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The Islandian Times
March 7, 2004
Kilkenny Cats Also-Ran Again In RU North
The Kilkenny Cats were seventh in their first season in the IPA in 2002. They put up a 72-82 mark and ended up 24 games off the pace of the RU North Division winner, the Glasco Athletics. The Cats compiled a 70-84 record last season, finishing up 25 games back of first place Valmara. And it looks like more of the same in 2004. The BNN poll placed Kilkenny in the sixth spot again, topping only LaGrange and Ancona. At best, the Cats are just a less-than-average ball team with only adequate hitting and pitching and poor defense.
Most of manager Kieran McKenna's roster are mainly retreads from the first two seasons, though he has revamped his line-up and pitching rotation with some new blood. McKenna is stressing defense this time around, whenever possible. Kilkenny will feature a new second baseman, rookie James Whitehurst. He has a good glove and can hit with some power. Jeff Oldenburg is another first-year player, who will platoon at first base. On the hill McKenna has two newcomers in lefthanders Mookie Flanagan and Matty Cullen. Both will be spot starters and long relievers.
Best Pitchers: Dino Carravaggio (15-15 3.73), Collin Gilder (11-8 3.84), Mack Harrell (12-15 3.93), Yasuyuki Nakagawa (10-11 3.63) and closer Rhett Townsend (3-7 2.98)
Best Hitters: RF Rick Audubon (.290 B/27 HR/67 RBI), All-Star CF Kirk Pitzer (.307 BA/15 HR/70 RBI/92 R/51 SB) and SS Joey Zajac (.298 BA/10 HR/89 RBI/18 SB)
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