ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Bix Hansen Named Pro Cup MVP
Bix Hansen wasn't even on the Eastshore roster until late August. He spent the entire year on the reserve roster, but he was ready when Elegant ace pitcher Danny Siegfried went down to injury for the rest of the season. Hansen stepped in as the number four starter in the rotation and finished out the year with a 2-1 mark in the last few weeks of the season. However, Hansen really stepped it up to another level in the Pro Cup playoffs. The 24-year-old right-hander went 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA and completed all four starts, leading Eastshore to its second IPA Pro Cup crown. Without Hansen, it was doubtful the Elegants could have won for the second year in a row. Today The Islandian Times named Hansen the most outstanding player in the Pro Cup playoffs and honored him with the Most Valuable Player Award.

Turon's fine hurler Shane Farmer was a close second in the balloting. Farmer, a 34-year-old rookie, had a brilliant run in the playoffs with a 4-0 record and a 1.91 ERA. Eastshore RF Stan Cuccinello was ranked third in the award voting. He batted .349 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Teammate 2B Gerry Garner came in fourth in the poll. Garner hit .353 with 11 RBIs and 14 runs scored in the postseason. Elegant CF Larry Lowe and Typhoon 2B Andy Hansen tied for fifth in the MVP poll. Lowe batted .361 with 17 runs, 9 SBs and 7 RBIs, while Hansen hit .375, scored 20 runs and walked 16 times

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 18, 2017

IPA Awards Manager Of The Year Awards

Stoner Stars Skipper Stern Best Manager In RU
Longtime journeyman catcher Ben Stern is Ruthlandian Manager of the Year for 2017 chosen in a poll by The Islandian Times. This year Stern took over as skipper in Stoner and guided the Stars to the team's best season in 10 years. The Stars rose up from last place (69-85) to fourth place (87-67), an 18-game turnaround in the strong RU West, where 6 teams finished above the .500 mark. Ryan Noland was second in the poll as he led the Rocky Rapids Snappers to its best record ever and won the RU West. The Snappers were 97-57, the second-best record in the RU. Only Eastshore had a better mark at 98-56. Killer Brewster of the Eastshore Elegants wound up third in the balloting this season after winning the award the last two years. Eastshore won its second RU East flag in a row and led the league in victories.

Blue Jays Manager Stevens Rated Best In TU
Perennial pennant winner Tuckanarra suffered long and hard in 2016 and plunged to seventh place in the TU East with a 71-83 mark, but Carlton "Lefty" Stevens rebounded this year and improved to 95-59 and wound up a very close second to the pennant-winning Ozarka Naturals, who were 97-57. For his efforts Stevens has been selected as the Tycobbian Manager of the Year for the second time in his career. He also won it in 2013. Rookie mananger Cristo Viamonte of the Luxora Zorros wound up second in the vote. He brought the Z's from sixth to first in his first season at the helm. Luxora was 82-72 in the TU North after finishing 69-85 the previous season. In Colchester, Uncle Robbie Wilbertson got a much-improved performance from his Elites this year as they climbed from 6th in the TU South to end up second to Turon. Colchester improved from 72-82 to 82-72, a 10-game about face.

[Eugene Church]

Friday, October 5, 2074

EASTSHORE ONLY CLUB TO WIN FIRST TWO GAMES... ALL OTHERS TIED AT ONE APIECE
One of the Pro Cup favorites, the Eastshore Cotton Kings are the only club to take the first two games in the best-of-seven IPA Elite 8 Series... the other 6 playoff challengers have split their first 2 games... Eastshore slipped past the Taranto Tars in another tight tussle 3-1 to take a 2-0 lead... all of the series will change venues for the next 3 games... the Cotton Kings will travel to Taranto.

In the other RU Elite 8 Series, Crystal Lake evened up with the Stoner Silver Sox, nudging past them 2-1 in another nailbiter... the Tycobbian Union had 2 high-scoring bashes... Pro Cup favorite Oxford crushed Summerland 10-0 and Tuckanarra battered the Chicopee Braves 13-2... both of those series are tied at one win each... the teams will now switch sites... Oxford is on the road in Summerland and the Tucks will be in Chicopee for games three, four and five.

2074 IPA Postseason Stars of the Day


2074 Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series - Game 2 (Best-of-Seven Series)

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2074 Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series - Game 2 (Best-of-Seven Series)

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Monday, September 17, 2018

Eastshore Favored In Pro Cup
It won't be easy, but according to The Islandian Times annual Pro Cup poll, the Eastshore Elegants are favored to win their third consecutive IPA Pro Cup. The Elegants got the nod over several talented and hungry ballclubs. Last year's runner-up Turon was the number two choice. The Typhoons fell victim to Eastshore last season, when the Elegants came back from a 3-2 deficit. Both Eastshore and Turon could fall prey to powerful Rocky Rapids and Ozarka. The odds-makers ranked all four teams pretty much even. Anyone of them could win it all. None of the other clubs are expected to contend for the crown. Bay St. Clair was rated fifth-most likely to win the Pro Cup, followed by Luxora, Ancona and Claxton.

