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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 19, 2045 WIDE-OPEN SHOOTOUT IN PLAYOFFS Glasco led the IPA with 100 wins this year... Red Bluff hit a record-breaking 283 homers... defending Pro Cup champ Southport is back and better-than-ever... of the eight qualifying teams only Kenwood is given very little chance of taking home the title... all of the other seven are in the running according to the baseball experts around the Islands... rarely do the favorites bring home the bacon... lesser lights seem to thrive in the postseason. The 45th edition of the IPA playoffs are scheduled to start Thursday afternoon. In the Ruthlandian Union the homestanding Glasco Athletics will take on the visiting Claxton Diamonds and the Middlefield Roosters will be at home against the Sugar Valley Rattlers... Over in Tycobbia the Southport Sun Sox will be defending their Pro Cup title at home against the North Hills Hawks, while the Red Bluff Red Sox go up against the Kenwood Wildcats at Red Bluff Park. All postseason series in the IPA are the best-of-seven. Six of the playoff clubs were given support to win it all this year... The Islandian Times' annual Pro Cup poll gave a slight edge to the Glasco Athletics, citing three solid starters, a fine bullpen and solid bats... Red Bluff was the number-two choice with its super firepower... the Red Sox are sizzling hot entering the postseason... they were 33-12 in the final weeks of the regular season and have the greatest momentum... third pick Middlefield is considered dangerous with its strong bats, very good starters and deep bullpen... the Roosters are red-hot going into the playoffs with a 31-14 mark the last six weeks of the campaign... current IPA titleholder Southport was ranked fourth in the poll... the Sun Sox are playoff-tested with many seasoned vets still in their primes... the North Hills Hawks always play well in the postseason and have four Pro Cup titles in the last 11 years, but none in the last four seasons... they are the fifth choice and are showing signs of aging... the Sugar Valley Rattlers are rated number six in the poll, but don't seem to have enough pitching depth in their starters to do a lot of damage, but their bats could... Claxton is pretty much in the same boat as Sugar Valley... the pitching is not strong enough... the Diamonds are a long shot... Kenwood had the worst record of any of the division winners and was rated the least likely to win the title this year... however, once they got the boycotters back, the Wildcats did much better after floundering badly in the first two months of the season... they were 28-17 during the stretch drive. 1. Glasco Athletics (100-54): Glasco had an almost perfect season, ringing up the most wins in the IPA this season with an even 100... the A's were up near the top in offense and pitching... they were fourth last year (11 GB) with an 82-72 record... this is only the third time the Athletics have made the playoffs... the last appearance was in 2003... Glasco will be one of the favorites in this year's Pro Cup playoffs... they are going into the playoffs on a high note... the Athletics played well the entire season... they have never won the IPA title... Pat Meyers (20-14/2.78) and Benny McDaniel (23-6/2/54) led a fearsome staff... leading the offense were All-Star CF John Rumford (.318/25/96/101), All-Star 3B Billy Stroud (.308/9/78/66) and RF Travis Houston (.270/17/87/67). 2. Red Bluff Red Sox: Red Bluff took its second straight division title... both seasons they came in with 95-59 records... the Red Sox will be appearing in their sixth postseason... they won their only Pro Cup years ago in 2004... the Red Sox can score runs (6th) and they have very good pitching (4th)... defensively they are just average (.972 FA)... the Red Sox have all the elements to do well in the postseason... all 8 regulars hit 16 or more homers, paced by superstar All-Star LF David Kelso (.289/65/130/111), the IPA leader with 65 homers, just one short of the league record... he was also fourth in RBIs and sixth in scoring runs... Kelso is Hall of Fame material with 437 homers in 12 seasons... 1B Josh Stevens (.252/43/91/96) smacked 43 homers, 3B Fran Blanchard (.291/36/90/94) had 36, C Phil White (.214/32/80/58) hit 32 home runs, SS Leemon O'Donovan (.262/27/79/74) numbered 27, CF Ike Sweetwater (.327/23/63/59) socked 23 out of the park, LF Jesse Shaw (.273/19/46/40) popped 19 HRs and 2B Big Boy Payne (.249/16/46/88) chipped in 16... Sweetwater and Shaw didn't play the first two months because of the player boycott... heading up the mound staff were Jud Cox (16-12/2.57), Mickey Rosen (17-8/3.00), Jack Wallace (12-6/3.64) and George Reynolds (18-12/3.61)... the top reliever was Carson Jamara (7-8/3.30/18 saves)... Jamara was ninth in saves this year in the IPA. 3. Middlefield Roosters: Middlefield finally got another pennant after finishing in the runner-up spot for the previous two seasons... the Roosters were 80-74 in 2044 (5 GB), but climbed atop the division this year with a terrific 95-59 mark... they have now won nine pennants in the club's history and have one Pro Cup in their trophy case... Middlefield wore the IPA crown in 2005... the Roosters are more known for rattling the scoreboard with homers, but his year they came in third in pitching with a strong 2.99 ERA... only Glasco (2.80) and Kilkenny (2.98) were better in the Ruthlandian Union and the IPA... Summerland topped the Tycobbian Union with a 2.99 ERA... four impressive starters propelled the Roosters, three of them 20-game winners: All-Star Carroll Collier (24-11/2.72), Hollis Dale (21-8/3.38), All-Star James Long (23-13/2.12 and Larry Wheelhouse (10-11/2.91)... veteran closer Ray Owens (4-2/1.79/9 saves) stood out in the bullpen... the Roosters bats were booming, too... they slammed 231 homers, tops in the RU and second to Red Bluff's new all-time IPA record of 283... the Roosters had seven players top 20 home runs... CF Norm Antonioni (.255/45/97/76), RF Sidney Conner (.317/37/76/72), 1B Cliff Patterson (.315/27/68/82), All-Star SS Jimmy Beach (.262/27/87/79), 3B Ike Gary (.289/25/83/81), LF Dominque Sorrell (.239/20/48/46) and LF Alejandro Dominguez (.232/20/44/48)... the Roosters don't hit for much average (.253/20th), but they sure do go deep often... Conner had a remarkable season... he sat out the first two months of the year and ended up hitting 37 homers in just 90 games. 4. Southport Sun Sox: Southport is only a recent powerhouse in the IPA... overall the Sun Sox have seldom been in the postseason... this will be their seventh appearance... they will be shooting for their second IPA crown... last year the Sun Sox piled up a 104-50 record... the season started on a very sour note for them... three primary starters, Billy Hoover (16-7/1.87), Johnny Swanson (14-8/3.46) and Brandon Forbes (15-8/3.36), were out on boycott, along with two regular position players 1B Eddy Douglas (.323/21/63/58) and 3B Craig Glennon (.296/15/63/49)... it's amazing that they won 95 games this year... the number five starter Cade Brocton (20-13/3.73) and an obscure pitcher on the reserve roster, 34-year-old Tiger Tartaglia (9-4/2.97) rose to the occasion and took up the slack, along with the superb bullpen... prior to this year Tartaglia was only 10-12 in three seasons with a mediocre 4.35 ERA... with the return of the prime starters, there was no room on the roster for Tartaglia. 5. North Hills Hawks: the Hawks were 92-62 in 2044 and 90-64 this year... they have won the TU North Division the last three years and a remarkable 11 times in 12 seasons.. North Hills is still a solid team, but not as good as in the past decade when they won four Pro Cups in eight years... vets 38-year-old David Michael (21-18/3.58) and 33-year-old Tony Mack (16-17/3.12) are still capable starters, but are past their primes... Alex Peters (17-6/3.20) is now the club ace... after 17 years Michael is approaching 300 victories... he is 295-212 with a fine 3.05 ERA... he is especially potent in the postseason and possesses a 20-11 record and a great 2.25 ERA in 35 starts... 34-year-old superstar All-Star Adam Thurgood (.305/39/118/95) still anchors the attack... he made the All-Stars for the ninth time in his illustrious career... Thurgood is a lifetime .314 batter with 450 homers and shoo-in first-ballot Hall-of-Famer... 3B Jim McDermott (.301/17/91/90) and 2B Tommy Vavas (.259/15/63/105) are the other good run producers on the club... the Hawks' bats are not as good as they were in the Pro Cup glory days... defensively the Hawks are excellent with a .979 FA. 6. Sugar Valley Rattlers: Sugar Valley will be making its 13th appearance in the postseason, but they will still be seeking their first Pro Cup... last season the club lost a three-way playoff for the division title, going 96-59 (1.5 GB)... the Rattlers were just as good this year with a 94-60 mark, good enough to win the pennant this year... they have an experienced crew with very good firepower and fairly good pitching and could be troublesome in the playoffs... the Rattlers hit 198 homers (3rd) and were 5th in scoring runs... they still won comfortably despite having three of their main starters Jeremy Blanchard (12-6/3.75), Davey Brennan (12-9/3.13) and Christopher Dunsberry (10-8/3.90) holding out until June... Joe Snow (21-12/3.47) and Antonio Cedeno (9-8/2.90) filled in for them capably... the Rattler line-up featured three guys that hit over 30 homers: All-Star CF Carl Ramsey (.291) led the club with 46 roundtrippers and 123 RBIs, superstar All-Star RF Bobby Gamble (.336) socked 33 HRs and topped the team with 123 runs and C Delmer Campbell (.244) rapped 30 out of the park... Gamble led the IPA in runs scored and ranked fifth in BA... Ramsey was fourth in homers, sixth in RBIs and fourth in runs scored... add in two more reliable bats in 2B Richie Fry (.291/7/54/88) and holdout SS Roger Hobbs (.286/15/40/65) and you've got a powerful batting order. 7. Claxton Diamonds: Claxton rose up from fourth place ... they were 80-74 last year and 5 GB... they improved to 93-61 this season and captured the division crown... this will be the Diamonds 11th playoff appearance, but they have yet to pick up an IPA Pro Cup... their last pennant came in 2038... good bats, better-than-average pitching and excellent defense got the job done for them this season... they posted a 3.53 ERA, batted .272 (3rd), scored 744 runs (3rd) and knocked 145 homers (11th-tied)... their defense was one of the best in the IPA with a great .979 FA... sparking the attack was superstar All-Star 1B Jojo DeLucca, who had a spectacular season, leading the IPA with 213 hits, third with a .341 BA, ninth in homers with 43, fifth with 129 RBIs and ninth with 107 runs scored... DeLucca led the RU in batting average... other contributors were 3B-SS Rick Clayburne (.32/6/46/81), LF Foxy Fuchs (.285/29/77/74), SS Stevie Wynn (.325/8/41/43), 3B Jack Brumfield (.291/11/59/42) and RF Roger Jackson (.253/6/52/96)... Wynn missed the first two months of the season with the players' boycott... top pitchers were Abe Schiffman (18-7/2.78), Eddie Dizon (22-12/3.86) and Stan Yudash (12-5/2.84)... how far Claxton goes in the playoffs will depend on its pitching corps. 8. Kenwood Wildcats: Kenwood won its only Pro Cup in 2014... this will be the Wildcats' seventh postseason appearance... they were 90-84 last year and slipped a bit to 84-70 this season... solid pitching with a 3.30 ERA (5th) and an adequate offense with a .269 BA (5th), 674 runs (19th) and 152 HRs (17th) won it for them... plus solid defense (.976 FA)... Clyde Meyers (21-13/3.32) and Tommy Carter (17-13/3.13) were the biggest winners on the staff... two veterans Freddy Gooch (8-10/2.63) and Rusty Bradford (8-8/3.76/4 saves) boycotted the club the first two months... rookie Gregg Campbell (13-9/2.83) filled in for them quite well... in the bullpen Artemus Hale (.6-3/2.16/7 saves) and Mike Jones (2-3/2.31/7 saves) did their jobs well, too... four regulars were missing in the early months: superstar C Corky DiNozzo (.296/22/71/45), rookie RF Billy Nix (.268/22/69/51), CF Warren Vickers (.305/10/40/70) and 1B Bert Henrich (.277/15/50/400... their absence had a lot to do with the slow start... the only regulars that played a full season were 3B Country Crowder (.329/6/63/88) and LF Dorsey Faircloth (.305/22/71/70). |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 21, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game One Ruthlandian Union ROOSTERS LONG RULES RATTLERS 4-1 IN OPENER Middlefield's 23-game winner James Long shut down Sugar Valley 4-1 on a 6-hitter in game one of the Ruthlandian Division Series at Middlefield Park... the 24-year-old right-hander was backed by homers by Dominque Sorrell and Sidney Conner... Joe Snow (0-1/5.14) was the losing pitcher... he gave up all 4 runs on 4 hits... Long went the route, striking out 5 and walking 2. A'S MCDANIEL OUTDUELS SCHIFFMAN 1-0 IN GAME ONE On a cool, windy and rainy afternoon at Athletics Field in Glasco, the hometown A's got a wonderfully pitched game from Benny McDaniel and Ken McLin, who blanked Claxton 1-0... the winning run came in the third frame... 3B Billy Stroud singled in McDaniel from second... McDaniel had doubled with one away... Abe Schiffman lost a tough one, yielding only one run on 5 hits with 8 Ks and 3 walks... McDaniel (1-0/0.00) got the win, going 7 scoreless innings and allowing 7 hits... McLin picked up the save, permitting one hit in 2 innings. Stroud led the Athletics at the plate with 2-4... Claxton's 1B Jojo DeLucca socked 3 hits in defeat. Tycobbian Union HAWKS TAME SUN SOX 2-1 IN 10 INNINGS In Southport at Pleasure Beach Park, the visiting North Hills Hawks drew first blood in the Tycobbian Division Series with A 2-1 decision in 10 innings over the defending Pro Cup champ... Oscar Pendleton drove in both runs and Alex Peters and Kyle Oliver combined to stop the Sun Sox on 3 hits... Billy Hoover (0-1/0.90) worked all 10 innings, gave up 6 hits, struck out 7 and walked one in a fine performance... Peters (1-0/1.00) went 9 innings, gave up one run on 3 hits, fanned 6 and walked a batter... Oliver notched the save with a 1-2-3 ninth... Southport's only run came on 1B Eddy Douglas' fourth-inning homer. KENWOOD CLIPS RED BLUFF 3-2 IN FIRST GAME On the road at Red Bluff Park, underdog Kenwood got an impressive outing from Clyde Myers, who stopped Red Bluff 3-2 in the first game of the Tycobbian Division Series... Myers (1-0/2.25) held the high-powered Red Sox to 2 runs on 7 hits in his 8 innings... Freddy Gooch finished them off for the Wildcats, striking out three in the ninth... Kenwood got the winning score in the top of the eighth... Bert Henrich led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Billy Nix's RBI single. Jud Cox (0-1/2.00) was the loser... he went all the way, surrendered 10 hits and 2 earned runs... 3B Country Crowder led the Wildcats with 3-for-5 and an RBI... Henrich and Nix had 2 hits apiece... Red Bluff, who set an IPA record with 283 homers this season, blasted two solo shots... C Phil White got one in the fifth to tie the score at 1-1 and 3B Fran Blanchard went deep an inning later to even it at 2-2... the Wildcats outhit the Red Sox 10 to 8. |
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Around the Town in the IPA
GLASCO ATHLETICS Owner: Great Aberdeen Granite Company GM/Manager: Charles Darby Glasco is a seaport town of 81,000 on the northwest coast of Ruthlandia, resting on a peninsula jutting out into Valdar Bay. It is known for offshore oil, shipping, shipbuilding, seafood and granite industries. Glasco was settled by Scots and is a prosperous cosmopolitan community. It is a historical old town with a beautiful skyline with centuries old granite structures, replete with quaint stone bridges and gates and numerous canals and waterways. Granite has been quarried in the area for well over a hundred years. A unique aspect of Glasco is the Heritage Trail, a painted green and blue line (colors taken from the town’s coat of arms) on ancient brick sidewalks that connects all the history of the town and serves as a walking tour. Historical markers retrace all the important events in the town’s history. One can see the past and the present on the Heritage Trail. Glasco’s gaslight district is known for its premier dining, shopping and entertainment.It is also home of the Glasco Athletics. The A’s have a long history of amateur baseball sponsored many years by the Aberdeen Granite Company. Now the professional ball club is owned by the Great Aberdeen Granite Company and plays in the Ruthlandia Baseball Union North Division of the Islandian Pro Alliance. Glasco plays at beautiful Athletics Field overlooking scenic Valdar Bay. It was built for the 2001 inaugural IPA season. The right field wall is made of solid granite, and the team’s green and blue colors are proudly taken from the town's coat of arms. When the Glasconians take the seventh inning stretch, they begin with kilted Highlanders playing the traditional “Take me out to the ballgame” on bagpipes and end up by singing it all in unison with a wee bit of a Scottish brogue. Traditional ballpark fare and epicurean dishes are served at the concessions stands. Scottish delicacies like haggis (it’s great until you find out what’s in it) and hotch-potch (a sumptuous stew) are offered, along with many fine Scottish ales. And if Scottish dishes are not your cup of tea, traditional baseball foods and drink are provided, too. Charles Darby is the GM and manager of the Glasco Athletics. He starred for the A's from 2001 to 2006. Darby played for three teams in the IPA, finishing up with a 241-226 record in 18 seasons. He retired at age 38 in 2018. Athletics Field (2000) Capacity: 9,500 Dimensions: LF Line 327 LF 350 LCF 375 CF 405 RCF 370 RF 350 RF Line 330 |
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Around the Town in the IPA
CLAXTON DIAMONDS Owner: DeBeers Mining Company GM/Manager: Dixie Bakerl Claxton is a company town, a mining town of 107,000 in the southwestern foothills of the Silver Mountains, famous for its very high quality diamond industry. DeBeers, the world's largest diamond company, has a branch in Ruthlandia, where the ultimate diamonds are mined, cut, polished and processed, then distributed to the four corners of the world. Claxton Diamonds are very much in demand worldwide because of their very fine quality. Gold and silver mining is also a vital part of the town's and Ruthlandia's economy. Claxton is a hardworking, blue collar town, who really love their baseball team, the Claxton Diamonds. The club is owned by DeBeers and play their games at gorgeous Avalon Stadium, built by DeBeers as a showcase stadium in 1990, complete with a scenic view of the Silver Mountains. The Avalon Casino is located in center field and is one of the most popular in the Islands. World famous entertainers appear regularly there. DeBeers sponsors a "Lucky Diamond" sign on the right side of the left field scoreboard. DeBeers starts off each season with diamonds worth $1000 in the pot and increases it by $1000 each game, until someone wins it. Whenever a Claxton batter hits that sign, the player wins whatever is in the Diamond Jackpot and a lucky fan is also a jackpot winner, too. The lucky fan is chosen by the lucky scorecard number. During the fourth inning stretch it is a Diamonds' tradition for the ladies at the game to sing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". A diamond is given away at each game to some lucky lady. In the seventh inning everybody joins in for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". At the concession stands you can feast on hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks. The Claxton Diamonds are run by Dixie Baker. He is both GM and Manager. Baker was a star outfielder from the Diamonds from 2001 to 2014. He batted .266 in his career with 363 homers and over 1100 RBIs. The Diamonds are in the Ruthlandian Union and play in the South Division. Avalon Stadium (1990) Capacity: 10,500 Dimensions: LF LINE 325 LF 350 LC 390 CF 399 RC 365 RF 355 RF LINE 320 |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, September 22, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game Two Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS RAP ROOSTERS 8-1, EVEN SERIES In game two of the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series in Middlefield, the Sugar Valley Rattlers rapped the Roosters for 13 hits and 2 roundtrippers en route to an easy 8-1 victory... James Milton (.500) cracked 4 hits, scored 3 runs and batted in 2 runs to spark the Rattlers... SS Roger Hobbs (.333) also collected 3 hits and drove in a pair of runs... Milton and CF Carl Ramsey (.333) swatted solo homers... Davey Brennan (1-0/1.13) also gave them a sharp outing, stopping the Roosters on one run and 5 hits, while walking one batter and striking out 7... in the ninth Sammy Hughes retired the side in order... 24-game winner Carroll Collier (0-1/7.71) went down to defeat... he was ripped for 6 runs and 10 hits in 7 innings.... SS Jimmy Beach (.143) homered for the only Rooster run. DIAMONDS EDGE A'S 5-4 IN 10 INNINGS Stevie Wynn's 2-run single in the top of the 10th paved the way for Claxton's 5-4 triumph in game two of the Ruthlandian DCS... but they still had to survive Glasco's last-ditch rally in the bottom of the inning... the series is now tied at one game each. Claxton belted 12 hits and were led by LF Foxy Fuchs (.429) and Wynn (.444) with 2 hits and 2 RBIs apiece... Fuchs had the only Diamond home run, while Glasco hammered 3 out of the park... 2B Del Holloway (.250), RF Travis Houston (.250) and SS Cliff Hemenway all hit solo shots in defeat... CF John Rumford (.375) cracked 3 hits to top the A's at the plate. Claxton starter Stan Yudash worked a solid game, allowing 3 runs and 5 hits in 8 innings with 8 Ks and 3 walks... Gilbert Clagsdale (1-0/4.50) got credit for the win despite giving up Hemingway's homer in the ninth... Pat Meyers (0-1/4.82) suffered the loss as he was tagged for 5 runs and 11 hits in 9 and a third innings. Tycobbian Union SUN SOX TIE SERIES, SWANSON SHUTS OUT HAWKS 1-0 The fans at Pleasure Beach Park in Southport really got their money's worth in game two of the Tycobbian Division Championship Series... the Sun Sox's Johnny Swanson outdueled North Hills' David Michael 1-0 to tie the best-of-seven series at one game each... Swanson was masterful, limiting the Hawks to just five hits... he struck out 4 and issued 2 bases on balls... Michael (0-1/1.13) was almost as good, allowing only one run on 4 hits... a wild pitch in the last of the eighth did him in... 2B Owen Wallace (.286) led off the inning with a single... two sacrifices moved him over to third... and he scored the winning run on the errant pitch. KENWOOD SURPRISES RED SOX AGAIN, UP 2-0 IN SERIES For the second day in a row at Red Bluff Park, Kenwood pitchers silenced the big, bad bats of the heavily-favored Red Bluff Red Sox... this time it was Tommy Carter beating them 3-1 and putting the Wildcats up surprisingly two games to none in the Tycobbian DCS... Carter (1-0/0.00) hurled 7 and one-third innings, holding the Red Sox to one unearned run on 5 hits... closer Artemus Hale worked the eighth and ninth to seal the verdict by striking out 3 of the 5 batters he retired... in a solid effort Mickey Rosen (0-1/1.00) went the distance in defeat, giving up 3 runs on 9 hits with 6 strikeouts and a walk. 1B Bert Henrich (.375) put the Wildcats in the lead 2-1 in the sixth with a solo clout... C Corky DiNozzo (.143) doubled in an insurance run in the seventh... Kenwood had the advantage in hits 9 to 6. