Pro Cup.

Representing the Ruthlandian Union are the Valmara Vipers (95-59), St. John Crusaders (89-65), Elnora All-Stars (88-66), Middlefield Roosters (85-69), while the Tycobbian Union teams are the Bayview Vikings (92-62), Oxford Red Caps (87-67), Red Bluff Red Sox (85-69) and Turon Typhoons (84-70).

The Elite 8 playoff series will be a best-of-three with the All-Stars hosting the Vipers and the Roosters entertaining the Crusaders in the RU. The Tycobbian match-ups have Oxford on the road in Red Bluff and Bayview traveling to Turon. The teams will switch venues for games two and three.

And who is going to reign supreme? Who knows? In a short series the best team doesn't always win. All it takes is for a team to have two good games to take the series. They don't even have to be back-to-back good games. The team favored to take the crown this year has already bitten the dust. The San Alejo Montaneros (96-58) were knocked off in the Sweet 16 by the Turon Typhoons (84-70), who have had to come back in both of their series and win the last two games after an opening game loss. The Ranford Bulls (92-62) didn't make it past the first round. They were swept by Far Mountain (87-67). The defending IPA champions, the High Mesa Cowboys (84-70) also lost in the opening round, upset by the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (83-71). Another strong favorite, Volusia (88-66), was swept in two games by Forest City (80-74) in the first round. Hartsdale (88-66) also fell to some fine pitching by Luxora (82-72) in the opening round. A solid Fairfax Frog team (87-67) was beaten two in a row by Oxford (87-67) in round one.

My original pick to win the Ruthlandian Union was the Volusia Vigilantes because of their great pitching. Over in the West, San Alejo was my decided favorite. The Montaneros dominated the league this season in just about all categories just like they did last year. So much for those selections. Looks like I have to try my luck again.

This time around, if I went by who's playing the best right now, I would go with the powerful Oxford Red Caps and the upstart Middlefield Roosters, who both swept their First Round and Sweet 16 Series. I am going to do some intense computer analysis of all the Elite 8 teams and come up with some brilliant deductions and WARP factors.

Just kidding. I'll leave all that to the WORP aficianados.

I will quickly peruse the team stats, pitching rotations and line-ups and come to my astute prognostications. Two years ago Volusia and Ginza were rated sixth and seventh best by yours truly to win the inaugural championship. Nonetheless, they made the finals with the V's sweeping the Ninjas. Last year San Alejo and Glasco were my choices to get to the finals with the Montaneros taking the title. Surprise, surprise -- it didn't happen that way -- Glasco was eliminated in the Elite 8 by Elnora and San Alejo fell to the eventual Pro Cup winner, High Mesa in the Final 4. The Cowboys took the All-Stars in three straight to take the crown.

I think Elnora will win the Ruthlandian playoffs and Oxford will be left standing in the Tycobbian Union. When the dust settles on the diamond, the Red Caps will gloriously prevail. Manager Campy Roy has three fine workhorses in Boomer Belinsky (20-13 2.41), Dan Phillips (23-10 3.36) and Nicky Nicholson (16-14 2.83). They all three can go deep into the game with 39 complete games between them. In addition Roy has a strong closer in Emerson Carnell (5-5 2.68), who has yet to give up a run in nine innings in the playoffs. It's scary to look at the Red Cap line-up, which has five players who hit over 17 homers. 3B Joe Courtney (.342) topped them with 47, followed by CF Ike Plunkett (.314) with 36, LF Mac Spencer (.272) with 33, C Brad Earp (.277) with 21 and RF Dante Vander Meer (.268), who totaled 17 in 100 games. All of them hit from the left side and will face nothing but righthanders from Elnora. Oxford will play at least two games at Winchester Park which strongly favors lefties with its short right field fences. It's only 300 down the line, 335 to right and just 365 in the power alley in right. The Red Caps hit 189 out the ballpark this season and gave up only 76.

Zoggy White's Elnora All-Stars staff can't match Oxford's pitching corps, although they are quite good with the likes of Harry Dye (21-11 3.58), Taylor Gibbs (20-13 2.36) and Charlie Murphy (16-15 3.07). Elnora closer Matty Wilkerson (6-7 3.67) has not been as effective as Carnell. Give Oxford the edge there, too. The All-Stars have a solid quartet of hitters in 3B Dmitri Vrotsos (.300) with 29 roundtrippers, RF Quincy Peterson (.308) with 26, 2B Gil Foster (.312) with 24, LF Paul Giles (.244) with 22 and CF Rusty Gilbert (.315) with 15. But that pales in comparison with the Red Caps sluggers. Elnora went deep 142 times this season, while allowing only 89.

The two clubs are pretty even in team batting with Elnora hitting .269 and Oxford .267. The All-Stars have the edge with a 3.16 ERA to the the Red Caps 3.27 ERA. Elnora also tops them with a .977 FA to .970 for Oxford. Better power and stronger starters give the edge to Oxford. The Red Caps also have outstanding speed. They stole 176 bases to 91 for Elnora.

Of course, all of my astute reasoning could go out the window. I'm sure the other six clubs could have some influence on how all of this plays out. I don't think they are going to keel over and play dead now that I have told them they are not going to win.

Eugene Church · 05-23-2009, 08:48 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 29, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One

Valmara Wins Opener, Edges Elnora 5-4 in 13
In the opening game of the IPA Elite 8 Series at State Fair Park in Elnora, the Valmara Vipers edged the All-Stars 5-4 in 13 innings. Zoran Belakov led off with a double, advanced to third on a grounder and scored the winning run on a squeeze bunt by pinchhitter Yank Jankowski. Up until then each team blew several opportunities to win it. Elnora left 16 baserunners on and Valmara stranded 13. Yanni Wlodarczyk (1-0 0.00) worked five scoreless innings for the victory, but had some tense moments because of four bases on balls. Wlodarczyk had five strikeouts in the game. Hunk Schweitzer (0-1 3.38) relieved in the thirteenth and garnered the loss. Leading the Viper 16-hit attack were 3B Zoran Belakov (.241) and CF Jan Szymanski (.321) with three hits apiece. Szymanski also scored three times. Elnora had 14 hits and were paced by CF Rusty Gilbert (.393) and SS Jimmy Vaughan (.318), each with four hits. 1B Billy Massengale had the only home run in the game, a solo salvo in the second inning.

The second game in the series will be played tomorrow at War Memorial Stadium in Valmara. A win for the Vipers will send them to the Final 4 and send Elnora home for the season.

Eugene Church · 05-23-2009, 08:51 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 29, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One

Roosters Nip Crusaders 4-3 in Game 1
The red-hot Middlefield Roosters remained unbeaten in the playoffs with a 4-3 triumph over St. John in game one of the IPA Elite 8 Series. The Roosters were held to five hits, but they were enough to capture their fifth straight victory. RF Bailey Norcross (.300) won it with a solo shot in the eighth inning off losing pitcher George Wilson (0-1 9.00), who had just come on in relief at the start of the inning. Norcross led Middlefield with two RBIs. LF Cecil Clark (.316) also had a bases-empty homer in the second frame. The Crusaders registered eight hits and were sparked by back-to-back homers in the sixth by LF Don Kolstad's (.375) and 1B Frankie Faber (.308) that tied the score at 3-all. Kolstad hit a two-run shot. Winner Jamie Hicks (2-0 1.59) survived that inning and went the distance, striking out nine and walking two.

The series will continue with game two in St. John tomorrow afternoon. If necessary, game three will also be played at Cathedral Stadium.

Eugene Church · 05-23-2009, 08:53 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 29, 2003

Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One

Turon Tames Bayview 4-3 in Game 1
At Typhoon Stadium in Turon, the underdog Typhoons tamed the Bayview Vikings 4-3 in game one of their IPA Elite 8 Series. With the bases loaded and one away in the bottom of the ninth, LF Joe Wheeler hit a deep sacrifice fly that scored Boots Dubois with the winning run. Ian Knox (2-0 2.25) got the win with a scoreless ninth and the loss went to Terry Banks (1-1 9.00), who entered the game in the ninth. Turon jumped to an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first two innings, but Bayview came back to tie it on C Hank Bethel two-run homer in the sixth. Both clubs added a run in the seventh to make it 3-3. C Trace Crittenden's (357) solo shot tied it for the Typhoons. Turon outhit the Vikings 10-8.

Game two is slated at Downtown Plaza Stadium in Bayview tomorrow. The Vikings hold the home field advantage.

