[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, May 31, 2001

Ruthlandian Union -- North Division

Redhawks Win 6th Straight
RU North Division leader, Far Mountain quickly recovered from a 4-0 deficit by scoring five runs in the third and two in the fourth and went on to capture their seventh game in a row, a 10-7 slugfest with Valmara. The Vipers have dropped their last three games. The Redhawks pounded out 13 hits and were paced by right fielder Tommy Sonnier (.303) with four RBIs, shortstop Al Nixon (.261) with two RBIs and third baseman Johnny Strickland (.258) with a pair of RBIs. Valmara slapped 10 hits and were led by catcher Yoshi Motsuzuki (.293) with three hits and two runs scored, left fielder Louis Sharp (.350) with two runs, two RBIs and a homer, right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.262) with two RBIs and first baseman Yank Jankowski (.255) with two RBIs. Reliever Vance Mitchell (2-0 2.25) gave up three runs in three innings, but got the win. However, it was Mike McCabe (3-1 1.13), who nailed down the victory with his 2nd save. McCabe only gave up one hit in the last three innings. Reliever Chuck Kowalczyk (2-4 6.17) continues to struggle and was tapped with the defeat, giving up three runs and four hits in two-plus frames.

Far Mountain (26-17) is number one in the division and Valmara (21-21) is tied for third with the Glasco Athletics (20-20), both are 4.5 games off the pace.

All-Stars Top Colfax 4-3
Elnora scored late runs in the eighth and ninth and walked off the field with a close 4-3 win over Colfax at State Fair Park. Colfax closer Walt Sellers (1-1 1.76) got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth, then the roof caved in. He walked second baseman Gil Foster (.361). Left fielder Quincy Peterson (.281) singled and moved Foster to second, Then catcher Todd Simons (.271) drilled a game-winning single. Wally Tidwell (1-3 3.34) pitched a scoreless inning for the victory. The All-Stars had a slight 10-9 edge in hits, too. Center fielder Rusty Gilbert (.274) led them with 3-for-5. Shortstop Tommy Stanley (.125) had a two-run homer to pace the Blasters.

Elnora (18-25) has won the last three contests, while Colfax (23-18) has lost the last two games. The All-Stars are tied for last with Volusia (18-25) and are eight games out of first place, while the Blasters are second, two games behind the division leader Far Mountain (26-17).

A's Outlast V's 4-2 in 16 Innings
Glasco got strong pitching start to finish and outlasted Volusia 4-2 in a 16-inning marathon. Wildness cost Ike Moore (1-1 10.13) the game. He walked the first two batters in the sixteenth, then a sacrifice bunt moved them up to second and third. Center fielder Chet Reynolds (.302) plated the eventual winning run with a single. Another run scored on Jose Valenzuela's (.318) fielder's choice. Jeremiah McDonald (1-1 2.97) retired the Vigilantes in order for his 2nd save and Duncan McFalls (1-0 2.37) got the win with a scoreless 14th and 15th innings.. The Vigilantes fanned 16 A's with starter Johnny Szwak getting 10 of them in eight innings. The record is 17, set by South Fork on May 21 against Cape Coral. Glasco and Volusia tied the record for most double plays in an extra-inning game with three apiece. South Fork and Cape Coral share the double play record with six, set on May 21.

The Athletics (20-20) moved up into a tie for third with the Valmara Vipers (21-21), Volusia (18-25) fell back into a tie for last with Elnora (18-25). Glasco and Valmara trail first place Far Mountain by 4.5 games.