ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division Standings

4-Team Battle in RU North, Ranford 1-Game Up
The Ranford Bulls trailed by four games at midseason. Going into the last month of the 2005 Ruthlandian Union North pennant chase, Ranford has surged from fifth place to first place since the All-Star game. The Bulls have a one-game edge over Far Mountain with three other clubs still in the playoff hunt. Ancona and Taranto are deadlocked for third, four games off the pace, while Valmara is fifth, but seven back.

The Ranford Bulls (71-57) under manager Page Satcher have raced to a 36-19 mark the last two months, the best record in the division. Satcher club is solid on the mound and at the plate. The Bulls have the best ERA (3.57) in the North Division and are paced by the strong-armed threesome of Leland Shaddock (13-8 3.00), Chris Bernhoffer (13-10 3.07) and Jim Maxwell (16-8 3.68). Closer Tim DeKosky (5-9 2.56) has rung up 19 saves and worked in 55 games. Leading the Bulls charge at bat are 1B Jordy John (.324/20 HR), LF Jose Castillo (.274/20 HR) and 3B Colin Fairclough (.302/19 HR). All of Satcher's other regulars are batting over .274. No weak sisters in Satcher's line-up.

Alex Groveland's Far Mountain Redhawks chalked up a 32-23 record since the halfway break. The only advantage Groveland has over Satcher is a little more home run power. RF Karl Dietz (.246) has 33 homers and 102 RBIs to top the Redhawks with help from rookie LF Gary Horn (.286) and 2B Duane Parsons (.282), who have added 20 and 18 roundtrippers respectively. On the mound Far Mountain is led by Dave Johnston (15-7 3.08), Robby Kelly (15-10 3.21) and Cliff Pope (13-13 3.65). One big disadvantage has arisen. The Redhawks lost their fine first sacker Royce Benson for the rest of the year with a broken hand. Benson was hitting a team high .339 with 9 home runs and 32 stolen bases.

The Ancona Red Elephants (67-61) and Taranto Tars (67-61), two power-laden clubs are tied for third place, just four games out. Both were also tied at the All-Star game for the top spot with Valmara. Since then they have each compiled a 28-27 record, while the Vipers slumped to 25-30.

Skipper Manny Mickens of Ancona depends on his bats to do the job. Mickens has 6 players with 15 or more homers. "Our philosophy is to get three hard swings in every at bat. We go for broke."

Rookie CF Tavi Vakros (.319) has gone deep 22 times, while rookie 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.304) has 21, RF Jimmy Brewer (.256) 18, 3B Denny Harris (.318) 17, C Bart Harben (.296) 15 and LF Louie DiMucci (.283) 15. The Red Elephants sport a 4.01 ERA and have only two quality hurlers. Nikon Maragos (17-11 3.73) and Yannis Vardakis (13-13 3.58) are Mickens' best.

The Taranto Tars and Tommaso Lazzorda really depend on the long balls. The Tars attack is the best in the RU North with 166 so far this season. Only three other teams in the IPA have more. RF Tony Blaser (.329) leads the power parade with 44 homers and 112 RBIs. LF Dominic Zuccaro (.318) has belted 36 and driven in 108 runs. Part-time CF Wayne Pounders (.245) has 23 in 61 games and C Norm Polochak (.272) has smacked 16 in 84 games. Despite playing in a home run haven, the Palazzo di Sport, Lazzorda has a pretty fair starting staff, sparked by Anthony Nardone (14-11 3.78), Carlo Bianchi (10-7 3.91) and George Brazzi (11-9 3.97). The Tars closer Gino Lamonica (5-3 2.63) gives Lazzorda a strong arm to go to in the late innings. Lamonica has saved 13 games.

Superior pitching gives Ranford and Far Mountain the best chance for the postseason. It will be tough for Taranto and Ancona to get there.

One of the preseason favorites, the Valmara Vipers (64-64) have faltered in the second half after tying Ranford and Taranto for the top spot at midseason. J. Jackson Samuel's team has slipped in both the pitching and hitting departments. Only Vanya Vasylenko (16-12 3.46) and closer Chuck Kowalczyk (6-2 1.58) have held their own. Ted Farentino (11-10 3.75) and Danny Blauser (10-16 3.56) have got to do better for the Vipers to get back to the top.

Valmara really suffers from the loss of CF Jan Szymanski, who was traded to Midway for SS Tory Bidwell (.261 BA/8 HR/56 RBI/57 R). Szymanski's 33 homers, 95 RBIs and .327 batting average sure would have made a difference in the Viper season. LF Jet Kazmarek (.343) has had a good season, but really misses his favorite clean-up man. Kazmarek has gotten little help this year except for 1B Masaichi Okawa, who has walloped 25 home runs, batted in 81 runs, but has hit for only a .245 batting average.

It's been a very disappointing year for manager Foxy Jimison and his LaGrange Sports (56-72), who were the top choice to take the RU North in the BNN poll at the start of the year. However the Sports have never been in the race and have wallowed in sixth and seventh place all season long. LaGrange is currently 15 games back in the race. Jimison's only bat is SS Bill Nilsen, who carries a .294 average with 25 homers and 87 RBIs. His top pitchers have been Hunk Sweitzer (11-9 2.41), Robert Marquis (9-5 3.23) and Tony Amick (12-11 3.68).

The Glasco Athletics (50-78) and Kilkenny Cats (49-79) have had dismal campaigns with not much to cheer about. Pitcher Charles Darby (14-11 4.14) is skipper McDuffie Hughes' only bright spot. C Jonas Ogburn is the top hitter at .297 and 9 roundtrippers.

Kilkenny's Kieran McKenna has had a few good efforts. Pitchers Colin Gilder (11-7 3.34) and Victor Kauchak (11-11 3.86) have stood out at times, while second-year closer Carley Stockwell (2-5 3.17) saved 20 games and made 58 appearances thus far. Outfielders Rick Audubon (.280/20 HR) and Kirk Pitzer (.301/9 HR) have been his best run producers.

The forecast is for Ranford to take the regular season title with Far Mountain in second place. Better pitching and a balanced line-up will give preference to the Bulls over the Redhawks.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Ruthlandian Union South Division Standings

Sunbirds Fly High in RU South, Up by 5 Games in Final Month
Marty Pedroza's Belair Beach Sunbirds are in the driver's seat heading into the final month of the season in the Ruthlandian South. The Sunbirds are five games up on runner-up Valka, seven ahead of third place Claxton and eight in front of fourth place San Dimas.

Belair Beach (76-52) is trying to wrap up its second straight division crown. Pedroza's team is well-balanced in all categories, hitting, pitching and fielding. The Sunbirds pitching rotation is especially outstanding with Ray Watson (20-8 3.03), Slim Mosley (19-6 2.58), Tiny Lindgren (16-9 2.76) and Joe Schmidt (6-5 3.25). In the bullpen they have Johnny Spears (2-2 2.14), who has collected 26 saves and made 62 appearances. Together the staff has compiled an excellent 3.24 ERA, top-rated in the Ruthlandian Union.

Belair Beach is no sloutch when it comes to hitting. 1B Phil Gravelli (.325/35 HR), LF Nicky Swift (.222/25 HR) and 3B Mike Janocko (.292/15 HR) supply most of the scoring. The Sunbirds are batting .267 (3rd) as a team with 127 roundtrippers (2nd).

The second place Valka Blackhawks (71-57) can go head-to-head on the hill with Belair Beach. Manager Jaan Kurus has a terrific rotation that consists of Daryl Vannoy (13-10 2.99), Andy Kuris (9-2 3.31), Keith Cline (11-8 2.71) and tough-luck Bobby Karu (13-13 2.65). In the bullpen Kurus has Tommy Ruffin (7-3 3.15), who has saved 23 games and appeared in 60 all total. The Blackhawks staff keeps them in almost every game. It is the hitters that let the club down. Valka has no power whatsoever. They have only 95 home runs (8th) and a .261 batting average (5th). CF Ron Landauer (.278/18 HR), SS Bobby Stroud (.300/14 HR), 2B Elmo Kuusk (.276/14 HR) and 3B Buddy Petrisko (.255/10 HR) are Kurus's best bats.

Manager Stacy Engel's third place Claxton Diamonds (69-59) are the division's powerhouse with 143 homers (1st) and 579 runs (3rd-tied). The Diamonds are fourth with a .263 BA. RF Dixie Baker (.335) leads the way with 35 home runs and 94 RBIs. Five other players have 10 or more homers. They carry a 3.70 team ERA (4th).

Engel doesn't have as many quality arms as the Sunbirds and the Blackhawks. He has to get by with just two strong hurlers, Terry Kuznetsov (17-11 3.46) and Doug Torvik (15-11 3.15). Engel is hoping Gino Franchi (9-5 3.88) can pick up the slack and evolve into a consistent starter. Claxton has a good closer in Tom Dahl (3-3 2.85), who has copped 20 saves and made 58 game appearances.

The hottest team since the All-Star hiatus has been the San Dimas Rancheros (68-30) of skipper Paco Banderas. Despite going 33-22, they have gained only a few games on each of the teams ahead of them. Belair Beach, Valka and Claxton have also played well. Eight games are a lot to make up on the first place Sunbirds, but Banderas thinks he can surpass the Blackhawks and the Diamonds and take the final playoff position. He is only three games behind second place Valka.

San Dimas has hit its way into contention with a .269 BA (1st-tied) and 117 home runs (3rd-tied), while topping the RU South in scoring with 632 runs (1st). But it sure could use some help in the pitching department with a 3.91 ERA (5th-tied). The Rancheros sustained a terrible loss when their ace pitcher Zippy Hodge (15-10 3.36) went out with a torn thigh muscle in early August. Hodge could be back for the postseason. Otherwise, only starter Keith Callahan (16-10 3.82) and closer Cleve Skinner (6-6 2.49) have acquitted themselves well. Skinner has saved 19 games and worked in 56 games.

The Ranchero line-up is propped up by three fine players. 1B Johnny Carducci (.309/38 HR/122 RBI) is having a sensational year and is getting some solid support from RF Goose Garlin (.276/27 HR/71 RBI) and CF Dennis Jones (.314/9 HR/84 RBI). If San Dimas keeps playing well and get just a little bit more pitching, they could sneak up and grab the final playoff spot in the RU South.

Waleska (62-66) and St. John (61-67) are waging a battle for fifth place, but are not likely to get any higher in the standings. Grand City (53-75) should be able to hang on to the seventh spot and Crystal Lake (46-82) seems quite secure for its third consecutive season in the cellar.

McGraw Johnson in Waleska has three standout performers in his superb rookie CF Harold Setser (.328/20 HR/93 RBI), the veteran LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.301/24 HR/90 R) and hurler Gary Hill (19-7 3.82). Setser is in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award.

The St. John Crusaders have the third-best team ERA in the division at 3.60, anchored by two solid starters in vets Sterling Eccles (16-10 3.56) and hard-luck Zach Simon (11-16 3.26). But manager Dickie Billings has little else in the cupboard. The Crusaders are far down the list in all offensive categories.

It's been another poor year in Grand City for skipper Torry Joseph. His best talents are his exquisite closer Bill Berglund (7-4 1.15), starter Frankie Novikov (12-12 3.18), CF Russ Baumer (.336/12 HR) and rookie 1B Jared Albright (.293/25 HR). Joseph's club is the worst in the division with a 4.18 ERA and it is next-to-last with a .252 BA.

Manager Baby George has no hitting, no pitching and no power in Crystal Lake - and no future. The Crushers are batting .243 (8th), have hit only 96 homers (7th) and possess a 3.93 ERA (7th). No hitters to speak of - LF Ben Butler (.252/26 HR) and 3B Nelson Tolliver (.276/17 HR) are his top batters. 20-year-old rookie Tony Tipton (11-7 2.71) has been exceptional so far this season.

The outlook for the RU South is for Belair Beach to take the regular season crown with the other postseason slot going to Valka in a dogfight with two other tough contenders, the Claxton Diamonds and San Dimas Rancheros.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, August 22, 2005

Ruthlandian Union East Division Standings

Rattlers Romp to 8-Game Bulge in RU East
Highly-touted Sugar Valley has certainly lived up to expectations in the Ruthlandian Union East pennant chase. The Rattlers have run away from the pack since the All-Star game and built up a commanding eight-game lead. Six clubs were bunched within three games of one another at the halfway point, but that spread has greatly increased over the last two months.

It's been a topsy-turvy race as far as the preseason prognostications. Elnora was rated the best team in the division, but has dropped out of sight and down to a sixth-place tie. Second division picks Cold Creek and Eastshore have surprised the experts and risen up to a second-place tie, while Marston is fourth in the standings, 10 games off the pace.

It's been a delightful season thus far for manager Gibby Bobkins. His Sugar Valley Rattlers (80-48) have been the scourge of the league. You name it and they do it well - .269 BA (2nd-tied), 130 HR (2nd), 637 runs (2nd), 3.33 ERA (3rd) and .978 FA (2nd).

On the hill the Rattlers are brilliant with Gregg Neal (19-7 2.89), Hec Skurgan (15-4 2.38), Jay Washington (17-10 2.85) and Frankie Jardine (10-5 2.74). They are the best starting rotation in the entire IPA. In the bullpen closer Harvey Hines (5-7 3.00) has done an adequate job with 20 saves.

Sugar Valley also excels at the plate, sparked by 1B Ron Armstrong (.323/26 HR/101 RBI/80 R), SS Flipper Bird (.292/21 HR/88 RBI/89 R/23 SB), LF Bruno DiPirro (.330/13 HR/74 RBI/93 R/29 SB), CF Freddie Vaux (.287/9 HR/45 RBI/98 R/38 SB) and 3B Jorge Vargas (.311/15 HR/72 RBI).

Bobkins told the press, "We were the second-best team in the IPA last season. This year we are going to be the best." Sugar Valley lost the Pro Cup in five games to champion Red Bluff in 2004. The fiery manager could be right. His club was the favorite to win the Pro Cup last year.

Two upstart also-rans are making a run at the postseason this year. The Cold Creek Catamounts (72-56) and Eastshore Elegants (72-56) seem to be in the race to stay, but will have to contend with the Marston Nine (70-58) and Belle Plaine Musketeers (69-59) for the second playoff position.

