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Islandian Pro Alliance
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Ruthlandian Union - North Division
Blasters End Vipers Win Streak at 4
Valmara was riding high and had won its last four games, but today it came to an end at the hands of first place Colfax 7-4. The Blasters trailed 3-0 after five innings as center fielder Jan Szymanski (273) hammered homer #22 to put the Vipers ahead. But it didn't stand up as Colfax rallied for 7 runs over the last four innings. The Blasters whacked 14 hits with five players collecting two each: right fielder Blinky Brandon (.311), first baseman Dennis Cole (.336), left fielder Cy Bartz (.268), shortstop Wayne O'Reilly (.242) and catcher Jeff Cook (.234). Jim Dreyer (5-0 4.14) worked seven innings for the win, checking the Vipers on four runs and seven hits. Dreyer totaled eight Ks and walked four. Two newcomers to Clem Rogers' mound staff, Andy Haig (0-0 0.00) and Jasper LaForge (0-0 0.00), blanked Valmara the last two innings with LaForge getting his second save.
The win came just in time as there are five teams taking aim at the top spot in the Ruthlandian Union North. Colfax (56-49) is now 3 games ahead of the third place Valmara Vipers (53-52) and a half-game ahead of runner-up Far Mountain (56-50).
Redhawks Down A's 7-3, Keep Pace with Colfax
Far Mountain stayed close on the heels of first place Colfax by downing the Glasco Athletics 7-3 at Athletics Field. The second place Redhawks are only a half-game behind in the RU North pennant race. Far Mountain racked up 11 hits and were paced by first baseman Royce Benson (.311), who drove in three runs with two hits, including his 6th home run. Catcher Dave Davis (.357) chipped two more runs with a double with third baseman Johnny Strickland (.289) and pitcher John Luzzatti (.107) driving across the other two runs. Luzzatti (10-8 3.49) registered the win, allowing three runs and six hits in six-plus innings. Mike McCabe got his 3rd save by getting the last out of the game with the bases full. Dave Johnston (0-0 3.00) held the A's scoreless over his two innings, but got into trouble in the ninth with a single and two walks. The Redhawks ripped losing pitcher Bobby Joe Belvin (1-3 3.48) for six runs in four-plus innings. Center fielder Chet Reynolds (.288) led Glasco with his 7th roundtripper this year.
Far Mountain (56-50) is staying close in second place in the division standings, just a half-game behind Colfax (56-49). Glasco (50-54) is not too far behind in the fifth spot and only 5.5 games out in the race.
All-Stars Clip Vigilantes 5-1
A 4-run rally in the eighth helped last place Elnora put away fourth place Volusia today 5-1. Left fielder Quincy Peterson led off the eighth with his 19th home run for the go-ahead run. The All-Stars tacked three more on with third baseman Richie Franklin (.257) forcing in a run with a bases-loaded walk and pinchhitter Vic Gelder (.286) batting in two more with a base hit. Taylor Gibbs (3-0 2.08) was called into to relieve starter Jim Tarzetti in the eighth with two outs and runners on second and third and the score tied 1-1. He struck out tough Alejandro Salazar (.289) to end the threat and picked up the victory. Tarzetti (3-3 3.12) had pitched very well, permitting only one run and six hits in seven and two-thirds innings. Loser Ricky Moreno (4-4 2.51) just didn't have it today as he was tagged for four runs, three hits and two bases on balls in just one-third of an inning. Kit Kivett (9-6 3.88) started for the Vigilantes and held Elnora to just one run in seven innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
It was a tough time for Volusia (53-53) to lose a game, especially to the last place team. The V's are in fourth place, but are only 3.5 games away from first place. Elnora (47-58) is 9 games back.
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