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Eugene Church · 06-21-2009, 12:39 AM

The Islandian Times

March 8, 2004

Marston Readies For Another Playoff Year In RU East
The Marston Legends, headed by the former pitching great, Johnny Walters, have made the IPA Playoffs in two of the league's three years. The Legends (84-66) won the regular season crown in 2001, but were beaten in the first round by the eventual Pro Cup Series winner, the Volusia Vigilantes. Walters' club (73-81) came up short in 2002 and missed the postseason by a single game as they lost out to the Cold Creek Catamounts. In 2003 Marston (77-77) finished third, 11 games off the pace of the division-winning Elnora All-Stars. They lost out again in the first round of the playoffs, this time to the #2-ranked team, the Sugar Valley Rattlers.

Marston topped the Ruthlandian Union last season with a robust .277 team batting average, but the Legends come up short in the long ball category, trailing five other division foes. Walters told reporters on the opening day of Spring training, "Without super pitching, it is hard to compete in the IPA without home run hitters. That's all the Legends are lacking right now."

Walters has a strong hitting, but needs more long distance power. Marston can't compete with Elnora and Sugar Valley. Both clubs outdistance the Legends in firepower and on the hill. The Legends have improved their mound corps by signing lefthander Jorge Bonilla, who will share the #4 slot in the pitching rotation. Bonilla is 25 years old and comes highly-regarded by the scouts and sportswriters. Bonilla is a great control artist with excellent movement and good velocity. Marston has only one pure rookie. That's 2B Glen Schumann, a good glove man and contact hitter. He will split time with holdover Rayford Winfrey early in the season.

Marston was forecast in the BNN Preseason Poll to finish third in the new season just ahead of the Eastshore Elegants and behind Elnora and Sugar Valley. Walters has three Tycobbian Union All-Stars at his disposal in closer Booger Burchfield, left fielder Sam Dixon and shortstop Don Nichols. Elnora and Bayview also have three All-Star performers.

Top Hurlers: Nick Pace (19-10 3.36), Vinnie Gardner (10-6 3.12) and All-Star closer Booger Burchfield (6-9 3.39) with 21 Saves and 65 relief appearances.

Topn Hitters: All-Star LF Sam Dixon (.322 BA/20 HR/104 RBI), All-Star SS Don Nichols (.311 BA/18 HR/75 RBI/109 R/45 SB), CF Paulie Rizzutto (.290 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/80 R/25 SB), 1B Pat Farris (.320 BA/9 HR/67 RBI/74 R) and 3B Roddy Teague (.320 BA/11 HR/56 RBI/47 R)

06-21-2009, 12:39 AM	#1035
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 8, 2004 Marston Readies For Another Playoff Year In RU East The Marston Legends, headed by the former pitching great, Johnny Walters, have made the IPA Playoffs in two of the league's three years. The Legends (84-66) won the regular season crown in 2001, but were beaten in the first round by the eventual Pro Cup Series winner, the Volusia Vigilantes. Walters' club (73-81) came up short in 2002 and missed the postseason by a single game as they lost out to the Cold Creek Catamounts. In 2003 Marston (77-77) finished third, 11 games off the pace of the division-winning Elnora All-Stars. They lost out again in the first round of the playoffs, this time to the #2-ranked team, the Sugar Valley Rattlers. Marston topped the Ruthlandian Union last season with a robust .277 team batting average, but the Legends come up short in the long ball category, trailing five other division foes. Walters told reporters on the opening day of Spring training, "Without super pitching, it is hard to compete in the IPA without home run hitters. That's all the Legends are lacking right now." Walters has a strong hitting, but needs more long distance power. Marston can't compete with Elnora and Sugar Valley. Both clubs outdistance the Legends in firepower and on the hill. The Legends have improved their mound corps by signing lefthander Jorge Bonilla, who will share the #4 slot in the pitching rotation. Bonilla is 25 years old and comes highly-regarded by the scouts and sportswriters. Bonilla is a great control artist with excellent movement and good velocity. Marston has only one pure rookie. That's 2B Glen Schumann, a good glove man and contact hitter. He will split time with holdover Rayford Winfrey early in the season. Marston was forecast in the BNN Preseason Poll to finish third in the new season just ahead of the Eastshore Elegants and behind Elnora and Sugar Valley. Walters has three Tycobbian Union All-Stars at his disposal in closer Booger Burchfield, left fielder Sam Dixon and shortstop Don Nichols. Elnora and Bayview also have three All-Star performers. Top Hurlers: Nick Pace (19-10 3.36), Vinnie Gardner (10-6 3.12) and All-Star closer Booger Burchfield (6-9 3.39) with 21 Saves and 65 relief appearances. Topn Hitters: All-Star LF Sam Dixon (.322 BA/20 HR/104 RBI), All-Star SS Don Nichols (.311 BA/18 HR/75 RBI/109 R/45 SB), CF Paulie Rizzutto (.290 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/80 R/25 SB), 1B Pat Farris (.320 BA/9 HR/67 RBI/74 R) and 3B Roddy Teague (.320 BA/11 HR/56 RBI/47 R) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-21-2009 at 07:00 PM.