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 23, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 3 Ruthlandian Union ROOSTERS NIP RATTLERS 4-3, UP 2-1 IN SERIES After splitting two games in Middlefield, the Roosters nipped Sugar Valley 4-3 in game three at Farmers Memorial Park... Middlefield got only 7 hits, but 6 of them were for extra bases, four doubles and two homers... Sidney Conner and Dominique Sorrell both slammed their second homers of the series to help Hollis Dale defeat the Rattlers and take a 2-1 edge in the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series... Dale (1-0/3.00) bent, but didn't break... he was touched for 11 hits, but gave up only 3 runs... Dale stranded 11 Rattler baserunners in the game... Jeremy Blanchard (0-1/4.00) also went all the way for the Rattlers... he permitted 4 runs on 7 hits. Conner (.364) had a homer, double and 2 RBIs for Middlefield... C Johnny McDonald (.200) cracked 2 doubles and 3B Ike Gary collected a double and a single... Sugar Valley was paced by 1B James Milton (.500) with 2 hits and 3 RBIs... Milton also got his second roundtripper of the series. A'S OUTLAST DIAMONDS 4-3 IN 14, TAKE SERIES LEAD The visiting Glasco Athletics overcame 4 errors and came away with a 4-3 win over the hometown Claxton Diamonds at beautiful Avalon Stadium... it took 14 innings to decide the matter... Bobby Luwin walked with one out in the top of the 14th, went to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on deep flyout, then rambled home on pinchhitter George Russell base hit... Glasco now has a two to one lead in the best-of-seven series. The Athletics pitchers were sharp... they only permitted one earned run... left-hander Evan Walsh started and worked into the eighth frame, giving up 3 runs, but two of them were unearned... Walsh surrendered 6 hits in all and departed with a 3-3 score... three A's relievers didn't allow a run and only one hit the rest of the game... Ken McLin worked 3 and two-thirds' scoreless innings, permitting only one hit... Brad Bolivar (1-0/0.00) earned the victory with one and two-thirds runless innings and Basil Newchurch chalked up the save with a scoreless 14th... Claxton's starter Eddie Dizon had an effective outing, going into the 11th and giving up only 3 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 7 and walking 3 batters... Gilbert Clagsdale (0-1/1.69) suffered the loss, though the run was unearned... he tossed 3 and one-third innings and gave up 2 hits. Luwin (.300) led Glasco at the plate with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... both he and RF Travis Houston (.250) had homers... it was Houston's second in three games... Claxton CF Bob Best (.267) had a double and a single and drove in 2 of their runs... Eddie Dizon (.333) drove in the other Diamond run. Tycobbian Union BROCKTON HALTS HAWKS 9-1 IN GAME 3 Game three of the Tycobbian Division Series was no contest... Southport smashed 14 hits and bombed North Hills 9-1 behind a super performance by Cade Brockton, who shackled the Hawks on just 3 singles... Brockton (1-0/1.00) fanned 6 and walked only one batter in going the distance... the win gave the defending Pro Cup champion Sun Sox a one-game edge in the best-of-seven series... Southport leads two games to one. Six Sun Sox posted two hits each: RF Pat Kinney (.154), SS Gonzalo Topez (.167), 1B Eddy Douglas (.444), LF Chris Jones (.333), C Vitalis Vlachos (.300) and pitcher Cade Brockton (.400)... and 2B Owen Wallace (.273), Vlachos (.300) and Brockton (.400) drove in 2 runs apiece. RED SOX RALLY LATE, WHIP WILDCATS 6-3 IN GAME 3 After dropping two games at home, Red Bluff finally defeated upstart Kenwood with a late rally 6-3 at the Olde Towne Grounds... shut out 2-0 for 6 innings by Gregg Campbell, the slumbering bats of the Red Sox came alive with 6 runs in the final 3 innings to cut the Kenwood lead in the Tycobbian DCS to two games to one. C Phil White's (.167) 2-run two-bagger knotted the score at 2-all in the top of the seventh... 1B Josh Stevens' homer (.250) put the Red Sox ahead 3-2 in the eighth... and RBIs by SS Leemon O'Donovan (.200), 2B Big Boy Payne (.154) and 3B Fran Blanchard (.308) put them out of reach 6-2 in the ninth. Red Bluff totaled 10 hits in all and were sparked by Stevens with 3 hits and CF Ike Sweetwater (.400) with a pair of singles... Kenwood 3B Country Crowder (.462) led them with 2 hits. Winning pitcher Jack Wallace (1-0/0.00) hurled a fine game for the Red Sox, allowing only 2 unearned runs in his 8 innings... Aydan Carmack finished up for him and gave up a run in the ninth... Campell went the route for the Wildcats and was shelled for 6 runs and 10 hits... though only 3 of the scores were earned. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, September 24, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 4 Ruthlandian Union MIDDLEFIELD UP 3 GAMES TO ONE In game four at Sugar Valley, third-ranked Middlefield took a big step toward the Ruthlandian Division Championship with a 5-1 triumph over sixth-rated Sugar Valley... one more win for the Roosters and they will eliminate the Rattlers from the playoffs... 23-game winner James Long (2-0/0.50) twirled another gem, stopping the Rattlers on no earned runs and 7 hits... Long also beat them 4-1 in game one... 21-game winner Joe Snow (0-2/5.79) took his second loss in the series, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits in 7 innings. RF Sidney Conner (.375) and 1B Cliff Patterson (.188) topped the Roosters offense... Conner drove in a pair of runs with a pair of hits and Patterson had 3 hits and an RBI... Rattlers LF Bobby Gamble (.500) collected 3 of the Rattlers' base hits. CLAXTON COMEBACK EVENS SERIES WITH GLASCO Pro Cup favorite Glasco was riding along with a 3-1 seventh-inning lead in game four of the RU Division Series and were very close to taking a 3-1 lead in games, but they couldn't finish off the pesky seventh-ranked Claxton Diamonds, who came back in the final three at-bats to win 4-3 and even up the series at two games each... pinchhitter Freddie Hatfield's 2-out 2-run double was the clinching blow. Getting the win was A. C. Van Kleist (1-0/0.00)... he relieved starter Abe Schiffman with two outs in the ninth and put the Rattlers away... Schiffman (0-1/2.16) gave up 3 runs on 9 hits and was trailing 3-2 when he exited the game... Brad Bolivar (1-1/0.00) was the victim of faulty defense in the ninth... both runs off him were unearned... Glasco starter Benny McDaniel (1-0/0.60) had another strong outing... he only permitted 2 runs on 4 hits in 8 frames... McDaniel went to the dugout with a 3-2 lead. The Diamonds were outhit 9 to 6... CF John Rumford (.278) led them with 2-for-4, including the game's only homer... C Jarrah Eubarinja (.200) chipped in with 3 hits and an RBI... and 2B Del Holloway (.235) added 2 hits and a run... LF Foxy Fuchs (.294) and C Don Halas (.222) drove in the other Claxton runs. Tycobbian Union SUN SOX SHOOT DOWN HAWKS 6-2 IN GAME 4 In game four at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills, it was all Southport... the Sun Sox hammered them for 12 hits and got a sharp outing from ace Billy Hoover in the 6-2 win... Southport improved to 3-1 in the Tycobbian Division Series and needs just one more victory to advance to the TU League Championship... the Sun Sox are the defending IPA Pro Cup titlist... they were ranked fourth best in The Islandian Times' Pro Cup poll, while the Hawks were rated fifth... North Hills swept Southport in the playoffs two years ago... the Sun Sox took four in a row from the Hawks last season. Hoover (1-1/1.00) went 8 innings, holding the Hawks to 7 hits and 2 runs, only one of them was earned... Brandon Delmore retired the side in order in the ninth... Alex Peters (1-1/3.63) caught the loss in a bad outing... he was slammed for 11 hits and 6 runs in his 8-plus innings. 1B Eddy Douglas (.462) provided the big blow, a 3-run clout in the top of the third that gave the Sun Sox a 3-2 lead... they added 3 more in the ninth... SS Gonzalo Topez (.375) had 4 hits and Douglas 2 to pace the winners... RF Ryan Webbe (.222) and 2B Jim McDermott (.267) top the Hawks with 2 hits each. KELSO SLAMS 3 HRS, RED SOX BELT WILDCATS 7-2 The big, booming bats of the Red Bluff Red Sox finally exploded at just the right time... they slammed 4 out of the park in game four of the TU Division Championship Series and tied it up at two games each... Red Bluff hit a record 283 homers this year... eighth-ranked Kenwood had stunned them by taking the first two games... the Red Sox were the third choice to win the Pro Cup. IPA home-run king David Kelso almost single handedly beat them with a playoff record 3 home runs and 6 RBIs... Kelso hammered 65 roundtrippers during the regular season... Phil White also had a solo salvo... starter Jud Cox (1-1/2.20) worked a solid game, permitting only 2 runs on 7 hits in 7-plus frames... Ayden Carmack (6.75) and George Reynolds (0.00) closed out the game for him... the save went to Reynolds. Losing pitcher Clyde Myers (1-1/4.80) couldn't keep the ball in the ballpark today... he was tagged for 3 homers, 4 hits and 6 runs in 7 innings... Kelso (.375) had 3 hits and 3B Fran Blanchard (.267) walked 3 times and scored 3 times. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 25, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 5 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS STRIKE BACK 6-1, BRENNAN BEATS ROOSTERS Davey Brennan chalked up his second win in the Ruthlandian Division Series to keep Sugar Valley alive... he fired a 4-hitter and beat Middlefield 6-1 in game five of the best-of-seven series to narrow the Roosters' lead to three games to two... Brennan (2-0/1.15) worked his magic for 7 and two-thirds innings, limiting the Roosters to just one run, fanning 5 and walking one batter... Sammy Hughes got the final 4 outs for the save... 24-game winner Carroll Collier (0-2/5.79) had the Rattlers eating out of his hands for 5 innings, blanking them 1-0 on 4 hits, but they got to him for a run in the sixth and 3 more in the seventh... the clubs will now return to Farmers Memorial Park in Middlefield for the remainder of the series... the Roosters are 58-19 (.773) at home... the Rattlers are a poor road club with a 40-37 mark (.519) Sugar Valley was sparked by SS Roger Hobbs (.227) and 3B Kent Rasmus (.300) with two RBIs each... Rasmus doubled in a pair in the seventh and Hobbs hit a 2-run homer in the eighth... the Rattlers had 10 hits... RF Sidney Conner (.350) clubbed his third roundtripper of the series for the Roosters' only run. GLASCO POWERS PAST CLAXTON 7-3, UP 3-2 In game five of the Ruthlandian Division Series at Avalon Stadium, Glasco cracked 3 homers and Pat Meyers went the distance in a 7-3 victory over the Claxton Diamonds, putting the A's up in the best-of-seven set three games to two... Meyers (1-1/3.93) redeemed himself for the loss in game two... he whiffed 5 batters, walked 3 and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits... Stan Yudash (0-1/5.06) was the loser, yielding 7 runs in 8 innings... pinchhitter Bobby Luwin (.286) smashed a 2-run homer and Travis Houston (.250) and Del Holloway (.250) poked solo jobs for Glasco... it was number two for Luwin and Holloway and number three for Houston... the Athletics have hit 8 in the series... Claxton has collected only one so far... the A's picked up 9 hits, while the Diamonds got only 7. Glasco heads back home to Athletics Field for the rest of the series, where they are 47-30 (.610)... Claxton plays at a .571 clip on the road with a 44-33 record... the clubs have split two games in Glasco... the A's took two of three in Claxton. Tycobbian Union SOUTHPORT WINS DCS IN 5 GAMES Defending Pro Cup champ Southport's great pitching sparked them past the North Hills Hawks four games to one in the Tycobbian Division Championship... they held the Hawks to just 6 runs in the 5 games... Johnny Swanson KO'ed North Hills 6-1 in game five... the Sun Sox backed him up with 13 hits with everybody in the line-up getting at least one hit, led by 3B Craig Glennon (.238), LF Chris Jones (.333), C Vasilis Vlachos (.389) and 2B Owen Wallace (.250) with 2 hits apiece... the Hawks' David Michael (0-2/3.38) went down to defeat... he was shelled for 11 hits and 5 runs in his 8 innings... Swanson (2-0/0.50) surrendered 9 hits, but allowed only one run... he struck out 4 batters and had perfect control. It has been a remarkable year for rookie manager Lorne Evans, who took over this season from Charley Oscar, who had skippered the Sun Sox for over 40 seasons... Evans was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame this year... he played 19 years, hit .305 lifetime with 701 homers (5th all-time), 1836 RBIs and scored 2045 runs (7th all-time), while collecting 2928 hits... Evans starred for Southport from 2025 to 2033, when he signed with Tuckanarra and spent 10 years with them, retiring at age 40 in 2043. In his low key manner Evans told reporters, "This is just the first step... we have a long way to go... we'll just keep playing 'em one game at a time and see where we are after the last game is played." He added, "I'm liking what I see so far... our pitching has been miraculously good... a 0.78 ERA is absolutely fantastic... Billy, Johnny and Cade were almost perfect." A very disappointed Todd Simons, the Hawks' skipper, said, "I've been a player and a manager for 45 years in this league and I've have never seen anything like it... we hit .181 with 28 singles and 2 doubles... I don't think we'll ever see such great pitching in a playoff series... it was total domination." WILDCATS WIN ANOTHER ONE, LEAD SERIES 3-2 Eighth-ranked and the mostly unlikely team to win the Pro Cup is a label that the unheralded Kenwood Wildcats don't think they deserve... rather than talk about in the press, they are doing their talking on the field... for the third time in five games the Wildcats have knocked off the powerful Red Bluff Red Sox and they are now just one win away from eliminating them in the Tycobbian Division Championship Series. Tommy Carter throttled the big Red Sox bats for 6 innings, holding them to just 2 runs on 5 hits, while the Wildcats built up 4-2 lead... Carter (2-0/1.35) fanned 8 and walked 2 in an impressive outing... Kenwood really cut loose for 4 runs in the seventh to make it 8-2, good enough to withstand a Red Sox 3-run rally in the ninth against reliever Rusty Bradford... Mickey Rosen (0-2/5.17) was really roughed up by the Wildcats for 8 runs and 9 hits in 6-plus frames. Kenwood 2B Akihiro Samurakami (.235) was an one-man wrecking crew with a 2-run homer and a 3-run double, giving him 5 RBIs for the day... 3B Country Crowder (.455) added 3 hits to the attack and scored twice... both teams had 11 hits each... CF Ike Sweetwater (.438) and 1B Josh Stevens (.300) delivered 3 hits apiece to pace the Red Sox. The rest of the series will be played in Red Bluff, where the Red Sox are 0-2 in the playoffs... Red Bluff was much better on the road than at home... they were 51-26 (.662) out-of-town and 44-33 (.571) in the not-as-friendly confines of Red Bluff Park... Kenwood is a better road team with a 43-34 (.558) away from the Olde Towne Grounds and just 41-36 (.532) at home. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 26, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 6 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS FORCE 7TH GAME IN HOMER FEST Sugar Valley came out with both barrels blazing in game six of the Ruthlandian Division Series at Middlefield Park... the Rattlers outhomered the Roosters 5 to 3 in an 8-4 victory that tied the best-of-seven series at three games each... Carl Ramsey and Delmer Campbell both blasted 2 homers and batted in 3 runs apiece to force a decisive seventh game tomorrow afternoon... with the score tied at 4-4 after five innings Sugar Valley pulled away in the final three frames... the Rattler bullpen was superb... they shut out the Roosters the last 6 and two-thirds innings... Chris Dunsberry (1-0/0.00) tossed 4 and two-thirds scoreless innings for the win, striking out 5 and walking 2 batters... Ricky Farris (0-1/7.20) suffered the loss... working the fourth through the sixth he gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 3 innings. Sugar Valley slammed 12 hits and were led CF Ramsey (.375) and Campbell (.286) with 2 hits each... LF Bobby Gamble (.478), 1B James Milton (.375) and 3B Kent Rasmus (.320) also pitched in with 2 hits apiece... Middlefield collected 11 hits and connected for 3 roundtrippers... CF Norman Antonioni (.174), 1B Cliff Patterson (.280) and LF Alejandro Dominguez (.333) all went deep with solo homers. Antonio Cedeno (9-8/2.90) will get the starting assignment for the Rattlers and James Long (23-13/2.12) will get the call for the Roosters... Long won games one and four in impressive outings... he beat the Rattlers 4-1 and 5-1... Cedeno has only worked two relief innings in the series and is making his first start... Cedeno logged two hitless innings in game four. GLASCO FINISHES OFF CLAXTON IN 6 GAMES Pro Cup favorite Glasco got fine pitching from Basil Newchurch, backed up by 3-run homers by RF Travis Houston (.300) and 1B Ross McFalls (.250) in the first inning and a 2-run clout by 2B Del Holloway (.261) in the seventh to finish off the Claxton Diamonds 9-2 in game six of the Ruthlandian DCS... the Athletics captured the series four games to two and will now advance to the League Championship Series against the winner of the Sugar Valley-Middlefield series. Newchurch (1-0/2.00) in his first start in the series held the Diamonds to 2 runs on 8 hits in 8 innings... Harry Hedlund (0.00) finish up with a runless ninth... it was Houston's fourth home run in the series and Holloway's third... alltogether the A's socked 11 roundtrippers to only 2 for the Diamonds... Steven Ellison (0-1/9.00) was the losing pitcher... he was battered for 6 runs and 5 hits in six innings... all the runs came in the opening inning... 1B Jojo DeLucca (.250) drove in Claxton's only runs with a 2-run shot in the sixth. Winning skipper Charles Darby was overjoyed to win his first playoff series as manager. He said, "Our bats were the key... especially in the critical fifth and sixth games... our starters and bullpen did their jobs, too." Claxton manager Dixie Baker said he was surprised by the firepower in the A's lineup. "We were outhomered 12 to 2... that tells the whole story." Tycobbian Union RED SOX TIE SERIES, WALLACE STOPS WILDCATS 7-3 Heavily-favored Red Bluff staved off elimination in the Tycobbian Division Series with a 7-3 triumph over feisty Kenwood in game six... in a gritty performance Jack Wallace (2-0/1.65) checked the Wildcats on 3 runs and 5 hits in 8 and a third innings... Wallace fanned 7 and walked 5 in an unever outing... reliever Logan Laine got the final two outs for him in the ninth... the Red Sox took charge in the first frame with 5 runs off loser Gregg Campbell (0-2/3.27)... all 5 were unearned... Campbell was pulled after 2 innings... he was tagged for 4 hits and 6 runs. Leading the Red Sox at the plate were 2B Big Boy Payne (.185) and 3B Fran Blanchard (.304)... both ripped solo homers... it was Blanchard's second in the series... SS Rod Jenkins (.261) went 3-for-3 for the Wildcats, including a home run. Both aces will go to the hill in the seventh game finale at Red Bluff Park... Clyde Myers (21-13/3.32) will start for Kenwood, while Jud Cox (16-12/2.57) is the starter for Red Bluff... Myers (1-1/4.80) won game one 3-2, but lost to Cox 7-2 in game four. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 27, 2045 2045 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 7 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS UPSET ROOSTERS IN 7 GAMES The sixth-rated Sugar Valley Rattlers had to rally from a three games to one deficit to upset the third-ranked Middlefield Roosters in the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series... in his first start in this series Antonio Cedeno hogtied the Middlefield bats 3-1 in crucial game seven to give the Rattlers a very hard-earned victory... Cedeno (1-0/0.82) quelled the Roosters on 6 hits with 4 Ks and 3 walks... SS Roger Hobbs (.200) gave him all the runs he needed with a 3-run smash in the top of the fifth frame... that was the only mistake James Long made... none of the runs were earned... Long (2-1/0.33) gave up only 4 hits in a heart-breaking defeat. Long-time Sugar Valley manager Gibby Bobkins is in his farewell season... he would like nothing better than to go out with a Pro Cup in his trophy case... 13 times Bobkins has taken his Rattlers to the playoffs, but he has never won the IPA crown... twice he made the Finals, but they lost both times in 2004 and 2024... Bobby Gamble will take over in the 2046 season... he will be a playing manager next year. Speaking to the press after the game, Bobkins said, "You have to take each series one at a time, but it would certainly be a great way to cap my career if we could win our first Pro Cup... we beat a very good Middlefield team... if we continue to play well, the sky's the limit... my Rattlers can play with anyone." Rooster manager Ricky Tinker told reporters, "We just couldn't finish them off... up 3-1 and couldn't win it... that's sad... you got to give it to the Rattlers, they never gave up... we had our ace on the mound in game seven and he pitched a hell of a game... apparently it just wasn't our time this year." It should a whale of series for the Ruthlandian League Championship... Glasco and Sugar Valley have explosive offenses and fine pitching. Tycobbian Union RED SOX EDGE WILDCATS 4-3 IN GAME 7 It took a herculean effort, but Red Bluff, the number-two choice to win the Pro Cup this year, finally subdued a tough bunch of Kenwood Wildcats in the Tycobbian Division Series... the Red Sox edged them 4-3 in game seven, scoring the winning run in the last of the eighth on pinchhitter Lee Wood's RBI single that scored Phil White from second base... Jud Cox (2-1/1.85) worked a standout game, going 8 innings and limiting the Wildcats to 3 runs on 5 hits... only one was earned... George Reynolds came on in the ninth and notched his second save in the series, despite walking two batters... he got the final out with the winning runs on base... Clyde Myers (1-2/3.91) worked a credible game, permitting 4 runs, 2 earned, and 10 hits with 5 Ks and 2 walks. The Red Sox picked up 10 hits to just 5 for the Wildcats... back-to-back sac flies by C Corky DiNozzo (.231) and 1B Bert Henrich(.261) gave Kenwood a 2-0 lead in the top of the first... Red Sox SS Leemon O'Donovan (.130) doubled to lead off the second and scored on C Phil White's (.259) base hit to cut it to 2-1... Red Bluff knotted it up 2-all in the fourth when SP Jud Cox (.222) singled in LF Jesse Shaw (.154) from second base... in the fifth frame the Wildcats again took the lead 3-2 on an RBI single by CF Warren Vickers (.233) that scored 2B Akihiro Samurakami (.217)... the Red Sox came right back in the last half of the frame to even it up at 3-3 when LF Jesse Shaw (.154) singled and plated CF Ike Sweetwater (.333). Red Bluff skipper Jim Schubert commented, "Hats off to the Wildcats... they really had me sweatin'... Boy, we had our backs to the wall losing the first two games... it was really tough to come back and take four out the the last five games... you don't do that that often in this league... Cox and Wallace really came through for us... Wallace won game six and Cox won game seven." Aaron Hankins, Kenwood manager, wasn't happy with the results, but he was very proud of his team. "We did our best and almost pulled it off... nobody on our team is hanging his head... we are all standing proud." Red Bluff now get the honor to tangle with the defending Pro Cup champion Southport Sun Sox and their tremendous pitching staff for the Tycobbian League title... the Red Sox hit a record 283 homers this year, while the Sun Sox have one of the top-rated staffs in the IPA... it should be quite a series. