ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Hellcats Outlast Frogs and Red Caps for TU North Pennant - Luxora in Playoffs, Too

What a race it was in the Tycobbian Union North! Three teams battled down to the last few days before it was decided. Zim Donner's Hartsdale Hellcats (88-66) captured the pennant by one scant game over the second place Fairfax Frogs (87-67) of Harry Buckley and the Oxford Red Caps (87-67) of Campy Roy. The other playoff team is the Luxora Zorros (82-72), managed by Alejandro Rodrigo. The North Hills Hawks (79-75) under skipper Hub Carlson improved over last year's lousy performance and rose up to the fifth spot in the standings after ending up last in their first season in the league. The Hawks trailed the Hellcats by nine games. Sixth place went to Cobb Tyson's Blue Lake Blue Sox (77-77), who finished up nine games back. The Mahaska Haymakers (76-78) of Harry Fleetfoot were the number seven team in the TU North and the White River Rascals (73-81) led by John Randison ended up 15 games off the pace in the cellar.

The TU North was the strongest division in the IPA. Even seventh place Mahaska almost played .500 ball, missing it by just one win. Hartsdale, Fairfax and Oxford played well throughout the campaign. The Hellcats went 14-6 in September to decide the pennant chase. The Frogs and Red Caps were 12-8 in the decisive month and fell short by a single victory.

Pennant-winning Hartsdale will get the first seed in the opening round with Oxford seeded number two, Fairfax number three and Luxora number four. First round IPA playoff pairings show the Hellcats will be opposed by the Zorros with game one at De la Vega Stadium in Luxora and the Frogs will play hosts to the Red Caps at the Frog Pond in Fairfax.

[Eugene Church]

The 2003 Tycobbian Union South Division Final Standings

Monday, September 22, 2003

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

No Contest in TU South, San Alejo Wins Easily - Cape Coral, Turon and Ginza also in Playoffs

The San Alejo Montaneros made shambles of the Tycobbian Union South Division by racking up an impressive 51-26 record over the final three months of the season. Lando Peceda's bunch won their second consecutive division title. This time by 12 games over Cape Coral (84-70) and Turon (84-70), who tied for second place. Whitey Richburn had his Typhoons in the lead at the All-Star break, but Turon dipped to 36-41 in the second half. Cape Coral, piloted by Huggy Miller also faltered to 38-39 and faded. Ginza Ninja skipper Huroko Uchiyama saw his club compile an impressive 44-33 mark over the final half of the year and climb up to fourth place, ending up 14 games behind.

Will Hackett's Summerland Sunsets (79-75) slipped to a poor 34-43 record after mid-season and it cost them a playoff spot. The Sunsets were fifth in the division, 9 games back. Uncle Robbie Wilbertson guided his Colchester Elites (76-78) to sixth place. The Elites went 38-39 and completed the year 20 games out of first place. Charley Oscar got the Southport Sun Sox moving after a terrible first half performance where they only registered 26 wins and were way back in seventh place. The Sun Sox notched a fine 43-34 mark after the All-Star Game, but still trailed San Alejo by 26 games. Manager Jean-Luc Marchand had another long season in Arroyo Grande (52-102) as the Suns suffered another 100-loss season and finished deep in the division basement, 44 games behind.

In the opening round of the IPA Pro Cup Series it will be Ginza (#4) challenging the champion Montaneros (#1) at Ninja Stadium in game one. The Hurricanes (#3) and Typhoons (#2) will go head-to-head at Seaside Stadium in Cape Coral. Both series will switch to San Alejo and Turon for the final two games, if necessary. The teams will play best-two-out-of-three games.

[Eugene Church]

The 2003 Tycobbian Union East Division Final Standings

Monday, September 22, 2003

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Red Bluff Edges High Mesa and Tuckanarra in Tight TU East, Ozarka in Playoffs, Too

The Red Bluff Red Sox (85-69) fought off a determined challenge by the second place High Mesa Cowboys (84-70) to haul in the Tycobbian Union East regular season crown. The Red Sox copped the division pennant by a game over the Cowboys and by two games over the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (83-71), who finished in the third spot in the standings. Down the stretch Frisky Franks' High Mesa almost caught Red Bluff with a sparkling 15-5 record in September, while the Mack Connery's Red Sox were 11-9. Tuckanarra had a great chance, but Carlton Stevens' club couldn't win in the last week of the season to fall two games off the league lead and down to third place. Manager Joe Mac Carney got a good effort from his Ozarka Naturals (78-76) this season as they registered a fourth place spot, just seven games out.