Eugene Church · 05-23-2009, 09:01 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 29, 2003

Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One

Red Sox Squeeze Out 4-3 Win Over Oxford in Game 1
Red Bluff won the first game of the Elite 8 playoffs in the friendly confines of Red Bluff Park squeezing past the Oxford Red Caps 4-3, giving them their first defeat in the postseason playoffs. Oxford had won four games in a row. The winning score came as a result of a botched fly ball by leftfielder Mac Spencer. He dropped a routine fly in the last of the sixth to put runners on second and third. 2B Tony Borcellino crossed the plate on RF Cowboy Kincaid's (.143) grounder to second base to bring in the victory. The Red Caps faulty defense cost them dearly in this one. They committed four errors in all. Mila Mihoski (2-0 4.70) toughed out the win, pitching into the ninth. After Mihoski put the winning runs on first and second with one out, Mack Connery summoned in his splendid closer John Dougherty, who walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. Then he induced the dangerous Ike Plunkett (.292) to hit a comebacker that Dougherty turned into a game-ending double play. Miholski gave up three runs and nine hits. Boomer Belinsky (1-1 3.52) went all the way in defeat allowing four runs and eight hits. Red Bluff 3B Vern Gable (.333) and SS Brooks Cole (.360) each drove in runs, while Plunkett had two runs batted in for the Red Caps and C Brad Earp (.381) got the other one.

The second game is slated for Winchester Park in Oxford tomorrow afternoon.

Eugene Church · 05-24-2009, 11:39 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two

Vipers Final 4 Bound, Eliminate Elnora 8-5
The Valmara Vipers are Final 4 bound after a miraculous late-inning recovery. Trailing Elnora 4-1 going into the eighth frame and seemingly out of it against hard-throwing Taylor Gibbs, the Vipers mounted a four-run outburst to take a 5-4 lead, gave it up in the top of the ninth and then won it 8-5 in the 12th on a three-run blast by 1B Masaichi Okawa. Both clubs had plenty of chances to win it with Valmara racking up 14 hits and Elnora getting 17. The All-Stars led 3-0 after four innings and 4-1 after seven. But then the vaunted Valmara bats erupted to take a 5-4 advantage, highlighted by Okawa's bases-loaded triple. Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.87) picked the victory despite being tagged for six hits in four scoreless innings. The defeat went to Matty Wilkerson (0-1 4.50), who allowed three runs in his two innings. Offensively Okawa (.344) was a one-man wrecking crew with three hits and six RBIs. Okawa now leads the postseason with 14 RBIs. CF Jan Szymanski (.313) homered in the sixth for the Vipers first score.

Valmara now awaits the Middlefield Roosters and will open the Final 4 Series on the road Thursday afternoon.

Eugene Church · 05-24-2009, 11:42 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two

Roosters Rule, Sweep Crusaders 9-4 in Elite 8
The Middlefield Roosters continued their rampage through the IPA playoffs by sweeping their third straight series. The Roosters roared past the St. John Crusaders 9-4 for their sixth consecutive victory and will now meet the Valmara Vipers for the Ruthlandian Union title in the Final 4. Sterling Eccles had their number for seven innings today as he shut them down 1-0 on a two-hitter, but that bubble burst in the six-run eighth. Middlefield tacked three more on in the ninth to win in a runaway. C Kevin Dial (.190) and 1B Allie Ludlow (.417) supplied the big blows as each walloped three-run homers in the Roosters nine-hit attack. CF Ty DeWitt had two hits and two RBIs. Starter Denny Yarrow (1-0 4.15) did a credible job for the win, holding St. John to three runs and five hits over seven and one-third innings. Yarrow walked three and fanned six. Closer Dave Webb (0-0 2.45) got his first postseason save, but did allow a run in his one and two-thirds innings. Eccles (0-1 3.68) absorbed the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits overall in seven-plus frames. Eccles struck out nine batters. Crusader RF Kenny Hatcher (.286) and 2B Tike Farthing (.304) both ripped homers in the last two innings.

The Final 4 Series will open in Middlefield this Thursday. It will be a best-two-out-of-three with Valmara having the homefield advantage in games two and three.

Eugene Church · 05-24-2009, 11:44 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two

Farley's HR Propels Turon By Viks 2-1 in Sweep
George Farley sent the ball soaring into the stands to propel the Turon Typhoons to a 2-1 triumph over much-favored Bayview to surprisingly sweep the IPA Elite 8 Series. Farley's (.222) two-run roundtripper overcame a 1-0 lead that the Vikings had nursed since the opening inning. It was a sterling duel between Typhoon starter James Longstreet and Bayview starter Adrian Strom. Longstreet (2-0 0.69) notched the win although he was plagued by control problems. He walked six, but allowed only one run on six hits. Strom (0-1 4.25) suffered a tough loss and gave up only two runs and five hits in seven innings with four Ks and no walks. Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00) hurled a perfect 1-2-3 ninth to nail down the save, his second in the playoffs. Not much offense in the game as the Typhoons collected only five hits and the Vikings six. Bayview got its only run in the opening frame on a walk, single, fielder's choice and a wild pitch.

The underrated Typhoons will meet the winner of the Red Bluff-Oxford series in the Final 4 and will host the opening game. That series gets underway this Thursday.

Eugene Church · 05-24-2009, 11:46 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two

Oxford Bombs Red Sox 12-2, Evens Elite 8 Series
At Winchester Park in Oxford, the Red Caps crushed Red Bluff 12-2 to even up the Elite 8 Series at a game apiece. Oxford's offense pounded out 11 hits, led by SS Paul Lassak (.261) with three RBIs. Three others chipped in a pair of RBIs each: C Brad Earp (.440), 3B Joe Courtney (.333) and winning pitcher Dan Phillips (.000). Not only did Phillips do the job with his bat, he did it on the mound, too. Phillips (2-0 1.65) pitched a standout game, stopping the heavy-hitting Red Sox on just three hits, while striking out four and walking four. Oxford tallied six runs in the second inning and then finished Red Bluff off with three in the fifth and three more in the sixth. They hung starter Leonard Urban (1-1 2.60) with the loss as they slammed him for six runs in one-plus inning. However, five of them were not earned.

The decisive third game will also be played in Oxford tomorrow afternoon. The winner will advance to the Final 4 opposite the Turon Typhoons. That series will start on Thursday.

Eugene Church · 05-25-2009, 02:26 PM

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Three

Oxford Downs Red Bluff 6-4, Advances To Final 4
The Oxford Red Caps came back and took the last two games of the Elite 8 Series with Red Bluff, downing the Red Sox 6-4 in game three at Winchester Park. The Red Caps started quickly and put three on the scoreboard in the opening frame on CF Ike Plunkett's (.313) two-run double and an RBI ground out by 3B Joe Courtney (.304). Red Bluff narrowed it to 3-2 with runs in the sixth and seventh, only to see Oxford expand the lead to 6-2 after eight innings. CF Kris Grabowski (.321) closed it to 6-4 with a two-run shot in the top of the ninth. Both ballclubs had 8 hits each with Plunkett and 2B Richie Vla (.345) pacing the Red Caps with 2-for-4 and two RBIs apiece. RF Dante Vander Meer (.379) slugged his third playoff homer for Oxford, while Grabowski and RF Lance Austen (.273) went deep for Red Bluff. The 30-year-old righthander Nicky Nicholson (2-0 1.23) pitched another strong game for Oxford and held the Red Sox to two runs - one earned - and six hits in seven innings. Closer Emerson Carnell (1-0 1.64) got credit for his second postseason save, but was tagged for Grabowski's homer and walked three in his two innings. Starter Frank Beaudoin (1-2 2.86) went down to defeat, permitting five runs in six innings.

Now it's on to the IPA Final 4 for Campy Roy's Red Caps. They will be favored to whip the surprising Turon Typhoons in the next round. Turon will entertain Oxford in the first game tomorrow.

Eugene Church · 05-25-2009, 10:14 PM

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 2, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game One

Middlefield Wins 7th Straight, Drubs Vipers 7-3
The Middlefield Roosters are on a remarkable run. They have won all seven of their playoff games, this time drubbing the Valmara Vipers 7-3 at Middlefield Park in the opening game of the IPA Pro Cup Final Four. One more win and the Roosters will play for all the marbles in the Pro Cup Title Series. Middlefield racked up 11 hits and were sparked by CF Ty DeWitt (.370) with 4-for-4 performance and homers by LF Cecil Clark (.259) and RF Bailey Norcross (.308). The Roosters took a 3-1 lead after three innings and increased it to 7-2 with a four-run seventh. Jackie Lee Bevis (3-0 1.88) became the first three-game winner this postseason. He held powerful Valmara to two runs in six and two-thirds innings, only one of them earned. Closer Dave Webb (0-0 3.00) managed an ugly save as he gave up one run, three hits and walked one in two and one-third frames. It was Webb's second save this postseason. Andre Trepanier (0-3 3.27) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on six hits, but only one of them was earned. The Vipers collected 11 hits, but left 12 men on base.