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 28, 2045 A'S-RATTLERS, SUN SOX-RED SOX VIE IN LCS SAT This Saturday it's the IPA League Championship Series... and not even Hollywood could have scripted it better... the IPA still has the number one and number two clubs still in the running for the Pro Cup crown... and last year's champ is still in the quest... the Glasco Athletics, ranked first in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll, hosts the number six Sugar Valley Rattlers in the Ruthlandian League Championship Series... last year's winner, the Southport Sun Sox, picked fourth in the poll, entertains the record-setting, homer-happy Red Bluff Red Sox for the Tycobbian title... the Red Sox were the fourth choice to take the Pro Cup trophy this year. All four clubs played well in first-round action... Glasco whipped number-seven pick Claxton in six games... Sugar Valley upended number three Middlefield in an exciting seven-game series... Southport demolished number five North Hills in five games... and Red Bluff took a thriller from eighth-ranked Kenwood in seven games. Glasco has solid pitching and solid bats... Sugar Valley has home-run power... Southport has sensational pitching... and Red Bluff has record-setting firepower... the oddsmakers are going with the Athletics over the Rattlers and the Sun Sox are favored to take the Red Sox. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 30, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 1 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS STRIKE FIRST, WIN OPENER 5-3 OVER A'S Held in check by Benny McDaniel 3-1 for six innings, Sugar Valley broke loose in the late innings to subdue favored Glasco 5-3 in the Ruthlandian League Championship Series at Athletics Field... Kent Rasmus walloped a 2-run homer in the seventh to tie it up 3-3, then delivered the death knell with a 2-run two-bagger in the eighth... Davey Brennan (3-0/1.90) hurled another fine game... in his 8 innings Brennan gave up 10 hits, but just 3 runs... Sammy Hughes (0-0/0.00) worked the ninth and retired the A's in order for his second save of the postseason... McDaniel (1-1/1.57) was the losing pitcher, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits in his 8 frames... 2 of them were unearned. 3B Rasmus (.303) had 2 hits and batted in 4 runs to lead Sugar Valley... 2B Richie Fry (.200) homered for the Rattlers in the first inning... CF John Rumford (.300) accounted for all of the A's runs with a 3-run smash in the fifth inning. SUN SOX HOLD OFF RED SOX 7-5 IN OPENER Southport pitchers only gave up 6 runs in five games in the Division Series... game one of the LCS was quite a bit different... power-laden Red Bluff put 5 runs on the scoreboard, but the Sun Sox still outdid them 7-5 at Red Bluff Park... Billy Hoover was coasting along with a 7-1 lead going into the ninth, when he was stung for Josh Stevens' 3-run blast... but the Sun Sox held on to win... reliever Hal Combs got the third and final out with the tying runs on base... Southport is trying to repeat as IPA champion... they defeated the Wynnamac Sundowners in seven games last season. Southport collected 12 hits, led by SS Gonzalo Topez (.458) with a perfect 4-for-4 day, 3 runs and 2 RBIs... LF Chris Jones (.304) smacked a 2-run triple... Stevens (.333) paced the Red Sox with 2 hits, a homer and a triple... RF David Kelso (.294) and CF Ike Sweetwater added 3 hits each to their 11-hit attack... the Sun Sox stranded 13 runners and the Red Sox left 10 aboard. Hoover (2-1/2.03) got the win, but was rocked for 11 hits and 5 runs... Jud Cox (2-2/2.10) lost it... he was touched for 3 runs and 7 hits in 5 and two-thirds innings... neither reliever George Reynolds, nor Laine Logan were effective for the Red Sox... they allowed 4 runs and 5 hits in 3-plus innings |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 1, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 2 Ruthlandian Union MEYERS MASTERS RATTLERS 3-2, A'S TIE SERIES 1-1 Speed made the difference in game two of the Ruthlandian LCS... John Rumford stole two bases in the 10th inning and scored the winning run on an ill-fated pickoff throw by Antonio Cedeno... Pro Cup favorite Glasco tied the series at one game apiece on a masterful performance by Pat Meyers, who stopped Sugar Valley 3-2... Meyers (1-1/3.29) tossed 9 innings, yielded just 2 runs on 6 hits, but didn't get the decision... it went to Ken McLIn (1-0/0.00)... he sat the Rattlers down in order in the tenth... Cedeno pitched a complete game, surrendered only one earned run, but lost it... in an unsteady outing he gave up 5 hits, walked 7 and fanned 9... he was effectively wild, so to speak. LF Bobby Gamble (.412) got Sugar Valley started in the opening frame with a 2-run homer, but that was it for the day for the Rattlers... in the last of the fifth 3 walks and an error allowed the Athletics to tie the score at 2-2... Cedeno forced one run when he walked Les Masterson (.143) with the bases full and was tagged for an RBI single by LF Bobby Luwin (.357). Tycobbian Union SWANSON SHINES, SUN SOX WIN AGAIN OVER RED SOX After taking a day off in game one when they allowed 5 runs, defending Pro Cup champion Southport's superb pitching returned in game two of the Tycobbian League Championship Series as they whipped Red Bluff for the second game in a row at Red Bluff Park... southpaw Johnny Swanson (3-0/0.33) was brilliant again with his second shutout in three postseason starts this year... Swanson shined in a 3-0 victory over the heavy-hitting Red Bluff Red Sox, holding them to just 6 hits, all singles... the Red Sox hammered an IPA all-time record of 283 homers this year... Red Bluff got a quality start from Mickey Rosen (0-3/4.18)... he only permitted 2 earned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 6 and walking one. Southport took the lead 2-0 in the top of the second... 3 singles loaded the bases with no outs... Swanson (.111) plated a run when he hit into a double play... the second score came in on a miscue by shortstop Leemon O'Donovan... the Sun Sox's final run came in the seventh... 3B Ricky Whitaker (.400) doubled to lead off the frame and eventually rode home on 2B Owen Wallace's (.296) deep fly ball. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 2, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 3 Ruthlandian Union A'S STUN RATTLERS 8-7 IN GAME 3 Everything was going Sugar Valley's way until the top of the eighth inning, when everything went wrong... Glasco stormed back from a 5-1 deficit with 7 runs to take an 8-5 lead, then had to hold on as the Rattlers rallied to make it close... the Athletics escaped with a slim 8-7 victory in game three of the Ruthlandian League Championship Series played at Farmers Memorial Park in Sugar Valley... the A's lead the series two games to one. RF Travis Houston (.250) and pinchhitter Rene Jesclard had the key hits in the big inning... they both bashed 3-run homers... Houston is having a great postseason with 5 homers and 11 RBIs... A's CF John Rumford (.325) had 3 hits, including his 3rd roundtripper... Glasco had hit 14 homers in the playoffs... RF Jeff Harvey paced the Rattlers with 2 RBIs and 3 hits, including a homer and a double... Sugar Valley collected 10 hits to 9 for the A's. Glasco starter Basil Newchurch (2-0/3.38) labored but got the win... he gave up 5 runs in 7 innings on 7 hits... reliever Ken McLin (1-0/1.74) chalked up his second postseason save, but struggled... he surrendered 2 runs and 3 hits in his 2 innings... the Rattlers had the winning runs on second and third when McLin retired cleanup hitter CF Carl Ramsey (.297). Losing pitcher Joe Snow (0-3/5.56) held Glasco to 3 hits and one run through seven frames, but was shelled in the eighth for 5 hits and 6 runs. Tycobbian Union SUN SOX SHOCK RED SOX ON LONG'S GRAND SLAM Game three of the Tycobbian LCS was a game for the ages... it was a tense battle for 8 innings, tied at 3-3... then it took a turn toward the miraculous... Josh Stevens boomed a grand slammer to put Red Bluff seemingly in front to stay 7-3... only to have Southport mount an impossible comeback with 5 runs for a fantastic 8-7 win, culminating with James Long's miracle grand slam homer to give the Sun Sox a third consecutive victory in the best-of seven affair... Southport lost the opening game of the Division Series, but has rolled to seven straight wins since then... one more win over Red Bluff in the LCS and the Sun Sox will get a golden chance to repeat as IPA champion. Starters Jack Wallace (2-0/2.22) for Red Bluff and Cade Brockton (1-0/2.16) for Southport kept things under control for the first 8 frames... Wallace was touched for 3 runs on 7 hits in his 8 innings, while Brockton allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in his 7 and two-thirds innings... then the bullpens took over and both of them tried to lose it... the Red Sox clobbered Hal Combs for 4 runs on 2 hits in the top of the ninth and seemed almost certain to get their first win the series... but no... Ayden Carmack (0-1) was even worse as he was slammed for 5 runs and 3 hits by the Sun Sox to take the crushing loss. The Sun Sox had the advantage in hits 10 to 9... Southport CF Barney Lewis (.152) sparked them with 3 hits... LF Chris Jones (.300) drove in a pair of runs and scored twice... SS Gonzalo Topez (.452) was 1-for-3 and scored 3 times... Stevens (.310) had a double and the grand slam and drove in 5 runs for the Red Sox... he now has 3 homers in the playoffs and 11 RBIs... 3B Fran Blanchard (.289) got his third roundtripper in the playoffs and had 2 hits. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 3, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 4 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS EVEN UP SERIES, BRENNAN BLANKS A'S Sugar Valley and Glasco have split the first four games of the Ruthlandian LCS... in game four the Rattlers' Davey Brennan (4-0/1.38) was sensational with a 1-0 shutout... he fired a 3-hitter for his fourth straight triumph in the playoffs... he was aided by three double plays... superstar Bobby Gamble supplied a game-winning homer in the seventh inning... it was Gamble's second circuit clout of the postseason... Benny McDaniel (1-2/1.45) took a tough loss, going the distance and giving up only one run on 7 hits. Gamble (.415) and C Delmer Campbell (.225) led the winners with 2 hits each, while C Jarrah Eubarinja (.273) got 2 of the 3 hits the A's got. Tycobbian Union RED SOX SNAP SUN SOX'S 7-GAME WIN STREAK Red Bluff, known mainly for booming lots of homers, got some impressive pitching and staved off a sweep by Southport in the Tycobbian LCS... Jud Cox and two relievers combined to snap the Sun Sox seven-game postseason winning streak with a 5-1 victory at Pleasure Beach Park... but Southport is still in the driver's seat with a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series... the Red Sox erupted for 4 runs in the top of the 8th to send Billy Hoover (2-2/2.86) to the showers and down to defeat... Hoover was banged around for 5 runs and 13 hits in 8 innings. Winner Jud Cox (3-2/1.95) had a sharp outing, limiting the Sun Sox to just one run and 5 hits in seven innings... Logan Laine (0-0/1.93) and George Reynolds (0-0/5.40) preserved the win with 2 scoreless frames... it was Reynolds' third postseason save. CF Ike Sweetwater (.400), SS Leemon O'Donovan (.211) and LF Lee Wood (.556) sparked the Red Sox with 3 hits each... O'Donovan and C Phil White (.231) plated 2 runs apiece... Southport's best bats were SS Gonzalo Topez (.457), RF Pat Kinney (.222) and 1B Eddy Douglas (.355), all with 2 hits each. |
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Wednesday, October 4, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 5 Ruthlandian Union RATTLERS RALLY PAST A'S, UP 3-2 IN SERIES Playing in the friendly confines of Farmers Memorial Park, Sugar Valley slammed 4 homers to get by favored Glasco 7-6 in game five of the Ruthlandian League Championship Series... it was the Rattlers' second straight victory and gave them a 3-2 edge... one more win for Sugar Valley and they will get a crack at their first IPA Pro Cup trophy... Kent Rasmus went downtown in the bottom of the 10th for the game-winner... the Rattlers have ripped 19 out of the park in the postseason thus far. The Rattlers rallied from a 6-4 deficit after 6 innings... Bobby Gamble (.432) cut it to 6-5 with a homer in the 7th... and James Milton (.326) sent it to extra innings with a solo shot in the 8th... pitcher Antonio Cedeno (.100) got the other one, a 2-run blast in the 4th frame. Each of the teams got 11 hits... 3B Rasmus (.260), LF Gamble (.432) and 1B Milton (.326) led the Rattlers with a pair of hits apiece... Cedeno has 3 RBIs and Milton 2... Glasco was paced by 1B Les Masterson (.225) with 4 hits... 3B Billy Stroud (.250) and 2B Del Holloway (.227) added 2 hits each. Domenico Renterias (1-0/0.00) tossed 2 scoreless innings for the win, while Ken McLin (1-1/2.53) lost it... neither starter Antonio Cedeno (1-1/2.20), nor Pat Meyers (1-1/3.96) were especially effective... they both departed the game after surrendering 6 runs each. Tycobbian Union SOUTHPORT PRO CUP-BOUND, KO'S RED SOX Southport pitching made quick work of the power-laden Red Bluff Red Sox, disposing of them in just five games... Johnny Swanson (4-0/1.00) eliminated the Red Sox 7-3, allowing 3 runs and 9 hits in a complete-game effort... Swanson fanned 4 and issued only one base on balls... the Sun Sox are now headed to the Pro Cup Finals for the second season in a row... they whipped Wynnamac last year in seven games. A 4-run fifth by Southport sealed the fate of the Red Sox... that put them in front 6-3... the Sun Sox garnered 10 hits in the game with LF Chris Jones (.351) leading the way with 4... SS Gonzalo Topez (.450) went 2-for-5 and scored 3 runs... 3B James Long (.125) drove in 2 runs... CF Barney Lewis had the game's only four-bagger... a solo shot in the 7th... Red Bluff got 9 hits with 1B Josh Stevens (.314) and 2B Big Boy Payne (.218) getting 3 apiece... LF Shing Hamilton (.429) had a pair of hits and scored twice... Hamilton, Stevens and RF David Kelso (.294) accounted for the Red Sox RBIs. Starter Mickey Rosen (0-4/3.94) took the loss, permitting 6 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings... he trailed 6-3 when he was relieved. Commenting on the series, Southport skipper Charley Oscar told the press, "It was a tough series... Red Bluff really has some dangerous hitters... fortunately our pitchers kept them in the park... holding them to just 2 homers in 5 games was vital." Red Bluff manager Jim Schubert second that assessment. "For us to win, we needed home runs... that's how we play... we didn't get them... so we'll have to go home and want until next year." Southport will defend it Pro Cup crown against the Ruthlandian champion... Sugar Valley has a 3-2 edge over Pro Cup favorite Glasco after five games... game six of the series will be tomorrow afternoon in Glasco... if needed, game seven will also be at Athletics Field. |
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Thursday, October 5, 2045 2045 IPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 6 Ruthlandian Union SUGAR VALLEY RUTHLANDIAN CHAMPS Sugar Valley needed one more win to wrap up the Ruthlandian League Championship Series and they got it in game six from Christopher Dunsberry, who stumped the Glasco Athletics 6-1 and knocked the Pro Cup favorite out of the playoffs... the Rattlers captured the series four games to two and will now advance to the IPA Pro Cup Finals against the defending champion Southport Sun Sox... this will be the Rattlers' third try for a Pro Cup title... they lost the previous two times in 2004 and 2024. Dunsberry was outstanding, halting the A's on one run and 5 hits in his 7 innings... Dunsberry (2-0/0.77) was the winning pitcher... he walked one and struck out 8... Jerry Blanchard (0-1/3.27) closed out the victory with 2 runless innings... Basil Newchurch (2-1/4.56) was shelled for 6 runs and 11 hits in 7-plus innings. Offensively the Rattlers socked 12 hits... 1B James Milton (.320) and CF Carl Ramsey (.260) had solo homers for Sugar Valley... it was Milton's 5th of the playoffs and Ramsey's 4th... LF Bobby Gamble (.449) socked 3 hits, including 2 doubles... RF Jeff Harvey (.273) had 2 hits, including a 2-run double... Glasco got only 6 hits with 2B Del Holloway (.229) driving in their only score. |
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Friday, October 6, 2045 IPA CHAMP SOUTHPORT PICKED TO REPEAT The IPA Finals are slated to begin this Sunday afternoon in Pleasure Beach Park in Southport... both Pro Cup finalists have proven their meddle in the first two rounds of postseason play... defending IPA champ Southport got by two very fine teams in the North Hills Hawks and Red Bluff Red Sox in the Tycobbian Union, while Sugar Valley surprised two favored clubs, the Middlefield Roosters and Glasco Athletics, in the Ruthlandian Union... Southport was only the fourth choice to win this year, while Sugar Valley was even further down at the number six spot... the overall favorite this year was the Glasco A's, who piled up 100 victories in the regular season... Red Bluff was the second choice and Middlefield third in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll. Sun Sox manager Charley Oscar is hoping to end his career on a high note... next season Hall of Fame outfielder Lorne Evans will take the reins for him... the club would like nothing better than winning its second Pro Cup in a row... last year Southport knocked off Wynnamac in six games for their first IPA crown. The Sun Sox's strength lies in their strong pitching staff, led by veterans Billy Hoover (16-7/1.87) and portsider Johnny Swanson (14-8/3.46)... the bullpen is outstanding, too, led southpaw Hal Combs (7-4/1.94/14 saves)... LF Chris Jones (.316/9/67/95), SS Gonzalo Topez (.305/7/70/89) and CF Barney Lewis (.259/32/98/94) are the most reliable batters. On the hill Southport has been even better in the playoffs with a standout 1.88 ERA, sparked by Swanson with a 4-0 mark and 1.00 ERA in 4 starts... Hoover is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA... the Sun Sox have 6 complete games in the postseason... number three starter Cade Brockton has done well, too, with a 1-0 record in his 2 starts with a fine 2.16 ERA... the bats have been more than adequate with a .265 BA and an average of 5 runs a game... Topez has hit .450 and scored 12 runs... Jones is batting .351, 1B Eddy Dougas .353 and C Vasilis Vlachos .316 in the playoffs... Southport has gone deep only 5 times in the postseason. Like Oscar, Sugar Valley skipper Gibby Bobkins is also stepping down this season... next season the Rattlers will have superstar Bobby Gamble guiding the club as a playing manager... a Pro Cup trophy would be a great retirement gift for Bobkins... twice he has gotten the Rattlers in the Pro Cup Finals, but they lost both times... to Red Bluff in 2004 and 20 years later to Tuckanarra in 2024. Sugar Valley has a powerful offense as well as quality pitching... they were third in homers with 198, fifth in runs with 735 and posted a solid 3.45 ERA (9th)... CF Carl Ramsey (.291/46/123/112) and LF Bobby Gamble (.336/33/89/123) topped the attack... in the playoffs the Rattlers have slammed 22 homers and hit .256... Gamble is the leader with a .449 BA and has knocked 3 out of the park in the postseason... 1B James Milton has 5 homers and 10 RBIs with a.320 average... Ramsey has 4 roundtrippers and is batting .260... and 3B Kent Rasmas has 10 RBIs, a pair of homers and a .259 BA... the Rattler hurlers have done their part... Davey Brennan is 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 4 postseason starts... Antonio Cedeno is 1-1 in 3 starts with a 2.20 ERA and Christopher Dunsberry is 2-0 with an impressive 0.77... during the season Brennan was 12-9 with a 3.13 ERA, Cedeno (9-8/2.90) and Dunsberry 10-8 with a 3.90 ERA... Joe Snow was the ace during the season with a 21-12 mark and a 3.47 ERA, but he has flopped badly in the playoffs with an 0-3 record in 3 starts and a terrible 5.56 ERA... Snow has been relegated to the bullpen for the rest of the playoffs. Southport has proved it can handle high-explosive offenses similar to Sugar Valley by whipping Red Bluff, which set a new standard for home runs in the IPA this year with an astounding 283... the Red Sox were held to just 2 roundtrippers in 5 games against the Sun Sox. PRO CUP FORECAST: Southport in six games... the Sun Sox have too much pitching for Sugar Valley to win... plus the Sun Sox get the homefield advantage with a 95-59 record to 94-60 for the Rattlers... Southport plays much better at home (.701)... while the Rattlers are just a .519 club on the road... Sugar Valley is average defensively with a .972 FA, but much better than Southport's very poor .967 FA. |
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Sunday, October 8, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 1 SUN SOX STOMP ON RATTLERS 11-1 Not only did Billy Hoover hold hard-hitting Sugar Valley to just 5 hits in game one of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, he also wielded a good bat with a 3-run double in the 9-run sixth-inning explosion that highlighted Southport's 11-1 stomping of the Rattlers at Pleasure Beach Park... everything went right for the defending Pro Cup champion and everything went awry for the Rattlers. Leading the Southport 11-hit attack was RF Pat Kinney (.273) with 3 hits and 2 RBIs... 2B Owen Wallace (.250) chipped in 2 RBIs and LF Chris Jones (.357) added 2 hits and scored twice... 1B Eddy Douglas (.333) walked twice and score 2 runs... and C Vasilis Vlachos (.310) also had 2 runs batted in. Hoover (3-2/2.47) went the distance, fanned 3 and walked only one batter... Davey Brennan (4-1/3.35) suffered his first postseason loss this year in a terrible outing... he was blitzed for 9 runs in 5 innings. |