The fifth place South Fork Stallions (77-77) came close to making the playoffs, but fell one game short. A poor second half effort by Deroche "Lips" Leon's charges doomed them. The Stallions were only 34-43 the last half of the year. They lost the playoff chance on the last day of the season. Arky Spanderson's Hillsboro Blazers (71-83) and Cochise Chandler's Midway Wolves (71-83) posted the same record and finished in a tie for sixth place and were 14 games of the pace. Griff Clarke's East Point Panthers (65-89) in a very disappointing performance plunged from third place last year to last place this season. The Panthers trailed division-leading Red Bluff by 20 games.

The top four teams qualified for the IPA Pro Cup playoffs which will begin today. Red Bluff goes to Ozarka to play the Naturals at Ellie Ewing Stadium in the opener of the best-of-three-game series. The last two games, if needed, will be played in Red Bluff. High Mesa will clash with Tuckanarra at the Blue Jays Central Park Stadium. Games two and three will return to High Mesa, if necessary in the best-of-three series.

[Eugene Church]

The 2003 Tycobbian Union West Division Final Standings

Monday, September 22, 2003

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Bayview Wins TU West - Rolling Hills, Denton City and Bay St. Clair Qualify For Playoffs

Bayview and Rolling Hills were the class of the Tycobbian Union West. The Vikings and the Reds far-outdistanced the other six clubs. Skipper Walter Johanssen improved Bayview (92-62) from fourth to first this season and topped Matty Christenson's Rolling Hills club (87-67) by five games for the division flag. The Viks and Reds were even at the All-Star break, but Bayview closed out the last three months with a 45-32 mark, while Rolling Hills slipped to 40-37. Coming in at the third spot in the standings were the Denton City Redbirds (79-75) of Ford Whiteman, who trailed by 13 games. Fourth place went to last year's TU West winner, the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (77-77), managed by Guy Rondre. The Bucs made the playoffs, but finished up 15 games behind in the pennant chase. The Redbirds were 38-39 the final half of the year. The Buccaneers were a little worse at 35-42.

The rest of the division was far behind with the fifth place Chicopee Braves (62-92) 30 games off the pace. Chicopee's manager is Harry Fleetfoot. Two clubs tied for sixth with Arlon (61-93) and La Claire (61-93) each 31 games back. The Champs are headed by Gary Louis and the Lynx are led by Rip Calkin. Last in the division were Aaron Hankins' Kenwood Wildcats (59-95).

The so-called second season gets started today with top seed Bayview traveling to fourth seed Bay St. Clair for a game at Shoreline Park and second seed Rolling Hills on the road against third seed Denton City at Douglas Denton Field. Games two and three will be hosted by Bucs and the Reds at their home ballfields. The first three rounds of the IPA Pro Cup Series are best two-out-of-three affairs. In the finals it is best-of-five.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22nd, 2003

Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Playoffs Begin Today

Playoff baseball is a special time of year. General managers who have struggled all year to steer their club to the promised land love it as they make those final, pivotal roster selections going into the First Round. For them, this is an elusive, exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the Islandian Pro Alliance Islandian Pro Cup Series.

The playoff docket begins with these games today: Glasco Athletics versus Valmara Vipers, Far Mountain Redhawks versus Ranford Bulls, Eastshore Elegants versus Elnora All-Stars, Marston Nine versus Sugar Valley Rattlers, Valka Blackhawks versus St. John Crusaders, Waleska Westerners versus Belair Beach Sunbirds, Forest City Lumberjacks versus Volusia Vigilantes, Colfax Blasters versus Middlefield Roosters, Luxora Zorros versus Hartsdale Hellcats, Oxford Red Caps versus Fairfax Frogs, Ozarka Naturals versus Red Bluff Red Sox, Tuckanarra Blue Jays versus High Mesa Cowboys, Ginza Ninjas versus San Alejo Montaneros, Turon Typhoons versus Cape Coral Hurricanes, Bay St. Clair Buccaneers versus Bayview Vikings and Denton City Redbirds versus Rolling Hills Red.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

High Mesa Star Captures TU Bat Crown
Ed Granberg of the High Mesa Cowboys capped a fine season by winning the Tycobbian Union batting crown. He outpaced all others with his .359 average. For the season, the Cowboys second baseman played in 151 games, collected 212 hits, 21 home runs, scored 119 times and knocked in 108 runs.