On paper Cold Creek is the choice of most of the baseball analysts. T. Kelly Holmes' team sports a fine .269 BA (2nd-tied) with 113 home runs (4th) and a standout 3.30 ERA (1st). He has three quality starters in Kyle Peterson (15-8 2.58), Payton Saunders (12-5 2.03) and Tommy Weeks (12-10 3.01). Cold Creek also has a good closer in Buzzy Lewis (7-4 3.10), who has registered 18 saves in 55 appearances.

Holmes has some quality bats, too. Topping his batting order are LF Fernando Baldera (.322/23 HR/109 RBI), CF Trip Holmes (.273/19 HR/59 RBI/95 R/25 SB) and rookie 3B Kelsey Yates (.266/19 HR/72 RBI). The Catamounts have recently activated their fine shortstop Russ Russell (.352), who has missed three months of the season. His presence will give them another good bat.

Eastshore's strong point is its firepower. The Elegants are ranked first with 144 roundtrippers. Manager Killer Brewster boasts six players with double-digit home runs, led by RF Ron Dizon (.284/29 HR/95 RBI/82 R), LF Darrel Alston (.289/32 HR/89 RBI/101 R) and CF Chris Krychevsky (.288/16 HR/68 RBI).

On the mound Brewster's staff is rated fourth-best with a 3.83 ERA. The Elegants have credible starters in Ivar Jorgerson (18-12 3.12), Fred Duhon (15-12 3.85), Stony Blackwell (12-9 4.12) and Steve Ohlinger (10-10 3.82). In relief Brewster's bullpen ace is Tommy Ladner (3-2 2.61). Ladner has performed quite well with 23 saves and has worked in 51 games.

The Marston Nine offense is solid with a .274 BA (1st) and 117 homers (3rd), but Johnny Walters' pitching corps hasn't kept pace with the hitters. The team ERA is down near the bottom with lowly 4.08 ERA (7th), topped only by Wynnamac's miserable 4.39 ERA (8th).

Marston's attack is led by SS Don Nichols (.361/19 HR/68 RBI/109 R/32 SB), who has the highest batting average in the RU. Rookie 3B Jimmy Holman (.309/21 HR/87 RBI), CF Dennis Riley (.300/15 HR/81 RBI/79 R/15 SB) and rookie RF Helmut Graczyk (.283/19 HR/75 RBI) have also made their presence felt in the line-up.

Walters does have some decent starters. It is in the bullpen where Marston has suffered most. The Nine have three good starters in Vinnie Gardner (16-8 3.62), Mark Falzone (13-13 3.41) and rookie Hayden Bagshaw (11-8 3.85). Walters has a new #4 starter Jan Arnick and he has really come through so far with a sparking 4-0 record and 2.72 ERA in five starts. Closer Booger Burchfield (4-6 3.57) also has a resurgence in the last two months and lowered his ERA from over 5.00 and piled up 27 saves in 65 games. This pitching turnaround could liven up the battle for second place down the stretch. Marston is only two games behind Cold Creek and Eastshore. Better pitching could be decisive.

Don't count out Boo Ladrieux's Belle Plaine Musketeers (69-59). They are currently fifth in the RU East, 11 games out of first and still very much in the hunt for the playoffs. The Musketeer mound corps has chalked up an impressive 3.32 ERA (2nd) led by the likes of Pistol Pete Westberry (17-9 3.20), Milo Anthony (14-12 3.11), Jorge Bonilla (8-4 2.64) and Guy Mercier (9-11 3.26). It gets even better in the bullpen with closer Kent Wells (2-2 1.96), who has saved 23 games and appeared in 58 games.

Scoring has been Belle Plaine biggest problem. The Muskies have little power with only 82 home runs (8th), although they are batting .266 (5th). RF Cris Willis (.328/7 HR/60 RBI/75 R/11 SB), LF Juan Mendez (.328/5 HR/32 RBI/85 R) and 1B Scott Theriot (.266/11 HR/87 RBI) provide what little production they have.

Elnora (64-64) and Beachwood (64-64) are in a sixth-place tie and trail by 16 games. Neither has a chance to go to the postseason, an especial disappointment for manager Zoggy White and his All-Stars. Elnora has won the RU East the past two years and were favored to do it a third time.

Elnora finds themselves with a serious shortage of pitching this season. The All-Stars team ERA has dipped to 3.91 (6th). All of his starting rotation have had off years. Charlie Murphy (9-16 4.03) has slumped drastically from 22 wins in 2004. Even stalwarts Lou Horn (14-10 3.89) and Taylor Gibbs (13-15 3.23) have suffered letdowns this season. There is one bright spot for Elnora. Closer Matty Wilkerson (9-2 2.56) continues to shine in the bullpen.

White's offense has not produced, either. At least, not like they have in the past. Elnora is batting .268 (4th), has 105 homers (6th), but is not producing runs. They have scored 588 runs and are ranked fifth. White's best batters are 3B Dmitri Vrotsos (.307/16 HR/75 RBI) and C Todd Simons (.305/12 HR/70 RBI). Elnora just doesn't have the numbers to compete this season. Sixth may be the best that the All-Stars can achieve this year.

The Beechwood Bobcats live and die on the strong right arm of Dek Jumonville (20-8 2.53), who has done supremely well in 2005. No surprise the Bobcats are having a tough season. Skipper Bret George's ball club is ranked lowly in all of the statistical categories. Only RF Cris Willis (.305/17 HR/59 RBI/93 R/19 SB) is much of a threat in the line-up. Seventh place is the most likely finish for Beechwood.

For the fourth year in a row it is manager Matt Donnelly's fate to miss the playoffs. His Wynnamac Sundowners (52-76) just don't have the talent to compete. When your team has a 4.39 ERA (8th), not too many good things can come from it. Last year's 20-game winner Caleb Browne (12-13 4.24) has seen his victories go way down and his ERA shoot way up. Only Ron Walters (13-12 3.53) has been adequate. Combine the bad pitching with weak hitting and you have a recipe for last place.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Ruthlandian Union West Division Standings

Volusia V's Open Up 6-game Lead in RU West
Over in the Ruthlandian Union West Division the Volusia Vigilantes have expanded their lead to six games in the last two months since the All-Star game. The V's still have a tough team to fend off, the preseason favorite, the Middlefield Roosters. In third place are the Colfax Blasters, seven games off the pace. The Sligo Rovers challenged Volusia until mid-year, trailing by just two games at that point, but have faded to fourth place going into the last month of the campaign, nine games out. Stoner is still close enough to contend for a playoff spot. The Stars are in fifth place, 10 games behind. Forest City (6th), Fort Benton (7th) and Rocky Rapids (8th) are too far back and out of the running.

The Volusia Vigilantes (74-54), piloted by Alfonso Feliz, have a well-balanced ball club with a .266 BA (3rd), 102 home runs (5th), 619 runs (2nd) and a 3.66 team ERA (1st). The V's play well defensively and have a .977 FA (2nd-tied).

Tommy Betanzos (18-8 3.69) and closer Hernando Espaderos (9-6 2.84) have carried the Vigilantes on their shoulders thus far. Espaderos has saved 22 games and made 61 appearances. Carl Schmitz (13-11 3.00) and Ricky Moreno (13-10 4.30) have also contributed.

At the plate it's been CF Ryan Raines (.316/18 HR/86 RBI/86 R/30 SB) and RF Lorenzo Pariente (.344/11 HR/45 RBI) leading the attack. Pariente has been red-hot since taking over full-time a month ago. Feliz has gotten good production from all of his regulars.

Five players have hit 20 or more homers for the second-place Middlefield Roosters (68-60), who are trying to hit their way to the RU West title. Smitty Michaels' hard-hitting bunch tops the division with a .270 batting average, 184 homers (1st) and 684 runs (1st), but have serious pitching problems with a 4.38 ERA (8th).

The Roosters have a plethora of power in rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.329/44 HR/104 RBI/89 R), CF Ty DeWitt (.268/29 HR/90 RBI/88 R/11 SB), LF Cecil Clark (.313/26 HR/63 RBI/81 R/10 SB), RF Bailey Norcross (.294/23 HR/88 RBI/93 R/33 SB) and 1B Allie Ludlow (.263/21 HR/73 RBI/82 R). but fall far short on the mound. Only Jamie Hicks (14-7 3.43) and Joshua Jackson (14-12 3.25) have done the job for Michaels. Vets Denny Yarrow (11-9 5.00 and closer Dave Webb (2-10 5.90) have been yanked. Yarrow was sent to the bullpen and Webb was released.

The third place Colfax Blasters (67-61) with Clem Rogers at the helm are now seven games in back of the Vigilantes, but may have a better chance to catch Volusia because they possess superior pitching to Middlefield. Both clubs depend on firepower to win, but Colfax has a 3.74 team ERA (3rd). Rogers has two solid starters in Tommy Fuller (13-5 2.87) and Ilya Szabo (12-10 3.08). He also get effective work from Harry Manning (13-13 4.00). Rogers also has the advantage of a good closer in Dallas Somerville (3-4 3.23), who has chalked up 10 saves since taking over at midseason.

Batting-wise the Blasters can't quite match the output of the Roosters, but they can hit the ball pretty darn well. Colfax is hitting at a .269 clip (2nd) with 133 roundtrippers (3rd) and 613 runs (3rd). Rogers' top hitters are rookie LF Chris Carroll (.292/29 HR/89 RBI/73 R), 3B Neely Keeton (.280/25 HR/77 RBI/80 R), 1B Dennis Cole (.259/21 HR/57 RBI/74 R) and C Tino Leonetti (.323/6 HR/38 RBI).

The Sligo Rovers (65-63) have gone into the doldrums the last several months and have fallen 9 games behind Volusia and slipped to fourth place. Eddie Keys' crew is getting by on the strong arms of Dix Edenborough (18-13 3.07) and Al Bukowski (15-11 3.07). The Rovers pitching corps has compiled a 3.73 ERA (3rd), but the club's offense has difficulty putting runs on the scoreboard. Sligo is hitting only .256 (6th) on the year with 88 home runs (6th). Only SS Hollis Waldrup (.290/21 HR/86 RBI/74 R/41 SB) has put up any stats of worth. Sligo seems to be on the downturn and might struggle to stay where they are.

The Stoner Stars (64-64) are on the rise. Manager Willie Dickens has them playing their best ball of the year. The Stars have moved up in the standings to fifth place, but still are 10 games back. However, Stoner is only four games away from a postseason slot. They are a lot like Middlefield and depend on the long ball. The Stars have a .256 batting average (6th), but have gone deep 134 times (2nd). Stoner also suffers on the hill with a 4.28 ERA (7th).

Dickens' has some potent bats in his arsenal, sparked by 1B Lou Martyn (.265/27 HR/90 RBI), C Benny Stern (.305/19 HR/75 RBI), RF Dutch Rheinecker (.285/25 HR/66 RBI), CF Andre Bienvenu (.267/16 HR/57 RBI) and 3B Allen Black (.253/15 HR/53 RBI/85 R/13 SB). On the mound only Norman Canfield (13-10 3.28) has stood out.

The Forest City Lumberjacks (58-70) and Fort Benton Defenders (58-70) are locked in a tie for the sixth spot in the RU West standings. Neither team has much to brag about, but it looks like the Lumberjacks will get the best of the Defenders in this second-division battle. Forest City pitching will prevail with a 3.72 ERA (2nd) over Fort Benton's 3.98 ERA (6th).

Forest City's best performers are its starting rotation of Timmy Brooks (13-9 3.63), Knucks Nomellini (11-11 3.11) and Al Thibaut (11-12 3.47). The 'Jacks batting order has just not done the job this year for manager Robbie Jackson. They are batting .262 (5th) with 103 homers (4th), but have scored only 493 runs (8th), the third worst total in the whole IPA. CF Roger Marley (.334/13 HR/49 RBI) is the one bright spot.

In Fort Benton manager Robbie Brooks doesn't have much to smile about except for starter Leroy Hill (16-9 2.96), closer Tom Chiarra (5-7 3.07) and C Jake Varshon (.330/15 HR/67 RBI). The Defenders are awfully weak with only 76 dingers (8th) this year. They are batting .265 overall (4th).

The Rocky Rapids Snappers (51-77) again will be nowhere near a playoff spot and will finish in the RU West basement. Ryan Noland's Snappers are near the bottom in hitting with a .253 BA (8th), 84 home runs (7th), 514 runs (7th), but have a fair 3.83 ERA (5th). Noland has three decent starters in Charley Medford (12-9 3.24), Kirk Beckmann (7-16 2.97) and Ben Mashburn (10-14 3.74). Rocky Rapids also has a couple fine hitters in 1B Stan Haddix (.326/11 HR/84 RBI) and LF Scott Camden (.285/22 HR/74 RBI) - but little else.

After all is said and done, it will be Volusia and Colfax as the RU West's postseason representatives. However, the vote for Colfax is a shaky one - the Middlefield Rooster offense is awesome.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Tycobbian Union North Division Standings

Luxora Outfoxes Everybody, Zorros Top TU North by 7 Games
The Luxora Zorros have overtaken Blue Lake, leaped to the top and opened up a wide gap in the Tycobbian North race to a comfortable seven games with just four weeks to go. Blue Lake had a great first half and held the top spot at the All-Star game with a three-game edge, but the Blue Sox have sputtered and dropped into a tie for second with the Hartsdale Hellcats. White River is still fourth in the standings, but now 11 games behind.

The preseason pick, the Oxford Red Caps, are playing better in the second half, but still trail by 15 games in fifth place. North Hills is 17 games out in sixth, followed by the Fairfax Frogs and Mahaska Haymakers, who are seventh and eighth respectively. The Frogs are 19 games back and the Haymakers are 23 games off the pace.

When you do everything well, it usually pays offs handsomely in the Islandian Pro Alliance. Guided by the sure hand of Alejandro Rodrigo, the Luxora Zorros (75-53) are the class of the TU North heading down the home stretch. The Z's have the best pitching with a 3.70 ERA and are second with a strong .275 batting average. They even compete well in home runs with 132 (4th). Seven Zorros have 10 or more roundtrippers.