Best Team Record: Turon (102-52)
Best Team Batting Average: Ozarka (.293)
Most Home Runs: Ozarka (177)
Most Runs: Ozarka (834)
Best Team ERA: Eastshore (2.98)
Best Starters ERA: Rocky Rapids (3.10)
Best Bullpen ERA: Eastshore (2.10)
Best Team Defense: Bay St. Clair (.977)

1. Eastshore Elegants (97-67)
.265 BA
161 HR
740 Runs
3.13 ERA (Starters)
2.10 ERA (Bullpen)
.969 FA

2. Turon Typhoons (102-52)
.276 BA
164 HR
809 Runs
3.20 ERA (Starters)
3.87 ERA (Bullpen)
.969 FA

3. Ozarka Naturals (101-53)
.293 BA
177 HR
834 Runs
3.36 ERA (Starters)
2.73 ERA (Bullpen)
.974 FA

4. Rocky Rapids (96-60)
.277 BA
149 HR
775 Runs
3.10 ERA (Starters)
3.23 ERA (Bullpen)
.968 FA

5. Bay St. Clair (88-66)
.259 BA
123 HR
754 Runs
3.56 ERA (Starters)
2.90 ERA (Bullpen)
.977 FA

6. Luxora Zorros (91-63)
.254 BA
102 HR
689 Runs
3.15 ERA (Starters)
3.51 ERA (Bullpen)
.975 FA

7. Ancona Red Elephants (87-67)
.265 BA
149 HR
772 Runs
3.86 ERA (Starters)
3.25 ERA (Bullpen)
.973 FA

8. Claxton Diamonds (85-69)
.270 BA
166 HR
821 Runs
4.37 ERA (Starters)
3.23 ERA (Bullpen)
.974 FA

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 23, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Playoffs

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series

Pro Cup Champs Fall, Snappers Dethrone Elegants
After two glorious seasons where they were the supreme team in the Islands, the Eastshore Elegants finally met their match in the IPA playoffs... the Rocky Rapids Snappers roared past them 8-4 in game 6 of the RU Elite 8 Series and eliminated the Elegants from the postseason... the Snappers took the series four games to two... Don Chaney got the historic win that sends Rocky Rapids to the RU Final 4 for the first time in its history... Chaney (2-0 3.24) had to throw a lot of pitches and was tagged for 12 hits, but the 29-year-old 6'6" right-hander stood the test and held Eastshore to only 4 runs in 8 and two-thirds innings... closer Milt Baker got the last out for Chaney after the Elegants cut the lead to 4 in the ninth... it was Baker's third save in the series... it was a great day for the Snappers offense... They socked 11 hits and piled up an 8-1 lead after 5 frames and gave Chaney a lot of breathing room... SS Ted David (.222) had a two-run homer and 3 RBIs for the winners... 3B Paul Shelton (.346) and RF Larry Hollis (.333) added 2 hits and 2 more RBIs each... CF Roger Murdoch (.217) led Eastshore with 4 hits and 3 runs, including a home run... RF Larry Lowe (.250) cracked 2 hits and drove in 3 runs for the losers... losing pitcher Melvin Key (0-2 6.40) was treated harshly to the tune of 8 runs and 11 hits in only 4+ frames... Now Rocky Rapids will take on the winner of the Ancona-Claxton series in the RU Final 4.

Ancona Forces 7th Game With Claxton
The Ancona Red Elephants outlasted Claxton 7-6 in game 6 at Jay Loman Field to force a seventh game in the RU Elite 8 Series... the Red Elephants ran up a 7-0 lead after 5 innings, then had to hold on for dear life as the Diamonds mounted a determined comeback... a pair of two-run homers by RF Louie DiMucci (.417) and SS Benny Morgan (.333) powered Ancona to an early lead... but Claxton came back strong in the last three innings, but fell a run short... 15-game winner Dave Blair (2-0 3.94) held the Diamonds to 4 hits in his 8 innings, but his 8 walks kept him in constant trouble... Blair allowed four runs before being relieved by John Sharpe, who almost blew the game as he was touched for two runs in the ninth before he finally got the save... Ernie van Riebeeck (0-2 5.68) was the losing pitcher... the Red Elephants ripped him for 7 runs and 10 hits in just 5 innings... SS Donnie Pilsner (.160) slammed a 3-run homer for Claxton... for the first time in the series Claxton LF George McKay (.409) failed to hit a home run... McKay had gone deep in five consecutive games.