Kenny Jablonski, first sacker for the La Claire Lynx, was the runner-up. Jablonski batted .343 with 16 homers and 80 runs batted in in 139 games.

Ozarka's fine center fielder Kermit Wiggins finished third with a .342 batting average. Wiggins played in all 154 games and had a standout season with 71 stolen bases, 107 runs and 67 RBIs.

Also batting .342 was Oxford's hard-hitting first baseman Joe Courtney. In 152 games, the 28-year-old Courtney paced the IPA with 47 roundtrippers, while driving in 122 runs and scoring 127 times

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Kazmarek Takes Home Second RU Batting Title
Most players consider individual recognition less important than team success. Nevertheless, Jet Kazmarek admitted, "It feels good to win an award." Yesterday, the 28-year-old left fielder for the Valmara Vipers was officially recognized for winning the 2003 Ruthlandian Union batting title with a .358 average. It was his second consecutive batting crown. Last year Kazmarek hit an astounding .428 to capture the honor. Kazmarek played in 150 games and finished the season with 205 hits, including 44 doubles, 16 triples and 14 home runs. Kazmarek also broke the IPA mark for most stolen bases in a season with 102. Second baseman Cyclone Cobb of San Dimas set the record with 95 in 2002.

Ranked second was Belle Plaine's fine left fielder Juan Mendez, who played in 149 contests during the year, hit at a .345 clip, had 202 hits, scored 99 runs and only struck out 12 times in 585 at-bats. Mendez led the league in doubles with 53.

In the number three position was Sligo first baseman Shane Redford. The talented Redford compiled a .341 average, swatted 10 homers and batted in 88 runs for the season. He participated in 142 games.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Ruthlandian Union League Batting Leaderboards

Batting AVG
J. Kazmarek VLM .358
J. Mendez BP .345
S. Redford SLI .341
D. Alston ETS .333
P. Gravelli BB .332

Hits
J. Kazmarek VLM 205
P. Gravelli BB 204
J. Mendez BP 202
S. Cameron FM 197
F. Bird SV 196

Runs
F. Bird SV 129
L. Windham GLS 124
J. Kazmarek VLM 117
B. Norcross MDF 116
D. Alston ETS 114

Doubles
J. Mendez BP 53
A. Salazar VOL 53
M. Smith GLS 51
R. Murphy WLK 49
B. Burkhalter WLK 45

Triples
S. Perez VOL 19
S. Cameron FM 16
S. Helmke GC 16
J. Kazmarek VLM 16
J. Mendez BP 16

Home Runs
T. Giacone TAR 42
D. Zuccaro TAR 42
T. Blaser TAR 38
T. DeWitt MDF 37
N. Swift BB 36

Runs Batted In
D. Zuccaro TAR 127
B. Burkhalter WLK 120
T. DeWitt MDF 117
V. Iacoboni ETS 117
N. Swift BB 115

Stolen Bases
J. Kazmarek VLM 102
C. Cobb SD 95
D. Corbelli BB 68
G. Longmire STJ 68
H. Waldrup SLI 68

Bases-On-Balls
L. Windham GLS 119
D. Cole CFX 112
W. Joslin GC 112
L. Aldridge BEE 106
J. Carducci CCR 102

Hit-By-Pitch
S. Haddix RR 24
M. Sheehan ETS 19
K. Jost MAR 18
R. Dizon ETS 16
C. Clark MDF 15

Strikeouts
D. Hollister WYN 162
D. O'Shea SLI 155
V. Iacoboni ETS 147
E. Carducci CLX 146
J. James CL 139

Sacrifice Flies
S. Redford SLI 12
A. Ludlow MDF 11
M. Okawa VLM 11
R. Russell SD 11
S. McFall SV 10

Ruthlandian Union League Pitching Leaderboards

Wins
J. LaForge CFX 24-10 3.63
J. Bevis MDF 23-9 3.20
D. Blauser VLM 23-11 2.93
C. Bernhoffer RAN 22-10 2.54
T. Lindgren BB 22-13 2.69

