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Islandian Pro Alliance
Friday, July 27, 2001
Ruthlandian Union - North Division
Blasters Beat R'Hawks Again, 3rd Time In a Row
The Colfax Blasters beat Far Mountain again for the third straight game on the road at Sky High Stadium and are now just a half-game out of first place in the Ruthlandian Union North. Colfax dumped the Redhawks 6-2 with Harry Manning and Vic Jankovich combining to take them down. Manning (12-8 3.85) pitched into the eighth, surrendered three runs on eight hits, then turned it over to closer Jankovich and he finish them off allowing one hit and getting the last four outs in quick order for his second save. They outpitched Far Mountain's ace, Sonny Elliott (13-8 2.83), who has struggled of late and suffered his third loss in his lasf four decisions. Colfax nicked him for six runs and nine hits as he went the distance. Newly-acquired catcher Jose Hernandez (.300), picked up in a trade for his bat, smacked two-run doubles in the fourth and sixth frames to spark the Blasters to victory. First baseman Dennis Cole (.334) got the scoring going in the second with his 28th homer and left fielder Rodney Rich (343), another new aquisition, doubled in the other run in the fourth frame. Third baseman Johnny Strickland (.286) topped the Redhawks bats with three hits and an RBI, first baseman Royce Benson (.308) collected two hits and drove in a run, and new second sacker Steve Kaminski (.328) tripled across a run. Each club banged out 9 hits apiece.
Only a half-game separates the top two teams in the RU North, the first place Far Mountain Redhawks (54-47) and runner-up Colfax Blasters 53-47). Two more games remain in the five-game series. It will end on Sunday.
V's Shock A's with 3-Run 9th
It wasn't looking good for Volusia on the road in Glasco at Athletics Field. Charles Darby was breezing along with a 5-hit 2-0 shutout heading into the ninth, when the Vigilantes bats finally ignited for three runs and a 3-2 comeback victory. A two-out two-bagger by catcher Jojo Nunez (.267) off Darby tied the score, then weak-hitting Gus Delahoya (.214) singled in the eventual game-winner off reliever Riley McKeever (0-0 0.00). Ricky Moreno (4-2 1.77) picked up his IPA-leading 16th save by working a runless ninth. Skipper Alfonso Feliz got some fine pitching from starter Brian King (1-3 2.28), who tossed seven innings, gave up only two runs and six hits, while striking out five and walking four. The victory went to middle reliever Manny Seguin (3-1 3.53) for a scoreless eighth. Darby (11-11 3.56) got the tough loss, his fifth in a row, giving up eight hits and three runs. Shortstop Kyle Ballentine (.305) and third baseman Zach Byorvik (.244) led the losers with an RBI each.
Third place Volusia (52-49) is two games off the pace in the RU North standings, while fifth place Glasco (47-52) is 6 games behind.
Vipers Roll Over All-Stars, Snap Win String at 7
Valmara, the best-hitting team in the RU North, rolled over Elnora 6-2 and snapped their winning string at 7 games. Todd Turner (11-7 4.04), a 28-year-old righthander, fashioned a solid game. He scattered 8 hits, fanned six and issued only one walk for his 11th victory of the season. Turner was supported by the big bats of second baseman Floyd Vinson (.304), who scored a run and delivered two runs with a double and a sac fly, shortstop Matt Mazurek (.277) with 2-4 and two runs batted in, right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.324) was 3-4 with two doubles, scoring one run and driving in one, and center fielder Jan Szymanski (.271) went 2-5, scored twice and had an RBI. They smacked 11 hits in all, sending starter Jim Tarzetti (3-3 3.42) down to defeat. The Vipers belted him for three runs in two innings and sent him to the showers early.
With the win, Valmara (50-50) reached the .500 mark. The Vipers are close to the top of division standings and trail by only 3.5 games. Elnora (45-56) is last and 9 games back, but still close enough to make a run for an Elite Eight playoff slot, especially with the way manager Zoggy White's club has been playing for the last two weeks.
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