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Monday, October 9, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 2 RATTLERS STRIKE BACK IN GAME 2 Sugar Valley showed their stuff today on the road in Southport... the Rattlers defeated Johnny Swanson in a 6-3 decision that tied up the Pro Cup Finals at a game apiece... it was a welcome relief for Sugar Valley, who was manhandled in the opener 11-1... in game two Antonio Cedeno (2-1/2.15) salvaged a split in the best-of-seven series with a sparkling performance... Cedeno went all the way and held the Sun Sox to 3 runs on 5 hits... it was Swanson's (4-1/1.47) first defeat this year in the playoffs... the Rattlers tagged him for 6 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings, 3 in the fifth and 3 more in the seventh... Swanson gave up only 3 earned runs. Sugar Valley took the lead in the game 3-2 in the top of the fifth... one run came in on back-to-back infield errors by the Sun Sox... SS Roger Hobbs (.210) tied it up with a sac fly... and CF Carl Ramsey (.241) put them up by a run with an RBI double... the Rattlers broke the game open with 3 more scores in the seventh on an RBI single by Jeff Harvey (.288), Hobbs' (.210) RBI groundout and C Delmer Campbell's (.196) deep flyball. Southport got RBIs from CF Barney Lewis' (.167) solo blast and Johnny Swanson's (.143) single in second frame... the Sun Sox got the last run in the seventh on a bases-loaded walk to LF Chris Jones (.348). |
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Tuesday, October 10, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 3 RATTLERS RIP 4 HRS IN 9-8 WIN The Sugar Valley Rattlers have certainly gotten the attention of the favored Southport Sun Sox... they ripped them for 4 homers in a 9-8 victory in game three of the Pro Cup Series... the surprising Rattlers are now up two games to one in the best-of-seven set... Bobby Gamble and Carl Ramsey both collected 2 home runs to spark the win... Gamble had 5 RBIs and Ramsey 2. Sugar Valley leaped out to a 7-2 lead after 2 innings and built it up to 8-2 after 5 frames... then had to fight off a belated rally by the defending IPA titleholder... in a rocky outing Christopher Dunsberry (3-0/3.86) was blistered for 7 runs and 10 hits in 7 innings, but he still got the victory... the fourth of the Rattlers hurlers, Sammy Hughes, collected his third save of the postseason, but allowed a run in the ninth in a less-than-perfect outing... starter Cade Brockton (1-1/5.03) was slammed for 7 runs and 6 hits in his 3 innings and left on the short end of a 7-2 score. LF Bobby Gamble (.417), CF Carl Ramsey (.258) and SS Roger Hobbs (.227) all socked a pair of hits and scored 2 runs each to led the winners... 3B Kent Rasmus pitched in with a double and a triple, a run and an RBI... it was the fifth playoff homer for Gamble and fourth for Ramsey. Southport's CF Barney Lewis (.192), LF Chris Jones (.360), C Vasilis Vlachos (.294) and 3B James Long (.263) had 2 hits apiece... Long and Lewis had solo homers... it was Lewis' third and Long's second... Long had 3 RBIs in defeat. |
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Wednesday, October 11, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 4 HOOVER HALTS RATTLERS 2-0, PRO CUP TIED AT 2 With his club down in the series 2-1, Billy Hoover was Johnny-on-the-spot and came just in the nick of time... his Southport Sun Sox were in dire need of a win and they got it... in an impressive outing Hoover shut out the Sugar Valley Rattlers 2-0 in game four of the IPA Pro Cup Finals and tied it up at 2 victories for each team... Hoover (4-2/2.05) struck out 7 batters, walked no one and allowed 7 hits in winning his second game of the series... in 7 innings loser Davey Brennan (4-2/3.22) was sharp, too, yielding only 2 runs on 8 hits with 4 walks and 5 Ks. It was a scoreless tie for 5 innings... then the Sun Sox snapped it with RBI singles from C Vasilis Vlachos (.291) and LF Chris Jones (.365)... Vlachos tops the Sun Sox with 11 RBIs in the postseason... Southport picked up 8 hits with RF Pat Kinney (.263) collecting 2 of them... 1B James Milton (.313) cracked 2 hits to pace the Rattlers. |
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Thursday, October 12, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 5 RATTLERS TAKES SERIES LEAD, BEAT SWANSON AGAIN In game five of the Pro Cup Finals at Farmers Memorial Park, Sugar Valley took a giant step toward history with a 5-3 triumph over defending Pro Cup champ Southport... one more win and the Rattlers will rack up a historic first for them - the IPA Pro Cup trophy... Sugar Valley is up three games to two in the best-of-seven series and can wrap it up with a game six win in Southport... they will also have another shot should the series go full length to seven games. The Rattlers rose to the occasion and beat Johnny Swanson for the second time in the series... they got to him for 5 runs on 6 hits... shoddy defense by the Sun Sox cost them dearly... they made 3 errors... Swanson only allowed one earned run... Antonio Cedeno (3-1/2.33) beat Swanson again, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits in 8 and two-thirds innings... Jerry Blanchard relieved him in the ninth and got the final out of the game for the save. The game was all knotted up at 2-2 going into the last of the sixth... 3B Kent Rasmas broke the deadlock with an RBI single... Antonio Cedeno (.125) walked with the bases full and forced in a run... and SS Roger Hobbs (.219) got the third one in when he hit into a fielder's choice... that put Sugar Valley up 5-2... LF Bobby Gamble (.388) and RF Jeff Harvey (.274) drove in the other two Rattler runs. The Rattlers only got 6 hits and were paced by CF Carl Ramsey (.261) and Rasmas (.264) with two hits apiece... 1B Eddy Douglas (.288) and CF Barney Lewis (.207) topped the Sun Sox with a pair of hits... Douglas got the only roundtripper in the game... a solo shot in the opening frame... Douglas, LF Chris Jones (.351) and C Vasilis Vlachos (.293) drove in runs for Southport. Sugar Valley manager Gibby Bobkins is going with Joe Snow (21-12/3.47) in game six, even though he has struggled mightily in the postseason with 0-3 record and a lofty 5.32 ERA... Southport skipper Charley Oscar is also going with a break in the playoff rotation, substituting Gordon Forbes (15-8/3.36) for 20-game winner Cade Brockton... Brockton is 1-1 in 3 starts with a 5.03 ERA, while Forbes (0-0/2.25) has been effective in his one relief outing, holding the Rattlers to one run in 4 innings in game three... Sugar Valley took that one 9-8. |
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Friday, October 13, 2045 2045 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game 6 RATTLERS ROMP TO FIRST PRO CUP Twice before in the club's history the Sugar Valley Rattlers had a chance to win the IPA Pro Cup... they failed both times... 2004 and 2024... but they were not to be denied this time... the underdog Rattlers smashed defending champ Southport 15-1 in game six to wrap up their first IPA title... Grand slam homers by Carl Ramsey and Delmer Campbell led the Rattler rampage that finished off the Sun Sox in six games... they got 6 runs in the top of the fifth and 8 more in the eighth to send the favored Sun Sox home to face a long, long winter. Three pitchers combined for the victory... Joe Snow (1-3/4.40) fired 5 shutout innings and struck out 7, allowing 4 hits... with a 6-0 lead he was forced to leave the game because of a long rain delay... but Domenico Renterias continued the shutout with two more scoreless frames... and Sammy Hughes nailed it down, but did permit one run in 2 innings... alltogether Rattler pitchers struck out 13 Sun Sox... starter Gordon Forbes (0-1/5.40) was scorched for 5 runs in 6 innings for the loss. Sugar Valley rapped out 14 hits with LF Bobby Gamble (.408) going 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs... 1B James Milton (.319) was 3-5 with 2 runs and an RBI... and RF Jeff Harvey (.284) going 2-5 with 2 runs and an RBI... CF Barney Lewis (.206) homered for the Sun Sox's only score. It was quite a retirement party for Sugar Valley's Gibby Bobkins, who told the press, "What a way to call it a career... finally winning the Pro Cup."... Bobkins is retiring this year after being at the helm for 45 seasons... 32-year-old superstar outfielder Bobby Gamble will be his replacement... Gamble will continue to be an on-field player and doesn't plan to retire soon. Bobkins said, "It's hard to beat a team that hits 27 homers in the playoffs... my Rattlers did a good job beating some pretty fair pitchers... Gamble is the greatest... he is the heart and soul of the team." As happy as the Sugar Valley locker room was, the Southport clubhouse was somber and as quiet as a morgue... to a man they were hoping to win back-to-back Pro Cups for their beloved manager Charley Oscar, who is also retiring this year... Oscar gave hearty congratulations to Bobkins and his Rattlers, "They came in against the odds and proved they were the best team in the IPA this year... Gamble and Ramsey are truly gifted players... but the whole line-up is filled with tough outs... they made my great staff look ordinary." |
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Saturday, October 14, 2045 SV'S GAMBLE CHOSEN PRO CUP MVP Bobby Gamble of the Sugar Valley Rattlers has done it all in his fabulous career - 3-time Ruthlandian MVP, 10-time All-Star, 5-time Golden Bat winner, Golden Glover, 3-time pennant winner - and now Pro Cup winner and Pro Cup Most Valuable Player. Gamble sparked the Rattlers to their first-ever IPA crown with a .408 BA, 5 homers, 15 RBIs, 14 runs and 13 walks. He was the overwhelming choice in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times. Three other Rattler players got a few scattered votes: pitcher Antonio Cedeno, who was 3-1 in 5 starts with a fine 2.33 ERA, outfielder Carl Ramsey (.253 BA) with 7 homers, 13 RBIs and 12 runs and pitcher Davey Brennan with a 4-2 mark in 6 starts with a 3.22 ERA. |
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Sunday, October 15, 2045 DELUCCA EDGES GAMBLE FOR RU GOLDEN BAT This year's winner of the Ruthlandian Golden Bat Award is Jojo DeLucca of the Claxton Diamonds, who took the honor for the first time in his 11-year career... DeLucca outpolled Sugar Valley's Bobby Gamble, a 5-time recipient... third in the voting was Sugar Valley's other fine outfielder Carl Ramsey. DeLucca paced the Diamonds to the RU South Division crown this season... he played in 150 games, batted .349 with 43 homers, 129 RBIs and scored 107 runs... the 30-year-old first sacker led the IPA with 213 hits, ranked third in BA, fifth in RBIs and ninth in runs... lifetime DeLucca is a .318 hitter with 348 homers... he won his first batting title this year. Gamble appeared in 148 games, batted .336 with 33 roundtrippers, 89 RBIs and scored 123 runs... he and Ramsey led the Rattlers to the RU East title... Ramsey hit .291 in 148 games, belted 46 homers, drove in 123 runs and scored 112 times.... Ramsey was the home-run leader in the Ruthlandian Union and second in RBIs and runs... in the IPA he ranked fourth in homers, sixth in RBIs and fourth in runs. VIKS' CULPEPPER AWARDED 6TH TU GOLDEN BAT Bayview's superb slugger Jerry Culpepper captured his sixth Tycobbian Golden Bat this season, besting Red Bluff's David Kelso, who almost tied Culpepper's IPA home-run record with 65 this year... Culpepper smashed 66 out of the park in 2040... third in the balloting was Derrek Jackson of Luxora, who led the IPA with a .359 BA. Culpepper came in second to Kelso with 55 home runs and was second to Rolling Hills' Jimmy Foxx with 143 RBIs... in 132 games Culpepper put up a .311 BA and scored 98 times... in his fabulous career the 31-year-old third baseman has hit .304 with 641 homers... Culpepper is sixth on the all-time HR list and could move up as high as second... and even the great slugger Jack Elliott, the IPA homer king with 848, just might be threatened, should Culpepper continue to hit homers at his present pace. Kelso had a great season with 65 homers, 130 RBIs and 111 runs, ranking first in homers in the IPA, third in RBIs and sixth in runs ... in 147 games Kelso batted .289 and helped the Red Sox win a second straight TU East title... Jackson won his first batting title for the fifth place Zorros with a .359 average... he was third in the IPA with 203 hits and fourth with 36 doubles... in 149 games Jackson slammed 32 homers, drove in 106 runs and scored 95 runs. |
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Monday, October 16, 2045 BEECHWOOD'S HERMAN TOP RU HURLER Beechwood's chubby right-hander Jimmy Herman had a season to remember. The 30-year-old posted a superlative 26-9 record, which was good enough to win him his first Ruthlandian Golden Arm Arm, given to the best pitcher in the league. Herman had some strong competitors in James Long of the Middlefield Roosters and Jamie Taylor of the Rocky Rapids Snappers. Herman has played for 11 years for the Bobcats with three 20-game seasons. This year he led them to a second place finish. Herman completed 30 of his 39 starts with a 2.72 ERA and 268 strikeouts in 330 innings. He led the IPA in wins with 26 and was sixth in strikeouts. Career-wise Herman is 175-124 with a 3.34 ERA. James Long of Middlefield was the runner-up in the Golden Arm voting. He compiled a 23-13 record with 2.12 ERA, 6 shutouts and 212 Ks in 309 innings. Long paced the Roosters to the RU West Division pennant. He ranked second in ERA in the Ruthlandian Union and led the entire IPA with 6 shutouts. Jamie Taylor of Rocky Rapids was third in the poll. He led the RU with a splendid 2.00 ERA, while chalking up a 21-14 mark, 29 complete games and 5 shutouts. The Snappers wound up second to Middlefield in the pennant race. SA'S BELL TOP TU TWIRLER The 2045 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award went to San Alejo's Matt Bell. a first time winner. Second in the vote was Benton McCall of Cape Coral with Frankie Quinn of the Blue Lake Blue Sox coming in third. The 26-year-old Bell is a seven-year veteran with the Montaneros, who came in third this season in the TU South. Bell ranked second in the IPA in victories with a 25-9 mark. His super low 1.87 ERA placed him third in the IPA. Overall Bell has won 20 games five times in his career, piling up 145-86 record with a terrific 2.49 ERA. He throws in the upper 90's and was number two in the IPA with 284 strikeouts in 332 innings. Bell ranked second to James Long of Middlefield with 6 shutouts. Number two in the Golden Arm balloting was Benton McCall of the Cape Coral Hurricanes. At age 30 he really blossomed with a 25-9 record and a 2.74 ERA. McCall accomplished very little in his first seven seasons with the 'Canes, but has taken off in the last five and has become a solid starter. This year McCall helped the Hurricanes to a fourth place finish in the TU South. Getting better with age is 39-year-old Frankie Quinn, the third best votegetter. For the last four seasons he has registered 20 or more wins. Quinn had a 23-9 record with a standout 2.10 ERA for the Blue Sox, who were third in the TU North standings this season. In his famed 19-year career Quinn has won 20 games on 13 occasions, totaling a fantastic 366-263 mark with a great 2.93 ERA. He is now number four on the all-time wins list, topped only by Hall-of-Famers Nicky Engstrom (387-218) and Cody Burg (369-264) and the recently retired Augie Marquis (368-300) of the Fort Benton Defenders. |
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Tuesday, October 17, 2045 VALKA'S NETTERVILLE WINS RU ROOKIE HONOR Freshmen pitchers dominated in the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year poll. That honor went to 26-year-old Royce Netterville of the Valka Blackhawks, who outdistanced two of his peers, Jody Joss of Kilkenny and Cullen Winslow of Sugar Valley. Netterville sparked Valka to third place this year in the RU North. That's the first time in 16 seasons the Blackhawks have made the first division. He put up an impressive 18-10 mark with a fine 3.19 ERA and 4 shutouts in 31 starts. Running second in the best rookie poll was Jody Joss of the Kilkenny Cats. He was 16-15 in 39 starts with an excellent 2.54 ERA, 17 complete games and 3 shutouts. The Cats wound up fourth in the RU North. Cullen Winslow played an important role in Sugar Valley's super season as the Rattlers won 94 games and won the RU East. He appeared in 50 games with a 14-7 record. He made 13 starts and had 9 saves and a solid 3.03 ERA. HIGH MESA PHENOM QUARLES TU'S BEST ROOKIE He was drafted in 2037, but it took a while for Lucius Quarles to get finally get a chance to show his wares in the IPA, but when he did, he made them stand up and take notice. At age 27 the High Mesa Cowboys gave him his shot and he responded by leading the IPA with a microscopic 1.65 ERA. Not only was he the ERA leader, he was voted the Rookie of the Year in the Tycobbian Union, besting Blue Lake's outfielder Johnny Harding and Ozarka catcher Paul Beasley. Quarles was 17-14 in 36 starts for the second place Cowpokes. Harding was in second place in the rookie voting. He had a strong season with a .307 BA, 30 doubles, 5 triples and 17 homers. Harding scored 75 runs and batted in 75 for the Blue Sox, who came in third in the TU North. In third place in the poll was Beasley, who showed good power with 23 homers for the Ozarka. The Naturals came in fifth in the TU East. He batted .285 with 26 doubles, 83 RBIs and scored 61 runs. |
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Wednesday, October 18, 2045 DELUCCA EDGES HERMAN FOR RU MVP Claxton superstar Jojo DeLucca has won many honors in his 11 years in the IPA, but one has always eluded him until this season - the much-coveted Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player trophy. The 30-year-old Claxton star edged out Beechwood's Jimmy Herman and Sugar Valley's Bobby Gamble for this year's award. DeLucca led the Diamonds to the RU South pennant with a .349 BA, tops in the RU and third best in the IPA. He led the IPA in hits with 213, blasted 43 homers, drove in 129 runs and scored 107 in a fine season. Lifetime DeLucca had batted an impressive .318 and hit 345 homers. He is an 8-time All-Star, 3-time Golden Glover and won his first Golden Bat this year. Jimmy Herman of the Beechwood Bobcats was runner-up to DeLucca in the voting. He was the king of the hill this year in the IPA with 26 victories and sparked the Bobcats to second place in the RU West race. Herman was 26-9 with a fine 2.72 ERA and 268 Ks. The 30-year-old righty led the IPA with 30 complete games. Sugar Valley's marvelous Bobby Gamble almost won his fifth MVP award this year, winding up a close third in the balloting. He had another exemplary season with a .336 BA, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs and 123 runs, leading the Rattlers to the RU West Division crown. RB BLASTER KELSO CLAIMS TU MVP It was a legendary year for Red Bluff's David Kelso, this year's Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player. The prolific slugger came within one homer of the all-time IPA home run mark, falling just short of Jerry Culpepper's 66 in 2040. Kelso beat out San Alejo ace starter Matt Bell and Luxora's batting champ Derrek Jackson for the MVP trophy. The 30-year-old Kelso was a prime ingredient in the Red Sox taking the RU East Division title for the second year in a row. He hammered 65 homers, drove in 130 runs, scored 111 and batted a respectable .289. In his 13-year career Kelso has 437 roundtrippers and a .278 BA. Twice he has led the IPA in homers. Kelso had 56 in 2042. Bell had a brilliant season for third place San Alejo in the TU South race and was second in the MVP poll. He was second in the IPA with 25 wins and second in strikeouts with 284. In all Bell chalked up a 25-9 record with the third best ERA at 1.87. Third in the voting for the MVP trophy was Luxora's talented Derrek Jackson, who won the Tycobbian batting title with a .359 BA, tops in the IPA this year. He was third in hits with 203, while collecting 36 doubles, 32 homers, 106 RBIs and 95 runs. The Zorros came in fifth this year in the TU North. |
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Thursday, October 19, 2045 TOP DEFENDERS IN THE IPA CHOSEN BY RU AND TU The Islandian Pro Alliance announced the 2045 Golden Glove Awards for the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union. Heading up the RU Gold Glovers were left fielder Eldon Aldridge of Ancona and shortstop Anto Dakos of Valmara, who were chosen for the third time in their careers to the elite squad. Center fielder Carl Ramsey of Sugar Valley picked up his second trophy. The Tycobbian Golden Glovers were led by left fielder Sogo Takagi of Ginza and catcher Frank Penn of Hartsdale. They were selected the best defenders for the third time. All other honorees were first timers. No rookies made the teams this year. RUTHLANDIAN GOLDEN GLOVE TEAM: SP Sammy Hayes (Wynnamac) (20-16/3.73) (1.000 FA) C Cannon Johnson (Elnora) (.261/19/82/63) (.993 FA/4 PB/46.9% RTO) 1B Glendon Glenn (Fort Benton) (.310/2/52/72) (.995 FA) 2B Marty Featherstone (Rocky Rapids) (.286/34/92/96) (.983 FA) 3B Ken Jensen (Valmara) (.300/7/60/104) (.964 FA) SS Antos Dakos (.282/12/66/72) (.972 FA) LF Eldon Aldridge (Ancona) (.289/38/102/66) (.997 FA) CF Carl Ramsey (Sugar Valley) (.291/46/123/112) (.998 FA) RF Ken Brennan (Cold Creek) (.273/4/51/48) (1.000 FA) TYCOBBIAN GOLDEN GLOVE TEAM: SP Lanny Gray (Arlon) (16-18/3.34) (1.000 FA) C Frank Penn (Hartsdale) (.222/5/46/53) (.995 FA/5 PB/37.9% RTO) 1B Josh Stevens (Red Bluff) (.252/43/91/96) (.994 FA) 2B Sam McClellan (East Point) (.257/5/50/58) (.986 FA) 3B Russ Henredon (Arroyo Grande) (.240/5/52/51) (.968 FA) SS Edison Randall (Bay St. Clair) (.248/19/82/62) (.980 FA) LF Sogo Takagi (Ginza) (.311/32/103/120) (1.000 FA) CF Giovanni Rizzo (High Mesa) (.233/11/63/47) (.987 FA) RF Wilfredo Acosta (Arroyo Grande) (.262/19/77/64) (.996 FA) |
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Friday, October 20, 2045 IPA TOP SKIPPERS PROCLAIMED What a super year for Southport's Charley Oscar and Glasco's Charles Darby. They were both honored as the top skippers in the Islandian Pro Alliance in 2045. Oscar won it for the third time in the past four seasons, while Darby was named for the first time. Rolling Hills' Matty Christianson is the all-time leader with four Manager of the Year trophies. Oscar is now tied with Far Mountain's Alex Groveland, Cold Creek's Scoop Lemieux and Tuckanarra's Carlton "Lefty" Stevens for second place with three awards each. Oscar edged out Red Bluff manager Jim Schubert for the Tycobbian Manager of the Year. No other Tycobbian manager received any votes in the poll. Oscar guided Southport to its second successive division title, easily capturing the tough TU South by 6 games, while Schubert paced his Red Sox to another title in the TU East. The Red Sox ran away with the flag by 14 games. Both clubs were 95-59 during the season and posted the best records in the league. Charles Darby had a fabulous year in Glasco, sparking the A's to the most wins in the IPA with 100 victories to slip by Valmara in the Ruthlandian North. The Athletics improved from 82-72 in 2044 when they came in fourth and 11 games behind. This was the first time in over 40 years Glasco made the playoffs. Other votegetters were Ricky Tinker of Middlefield and Dixie Baker of Claxton. Tinker brought the Roosters home first in the RU West with a 95-59 mark, much better than 80-74 the previous year. Baker's Diamonds rose up from fourth place with an 80-74 record to 93-61 and first place. |
That's a wrap on season 45 in the IPA.