ERA
A. Nardone TAR 2.31 22-10
T. Gibbs ELN 2.36 20-13
C. Bernhoffer RAN 2.54 23-10
R. Kelly FM 2.59 18-10
S. Eccles STJ 2.63 12-6

Saves
B. Ford FM 30 (5-9 3.47) 94% SV
E. Thorsen STJ 30 (6-7 3.18) 86% SV
H. Espaderos VOL 29 (4-1 2.13) 96% SV
M. Fields FTB 28 (3-8 5.14) 82% SV
D. Jacoby CFX 28 (5-6 2.04) 97% SV

Games Pitched
T. Beattie KIL 78
D. Webb MDF 77
J. Spears STO 76
C. Milwaine RR 73
D. Torvik CLX 73

Complete Games
C. Bernhoffer RAN 17
T. Brooks FC 15
S. Elliott FM 15
C. Schmitz VOL 15
C. Darby GLS 14

Shutouts
C. Bernhoffer RAN 5
Z. Simon STJ 5
E. Mayes STJ 4
N. Pace MAR 4
C. Schmitz VOL 4

Innings Pitched
R. Kelly FM 305
A. Nardone TAR 303
L. Dozier BP 303
C. Bernhoffer RAN 300
K. Beckmann RR 295

Strikeouts
T. Gibbs ELN 289
T. Kuznetsov CLX 277
A. Nardone TAR 257
J. LaForge CFX 235
A. Bukowski SLI 233

Opponents AVG
T. Kuznetsov CLX .222
M. Anthony BP .224
C. Bernhoffer RAN .224
T. Gibbs ELN .225
S. Eccles STJ .228

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 22, 2003

Tycobbian Union League Batting Leaderboards

Batting AVG
E. Granberg HM .359
K. Jablonski LC .343
K. Wiggins OZK .342
J. Courtney OXF .342
C. Quibedeaux BAY .338

Runs
K. Zodoka EP 134
J. Courtney OXF 127
M. Faulkner HAR 120
E. Granberg HM 119
I. Plunkett OXF 119

Hits
K. Wiggins OZK 231
E. Granberg HM 212
M. Faulkner HAR 209
J. Turchin HAR 202
K. Mack GIN 200

Doubles
J. Mendez BP 53
A. Salazar VOL 53
M. Smith GLS 51
R. Murphy WLK 49
B. Burkhalter WLK 45

Triples
E. Granberg HM 18
T. Barella CCH 15
B. Frizzell RB 14
T. Hill SUM 14
K. Detwiler ARL 13

Home Runs
J. Courtney OXF 47
K. Zodoka EP 46
R. Sokolov EP 40
O. Kronvath LUX 39
S. Shatner HIL 38

Runs Batted In
M. Faulkner HAR 134
K. Zodoka EP 123
J. Courtney OXF 122
R. Sokolov EP 118
I. Plunkett OXF 115

Stolen Bases
T. Barella CCH 76
T. Tomlinson DC 76
K. Wiggins OZK 71
B. Echevarria FFX 58
P. Kanaan BAY 57

Bases-On-Balls
J. Courtney OXF 116
A. Hansen BAY 108
I. Engelstad MAH 105
O. MacArthur TUC 103
C. Land DC 99

Hit-By-Pitch
R. Vina LUX 20
M. Zuniga SA 18
A. Winthrop KEN 16
S. Milburn WR 15
R. Crowley SPT 13

Strikeouts
W. Nixon RH 151
B. Valente SA 150
T. Latigo RH 148
K. Schmidt NH 148
B. Holloman HM 147

Sacrifice Flies
H. Bethel BAY 13
H. Hill HAR 12
E. Hutchens CCH 11
C. Land DC 11
E. O'Neal BAY 11

Tycobbian Union Pitching Leaderboards

Wins
G. Kostro HAR 25-6 2.39
A. Strom BAY 24-5 3.44
D. Phillips OXF 23-10 3.36
P. Schwartz OZK 23-9 3.54
A. Herrera SA 22-13 3.01