The mound brigade is paced by Fernando Fernandes (12-6 2.87) and Eddie Hoffman (18-11 3.90) with a solid closer in Juan-Carlos Torriente (2-2 2.78). Luxora's top bats are LF Joel Reed (.300/24 HR/81 RBI/77 R), 2B Pancho Santa Cruz (.314/14 HR/68 RBI/103 R/22 SB) and CF Lacey Tompkins. Rookie 1B Matt Maxwell (.295/13 HR/68 RBI/77 R) has had an impressive first season, too.

Manager Cobb Tyson is not pleased with his Blue Lake Blue Sox (68-60) of late, but they still are a force in the division and deadlocked with Hartsdale for the runner-up spot, seven games out. Blue Lake can still make the playoffs, but it will be a tough task with Hartsdale, White River and late-breaking Oxford offering some strong competition.

The Blue Sox need improvement on the hill. Only Benny DeBartolo (15-9 3.37) has been effective the entire season. Neil Krogstad (6-12 4.02) and Tom Waltenbury (10-12 4.19) have faltered and been shipped to the pen by Tyson. Charley Tubbs (7-5 2.89) and rookie Carroll Wendell (8-6 2.98) have replaced them and done very well. The team ERA stands at 3.90 (3rd). Tyson needs closer Pat Grange (4-3 3.88) to return to last year's form. It has been a subpar season for Grange so far.

Blue Lake still carries some big sticks - three players have 24 or more homers. The Blue Sox have hammered 143 (3rd) out of the park this year, sparked by LF Tad Kirklin (.282/30 HR/96 RBI/83 R/16 SB), RF Fred Collins (.290/27 HR/76 RBI/88 R/24 SB) and CF Rick Hilliard (.301/24 HR/64 RBI/87 R/17 SB). As a team they are batting .258 (5th).

Skipper Zim Donner has a good all-round club in his third-place Hartsdale Hellcats (68-60). They hit well with a .270 BA (4th), have smacked 117 homers (5th) and have registered a 3.89 ERA (2nd). The Hellcats also are the best defensively with a .980 fielding percentage.

Mark Sakelaris (15-7 3.28) and Ben Manderson (13-8 3.47) are Donner's top twirlers and he has two of the best batters in the IPA. SS Jud Turchin (.355/22 HR/95 RBI/93 R/17 SB) and 1B Mac Faulkner (.349/28 HR/107 RBI/93 R) have been sensational. CF Mark Garzelli (.292/10 HR/60 RBI/76 R/21 SB) has blossomed in his rookie year.

John Randison has put together an awesome attack in White River (64-64) and is challenging for a playoff spot in the TU North. The Rascals are fourth in the standings, 11 games back of leading Luxora, but just four games off the pace of Blue Lake and Hartsdale. High-scoring White River has blistered the ball at a .282 pace (1st), pounded 161 homers (2nd) and piled up 702 runs (2nd), but they have also been ripped for a lot of runs. Randison's rotation has a combined 4.65 team ERA (8th), one of the worst in the IPA. Only Dante Langlais (11-9 3.71) and Mick Cronyn (12-13 3.87) have kept the Rascals in the game with any consistency.

And what a scary line-up card - the Rascals have nothing but strong bats. Topping the list are rookie LF Lee Taryn (.299/28 HR/107 RBI/82 R), CF Hal Hoover (.354/23 HR/90 RBI/92 R/20 SB), 1B Bryan Dickerson (.292/27 HR/90 RBI/80 R), SS Matt DeMarsche (.349/7 HR/53 RBI/49 R), 2B Riley Cloy (.259/26 HR/77 RBI/94 R/16 SB) and 3B Rupert Doan (.289/19 HR/54 RBI/97 R/20 SB).

Campy Roy's Oxford Red Caps (60-68) were the darlings of the baseball experts going into this season, but it hasn't come to fruition. The Red Caps flopped in April and May and were a horrendous seventh at midseason, 13 games behind in the race. Oxford can score runs, but its pitching leaves a lot to be desired with a 4.63 ERA (8th). Roy's prime pitchers, Bomber Belinsky (11-10 5.29) and Nicky Nicholson (8-19 4.02) have been battered this year and now have been relegated to lesser roles in the rotation. Mark Bright (7-3 4.05) and Dan Sisler (5-1 3.86) have taken their places. Although, the club has played somewhat better in the second half, it's quite likely the Red Caps will missed the postseason playoffs for the first time in its history. Eight games may be too much to make up in the last month of the season.

But ah... how Oxford can hit the ball - 176 home runs (1st), .274 batting average (3rd) and 710 runs scored (1st). Roy has a modern day murderers' row with 3B Joe Courtney (.315/36 HR/101 RBI/94 R), CF Ike Plunkett (.323/39 HR/87 RBI/111 R) and 1B Kenny Jablonski (.322/19 HR/82 RBI/86 R) in his batting order.

North Hills (58-70), Fairfax (56-72) and Mahaska (52-76) are just playing out the season. The Hawks are sixth, 17 games off the pace, the Frogs are seventh and 19 games out and the Haymakers are last and trail by 23 games.

Not a whole lot of talent on the bottom-rung ball clubs. Pitcher Leland Clinkscales (10-10 3.08) has pitched well for manager Hub Carlson at North Hill and 2B Jimmy Ryland (.307/11 HR/54 RBI/98 R) has hit well.

No one is having a good year for Harry Buckley in Fairfax. His 22-game winner from last year, Barrett Carruthers, has done decently, but fallen to a 13-15 mark with a fair 3.63 ERA.

Rusty Tanussa in Mahaska has several players to praise. One of them may be the best pitcher in the IPA. Boomerang Hines has gone an amazing 21-7 with a scintillating 2.13 ERA for a bad, last-place ball club. 1B Miles Shufford has put up some solid numbers with 30 roundtrippers and 92 RBIs. Shufford is batting .270.

How is it all going to end in the Tycobbian North in 2005? It's almost a given that Luxora will wear the regular season crown. The other playoff slot will go to Hartsdale. The Hellcat hurlers should enable them to fight off the pitching-poor Blue Lake Blue Sox and White River Rascals.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Tycobbian Union South Division Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Tycobbian Union South Division Standings

Three-Team Race in TU South, Hurricanes Lead Sunsets by 3
Cape Coral was cruising in the Tycobbian South at the All-Star game with a seven-game edge over Summerland and Turon. The race seemed to be for second place. That has since changed - Summerland has sizzled and climbed to within three games of first place with just a few weeks to go. Colchester has also gone on a rampage and surged the third spot in the standings and trail by seven games. Turon has slipped down to fourth place, nine games off the pace.

In the second division are fifth place Ginza, 13 games behind, sixth place Arroyo Grande, 14 games back, and way back are the hapless San Alejo Montaneros in seventh place, trailing by 26 games, followed by the pathetic, cellar-dwelling Southport Sun Sox, who are 35 games out.

Huggy Miller's Cape Coral Hurricanes (79-49) are trying to hold off on-charging Summerland. The Sunsets have the best record (35-20) over the past two months. The 'Canes are 31-24 over the same period. It looks like the battle for the RU South flag will go down-to-the-wire. The ball clubs are very similar and feature timely hitting, some power and fine pitching. Miller has a strong foursome of starters, led by the brilliant Cody Berg, who is 21-6 with a spectacular 1.74 ERA. Others in the rotation include Jeff Salow (16-8 3.07), Doug Lyons (16-9 3.08) and Zane Robinson (10-8 3.55). Overall Cape Coral tops the TU with a splendid 3.20 team ERA.

Offensively, the Hurricanes are batting .262 (4th-tied) with 116 home runs (4th). They are third in runs scored with 605. LF Kippy Doyle (.303/29 HR/101 RBI/72 R) and 3B Hoshi Sato (.336/27 HR/82 RBI/81 R) are Miller's main bats.

Manager Will Hackett's Summerland Sunsets (76-52) can't quite match the 'Canes pitching staff. He has only two strong starters in Paul Felkner (18-8 2.74) and Billy Taft (14-10 3.38), but he has picked up some help from his new starters, Lorne Rucker (5-1 2.94) and Alex Alessi (6-4 3.03). Summerland is number two with a 3.53 ERA.

However, the Sunsets might have a slight edge in hitting. They have compiled a .268 team batting average (2nd-tied), belted 128 roundtrippers (3rd) and tallied 602 runs (4th). Hackett depends on 2B Tucker Hill (.338/5 HR/42 RBI/95 R), 1B Karl Van Kooten (.275/23 HR/80 RBI), LF Hank Hamilton (.302/15 HR/77 RBI) and rookie 3B Randy Rudelmeier (.285/14 HR/76 RBI) for offense.

Uncle Robbie Wilbertson's Colchester Elites (72-56) have been the second-best ball club in the TU South in recent months and they have moved up in the standings with a 34-21 mark. The Elites have worked their way up to third place and in contention for a playoff spot. Colchester is just four games behind Summerland. Wilbertson's club does it with a blend of good power and good pitching. The Elites are batting only .257 (6th-tied), but have hit 143 homers (2nd). Combine that with a solid 3.57 ERA (3rd) and you have a playoff contender.

Colchester has three quality starters in veterans Jimmy Simmons (22-5 2.62), Frank Payne (17-10 3.52) and David Pendarvis (10-6 3.53). Wilbertson also has a good closer in Tom Carter (6-5 3.36), who has saved 23 games and made 57 appearances.

At the plate the Elites have a strong batting core in 1B Harlan Roscoe (.330/31 HR/105 RBI), 3B Niles Stanton (.283/29 HR/77 RBI), LF Douglas Tilford (.312/23 HR/63 RBI/85 R/33 SB) and RF Tom Barella (.285/15 HR/57 RBI/83 R/40 SB).

Manager Whitey Richburn has his well-rounded Turon Typhoons (70-58) in fourth place, nine games off the pace with an outside shot at the playoffs. The Typhoons are batting .262 (4th-tied) with 109 homers (6th), but are second in runs with 622. Richburn also has a solid mound staff with a good 3.68 ERA (4th). Scotty Boswell (13-9 2.90), James Longstreet (15-9 3.16) and Freddi Spiegel (10-6 3.58) give him a good starting nucleus.

Turon's top batters are rookie 3B Eric Hix (.312/17 HR/76 RBI), C Trace Crittenden (.269/16 HR/69 RBI) and RF Andy Porter (.266/18 HR/64 RBI). Richburn plays a lot of players and has yet to settle on one line-up. All the Typhoons need to play with the big boys is one or two dominant hitters. Without them they are a middle-of-the-pack team.

Manager Huroko Uchiyama suffered two devastating losses in June. He lost his All-Star ace, Alec Sasek (11-4 1.84), and his fine closer Al Korolenko (2-1 2.88) for the rest of the season due to injury. Nonetheless, Uchiyama has guided the Ginza Ninjas (66-62) to fifth place, 13 games out. Carl Trebek (15-9 3.45) and Kojiro Matsumoto (13-15 3.85) have been his main workhorses. Korolenko's replacement Cody Moore (2-3 2.70) has done a solid job with 15 saves in 50 games.

Ginza's offense is led by 3B Toshiro Nomura (.317/20 HR/86 RBI) and RF Lonnie Jacobson (.307/16 HR/73 RBI). The Ninjas sorely lack home run hitters. They have hit only 82 this year (8th). Poor run support has been costly to them this season. Pitching-wise, Ginza holds it own with the other clubs with a relatively good 3.80 ERA (5th).

One of the surprise teams in the IPA this year has to be the Arroyo Grande Suns. Manager Jean-Luc Marchand must be the envy of the league with his abundance of record-setting home run hitters. All eight starters have hit 10 or more homers. His wrecking crew has already broken the IPA home run record with 203 at last count and a month still to go in the season. The slugging Suns are making shambles of the record. Hillsboro set the mark with 201 in 2003.

Arroyo Grande is in sixth place (65-63), but is two games over .500, which is not bad for a team that has twice lost more than one hundred games. The Suns are blistering the ball at a .283 clip (1st) with 203 home runs (1st) and 695 runs (1st), but they can't get anybody out. Marchand's mound corps has an atrocious 4.68 ERA (8th).

How would you like to face this line-up?
2B Alberto Ibarra (.307/13 HR)
RF Maurice Vidrene (.307/18 HR)
SS Jared McCarthy (.323/34 HR)
LF Ernie Estaban (.322/27 HR)
C Don Holden (.313/16 HR)
1B Cristian Avajos (.275/29 HR)
3B Randy Knowles (.296/21 HR)
CF Elliot Borden (.237/24 HR)

The Suns are not totally destitute on the hill. Marchand has a 26-year-old southpaw that has been outstanding. Miguel Aguilera is 19-7 with a 3.24 ERA.

The San Alejo Montaneros (53-75) are in seventh place and deservedly so. They are batting only .252 (8th) and they have a 4.58 team ERA (7th). Not much to say after those numbers. San Alejo's top pitchers are Juliano Nuevo (12-14 3.49) and Jaime Serrano (9-9 3.79). The top hitters are LF Bernie Valente (.301/17 HR/52 RBI/85 R/20 SB) and 2B Denholm Carruthers (.299/7 HR/65 RBI/48 R).

One of the worst teams in the IPA is the Southport Sun Sox (44-84). They are hitting .257 (6th-tied) with only 87 home runs (7th), 483 runs (8th) and a poor 4.45 ERA (6th). 1B Pat Mystryk is the Sun Sox only player of note. He is hitting .290 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs so far this season. Mark Mumford (10-7 4.33) is the only pitcher on the team with a winning record.

The TU South playoff teams will most likely be Cape Coral and Summerland. They will probably fight off the Colchester Elites, who have a lot of ground to make up in the final month of the season. The Hurricanes will cop the division title with Summerland second and Colchester third.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Tycobbian Union East Division Standings

Red Sox in a Runaway in TU East, 11 Games Ahead
No contest in the Tycobbian Union East pennant chase. Mack Connery's powerful Red Bluff Red Sox have forged ahead by 11 games and seem destined to easily capture their third consecutive regular season championship. No one has the horses to compete with the defending IPA Pro Cup titlist. Ozarka, with its good pitching, is the runner-up with a good chance to make the postseason. Third place Midway is 17 games off the pace, followed by High Mesa and South Fork, tied for fourth and 18 games behind. The Tuckanarra Blue Jays are 20 games out and in the sixth spot in the standings, while Hillsboro and East Point pull up the rear in seventh and eighth place. The Blazers are 24 games back and the Panthers are trailing by 25 games.

