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Eugene Church · 06-20-2009, 06:48 PM

The Islandian Times

March 7, 2004

Solid Luxora Has Tough Task In Strong TU North
The Luxora Zorros have been a perennial playoff team in the TU North. Manager Alejandro Rodrigo has guided them to the playoffs twice in three seasons in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Zorros have advanced to the Sweet 16 for the last two years, only to be eliminated by the powerful Oxford Red Caps.

Luxora (72-78) was fourth in the inaugural IPA season, 14 games behind champion South Fork. The Zorros (83-71) were second to Oxford in 2002, finishing just three games behind them. Last year Luxora (82-72) was fourth and trailed the top team Hartsdale by six games.

Rodrigo has a solid ball club, but he has to play in the best-balanced and one of the stronger divisions in the league. As good as the Zorros are, they might not make the playoffs this year as the up-and-coming teams below them will severely challenge them. North Hills, Blue Lake, Mahaska and White River may be second-division teams, but they don't play like it.

Luxora is pretty much the same team as last year. Rodrigo has picked up a rookie reliever, Antonio Anaya. He is a righthander, throws 97 mph and has good command and movement. But the Zorros have no room for him in the starting rotation. Anaya will have to bide his time in the bullpen until he gets a chance to prove himself. His presence will make the mound staff better this season. Bobby Bayas will take over third base this year, giving the Zorros a better glove at third base. Otherwise the line-up remains the same. On the hill Rodrigo has promoted Gustavo Escalera to a starting role this year. Escalera pitched very well in middle relief last year.

Assessing the coming season with reporters, Rodrigo said, "With Escalera starting and having Marco Braceros for the entire year will make us a much better club. Braceros was outstanding with 8 wins in the second half. I think we can contend for the pennant this year."

Rodrigo told BNN recently, "The only thing that keeps us from contending with the top teams in the TU North is the long ball. Oxford and Fairfax have a big advantage there. Maybe we can overtake them with outstanding pitching."

Top Pitchers: Eddie Hoffman (17-13 3.27), Tito Tovares (17-15 3.65), Marco Braceros (8-3 2.87), LHP Gustavo Escalora (4-2 2.97) and closer Elio Laurente (3-7 2.43) with 25 saves in 67 games

Top Hitters: C Otto Kronvath (.301 BA/39 HR/97 RBI/90 R), CF Lacey Tompkins (.335 BA/19 HR/91 RBI/95 R), SS Rafael Lemos (.309 BA/10 HR/67 RBI/58 R) and RF Cristo Viamonte (.277 BA/18 HR/72 RBI/88 R/27 SB)

06-20-2009, 06:48 PM	#1029
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 7, 2004 Solid Luxora Has Tough Task In Strong TU North The Luxora Zorros have been a perennial playoff team in the TU North. Manager Alejandro Rodrigo has guided them to the playoffs twice in three seasons in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Zorros have advanced to the Sweet 16 for the last two years, only to be eliminated by the powerful Oxford Red Caps. Luxora (72-78) was fourth in the inaugural IPA season, 14 games behind champion South Fork. The Zorros (83-71) were second to Oxford in 2002, finishing just three games behind them. Last year Luxora (82-72) was fourth and trailed the top team Hartsdale by six games. Rodrigo has a solid ball club, but he has to play in the best-balanced and one of the stronger divisions in the league. As good as the Zorros are, they might not make the playoffs this year as the up-and-coming teams below them will severely challenge them. North Hills, Blue Lake, Mahaska and White River may be second-division teams, but they don't play like it. Luxora is pretty much the same team as last year. Rodrigo has picked up a rookie reliever, Antonio Anaya. He is a righthander, throws 97 mph and has good command and movement. But the Zorros have no room for him in the starting rotation. Anaya will have to bide his time in the bullpen until he gets a chance to prove himself. His presence will make the mound staff better this season. Bobby Bayas will take over third base this year, giving the Zorros a better glove at third base. Otherwise the line-up remains the same. On the hill Rodrigo has promoted Gustavo Escalera to a starting role this year. Escalera pitched very well in middle relief last year. Assessing the coming season with reporters, Rodrigo said, "With Escalera starting and having Marco Braceros for the entire year will make us a much better club. Braceros was outstanding with 8 wins in the second half. I think we can contend for the pennant this year." Rodrigo told BNN recently, "The only thing that keeps us from contending with the top teams in the TU North is the long ball. Oxford and Fairfax have a big advantage there. Maybe we can overtake them with outstanding pitching." Top Pitchers: Eddie Hoffman (17-13 3.27), Tito Tovares (17-15 3.65), Marco Braceros (8-3 2.87), LHP Gustavo Escalora (4-2 2.97) and closer Elio Laurente (3-7 2.43) with 25 saves in 67 games Top Hitters: C Otto Kronvath (.301 BA/39 HR/97 RBI/90 R), CF Lacey Tompkins (.335 BA/19 HR/91 RBI/95 R), SS Rafael Lemos (.309 BA/10 HR/67 RBI/58 R) and RF Cristo Viamonte (.277 BA/18 HR/72 RBI/88 R/27 SB)