ERA
C. Burg CC 1.87 18-10
G. Kostro HAR 2.39 25-6
B. Belinsky OXF 2.41 20-13
D. Coulon BSC 2.45 19-12
R. Davidson RH 2.58 19-15

Saves
K. Marsh SF 28 (9-4 1.77) 90% SV
D. Quartermain CHI 27 (3-8 2.82) 77% SV
M. Yokum TUR 27 (4-7 2.67) 84% SV
T. Banks BAY 26 (3-5 3.21) 84% SV
B. Winwood SUM 26 (8-4 2.97) 90% SV

Games Pitched
J. Colbert EP 79
T. Banks BAY 76
D. Quartermain CHI 76
F. Banecker BSC 74
N. Humphrey SPT 73

Complete Games
J. Hoffman DC 19
B. Hines MAH 17
C. Burg CC 16
R. Davidson RH 16
K. Hayagawa FFX 15

Shutouts
C. Burg CC 5
R. Davidson RH 5
J. Harrison BAY 5
H. Paulsen RH 5
D. Coulon BSC 4

Innings Pitched
C. Burg CC 327
T. Vaitkus HAR 308
G. Kostro HAR 308
B. Hines MAH 308
C. Trebek GIN 304

Strikeouts
C. Burg CC 270
C. Trebek GIN 266
D. DeVree BSC 263
E. Hoffman LUX 234
P. Hood BAY 224

Opponents AVG
C. Burg CC .218
E. Hoffman LUX .225
D. DeVree BSC .229
D. Pendarvis CCH .230
B. Coleman DC .234

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Pro Cup Playoffs Begins in IPA Today

Ruthlandian Union North Division - First Round Series - First Game

Glasco Edges Valmara 3-2, Lead Series 1-0
In RU North first-round playoff action, the Glasco Athletics took the lead in the best-of-three series by edging the division champs, the Valmara Vipers, 3-2 in game one. Ray Cook got a three-run stake in the first inning and made it stand up with some help from Jerry Smith in the ninth. Winning pitcher Cook held the Vipers to two runs and six hits in his eight innings, while Smith put down a Valmara rally in the ninth for the save. The A's struck early in the first frame, tagging loser Andre Trepanier for three runs on four hits, highlighted by right fielder Ox Beauvais' two-run homer and left fielder Bobby Pascarelli's RBI single. The Vipers were sparked by centerfielder Jan Szymanski, who drove in a run in the fourth with a ground out and another one in the ninth with a single. Overall Valmara had seven hits to six for the Athletics.

Davis Drives In 4 Runs, Redhawks Beat Bulls 6-4
At Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain, the homestanding Redhawks whipped the Ranford Bulls 6-4 to capture the opening game in the best-of-three RU North first round playoffs. Catcher Dave Davis led the way with three hits and four RBIs, including a home run. Far Mountain pounded 22-game winner Carl Bernhoffer for five runs in six innings and then held off a late-innings rally by the Bulls. Righthander Robby Kelly produced the victory with eight solid innings. Kelly allowed eight hits and three runs. Closer Bud Ford got the save, but gave up a run on two hits in the ninth to make it a little too close for comfort for manager Alex Groveland's crew. Ranford outhit the Redhawks 10-8 with third baseman Colin Fairclough going 3-4, shortstop Rick Fargnoli 2-4 and center fielder Bobby Keegan 2-4.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Ruthlandian Union South Division - First Round Series - Game One

St. John Rallies, Beats Valka in 1st Game 7-6
Things were not looking good for the RU South regular season champion on the road at Cybertel Park. Valka's Bobby Karu had a 5-1 lead heading into the eighth, but then he floundered badly as St. John rebounded with four runs to tie it up 5-5 with the big blow of the inning C Stan Pichon's two-run roundtripper. The Blackhawks regained the lead in bottom of the frame on 1B Stan Vankosky's triple and pinchhitter Kyell Ibbotson's double. Then in the top of the ninth the Crusaders went to town on closer Tommy Ruffin to win the game 7-6 and take a one-game lead in the best-of-three IPA Pro Cup playoffs. RF Kenny Hatcher knotted the score with a sac fly and 1B Frankie Faber won it with a triple. Ruffin picked up the loss, giving up two runs in his only inning, while Eddie Thorsen got credit for the win. He allowed a run and two hits in his two innings. St. John had the advantage in hits 12-10 with Pichon, LF Don Kolstad and 2B Tike Farthing collecting two hits apiece. SS Villem Kask topped the Blackhawks batters with 2-5 and scored twice and 2B Bryan McGinnis and right fielder Jimmy Tremayne each drove in a pair of runs.

