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The Islandian Times
Monday, September 12, 2005
Ruthlandian Union North Division
Ranford Wins, Taranto and Far Mountain Both Fall in RU North
The Ranford Bulls gained ground today and moved into a tie for second place with Far Mountain in the RU North pennant chase. First place Taranto and Far Mountain both lost tense duels. The Tars (82-66) still have a one-game lead over the Redhawks (81-67) and the Bulls (81-67) with six games to go.
Ranford knocked off Belle Plaine 8-3 with a 14-hit attack and solid pitching by Leland Shaddock (15-10 3.03), while Kilkenny's Tommy Tevers (7-3 4.43) and closer Carley Stockwell teamed up to trim Far Mountain 5-3, beating Dave Johnston (16-9 3.56) on C Shannon Hood's (.257) two-run single in the top of the ninth.
In Grand City, the lowly Cybercats (60-88) Frankie Novikov (13-14 3.17) and closer Bill Bergland combined to stop first place Taranto 3-2 on a 5-hitter with the help of 1B Jared Albright's (.289) two-run homer. The Tars George Brazzi (13-12 3.83) went the distance for the loss.
The Ancona Red Elephants (76-72) whipped Beechwood 8-6 on the road at City Park Stadium to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. One more loss for Ancona or one more win by Taranto and it's over for them.
Valmara (74-74) was mathematically eliminated today from RU North playoff contention, despite whacking the Claxton Diamonds 8-5 on the Vipers home field. Claxton (74-74) still has a chance at second place in the RU South.
Ruthlandian Union South Division
San Dimas Holds On to 2nd in RU South Despite Loss
In a crucial game for both ball clubs, Eastshore (79-69) went to town on San Dimas closer Cleve Skinner (7-7 2.84) for two-tenth inning scores to trim the Rancheros 4-3 at Entergy Stadium in Eastshore. 3B Mike Rumford (.250) and 2B Wesley Perkins (.238) each delivered crucial RBI singles in the final inning to bring home the victory. The Elegants are tied for third in the RU East, two games behind second place Cold Creek (81-67) with six games left on the schedule. The Rancheros missed a golden opportunity to move two games up on Valka in the race for second in the RU South.
In Belair Beach, the RU South champion Sunbirds dealt third place Valka a harsh blow by edging the Blackhawks 6-5 with a stunning three-run tenth. 3B Ray Mathews' (.278) bases-loaded triple was the game winner. Valka closer Tommy Ruffin (8-5 3.21) blew the two-run lead. A win would have moved the Blackhawks into a tie for second place, the final playoff slot.
Waleska's Gary Hill (23-8 3.84) staggered to his 23rd win by beating Sugar Valley 8-6 on the strength of four home runs. Wilson Whitmore (1-0 2.42) notched the save, his first of the year. The Westerners (74-74) and Claxton (74-74) are now tied for fourth place in the RU South, but with slim chances for the postseason.
Ruthlandian Union East Division
Cold Creek 2nd in RU East, Eastshore and Marston Trail by 2 Games
The Cold Creek Catamounts (81-67) solidified second place in the RU East with a 7-2 triumph over Middlefield (81-67) of the RU West. Payton Saunders (14-5 2.37) eliminated the Roosters from pennant consideration, but they still are in the running for a playoff position and have a full-game lead over third place Colfax (80-68).
Eastshore (79-69) and Marston (79-69) are tied for third and are two games back of the Catamounts. The Marston Nine lost a crucial game 4-3 to LaGrange at Sports Stadium. Tony Amick (16-12 3.73) was the winning pitcher, while Mark Falzone (15-16 3.58) took the loss. Fifth place Belle Plaine (77-71) fell four games back of Cold Creek with an 8-3 defeat at the hands of the Ranford Bulls.
Ruthlandian Union West Division
Volusia clinches RU East Crown, Middlefield and Colfax battle for Playoff Spot
Volusia (88-60) rolled over Elnora (71-77) of the RU East 7-3 to nailed down the RU West regular season crown. The V's are up by seven games over second place Middlefield with only six to go. Tommy Betanzos (19-12 3.85) worked seven inning for the victory.
Colfax remained alive with a desperate 7-6 victory over Crystal Lake (52-96). The Blasters had to score five times in the bottom of the ninth to win the contest. Rookie LF Chris Carroll's (.290) grand slam won it in spectacular fashion.
RF Dutch Rheinecker's (.281) two-run single in the eighth sparked Stoner to a 6-4 win over the St. John Crusaders (68-80) of the RU South. The fourth place Stars (75-75) maintained their very slim playoff aspirations. Kelly Schaeffer (13-10 3.90) worked eight innings and got credit for the victory.
The Islandian Times
Monday, September 12, 2005
Tycobbian Union North Division
Hartsdale Gains Game on Blue Lake in TU North
The third place Hartsdale Hellcats (77-71) got one game closer to second place Blue Lake (78-70) with an 8-2 thumping of the Colchester Elites. Winner Rip Arnold (9-12 4.22) hurled seven strong innings, holding them to two runs and eight hits. The Hellcats trail the Blue Sox by one game in the race for the last TU North postseason playoff spot. Division winner Luxora has already has qualified for the Pro Cup playoffs.
Oxford (71-77) got a solid outing from Mark Bright (10-3 4.25) to upend Blue Lake 5-3. Dan Whitfield (13-10 4.11) sustained the loss for the Blue Sox. He surrendered four runs in five-plus innings.
Tycobbian Union South Division
Race Still Rages in TU South
Both pennant contenders in the Tycobbian South took it on the chin today. First place Cape Coral fell to La Claire 7-6 and runner-up Summerland was shut out 4-0 by Denton City (94-54). In spite of the defeat the Hurricanes (89-59) kept their two-game edge on the Sunsets (87-61). Cape Coral blew a 6-4 lead in the seventh, when the Lynx (64-84) came from behind with three runs. Doug Lyons (18-10 3.25) went five-plus innings and lost it. Tom Duroncelay (9-8 3.40) blanked Summerland on seven hits, walked none and fanned nine in a superlative performance. The Redbirds backed him up with three roundtrippers. Bill Taft (17-11 3.86) was the losing pitcher.
Third place Colchester (82-66) also succumbed to Hartsdale and still trails the Sunsets by five games and has little chance for the playoffs.
Tycobbian Union East Division
Midway Wolves Near Elimination in TU East
The North Hills Hawks (62-86) put a damper on the Midway wolves (72-76) postseason plans with a 5-1 victory. 29-year-old rookie Ronnie Kerensky (6-4 4.58) only gave up one run in his eight innings. One more Midway loss or Ozarka win will give the final playoff berth to the Naturals.
In today's action Hillsboro topped Red Bluff (91-56) 4-3 and East Point pounded Ozarka 10-3 in 14 innings.
Tycobbian Union West Division
Bucs and Wildcats Both Rack Up Wins in TU West
Second place Bay St. Clair (85-63) stayed five games ahead of third place Kenwood (80-68) in the battle for the final TU West postseason slot. The Buccaneers slipped by Turon 4-2 with Lloyd Weber (14-4 3.38) getting credit for the victory and Scotty Boswell (15-11 3.21) getting hung with the loss.
The Kenwood Wildcats busted open a close game with four runs in the eighth en route to a 7-4 triumph over the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (69-79).
Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-04-2009 at 11:55 PM.
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