Season 46 is coming up soon at a stadium near you. Thanks to all of you regulars who faithfully follow it. I appreciate each of you very much. |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2046 IPA'S 46TH SEASON ON THE HORIZON Here we go again... The 46th year of Islandian Pro Alliance baseball will get underway tomorrow all across the Islands... here's what the baseball analysts are forecasting: a majority of last year's powers will do well again... Pro Cup champ Sugar Valley will win the RU East again, but will be challenged by Marston, Elnora and Wynnamac... Middlefield and Rocky Rapids will battle it out again in the RU West with the Snappers rated the top team in the RU... LaGrange, Valmara and Ranford are the best bets in the RU North... last year's division winner 100-game winner Glasco may have trouble repeating... the surprise team could be Waleska in the RU South... they are a big favorite to romp past last year's champ Claxton. Heavy-hitting Red Bluff is picked to be the best team in the IPA and should dominate and repeat in the Tycobbian East... the Hartsdale Hellcats are the choice to handily win the TU North, despite the presence of traditional powerhouse North Hills, last season's winner... in the TU West, Arlon gets the nod over Bayview, Rolling Hills and last year's division champ Kenwood... it should be another battle royal in the TU South between Southport, San Alejo, Summerland and Cape Coral. It the prognosticators are correct, the Pro Cup Finals should feature the Red Bluff Red Sox and Rocky Rapids Snappers with the title going to the Red Sox. |
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Tuesday, May 1, 2046 RUTHLANDIAN UNION 2-TEAM RACE IN RU NORTH, VIPERS AND A'S VIE It's just a two-team race in the Ruthlandian North after the first month of play... last year's champ Glasco (18-9) and runner-up Valmara (18-9) are going at it again... they are deadlocked for the division lead at the end of April with Taranto (12-15) and LaGrange (12-15) trailing by 6 games... the Vipers have a strong attack (.287 BA) and good pitching (3.97 ERA), while the A's have potent pitching (2.85 ERA), they suffer from lack of scoring (106 runs) at the plate. CYBERCATS TOP RU SOUTH IN APRIL Fresh off a second-place finish last year in the Ruthlandian South, the Grand City Cybercats are making some noise in the early going... the C'Cats had an impressive month and have shot ahead of San Dimas by 3 games and last year' champ Claxton by 5 games... Waleska, the critics' choice, has slumbered out of the gate so far and is in a four-team tie third, 5 games off the pace... Grand City (3.13 ERA), Waleska (2.94 ERA) and Claxton (3.17 ERA) are good on the mound, while San Dimas packs the punch at the plate (.271 BA), but is very short on pitching (4.38 ERA). RATTLERS, ELEGANTS, BOBCATS TIED IN RU EAST Defending Pro Cup champion Sugar Valley (18-9) picked up where it left off last season and has shot out of the gate in good fashion, but so has the Eastshore Elegants (18-9) and Beechwood Bobcats (18-9)... the teams are in a three-way tie for first place in the Ruthlandian East with Elnora (14-13) and Belle Plaine (14-13) not too far behind... the Rattlers had a great month on the mound (2.48 ERA) and at the plate (39 homers)... they are still the cream of the crop in Ruthlandian baseball circles... the Elegants can stay with them offensively (34 HRs), but can't compare on the hill... the Bobcats possess a fine staff (2.73 ERA), but suffered badly with the bats. RR SNAPPERS GRAB RU WEST LEAD The Rocky Rapids Snappers (20-7) had it all in the first month of play... great bats (.285 BA) and great pitching (2.48 ERA) with 27 roundtrippers... they posted the best record in the IPA and have a 4-game margin over second place Sligo (16-11), 5 better than third place Forest City (15-12) and 6 ahead of their biggest competitor Middlefield (14-13), last year's division titlist... Volusia (14-13) is tied with the Roosters in fourth place... thus far Sligo (2.68 ERA) and Forest City (2.80 ERA) have hung close to Rocky Rapids with standout pitching... the Roosters have been sluggish on the scoreboard, but still top the division with 33 HRs, tied with Volusia. TYCOBBIAN UNION HELLCATS, FROGS TOPS IN TU NORTH Offense is the name of the game in the Tycobbian North Division... starting May the Hartsdale Hellcats (19-8) and Fairfax Frogs (19-8) are a game up on the third place and defending division champ North Hills Hawks (18-9), 4 ahead of fourth place Oxford (15-12) and 5 in front of fifth place Blue Lake (14-13)... the Hellcats are hitting .281 with 31 HRs and 141 runs... the Frogs .292 BA with 141 runs... the Hawks are batting .289 with 150 runs... Oxford tops them all with 36 HRs and has scored 141 runs... Blue Lake is hitting .270 with 141 runs... North Hills is still solid on the mound with a standout 2.74 ERA... Hartsdale is strong, too, with a 2.89 ERA... Fairfax (3.42 ERA) and Oxford (3.53 ERA) are pretty good on the hill, too. 3 CLUBS BATTLE IN TYCOBBIAN SOUTH Three clubs are off to a good start in the strong Tycobbian South Division, but one of them is not the Southport Sun Sox, who have won the last four pennants... the Sun Sox (9-18) had a horrible April and are deep in the cellar, already 10 games out in the race... as expected the Summerland Sunsets (19-8) are flourishing in first place, 2 games better than the hard-hitting Ginza Ninjas (17-10) and 3 games ahead of third place San Alejo (16-11)... Summerland has superior pitching with a ridiculously low 2.33 ERA, however, they have great difficulty putting runs on the scoreboard (101 runs)... the Ninjas are batting .270 with 31 HRs and 134 runs, but are only average (3.61 ERA) on the mound... San Alejo is a well-rounded club with a standout staff (2.48 ERA) and and adequate offense (.270 BA). TUCKS, BLAZERS ATOP TU EAST All the pollsters said the Red Bluff Red Sox would make shambles of the Tycobbian East Division again this year for the third consecutive season... while that might end up being correct, Tuckanarra and Hillsboro are not going along with the experts at this point... the Blue Jays (16-11) and Blazers (16-11) are tied after the opening month of the season and they have a one-game edge over the powerful Red Sox (15-12), who are third in the race... Hillsboro has never made the playoffs in its history... they are rated a .500 club at best... the High Mesa Cowboys (14-13) are expected to be contenders and are currently just 2 games behind in the fourth spot... pitching has dominated thus far... the Red Sox lead with a terrific 2.38 ERA... the Blue Jays have an impressive 2.87 ERA... and the Cowpokes have a very good 3.06 ERA... the Blazers are only average with a 3.59 ERA... none of the clubs have shown much offense... even Red Bluff that set an IPA all-time mark with 283 homers last year are down considerably this season... the Red Sox have gone deep only 24 times and have scored only 109 runs. KENWOOD AGAIN LEAD TIGHT RACE IN TU WEST The Kenwood Wildcats are going for their fifth Tycobbian West flag in the last six seasons... even though the baseball gurus didn't rate them highly in the preseason predictions, the Wildcats (17-10) are right where they have been in recent years, right on top of the division standings... Rolling Hills (15-12) is second, 2 games off the pace... Arlon (14-13), the favorite, is 3 games out in third... and Bay St. Clair (13-14) is fourth, trailing by 4 games... actually, the race is still wide open as La Claire (12-15) and Chicopee (12-15) are just 5 games behind and tied for the fifth spot in the standings... Kenwood is far and away the HR leader in the IPA with 49 in April... the Wildcats (3.41 ERA) also have fairly good pitching to go with it... Rolling Hills (2.83) has the best staff in the division, but lacks hitting and scoring... Arlon's pitching corps is fairly good with a 3.50 ERA, but the offense isn't much with a poor .241 BA and only 19 HRs. IPA STANDINGS AT THE END OF APRIL |
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Friday, June 1, 2046 A'S LEAD RU NORTH, 3 GAMES UP ON BULLS After the first two months of play, the defending division champion Glasco (33-23) has the lead in the Ruthlandian North by three games over the Ranford Bulls (30-26)... the Athletics had a so-so 15-14 May, while the Bulls were red-hot at 19-10 and climbed up from fifth place to second... Valmara (29-27) had a dismal month and fell out of a first-place tie with an 11-18 mark, falling to third place and four games behind... LaGrange (28-28) and Far Mountain (28-28) are tied for fourth place and trail by 5 games... both of them played well in May with 16-13 and 17-12 records respectively. Top Team BA: Valmara .278, Ancona .265, Glasco .263, LaGrange .263 Top Team Scoring: LaGrange 269, Valmara 260, Glasco 251 Top Team HR: LaGrange and Taranto 62, Ranford 54 Best Team ERA: Far Mountain 3.14, Glasco 3.24, Valmara 3.25 Best Team FA: Kilkenny .979 FA, Taranto .974 FA TEAMS BEST PERFORMERS: 1. Glasco: Benny McDaniel (8-2/3.14), Manny Berrera (5-4/2.69), C Jarrah Eubarinja (.333), 2B Del Holloway (.358), CF John Rumford (.298 BA/26 RBI), SS Joseph Baxter (.258 BA/ 26 RBI), rookie 1B John Carlton (.277 BA/9 HR/24 RBI) 2. Ranford: Ralph Hawk (7-5/2.04), 3B Joey Gompers (.273/12/29/33), LF Dale Weston (.234/12/26/27), CF Micah McDade (.280/4/18/29) 3. Valmara: Primo Sirak (7-4/2.69), Teddy Twardzik (5-8/2.84), Paul Holloway (4-0/0.52/4 saves), CF Don Ritchie (.303/1/39/39), SS Jorge Aparicio (.317/0/15/39), 2B Ken Jensen (.348/2/22/32), 1B Cain Greene (.256/8/32/25) 4. LaGrange: Arnie Ayers (8-6/1.80), Johnny Stoneham (5-4/2/62), Carl Nelson (3-2/1.91/5 saves), Noel Cataron (2-2/2.27/3 saves), SS John Rodgers (.258/10/37/31), CF Robbie McGregor (.274/9/24/30) 4. Far Mountain: Ryan Kolb (4-6/2.42), Curt Steinhauer (6-4/2.72), Jonas Grover (5-5/3.07), RF Harman Silver (.256/9/28/25), 3B Norm Huffman (.316/4/22/19), LF Terry Crawford (.279/7/22/26), C Joel McDaniel (.312/1/11/17) 6. Taranto: Pablo Rivas (6-7/2.88), C Ryan Nelms (.273/13/30/25), 3B Mark Delaney (.221/15/31/33), RF Derrick Damon (.319/7/27/33), LF Howard McCord (.342/7/27/25) 7. Kilkenny: Ciaran Cullen (8-4/2.46), 3B Jorge Collazo (.308/4/24/24) 8. Ancona: LF Eldon Aldridge (.267/15/41/34), 3B Rick Richards (.327/3/29/30), C Gregg Straka (.314/5/23/34), RF Walter Glenn (.325/2/27/33) FAVORITES SURGE IN RU SOUTH Two prime contenders Claxton and Waleska started off slowly in April, but picked up steam in May and played like winners... last year's Ruthlandian South winner Claxton (33-23) surged with a 20-9 record to take over the top spot by two games over Waleska (31-26) ... the Westerners went 18-11 for the month... Claxton and Waleska were tied for fifth (5 GB) at the end of April... San Dimas (30-26) held on to third with a 15-14 mark and are 3 games back in the race... April's leader Grand City (29-27) came back down to earth with an 11-18 record and fell from first to fourth (4 GB)... Valka (28-28) has broken even so far and is in fifth place, 5 GB... the Blackhawks registered a 15-14 record in May. TOP TEAM BA: Crystal Lake (.271), Waleska (.268), Claxton (.263) TOP TEAM SCORING: San Dimas (271), Claxton (268), Crystal Lake (248) TOP TEAM HR: San Dimas (54), Grand City (50), Valka (50) BEST TEAM ERA: Waleska (3.18), Valka (3.19), Claxton (3.29), Grand City (3.45) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Claxton (.978 FA), Valka (.977 FA), St. John (.977 FA) TEAMS TOP PERFORMERS: 1. Claxton: Stan Yudash (11-3/2.89), Abe Schiffman (6-3/2.86), Eddie Dizon (6-6/3.20), LF Foxy Fuchs (.304/12/39/29), SS Stevie Wynn (.359/5/31/23), CF Bob Best (.305/2/24/23) 2. Waleska: Jeff Woodruff (7-4/2.55), Niles Nielsen (9-2/3.28), 3B Pete Furness (.274/10/37/28), SS Pete Hudson (.311/1/23/20) 3. San Dimas: Toby White (7-4/3.42), Georgie Walker (3-3/2.28/9 saves), 3B Leonard Purkey (.333/4/26/20), 1B Ken Kirby (.260/11/29/32), C Hermie Goetz (.264/4/21/31) 4. Grand City: Kenny Morrow (5-7/2.83), Kent Douglas (5-1/1.56/4 saves), 1B Benny Hull (.333/18/38/35) 5. Valka: Ivo Lipik (9-4/3.03), Tyrone Marte (7-4/3.17), CF Kenny Mitzusaka (.302/10/29/28), RF Rich Henson (.286/11/27/25), LF Neil Richard (.320/6/24/19) 6. St. John: Frank Long (7-6/3.29), Jeremy Kirk (6-6/3.32), SS Herbie Gruen (.258/8/31/27), 2B Tab Allison (.265/2/27/27), 3B Marty Blankenship (.252/8/17/26) 7. Crystal Lake: Eddie Lane (7-7/2.67), C Del Peevy (.322/2/31/25), SS Ernie Addison (.345/1/25/26), 1B Daryl Brady (.311/5/20/27) 8. Belair Beach: Jose Munoz (8-5/3.28), 3B Jason Butler (.267/12/33/36), RF Norm Ellis (.269/11/26/26) RATTLERS LEAD TIGHT RACE IN RU EAST Nobody seems to want to take charge in the Ruthlandian East... "You take it, I don't want it" seems to be the motto... of the top five clubs only fourth place Wynnamac (28-28) posted a winning record last month... the Sundowners were 17-12 last month... the top five teams are separated by just five games... first place and defending IPA champion Sugar Valley (32-24) went 14-15, runner-up Eastshore (31-25) was 13-16, third place Beechwood (30-26) dipped to 12-17 and fifth place Elnora (27-29) came in at 13-16. TOP TEAM BA: Belle Plaine (.284), Eastshore (.277), Marston (.273), Wynnamac (.269) TOP TEAM SCORING: Eastshore (282), Belle Plaine (279), Sugar Valley (276), TOP TEAM HR: Sugar Valley (80), Eastshore (61), Marston (61), Beechwood (55) BEST TEAM ERA: Sugar Valley (2.92), Cold Creek (3.14), Beechwood (3.49), Wynnamac (3.69) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Beechwood (.982 FA). Cold Creek (.976 FA), Sugar Valley (.974 FA), Wynnamac (.974 FA) TEAMS TOP PERFORMERS: 1. Sugar Valley: Cullen Winslow (10-3/2.10), Antonio Cedeno (9-3/2.10), Joe Snow (5-4/2.92), LF Bobby Gamble (.335/16/45/41), SS Roger Hobbs (.289/16/35/48), CF Carl Ramsey (.299/14/47/38) 2. Eastshore: Malcolm Tansbury (5-4/2.98), Jody Friday (7-1/1.45/4 saves), 2B Johnny Petrak (.324/8/35/35), RF Troy McFarland (.273/21/57/54), LF Bevan Shuler (.287/11/35/39), 3B Abner Bronstein (.350/2/9/27) 3. Beechwood: Jimmy Herman (7-5/1.91), Larry Carmen (7-4/3.38), 2B Mike Matthews (.273/7/38/34) 4. Wynnamac: Sammy Hayes (7-6/2.33), Shirai Nakamura (6-7/3.09), Johnny Mitchell (3-2/2.10/5 saves), CF Darrell Donnelly (.340/5/27/36), SS Dale Fisher (.315/7/25/36), RF Nioka Inkamara (.286/13/30/36) 5. Elnora: Stan Kivas (9-4/2.65), Dan Pitts (5-9/2.89), LF Enos Conrad (.343/5/21/30), 2B Marley Macomber (.330/9/36/29), C Cannon Johnson (.259/11/33/30) 6. Belle Plaine: Phil Lacey (8-4/3.54), 1B Chuck Gregory (.323/14/36/33), 3B Kale Woodard (.335/2/19/22), SS Danny Fitzgerald (.316/5/20/23), 2B Mac Lord (.280/2/24/33), CF Roy Myers (.296/7/19/29) 7. Marston: Thomas Stuart (5-5/3.74), Kelly Long (3-2/3.10), Kiki Vuk (4-4/2.31/5 saves), 2B Gary Armitage (.321/10/28/37), SS Stan Mila (.304/8/23/25), 3B Harvey Creighton (.282/6/27/28) 8. Cold Creek: Sammy Wright (6-7/2.79), Rob Hutchins (4-6/1.99), 3B Joe Cochrane (.294/9/35/30) ROCKY RAPIDS RUNAWAY IN RU WEST It looks like the pennant race is over in the Ruthlandian West after only two months... Rocky Rapids (40-16) has raced to 10-game lead over runner-up Forest City (30-26) and 11 ahead of Stoner (29-27), Sligo (29-27) and last year's champ Middlefield (29-27)... the Snappers have racked up the best record in the IPA, tied with Summerland of the Tycobbian South. TOP TEAM BA: Rocky Rapids (.290), Volusia (.268), Forest City (.268), Colfax (.262), Sligo (.262) TOP TEAM SCORING: Rocky Rapids (327), Volusia (273), Sligo (259), Colfax (253) TOP TEAM HR: Middlefield (66), Rocky Rapids (64), Volusia (60), Forest City (56) BEST TEAM ERA: Sligo (2.94), Forest City (2.95), Rocky Rapids (3.34), Middlefield (3.38) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Middlefield (.984 FA), Stoner (.981 FA), Fort Benton (.975 FA), Rocky Rapids (.973 FA) TOP TEAM PERFORMERS: 1. Rocky Rapids: Jamie Taylor (12-2/1.56), Buster Noland (7-1/2.71), Robby Barnhill (10-1/3.61), RF Jose Ramos (.336/7/38/43), 3B Duncan Musselwhite (.339/2.18/50), C Carney Kirkpatrick (.337/6/37/31), 2B Marty Featherstone (.292/12/37/51), LF Buddy Hamilton (.317/17/59/43), 1B Masaharu Kawasaki (.304/8/36/25) 2. Forest City: Omar Cordero (9-4/2.04), Rusty Howard (7-6/2.37), John McKee (5-4/2.90), 2B Donnie Watkins (.404/7/27/38), C Bob Brisdon (.364/7/31/23), 1B Pistol Pete Picard (.336/12/33/26) 3. Stoner: Earl Marley (8-4/3.59), Mel Glosterman (7-3/3.63), Brian Cole (6-6/3.67), Billy Horton (2-5/2.90/12 saves), LF Emmett Tread (.314/10/34/40), SS Clayton Warfield (.306/3/20/20) 4. Sligo: Freddy Avery (8-6/3.11), Buzz Bumgartner (6-5/2.54), Art Hacker (8-6/3.39) and Randall Steele (4-6/3.14), 1B Denny Simmons (.327/8/30/34), CF Pat Tyrrell (.307/0/19/24), RF Brad Oliver (.288/3/22/27) 5. Middlefield: Carroll Collier (8-4/1.78), James Long (4-5/2.53), C Johnny McDonald (.324/2/14/22), 1B Cliff Patterson (.297/6/22/26), LF Alejandro Dominguez (.265/8/23/28), SS Jimmy Beach (.258/7/21/23), RF Sid Conner (.245/11/25/24), CF Norman Antonioni (.15/11/23/19) 6. Volusia: Skeeter Millham (6-4/3.08), Drew Selby (3-8/2.98), CF Cazzie Carvalho (.320/4/35/32), C George Ruffino (.294/10/40/28), SS Duane Blayney (.280/10/23/31), 1B Kris Wilson (.282/10/32/37) 7. Colfax: Jorgen Krogstad (6-6/3.83), CF Robb Maddux (.299/5/28/35), 3B Hoot Glanville (.304/6/22/24), RF Kevin Williams (.351/1/11/23) 8. Fort Benton: Phil Krieger (6-6/3.18), Jordy Raeburn (6-7/3.61), RF Cayman Crittenden (.340/11/37/26), C Varnell Larrimore (.296/5/28/25), CF Dwight Beatty (.315/4/18/12) RUTHLANDIAN UNION STANDINGS MAY 31, 2046 |