Sunbirds Win 1st Game, Defeat Westerners 5-3
Westerner Field was no help to the Waleska Westerners in the first game of their RU South playoffs, Belair Beach slipped past the home team 5-3 to take a one-game advantage in the best-of-three first round series. Terry Christian hurled a creditable game to notch the victory. He went seven innings, gave up seven hits, three runs, fanned four and issued no walks. Ray Watson came on in the last two innings and blanked Waleska to nail down the verdict. Westerner ace, Smokey Joe Carter, a 20-game winner in the regular season, had a rough outing and caught the loss. Carter pitched six and one-third innings and was touched for five runs, but only two of them were earned as the Westerners committed four errors. The Sunbird offense was paced by 3B Dom Corbelli with two doubles and two RBIs and 2B Rick Sullivan with two hits and two runs scored. Waleska was led by 1B Markus Ulricht with two hits and two runs and RF Russ Murphy with two hits and an RBI.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Ruthlandian Union East Division - First Round Series - Game One

Favored Elnora Outscores Eastshore in 1st Game 9-6
The RU East pennant-winning Elnora All-Stars went on the road to Kraft Stadium in Eastshore and outscored the Elegants 9-6 to cop victory number one in the best-of-three playoff series. CF Rusty Gilbert and LF Quincy Peterson sparked the win with three RBIs each. 3B Dmitri Vrotsos also batted in a pair of runs with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly. Peterson hammered a three-run clout. The All-Stars routed Eastshore starter Don Willis for six runs in three-plus innings to jump way ahead and then hold off the Elegants. Harry Dye picked up the shaky win as he walked five in five innings and gave up two runs on three hits. Pat Savoie worked two shutout innings for the save, Willis suffered the defeat. Elnora banged out 10 hits in the game to 12 for the Elegants. For Eastshore C Fran MacIntyre delivered a two-run smash and also drove in a run with a sac fly. RF Ron Dizon hit two doubles and a single, driving in two runs and 1B Vito Iacoboni had three hits.

Pace Outduels Neal, Marston Edges Rattlers 2-1
The first game of the RU East first round playoffs saw an old-fashioned pitching duel between righthanders Nick Pace and Gregg Neal with Pace and Marston prevailing 2-1 over the Sugar Valley Rattlers at Legends Field. Going the distance Pace shut down the Rattler bats on six hits, struck out four and gave up only one walk. In defeat Neal allowed only four hits and two runs in seven innings. The Nine scored both runs in the opening frame on a walk to CF Kerby Jost, who advanced to third on SS Don Nichols' single, then scored on a balk. The winning run was driven in by LF Sam Dixon on a grounder to second base. 3B Jorge Vargas put Sugar Valley's only run on the scoreboard when he homered in the seventh inning.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Ruthlandian Union West Division - First Round Series - Game One

Wolf's 3-Run HR Gives FC Win Over Volusia
At Riverside Stadium in Forest City, Volusia's Raul Sandoval was sailing along after eight innings with a 1-0 shutout over the Lumberjacks in the first game of their first round playoff in the RU West. Then tragedy struck - Sandoval walked two batters in the last of the ninth and 2B Jesse Wolf sent the ball soaring into the bleachers for a walk-off three-run homer to stun the Vigilantes 3-1 and send Forest City one game up in the playoff series. That gave the victory to righthander Timmy Brooks, who stopped Volusia on just six hits, struck out nine and gave up only one walk. The V's got their only score in the fourth frame when RF Lonnie Howard tripled and crossed the plate on CF Ryan Raines' ground out.