Tycobbian Union

Bucs Do It Again, Knock Nats Out Of Playoffs
For the second season in a row, the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers have disposed of the favored Ozarka Naturals in the TU Elite 8 Series four games to two... it was hard for the Bucs to put the Nats away in game 6 at Ellie Ewing Stadium in Ozarka... Bay St. Clair ran up a 5-1 lead after 5 innings and seemed to be well on its way to victory, but the Naturals would have none of that... they rallied to tie it up at 5-5 with 2 in the seventh and 2 in the ninth... the Buccaneers then blew them away with 3 runs in the tenth for a hard-earned 8-5 victory... three straight pinch-hit singles plated the runs... Thomas Knowles, Gil Pierson and Christian Bradley were the game heroes... Knowles put the Bucs ahead with an RBI single and Bradley's hit brought in the last two scores... 1B Gerry Fields (.333) sparked Bay St. Clair with a 2-run blast and 2 runs scored, while Ozarka's 3B Andre Dumas (.391) clubbed two homers and batted in 3 runs and C Frank Kiffin (.364) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs, including a roundtripper... winner Hal Meissner (1-0 4.76) worked 9 innings, permitted 5 runs and 8 hits with 5 Ks and 5 walks... Steve Richt picked up his second series save with a scoreless tenth frame... vet Eddie Roberts (0-1) was the loser... in the tenth, he was pounded for 3 runs and 4 hits in one-third of an inning.

Turon Evens Series With Luxora
Playing at home at Typhoon Stadium, Turon blistered Luxora for 11 hits in a 7-3 victory to even the best-of-seven TU Elite 8 Series at three games apiece... game 7 will also be on Turon's home field... Ted Farentino (2-0 2.12) was masterful again as he zeroed the Zorros without a run and 5 hits through the first 8 innings... they finally broke through with 3 runs on 4 hits in the ninth, but it was too late by then... the Typhoons were led at the plate by CF Mac McCurnan (.174) with a triple and homer and 3 RBIs and 2B Matt Madison (.273) with 3 hits, 2 runs and an RBI... RF Dominick DiCaprio (.348) also belted a home run for Turon... SS Joaquin Malagon (.350) paced the Z's with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... RF Jon Stafford (.375) also collected 3 hits... starter Orlando Mercado (0-2 4.91) exited after 4 innings... Turon tapped him for 4 runs and 4 hits... Mercado was the losing hurler.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Monday, September 24, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Ruthlandian Union

Dukas Pitches Ancona Into RU Final 4
This was game seven of the RU Elite 8 Series - the biggest game of Clete Dukas' 3-year IPA career - and he came through with flying colors for the Ancona Red Elephants with a sparkling 3-1 triumph over the Claxton Diamonds at Jay Loman Park in Ancona... the Red Elephants had to win the last two games of the series to advance to the RU Final 4 against the powerful Rocky Rapids Snappers, the conquerors of the two-time Pro Cup titlist Eastshore Elegants... Dukas (2-1 2.42) worked the entire game and only gave up one run on 8 hits, fanned 6 and walked 3... loser Kaz Hayagawa (1-2 4.76) pitched well in defeat... he also went the route, allowed 6 hits and 3 runs... 1B Johnny Lee Harder and 3B Alex Brazzi provided all the runs Ancona needed... Harder (.348) and Brazzi (.217) hit solo homers in the second to give the Red Elephants the lead... Claxton narrowed it to 2-1 on a third-inning triple by 1B Mike Luzzatti (.174) and Ancona finished the scoring with an insurance run in the sixth when RF Louie DiMucci (.407) got an RBI on a fielder's-choice groundout... DiMucci drove in 8 runs in the series.