The Final 4 Series will now head to Valmara and War Memorial Stadium for game two.

Eugene Church · 05-25-2009, 10:15 PM

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 2, 2003

Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game One

Turon Wins Final 4 Opener, Trims Red Caps 7-4
In game one of the Final 4 Series, Turon tripped Oxford 7-4 at Typhoon Stadium, paced by a strong relief effort on the part of Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00), who tossed three scoreless innings for his third save in this postseason. The win didn't come easy as the Red Caps scored a pair of runs in each of the second and fourth innings, taking a 4-1 lead, but the Typhoons slammed them for five runs in the fourth to pull away and claim the victory. 11 bases on balls made it tough for Turon. Starter and winner Scotty Boswell (3-0 2.86) walked eight in his six innings as he allowed four runs and seven hits. Closer Yokum also issued three walks, but only permitted one hit and fanned five. Oxford was pathetic in the clutch and stranded 14 runners. Boomer Belinsky (1-2 3.98) did not have one of his better games as Turon battered him for seven runs in five innings, only three of them earned. Leading the Typhoon offense was CF Denny Wilcox (.235), who had a triple, scored twice and batted in three runs. RF George Farley (.258) doubled twice and scored twice in the game. Red Cap SS Paul Lassak (.290) smacked two hits and drove in three runs.

Favored Oxford will try to regroup and even the series tomorrow afternoon at Winchester Park in Oxford.

Eugene Church · 05-26-2009, 08:59 PM

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 3, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Two

Vipers Rap Roosters 9-4, Even Final 4 Series
At War Memorial Stadium in Valmara, the Vipers snapped Middlefield unbeaten streak at seven with a 9-4 shellacking. 1B Masaichi Okawa (.359) and SS Steve Androwski (.326) both homered twice and each batted in four runs to rout the Roosters and even up the Final 4 Series at one game apiece. Okawa has three homers and 18 RBIs in the postseason. Valmara only got seven hits but made each one of them count. They jumped out to a 6-0 margin after two innings with Danny Blauser (3-0 3.26) shutting out Middlefield for five innings. The Roosters mounted a mild comeback and cut the lead to 7-4 with three runs in the seventh, but the Vipers retaliated with two in the bottom of the inning. Blauser registered the win, gave up four runs and eight hits in six and one-third inning with five walks and four Ks. Vanya Vasylenko saved it for him with his second save. Vasylenko held Middlefield hitless over the final two and two-thirds innings. LF Cecil Clark paced the Roosters with three hits. Losing pitcher Jamie Hicks (2-1 3.50) suffered a terribly bad first inning and was tagged for four runs on just one hit and three bases on balls. Okawa sent him reeling with a three-run smash to make it 4-0 in the opening inning. The Roosters never recovered.

Game three will be played tomorrow in Valmara. The winner will go on and contend for the Islandian Pro Cup against the winner of Oxford and Turon.

Eugene Church · 05-26-2009, 09:04 PM

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 3, 2003

Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Two

Oxford Stays Alive, Tops Turon 2-1
Oxford manager Campy Roy called on his ace and 23-game winner Dan Phillips to keep them alive in the Final 4 playoffs. Down one game and facing elimination Phillips fired a five-hitter to skim by the tough Turon Typhoons 2-1 and deadlock the series at one game each. Phillips, a 25-year-old righthander, went the distance, fanned six batters and walked four. Oxford got the winning run in the last of the eighth. Losing pitcher Ian Knox hit 2B Richie Vla with two away and CF Ike Plunkett prompty plated him with a double. The game was scoreless for five innings. In the top of the sixth the Typhoons took the lead when 1B Boots Dubois (.243) singled, stole second, advanced to third on a deep fly, then scored the first run of the game on a single by RF George Farley (.257). The Typhoon starter Jeb Pickett (0-2 3.80) hurled an outstanding game, limiting the Red Caps to just two hits, while striking seven. Pickett brilliantly no-hit them for five and two-thirds innings. His only sin came in the seventh when he gave up a home run to 3B Joe Courtney to tie the game at 1-1. Oxford only got three hits in the game.

The rubber game is scheduled for tomorrow at Winchester Park in Oxford. The winning team will advance to the IPA championship series against the survivor from the Ruthlandian Union. The IPA Pro Cup Series is a best-of-five affair. Valmara and Middlefield will also battle tomorrow for the RU title and the right to advance to the finals.

Eugene Church · 05-27-2009, 03:52 PM

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 4, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Three

Vipers End Roosters Season 5-2, Now in IPA Finals
Valmara won more games than any other Ruthlandian Union team, so it is poetic justice that they represent it in the Islandian Pro Cup Series. The Vipers and Zarek Zalewski put an end to the valiant Middlefield Roosters who pushed them hard in the Final 4 Series, yet succumbed 5-2 in the third and decisive game. Zalewski (3-0 3.64) worked a strong eight innings and held the Roosters to two runs on six hits for his third playoff win. Closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.79) continued his playoff brilliance by putting down Middlefield in order in the ninth for his third save in the postseason. Southpaw Denny Yarrow (1-1 4.95) absorbed the loss, giving up five runs and 11 hits in seven innings. The Roosters scored first with two in the first frame on RF Bailey Norcross' (.294) two-run double. Viper SS Steve Androwski (.326) answered that in the last of the second with a two-run two-bagger. Single runs in the third, fourth and fifth by Valmara cinched the game. RF Val Krol (.295) led the Vipers with 3-for-4 and scored twice, while LF Jet Kazmarek (.304) had two hits, stole three bases, including home, and scored twice. 1B Masaichi Okawa (.381) added a pair of hits.

Valmara will now go up against the Turon-Oxford winner in the Pro Cup Series, scheduled to begin tomorrow at the home field of the Tycobbian Union victor.

Eugene Church · 05-27-2009, 03:55 PM

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 4, 2003

Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Three

Typhoons Upset Favored Oxford in Final 4
Manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn was all smiles after his underdog Turon Typhoons upset the favored Oxford Red Caps in the Tycobbian Union Final 4. Richburn told reporters, "We may not look that good on paper, but it's what you do on the field that wins ballgames." Turon knocked off Oxford 7-2 in game three of the series, relying on strong pitching by James Longstreet and clutch hitting. Longstreet (3-0 1.03) stopped the Red Caps on just five hits with five strikeouts and three bases on balls for this third playoff victory. CF Lance Ambrose (.321) sparked the offense with 3-5, scored twice and drove in three runs. 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.182) chipped in with two RBIs. Nicky Nicholson (2-1 2.73) was no match for Longstreet as he was touched for five runs in four-plus innings. It was Nicholson's first playoff loss this season. Mikkelsen doubled in the first run of the game in the first and Ambrose tripled in two more in the second inning, making it 3-0 in favor of the Typhoons. Mikkelsen, C Trace Crittenden (.273) and 3B Ernie Fletcher (.286) drove in runs in the fifth, running it up to 6-0. Oxford scored in the last of the fifth when C Brad Earp (.325) singled in a run. Turon got its last run in the sixth on Longstreet's (.167) triple and Ambrose's single. Red Cap Earp finished out the scoring with his solo homer in the eighth.

Ashburn said, "We live and die with out pitching. That is the key to our success." Turon has only one .300 hitter in the playoffs - Lance Ambrose is batting .321 so far.

The Typhoons will vie with the powerful Valmara Vipers, who have five .300 hitters in their line-up. Game one of the Islandian Pro Cup Series will be held at Typhoon Stadium in Turon and wll get underway tomorrow afternoon. It will be a best-three-out-of-five games series.

Eugene Church · 05-28-2009, 09:49 PM

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 5, 2003

IPA Pro Cup Series Starts Today in Turon

The Islandian Pro Cup Playoffs began with 32 teams and has now been pared down to just two - the powerful Valmara Vipers of the Ruthlandian Union and the surprising Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union. The Vipers, piloted by J. Jackson Samuel, were one of the favorites when the process began, while Turon was just expected to be an also-ran. Valmara won the RU North with a splendid 95-59 record. Only San Alejo won more games with a 96-58 mark in the Tycobbian Union South Division. The Typhoons under manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn finished in a tie for second place with an 84-70 record. They were 12 games behind the champion Montaneros.