Bevis and Roosters Beat Blasters 6-1 in Opener
In the opening game of the RU West playoffs Jackie Lee Bevis and the Middlefield Roosters beat the Colfax Blasters 6-1 at Mountain View Stadium. Bevis was brilliant with 10 Ks and three walks. The crafty righthander yielded only five hits and one unearned run to give the Roosters a game edge in the first round series. The number two seed Middlefield racked up 11 hits against the number three-seeded Blasters and were headed by 1B Allie Ludlow with three RBIs and 3B Lowell Satterwhite's solo home run. 24-game winner Jasper LaForge was rocked for five runs and six hits and exited after six innings.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Tycobbian Union North Division - First Round Series - Game One

Z's Braceros Blanks Hellcats 1-0, Lead Series 1-0
The Luxora Zorros got a magnificent mound performance by Marco Braceros to take a one-game lead in the TU North playoffs over the top-seeded Hartsdale Hellcats. Braceros shackled the Hellcats 1-0 on a beautiful six-hit shutout in the first round clash at De la Vega Stadium. The 27-year-old righty piled up nine strikeouts and walked no one, outpitching Tal Vaitkus, who worked seven innings, gave up only one run and nine hits, while fanning five. Luxora scored the only run of the game in the third inning when 2B Pablo Santa Cruz led off with a bunt single, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a ground out and rode home on C Otto Kronvath's base hit. Santa Cruz, RF Cristo Viamonte and SS Rafael Lemos paced the Z's with two hits each, while 2B Hoppy Hill had two hits for the Hellcats.

Red Caps Nip Frogs 6-4 in 14-Inning Playoff Opener
At the Frog Pond in Fairfax, the visiting Oxford Red Caps nipped the Frogs 6-4 in fourteen innings to take the opening game of the North Division first-round playoffs. In the decisive inning left fielder Mac Spencer and right fielder Dante Vander Meer delivered RBI singles to put Oxford up 1-0 in the best-of-three series. Both ballclubs got outstanding relief pitching. Emerson Carnell notched the victory with seven and one-third shutout innings. He stopped the Frogs on just two hits over that span. Robby Meredith was just as tough, allowing no runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in six-plus innings of work. Jay Sorenson took the loss for Fairfax, giving up two runs and three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Oxford had 16 hits in all and stranded 13 baserunners. Spencer had four hits, Vander Meer three and second baseman Richie Vla three to pace the Red Caps. Center fielder Billy Echevarria sparked Fairfax with 3-for-7 and scored twice.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Tycobbian Union South Division - First Round Series - Game One

Ginza Surprises San Alejo, Wins First Game 6-3
TU South Division champ, San Alejo, whacked out 14 hits, but left 13 of them on and were surprised by fourth-seeded Ginza 6-3 in the opening game of the playoffs at Ninja Stadium. Ninja starting pitcher Alec Sasek held the Montaneros scoreless until the ninth inning despite being tagged for 13 hits. Ginza peppered losing pitcher Juliano Nuevo for eight hits and a 6-0 lead after four innings. Leading the way were 1B Kenshin Yamamoto and RF Charlie Campbell with two RBIs apiece. Closer Ray Funkhouser came in from the bullpen and got the final two outs of the game, after the Montaneros mounted a mild comeback on LF Bernie Valente's three-run roundtripper.

CC's Burg Stops Turon 2-1, 'Canes Cop Opener
21-year-old righthander Cody Burg showed why he topped the IPA with a 1.87 ERA. He checked the Turon Typhoons on eight hits in his 2-1 win at Seaside Stadium in Cape Coral to put the Hurricanes 1-up in the TU South playoffs. The Hurricanes broke up a scoreless duel between Burg and Jeb Pickett with two runs in the last of the seventh. With two away, pinchhitter Brad Dijkstra singled in the first run of the game and SS Bobo Hatfield doubled in the other one. With one out, Typhoon center fielder Lance Ambrose singled and advanced to third on 1B Boots Dubois' two-bagger, then scored when 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen grounded out. After an intentional pass to clean-up hitter C Trace Crittenden, Burg retired RF George Farley on a grounder to short to end the threat. Burg finished strong striking out three batters in the ninth to nail down the verdict. He struck out seven batters total and issued only one base on balls. Pickett suffered a tough loss, yielding only five hits and two runs in seven innings with five strikeouts and no walks.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Tycobbian Union East Division - First Round Series - Game One

Tuckanarra Takes Playoff Opener, Tops Cowboys 5-2
In a TU East game, fourth-seeded Tuckanarra upended first-seeded High Mesa in the opener of the best-of-three IPA first-round playoff series at Central Park Stadium. Will Crowe and Anthony Montgomerie combined for a 5-2 victory over the defending IPA titlists with Crowe working eight innings for the win, allowing seven hits and two runs, while fanning five and walking two batters. Montgomerie finished off the Cowboys with a scoreless ninth inning. Third baseman Joey Lynam was the Blue Jay batting star with a two-run homer in the first and an RBI single in the seventh. Tuckanarra got nine hits off four High Mesa hurlers with the loss going to starter Kael Claxton, who surrendered two runs on four hits in four innings. He departed for a pinchhitter, trailing 2-0. Cowboy second baseman Ed Grenberg led his team with three hits and an RBI.