Red Bluff (79-49) has it all - fine pitching from Milo Mohoski (18-8 3.04), Frank Beaudoin (17-8 3.46) and Leonard Urban (15-8 3.31) with John Dougherty (7-8 3.10) in the pen - and solid hitting from RF Kris Grabowski (.321/26 HR/95 RBI/81 R), SS Jose Aguilar (.333/16 HR/65 RBI/80 R/24 SB), LF Tony Blundell (.292/18 HR/78 RBI/75 R/24 SB) and CF Stan Helmke (.299/13 HR/63 RBI/83 R/30 SB). The Red Sox sport a .271 batting average (3rd-tied) with 127 homers (5th-tied) and a 3.64 team ERA (2nd). They can hold their own with the bats, but it's the pitching that dominates.

Joe Mac Carney's Ozarka Naturals (68-60) owe second place to its impressive pitching corps, which has compiled a 3.58 ERA (1st) and is top-ranked in the division. Leading the way are Karl Kleinert (13-6 3.68), Sid Hyder (11-11 3.38) and Alec DiMaggio (10-11 2.81). The Nats could certainly use more offense, but get by with 3B Nathan Ferrell (.321/27 HR/78 RBI) and CF Kermit Wiggins (.290/2 HR/60 RBI/78 R/26 SB). Ozarka is short of power with 105 homers (7th), but carries a .271 BA (3rd-tied).

The Midway Wolves (62-66), High Mesa Cowboys (61-67) and South Fork Stallions (61-67) all have an outside shot at the last playoff spot, but it will be tough to make it up in the last month, especially with Ozarka playing its best ball of the season. Midway trails the Nats by six games, while High Mesa and South Fork are seven behind them.

The Wolves are in fourth place by virtue of some good hitting. Midway is batting at a .273 clip (2nd) with 127 home runs (5th-tied) and third in scoring with 654 runs. Topping skipper Cochise Chandler's batting list are CF Jan Szymanski (.327/33 HR/95 RBI/89 R), 1B Don Piper (.315/26 HR/90 RBI/88 R) and LF Johnny Gillespie (.283/17 HR/87 RBI/90 R). Chandler could use some help on the mound. The Wolves show a 4.11 ERA (4th), which is pretty fair in the high-scoring TU East. Nosyt Sani (17-9 3.15) is Midway's ace.

Frisky Franks' High Mesa Cowboys are deadlocked with the South Fork Stallions for fourth place and are batting .276 (1st) with 161 roundtrippers (2nd) and 692 runs (1st). Hitting is the name of their game. Franks' club can score a bunch of runs in a hurry with LF Adam Zitek (.285/43 HR/134 RBI/88 R), the IPA home run and RBI leader this year. Zitek has a chance to crack the RBI mark of 146 set by Karol Zodoka of East Point in 2002. Zodoka also holds the home run record with 54 in the same year. The Cowboys have four other fine hitters in 1B Jay Fessler (.327/12 HR/58 RBI/83 R/22 SB), SS Rolf Kellgren (.294/11 HR/50 RBI/94 R/28 SB), 2B Ed Granberg (.285/17 HR/84 RBI/80 R) and CF Lex Neville (.288/19 HR/72 RBI/81 R).

High Mesa's hill corps has put up a sky-high 4.69 ERA (6th). Franks can count only two effective starters, Joey Popovich (18-10 3.87) and Jay McDowell (11-4 4.02).

South Fork gets by with good pitching and good fielding. The Stallions have compiled a 3.83 ERA (3rd) and a .981 FA (2nd). Manager Deroche "Lips" Leon has two quality arms in his rotation, 37-year-old Flint Battle (15-12 2.76) and Ken Marsh (11-8 3.14). Battle has 94 career victories, the most of any other pitcher in the IPA history. South Fork also has a quality closer in Ken Olson (3-4 2.34), who has registerd 19 saves in 46 games.

As far as offense the Stallions are hitting only .253 (8th) with 90 dingers (8th) and have scored just 520 runs (8th). No one on the club is a standout batter. Leon's best is CF Preston Crim (.287/19 HR/77 RBI/66 R/14 SB), not too great compared to other teams' top performers.

The Tuckanarra Blue Jays (59-69) are sixth in the TU East, 20 games off the pace of Red Bluff. Manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens is blessed with two strong hurlers in Mike Amato (14-6 3.18) and Titus Bristow (15-11 3.11). They give Stevens a better-than-average shot at winning each series. The Blue Jays staff has a 4.16 ERA overall (5th).

Batting-wise Tuckanarra is seventh in the division with a .255 average, but is fourth with 131 homers and seventh in runs with 576. Stevens could use a few more good bats like 1B Charley Schofield (.300/25/90 RBI/78 R) and SS Dan Conroy (.265/23 HR/76 R).

Hillsboro (55-73) is currently 24 games out of first. The hard-hitting Blazers are next-to-last in the TU East for one reason - absolutely lousy pitching. Hillsboro is absolutely last in the entire IPA with a pitiful 5.59 ERA. Bayview and Arroyo Grande are the second worst with 4.68 ERAs. Manager Arky Spanderson has tried 20 pitchers this year to no avail. Even the worst clubs have at least one quality pitcher - but not Spanderson. Right now his ace is Marty Antonelli with a 5-7 record and a 4.77 ERA.

But Hillsboro does have some big-time sluggers in rookie SS Barry Barrett (.321/34 HR/98 RBI/88 R), LF Keith Baker (.253/31 HR/81 RBI/77 R) and CF Jorge Mercado (.264/24 HR/75 RBI). The Blazers are batting .263 (6th) with 164 home runs (1st), but are fourth in runs with 636.

The East Point Panthers (54-74) are presently in the division basement, 25 games back. Skipper Griff Clarke is in the same predicament as Spanderson. His team can hit, but can't pitch. The Panthers are pounding the ball at a .268 rate (5th) with 159 home runs (3rd) and have scored 674 times (2nd). What a line-up Clarke has - 2B Karol Zodoka (.319/30 HR/109 RBI/86 R/24 SB), 3B Rex Sokolov (.258/27 HR/88 RBI), RF Jimmy Cappola (.304/32 HR/83 RBI), SS Keith Wasik (.312/12 HR/60 RBI/72 R) and 1B Hank Archer (.283/13 HR/60 RBI/80 R/17 SB).

Most managers would love this type of offense. The only catch is East Point's ERA is around 4.81 (7th). The only saving grace is Clarke has two decent starters in Jarred Robillard (12-13 4.10) and Carl Thompson (14-15 4.09). Because of these two quality hurlers East Point may escape the cellar and slip past Hillsboro.

What's going to happen in the Tycobbian East? Odds are Red Bluff and Ozarka will make the playoffs. The Red Sox are a cinch for the pennant and the Naturals seem to have a pretty safe lead for second place and the other postseason spot.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, August 22, 2005

Tycobbian Union West Division Standings

DC Redbirds Rule in TU West, BSC Bucs 2nd
The Denton City Redbirds are soaring like eagles in the Tycobbian Union West with a six-game lead over Bay St. Clair. It's beginning to look like the playoff positions are settled as the third place Kenwood Wildcats are 10 games off the pace with only one month to go in the regular season. Arlon is fourth, trailing by 12 games. Rounding out the division, Preseason favorite Bayview is in fifth place, 15 games behind, Chicopee and Rolling Hills are tied for sixth, 16 games back and LaClaire is eighth and last, 26 games out.

Denton City (78-50), skillfully directed by Ford Whiteman, is the dominant team, ranking first in batting (.282 BA), homers (140), runs (675) and pitching (3.53 ERA). Defensively the Redbirds are third with a .976 fielding percentage.

On the mound, Gino Carmazzo (21-5 2.95) and Daniel Fitzmorris (19-8 2.98) are one of the best 1-2 punches in the IPA. Whiteman also has a strong third starter in Hank Taylor (8-3 2.97), who stepped into the number four slot in the rotation about two months ago. The Redbirds also have a dependable closer in Bubba Lear (5-6 3.20) with 20 saves and 60 relief appearances.

Strong bats also abound in Denton City, headed by RF Lavon Gooch (.333/28 HR/91 RBI/87 R/21 SB), LF Dayton Walker (.363/13 HR/75 RBI/60 R), CF Paul Coniglio (.300/8 HR/98 RBI/88 R/16 SB), 3B Jay Petit (.290/23 HR/82 RBI/82 R/10 SB) and 1B Rod MacCormack (.288/20 HR/76 RBI/91 R/21 SB).

It's been a good year for Guy Rondre and his second place Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (72-56), who have rebounded after two sorry seasons the last two years. Rondre's rotation has been steady and consistent, led by Denny Coulon (15-13 2.75), Lloyd Weber (10-4 3.83), Duncan McFalls (1407 4.05) and Duke DeVree (12-9 4.14). Another huge plus is the Bucs bullpen ace, Norm Gross (6-4 2.43) with 52 game appearances and 22 saves. Overall the team ERA is 3.83, third-best in the TU West.

Bay St. Clair needs more offense to compete with Denton City. The Buccaneers are hitting .266 (4th), but have only 94 roundtrippers (7th) and 559 runs (6th). Rondre's best batters are rookie 1B Gerry Fields (.277/27 HR/79 RBI/71 R) and vet 3B Ed Albrecht (.290/15 HR/69 RBI/64 R). It's doubtful Bay St. Clair can catch Denton City, but the Bucs should be able to stave off third place Kenwood and garner a spot in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

After two long years in the cellar, the Kenwood Wildcats (68-60) clawed their way to respectability and bolted up to third place and are even challenging for a postseason berth under Aaron Hankins. They were picked to finish last again in the BNN preseason poll.

However, good pitching has done wonders in Kenwood. Hankins' hurlers have chalked up an impressive 3.81 team ERA (2nd), much improved over the 4.79 and 4.62 ERAs of the last two years. Johnny McBee (17-8 3.11) anchors the staff with some good help from Kris Angelico (11-7 3.61), Pedro Acosta (11-9 3.47) and Antonio Garafalo (12-9 4.21).

Like Bay St. Clair, the Wildcats could use a few more good bats. They carry a .259 BA (6th) and have hit only 101 home runs (6th), but have surprisingly produced 647 runs (3rd). Hankins biggest contributors are RF Aydan Winthrop (.265/29 HR/94 RBI/82 R), rookie 1B Russ Honor (.242/24 HR/91 RBI/81 R) and rookie phenom Dayton Walker (.361/2 HR/40 RBI/62 R/11 SB). The 22-year-old right fielder is the third-leading hitter in the Tycobbian Union.

The fourth place Arlon Champions (66-62) have a lot in common with Kenwood. They both suffer offensively (.255 BA-7th) and get by on decent pitching (4.02 ERA-6th). However, the Champs have much more firepower than the Wildcats. Arlon has gone deep 140 times and are tied with powerful Denton City for first place in that category. Manager Gary Louis has four players with 20 or more homers. Topping the team are LF Matt Merrill (.285/24 HR/92 RBI/75 R/10 SB), CF Steve Barnett (.319/22 HR/86 RBI/84 R/15 SB), 1B Jay Dunbar (.259/23 HR/86 RBI/75 R) and rookie LF Rocco Belasario (.301/25 HR/68 RBI/98 R/40 SB).

Arlon has two quality starters in Connie Gavagan (14-8 3.50) and rookie Andre Masson (11-7 3.50). Louis also has a strong and dependable veteran, Kurt DeHaan (11-14 3.57), who can at times get the job done, too.

One of the biggest disappointments this season in the IPA has been the performance of the Bayview Vikings (63-65). They were heavy favorites to claim their third straight TU West title - but it didn't happen. Instead Walter Johanssen's Vikings are wallowing in fifth place, 15 games off the pace. The Viking pitching staff has totally jumped ship, skyrocketing this year to a lofty 4.68 ERA (8th) up from a respectable 3.69 last season. Bayview's best pitchers this season have been Frank Wells (13-13 3.87), Georgie Fambeau (15-9 4.41) and Josh Glover (6-7 3.38). Glover is the closer, who has saved 18 games and made 61 appearances.

The Bayview batters can still tag the ball, but not enough to overcome the pitching handicap. The Viks have a standout .278 batting average (2nd), have walloped 132 homers (3rd) and scored 656 times (2nd). Johanssen's top hitters are 2B Alan Hansen (.361/3 HR/59 RBI/100 R/36 SB), CF Wayne Latham (.345/23 HR/78 RBI/87 R/19 SB), Phil Kanaan (.288/15 HR/79 RBI/74 R/21 SB), C Hank Bethel (.282/18 HR/65 RBI/58 R) and 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.265/16 HR/70 RBI/71 R/13 SB).

The Chicopee Braves (62-66), skippered by Harry Fleetfoot, are resting in sixth place, 16 games back. The Braves are a run-of-the-mill ball club with mediocre hitting (.261 BA-5th), fair pitching (3.87 ERA-4th) and the best defense (.980 FA-1st). Fleetfoot's top hitters are SS Karl Uhl (.276/23 HR/78 RBI/15 SB), 1B Big Charlie Hansa (.283/22 HR/67 RBI) and 3B Wild Deer Etchimin (.295/14 HR/73 RBI). Not too many top guns there. As far as pitching Wayne Blackwell, a 26-year-old left-hander, has been truly amazing this year. Blackwell is 17-2 with a microscopic 2.12 ERA. As far as other quality pitchers Fleetfoot has none.