Tycobbian Union

Turon Trims Luxora 5-3 In Game 7
Nicky Engstrom lost games one and four to Tiago Torres, but he came through for Turon in the game-seven finale with a 5-3 decision over the Zorro ace... the crucial victory puts the Typhoons in the Tycobbian Final 4 against the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers... Engstrom (1-2 3.22) worked into the eighth to pick up the win... he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and fanned 4... closer Merle Studebaker relieved him and retired all 5 batters he faced to get his second series save... Torres (2-1 3.18) worked into the seventh, but permitted 9 hits and 5 runs in a lackluster performance... Turon took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame... the Z's went up 2-1 in the second... the Typhoons regained it 3-2 in the fourth... Luxora tied it at 3-3 in the sixth... then SS Mickey O'Malley (.174) drilled a 2-run single in the bottom of the seventh to put Turon ahead to stay 5-3... the Typhoons collected 10 hits and were paced by 1B Clyde Kingsford (.231) with 3-4 and an RBI and RF Dominick DiCaprio (.370) with 2-4 and a run... LF Dickie Nordhagen (.333) sparked the Zorros with 2-4 and 2 RBIs and C Jim Thorpe Chandler (.414) went 2-4 and scored twice... Luxora got 7 hits... the Final 4 begins Wednesday in Turon at Typhoon Stadium.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Snappers And Turon Favored In IPA Final 4s
The "haves" and the "have-nots" are meeting in the IPA Final 4s. Powerhouses Rocky Rapids and Turon have the pitching and underdogs Ancona and Bay St. Clair come up short on the hill. That how the baseball analysts are forecasting this round of the playoffs. In the Ruthlandian Union the Rocky Rapids Snappers, fresh off a big series win over the reigning Pro Cup champ Eastshore, will host the Ancona Red Elephants in the first two games beginning Wednesday at Snapper Stadium. Over in Tycobbia it will be Turon welcoming Bay St. Clair to Typhoon Stadium on Wednesday in game one. The Buccaneers are fresh off an upset of Ozarka. The Final 4 Series are a best-of-seven with Rocky Rapids and Turon having the home-field advantage.

The Snappers have three fine starters in Junior Noland (23-10), Don Chaney (18-15) and Joe Anderson (21-13), while the Red Elephants have only one strong starter in Clete Dukas (20-12). The Snappers also get the nod in the bullpen with Milt Baker (35 saves). Ancona may have a slight edge at the plate with LF Kenny Willard (.331 BA/28 HR), RF Louie DiMucci (.298 BA/30 HR)and 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.288 BA/18 HR). Rocky Rapids best bats belong to 3B Paul Shelton (.277 BA/37 HR), C Hank Bethel (.323 BA/15 HR), LF Rob Barton (.322 BA/13 HR) and CF Carl Johnson (.291 BA/24 HR). The Red Elephants have a decided advantage defensively with a .973 fielding percentage to the Snappers poor .968 FA.

Turon has three outstanding starters. Shane Farmer (29-3), Nicky Engstrom (18-11) and Ted Farentino (18-13) form one of the best rotations in the IPA. Bay St. Clair has only one standout starter in Benny Coates (17-13). The Typhoons Merle Studebaker (34 saves) and the Buccaneers Steve Richt (30 saves) are both capable closers. At the plate Turon has a wealth of offense and firepower with 1B Clyde Kingsford (.338 BA/44 HR), CF Mac McCurnan (.304 BA/32 HR), RF Dominick DiCaprio (.297 BA/29 HR) and OF Andy Porter (.308 BA/20 HR). The Bucs are pale in comparision with SS Jimmy Sawyer (.274 BA/25 HR), CF Bill Howell (.314 BA/2 HR) and 2B Bud Walker (.298 BA/6 HR) the top hitters. If defense makes a difference, Bay St. Clair is far superior to the Typhoons, totally outclassing them .977 to .969 in fielding percentage.

Rocky Rapids will have the easier time in the RU Final 4. They should take the Red Elephants in six games. Turon will have quite a task on its hands with Bay St. Clair. If the Bucs can get good outings from Dean Dailey (7-1) and Hal Meissner (20-10), they can make it a very competitive series. The Typhoons will have to be at their best to whip Bay St. Clair, who knocked off one of the best teams in the IPA in the first round, the Ozarka Naturals. The postseason seems to bring out the best in Bucs. It was the second straight year they upended favored Ozarka. The forecast is for a seven-game series with Turon advancing to the IPA Pro Cup Finals.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, October 6, 2074

EASTSHORE NEAR SWEEP, CRYSTAL LAKE, CHICOPEE, SUMMERLAND WIN PIVOTAL GAME 3
The Eastshore Cotton Kings are riding high in the IPA Elite 8 Series with a 3-0 bulge over the Stoner Silver Sox... in the three other series Crystal Lake, Chicopee and Summerland snared important victories in the pivotal third games.

Eastshore bumped off the Taranto Tars 5-1 and they are now in the enviable position of sweeping the best-of-seven series... all the Cottom Kings have to do to advance to the Ruthlandian Union Finals is win one out of the next 4 games.

The three other clubs don't have it quite as easy... Crystal Lake won a close one from Stoner 3-1 in the RU Elite 8... over in the Tycobbian Elite 8, Summerland surprised the Oxford Red Caps 7-0 and Chicopee dumped the Tuckanarra Tiger Cats 8-3... the Skippers, Sunsets and Braves lead those series 2 games to one.