Both managers are glad to see a best-of-five series. They agreed the longer series will favor the better team. Viper manager J. Jackson Samuel said, "The best team doesn't always win in a short best-of-three playoff. I'm hoping next year the IPA will adopt a new playoff policy and make it best-of-five in the early rounds and best-of-seven in the Pro Cup Series. There's a lot of sentiment to move in that direction."

Turon had the tougher task as it had to dispose of Bayview and San Alejo, two division winners, and a very strong Oxford club to claim its slot in the Pro Cup Series. In its postseason quest Valmara had to whip the strong Elnora All-Stars, a division winner, along with Far Mountain and Middlefield.

In the finals, it will be Turon with good pitching and solid defense going up against the power and hitting of Valmara. The Typhoons have had outstanding mound work in the playoffs. Its pitching corps has stopped three of the best hitting teams in the IPA. Will it be enough to get by the potent Valmara Vipers?

How do the two clubs shape up in comparison?
Batting Average: Valmara (.267) Turon (.264)
Runs: Valmara (781) Turon (680)
Home Runs: Valmara (158) Turon (116)
ERA: Valmara (3.43) Turon (3.43)
Home Runs Allowed: Valmara (105) Turon (107)
Field Percentage: Turon (.973) Valmara (.971)
Double Plays: Valmara (161) Turon (146)
Home Record: Valmara (52-25) Turon (47-30)
Away Record: Valmara (43-34) Turon (37-40)
RHP: Valmara (73-43) Turon (49-51)
LHP: Turon (35-19) Valmara (22-16)

On paper, you have have to give the Vipers a decided edge. The Typhoons will be the underdogs as they have been through out the playoffs. That hasn't stopped them yet. Maybe good pitching and good defense does beat good hitting.

Checking out the line-ups:
C: Turon... Trace Crittenden gets the edge over Yoshi Motsuzaki with better power (25 HR to 16) and better defense (.987 to .976 and 31.9% RTO to 28.8%)... Motsuzaki (.282 BA to .261 BA)... Crittenden made the All-Star team in 2002... Motsuzaki was an All-Star in 2001. In the playoffs Motsuzuki is batting .340, scored 11 times and stolen five bases.

1B: Turon... Boots Dubois is a better hitter and better gloveman than Masaichi Okawa... Dubois (.317, 15 HR, 86 RBI, 94 R, 21 SB, .997 FA) to Okawa (.248, 20 HR, 88 RBI, .989 FA)... Dubois was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2002... However, Okawa is hitting .381 in the playoffs with 18 RBIs... Dubois was the Typhoon only .300 batter during the regular campaign.

2B: Valmara... Floyd Vinson (.299 BA, 7 HR, 99 RBI, .971 FA)... Ronnie Mikkelsen (.276 BA, 16 HR, 82 RBI, .976 FA)... Vinson leads the Vipers with a .390 BA in the playoffs.

3B: Even... Valmara's Zoran Belakov (.239 BA, 17 HR, .923 FA)... Turon's Ernie Fletcher (.262 BA, 13 HR, .937 FA)... Fletcher tops the Typhoons with 9 RBIs in the postseason... Belakov has 6.

SS: Valmara... slight edge to Steve Androwski (.271 BA, 20 HR, .961)... over John-Paul Trevenot (.286 BA, 7 HR, .966 FA)... Androwski is batting .326 with 12 RBIs in the postseason.

LF: Valmara... decided edge with Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA, 14 HR, 91 RBI, 117 R, 102 SB, .964 FA, 9 Assists)... over Joe Wheeler (.281 BA, 14 HR, 66 RBI, .947 FA, 9 Assists)... Kazmarek hit a record .428 in 2002... RU MVP and Golden Bat in 2002... set SB mark with 102 this year and 10 thus far in the playoffs... Kazmarek has scored 12 runs.

CF: Valmara... big edge with Jan Szymanski (.262 BA, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 93 R, .979, 5 Assists)... over the Turon tandem Lance Ambrose (.287 BA, 6 HR, .977 FA 2 Assists) and Denny Wilcox (.272 BA, 3 HR, .983 FA, 2 Assists)... Ambrose leads the Typhoons with a .321 average in the playoffs.

RF: Valmara... Val Krol (.288 BA, 17 HR, 79 RBI, .983 FA, 14 Assists)... George Farley (.238 BA, 18 HR, 66 RBI, .972, 15 Assists).

Starters: Turon... Jeb Pickett (17-7 2.64) and James Longstreet (5-4 2.95) get the slight nod over All-Star Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93) and Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16)... Turon's Scotty Boswell (15-16 3.47) and Valmara's Zarek Zalewski (9-3 3.94) are pretty even in the third starter role. All are righthanders except for Blauser. The Typhoon hitters prefer southpaws, while the Vipers do really well against righthanders.

In the postseason Longstreet (3-0 1.03) and Boswell (3-0 2.86) have excelled, while Pickett (0-2 3.80) has struggled. Blauser (3-0 3.26) and Zalewski (3-0 3.65) have done very well with Trapanier (0-3 3.27) doing well, but not winning.

Bullpen: Even... Typhoon closer Mac Yokum (4-7 2.67) and Viper closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) had excellent regular seasons... In the postseason Yokum (0-0 0.00) has been brilliant with 3 saves and has not allowed a run in 9 innings, while Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.79) has been outstanding with 3 saves and two victories.

The experts are going by the book and have overwhelmingly chosen Valmara to capture the Islandian Pro Cup this season to join the previous winners, the Volusia Vigilantes of the Tycobbian Union in 2001 and last year's winner, the High Mesa Cowboys.

Turon skipper Whitey Richburn told BNN, "All I can tell you is me and my little puny boys will be there... play our butts off... and hopefully make all of the experts wrong. You know they have been wrong before. They have yet to pick us in a series this season, but we are still alive and kicking and just three wins away from the Island title. I like my ballclub and I like my chances. We will have to beat a fine team to take the championship, but we already have beaten three fine teams... and we think we can beat another one this time around."
3B020B
Valmara manager J. Jackson Samuel gave his succinct assessment of the series, "If we continue to hit, we will win." The Viper line-up has five hitting over .300 with Vinson leading with a .390 mark. Okawa has a .381 average, Motsuzuki .340, Androwski .326 and Jet Kazmarek at .304. Right behind them are Szymanski and Krol, both batting .295.

Simmo13 · 05-29-2009, 07:06 AM

Eugene, the anagram-ish managers names are a nice touch....I like Ashton "Whitey" Richburn.

Eugene Church · 05-29-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmo13

Eugene, the anagram-ish managers names are a nice touch....I like Ashton "Whitey" Richburn.

I'm glad you noticed.

Thanks for posting and viewing.

Eugene Church · 05-29-2009, 07:23 PM

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 5, 2003

Islandian Pro Cup Series - Game One at Turon

Turon Squeaks by Valmara 4-3 in Pro Cup Opener
Underdog Turon rallied in the late innings to squeak by the highly-favored Valmara Vipers 4-3 in the opening game of the Islandian Pro Cup Series played at Typhoon Stadium. 1B Boots Dubois (.267) doubled in CF Lance Ambrose (.344) with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh, sending relief ace Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-1 2.19) down to defeat. Turon closer Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00) shut out the Vipers on two hits over the final two frames for his fourth save in the postseason. The Typhoons went in front in the first when Dubois doubled, stole third and rode in on a ground out to short by 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.188). Valmara retaliated with three runs in the top of the fourth on RBIs by 1B Masaichi Okawa (.370), 3B Zoran Belakov (.208) and RF Val Krol (.313). Turon cut it to 3-2 in the sixth on RF George Farley's (.220) sacrifice fly. In the decisive seventh SS John-Paul Thevenot (.243) doubled with one out, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Ambrose to tie it up at 3-3. The victory went to Jacques Lemaire (1-0 9.00), who got starter Scotty Boswell out of a serious jam in the top of the seventh. Boswell had walked the bases loaded and with two away Lamaire retired CF Jan Szymanski (.277), one the best RBI men in the IPA. Dubois paced the Typhoons with three hits, including two doubles, and scored twice. Viper starter Andre Trepanier (0-3 3.21) continued to pitch well, but got no decision. Trepanier worked six solid innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He departed with a 3-2 lead.

Game two is set for tomorrow afternoon at Typhoon Stadium. The series will switch to Valmara and War Memorial Stadium for game three, and if necessary, games four and five.