It is crowded in sixth place in the TU West - the Rolling Hills Reds (62-66) are there, too. Former pitching great Matty Christianson is the head honcho for the Reds and the club has made the playoffs in two of his three seasons in the IPA. Rolling Hills has always prospered with good pitching, but not this year. Christianson's staff has let him down with a jolt, going from a 3.31 ERA to 3.99 (5th). Rolling Hills has only two solid hurlers, but Roger Davidson (14-16 3.28) and Peter Brenneman (11-9 3.38) are effective. Christianson recently promoted Gerry McFarland (5-2 3.04) and Stephen Faccaro (6-2 3.66) to starting roles and it has worked out well in the short term.

As far as offense, the Reds are hitting .268 (3rd) with 106 home runs (5th) and have scored 603 runs (5th). RF Theron Latigo (.263/20 HR/72 RBI) and LF Willie Mays Nixon (.255/21 HR/65 RBI) supply the power, while 1B Eddy Dowler (.301/11 HR/73 RBI) hits for average. Christianson has also gotten good performances out of his new CF Bob Havilland (.332/13 HR/49 RBI/45 R) and C Ned Channing (.321/7 HR/58 RBI).

Another bitter disappointment has been the LaClaire Lynx (52-76), who were forecast to finish third this season in the preseason poll. Instead manager Rip Calkin finds his club deep in the basement and headed nowhere. The Lynx also suffered a catastrophic drop in pitching from 2004. Last year the team compiled an excellent 3.16 ERA. This year it spiraled up to a 4.11 ERA (7th). Last year's aces, Jim Melanakos (10-17 4.26) and Munoto Kishata (10-13 4.26) have tanked this season. In 2004 Melanakos won 23 games and Kishata 18 games.

LaClaire is just about last in everything - .251 BA (8th), 93 homers (8th) and only 518 runs (8th). Calkin has only two consistent hitters in rookie LF Zeppy Deshotel (.301/23 HR/91 RBI/15 SB) and his veteran CF Lucky Collins (.302/12 HR/65 RBI/80 R/16 SB).

When the season plays out in several weeks, first place Denton City and runner-up Bay St. Clair should finish in that order and and represent the Tycobbian West in the Pro Cup playoffs. Kenwood and Arlon should hang on to third and fourth place respectively.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 4, 2005

Around the IPA: Countdown to Pro Cup Playoffs
It's crunch time in the Islandian Pro Alliance! There are only two weeks left in the 2005 season and there are 28 teams still battling for 16 playoff positions. The teams have played 140 games, but it will be the final 14 that will make or break a season. Two teams from each division will compete for the IPA Pro Cup, symbolic of professional baseball supremacy in the Islands.

In the Ruthlandian Union North, Far Mountain and Taranto are tied for the top spot with Ranford running a close third, two games off the pace. Ancona and Valmara are trailing by five and six games respectively, but have only a slight chance of making the postseason. Tommaso Lazzorda's Taranto Tars have gone on a tear winning 8 in a row and 10 of its last 12 contests to deadlock Far Mountain for first place. during the same period Alex Groveland's Redhawks put up a 7-5 record. Page Satcher's Ranford Bulls have faltered with a 4-8 mark and fallen from first to third place, while Ancona went 5-7 and Valmara 7-5.

The race is pretty much over in the RU South, too. Manager Marty Pedroza's Belair Beach Sunbirds have won 8 of their last 12 games and bolted to a 9-game lead over runner-ups Valka (4-8) and San Dimas (7-5). Claxton has fizzled of late with a 3-9 mark. The Blackhawks and Rancheros will try to wrestle the final playoff spot from one another. Stacy Engel's Diamonds are 12 games behind the Sunbirds and three games back of Valka and San Dimas. Claxton's postseason hopes are remote.

The RU East has a huge four-team tussle for the last remaining postseason spot. Gibson Bobkins' Sugar Valley Rattlers have an overwhelming 10-game edge and will most likely take the regular season crown. However, only two games separate the other contenders. The Marston Nine took 7 of 12 games to move up into a second-place tie with Cold Creek, who went 5-7. The Belle Plaine Musketeers (6-6) have climbed into a fourth-place tie with the fading Eastshore Elegants (3-9).

Four teams are in contention in the RU West race. Volusia (8-4) is in first place by seven games and skipper Alfonso Feliz is seemingly assured of one of the playoff spots. The Middlefield Roosters (7-5) are the number two team and top third-place Colfax (6-6) by three games, while Sligo (5-7) and Stoner (6-6) are waiting in the distance in fourth place, but five games back of the Roosters. Smitty Michaels and Middlefield are in a strong position going into the final two weeks of the season.

Over in the Tycobbian Union North Alejandro Rodrigo's Luxora Zorros have closed with a rush with a 9-3 record and gone up by 9 games over second-place Hartsdale. The Hellcats slipped past Blue Lake with a 7-5 mark, while the Blue Sox were 6-6. The final Pro Cup berth will go to one of those clubs. White River (3-9) went on the blink and dropped out of the postseason race. The Rascals have tumbled 17 games out of first.

Huggy Miller is happy with his first-place Cape Coral Hurricanes in the TU South. His team chalked up an 8-4 record the past two weeks to widen its lead over second-place Summerland (6-6) to five games. That should be good enough to win the division flag and the playoff spot that goes with it. The Sunsets will have to beat back the tough Colchester Elites (8-4) to get the last spot. Summerland has a two-game edge in the contest heading into the league's final few weeks.

It's all over in the Tycobbian East - both playoff teams have almost certainly been decided with two weeks to go. The powerful Red Bluff Red Sox (9-3) have rambled to a monstrous 13-game cushion over the second place Ozarka Naturals (7-5) and the Nats have a 9-game bulge over its nearest competition. Ozarka is not going to catch Mack Connery's Red Sox, and Midway (4-8), High Mesa (5-7) and South Fork (4-8) are not going to catch Joe Mac Carney's Nats. There's little possibility any team other than Red Bluff and Ozarka will make the playoffs from the TU East Division.

The Denton City Redbirds have sizzled with a great 11-1 stretch run over the past two weeks to soar to a secure 9-game lead in the TU West. For all practical purposes Ford Whiteman's crew will take the regular season flag, leaving the last Pro Cup spot to second place Bay St. Clair or third place Kenwood. It's tough to play 8-4 ball and lose three games in the standings, but that's what has happened to the Bucs and the Wildcats. Guy Rondre's Buccaneers are sitting pretty with a four-game lead over Aaron Hankins' Cats.

[Eugene Church]

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).

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

Tighter in RU North, Ranford and Taranto Tied, FM Game Back
The pennant is still up for grabs in the super-tight Ruthlandian North with Ranford (82-67) and Taranto (82-67) now tied for first place with Far Mountain (81-68) just one game behind with five games left in the regular season.

In the opener of a crucial three-game set, the Ranford Bulls nipped Far Mountain 3-2 with winning pitcher Jean-Claude Scivicque driving in the winning runs with a two-run single in the seventh inning. Scivicque (9-4 2.96) stopped the Redhawks on 5 hits, struck out six and walked only two in an strong eight-inning stint. Tim DeKosky (7-9 2.51) nailed down his 23rd save with a scoreless ninth. Steffi Croetzer (10-10 3.18) pitched well in defeat.

The Taranto Tars ran into some fine pitching by Belair Beach's Joe Schmidt (9-7 3.29), who blanked them 4-0 on a six-hitter at the Palazzo di Sport. 3B Mike Janocko (.294) led the Sunbird bats with a three-run homer. Carlo Bianchi (13-8 3.70) caught the loss for the Tars.

The fourth-place Ancona Red Elephants (77-72) kept their scant playoff hopes alive by dumping the Colfax Blasters 7-4 at Jay Loman Field. Ancona will have to win all of its remaining games to even have a chance. It needs a lot of help to make the postseason.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

4 Teams Contend in RU South
There a barnburner going on in the Ruthlandian South with two teams having a great shot at the last playoff berth and two more with remote possibilities. Second-place San Dimas (79-70) remained one game up on third place Valka by outslugging Cold Creek at Ranchero Stadium 12-7, powered by homers by 1B Johnny Carducci (.301), Goose Garlin (.289) and 3B Domingo Rios (.255).

Valka (78-71) squeezed by Sligo 4-3 to keep pace with the Rancheros, but it took a 3-run homer by 1B Wayne Snider in the last of the eight to do it. Reliever Tommy Ruffin (9-5 3.18) got the win, while the loss went to Paul Waskins (5-5 3.14), who had stifled the Blackhawks 3-1 until the fatal inning. He only gave up five hits and one earned run overall.

The fourth-place Waleska Westerners (75-74) edged Valmara 3-2 on SS Johnny Nowitzki's (.298) RBI single in the last of the eighth and fifth-place Claxton (74-75) dropped a 10-7 battle with Eastshore. Neither Waleska, nor the Diamonds have much of a chance left for the postseason, but have not been mathematically eliminated.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

Still 4 Playoff Challengers in RU East
It still messy in the Ruthlandian Union East playoff hunt. There were five challengers for the last postseason spot, but that has dwindled down to four after the sixth-place Beechwood Bobcats were bombed 11-7 by the LaGrange Sports to end their chances.

Second-place Cold Creek (81-68) went down to defeat 12-7 in San Dimas, but still has a one-game edge over third-place Eastshore (80-69) and Marston (80-69). The Elegants hammered three roundtrippers to subdue Claxton 10-7, while the Nine got the best of Grand City 7-2 by also blasting three home runs. Jan Arnick (6-3 3.51) went eight-plus innings for the win, although he laboured and walked eight batters.

Fifth-place Belle Plaine (77-72) was pounded 9-3 by Crystal Lake and is now near extinction. Starter Jorge Bonilla (11-7 2.95) departed early in the second frame and was tagged the loser. One more loss will put an end to Musketeer postseason thoughts.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Roosters and Blasters Vie for RU West Final Playoff Spot
The playoff-eligible teams have been cut to just two in the Ruthlandian West. It will be either second-place Middlefield (82-67) or third-place Colfax (80-69) joining pennant-winner Volusia (89-69) in the Pro Cup playoffs next week.

Middlefield increased it lead over Colfax to two games with a 3-2 triumph over the Forest City Lumberjacks, while the Blasters were upended by the Ancona Red Elephants 7-4.

The Roosters got a strong start out of Delton Crawford (7-3 3.44), who checked Forest City on two runs and six hits in his eight innings. Byron Hastings (0-0 3.77) finished up for him and register his 6th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.322) socked the game-winner, a two-run smash in the sixth. It was his 46th of the year. RF Bailey Norcross (.291) homered in the first, his 32nd of the season. Middlefield managed only four hits off losing pitcher Doyle Chadwick (7-12 3.65), who went the route.

Wildness by starter Cas Majewski (0-5 4.01) hurt Colfax against the Red Elephants. Majewski issued six walks in six innings and sustained the loss. He was tagged for six runs and nine hits. Left-hander Howie England (1-0 3.38) picked up the victory in his second start of the season. England allowed eight hits and four runs in his eight innings. Marty Sellick (5-8 3.58) wrapped it for him with a runless ninth. It was Sellick's 23rd save. Blaster 3B Neely Keeton (.284) hit home run number 32 in defeat.

The fourth-place Stoner Stars (75-74) have fallen to the wayside. The Glasco A's whipped them 6-2 today at Athletics Field. Jesse Balfour (12-17 3.77) held them to two runs on five hits in eight innings to eliminate them. Erich Schrader (1-1 2.41) went the distance and suffered the defeat, yielding six hits and four earned runs. 1B Maury Smith (.257) drove in three runs for the Athletics.

Tycobbian Union North Division

Hellcats Tie Blue Sox in TU North
Luxora long ago nailed down the flag and the automatic playoff spot, but there's a hot and heavy battle going on for the final postseason berth in the Tycobbian North. With five games to go in the regular season, it's all tied up. The Hartsdale Hellcats (78-71) have moved into a second-place tie with the Blue Lake Blue Sox (78-71). The Hellcats crushed Southport 11-2, while the Blue Sox were losing to La Claire 8-4.

Hartsdale was entangled in a 1-1 tie going into the seventh, when they erupted for six runs to take a 7-1 lead. The Hellcats tacked four more on in the eighth to smash the Sun Sox. They backed up Tal Vaitkus (10-9 4.22) with a 13-hit attack. Vaitkus pitched a complete game, giving up only seven, striking out three and walking none in a very impressive showing. Hellcat LF Emile Djorovich had the only homer in the game, his 16th of the season.

Everything was going well for Blue Lake starter Charley Tubbs (8-10 3.27). He carried a 2-1 lead into the sixth, but never got out of it as the Lynx lashed him for seven runs, highlighted by CF Lucky Collins' (.291) three-run double and 3B J. M. Chenault's (.261) two-run double. Jim Melanakos (12-18) worked into the ninth for the victory, but he needed help from closer Henny Cossaboom (6-9 2.76) to finish off the Blue Sox. It was Cossaboom's 28th save of the year.

Tycobbian Union South Division

Cape Coral Clings to 1-Game Lead in TU South
Just two weeks ago Cape Coral was breezing along with a five-game lead in the TU South and sailing toward its second consecutive division title. In a late-season bid for the pennant the Summerland Sunsets have closed it to just one game with five games to play. The pressure is on after the Hurricanes were beaten by the third-place Colchester Elites 4-2 and the Sunsets skimmed by Bay St. Clair 3-2.

Cape Coral (89-60) was done in by the masterful pitching of Colchester's Jimmy Simmons (25-8 2.75), who finessed his way through the solid Hurricanes line-up. The win gave the crafty southpaw his 25th victory of the season, the most in the IPA. Simmons held them to just two runs and seven hits in eight innings. For the 65th time this year reliever Tom Carter (6-7 4.23) got the call to close it out and he did - Carter retired all three batters he faced and struck out two of them for his 26th save. Cal Holtzman (11-7 3.46) hurled a complete game in defeat, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. 3B Niles Stanton (.295) led the Elites with three hits, including a double and a triple. C Gus Petropoulas (.255) had two runs batted in.

With the win Colchester (83-66) still has an outside shot at second place and a playoff spot.