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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, June 1, 2046 HAWKS HAVE HANDS FULL IN TU NORTH The Tycobbian North has been dominated by the North Hills Hawks (35-21) for more than a decade... 12 times in 13 years they have won the pennant... currently the Hawks are in the running for their fourth flag in a row, but it looks like it will be a tough race... Hartsdale (34-22) and Fairfax 34-22) are right on their tails, just a game behind... Blue Lake (32-24) is only 3 games out in fourth... Oxford (29-27) and White River (28-28) are within striking distance in fifth and sixth place, respectively... only Luxora (25-31) and Mahaska (20-36) seem to be out of the race... Blue Lake (18-11) had the best May, followed closely by North Hills (17-12), and White River (17-12)... Hartsdale and Fairfax were both 15-14... as per usual the Hawks have stong pitching and a good offense... the Hellcats carry some big sticks with solid mound work... while the Frogs are hitting the cover off the ball with a .295 team BA, but its pitching is less than average... the Rascals could be the spoilers in the race with good pitching and good bats. TOP TEAM BA: Fairfax (.295), Hartsdale (.272), North Hills (.270), Luxora (.259) TOP TEAM SCORING: Hartsdale (296), Blue Lake (292), Fairfax (280), Oxford (274) TOP TEAM HR: Mahaska (68), White River (67), Oxford (64), Hartsdale (63) BEST TEAM ERA: North Hills (2.81), White River (3.25), Hartsdale (3.25), Oxford (.3.45) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Hartsdale (.982 FA), Luxora (.976 FA), White River (.975 FA), Mahaska (.974 FA) TEAM LEADERS: North Hills: David Michael (9-5/2.62), Alex Peters (7-5/2.51), Tony Mack (9-3/3.34), Kyle Oliver (7-3/3.00), 3B Ric Hamilton (.322/5/21/24), 1B Oscar Pendleton (.328/6/27/22), 2B Jim McDermott (.296/4/29/23), SS Tommy Vavas (.286/5/20/41), LF Ryan Webbe (.299/10/29/31) Hartsdale: Gil Younger (12-2/2.32), Dave Payne (6-4/2.81), Perry Givens (8-4/3.01), RF Emilian Burgess (.325/6/27/38), C Frank Penn (.330/4/29/22), SS Robinson Alomar (.304/13/35/30), 2B Myrt Breland (.301/4/25/24), 1B John Ford (.268/9/36/28) Fairfax: Harold Dorman (8-5/2.59), Terry Sawyer (6-4/2.89/5 saves), 3B Daniel Pierce (.328/1/32/36), CF Trent Russell (.314/6/31/32), LF Brad Johnston (.330/6/23/34), 2B John Velasco (.296/11/51/36), C Scott Courtney (.292/8/27/26), SS Demont Beauchamp (.336/1/20/27) Blue Lake: Van Johnson (7-3/3.08), Sal Mays (6-6/3.23), Greg Mortimer (6-5/3.44), Razzy Richmond (3-2/2.98/5 saves), LF Jack Ryan (.362/1/20/31), C Juan Luis Barcelona (.277/8/35/34), 1B Mel Morrison (.294/9/33/24), 3B Matt Thompson (.260/5/34/30) Oxford: Rudy Mellancamp (6-6/2.56), Tekkan Nashikawa (7-4/2.37), Ralph Mosby (8-4/3.88), RF Kevin Carter (.289/16/46/38), C Jayson French (.331/4/23/20), SS Dan Zalewski (.287/4/21/30) White River: Nicky Palmer (7-1/2.49), Norman Wilkie (4-6/2.69), Carlo Grimaldi (3-2/1.89/5 saves), LF Billy Joe Hickman (.245/19/36/35), 1B Ralph Cashman (.213/11/30/25) Luxora: Victor Spears (6-7/3.39), 1B Joel Poche (.323/6/34/29), RF Emil Pasek (.318/6/23/30), CF Danny Dudley (.303/4/28/23), LF Derrek Jackson (.319/9/30/28), 3B Tiago Chaves (.262/11/29/27) Mahaska: Lowell Grandison (3-2/2.66/4 saves), SS Rocco Bertara (.291/8/29/38), CF Bill Whittier (.301/8/28/33), C James Boswell (.215/13/31/20), 1B Roger Lewis (.254/11/34/22) SUNSETS AND MONTIES THRIVE IN TU SOUTH Year-in and year-out for the last decade Summerland and San Alejo have been contenders in the Tycobbian South Division... this year they may bring home the elusive division pennant, which has gone to Southport for the past four seasons... both the Sunsets and the Montaneros boast outstanding pitching and have been hot as blazes in the first two months of the season, while the Sun Sox didn't do well in April... right now the Sunsets are three games in front of the Monties with the Sun Sox tied for third with Ginza and nine games back... Summerland and San Alejo had great months with 21-8 records... Southport was even hotter at 22-7... Ginza was 14-15... the Tycobbian South looks like the toughest division in the IPA with six teams at .500 or better... Cape Coral (30-26) trails by 10 games and is in the fifth spot, while Turon (28-28) is sixth and 12 games off the pace. TOP TEAM BA: Cape Coral (.279), Ginza (.265), San Alejo (.263) and Summerland (.258) TOP TEAM SCORING: Cape Coral (273), Southport (260), Ginza (259), Summerland (256) TOP TEAM HR: Turon (69), Cape Coral (63), Ginza (54), San Alejo (49) BEST TEAM ERA: Summerland (2.30), San Alejo (2.60), Southport (3.50), Ginza (3.67) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Ginza (.980 FA), Arroyo Grande (.977 FA), Turon (.977 FA), San Alejo (.977 FA) TEAM LEADERS: Summerland: Dutch DeBoer (11-1/1.84), Jayson Hallstrom (9-2/1.69), Jacob Gillen (7-4/2.13), Pete Ashley (7-3/2.64/6 saves), Billy King (4-5/2.84), RF Rick Mayes (.305/8/30/34), 1B Kenny Douglas (.316/9/39/38), 3B Alex Abbotson (.280/11/36/37), CF Antonio Vasquez (.315/2/22/22) San Alejo: Benny Buckmaster (10-3/1.84), Matt Bell (8-2/2.03), Will McKinney (8-5/1/59), 1B Sal McAlister (.353/3/21/32), LF Charlie Wilberforce (.327/11/31/29), RF Paulo Teixeira (.268/13/43/31) Southport: Billy Hoover (6-5/2.48), Cade Brockton (8-4/3.60), Gordon Forbes (6-5/3.69), 1B Eddie Douglas (.348/11/32/33), 3B Craig Glennon (.274/9/24/19), SS Gonzalo Topez (.287/1/27/22), LF Chris Jones (.277/1/15/33) Ginza: Tokuji Takahara (5-3/1.49/2 saves), Charley Waskins (7-1/3.56), Carlos Del Toro (6-5/3.70), Timmy Hitchens (4-3/2.10/8 saves), 1B Jiro Yamamura (.347/3/18/42), CF Sogo Takagi (.313/6/29/29), SS Sam Essex (.226/11/40/29) Cape Coral: Vernon Marks (9-4/2.95), RF William Snyder (.313/11/37/33), 2B Lou Panko (.335/6/30/29), 3B Kent Mantle (.306/10/23/30), 1B Scott Ferguson (.311/7/35/18), LF Rikky Van Dalen (.294/6/30/39) Turon: Izzy Beasley (8-4/2.53), Nate Stocksdale (6-6/3.04), 1B Nick Fisher (.351/15/41/35), SS Rafer Robertson (.303/14/37/26), CF Guido Gervasio (.286/4/21/29), 2B C. C. Kingsford (.265/10/26/21) Arroyo Grande: Anthony Lombardi (8-5/3.47), RF Wilfredo Acosta (.269/5/25/24), 3B Russ Henredon (.269/4/30/19), LF Alfred Novikoff (.274/4/18/27) Colchester: Dave Lacoste (8-4/2.85), Benny White (8-6/3.57), 1B Norm Murdoch (.306/0/19/24), CF Jebbie Shaw (.336/5/21/26), RF Teddy Drackley (.264/8/30/29) RED SOX HAVE SLIGHT LEAD IN TU EAST The Tycobbian East is not going according to Hoyle this year... heavily-favored Red Bluff (33-23) is in first place, but not by a lot... Tuckanarra (31-25) is only 2 games out... South Fork (29-27) is just 4 back... Hillsboro (28-28) is 5 off the pace and High Mesa (27-29) is only 6 games behind in fifth place... the Red Sox took the divison lead with an 18-11 mark in May... South Fork (17-12) prospered, too... while Tuckanarra was only 15-14... TOP TEAM BA: Tuckanarra (.272), Midway (.259), Red Bluff (.255), Ozarka (.255) TOP TEAM SCORING: Hillsboro (59), Red Bluff (246), Midway (244), South Fork (244) TOP TEAM HR: Red Bluff (77), Hillsboro (59), High Mesa (53), south Fork (52) BEST TEAM ERA: Red Bluff (2.66), South Fork (2.88), Tuckanarra (3.05), High Mesa (3.54) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: High Mesa (.975 FA), Red Bluff (.974 FA), East Point (.972 FA), Tuckanarra (.972 FA) TEAM LEADERS: Red Bluff: Jud Cox (11-2/1.55), Mickey Rosen (8-3/2.03), George Reynolds (7-5/2.49), RF David Kelso (.314/17/40/31), 3B Fran Blanchard (.328/12/38/28), 1B Josh Stevens (.296/8/24/28), LF Jesse Shaw (.285/9/23/29) Tuckanarra: Ozzie Leslie (6-7/2.18), Dickie Pittman (5-4/2.42), Cameron Brothers (5-1/2.70), Jack Rogers (6-3/2.45/4 saves), RF Jimmy Markovich (.318/2/18/27), CF Ben Henderson (.326/1/18/22), 1B Rodger Parsons (.307/5/24/23), 2B Ricky Vincent (.304/1/20/27), C Wally McMain (.305/0/20/11) South Fork: Jay Murphy (6-5/2.16), Chris Sorensen (8-6/2.46), Big Murph McAlister (6-3/2.65), CF Scotty O'Sullivan (.292/8/33/23), 2B Elton Jacoby (.285/5/21/37), 3B Jess Wilkerson (.264/8/33/30), RF Rick Carlton (.379/6/27/19), SS Pete Arnold (.282/3/23/28), RF Kyle Gottwald (.292/4/22/12) Hillsboro: Jamie Lee Bradley (6-4/2.63), Steve Cooper (7-7/3.13), Bailey Bilbow (3-0/2.23/6 saves), 1B Ernie Moxley (.338/21/57/37), 2B Scotty McNeill (.311/3/36/29) High Mesa: Tee Bo Templet (4-0/2.79), Emil Nowak (7-6/3.18), Lucius Quarles (3-7/3.12), William Morris (3-0/0.59/2 saves), LF Clay Johnston (.238/13/36/28) East Point: Barney Benton (4-5/2.71), Kenneth Lawson (3-0/2.33/2 saves), RF Augie Elizondo (.308/2/14/23), 1B Jack Gorham (.265/10/23/23) Ozarka: Glen Jenkins (6-5/3.49), Gene White (1-0/1.20), C Paul Beasley (.322/6/24/11), 2B Duffy Morrison (.297/6/23/26), RF Keith Crider (.310/5/20/20) Midway: Charlie Chase (5-8/3.36), Sam Lewis (3-1/1.05/1 save), LF Justin Morrison (.299/7/39/36), CF Hector Pena (.295/1/26/32), SS Paul Butler (.304/4/24/35). KENWOOD PULLS AWAY IN TU WEST For four of the last five years the Kenwood Wildcats have ruled the Tycobbian West... it's only June, but they have already pulled away from the pack, compiling a splendid 20-9 mark in May... the Wildcats (37-19) are eight games ahead of second place Rolling Hills (29-27), nine up on Arlon and 10 in front of Bay St. Clair, the fourth place club... Kenwood is the highest scoring team in the IPA with a solid group of starters and relievers... they may be hard to catch... the Reds, Champions and Buccaneers were all just 14-15 for the month. TOP TEAM BA: Kenwood (.273), La Claire (.268), Rolling Hills (.262), Bayview (.258) TOP TEAM SCORING: Kenwood (310), Bayview (273), La Claire (244), Arlon (243) TOP TEAM HR: Kenwood (87), Bayview (78), Arlon (51), Bay St. Clair (43) BEST TEAM ERA: Kenwood (3.03), Rolling Hills (3.21), Arlon (.3.45), Chicopee (3.54) BEST TEAM DEFENSE: Denton City (.979 FA), Bay St.Clair (.973 FA), Arlon (.973 FA), Kenwood (.973 FA) TEAM LEADERS: Kenwood: Tommy Carter (9-4/2.53), Freddy Gooch (7-4/3.33), Clyde Myers (7-5/3.33), Gregg Campbell (4-4/3.30), Rusty Bradford (5-1/3.07/6 saves), Mike Jones (2-1/2.13/5 saves), 1B Bert Henrich (.326/20/44/43), C Corky DiNozzo (.346/16/41/32), 3B Country Crowder (.326/1/20/45), SS Ben Daniels (.300/11/29/27), RF Dorsey Faircloth (.296/10/33/29), LF Warren Vickers (.285/5/27/24) Rolling Hills: Matthew Christianson (10-3/1.90), Johnny Howard (6-7/3.24), Steve Adams (5-6/3.09), 1B Darwin Tard (.304/10/29/34), RF Jimbo Foxx (.259/8/28/29) Arlon: Lanny Gray (5-6/2.38), Pat Stuyvesant (6-5/3/15), Mack Blair (3-2/2.68/6 saves), 3B Mark Cameron (.330/13/44/41), C Nick Shafer (.296/6/28/21), CF Jim Cherry (.296/2/12/29) Bay St. Clair: Dion Hawkins (10-3/3.04), Clyde Gordon (5-5/2.93), 3B Dan Modrak (.270/10/23/27), SS Edison Randall (.275/5/18/30), CF Sasha Ilyushin (.279/4/24/22) Bayview: Jerome Dean (4-1/3.72/1 save), Johnny Young (4-7/3.45), 3B Jerry Culpepper (.266/19/52/420, SS Andreas Stokke (.259/19/43/40), LF Ivar Nilssen (.276/12/34/33) La Claire: Bruce Kinson (8-4/3.69), Nelson Stubbs (6-6/3.86), Terry Baird (2-3/2.94/7 saves), CF Donny Griffith (.318/8/33/30), SS Royce Hill (.309/4/14/27), UIF Zane Law (.308/4/25/22), LF Hank Morton (.311/3/24/23), 1B Doug Stewart (.330/2/24/30), RF Rob Fisher (.277/6/25/21) Denton City: Jimmy Ellerbee (6-6/3.86), Mel Coley (5-7/3.44), 1B Wayman Stetson (.271/12/27/23) Chicopee: Tony Dazzi (6-7/2.82), Josh Dougherty (3-9/2.19), Paul Foster (5-6/3.87), 1B Sam Patrick (.254/9/24/29), SS Jud Williams (.285/2/12/24), RF Denny Halverton (.274/2/24/23) TYCOBBIAN UNION STANDINGS, MAY 31, 2046 |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, June 18, 2046 ISLAND ALL-STARS BATTLE IN SUGAR VALLEY The IPA Mid-Summer classic is scheduled for for this Wednesday afternoon at Farmers Memorial Park, home of the IPA Pro Cup champion Sugar Valley Rattlers. The Tycobbian All-Stars and the Ruthlandian All-Stars will engage for the 46th time with Tycobbia having a decided edge in the annual series. The TU Stars have a 29-16 advantage so far. The Rocky Rapids Snappers and the Sugar Valley Rattlers have five players each on the RU Stars, while the Summerland Sunsets and Hartsdale Hellcats top Tycobbia with three players each. Bayview's superstar Jerry Culpepper is making his 13th appearance in the All-Star Game. Kenwood's standout catcher Corky DiNozzo has been picked 9 times, second baseman John Velasco of Fairfax 7 times, pitcher Jayson Hallstrom of Summerland 6 times and center fielder Sogo Takagi of Ginza has been chosen for the sixth time. Heading up the Ruthlandian All-Stars is Sugar Valley left fielder Bobby Gamble, who made the squad for the 11th time, Elnora catcher Cannon Johnson has made the club 7 times, Sugar Valley shortstop Roger Hobbs has been named 5 times with three players selected for the fourth time: first baseman Benny Hull of Grand City, third baseman Denny Simmons of Sligo and CF Kenny Mitsuzaka of Valka. RUTHLANDIAN ALL-STARS: SP Jamie Taylor (Rocky Rapids) (16-3/1.93) 3-time All-Star SP Antonio Cedeno (Sugar Valley) (12-5/2.09) SP Cullen Winslow (Sugar Valley) (12-5/2.09) SP Chris Collier (Middlefield) (11-5/1.48) 2-time All-Star SP Omar Cordero (Forest City) (11-6/2.35) SP Ralph Hawk (Ranford) (10-7/2.21) CL Jody Friday (Eastshore) (9-1/1.77/6 saves) CL Noah Mannon (Ranford) (9-1/1.67/3 saves) C Jarrah Eubarinja (Glasco) (.324/1/26/34) C Cannon Johnson (Elnora) (.283/15/42/43) 7-time All-Star C Johnny McDonald (Middlefield) (.314/5/19/38) 1B Benny Hull (Grand City) (.325/24/55/44) 4-time All-Star 1B Kris Wilson (Volusia) (.312/19/53/53) 2-time All-Star 2B Ken Jensen (Valmara) (.374/4/32/48) 2B Donnie Watkins (Forest City) (.403/9/39/50) 2B Marty Featherstone (Rocky Rapids) (.311/19/58/64) 3-time All-Star 3B Denny Simmons (Sligo) (.335/8/33/44) 4-time All-Star 3B Rick Richards (Ancona) (.337/4/36/30) SS John Rodgers (LaGrange) (.278/11/44/43) 3-time All-Star SS Roger Hobbs (Sugar Valley) (.282/18/40/56) 5-time All-Star LF Bud Hamilton (Rocky Rapids) (.307/20/67/50) LF Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley) (.323/19/54/57) 11-time All-Star CF Chris Ramsey (Sugar Valley) (.289/16/57/47) 3-time All-Star CF Kenny Mitzusaka (Valka) (.325/14/47/40) 4-time All-Star CF Don Ritchie (Valmara) (.289/2/50/48) RF Jose Ramos (Rocky Rapids) (.340/11/49/58) RF Todd McFarland (Eastshore) (.271/22/62/62) 2-time All-Star TYCOBBIAN ALL-STARS: SP Gil Younger (Hartsdale) (14-5/2.53) SP Matty Christianson (Rolling Hills) (14-4/2.03) 2-time All-Star SP Jud Cox (Red Bluff) (14-3/1.76) 3-time All-Star SP Dutch De Boer (Summerland) (11-3/1.80) SP Will McKinney (San Alejo) (11-6/1.78) 2-time All-Star SP Jayston Hallstrom (Summerland) (11-3/1.79) 6-time All-Star CL Pete Ashley (Summerland) (10-3/1.91/8 saves) CL Rusty Bradford (Kenwood) (10-1/1.91/8 saves) 2-time All-Star C Corky DiNozzo (Kenwood) (.327/20/56/39) 9-time All-Star C Frank Penn (Hartsdale) (.322/4/40/26) C Juan Luis Barcelona (Blue Lake) (.293/10/46/44) 1B Ernie Moxley (Hillsboro) (.336/29/80/50) 1B Nick Fisher (Turon) (.351/19/55/48) 2-time All-Star 2B John Velasco (Fairfax) (.317/14/58/43) 7-time All-Star 2B Scotty McNeill (Hillsboro) (.311/4/47/41) 3B Jerry Culpepper (Bayview) (.292/23/60/50) 13-time All-Star 3B Fran Blanchard (Red Bluff) (.312/17/50/41) 2-time All-Star SS Rocco Bertara (Mahaska) (.316/10/37/54) SS Rafer Robertson (Turon) (.312/18/49/35) 2-time All-Star SS Andreas Stokke (Bayview) (.284/24/57/58) LF Justin Morrison (Midway) (.311/9/57/49) LF Brad Johnston (Fairfax) (.318/8/33/42) 2-time All-Star CF Sogo Takagi (Ginza) (.323/8/40/45) 6-time All-Star CF Hector Pena (Midway) (.307/6/44/49) RF David Kelso (Red Bluff) (.319/24/55/40) 4-time All-Star RF Mark Cameron (Arlon) (.314/16/50/46) 3-time All-Star RF Elilian Burgess (Hartsdale) (.317/9/36/54) |
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 20, 2046 2046 IPA ALL-STAR GAME AT FARMERS MEMORIAL PARK IN SUGAR VALLEY TU STARS TORCH RUTHLANDIA 8-3 When it comes to All-Star Game the Tycobbian Union seems to always have Ruthlandia's number... for the second year in a row the TU All-Stars were victorious as they torched the RU Stars 8-3 at Farmers Memorial Park in Sugar Valley... the game's MVP trophy went to Justin Morrison (Midway), who slammed a 3-run homer to lead the way... Sogo Takagi (Ginza) also had a 2-run single for the winners... the TU Stars outhit Ruthlandia 9 to 8. The win went to Jayson Hallstrom (Summerland)... he worked the third and fourth frames and gave up one run on three hits... the loss went to Chris Collier (Middlefield), who was slammed for four runs and four hits in the third inning... Tycobbia tacked three more runs on the scoreboard in the fourth frame against Antonio Cedeno (Sugar Valley) to clinched the game... Cullen Winslow (Sugar Valley) was one bright spot for the RU Stars... he blanked Tycobbia on one hit in the fifth, sixth and seventh, striking out three... Donnie Watkins (Forest City) and Jose Ramos (Rocky Rapids) led the Ruthlandian All-Stars with two hits each. Tycobbia improved its record in the All-Star Classic to 30 wins and only 16 losses. |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 A'S PAD LEAD IN RU NORTH TO 6 GAMES June was a very good month for the first place Glasco Athletics (53-29) in the Ruthlandian North Division... the A's went on a 20-6 splurge and built up a 6-game margin over runner-up Valmara (47-35), 7 ahead of third place Ranford (46-36) and 10 in front of fourth place LaGrange (43-39)... Glasco is the current IPA champion and is looking to repeat. TEAM BA: VALMARA .279, GLASCO .273, LAGRANGE .269, TARANTO .257 TEAM SCORING: GLASCO 408, VALMARA 404, LAGRANGE 391, TARANTO 347 TEAM HR: TARANTO 89, LAGRANGE 87, RANFORD 86, VALMARA 65 TEAM ERA: GLASCO 2.92, FAR MOUNTAIN 3.07, VALMARA 3.41, LAGRANGE 3.46 TEAM DEFENSE: LAGRANGE .976 FA, KILKENNY .976 FA, TARANTO .976 FA, GLASCO .975 FA 1. GLASCO LEADERS: PITCHERS: BENNY MCDANIEL (11-4/3.10), EVAN WALSH (8-2/2.48/2 SAVES), PAT MEYERS (10-8/2.83), MANNY BERRERA (9-5/2.53), KEN MCLIN (7-1/1.45/8 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B DEL HOLLOWAY (.371/4/20/33), C JARRAH EUBARINJA (.329/1/30/37), SS JOSEPH BAXTER (.307/5/45/46), CF JOHN RUMFORD (.299/6/43/38), 1B JOHN CARLTON (.295/15/39/40), 3B BILLY STROUD (.294/2/29/28) 2. VALMARA LEADERS: PITCHERS: PRIMO SIRAK (13-4/1.99), TEDDY TWARDZIK (10-10/3.17), PAUL HOLLOWAY (5-0/1.66/9 SAVES) BATTERS: 2B KEN JENSEN (.368/4/37/56), RF PAUL MCMAHON (.350/3/22/15), LF JACEK PRUSAK (.328/8/36/21), SS JORGE APARICIO (.325/2/28/52) 3. RANFORD LEADERS: PITCHERS: RALPH HAWK (11-8/2.40), NOAH MANNON (9-2/1.59/4 SAVES) BATTERS: LF DALE WESTON (.275/19/39/49), 3B JOEY GOMPERS (.254/17/41/49), SS HARLEY FREEMAN (.295/8/31/24), CF JAMIE HOLCOMB (.297/11/29/29) 4. LAGRANGE LEADERS: PITCHERS: ARNIE AYERS (10-9/2.00), JOHNNY STONEHAM (7-5/3.24) BATTERS: SS JOHN RODGERS (.287/15/58/50), CF ROBBIE MCGREGOR (.283/12/41/43), 1B CLAYTON JUSTICE (.321/10/33/20) 5. FAR MOUNTAIN LEADERS: PITCHERS: RYAN KOLB (8-9/2.35) CURT STEINHAUER (7-7/3.45), STAN SMITH (10-7/3.90), FERNANDO SANCHES (4-4/2.38/8 SAVES) BATTERS: CF LEW HUFFMAN (.318/8/26/27), 3B NORM HUFFMAN (.309/6/29/28), RF HARLAN SILVER (.266/11/36/31) 6. TARANTO LEADERS: PITCHERS: PABLO RIVAS (9-11/3.59) BATTERS: RF DERRICK DAMON (.320/8/36/48), 3B MARK DELANEY (.213/22/56/45), C RYAN NELMS (.264/19/48/34), LF HOWARD MCCORD (.288/11/38/32) 7. KILKENNY LEADERS: PITCHERS: CIARAN CULLEN (8-9/3.37), ANDY MAYFIELD (4-2/2.77/8 SAVES) BATTERS: SS SAM NORMAN (.278/10/30/36), 3B JORGE COLLAZO (.292/4/28/32) 8. ANCONA LEADERS: PITCHERS: DARLON MCDUGAN (8-9/3.93), LAKOTA COBOS (3-3/1.76/8 SAVES) BATTERS: LF ELDON ALDRIDGE (.269/22/57/47), 3B RICK RICHARDS (.331/4/39/43), RF WALTER GLENN (.305/2/34/41), C GREGG STRAKA (.285/7/28/46) RUTHLANDIAN NORTH DIVISION STANDINGS JUNE 30, 2046 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 SAN DIMAS TOP DOG IN RU SOUTH June was a good month for the San Dimas Rancheros (45-37), who took over the top rung of the Ruthlandian South with a 15-11 mark... last month's leader and defending division champ Claxton (44-38) slipped to second place, trailing by a game... the Diamonds dipped to 11-15 for the month... the Waleska Westerners are third, just two games off the pace... they slipped to 12-14 in June... Valka (43-39) is tied for third after going 15-11... the St. John Crusaders (42-40) also played well recently with a 15-11 mark... they are only 3 games out in the race... after a good April, Grand City (39-43) continued to declne down to sixth with a 10-16 record... Crystal Lake (37-45) is in seventh, 8 games behind... the Crushers broke even at 13-13 last month... Belair Beach (32-50) looks like cellar dwellers this year... the Sunbirds were a lousy 8-18 in June... the RU South pennant race appears to be wide open still... Waleska was the preseason favorite. TEAM BA: CRYSTAL LAKE .275, WALESKA .269, ST. JOHN .262, VALKA .260 TEAM SCORING: SAN DIMAS 378, CLAXTON 372, WALESKA 361, CRYSTAL LAKE 360 TEAM HR: SAN DIMAS 74, BELAIR BEACH 72, VALKA 71, GRAND CITY 70 TEAM ERA: WALESKA 3.19, VALKA 3.26, GRAND CITY 3.43, CLAXTON 3.56, SAN DIMAS 3.64 TEAM DEFENSE: CLAXTON .978 FA, ST. JOHN .976 FA, VALKA .974 FA, SAN DIMAS .973 FA 1. SAN DIMAS LEADERS PITCHERS: GIL ARNAUD (10-4/2.97), TOBY WHITE (10-8/3.51), CEREK TALAGA (9-7/3.89) BATTERS: 3B LEONARD PURKEY (.368/5/40/35), C HERMIE GOETZ (.278/7/34/47) 2. CLAXTON PITCHERS: ABE SCHIFFMAN (10-6/2.98), STAN YUDASH (13-8/3.26) BATTERS: 3B RICK CLAYBURNE (.300/1/34/37), LF FOXY FUCHS (.264/13/44/36), 1B JOJO DELUCCA (.247/9/54/47), STEVIE WYNN (.310/7/37/29), 2B RICH EMERY (.264/13/46/42) 3. WALESKA PITCHERS: ROY SCHAEFER (7-7/2.95), TONY HASKELL (10-8/3.15), NILES NIELSEN (11-4/3.59), JEFF WOODRUFF (7-9/3.20) BATTERS: 3B PETE FURNESS (.252/16/50/42), CF KENNY HARDY (.312/8/26/49), 1B ROB RICE (.314/8/35/31), C JIMMY BUTLER (.310/5/36/25), SS PETE HUDSON (.286/1/33/26) 3. VALKA PITCHERS: MATVEY KAZAK (12-9/2.93), IVO LIPIK (12-5/3.08), TYRONE MARTE (10-5/3.09), MIIKAEL ARENS (4-1/2.23/7 SAVES) BATTERS: CF KENNY MITZUSAKA (.322/14/49/45), 1B JESS EVANS (.275/13/37/37), RF RICH HENSON (.288/12/34/41) 5. ST. JOHN PITCHERS: JEREMY KIRK (10-8/3.35), LELAND VALM (9-11/3.59) BATTERS: SS HERBIE GRUEN (.272/10/43/42), 3B MARTY BLANKENSHIP (.276/10/24/38), RF NICKY FARRUGIA (.290/7/28/18), LF ROBERTO CAMPOS (.291/5/35/39) 6. GRAND CITY PITCHERS: JOEL EATON (9-10/3.45), KENNY MORROW (6-11/3.16) BATTERS: 1B BENNY HULL (.309/24/57/45), C IGGY VAN DYCK (.263/14/37/38), RF RYAN VAN ZANT (.251/12/31/45) 7. CRYSTAL LAKE PITCHERS: EDDIE LANE (8-11/3.73), JOSH CROSBY (7-1/2.58/4 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B DARYL BRADY (.309/8/38/39), RF PAT DILLON (.280/7/36/37), C DEL PEEVY (.325/2/45/36), LF JEFF MURPHEE (.317/2/27/36), SS ERNIE ADDISON (.300/1/30/35), CF JESSE WALKER (.305/0/17/28) 8. BELAIR BEACH: PITCHERS: JOSE MUNOZ (9-9/3.58), TOM COOK (2-4/2.80/10 SAVES) BATTERS: RF NORM ELLIS (.316/16/45/47), 1B SHANNON STEWART (.322/8/41/41), 3B JASON BUTLER (.264/14/46/50) RUTHLANDIAN SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS JUNE 30, 2046 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 RATTLERS GET A LITTLE ROOM IN RU EAST Defending IPA Pro Cup champion Sugar Valley(49-33) chalked up a 17-9 mark in June to open up a little breathing room in the Ruthlandian East pennant chase... the Rattlers now have a five-game edge over number two Eastshore (44-38) and eight games better than third place Cold Creek (41-41) and Beechwood (41-41)... Eastshore went 13-13 during the month, Cold Creek climbed up from last place to third with an 18-8 record, while Beechwood was only 11-15... two teams are tied for fifth in the standings... Wynnamac (39-43) was 11-15 and Elnora 12-14 (39-43), while seventh place Marston (38-44) came in at 15-11... last place Belle Plaine (35-47) was the worst of the lot at 10-16 last month... Sugar Valley may be beginning to show its muscles and take charge in the Ruthlandian East... it's always tough to repeat as IPA champion, but the Rattlers should make a good run at it with its pitching, scoring and home-run prowess. TEAM BA: BELLE PLAINE .278, MARSTON .276, EASTSHORE .265, SUGAR VALLEY .260 TEAM SCORING: SUGAR VALLEY 412, MARSTON 395, BELLE PLAINE 390, EASTSHORE 375 TEAM HR: SUGAR VALLEY 107, MARSTON 86, BEECHWOOD 79, BELLE PLAINE 78 TEAM ERA: SUGAR VALLEY 2.92, COLD CREEK 2.97, WYNNAMAC 3.47, BEECHWOOD 3.61 TEAM DEFENSE: BEECHWOOD .979 FA, COLD CREEK .976 FA, WYNNAMAC .974 FA, SUGAR VALLEY .973 FA 1. SUGAR VALLEY LEADERS PITCHERS: ANTONIO CEDENO (14-4/2.03), JOE SNOW (10-4/2.44), CULLEN WINSLOW (1307/2.52) BATTERS: LF BOBBY GAMBLE (.322/23/62/68), CF CARL RAMSEY (.291/19/67/58), SS ROGER HOBBS (.280/21/47/64), 2B RICHIE FRY (.292/5/46/40) 2. EASTSHORE LEADERS PITCHERS: MALCOLM TANSBURY (7-7/2.91), TOMMY BROWN (11-7/4.11), JODY FRIDAY (9-1/1.66/7 SAVES) BATTERS: 2B JOHNNY PETRAK (.309/11/50/48), LF BEVAN SHULER (.290/18/56/65), RF TROY MCFARLAND (.279/23/67/68) 3. COLD CREEK LEADERS PITCHERS: SAMMY WRIGHT (11-9/2.59), RIKU TAKAHASHI (8-1/3.10), ROB HUTCHINS (9-8/1.94) BATTERS: 3B JOE COCHRANE (.303/12/53/45), 1B BRADLEY BRIM (.324/7/42/34) 3. BEECHWOOD LEADERS PITCHERS: JIMMY HERMAN (9-9/2.33), LARRY CARMEN (10-7/3.63), FREDDY MANALE (8-1/1.80) BATTERS: CF KEITH KALDER (.282/8/37/30), 2B MIKE MATTHEWS (.261/9/45/47), 1B CORKY CALLAHAN (.257/19/44/34), RF EDDIE WILSON (.236/12/33/40) 5. WYNNAMAC LEADERS PITCHERS: SAMMY HAYES (11-9/2.25), SHIRAI NAKAMURA (9-11/2.72), JOHNNY MITCHELL (4-3/2.11/7 SAVES) BATTERS: RF NIOKA INKAMARA (.288/17/40/50), SS DALE FISHER (.282/8/32/42), CF DARRELL DONNELLY (.305/6/36/49) 5. ELNORA LEADERS PITCHERS: STAN KIVAS (12-6/3.00), SLIM HARDING (7-7/3.47), JAMIE PANANGA (2-1/2.52/8 SAVES) BATTERS: LF ENOS CONRAD (.340/7/34/47), RF PRESTON DAVIES (.289/18/55/52), C CANNON JOHNSON (.272/15/48/48), 2B MARLEY MACOMBER (.327/12/52/37), 1B JOEY HAGBURN (.303/5/29/29) 5. MARSTON LEADERS PITCHERS: THOMAS STUART (9-7/3.27), KELLY LONG (5-2/3.41), KIKI VUK (4-6/2.54/7 SAVES) BATTERS: SS STAN MILA (.306/14/47/36), 2B GARY ARMITAGE (.333/13/39/57), CF CALVIN MARBURY (.245/11/45/43), LF CHARLEY GILMORE (.326/3/27/30) 8. BELLE PLAINE LEADERS PITCHERS: PHIL LACEY (9-8/3.94), KURT TANDBERG (5-1/3.08/7 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B CHUCK GREGORY (.286/17/46/42), C NUKE BORG (.320/5/35/24), CF ROY MYERS (.281/9/29/33) 2046 RUTHLANDIAN EAST STANDINGS ON MAY 31 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 SNAPPERS STILL DOMINANT IN RU WEST After three months of play in the Ruthlandian West, Rocky Rapids (53-29) still has a comfortable eight-game bulge over second place and last year's champ Middlefield (45-37) and are 11 up on third place Stoner (42-40) and Forest City (42-40)... none of the teams in the division had a good month except for Middlefield, who showed signs of getting back into the hunt with a 16-10 record... the Snappers broke even at 13-13, same thing for Stoner, while Forest City was 12-14... Rocky Rapids could make some waves in the playoffs this year with its sound pitching and strong attack. TEAM BA: ROCKY RAPIDS .284, SLIGO .268, VOLUSIA .264, FOREST CITY .261 TEAM SCORING: ROCKY RAPIDS 439, VOLUSIA 384, COLFAX 373, SLIGO 372 TEAM HR: MIDDLEFIELD 114, VOLUSIA 93, ROCKY RAPIDS 90, FOREST CITY 79 TEAM ERA: FOREST CITY 2.90, MIDDLEFIEDL 3.25, ROCKY RAPIDS 3.31, SLIGO 3.38 TEAM DEFENSE: MIDDLEFIELD .982 FA, STONER .978 FA, COLFAX .974 FA, SLIGO .970 FA 1. ROCKY RAPIDS LEADERS PITCHERS: JAMIE TAYLOR (17-3/1.91), BUSTER NOLAND (9-5/3.05), ROBBY BARNHILL (11-7/3.25) BATTERS: 2B MARTY FEATHERSTONE (.306/20/61/67), LF BUDDY HAMILTON (.318/20/68/52), RF JOSE RAMOS (.341/11/52/62), 1B MASAHARU KAWASAKI (.287/12/51/35), C CARNEY KIRKPATRICK (.317/8/42/40), 3B DUNCAN MUSSELWHITE (.334/3/24/70) 2. MIDDLEFIELD LEADERS PITCHERS: CARROLL COLLIER (12-6/1.71), JAMES LONG (7-6/2.52) BATTERS: RF SIDNEY CONNER (.270/23/49/44), C JOHNNY MCDONALD (.304/5/20/43), LF DOMINIQUE SORRELL (.320/10/25/18), 1B CLIFF PATTERSON (.292/9/33/38), CF NORMAN ANTONIONI (.253/17/43/29), LF ALEJANDRO DONINGUEZ (.260/11/34/41) 3. STONER LEADERS PITCHERS: MEL GLOSTERMAN (10-5/3.22), EARL MARLEY (11-6/3.48), BILLY HORTON (4-6/3.42/12 SAVES) BATTERS: LF EMMETT TREAD (.302/12/46/51), 2B JAMES BELASARIO (.274/2.20/41), 1B RICHIE STRICKLAND (.267/6/35/37) 3. FOREST CITY LEADERS PITCHERS: RUSTY HOWARD (10-7/2.17), OMAR CORDERO (11-9/2.71), JOHN MCKEE (8-6/3.38), WALTER GIBBONS (6-9/3.28) BATTERS: 2B DONNIE WATKINS (.389/9/41/51), 1B PISTOL PETE PICARD (.294/15/41/36), C BOB BRISDON (.310/9/43/32) 5. VOLUSIA LEADERS PITCHERS: LEANDOS DIZON (10-6/4.05) BATTERS: CF CAZZIE CARVALHO (.330/6/42/46), 1B KRIS WILSON (.291/20/57/55), SS DUANE BLAYNEY (.281/16/36/49), C GEORGE RUFFINO (.287/13/53/36) 6. SLIGO LEADERS PITCHERS: RANDALL STEELE (9-7/2.76), BUZZ BUMGARTNER (9-8/3.35), ART HACKER (9-9/3.94) BATTERS: 1B ALBERT EAVES (.309/3/34/34), 2B ANDY HEWITT (.272/8/43/28), RF BRAD OLIVER (.278/4/27/31) 7. COLFAX LEADERS PITCHERS: ROLLIE ABBOTT (10-11/3.95) BATTERS: CF ROBB MADDUX (.315/8/45/52), 2B HOOT GLANVILLE (.296/9/29/38), C DARRELL DILLON (.268/13/55/36) 8. FORT BENTON LEADERS PITCHERS: PHIL KRIEGER (8-10/3.86), JORDY RAEBURN (8-11/4.14) BATTERS: RF CAYMAN CRITTENDEN (.330/13/45/39), C VARNELL LARRIMORE (.293/6/41/33) 2046 RUTHLANDIAN WEST STANDINGS ON MAY 31 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 HELLCATS OVERTAKE HAWKS IN TU NORTH The Hartsdale Hellcats (52-30) went on an 18-8 tear in June to overtake the North Hills Hawks (50-32) by two games in the Tycobbian North Division... the Hawks were 15-11... Fairfax (46-36) and Blue Lake (44-38) both floundered with 12-14 marks and fell back to six and eight games off the pace in third and fourth place... the fifth place White River Rascals were the only other club to post a winning record last month with a 15-11 record and trails by nine games... the Tycobbian North is boiling down to a two-team affair between well-balanced Hartsdale and good all-around North Hills... the Hawks have won 11 times in the last 12 seasons... also won 4 Pro Cups in that time. TEAM BA: FAIRFAX .287, NORTH HILLS .276, HARTSDALE .273, BLUE LAKE .257 TEAM SCORING: HARTSDALE 429, BLUE LAKE 411, NORTH HILLS 394, FAIRFAX 389 TEAM HR: MAHASKA 98, WHITE RIVER 96, HARTSDALE 95, OXFORD 91 TEAM ERA: NORTH HILLS 3.10, WHITE RIVER 3.24, HARTSDALE 3.33, BLUE LAKE 3.60 TEAM DEFENSE: HARTSDALE .983 FA, WHITE RIVER .977 FA, LUXORA .976 FA, FAIRFAX .975 FA 1. HARTSDALE LEADERS PITCHERS: GIL YOUNGER (16-5/2.38), DAVE PAYNE (10-5/3.00), PERRY GIVENS (13-5/3.15), ALFONSO CERVERA (1-2/3.88/14 SAVES) BATTERS: SS ROBINSON ALOMAR (.287/17/48/41), RF EMILIAN BURGESS (.311/10/43/58), C FRANK PENN (.337/4/43/33), 2B MYRT BRELAND (.303/5/33/34), CF DARRELL NESBITT (.306/6/32/52), 1B JOHN FORD (.253/14/48/39) 2. NORTH HILLS LEADERS PITCHERS: ALEX PETERS (11-8/2.92), DAVID MICHAEL (12-7/3.17), TONY MACK (14-5/3.19), KYLE OLIVER (9-5/3.29), AKIO ICHIKAWA (2-3/3.07/9 SAVES) BATTERS: HUGE LOSS FOR HAWKS: LF ADAM THURGOOD (.320/8/32/21) WAS INJURED IN MAY... MAY MISS REST OF YEAR... LF RYAN WEBBE (.335/13/46/52), 1B OSCAR PENDLETON (.332/11/41/41), SS TOMMY VAVAS (.288/8/32/58), 2B JIM MCDERMOTT (.303/7/47/42), 3B RIC HAMILTON (.289/5/36/32) 3. FAIRFAX LEADERS PITCHERS: HAROLD DORMAN (10-9/2.76), TERRY SAWYER (7-4/2.49/8 SAVES) BATTERS: 2B JOHN VELASCO (.308/15/60/48), LF BRAD JOHNSTON (.327/11/40/49), RF TERRENCE YEOMAN (.302/5/34/36), 3B DANIEL PIERCE (.306/2/43/47), C SCOTT COURTNEY (.276/10/45/36), CF TRENT RUSSELL (.280/7/38/42) 4. BLUE LAKE LEADERS PITCHERS: VAN JOHNSON (10-6/3.14), FRANKIE QUINN (12-8/3.83), RAZZY RICHMOND (5-3/2.95/6 SAVES)... QUINN IS NOW SECOND ALL-TIME WITH 376 VICTORIES... TOPPED ONLY BY NICKY ENGSTROM WITH 387... QUINN PAST CODY BURG (369) THIS YEAR BATTERS: C JUAN LUIS BARCELONA (.310/12/54/51), 2B KENJI HASHIMOTO (.283/11/40/46), 1B MEL MORRISON (.297/13/46/32), 3B MATT THOMPSON (.261/7/47/42) 5. WHITE RIVER LEADERS PITCHERS: NICKY PALMER (11-4/2.44), CARLO GRIMALDI (5-3/1.97/8 SAVES) BATTERS: CF BILLY JOE HICKMAN (.259/24/56/47), 3B RYAN BYRD (.267/15/41/31) 6. OXFORD LEADERS PITCHERS: TEKKAN NISHIKAWA (11-7/2.55) RALPH MOSBY (11-7/4.00) RUDY MELLANCAMP (8-11/2.69) BATTERS: RF KEVIN CARTER (.293/24/65/49), 3B ALONZO NORRIS (.267/12/34/48), C JAYSON FRENCH (.312/7/30/28), LF JOEL WEBB (.278/9/35/35) 7. LUXORA LEADERS PITCHERS: LORENZO ALONSO (7-8/4.01) BATTERS: LF DERREK JACKSON (.301/11/40/33), RF EMIL PASEK (.331/9/33/44), 1B JOEL POCHE (.283/6/43/35) 8. MAHASKA LEADERS PITCHERS: PHILLIPPE PICHON (4-5/3.14) BATTERS: CF BILL WHITTIER (.313/15/42/45), SS ROCCO BERTARA (.309/10/40/57), 2B ANGUS MCKEAG (.309/10/36/37) 2046 TYCOBBIAN NORTH STANDINGS ON JUNE 30 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 SUNSETS ON TOP IN 3-TEAM TU SOUTH RACE Summerland's (56-26) magnificent mound staff has had them on top of the Tycobbian South the entire season, but they still haven't created a comfortable cushion even with a microscopic 2.28 team ERA, which is the lowest in IPA history... the San Alejo Montaneros (54-28) and last year's division champ Southport Sun Sox (53-29) are clinging very close... the Monties are second and only two games back, while the fast-charging Sun Sox are now only three games of the pace, after trailing by 10 games at the end of April... the Sunsets were a strong 16-10 in June... San Alejo was 17-9 and Southport a fantastic 22-4... six teams in the Tycobbian South have winning records... Turon (45-37) and Cape Coral (45-37) are tied for fifth and trail by 11 games... Ginza (44-38) is sixth, 12 games behind... the big question is: can Summerland and San Alejo keep pace with Southport, which is 44-11 the last two months... whichever team wins the pennant will be a powerful force in the Pro Cup competition... Summerland lacks scoring... San Alejo has good bats and strong pitching, while Southport has a much better offensive attack, but they are nowhere near as good on the hill. TEAM BA: CAPE CORAL .274, GINZA .267, SOUTHPORT .265, TURON .264, SAN ALEJO .263, SUMMERLAND .262 TEAM SCORING: SOUTHPORT 420, TURON 410, GINZA 405, CAPE CORAL 377, SAN ALEJO 371, SUMMERLAND 362 TEAM HR: TURON 113, CAPE CORAL 106, SOUTHPORT 83, GINZA 83, SAN ALEJO 74 TEAM ERA: SUMMERLAND 2.28, SAN ALEJO 2.80, SOUTHPORT 3.41, CAPE CORAL .3.74, ARROYO GRANDE 3.94, GINZA 3.94 TEAM DEFENSE: GINZA .978 FA, ARROYO GRANDE .976 FA, TURON .976 FA, CAPE CORAL .975 FA, SUMMERLAND .974 FA, SAN ALEJO .974 FA, SOUTHPORT .974 FA 1. SUMMERLAND LEADERS PITCHERS: JAYSON HALLSTROM (13-3/1.66), JACOB GILLEN (12-4/1.94), DUTCH DE BOER (12-4/2.38), PETE ASHLEY (12-3/1.74/8 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B KENNY DOUGLAS (.337/11/51/49), 3B ALEX ABBOTSON (.266/12/51/51), RF RICK MAYES (.287/9/34/43), CF ANTONIO VASQUEZ (.315/3/40/38), LF TONY VARGAS (.288/3/31/37) 2. SAN ALEJO LEADERS PITCHERS: WILL MCKINNEY (12-6/1.88), MATT BELL (12-4/2.12), BENNY BUCKMASTER (14-5/2.47), MICKEY CRONYN (7-3/3.24) BATTERS: RF CHARLIE WILBERFORCE (.314/18/55/45), 1B SAL MCALISTER (.340/5/37/48), 3B CALLUM GAINSBOROUGH (.247/5/33/50) 3. SOUTHPORT LEADERS PITCHERS: BILLY HOOVER (11-5/2.28), JOHNNY SWANSON (10-8/3.54), GORDON FORBES (11-6/3.94), CADE BROCKTON (13-5/3.95), HAL COMBS (5-4/3.86/13 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B EDDY DOUGLAS (.356/20/54/51), 3B CRAIG GLENNON (.298/16/43/35), CF BARNEY LEWIS (.224/13/46/42), LF CHRIS JONES (.297/3/26/56) 4. TURON LEADERS PITCHERS: TOM FULLER (7-1/2.60), IZZY BEASLEY (11-7/3.54), NATE SCOTTSDALE 99-9/3.75) BATTERS: 1B NICK FISHER (.345/21/61/58), SS RAFER ROBERTSON (.311/18/49/41), CF GUIDO GERVASIO (.297/12/42/49), 2B C. C. KINGSFORD (.266/16/41/37) 4. CAPE CORAL LEADERS PITCHERS: VERNON MARKS (13-7/3.10), BENTON MCCALL (9-9/3.78) BATTERS: RF WILLIAM SNYDER (.326/19/53/48), LF RIKKY VAN DALEN (.325/13/43/53), 2B LOU PANKO (.346/12/41/39) 6. GINZA LEADERS PITCHERS: TOKUJI TAKAHARA (9-5/2.52/2 SAVES), CHARLEY WASKINS (9-4/3.84), TIMMY HITCHENS (5-3/2.85/10 SAVES) BATTERS: CF SOGO TAKAGI (.306/9/44/49), 1B JIRO YAMAMURA (.335/6/28/64), 2B KYLE ESTES (.292/10/43/46), RF ICHIRO KAZUMI (.288/9/41/37), SS SAM ESSEX (.237/13/52/42) 7. ARROYO GRANDE LEADERS PITCHERS: ANTHONY LOMBARDI (10-9/3.75) BATTERS: CF KENNY WADE (.292/8/19/38), RF WILFREDO ACOSTA (.260/8/37/36), SS RUSS HENREDON (.257/5/38/30) 8. COLCHESTER LEADERS PITCHERS: DAVE LACOSTE (9-8/3.47), BENNY WHITE (9-12/3.66) BATTERS: RF TEDDY DRACKLEY (.271/13/46/39), 3B JOEY ROGERS (.294/6/33/46), CF JEBBIE SHAW (.293/7/29/28) 2046 TYCOBBIAN SOUTH STANDINGS ON JUNE 30 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 RED SOX PAD TU EAST LEAD TO 4 Homers and hurlers are still the first place Red Bluff Red Sox's (48-34) modus operandi... the Red Sox are the reigning division champion for two years in a row... they managed to put a little more space between them and runner-up Tuckanarra (44-38) in the Tycobbian East race with a 15-11 mark during the month... the Blue Jays slipped to 