05-22-2009, 09:08 PM	#961
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Monday, September 29, 2003 IPA Elite 8 Series IPA Pro Cup Elite 8 Series Begins Today And then there were only 8 -- the IPA Pro Cup playoffs are now down to just 8 teams and they will begin battle today for the title of the best professional baseball team in the Islands. The winner will claim the IPA Pro Cup. Representing the Ruthlandian Union are the Valmara Vipers (95-59), St. John Crusaders (89-65), Elnora All-Stars (88-66), Middlefield Roosters (85-69), while the Tycobbian Union teams are the Bayview Vikings (92-62), Oxford Red Caps (87-67), Red Bluff Red Sox (85-69) and Turon Typhoons (84-70). The Elite 8 playoff series will be a best-of-three with the All-Stars hosting the Vipers and the Roosters entertaining the Crusaders in the RU. The Tycobbian match-ups have Oxford on the road in Red Bluff and Bayview traveling to Turon. The teams will switch venues for games two and three. And who is going to reign supreme? Who knows? In a short series the best team doesn't always win. All it takes is for a team to have two good games to take the series. They don't even have to be back-to-back good games. The team favored to take the crown this year has already bitten the dust. The San Alejo Montaneros (96-58) were knocked off in the Sweet 16 by the Turon Typhoons (84-70), who have had to come back in both of their series and win the last two games after an opening game loss. The Ranford Bulls (92-62) didn't make it past the first round. They were swept by Far Mountain (87-67). The defending IPA champions, the High Mesa Cowboys (84-70) also lost in the opening round, upset by the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (83-71). Another strong favorite, Volusia (88-66), was swept in two games by Forest City (80-74) in the first round. Hartsdale (88-66) also fell to some fine pitching by Luxora (82-72) in the opening round. A solid Fairfax Frog team (87-67) was beaten two in a row by Oxford (87-67) in round one. My original pick to win the Ruthlandian Union was the Volusia Vigilantes because of their great pitching. Over in the West, San Alejo was my decided favorite. The Montaneros dominated the league this season in just about all categories just like they did last year. So much for those selections. Looks like I have to try my luck again. This time around, if I went by who's playing the best right now, I would go with the powerful Oxford Red Caps and the upstart Middlefield Roosters, who both swept their First Round and Sweet 16 Series. I am going to do some intense computer analysis of all the Elite 8 teams and come up with some brilliant deductions and WARP factors. Just kidding. I'll leave all that to the WORP aficianados. I will quickly peruse the team stats, pitching rotations and line-ups and come to my astute prognostications. Two years ago Volusia and Ginza were rated sixth and seventh best by yours truly to win the inaugural championship. Nonetheless, they made the finals with the V's sweeping the Ninjas. Last year San Alejo and Glasco were my choices to get to the finals with the Montaneros taking the title. Surprise, surprise -- it didn't happen that way -- Glasco was eliminated in the Elite 8 by Elnora and San Alejo fell to the eventual Pro Cup winner, High Mesa in the Final 4. The Cowboys took the All-Stars in three straight to take the crown. I think Elnora will win the Ruthlandian playoffs and Oxford will be left standing in the Tycobbian Union. When the dust settles on the diamond, the Red Caps will gloriously prevail. Manager Campy Roy has three fine workhorses in Boomer Belinsky (20-13 2.41), Dan Phillips (23-10 3.36) and Nicky Nicholson (16-14 2.83). They all three can go deep into the game with 39 complete games between them. In addition Roy has a strong closer in Emerson Carnell (5-5 2.68), who has yet to give up a run in nine innings in the playoffs. It's scary to look at the Red Cap line-up, which has five players who hit over 17 homers. 3B Joe Courtney (.342) topped them with 47, followed by CF Ike Plunkett (.314) with 36, LF Mac Spencer (.272) with 33, C Brad Earp (.277) with 21 and RF Dante Vander Meer (.268), who totaled 17 in 100 games. All of them hit from the left side and will face nothing but righthanders from Elnora. Oxford will play at least two games at Winchester Park which strongly favors lefties with its short right field fences. It's only 300 down the line, 335 to right and just 365 in the power alley in right. The Red Caps hit 189 out the ballpark this season and gave up only 76. Zoggy White's Elnora All-Stars staff can't match Oxford's pitching corps, although they are quite good with the likes of Harry Dye (21-11 3.58), Taylor Gibbs (20-13 2.36) and Charlie Murphy (16-15 3.07). Elnora closer Matty Wilkerson (6-7 3.67) has not been as effective as Carnell. Give Oxford the edge there, too. The All-Stars have a solid quartet of hitters in 3B Dmitri Vrotsos (.300) with 29 roundtrippers, RF Quincy Peterson (.308) with 26, 2B Gil Foster (.312) with 24, LF Paul Giles (.244) with 22 and CF Rusty Gilbert (.315) with 15. But that pales in comparison with the Red Caps sluggers. Elnora went deep 142 times this season, while allowing only 89. The two clubs are pretty even in team batting with Elnora hitting .269 and Oxford .267. The All-Stars have the edge with a 3.16 ERA to the the Red Caps 3.27 ERA. Elnora also tops them with a .977 FA to .970 for Oxford. Better power and stronger starters give the edge to Oxford. The Red Caps also have outstanding speed. They stole 176 bases to 91 for Elnora. Of course, all of my astute reasoning could go out the window. I'm sure the other six clubs could have some influence on how all of this plays out. I don't think they are going to keel over and play dead now that I have told them they are not going to win. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-22-2009 at 09:17 PM.

05-23-2009, 08:48 PM	#962
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Monday, September 29, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One Valmara Wins Opener, Edges Elnora 5-4 in 13 In the opening game of the IPA Elite 8 Series at State Fair Park in Elnora, the Valmara Vipers edged the All-Stars 5-4 in 13 innings. Zoran Belakov led off with a double, advanced to third on a grounder and scored the winning run on a squeeze bunt by pinchhitter Yank Jankowski. Up until then each team blew several opportunities to win it. Elnora left 16 baserunners on and Valmara stranded 13. Yanni Wlodarczyk (1-0 0.00) worked five scoreless innings for the victory, but had some tense moments because of four bases on balls. Wlodarczyk had five strikeouts in the game. Hunk Schweitzer (0-1 3.38) relieved in the thirteenth and garnered the loss. Leading the Viper 16-hit attack were 3B Zoran Belakov (.241) and CF Jan Szymanski (.321) with three hits apiece. Szymanski also scored three times. Elnora had 14 hits and were paced by CF Rusty Gilbert (.393) and SS Jimmy Vaughan (.318), each with four hits. 1B Billy Massengale had the only home run in the game, a solo salvo in the second inning. The second game in the series will be played tomorrow at War Memorial Stadium in Valmara. A win for the Vipers will send them to the Final 4 and send Elnora home for the season. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-23-2009 at 08:50 PM.

05-24-2009, 11:39 PM	#966
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Tuesday, September 30, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two Vipers Final 4 Bound, Eliminate Elnora 8-5 The Valmara Vipers are Final 4 bound after a miraculous late-inning recovery. Trailing Elnora 4-1 going into the eighth frame and seemingly out of it against hard-throwing Taylor Gibbs, the Vipers mounted a four-run outburst to take a 5-4 lead, gave it up in the top of the ninth and then won it 8-5 in the 12th on a three-run blast by 1B Masaichi Okawa. Both clubs had plenty of chances to win it with Valmara racking up 14 hits and Elnora getting 17. The All-Stars led 3-0 after four innings and 4-1 after seven. But then the vaunted Valmara bats erupted to take a 5-4 advantage, highlighted by Okawa's bases-loaded triple. Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.87) picked the victory despite being tagged for six hits in four scoreless innings. The defeat went to Matty Wilkerson (0-1 4.50), who allowed three runs in his two innings. Offensively Okawa (.344) was a one-man wrecking crew with three hits and six RBIs. Okawa now leads the postseason with 14 RBIs. CF Jan Szymanski (.313) homered in the sixth for the Vipers first score. Valmara now awaits the Middlefield Roosters and will open the Final 4 Series on the road Thursday afternoon. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-24-2009 at 11:40 PM.