Summerland (88-61) had to overcome some great pitching by Bay St. Clair's Ben Crowley (2-7 4.14), who shut them down completely for the first six innings. Trailing 2-0 in the seventh, the Sunsets finally got to Crowley and evened it up on an RBI single by 1B Nickie Troxell (.291) and an RBI double by SS Zee Overbeek (.292). 1B Karl Van Kooten (.285) won it with a single in the eighth. Summerland got some great pitching, too. Paul Felkner (22-8 2.71) tossed a stout eight innings, holding the Buccaneers to seven hits and two runs. Closer Bobby Winwood (6-4 3.44) did his job and recorded his 30th save this year. Winwood is tied with Marston's Booger Burchfield for the IPA saves lead.

Fouth place Turon (82-67) whipped Fairfax today 6-1, but was still eliminated from any postseason considerations. Summerland's victory mathematically eliminated the Typhoons.

Tycobbian Union East Division

Ozarka Headed for the Pro Cup Playoffs
The Ozarka Naturals (78-71) backed their way into the IPA postseason when the third place Midway Wolves (72-77) were walloped 10-5 by Denton City, which wiped out their playoff hopes. Ozarka was trounced today by the Bayview Vikings 7-1, thus keeping Midway's playoff quest alive. But it ended with the loss to the Redbirds.

Ozarka is assured of finishing second in the Tycobbian East and gets the final playoff slot. Now the Nats and the regular season champion, the Red Bluff Red Sox can get ready for the Pro Cup playoffs.

Johnny Cole's (4-2 4.01) strong three-hit pitching and three homers paced Bayview to its win over Ozarka. Nats ace Karl Kleinert (17-8 3.29) was hit hard in his six innings and gave up all seven runs and three home runs.

Denton City's Hank Taylor (13-4 3.13) coasted to his 13th victory with the help of the Redbird bats. They ripped Midway for three roundtrippers and 12 hits to win going away.

Tycobbian Union West Division

Wildcats Win, Bucs Beaten, Kenwood Stays in Playoff Hunt
The third place Kenwood Wildcats (81-68) still have life in the hunt for the Pro Cup playoffs in the TU West. Kenwood racked its fourth win in a row. They were 11-2 victors over the Arlon Champions, while the second place Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (85-64) fell to the Summerland Sunsets 3-2. Kenwood trails Summerland by four games. The Bucs magic number is 5. Any combination of Bay St. Clair wins and Kenwood losses that total 5 will assure a playoff spot for the Buccaneers.

Aydan Havilland (3-8 3.88), aided by four home-run support, did away with Arlon, halting the Champs in easy fashion 11-2. The Bucs lost to one of the better pitchers in the IPA, Paul Felkner, who racked up victory number 22 today.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

RU North Top Spot Belongs to Ranford, 1-Game Up on Taranto
In the tightly-bunched Ruthlandian North, Ranford (83-67) won, while Taranto (82-68), Far Mountain (81-69) and Ancona (77-73) lost, putting the Bulls on top of the heap by a game over Taranto and two over Far Mountain with four days to go in the regular season. Ancona is now out of the running for a playoff berth.

Ranford clobbered the Far Mountain Redhawks 13-2 at home at Ranford County Stadium. The Bulls got a fine performance from lefty Chris Bernhoffer (16-11 3.12). He gave up only one run and five hits in eight innings. Bernhoffer also got splendid support from SS Rick Fargnoli (.304) and 1B Jordy John (.315), who batted in three runs apiece and 2B Johnny Fenroy (.297) and CF Warren Gravois (.292), who swatted homers. Robby Kelly (16-14 3.57) was the loser. He was whacked for eight runs and and nine hits in just four innings. The Redhawks started this series tied with the Bulls for first place, but have fallen in both games. Game three is tomorrow.

At the Palazzo di Sport in Taranto, the Tars ran into a buzzsaw named Tiny Lindgren, a 5'6" 22-year-old righthander for the division champion Belair Beach. Lindgren (21-10 2.52) blanked the mighty Tars 5-0 on a seven-hitter to notch his third shutout of the season. Lindgren outpitched the Tars ace, Anthony Nardone (18-13 3.75), who was tagged for five runs in seven innings. 1B Phil Gravelli led the Sunbird attack with three hits, including his 44th homer of the year. It was a costly defeat for Taranto as they dropped to second place, one game off the lead.

The fourth place Ancona Red Elephants were eliminated by the Colfax Blasters 10-4 paced by the big bats of C Arman Borkowski (.256) and 3B Neely Keeton (.284), who drove in five runs with homers. Colfax also got strong pitching by winning pitcher Ilya Szabo (16-12 2.93), who worked seven innings and only gave up one and three hits. Nikon Maragos (18-13 3.81) took the loss, surrendering six runs in five innings, but only two were earned.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

Two-Team Race in RU South, San Dimas Leads Valka by 2
Belair Beach (94-56) has already captured the Ruthlandian Union South Division title, but the runner-up spot is still up in the air. Going into the final four games of the season, San Dimas (80-70) has a two-game edge over the Valka Blackhawks (78-72). Fourth place Waleska (75-75) fell out of contention today with a loss.

Playing at home at Ranchero Stadium, San Dimas put four runs on the scoreboard in the first inning and derailed the tough Cold Creek Catamounts 5-2 behind Josh Houston (6-3 3.04), who went the distance. Houston held the Cats to just six hits and one earned run and outhurled 18-game winner Kyle Peterson (18-10 2.72).

At Cybertel Park in Valka, the visiting Sligo Rovers slammed two two-run homers and got solid mound work from Al Bukowski (17-13) in a 5-1 victory over the third place Blackhawks. Bukowski struck out eight and walked nobody in a fine outing. He allowed seven hits. Rookie Keith Cline (12-12 3.32) yielded five runs in seven-plus innings for the loss.

The Valmara Vipers eliminated Waleska from the playoff process with a 7-2 triumph. The Westerners led 2-1 after six frames, but the Vipers took charge with four runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth. Danny Blauser (13-19 3.50) pitched eight innings of four-hit ball for the win, while Smokey Joe Carter (17-18 3.65) caught the loss. LF Jet Kazmarek (.351) and SS Tory Bidwell (.251) led Valmara with two hits and two RBIs each.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

4-Way Battle for Playoffs in RU East
It is quite a logjam in the Ruthlandian East. After today's games three clubs were tied for second place and another one has an outside chance of sneaking into the postseason Pro Cup Series.

Cold Creek (81-69) fell 5-2 to San Dimas, but saw all of its competitors salvage wins. Eastshore (81-69) belted Claxton 8-5 and Marston (81-69) edged Grand City 4-3 to move up into a three-way tie for second place. Fourth place Belle Plaine (78-72) added to the crunch by blanking Crystal Lake 3-0.

Homers by 2B Miles Sheehan (.263), LF Darrel Alston (2.90) and RF Ron Dizon (.270) powered the Elegants to their win over the Diamonds.

At Marston Hayden Bagshaw (15-8 3.56) and Booger Burchfield (6-6 3.86) combined for the win. Bagshaw limited Grand City to three runs and six hits over eight innings, when Burchfield (6-6 3.86) relieved and got his IPA-leading 31st save with a perfect ninth inning.

On the road at Lakefront Park in Crystal Lake, Belle Plaine portsider Milo Anthony (17-15 3.28) and closer Kent Wells (2-3 2.44) collaborated to hurl a nine-hit shutout against the Crushers. It was a scoreless duel until the three-run eighth when LF Juan Mendez (.322) homered for the first run in the game. Reliever Pablo Orestes (7-8 3.38) was the victim of the uprising and copped the loss.

San Dimas' Josh Houston (6-3 3.04) tossed a six-hitter and stopped Cold Creek 5-2 to drop the Catamounts into a three-way tie for second place.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Colfax Wins, Middlefield Loses, Roosters' Lead Down to 1
In the Ruthlandian West the postseason has boiled down to just two teams, second place Middlefield (82-68) and third place Colfax (81-69), who are separated by only one game. Volusia (90-60) has already claimed the regular season flag.

The Colfax Blasters lived up to their name and blasted Ancona 10-4 today to carve Middlefield's margin down to just a single game in the chase for a postseason spot. C Arman Borkowski (.256) hit a 3-run homer and 3B Neely Keeton (.284) chipped in a two-run clout to back up Ilya Szabo's (16-12 2.93) solid pitching.

The Roosters were routed 16-5 by Forest City's 21-hit attack. Knucks Nomellini (14-12 3.19) and his knuckleball got the win, while Middlefield's ace Jamie Hicks (17-8 3.44) stunk up the stadium and departed very early.

Tycobbian Union North Division

Blue Lake and Hartsdale Still Deadlocked in TU North
The scramble for the remaining postseason spot in the TU North continued today as Blue Lake (79-71) and Hartsdale (79-71) both racked up wins and are still tied for second place. The Luxora Zorros (90-60) have already won the division title and an automatic playoff slot.

The Blue Sox took a tense 1-0 pitchers' duel from La Claire at Harbor Stadium. Benny DeBartolo (17-10 3.29) was magnificent as he limited the Lynx to just four hits, while striking out six and walking two in his second shutout of the season. Losing pitcher Andy Murray (13-15 3.49) was almost as good. Murray was touched for only one run and six hits. SS Cy Orgeron (.254) batted in the winning score in the second inning with a single.

The Hellcats also had a hard time with Southport at home at Pioneer Park. Ben Manderson (15-10 3.45) and Phil Reed combined for a 3-1 victory over the Sun Sox. Manderson worked seven strong innings and held Southport to just one run and four hits. Reed (8-11 3.84) got credit for the win with two scoreless innings. Hartsdale won it in the eighth on 1B Mac Faulkner's (.346) RBI double and LF Emile Djorovich's (.288) RBI single. Paul Grange (10-16 3.53) went all the way in defeat, giving up three runs on seven hits.

Tycobbian Union South Division

Hurricanes, Sunsets Win, Colchester Eliminated
In the Tycobbian South pennant race both Cape Coral and Summerland chalked up crucial victories to stay 1-2 in the standings with only one game separating them.

Cape Coral (90-60) knocked off third place Colchester (83-67) 8-5 today at Seaside Stadium to eliminate the Elites from the postseason. Two rookies 1B Sammy Harding (.301) and 2B Fancy Phelan (.292) provided the offense with two RBIs each, while Jeff Salow (17-11 3.51) got an ugly win. He allowed five runs in eight innings, but only two were earned. Arlie Nichols (5-3 3.10) closed it out with a scoreless ninth for his 9th save. In a poor outing, Frank Payne (19-14 3.64) suffered the defeat, giving up seven runs in five-plus innings.

At Sunset Stadium Summerland slipped past Bay St. Clair 3-2 as Josie Welker (12-15 3.97) outdueled Dennis Coulon (18-15 2.80), one of the tougher pitchers in the IPA. 2B Tucker Hill (.346) broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the seventh inning. Welker restricted the Bucs to two runs on seven hits over eight innings to get credit for the win, while closer Bobby Winwood (6-4 3.39) nailed down his 31st save with a scoreless ninth. Winwood and Booger Burchfield of the Marston Nine are tied for the IPA lead.

Tycobbian Union East Division

Red Sox and Nats Pro Cup Bound
Everything has been decided in the Tycobbian East with Red Bluff (93-57) running away with the title and Ozarka (79-71) finishing a very distance second, 14 games at last count.

On the road at White River Stadium, Red Bluff and Mila Mohoski (21-8 3.06) tamed the Rascals 5-1 on a four-hit masterpiece. Mick Cronyn (13-17 3.82) went the route and lost it.

The Naturals rolled over Bayview 5-1 with Sid Hyder (13-13 3.39) on the hill. Hyder held the Vikings to one run and seven hits in a complete game. Three homers sparked Ozarka with 3B Nathan Ferrell (.302) hitting his 32nd of the year, 1B Hootie Shook (.293) getting his 14th and C Scotty Fisher (.261) going deep for the first time this season. Jerry Harrison (12-20 5.10) was not very effective and lost his 20th game. The Nats teed off of him for all three roundtrippers as he allowed five runs in seven-plus innings.

Tycobbian Union West Division

Bucs and Wildcats Lose, BSC 4 Games Ahead
The Denton City Redbirds (95-55) with the most wins in the IPA so far have made shambles of the TU West and it looks like second place Bay St. Clair (85-65) is going to get the last playoff spot. The Bucs are four games up on third place Kenwood (81-69) with only four games to be played. Both ball clubs lost today.

The Buccaneers were beaten 3-2 by the Summerland Sunsets and Arlon got the best of the Wildcats 5-3. The Champs LF Matt Merrill (.283) unloaded two home runs and rookie RF Rocco Belasario (.291) hit one to keep Kenwood's ace Johnny McBee (19-9 3.07) from becoming a 20-game winner. Picking the victory for Arlon was Kurt DeHaan (15-16 3.58) with some help from Jeff Nieman (4-1 3.56). DeHaan worked eight frames, gave up three runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Nieman got his 10th save with a runless ninth.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

RU Tight at the Top, Bulls Lead Redhawks and Tars by 1
The tense battle is still raging in the Ruthlandian Union North - there are only three days left in the season and three teams still have a shot at the pennant. After today's action Ranford (83-68) is first, but just barely. The Bulls have a one-game lead over Far Mountain (82-69) and Taranto (82-69).

Far Mountain was the only winner as the Redhawks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-4 triumph over Ranford. The Redhawks salvaged the third game after losing the first two to the Bulls. Taranto failed to take advantage of this and were beaten 9-7 by the Belair Beach Sunbirds in 12 innings.

RF Karl Dietz's (.254) two-run ninth-inning double was the game-winner in the Redhawks win over first place Ranford. 3B Ken Henderson had the other big hit in the contest with a three-run blast in the sixth to put Far Mountain ahead 4-2. The Bulls 1B Jordy John (.314) and RF Sherman Waters (.279) evened the score with solo homers in the sixth and the eighth. Cliff Pope (16-16 3.85) went eight innings for the victory, while reliever Jamie Phillips (6-6 3.41) took the loss.

