[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, May 31, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Fairfax Whacks Vikings 8-4
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday Bayview mauled Fairfax and put a halt to its nine-game win streak. Today the Frogs started a new streak with an 8-4 triumph over the Vikings. Everybody in the lineup got at least one hit. Fairfax piled up a dozen base hits and were led by right fielder Gregg Vincent (.316) with 2-for-4 and three RBIs, shortstop Warren Lee (.273) with 2-for-4 and an RBI and pitcher Jackie Leslie (.313) even got into the act with 2-for-3 and two RBIs. Leslie (8-2 3.78) became the IPA's first 8-game winner. He allowed four runs and seven hits with 10 Ks and three walks. Only Bayview center fielder Phil Kanaan (.341) had much success against him with three hits and 4 RBIs, including a 3-run shot in the eighth inning.

This was the Frogs second win in the series against one loss. Fairfax (28-14) is making shambles of the TU West Division so far. They lead second place Bayview (24-20) by five games.

Blue Sox Slip by LC in 12 Innings, Nygaard Fans 15
It was a magnificent ballgame that lasted 12 innings and set a new record for strikeouts. And when it was over Blue Lake won it 3-2 over La Claire. A ground ball single to center by pinchhitter Les Reynolds off Monoto Kishata (1-3 3.54) decided the game. Winning pitcher Russ Courtney (2-2 4.30) was outstanding in relief, striking out six in four innings, allowing only one hit and no runs. Kishata had just entered the game at the beginning of the twelfth and was pegged with the defeat. Blue Sox starter Clint McPherson (0-1 4.06) pitched well, permitting only two runs and eight hits in eight innings with eight strikeouts and two bases on balls. Altogether both teams fanned 30 times with Lynx starter Tony Nygaard (1-2 3.95) hurling a brilliant game with 15 strikeouts, a new IPA mark. Nygaard worked 11 innings, gave up only two runs and five hits with just one walk. Homers by Blue Lake second baseman Ken Bennett (.232) in the second and first baseman Fred Taranto (.323) in the last of the ninth were crucial to the win. The Blue Sox only had 8 hits overall, while La Claire numbered 9. First baseman Dominic Valmont (.208) and left fielder Don Lundquist (.148) drove in the runs for the Lynx.

The old mark (28) for the most strikeouts in an extra-inning game was held by South Fork (17) and Cape Coral (11) set on May 21. Flash Guidry of Colfax was the old recordholder. He still holds the mark for a nine-inng game. Guidry struck out 14 Glasco batters on May 12.

Third place La Claire (21-22) fell below the .500 mark and is 7.5 games out of first in the TU West. Blue Lake (19-23) is in fourth and trails by nine games.

Arlon's Smith Tosses 5-Hit Shutout
At Derby Downs in Arlon, the Champions Craig Smith got his first ever IPA shutout with a 6-0 win over Bay St. Clair. Smith (6-3 3.15) limited the Buccaneers to just five singles, set down six via strikeouts and allowed three walks. At bat shortstop Bama Hartley (.286) was a perfect 4-for-4 and drove in three runs. He and first baseman George Lyons (.243) had homers. Ted Jorgerson (2-5 5.66) was KO'ed by a five-run fifth and absorbed the loss.

Guy Rondre, the Bay St. Clair manager, said. "Smith certainly pitched a strong game against us today. He was in a groove, throwing everything for strikes. Throwing hard. Changing speeds."

"I enjoy facing a team like that where I can get an out on one, two or three pitches," Smith said. "It gives me a chance to be a lot more aggressive."

In 10 starts this season Smith has registered a 6-3 record and a 3.15 ERA.

This was Arlon's (19-23) third win in a row over the Bucs (17-26). The Champs are now tied with Blue Lake for fourth place and Bay St. Clair is in the TU West cellar.