2074 IPA Postseason Stars of the Day

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 4, 2018

IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 1 At Typhoon Stadium In Turon

Turon Takes Pro Cup Opener 4-3
Playing at home, Turon took an early 3-0 lead and then had to fight off a determined bunch of Ancona Red Elephants as they came back in the seventh to tie it up at 3-all... but lost it 4-3 when RF Dominick DiCaprio (.382) tripled to lead off the bottom of the eighth against a tired Clete Dukas and scored the game-winner on LF Andy Porter's (.500) base hit... Dukas (3-3 2.42) went all the way in defeat, yielding 4 runs on 8 hits... Nicky Engstrom worked the first 6 frames for Turon and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits... Engstrom was KO'd in the Ancona 3-run outburst in the seventh, highlighted by 1B Johnny Lee Harder's (.348) 2-run clout... Juan-Carlos Torriente (1-1 8.10) got credit for the win, but was tagged for the tying run... closer Merle Studebaker copped his 4th playoff save with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth... CF Mac McCurnan (.222) sparked the Typhoons with 3 hits, including a pair of RBI doubles in the first and second innings... 1B Clyde Kingsford (.208) drove in the other Turon run in the third.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 5, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 2 At Typhoon Stadium In Turon

Blair Beats Turon 5-2, Ancona Evens Series
15-game winner Dave Blair outpitched Shane Farmer, a 29-game winner, to gain a split of the first two games in the best-of-seven IPA Pro Cup Series... Blair (4-1 2.61) led the Ancona Red Elephants to a 5-2 decision over the Turon Typhoons at Typhoon Stadium, holding them to 2 unearned runs on 8 hits in 6 innings... Blair also walked 4 batters... Turon had all kinds of opportunities to get back in the game as they stranded 16 baserunners... Farmer (2-3 4.61) had another sub-par outing as he was battered for 5 runs and 9 hits and was sent to the showers in the seventh inning... the Red Elephants collected 10 hits in all and were led by 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.353) with 2 hits, 3 runs scored and an RBI... SS Benny Morgan (.282) drove in two runs to top Ancona... relievers Lynwood Marshall (2.29) and John Sharpe (2.79) blanked the Typhoons over the last 3 frames with Sharpe getting his 4th save in the postseason... the game was scoreless for the first 3 innings... Turon took a 2-1 lead after 4 innings, but Ancona rallied and built up a 5-2 margin after 7... the series will now switch to Ancona for games 3, 4 and 5.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 6, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 3 At Jay Loman Park In Ancona

Typhoons Win Game 3 With Late Flurry 5-4
On the road in Ancona, Turon had to mount a late-inning rally to edge the feisty Ancona Red Elephants 5-4 in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Finals... the triumph gave Turon a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series... trailing 3-1 after 6 innings, the Typhoons got to Nikon Maragos for a pair of runs in each of the seventh and eighth frames to go ahead 5-3, then had to stave off a last-ditch effort by the Red Elephants in the bottom of the ninth... RF Dominick DiCaprio (.365) tripled in the tie-breaking run in the top of the eighth and LF Andy Porter (.500) singled in the eventual game-winner with a single... Ted Farentino (4-0 2.63) hurled another solid game, scattering 8 hits over 8 innings and departed with a 5-3 lead... closer Merle Studebaker almost blew the game and backed into his 5th playoff save... Maragos (0-2 5.01) faltered late and was the loser... he only gave up 5 hits and struck out 6 in his 9 innings... Porter led Turon with 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBIs... Porter hit his 4th postseason homer in the second inning... 3B Alex Brazzi (.178) went deep for the Red Elephants in defeat... it was his 3rd in the postseason.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 7, 2074

COTTON KINGS SWEEP TARS, HEAD TO RU TITLE SERIES... SKIPS AND BRAVES TAKE COMMAND... AND RED CAPS ARE TIED WITH SUNSETS
It's all over... Eastshore swept all 4 games in their first round Ruthlandian Union Series with the Taranto Tars... the Cotton Kings now await the victor between Crystal Lake and Stoner in the other RU series... the Skippers are ahead 3-1 in that affair... Pro Cup favored Oxford managed to even its TU Elite 8 Series with spunky Summerland, while Chicopee took charge of its series with Tuckanarra, going in front 3-1.

Eastshore breezed past Taranto in game four 8-4... Crystal Lake staved off Stoner 8-6... Oxford spun a 3-0 shutout over Summerland... and Chicopee blanked the Tucks 4-0.

2074 IPA Stars of the Day

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]