05-25-2009, 02:26 PM	#970
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Wednesday, October 1, 2003 The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Three Oxford Downs Red Bluff 6-4, Advances To Final 4 The Oxford Red Caps came back and took the last two games of the Elite 8 Series with Red Bluff, downing the Red Sox 6-4 in game three at Winchester Park. The Red Caps started quickly and put three on the scoreboard in the opening frame on CF Ike Plunkett's (.313) two-run double and an RBI ground out by 3B Joe Courtney (.304). Red Bluff narrowed it to 3-2 with runs in the sixth and seventh, only to see Oxford expand the lead to 6-2 after eight innings. CF Kris Grabowski (.321) closed it to 6-4 with a two-run shot in the top of the ninth. Both ballclubs had 8 hits each with Plunkett and 2B Richie Vla (.345) pacing the Red Caps with 2-for-4 and two RBIs apiece. RF Dante Vander Meer (.379) slugged his third playoff homer for Oxford, while Grabowski and RF Lance Austen (.273) went deep for Red Bluff. The 30-year-old righthander Nicky Nicholson (2-0 1.23) pitched another strong game for Oxford and held the Red Sox to two runs - one earned - and six hits in seven innings. Closer Emerson Carnell (1-0 1.64) got credit for his second postseason save, but was tagged for Grabowski's homer and walked three in his two innings. Starter Frank Beaudoin (1-2 2.86) went down to defeat, permitting five runs in six innings. Now it's on to the IPA Final 4 for Campy Roy's Red Caps. They will be favored to whip the surprising Turon Typhoons in the next round. Turon will entertain Oxford in the first game tomorrow. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-25-2009 at 02:28 PM.

05-25-2009, 10:14 PM	#971
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Thursday, October 2, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game One Middlefield Wins 7th Straight, Drubs Vipers 7-3 The Middlefield Roosters are on a remarkable run. They have won all seven of their playoff games, this time drubbing the Valmara Vipers 7-3 at Middlefield Park in the opening game of the IPA Pro Cup Final Four. One more win and the Roosters will play for all the marbles in the Pro Cup Title Series. Middlefield racked up 11 hits and were sparked by CF Ty DeWitt (.370) with 4-for-4 performance and homers by LF Cecil Clark (.259) and RF Bailey Norcross (.308). The Roosters took a 3-1 lead after three innings and increased it to 7-2 with a four-run seventh. Jackie Lee Bevis (3-0 1.88) became the first three-game winner this postseason. He held powerful Valmara to two runs in six and two-thirds innings, only one of them earned. Closer Dave Webb (0-0 3.00) managed an ugly save as he gave up one run, three hits and walked one in two and one-third frames. It was Webb's second save this postseason. Andre Trepanier (0-3 3.27) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on six hits, but only one of them was earned. The Vipers collected 11 hits, but left 12 men on base. The Final 4 Series will now head to Valmara and War Memorial Stadium for game two. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-28-2009 at 10:12 PM.

05-23-2009, 08:51 PM	#963
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Monday, September 29, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One Roosters Nip Crusaders 4-3 in Game 1 The red-hot Middlefield Roosters remained unbeaten in the playoffs with a 4-3 triumph over St. John in game one of the IPA Elite 8 Series. The Roosters were held to five hits, but they were enough to capture their fifth straight victory. RF Bailey Norcross (.300) won it with a solo shot in the eighth inning off losing pitcher George Wilson (0-1 9.00), who had just come on in relief at the start of the inning. Norcross led Middlefield with two RBIs. LF Cecil Clark (.316) also had a bases-empty homer in the second frame. The Crusaders registered eight hits and were sparked by back-to-back homers in the sixth by LF Don Kolstad's (.375) and 1B Frankie Faber (.308) that tied the score at 3-all. Kolstad hit a two-run shot. Winner Jamie Hicks (2-0 1.59) survived that inning and went the distance, striking out nine and walking two. The series will continue with game two in St. John tomorrow afternoon. If necessary, game three will also be played at Cathedral Stadium.

05-23-2009, 08:53 PM	#964
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Monday, September 29, 2003 Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One Turon Tames Bayview 4-3 in Game 1 At Typhoon Stadium in Turon, the underdog Typhoons tamed the Bayview Vikings 4-3 in game one of their IPA Elite 8 Series. With the bases loaded and one away in the bottom of the ninth, LF Joe Wheeler hit a deep sacrifice fly that scored Boots Dubois with the winning run. Ian Knox (2-0 2.25) got the win with a scoreless ninth and the loss went to Terry Banks (1-1 9.00), who entered the game in the ninth. Turon jumped to an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first two innings, but Bayview came back to tie it on C Hank Bethel two-run homer in the sixth. Both clubs added a run in the seventh to make it 3-3. C Trace Crittenden's (357) solo shot tied it for the Typhoons. Turon outhit the Vikings 10-8. Game two is slated at Downtown Plaza Stadium in Bayview tomorrow. The Vikings hold the home field advantage.

05-23-2009, 09:01 PM	#965
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Monday, September 29, 2003 Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game One Red Sox Squeeze Out 4-3 Win Over Oxford in Game 1 Red Bluff won the first game of the Elite 8 playoffs in the friendly confines of Red Bluff Park squeezing past the Oxford Red Caps 4-3, giving them their first defeat in the postseason playoffs. Oxford had won four games in a row. The winning score came as a result of a botched fly ball by leftfielder Mac Spencer. He dropped a routine fly in the last of the sixth to put runners on second and third. 2B Tony Borcellino crossed the plate on RF Cowboy Kincaid's (.143) grounder to second base to bring in the victory. The Red Caps faulty defense cost them dearly in this one. They committed four errors in all. Mila Mihoski (2-0 4.70) toughed out the win, pitching into the ninth. After Mihoski put the winning runs on first and second with one out, Mack Connery summoned in his splendid closer John Dougherty, who walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. Then he induced the dangerous Ike Plunkett (.292) to hit a comebacker that Dougherty turned into a game-ending double play. Miholski gave up three runs and nine hits. Boomer Belinsky (1-1 3.52) went all the way in defeat allowing four runs and eight hits. Red Bluff 3B Vern Gable (.333) and SS Brooks Cole (.360) each drove in runs, while Plunkett had two runs batted in for the Red Caps and C Brad Earp (.381) got the other one. The second game is slated for Winchester Park in Oxford tomorrow afternoon.

05-24-2009, 11:42 PM	#967
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Tuesday, September 30, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two Roosters Rule, Sweep Crusaders 9-4 in Elite 8 The Middlefield Roosters continued their rampage through the IPA playoffs by sweeping their third straight series. The Roosters roared past the St. John Crusaders 9-4 for their sixth consecutive victory and will now meet the Valmara Vipers for the Ruthlandian Union title in the Final 4. Sterling Eccles had their number for seven innings today as he shut them down 1-0 on a two-hitter, but that bubble burst in the six-run eighth. Middlefield tacked three more on in the ninth to win in a runaway. C Kevin Dial (.190) and 1B Allie Ludlow (.417) supplied the big blows as each walloped three-run homers in the Roosters nine-hit attack. CF Ty DeWitt had two hits and two RBIs. Starter Denny Yarrow (1-0 4.15) did a credible job for the win, holding St. John to three runs and five hits over seven and one-third innings. Yarrow walked three and fanned six. Closer Dave Webb (0-0 2.45) got his first postseason save, but did allow a run in his one and two-thirds innings. Eccles (0-1 3.68) absorbed the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits overall in seven-plus frames. Eccles struck out nine batters. Crusader RF Kenny Hatcher (.286) and 2B Tike Farthing (.304) both ripped homers in the last two innings. The Final 4 Series will open in Middlefield this Thursday. It will be a best-two-out-of-three with Valmara having the homefield advantage in games two and three.

05-24-2009, 11:44 PM	#968
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Tuesday, September 30, 2003 The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two Farley's HR Propels Turon By Viks 2-1 in Sweep George Farley sent the ball soaring into the stands to propel the Turon Typhoons to a 2-1 triumph over much-favored Bayview to surprisingly sweep the IPA Elite 8 Series. Farley's (.222) two-run roundtripper overcame a 1-0 lead that the Vikings had nursed since the opening inning. It was a sterling duel between Typhoon starter James Longstreet and Bayview starter Adrian Strom. Longstreet (2-0 0.69) notched the win although he was plagued by control problems. He walked six, but allowed only one run on six hits. Strom (0-1 4.25) suffered a tough loss and gave up only two runs and five hits in seven innings with four Ks and no walks. Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00) hurled a perfect 1-2-3 ninth to nail down the save, his second in the playoffs. Not much offense in the game as the Typhoons collected only five hits and the Vikings six. Bayview got its only run in the opening frame on a walk, single, fielder's choice and a wild pitch. The underrated Typhoons will meet the winner of the Red Bluff-Oxford series in the Final 4 and will host the opening game. That series gets underway this Thursday.