In Taranto, Sunbird 2B Art Parker (.320) sent the Tars down to a tough defeat with a two-run single in the twelfth inning. The Tars has fought back from a six-run deficit with a big six-run eighth. 3B Mike Janocko (.296) had a homer and three RBIs to pace Belair Beach, the regular season champs in the RU South. Taranto C Norm Polochak (.277) had three hits, including a three-run shot in the eighth inning. Reliever Sparky Oberlander (1-2 3.22) got the win with two scoreless innings, while closer Gino Lamonica (5-4 2.98) lost it.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

San Dimas Keeps 2-Game Edge in RU South
The magic number is now down to 3 in the race for the final playoff position in the RU South. San Dimas (81-70) maintained its hold on second place with a stirring 7-6 comeback victory over the Cold Creek Catamounts. The Valka Blackhawks (79-72) kept their chances alive with a 7-4 win over the Sligo Rovers. Any combination of Ranchero wins and Blackhawk losses that total three will send San Dimas to the Pro Cup playoffs, along with Belair Beach, the regular season flag-winner.

San Dimas came back from a 6-3 ninth-inning deficit and nipped Cold Creek 7-6 in the tenth on 1B Johnny Carducci's (.299) walk-off homer, his 43rd of the year. Closer Cleve Skinner (8-7 3.00) collected the win, while Buzzy Lewis (7-9 5.06) netted the loss.

In Valka, the Blackhawks led the entire game in topping Sligo 7-4. Darrel Vannoy (15-13 3.16) sparked the way with his arm and his bat. Vannoy hit a two-run home run, while holding the Rovers to four runs and eight hits.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

3-Team Tangle for 2nd Spot in RU East
The RU East is apparently going down to the last day to determine which team will get the final playoff spot. The Marston Nine (82-69) was the only contender that won today. The Nine trimmed Grand City 5-1 for their third win in a row to take over second place. Cold Creek was beaten by San Dimas 7-4, Eastshore fell to Claxton 7-2 and Belle Plaine (78-73) was eliminated from playoff contention 3-1 by Crystal Lake. The Catamounts and Elegants are now in third place in the standings and trail by one game. The Sugar Valley Rattlers (96-55) have already qualified for the playoffs as the division champion.

Vinnie Gardner (18-12 4.02) hurled Marston into second place by halting Grand City on five hits, while striking out six batters and walking two in his eight innings. Booger Burchfield (6-6 3.84) continued to sparkle in the bullpen. He has made 75 relief appearances and saved 32 games, which is tops in the IPA. CF Dennis Riley (.295) and C Mo Chappell (.232) led the Nine at bat with two RBIs apiece.

Claxton's CF Jackie Faust (.260) homered and drove in four runs and RF Dixie Baker (.330) homered and batted in three runs to support Doug Torvik's (17-14 3.24) fine mound performance in the Diamonds 7-4 triumph over Eastshore. Torvik had eight Ks and held the Elegants to seven hits. Eastshore's Freddie Duhon (17-15 3.93) sustained the loss, allowing seven runs in six-plus frames.

Cold Creek lost its third straight to San Dimas by blowing a 6-3 lead in the ninth. The Rancheros won 7-6 in ten innings.

The Belle Plaine Musketeers playoff hopes were shattered today when Crystal Lake's 3B Nelson Tolliver (.271) doubled in two runs in the seventh inning to defeat them 3-1. Winning pitcher Gus Zavos (10-15 3.94) had a standout game, stopping the Muskies on three hits, while fanning six and walking only one. Pistol Pete Westberry (17-13 3.70) went down to defeat, yielding three runs in seven innings.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Colfax Back, Ties Middlefield for 2nd in RU West

Volusia 990-61) won the regular season crown in the RU West. Now it is a battle between Colfax (82-69) and Middlefield (82-69) for the other playoff slot. The Colfax Blasters have won the last two games, while Middlefield has dropped its last two to fall back into a two-way tie for second place with just three days to go.

Blaster Harry Manning (18-12 3.57) tossed a superb game in blanking Ancona 4-0. Manning limited the Red Elephants to five hits in eight innings for the victory. Reliever Daric Jacoby (8-10 4.44) worked a scoreless ninth to wrap up the shutout. SS George Grogan (.270) smacked a three-run roundtripper to pace Colfax at the plate. Manning outpitched Yannis Vardakis (15-16 3.45), who gave up only one run in eight innings and departed trailing 1-0.

Middlefield led 3-1 after five innings, but Forest City exploded in the late innings to win going away 13-5, capping it with a seven-run ninth. Timmy Brooks (16-11 3.83) was the winner and Joshua Jackson (16-15 3.52) was the losing pitcher. Pinchhitter Rob Carlson led the Lumberjacks with a grand slam homer. The Roosters' best bats were rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.323), who hit his 48th home run and LF Cecil Clark (.300), who cracked his 27th of the season.

Tycobbian Union North

Hellcats Move Ahead of Blue Sox by a Game in TU North
In the TU North, Hartsdale (80-71) nudged ahead of Blue Lake (79-72) by a game to take over second place. The Hellcats skimmed by Southport 2-1, while the Blue Sox faltered at home to La Claire 8-5. The Luxora Zorros (90-61) have already nailed down the regular title and a place in the Pro Cup playoffs.

Mark Sakelaris (17-10 3.43) and three relievers saved the day for Hartsdale in the Hellcats 2-1 squeaker over the Sun Sox. Sakelaris held them in check for seven innings, permitting just one run and six hits. Phil Reed, Nico Carnera and Tal Vaitkus combined to close it out with Vaitkus getting the save. Pinchhitter Michinori Okada (.236) knocked in the winning score in the seventh with a single. Howie Clark (9-19 4.11) lost a toughie as he went all the way and allowed only two runs and seven hits.

La Claire used the long ball to sink the Blue Sox 8-5. 3B J. M. Chenault (.269) rapped two homers among his three hits and drove in four runs for the Lynx. LF Zeppy Deshotel (.309) added in a two-run clout. Winner Munoto Kishata (13-15 4.00) had a 7-1 lead, but weakened in the eighth. Kishata was tapped for five runs and eight hits in eight innings. Closer Henny Cossaboom (6-9 2.72) put Blue Lake to rest by retiring them in order for his 29th save. The loss went to Carroll Wendell (10-8 3.27), who allowed five runs in his seven innings. Rookie LF Tad Kirklin (.275) supplied most of the Blue Sox offense with four RBIs on a three-run blast and a sac fly. 1B Les Reynolds homered for the other run.

Tycobbian Union South Division

Hurricanes and Sunsets in Playoffs, TU South Crown Up for Grabs
Both Cape Coral (91-60) and Summerland (90-61) will make the postseason, but they haven't decided who will get the regular season crown in the TU South and the higher seed that goes with it. With three games left the Hurricanes are one game in the lead. Both ball clubs won today. Cape Coral downed Colchester 5-2 and Summerset nipped Bay St. Clair 5-4.

Two fine pitchers faced each other at Seaside Stadium in Cape Coral. It was Dickie Pendarvis for the Elites and Cody Burg for the Hurricanes. Burg (25-8 1.90) got the best of it, winning 5-2. Burg struck out 10 and stopped Colchester on five hits, while walking just one. Closer Arlie Nichols (5-3 3.05) relieved him in the ninth and notched his 10th save with a perfect ninth. Pendarvis (14-7 3.17) pitched well until the eighth when LF Kippy Doyle (.312) clipped him for a two-run clout, pushing the Hurricane lead up to three runs. LF Doug Tilford (.304) went deep for the Elites.

Summerland almost blew it today. Winning pitcher Lorne Rucker (6-4 3.97) was coasting along with a 5-1 lead heading into the ninth, when SS Chuck Hankins (.273) unleased a three-run shot and put the Buccaneers back in the game. Manager Will Hackett summoned in his bullpen ace, Bobby Winwood (6-4 3.36) and he promptly got the final two outs and saved a 5-4 victory. It was his 32nd of the year. Winwood is tied with Marston's Booger Burchfield for the IPA saves lead. 18-game winner Duncan McFalls (18-8 3.94) was the losing pitcher.

Both contenders will close out the year on the road. Cape Coral will travel to Southport (56-95) for the final games of the season, while Summerland ends the season in Fairfax (67-84).

Tycobbian Union East Division

Red Bluff TU East Champs, Ozarka Runner-Up
The playoff clubs have been decided in the TU East. Red Bluff (94-57) took the regular season honors, while Ozarka (79-72) came in the runner-up spot. Today the Red Sox outlasted the White River Rascals 7-6 in 10 innings and the Naturals lost to Bayview 3-1.

Red Bluff pinchhitter Dan Zimmerman's (.236) tenth-inning base hit plated the winning run. The top Red Sox hitters were 1B Jack McNeal (.338) with 3-for-4 and four RBIs, including a three-run homer, and C Virgil Carpenter (.236) with a perfect 4-for-4 day, including a two-run home run. The Rascals were led by LF Lee Taryn (.305) and RF Dennis Bertrand (.276). They each slammed two-run homers. Reliever Joe Sharp (5-1 2.96) garnered the victory, while Bobby Kipper (4-6 4.50) was the losing pitcher, also in relief.

Frank Wells (17-15 3.70) shot down Ozarka. He restricted them to one run and worked into the eighth inning. Norm Roy (2-4 3.87) pitched the final one and one-third innings to preserve the victory. Alec DiMaggio (11-16 3.28) pitched well in defeat as he gave up three runs and went the distance.

Tycobbian Union West Division

DC Redbirds Win TU West, BSC Bucs Take Second
The TU West playoff teams are the division champs, the Denton City Redbirds (95-56) and the runner-up Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (85-66). Both clubs lost today with Midway stomping Denton City 9-2 as Nosyt Sani (20-11 3.15) became a 20-game winner. He outperformed another 20-game winner to do it. Daniel Fitzmorris (21-10 3.20) was no match for Sani today as he was forced to exit in the fifth after surrendering seven runs - but only three were earned. Summerland edged the Bucs 5-4 at Sunset Stadium.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 16, 2005

Ruthlandian Union

Leaderboards Around the Ruthlandian Union
The Islandian Pro Alliance is down to just three games to go in the 2005 season and like the many close races still going on for Pro Cup playoff spots, they are quite a few battles going on to determine the statistical league leaders.

In the Ruthlandian Union LF Jet Kazmarek of Valmara is in line for his fourth straight batting title. Kazmarek is hitting .350 with three games to go and has an 11-point lead over second place SS Don Nichols of Marston, who is batting .339. Far Mountain 1B Royce Benson is third with a .336 batting average. Benson was injured in August and will be out for several more weeks with a fractured hand. If the Redhawks go deep into the Pro Cup playoffs, he may rejoin the club early in October.

It's a tight race in the home run category with Middlefield rookie third sacker Charlie Gamble (.323 BA) leading with 48 roundtrippers, followed by Taranto RF Tony Blaser (.310 BA) with 45 and Belair Beach 1B Phil Gravelli (.330 BA) and Taranto LF Dominic Zuccaro (.333 BA) tied with 44 each.

Heading the RU leaderboard in RBIs is 1B Johnny Carducci (.299 BA) of San Dimas with 138. Second place is held by Zuccaro (.333 BA) of Taranto with 131.

In th pitching department the leaders with the most victories are Slim Mosley (23-6 2.39) of Belair Beach, Gary Hill (23-8 3.84) of Waleska, Gregg Neal (23-9 2.78) of Sugar Valley and Ray Watson (23-9 2.84) of Belair Beach.

The top ERAs belong to Payton Saunders (14-5 2.37) of Cold Creek, Slim Mosley (23-6 2.39) of Belair Beach, Hec Skurgan (17-6 2.46) of Sugar Valley, Hunk Schweitzer (13-11 2.50) of LaGrange and Tiny Lundgren (21-10 2.52) of Belair Beach.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 17, 2005

Leaderboards Around the Tycobbian Union
Most of the statistical leaders have been decided in the Tycobbian Union. Not much is likely to change over the final two days of the regular Season.

Kenwood's rookie phenom Dayton Walker is hitting a very healthy .366 to top all of his peers. His closest competitors are Bayview 2B Alan Hansen with a .358 batting average and Denton City LF Danny Nash, who sports a .357 average.

High Mesa's slugging LF Adam Zitek is having a colossal year with 51 home runs and 170 RBIs. Zitek is number one by far in both categories. SS Jared McCarthy of Arroyo Grande (.328 BA) and CF Ike Plunkett of Oxford (.318 BA) are a very distant second with 42 homers each. Zitek has totally shattered the RBI standard. The old mark was held by Karol Zodoka, second baseman for the East Point Panthers. Zodoka drove in 146 runs in 2002 and also set the IPA home run record with 54. Hartsdale 1B Mac Faulkner (.344 BA) is second with 128 RBIs and Cape Coral LF Kippy Doyle (.310 BA) is third with 124 RBIs.

On the mound Cody Burg of Cape Coral is tied for the most wins with 25 and is the ERA leader. Burg is 25-8 with an exceptional 1.90 ERA. Colchester's Jimmy Simmons is also 25-8 with a 2.75 ERA. Third in wins is Denton City's Gino Carmazzo, who has racked up a 24-6 mark with a 3.06 ERA.

Burg is a cinch to take the ERA crown. Mahaska's Boomerang Hines (21-9) is far back in second place with a 2.42 ERA and Paul Felkner (22-8) is even further back in third with a 2.71 ERA.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 16, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

2 Games to Go, Bulls Top Redhawks and Tars by 1
Nobody could buy a win in the RU North pennant chase today. First place Ranford had a chance to clinch a tie for the pennant, but lost to Sugar Valley 7-5. second place Far Mountain and Taranto both had a shot at first place, but fizzled. Crystal Lake outslugged the Redhawks 12-11 and Sligo tripped the Tars 5-4 in 15 innings.

Ranford fell to Sugar Valley despite blasting four homers. They slammed winning pitcher Jay Washington (19-11 3.10) for a dozen hits, too, but came out on the short end of a 7-5 score. Washington labored, but pitched the entire game, striking out five and issuing no bases on balls. The Rattlers ran up an early 6-2 lead and held on for the victory. Leland Shaddock (15-11 3.19) was the loser. Sugar Valley battered him for five runs in two-plus frames.