Red Bluff Beats Ozarka 6-3 in Playoff Opener
Manager Joe Mac Carney got good pitching and good hitting as his Red Bluff Red Sox teed off on Ozarka for 13 hits and righthander Leonard Urban backed it up with a solid mound outing to beat the Ozarka Naturals 6-3 in the opening game of the TU East playoff series. 2B Tony Borcellino topped the Red Sox hitters with a three-run homer in the seventh inning to send them ahead 6-1. 1B Bucky Frizzell went 3-5 and drove in a pair of scores. Urban registered the win by going seven and one-third innings, allowing three runs and eight hits with six Ks and three walks. Closer John Dougherty shut out the Nats and gave up no runs in his inning and two-thirds. Dougherty picked up the save. Derek DeGroot went down to defeat as the Red Sox got to him for six runs in seven innings. Pacing Ozarka were CF Kermit Wiggins and SS Duffy Douglas, who both had a double and triple and scored a run.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Tycobbian Union West Division - First Round Series - Game One

Viks Eke by Buccaneers 5-4 in 12 Innings
The top seed Bayview Vikings won on the road in Bay St. Clair eking out a 5-4 twelve-inning victory to take a one-game-to-none lead in the first round of the TU West playoffs. The Vikings blew a four-run lead in the ninth, but were able to salvage the opening game over the fourth-seeded Buccaneers in extra innings on a bases-loaded walk by closer Norm Gross. He walked LF Bryan Wessels and forced in 1B Chancey Quibedeaux with the winning run. Bayview jumped out ahead 3-0 in the third and upped it to 4-0 in the eighth, but then allowed the Bucs to battle back and tie it up in the bottom of the ninth. Up until then Adrian Strom was working on a five-hit shutout. 3B Ed Albrecht hit a two-run homer, Sam Denton had an RBI double and C Jake Singleton knotted the score with a run-scoring single. Offensively the Vikings outhit Bay St. Clair 12 to 9 and were led by CF Phil Kanaan with 3-5, a homer and two runs scored. 3B James Scott had a two-run double in the fourth. Kanaan also doubled and scored on a Quibedeaux sacrifice fly in the eighth. A trio of Bayview pitchers held the Buccaneers scoreless over the last three and one-third innings with the victory going to Kyle Peterson, who worked the eleventh and twelfth. Gross was the loser, allowing one run in his two innings.

Redbirds Rally For 9-7 Win Over Rolling Hills
The opening game of the TU West playoff series started off badly for Denton City, but ended up well. The Redbirds trailed Rolling Hills 6-0 in the top of the second before manager Ford Whiteman found a way to stop the Reds. Denton City came back to take the game 9-7 at Douglas Denton Field with a three-run outburst in the last of the eighth with the winning runs coming courtesy of 1B Rod MacCormack's two-run two-bagger that put the Redbirds ahead 8-6. LF Cliff Land boosted it up to 9-6 with an RBI single. Whiteman got excellent work from his bullpen. Five relievers held the Reds scoreless from the third through the eighth allowing Denton City to get back into the ball game. Closer Bubba Lear notched the win, though he was tagged for a run in the ninth. Lear permitted a run, while working the eighth and ninth frames. The Redbirds racked up 15 hits and were sparked by MacCormack with 3-5 and three RBIs, Land with 3-4 and a pair of RBIs and C Howard Lombard, who went 2-4 and batted in two runs. Rolling Hills belted a dozen hits and were led by 1B Eddy Dowler, who knocked a three-run roundtripper and drove in four runs, and by SS Jamie Meade with 2-5, two runs scored and an RBI. Hoyt Paulsen absorbed the defeat, yielding three runs on two hits in just one-third of an inning.