05-24-2009, 11:46 PM	#969
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Tuesday, September 30, 2003 The Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game Two Oxford Bombs Red Sox 12-2, Evens Elite 8 Series At Winchester Park in Oxford, the Red Caps crushed Red Bluff 12-2 to even up the Elite 8 Series at a game apiece. Oxford's offense pounded out 11 hits, led by SS Paul Lassak (.261) with three RBIs. Three others chipped in a pair of RBIs each: C Brad Earp (.440), 3B Joe Courtney (.333) and winning pitcher Dan Phillips (.000). Not only did Phillips do the job with his bat, he did it on the mound, too. Phillips (2-0 1.65) pitched a standout game, stopping the heavy-hitting Red Sox on just three hits, while striking out four and walking four. Oxford tallied six runs in the second inning and then finished Red Bluff off with three in the fifth and three more in the sixth. They hung starter Leonard Urban (1-1 2.60) with the loss as they slammed him for six runs in one-plus inning. However, five of them were not earned. The decisive third game will also be played in Oxford tomorrow afternoon. The winner will advance to the Final 4 opposite the Turon Typhoons. That series will start on Thursday.

05-25-2009, 10:15 PM	#972
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Thursday, October 2, 2003 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game One Turon Wins Final 4 Opener, Trims Red Caps 7-4 In game one of the Final 4 Series, Turon tripped Oxford 7-4 at Typhoon Stadium, paced by a strong relief effort on the part of Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00), who tossed three scoreless innings for his third save in this postseason. The win didn't come easy as the Red Caps scored a pair of runs in each of the second and fourth innings, taking a 4-1 lead, but the Typhoons slammed them for five runs in the fourth to pull away and claim the victory. 11 bases on balls made it tough for Turon. Starter and winner Scotty Boswell (3-0 2.86) walked eight in his six innings as he allowed four runs and seven hits. Closer Yokum also issued three walks, but only permitted one hit and fanned five. Oxford was pathetic in the clutch and stranded 14 runners. Boomer Belinsky (1-2 3.98) did not have one of his better games as Turon battered him for seven runs in five innings, only three of them earned. Leading the Typhoon offense was CF Denny Wilcox (.235), who had a triple, scored twice and batted in three runs. RF George Farley (.258) doubled twice and scored twice in the game. Red Cap SS Paul Lassak (.290) smacked two hits and drove in three runs. Favored Oxford will try to regroup and even the series tomorrow afternoon at Winchester Park in Oxford.

05-26-2009, 08:59 PM	#973
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Friday, October 3, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Two Vipers Rap Roosters 9-4, Even Final 4 Series At War Memorial Stadium in Valmara, the Vipers snapped Middlefield unbeaten streak at seven with a 9-4 shellacking. 1B Masaichi Okawa (.359) and SS Steve Androwski (.326) both homered twice and each batted in four runs to rout the Roosters and even up the Final 4 Series at one game apiece. Okawa has three homers and 18 RBIs in the postseason. Valmara only got seven hits but made each one of them count. They jumped out to a 6-0 margin after two innings with Danny Blauser (3-0 3.26) shutting out Middlefield for five innings. The Roosters mounted a mild comeback and cut the lead to 7-4 with three runs in the seventh, but the Vipers retaliated with two in the bottom of the inning. Blauser registered the win, gave up four runs and eight hits in six and one-third inning with five walks and four Ks. Vanya Vasylenko saved it for him with his second save. Vasylenko held Middlefield hitless over the final two and two-thirds innings. LF Cecil Clark paced the Roosters with three hits. Losing pitcher Jamie Hicks (2-1 3.50) suffered a terribly bad first inning and was tagged for four runs on just one hit and three bases on balls. Okawa sent him reeling with a three-run smash to make it 4-0 in the opening inning. The Roosters never recovered. Game three will be played tomorrow in Valmara. The winner will go on and contend for the Islandian Pro Cup against the winner of Oxford and Turon. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-26-2009 at 09:03 PM.

05-26-2009, 09:04 PM	#974
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Friday, October 3, 2003 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Two Oxford Stays Alive, Tops Turon 2-1 Oxford manager Campy Roy called on his ace and 23-game winner Dan Phillips to keep them alive in the Final 4 playoffs. Down one game and facing elimination Phillips fired a five-hitter to skim by the tough Turon Typhoons 2-1 and deadlock the series at one game each. Phillips, a 25-year-old righthander, went the distance, fanned six batters and walked four. Oxford got the winning run in the last of the eighth. Losing pitcher Ian Knox hit 2B Richie Vla with two away and CF Ike Plunkett prompty plated him with a double. The game was scoreless for five innings. In the top of the sixth the Typhoons took the lead when 1B Boots Dubois (.243) singled, stole second, advanced to third on a deep fly, then scored the first run of the game on a single by RF George Farley (.257). The Typhoon starter Jeb Pickett (0-2 3.80) hurled an outstanding game, limiting the Red Caps to just two hits, while striking seven. Pickett brilliantly no-hit them for five and two-thirds innings. His only sin came in the seventh when he gave up a home run to 3B Joe Courtney to tie the game at 1-1. Oxford only got three hits in the game. The rubber game is scheduled for tomorrow at Winchester Park in Oxford. The winning team will advance to the IPA championship series against the survivor from the Ruthlandian Union. The IPA Pro Cup Series is a best-of-five affair. Valmara and Middlefield will also battle tomorrow for the RU title and the right to advance to the finals.

05-27-2009, 03:52 PM	#975
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Saturday, October 4, 2003 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Three Vipers End Roosters Season 5-2, Now in IPA Finals Valmara won more games than any other Ruthlandian Union team, so it is poetic justice that they represent it in the Islandian Pro Cup Series. The Vipers and Zarek Zalewski put an end to the valiant Middlefield Roosters who pushed them hard in the Final 4 Series, yet succumbed 5-2 in the third and decisive game. Zalewski (3-0 3.64) worked a strong eight innings and held the Roosters to two runs on six hits for his third playoff win. Closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.79) continued his playoff brilliance by putting down Middlefield in order in the ninth for his third save in the postseason. Southpaw Denny Yarrow (1-1 4.95) absorbed the loss, giving up five runs and 11 hits in seven innings. The Roosters scored first with two in the first frame on RF Bailey Norcross' (.294) two-run double. Viper SS Steve Androwski (.326) answered that in the last of the second with a two-run two-bagger. Single runs in the third, fourth and fifth by Valmara cinched the game. RF Val Krol (.295) led the Vipers with 3-for-4 and scored twice, while LF Jet Kazmarek (.304) had two hits, stole three bases, including home, and scored twice. 1B Masaichi Okawa (.381) added a pair of hits. Valmara will now go up against the Turon-Oxford winner in the Pro Cup Series, scheduled to begin tomorrow at the home field of the Tycobbian Union victor.

05-27-2009, 03:55 PM	#976
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Saturday, October 4, 2003 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Playoffs - Game Three Typhoons Upset Favored Oxford in Final 4 Manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn was all smiles after his underdog Turon Typhoons upset the favored Oxford Red Caps in the Tycobbian Union Final 4. Richburn told reporters, "We may not look that good on paper, but it's what you do on the field that wins ballgames." Turon knocked off Oxford 7-2 in game three of the series, relying on strong pitching by James Longstreet and clutch hitting. Longstreet (3-0 1.03) stopped the Red Caps on just five hits with five strikeouts and three bases on balls for this third playoff victory. CF Lance Ambrose (.321) sparked the offense with 3-5, scored twice and drove in three runs. 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.182) chipped in with two RBIs. Nicky Nicholson (2-1 2.73) was no match for Longstreet as he was touched for five runs in four-plus innings. It was Nicholson's first playoff loss this season. Mikkelsen doubled in the first run of the game in the first and Ambrose tripled in two more in the second inning, making it 3-0 in favor of the Typhoons. Mikkelsen, C Trace Crittenden (.273) and 3B Ernie Fletcher (.286) drove in runs in the fifth, running it up to 6-0. Oxford scored in the last of the fifth when C Brad Earp (.325) singled in a run. Turon got its last run in the sixth on Longstreet's (.167) triple and Ambrose's single. Red Cap Earp finished out the scoring with his solo homer in the eighth. Ashburn said, "We live and die with out pitching. That is the key to our success." Turon has only one .300 hitter in the playoffs - Lance Ambrose is batting .321 so far. The Typhoons will vie with the powerful Valmara Vipers, who have five .300 hitters in their line-up. Game one of the Islandian Pro Cup Series will be held at Typhoon Stadium in Turon and wll get underway tomorrow afternoon. It will be a best-three-out-of-five games series. Last edited by Eugene Church; 05-27-2009 at 03:56 PM.