13-13 and now trail by four games... South Fork (43-39) and Hillsboro (43-39) are five games out and deadlocked for the third spot in the division...the Stallions had a decent 14-12 month, while the Blazers were 15-11... Red Bluff leads the IPA in homers with 134, but are nowhere near their record-breaking pace of 283 last season... however the mound corps has stepped it up to the IPA elite status this year with a 2.97 team ERA... excellent pitching and good firepower are two good ingredients for a Pro Cup. TEAM BA: MIDWAY .270, TUCKANARRA .269, HILLSBORO .259, SOUTH FORK .253, RED BLUFF .251 TEAM SCORING: MIDWAY 405, HILLSBORO 381, RED BLUFF 379, HIGH MESA 374, SOUTH FORK 372 TEAM HR: RED BLUFF 134, HILLSBORO 95, HIGH MESA 90, SOUTH FORK 76, MIDWAY 72 TEAM ERA: RED BLUFF 2.97, SOUTH FORK 3.02, TUCKANARRA 3.26, HILLSBORO 3.69, HIGH MESA 3.70 TEAM DEFENSE: HIGH MESA .974 FA, RED BLUFF .973 FA, EAST POINT .972 FA, HILLSBORO .971 FA 1. RED BLUFF LEADERS PITCHERS: JUD COX (15-4/1.81), MICKEY ROSEN (11-7/2.72), GEORGE REYNOLDS (10-8/2.85), JACK WALLACE (7-4/3.48) BATTERS: RF DAVID KELSO (.324/26/59/45), 1B JOSH STEVENS (.320/23/44/51), 3B FRAN BLANCHARD (.315/22/56/48), CF IKE SWEETWATER (.270/14/43/35), LF JESSE SHAW (.286/13/35/40) 2. TUCKANARRA LEADERS PITCHERS: DICKIE PITTMAN (8-5/2.44), CAMERON BROTHERS (8-3/3.51), OZZIE LESLIE (7-11/2.69), JACK ROGERS (8-4/1.85/6 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B RODGER PARSONS (.319/6/36/37), 2B RICKY VINCENT (.318/3/30/43), C WALLY MCMAIN (.296/5/35/25) 3. SOUTH FORK LEADERS PITCHERS: JAY MURPHY (10-7/2.37), CHRIS SORENSEN (10-11/2.65), BUG MURPH MCALISTER (9-5/3.38) BATTERS: CF SCOTTY O'SULLIVAN (.281/12/52/30), CF RICK CARLTON (.328/7/34/30), SS PETE ARNOLD (.284/8/35/49), RF KYLE GOTTWALD (.298/8/33/22) 3. HILLSBORO LEADERS PITCHERS: JAMIE LEE BRADLEY (9-6/2.23), STEVE COOPER (11-9/3.11), BAILEY BILBOW (7-3/2.85/6 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B ERNIE MOXLEY (.325/32/87/54), 2B SCOTTY MCNEILL (.307/4/48/45), C HARRY MCGUIRE (.280/10/38/34), 3B TODD BENNETT (.293/7/24/53) 5. HIGH MESA LEADERS PITCHERS: LUCIUS QUARLES (8-7/3.03), EMIL NOWAK (10-9/3.45), WILLIAM MORRIS (3-1/1.02/4 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B JOHNNY TALLIS (.275/15/48/35), LF CLAY JOHNSTON (.223/20/53/43) 6. MIDWAY LEADERS PITCHERS: CHARLIE CHASE (8-10/3.44), SAM LEWIS (5-2/2.35/4 SAVES) BATTERS: LF JUSTIN MORRISON (.317/10/63/56), CF HECTOR PENA (.291/7/48/56), SS PAUL BUTLER (.294/5/35/52) 7. EAST POINT LEADERS PITCHERS: BARNEY BENTON (6-9/3.45), ALBERT SHARPTON (9-5/4.19) BATTERS: 1B JACK GORHAM (.262/18/40/33), RF AUGIE ELIZONDO (.304/5/18/37) 8. OZARKA LEADERS PITCHERS: GLEN JENKINS (6-12/3.56), GENE WHITE (1-1/2.09/O SAVES) BATTERS: 2B DUFFY MORRISON (.291/9/29/33), C PAUL BEASLEY (.293/10/34/18), 3B ARTIE CLAYTON (.252/17/47/38), RF KEITH CRIDER (.290/7/26/30), SS WILLIAM CLARK (.298/1/22/36) 2046 TYCOBBIAN EAST STANDINGS ON JUNE 30 |
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Sunday, July 1, 2046 WILDCATS TERRORIZE TYCOBBIAN WEST Forget it... the race is over in the Tycobbian West Division this year... the Kenwood Wildcats (55-27) have terrorized it to the tune of a humongous 12-game lead going into July... 12 games up on second place Arlon (43-39), 16 ahead of third place Bay St. Clair (39-43) and 18 in front of fourth place Rolling Hills (37-45)... the Wildcats are headed for their fifth division crown in six years and should be one of the main contenders for the Pro Cup trophy... Kenwood's 55 wins is surpassed only by Summerland's 57 victories in the IPA this season... the Wildcats have dominated the TU West with an excellent offense and superb pitching... they are the highest-scoring team in the IPA with 428 runs and second to Red Bluff with 119 homers... the Red Sox are the leader with 134... the team's 2.97 ERA is one of the best in the IPA, too... Wildcat fans are very hopeful for the second Pro Cup in the team's history... the first one came in 2014. TEAM BA: KENWOOD .271, LA CLAIRE .269, BAYVIEW .265, CHICOPEE .251, ROLLING HILLS .250, BAY ST. CLAIR .241 TEAM SCORING: KENWOOD 438, BAYVIEW 396, LA CLAIRE 362, ARLON 345, ROLLING HILLS 317 TEAM HR: KENWOOD 119, BAYVIEW 114, ARLON 81, DENTON CITY 61, BAY ST. CLAIR 60, ROLLING HILLS 60 TEAM ERA: KENWOOD 2.97, ROLLING HILLS 3.29, ARLON 3.43, CHICOPEE 3.65, DENTON CITY 3.82, BAY ST. CLAIR 3.92 TEAM DEFENSE: DENTON CITY .977 FA, BAY ST. CLAIR .976 FA, BAYVIEW .973 FA, ARLON .972 FA, KENWOOD .971 FA 1. KENWOOD LEADERS PITCHERS: RUSTY BRADFORD (11-1/2.42), GREGG CAMPBELL (10-4/2.70), TOMMY CARTER 11-6/2.78), CLYDE MYERS (8-8/3.44), FREDDY GOOCH (10-6/3.83), MIKE JONES (2-2/2.00/8 SAVES) BATTERS: C CORKY DINOZZO (.328/23/57/47), 1B BERT HENRICH (.329/20/46/47), 3B COUNTRY CROWDER (.306/2/29/52), LF WARREN VICKERS (.300/7/38/42), CF DORSEY FAIRCLOTH (.295/13/41/36), SS BEN DANIELS (.285/19/47/42), RF BILLY NIX (.284/12/29/33) 2. ARLON LEADERS PITCHERS: LANNY GRAY (8-9/2.30), PAT STUYVESANT (10-7/3.31), MACK BLAIR (6-3/2.22/9 SAVES) BATTERS: RF MARK CAMERSON (.305/17/53/47), C NICK SHAFER (.260/10/43/28), LF JON ACREE (.246/13/31/39) 3. BAY ST. CLAIR LEADERS PITCHERS: DION HAWKINS (13-5/3.51), CLYDE GORDON (6-8/2.99) BATTERS: SS EDISON RANDALL (.288/7/31/40), LF SPADE WELDON (.306/7/26/18), 3B DAN MODRAK (.225/12/27/34), 1B JOEL WILKERSON (.209/10/23/35), LF MAXIE KRUEGER (.312/4/26/16) 4. ROLLING HILLS LEADERS PITCHERS: MATTY CHRISTIANSON (14-5/2.51), JOHNNY HOWARD (7-11/2.99), STEVE ADAMS (5-10/3.01), BENNY YOUNG (2-2/3.03/11 SAVES) BATTERS: 1B DARWIN TARD (.300/12/36/47), C KYLE EDWARDS (.319/4/15/36), 3B GENE WINSTON (.280/4/30/31), RF JIMBO FOXX (.225/12/39/39), CF ORIN PHILLIPS (.249/10/30/38) 5. LA CLAIRE LEADERS PITCHERS: NELSON STUBBS (12-7/2.88), BRUCE KINSON (13-5/3.93), TERRY BAIRD (2-4/2.53/8 SAVES) BATTERS: 2B ROYCE HILL (.320/6/32/40), RF ROB FISHER (.313/9/36/37), LF HANK MORTON (.312/4/35/33), 1B DOUG STEWART (.305/3/33/40), 3B DONNIE NILSSON (.287/5/27/48), SS ZANE LAW (.282/4/28/34), CF DONNY GRIFFITH (.264/10/42/41) 6. CHICOPEE LEADERS PITCHERS: TONY DAZZI (11-9/2.86), PAUL FOSTER (8-6/3.27), JOSH DOUGHERTY (5-13/2.88) BATTERS: RF DENNY HALVERTON (.285/4/39/35), SS JUD WILLIAMS (.288/2/27/37), 1B SAM PATRICK (.279/13/42/39) 6. BAYVIEW LEADERS PITCHERS: JOHNNY YOUNG (7-10/3.51) BOBBY KNUDSEN (9-11/4.11) BATTERS: 3B JERRY CULPEPPER (.291/29/71/57), SS ANDREAS STOKKE (.277/24/60/60), C DENNY NYLUND (.317/6/32/26), LF IVAR NILSSEN (.261/16/47/46), 2B ZACK MASN (.335/4/13/27), RF SIMEON TURCOTTE (.303/2/16/21) 8. DENTON CITY LEADERS PITCHERS: MEL COLEY (8-11/3.13), HARRY ELLIOTT (9-13/3.57) BATTERS: 1B WAYMAN STETSON (.301/19/39/37) 2046 TYCOBBIAN WEST STANDINGS ON JUNE 30 |
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Wednesday, August 1, 2046 RACE TIGHTENS IN RU NORTH, A'S STILL LEAD The pennant race in the Ruthlandian North tightened up during July with Valmara, Ranford and LaGrange all closing the gap with first place Glasco... the Athletics (67-43) still have the lead, but it's been shaved to an uncomfortable two games over Valmara, five ahead of Ranford and seven better than LaGrange... the A's were 14-14 in the month with the Vipers going 18-10, the Bulls were 16-12 and the Sports 17-11... Glasco, the defending champ, had a 6-game edge going into the month. HOT RACE IN RU SOUTH, WALESKA AND VALKA TIED At the two-thirds mark of the season, the Ruthlandian South is all knotted up with the Waleska Westerners (58-52) and the Valka Blackhawks (58-52) tied for the top spot with last year's division winner Claxton Diamonds (57-53) in hot pursuit, just a game out of first... the St. John Crusaders (56-54) are just two games off the pace in the fourth spot... and the San Dimas Rancheros (54-56) only four games behind... the Rancheros were on top at the start of July, but plummeted to fifth with a terrible 9-19 record... the Westerners and Blackhawks registered 15-13 marks... the Diamonds fell from second to third with a 13-15 chart for July, while the Crusaders broke even at 14-14... the hunt for the pennant is still wide open as no one has taken charge yet... the flag winner is not expected to do much in the postseason... the RU South is not very strong this season. PRO CUP CHAMP RATTLERS ROLLING IN RU EAST The current IPA champ Sugar Valley just keeps on rolling in the Ruthlandian East... the Rattlers (68-42) are seeking their third division flag in four years... they posted a fine 19-9 in July to improve to a seven-game margin over runner-up Eastshore (61-49)... Sugar Valley has the most victories in the Ruthlandian Union and fourth best in the IPA behind Hartsdale's 72 in the Tycobbian North, and Summerland and San Alejo's 69 in the TU South... the second place Elegants had a good 17-11 in the month, but slipped two more game back... the Elnora All-Stars (57-53) had a strong 18-10 mark and moved up from sixth to third in the standings, but trail by 11 games... Beechwood (55-55) dropped back to fourth with a 14-14 month, 13 games out of first... Wynnamac (54-56) remained in fifth place with a 15-13 mark, 14 games behind... Cold Creek (54-56) tumbled from a third-place tie to a fifth-place tie, going 13-15 for the month. SNAPPERS STILL BEST IN THE WEST Not much change in the Ruthlandian West... the Rocky Rapids Snappers (67-43) maintained its confortable eight-game edge over last season's champ Middlefield (59-51)... both clubs chalked up 14-14 records in July... Stoner (57-53) is third, trailing by 10 games... Volusia, Sligo and Forest City are all tied for fourth with 56-54 mark, 11 games out of first... the Snappers are the best in the RU West and should be a tough ball club in the postseason... the Middlefield Roosters are not likely to catch them this year... July was good for the Sligo Rovers (17-11), the Volusia Vigilanted (16-12) and the Stoner Stars (15-13). 2046 RUTHLANDIAN UNION STANDINGS ON JULY 31 |
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Wednesday, August 1, 2046 HELLCATS IN CHARGE IN TU NORTH The Hartsdale Hellcats (72-38) took charge of the Tycobbian North with a sensational 20-8 record in July... the Hellcats put a lot of distance between them and the other contenders with the best record in the IPA... eight games now separate them and the perennial pennant-winning North Hills Hawks (64-46), who were 14-14 for the month... the Hawks have won 11 of the past 12 division crowns... the Blue Lake Blue Sox (60-50) rose up to third place in the standings with a 16-12 mark, passing up the Fairfax Frogs (59-51), who posted a 13-15 record... the Blue Sox are 12 games behind the Hellcats and the Frogs are 13 games out... White River (57-53) is still in the running for a first-divsion slot, but trails by 15 games... the Rascals were 14-14 for the month... Hartsdale is poised for a strong run at the Pro Cup this season... they have never won the trophy. HUGE 3-TEAM TUSSLE IN TU SOUTH It's quite a race in the toughest division in the IPA - the Tycobbian South - with six squads way over the .500 mark... the Summerland Sunsets (69-41) and San Alejo Montaneros (69-41) are running neck-and-neck for first place... with third place Southport (68-42), the defending champion, just one game off the pace... Ginza (62-48) and Turon (62-48) are tied for fourth and are 7 games off the lead... the pennant battle got even closer in July as the Sunsets had a tough month with a 13-15 mark, while the Monties and last year's division-winning Sun Sox were both 15-13... Turon and Ginza are tied for fourth and are playing the best ball right now... the Typhoons registered a 17-11 record with the Ninjas even better at 18-10 in July... all of the three primary contenders will do well in the playoffs in a survival-of-fittest stretch drive... Southport has won the TU South flag the last four years and hauled in its first Pro in 2044... Summerland's last division crown came in 2040... San Alejo last won the pennant in 2037 with its only Pro Cup in 2032... the Sunsets are still seeking their first IPA title. RED SOX AND BLUE JAYS SQUARE OFF IN TU EAST No one changed spots in the standings in July in the Tycobbian East... but the race got tougher for leader Red Bluff (62-48)... Tuckanarra (61-49) put up a 17-11 mark for the month to narrow the Red Sox lead to just one game... Red Bluff slumbered to a 14-14 record... the third and fourth place clubs South Fork (57-53) and Hillsboro (56-54) are still very much in the hunt, just five games and six games behind the Red Sox... the Stallions were only 14-14 last month, while the Blazers were 13-15... the TU South winner will be one of the lesser lights in the Pro Cup ratings. KENWOOD ROMPS IN TU WEST The Tycobbian East is not strong overall, but does have a very good contender for the IPA Pro Cup crown - the Kenwood Wildcats (68-42), who are romping through the division this year... the Wildcats are up by 11 games over runner-up Arlon (57-53) and are showing no signs giving anyone else a shot at the division flag, in spite of a mediocre 13-15 record in July... Arlon was only 14-14... in third place are the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (53-57), a sub .500 team... fourth place belongs to Rollings Hills (51-59)... the Bucs and the Reds were only 14-14 for the month... the entire division remained static in July with all the clubs holding their spots in the standings. 2046 TYCOBBIAN UNION STANDINGS ON JULY 31 |
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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 1, 2046 3 IPA RACES STILL IN DOUBT Most of the IPA division leaders have safe leads going into the final weeks of the 2046 campaign... but three of them are still up in the air and in doubt... defending Pro Cup champion Sugar Valley (82-57) and Rocky Rapids (84-55) have solid leads in the Ruthlandian East and West Divisions... the Rattlers are nine games up on runner-up Eastshore (73-66) and the Snappers top Middlefield (76-63) and Forest City (76-63) by eight games in the RU West... over in the Tycobbian Union Hartsdale (88-51), Kenwood (83-56) and Red Bluff (83-56) look like winners... the Hellcats are 11 games ahead of second place Blue Lake (77-62) in the TU North... the Wildcats are nine games better than Arlon in the TU West... and the Red Sox have an eight-game edge over Tuckanarra (75-64) in the TU East. In the Ruthlandian North the jury is still out... Valmara (86-53) surged past last year's division winner Glasco (85-54) with a great August, racking up a very impressive 21-8 record to take a one-game lead going into September... the Athletics went 18-11... it's a three-team battle in the RU South with Waleska (76-63) holding a slim one-game lead over second place Claxton (75-64)... the Diamonds are the reigning division champ... the Valka Blackhawks (72-67) are also still in contention, just four games out of first in third place... the Vipers rolled to an 18-11 mark in August, same as the Diamonds, while the Blackhawks fell back with a 14-15 record... going into last month Valka was tied with the Westerners for first place. Only one race is still going in the Tycobbian Union, but it's a very good one with four clubs vying for the TU South flag... the Summerland Sunsets (86-53) are on top with a two-game edge over runner-up and defending division champion Southport Sun Sox (84-55), three up on the third place San Alejo Montaneros (83-56) and four better than the fast-closing Turon Typhoons (82-57)... for the month the Sunsets were 17-12, the Sun Sox 16-13, the Monties 14-15 and the Typhoons a sizzling 20-9... there are 15 games left on the schedule this year. 2046 IPA STANDINGS ON AUGUST 31 |
2 Attachment(s)
THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 17, 2046 IPA PRO CUP PLAYOFFS SLATED FOR WEDNESDAY With the close of the regular season, the IPA "second season" is slated to begin this Wednesday at four sites around the Islands... eight division winners have qualified for the Pro Cup playoffs... in the Ruthlandian Union the Valmara Vipers (95-59) and Claxton Diamonds (93-61) won their divisions in close encounters... the Vipers dethroned last year's RU North winner Glasco by two games, while the Diamonds captured the RU South for the second season in succession, nipping Waleska and Valka by three games... the current Pro Cup champion Sugar Valley Rattlers (93-61) easily repeated in the Ruthlandian East with a 12-game bulge over runner-up Eastshore (81-73)... Rocky Rapids (94-60) was the best in the West as they knocked off last year's winner Middlefield (89-65) by five games... In the Tycobbian portion of the Pro Cup playoffs, it will be three runaway flag winners... Hartsdale (98-56) had a very easy time in the TU North, whipping Blue Lake (83-71) by a whopping 15 games... defending champ North Hills (81-73) dropped to a distant third this year after winning 11 times in the last 13 seasons... the Red Bluff Red Sox (93-61) raced to an 11-game win over Tuckanarra (82-72) in the TU East... it was the Red Sox's second straight division crown... Kenwood (92-62) swept the Tycobbian West by 10 games over Arlon (82-72)... and Summerland (94-60) fended off last year's pennant winner Southport by a single game... the division title was decided on the final day of the season... the Sunsets topped Oxford 8-6, while the Sun Sox were beaten 2-1 by Blue Lake. In the Ruthlandian Division Series Rocky Rapids will open up at home against the Sugar Valley Rattlers, the reigning Pro Cup trophy holder in a best-of-seven series... in the other match-up it's Valmara hosting the Claxton Diamonds... In the Tycobbian Union Summerland will be on the road against the Hartsdale Hellcats and Kenwood will travel to play the Red Sox in Red Bluff... last season in the Pro Cup Finals Sugar Valley bested the Southport Sun Sox in six games. The baseball scribes are forecasting another wide-open battle for the IPA crown with seven clubs given an equal shot at coming away with the Pro Cup trophy... Claxton was the only team given little chance by the oddsmakers of being the Island champion. 2046 IPA FINAL STANDINGS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 |
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