05-28-2009, 09:49 PM	#977
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Sunday, October 5, 2003 IPA Pro Cup Series Starts Today in Turon The Islandian Pro Cup Playoffs began with 32 teams and has now been pared down to just two - the powerful Valmara Vipers of the Ruthlandian Union and the surprising Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union. The Vipers, piloted by J. Jackson Samuel, were one of the favorites when the process began, while Turon was just expected to be an also-ran. Valmara won the RU North with a splendid 95-59 record. Only San Alejo won more games with a 96-58 mark in the Tycobbian Union South Division. The Typhoons under manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn finished in a tie for second place with an 84-70 record. They were 12 games behind the champion Montaneros. Both managers are glad to see a best-of-five series. They agreed the longer series will favor the better team. Viper manager J. Jackson Samuel said, "The best team doesn't always win in a short best-of-three playoff. I'm hoping next year the IPA will adopt a new playoff policy and make it best-of-five in the early rounds and best-of-seven in the Pro Cup Series. There's a lot of sentiment to move in that direction." Turon had the tougher task as it had to dispose of Bayview and San Alejo, two division winners, and a very strong Oxford club to claim its slot in the Pro Cup Series. In its postseason quest Valmara had to whip the strong Elnora All-Stars, a division winner, along with Far Mountain and Middlefield. In the finals, it will be Turon with good pitching and solid defense going up against the power and hitting of Valmara. The Typhoons have had outstanding mound work in the playoffs. Its pitching corps has stopped three of the best hitting teams in the IPA. Will it be enough to get by the potent Valmara Vipers? How do the two clubs shape up in comparison? Batting Average: Valmara (.267) Turon (.264) Runs: Valmara (781) Turon (680) Home Runs: Valmara (158) Turon (116) ERA: Valmara (3.43) Turon (3.43) Home Runs Allowed: Valmara (105) Turon (107) Field Percentage: Turon (.973) Valmara (.971) Double Plays: Valmara (161) Turon (146) Home Record: Valmara (52-25) Turon (47-30) Away Record: Valmara (43-34) Turon (37-40) RHP: Valmara (73-43) Turon (49-51) LHP: Turon (35-19) Valmara (22-16) On paper, you have have to give the Vipers a decided edge. The Typhoons will be the underdogs as they have been through out the playoffs. That hasn't stopped them yet. Maybe good pitching and good defense does beat good hitting. Checking out the line-ups: C: Turon... Trace Crittenden gets the edge over Yoshi Motsuzaki with better power (25 HR to 16) and better defense (.987 to .976 and 31.9% RTO to 28.8%)... Motsuzaki (.282 BA to .261 BA)... Crittenden made the All-Star team in 2002... Motsuzaki was an All-Star in 2001. In the playoffs Motsuzuki is batting .340, scored 11 times and stolen five bases. 1B: Turon... Boots Dubois is a better hitter and better gloveman than Masaichi Okawa... Dubois (.317, 15 HR, 86 RBI, 94 R, 21 SB, .997 FA) to Okawa (.248, 20 HR, 88 RBI, .989 FA)... Dubois was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2002... However, Okawa is hitting .381 in the playoffs with 18 RBIs... Dubois was the Typhoon only .300 batter during the regular campaign. 2B: Valmara... Floyd Vinson (.299 BA, 7 HR, 99 RBI, .971 FA)... Ronnie Mikkelsen (.276 BA, 16 HR, 82 RBI, .976 FA)... Vinson leads the Vipers with a .390 BA in the playoffs. 3B: Even... Valmara's Zoran Belakov (.239 BA, 17 HR, .923 FA)... Turon's Ernie Fletcher (.262 BA, 13 HR, .937 FA)... Fletcher tops the Typhoons with 9 RBIs in the postseason... Belakov has 6. SS: Valmara... slight edge to Steve Androwski (.271 BA, 20 HR, .961)... over John-Paul Trevenot (.286 BA, 7 HR, .966 FA)... Androwski is batting .326 with 12 RBIs in the postseason. LF: Valmara... decided edge with Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA, 14 HR, 91 RBI, 117 R, 102 SB, .964 FA, 9 Assists)... over Joe Wheeler (.281 BA, 14 HR, 66 RBI, .947 FA, 9 Assists)... Kazmarek hit a record .428 in 2002... RU MVP and Golden Bat in 2002... set SB mark with 102 this year and 10 thus far in the playoffs... Kazmarek has scored 12 runs. CF: Valmara... big edge with Jan Szymanski (.262 BA, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 93 R, .979, 5 Assists)... over the Turon tandem Lance Ambrose (.287 BA, 6 HR, .977 FA 2 Assists) and Denny Wilcox (.272 BA, 3 HR, .983 FA, 2 Assists)... Ambrose leads the Typhoons with a .321 average in the playoffs. RF: Valmara... Val Krol (.288 BA, 17 HR, 79 RBI, .983 FA, 14 Assists)... George Farley (.238 BA, 18 HR, 66 RBI, .972, 15 Assists). Starters: Turon... Jeb Pickett (17-7 2.64) and James Longstreet (5-4 2.95) get the slight nod over All-Star Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93) and Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16)... Turon's Scotty Boswell (15-16 3.47) and Valmara's Zarek Zalewski (9-3 3.94) are pretty even in the third starter role. All are righthanders except for Blauser. The Typhoon hitters prefer southpaws, while the Vipers do really well against righthanders. In the postseason Longstreet (3-0 1.03) and Boswell (3-0 2.86) have excelled, while Pickett (0-2 3.80) has struggled. Blauser (3-0 3.26) and Zalewski (3-0 3.65) have done very well with Trapanier (0-3 3.27) doing well, but not winning. Bullpen: Even... Typhoon closer Mac Yokum (4-7 2.67) and Viper closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) had excellent regular seasons... In the postseason Yokum (0-0 0.00) has been brilliant with 3 saves and has not allowed a run in 9 innings, while Wlodarczyk (2-0 0.79) has been outstanding with 3 saves and two victories. The experts are going by the book and have overwhelmingly chosen Valmara to capture the Islandian Pro Cup this season to join the previous winners, the Volusia Vigilantes of the Tycobbian Union in 2001 and last year's winner, the High Mesa Cowboys. Turon skipper Whitey Richburn told BNN, "All I can tell you is me and my little puny boys will be there... play our butts off... and hopefully make all of the experts wrong. You know they have been wrong before. They have yet to pick us in a series this season, but we are still alive and kicking and just three wins away from the Island title. I like my ballclub and I like my chances. We will have to beat a fine team to take the championship, but we already have beaten three fine teams... and we think we can beat another one this time around." 3B020B Valmara manager J. Jackson Samuel gave his succinct assessment of the series, "If we continue to hit, we will win." The Viper line-up has five hitting over .300 with Vinson leading with a .390 mark. Okawa has a .381 average, Motsuzuki .340, Androwski .326 and Jet Kazmarek at .304. Right behind them are Szymanski and Krol, both batting .295. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-01-2022 at 09:01 PM.

05-29-2009, 07:06 AM	#978
Simmo13 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: those blue remembered hills Posts: 955	Eugene, the anagram-ish managers names are a nice touch....I like Ashton "Whitey" Richburn.

05-29-2009, 07:23 PM	#980
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times Sunday, October 5, 2003 Islandian Pro Cup Series - Game One at Turon Turon Squeaks by Valmara 4-3 in Pro Cup Opener Underdog Turon rallied in the late innings to squeak by the highly-favored Valmara Vipers 4-3 in the opening game of the Islandian Pro Cup Series played at Typhoon Stadium. 1B Boots Dubois (.267) doubled in CF Lance Ambrose (.344) with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh, sending relief ace Yanni Wlodarczyk (2-1 2.19) down to defeat. Turon closer Mac Yokum (0-0 0.00) shut out the Vipers on two hits over the final two frames for his fourth save in the postseason. The Typhoons went in front in the first when Dubois doubled, stole third and rode in on a ground out to short by 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.188). Valmara retaliated with three runs in the top of the fourth on RBIs by 1B Masaichi Okawa (.370), 3B Zoran Belakov (.208) and RF Val Krol (.313). Turon cut it to 3-2 in the sixth on RF George Farley's (.220) sacrifice fly. In the decisive seventh SS John-Paul Thevenot (.243) doubled with one out, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Ambrose to tie it up at 3-3. The victory went to Jacques Lemaire (1-0 9.00), who got starter Scotty Boswell out of a serious jam in the top of the seventh. Boswell had walked the bases loaded and with two away Lamaire retired CF Jan Szymanski (.277), one the best RBI men in the IPA. Dubois paced the Typhoons with three hits, including two doubles, and scored twice. Viper starter Andre Trepanier (0-3 3.21) continued to pitch well, but got no decision. Trepanier worked six solid innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He departed with a 3-2 lead. Game two is set for tomorrow afternoon at Typhoon Stadium. The series will switch to Valmara and War Memorial Stadium for game three, and if necessary, games four and five. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-02-2022 at 11:44 AM.