The Crystal Lake Crushers unloaded four roundtrippers in the first five innings to take a 12-5 lead over Far Mountain, then had to hold on for dear life as the Redhawks rallied, only to fall one run short 12-11. 2B Mickey Ishihara (.250) rapped two homers and drove in four runs and 3B Nelson Tolliver (.271) slugged a three-run shot to pace the Crushers. Far Mountain was led by CF Hawk Gallagher (.323) who went 4-5 and has four RBIs and 2B Duane Parsons (.290) with three hits and three runs scored. Reliever Phil Varnado (3-2 3.72) notched the win with the defeat going to Dave Johnston (16-10 3.74), who was tagged for three homers and seven runs in just two innings.

The Sligo Rovers had to rally with two runs in the bottom of the 15th inning to subdue the Taranto Tars 5-4. LF Waylon Moses (.253) singled to tie it up and CF Dylan Donovan (.235) finished off the Tars with a game-winning single.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

Valka Cuts San Dimas Lead to 1-Game
The third place Valka Blackhawks (80-72) have not given up - they are still in the hunt for the Pro Cup playoffs. They chopped second place San Dimas' (81-71) lead to one game with two to go by crushing Fort Benton 9-1, while the Rancheros were being trounced by the Middlefield Rooster 7-2. The division-winning Belair Beach Sunbirds (95-57) lost in 10 innings to the Marston Nine 6-5.

Southpaw Bobby Karu (15-16 2.62) sparkled on the hill for Valka as he almost totally shut down Fort Benton on just four hits in the 9-1 triumph. Most of the year Karu has not gotten good bat support from the Blackhawks, but he did today as they pounded out 14 hits, including three homers. SS Bobby Stroud (.297), LF Kyell Ibbotson (.295) and 1B Wayne Snider (.269) all went deep. Valka wrapped up the game with 7-run second inning.

Middlefied jumped all over San Dimas starter Bill Sharp (11-13 3.79) for six runs in the first three innings and never were challenged. Julian Gilchrist (6-3 2.30) was outstanding, stumping the Rancheros on seven hits in a route-going performance.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

Marston 2nd, Cold Creek 3rd, Eastshore 4th in RU East
Weeks ago Sugar Valley (97-55) claimed the top spot in the RU East and the guaranteed playoff spot the goes with it, but it looks like it may go down to the last day of the season to decide the other playoff slot. Marston (83-69) edged Belair Beach 6-5 in 10 innings and maintained its sparse one-game lead over third place Cold Creek (82-70). The Catamounts kept pace with a 7-2 victory over Claxton. However, the third ball club in the hunt, the fourth place Eastshore Elegants (81-71), fell to the Waleska Westerners 8-7 and greatly dimmed their postseason aspirations. Eastshore is now two games back of Marston with only two games left in the regular season.

The Marston Nine blew a 5-2 lead in the ninth, but rebounded in the tenth on LF Helmut Graczyk's (.277) game-winning single to nose out the Belair Beach Sunbirds 6-5.

Cold Creek got a masterful job from Payton Saunders (15-5 2.30) and a grand slam home run from LF Fernando Baldera (.325) to top the Claxton Diamonds 7-2.

Eastshore battled back from a 7-4 deficit after six innings to tie it up at 7-7 in the seventh, but Waleska got an RBI single in the top of the ninth from 2B DePaul Labat (.296) to go down to a crushing 8-7 defeat, which probably kills the Elegants chance at the playoffs. The best they can do is tie for second, but a lot has to transpire in their favor for that to happen.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Middlefield Climbs Past Colfax in RU West
Only one more postseason spot is available in the RU West and it will go to the Middlefield Roosters (83-69) or the Colfax Blasters (82-70). The Roosters took over the second spot in the standings with a 7-2 victory over the San Dimas Rancheros. The Blasters couldn't keep up with them as they were beaten by the LaGrange Sports 8-1. Second place Middlefield has a one-game margin over third place Colfax heading into the final two days of the season.

Middlefield got a splendid outing from Julian Gilchrist (6-3 2.30), who handcuffed the strong San Dimas Rancheros 7-2 on a seven-hitter. Gilcrease didn't permit an earned run. 1B Allie Ludlow (.265) and rookie 3B Charlie Gamble led the Roosters 11-hit attack. Ludlow got his 25th homer and Gamble drilled a double and two singles and scored twice. Bill Sharp (11-13 3.79) was pinned with the loss. He lasted only three innings and exited trailing 6-0.

The LaGrange Sports buried Colfax 8-1 behind left-hander Tony Amick (17-12 3.65), who only allowed five hits and fanned eight batters, while walking none. CF Karl Perret and 1B Jan Dantzler (.295) sparked the Sports with three hits apiece. Colfax starter Tommy Fuller (14-9 3.54) had an awful outing. He was raked for six runs in seven innings.

Tycobbian Union North Division

Hellcats Close to Playoffs, 2-Game Edge Over Blue Sox
The second place Hartsdale Hellcats (81-71) took a giant step toward the postseason with a tense 5-4 win over the Red Bluff Red Sox. The Hellcats have now won their last five games. Hartsdale improved its lead over third place Blue Lake (79-73) to two games with only two games remaining on the schedule. The Blue Sox were clobbered by Colchester 9-3 and now will have a very difficult time making the playoffs. The TU North's top team, the Luxora Zorros (90-62), were beaten 7-6 by Turon. The Z's by virtue of it division crown have already gained a playoff spot.

Hellcat RF Wayne Crow (.253) got the decisive hit to beat Red Bluff with a two-run single in the eighth inning. Reliever Nico Carnera (10-6 3.52) picked up the win, while starting pitcher Frank Beaudoin (17-11 3.82) suffered the defeat for the Red Sox.

Colchester RF Tony Barella (.277) almost singlehandedly whipped Blue Lake 9-3. Barella drove in six runs and hit a home run, his 19th of the year. Hootie Boatner (8-13 3.82) tossed eight steady frames for the win with the loss going to Bennie West (1-1 4.37). West allowed seven runs in five-plus innings.

Turon CF Mac McCurnan (.280) blasted a pair of two-run homers to help the Typhoons tame first place Luxora 7-6. McCurnan's ninth-inning clout won the game. Scotty Boswell (15-11 3.26) got credit for the win and Marco Braceros (16-17 3.64) caught the loss.

Tycobbian Union South Division

TU South Pennant Still Up for Grabs, Hurricanes Lead Sunsets by 1
No one is giving in in the TU South. First place Cape Coral (92-60) and second place Summerland (91-61) continue to win. The Hurricanes have won three in a row and the Sunsets have taken their last four. Only one game separates them with just two left on the schedule.

Cape Coral eked out a 5-4 victory over Southport with a pair of eighth-inning homers. Trailing 3-2 CF Bobby Jocker (.243) smacked a go-ahead two-run home run and SS Spook Estes (.227) added an insurance run with a solo salvo to make it 5-3. Hurricane relievers managed to close out the game but not without some trepidation. Starter Doug Lyons (19-10 3.23) got credit for the win, yielding three runs on seven hits in seven innings with five Ks. Reliever Danny Rigdon (1-7 4.70) was the victim of the homers and it cost him the game.

Summerland won 8-4 over Fairfax, but it wasn't easy. They needed a seven-run outburst in the eighth inning to come back and win the game. After seven innings Frog starter Roman Reynosa (1-3 3.87) had a 4-1 lead, but he couldn't hold it. Scott Oeltjen (10-5 3.57) picked up the victory in relief as he blanked Fairfax in his one inning, the seventh. 2B Tucker Hill (.345) and 1B Karl Van Kooten (.287) sparked the Hurricanes with two hits each.

Tycobbian Union East

Playoff-Bound Red Bluff and Ozarka Both Lose in TU East
In the TU East the division champs, the Red Bluff Red Sox (94-58), and runner-up Ozarka (79-73), both are playoff-bound and both went down to defeat today. Hartsdale really needed the victory and they got it 5-4 on the Red Sox. The Hellcats are battling for the final playoff spot in the TU North. The win gave them a two-game edge over the Blue Lake Blue Sox.

The Ozarka Naturals blew a 3-0 lead in the ninth and lost to the Ginza Ninjas. Kojiro Motsumoto (16-17 3.78) hurled eight solid innings for the win, allowing only two earned runs. Archie Lemon (5-3 2.56) folded in the ninth, but didn't get the loss. It went to Dayle Claypoole (8-9 4.76).

Tycobbian Union West

Redbirds and Bucs on Losing Streaks in TU West
Denton City and Bay St. Clair are both headed to the postseason playoffs, but not with momentum. The first place Redbirds (95-57) have gone down to defeat in their last three games, while the Buccaneers (85-67) have fallen in their last four.

High Mesa's Donnie Rinaldi (10-11 3.48) and two relievers stymied Denton City 5-3, aided by solo homers by Adam Zitek (.303) and 1B Jay Fessler (.325). It was Zitek's 51st of the year, tops in the IPA. Tom Duroncelay (9-9 3.54) suffered the loss as he allowed four runs in six innings. 3B Jay Petit (.296) got his 31st homer and his 100th RBI for the Redbirds, who now have three players with 100 or more RBIs. CF Paul Coniglio (.301) has 116 and RF Lavon Gooch (.332) has 110.

Pinchhitter Skinny Skah (.221) delivered the decisive blow with an RBI single in the top of the ninth to send the Midway Wolves to a 3-2 triumph over Bay St. Clair. C. J. Carper (13-11 3.95) logged the victory by stopping the Buccaneers on two runs and six hits in eight innings, while Lloyd Weber (14-5 3.36) went the distance and lost it.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

Taranto Ties Ranford for 1st, FM Just 1-Game Behind
A three-way tie is a distinct possibility going into the final day of the Ruthlandian Union North regular season. The Taranto Tars (83-70) and Ranford Bulls (83-70) are all knotted up in first place with the Far Mountain Redhawks (82-71) hovering close by just one game behind.

Taranto moved up by slipping by Sligo 5-2 on excellent pitching by Carlo Bianchi (14-8 3.64) and closer Gino Lamonica (5-4 2.86) and the batting of C Peppy Rocchetti (.253). Bianchi held the Rovers to two runs in eight innings and Lamonica closed it out in the ninth for his 20th save this season. Rocchetti hit a homer and drove in four runs to lead the offense.

Ranford and Far Mountain both went down to defeat. The Bulls ran into Sugar Valley's Frankie Jardine (16-6 2.98), who throttled them 3-2 in ten innings. Closer Tim DeKosky (7-10 2.59) was the losing pitcher. He was tapped for RF Frank Horak's (.295) game-winning single.

Crystal Lake's Delaney Elliott (4-4 4.11) struck out eight and checked Far Mountain on five hits in the Crushers 3-2 verdict over the Redhawks. SS Denny Sackett's fifth-inning roundtripper won it. Steffi Croetzer (10-11 3.05) hurled a complete game and permitted only four hits in a losing effort.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

Blackhawks and San Dimas Tied for 2nd in RU South
After 153 games the RU South still has not decided second place in the division. The Valka Blackhawks (81-72) have battled back to tie the San Dimas Rancheros (81-72)for second place and the last postseason spot.

SS Bobby Stroud (.299) and 1B Wayne Snider (.274) led the Valka 10-hit attack as the Blackhawks fought off the Fort Benton Defenders 8-6 to win their third consecutive game. Stroud had two doubles and three RBIs and Snider had four hits and batted in two runs. Fort Benton 1B T.J. Pabst (.307) and RF Murph Lunsford (.271) kept the game close with home runs. Andy Kuris (11-4 3.63) went eight innings for the win, but it was a struggle. He allowed five runs, but only three were earned. Dave Blair (3-4 4.48) lost it for the Defenders. He was tagged for seven runs in three-plus innings.

San Dimas suffered a defeat for the second day in a row. The Rancheros had no chance against the Middlefield Roosters, who swatted five roundtrippers to demolish them 15-7. CF Ty DeWitt (.264) had a monstrous game with two homers and eight RBIs. Rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.326) also clouted two out and batted in four runs. Gamble now has hit 50 home runs this season, just one behind the IPA leader, Adam Zitek of the High Mesa Cowboys. The Rancheros hit the ball, too. RF Goose Garlin (.289) went deep twice and batted in three runs, 3B Domingo Rios (.256) belted one out and 1B Johnny Carducci (.304) had two hits and plated three runs. Neither team got much pitching. The win went to starter Ross Jacobs (5-4 4.40) and the loss to starter Josh Houston (6-4 3.77). Both were hit handily.

This year's TU South champs, the Belair Beach Sunbirds (95-58), were beaten by the Marston Nine 3-1 on rookie 3B Jimmy Holman's (.310) two-run homer in the ninth inning. Jan Arnick (7-3 3.32) hurled a strong eight innings for the victory. He stopped the Sunbirds on four hits, fanned four and walked just one in a standout outing. The victory insured a place in the postseason for the Nine. Belair Beach went with second-line pitching to give its regular starters some rest and to set its rotation for the playoffs. Loser Vance Stromberg only surrendered three runs in eight innings and struck out six.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

Marston Takes Last RU East Postseason Spot, Cold Creek Eliminated
What a struggle - what a game - what a loss. The Cold Creek catamounts were knocked out of the playoffs today with a stirring 2-1 loss in 11 innings to the Claxton Diamonds. RF Dixie Baker (.330) rifled a solo shot into the stands off losing pitcher Terrence Gilbert to end the Catamounts postseason hopes.

Marston (84-69) finished second to the division-winning Sugar Valley Rattlers (98-55). Cold Creek (82-71) was third in the race. Closer Tom Dahl (4-4 3.30) blanked the Catamounts over the last three innings for the victory. The two starters in the game both did excellent jobs. The Diamonds Dennis Scott (5-4 3.81) only permitted one run in eight innings, while Kyle Peterson only gave up one run in nine-plus innings for Cold Creek.

Sugar Valley nipped Ranford 3-2 in an important game. The defeat cost the Bulls undisputed possession of first place in the RU North. Ranford is now tied with Taranto heading into the final day of the year.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Roosters and Blasters Win, Middlefield Still Up by a Game
Both challengers for the final playoff slot in the RU West stayed alive with victories. With only one more day to play, the Middlefield Roosters (84-69) are holding on to second place by the skin of their teeth over third place Colfax (83-70). Only one game separates them.

Middlefield routed San Dimas 15-7 to remain ahead of Colfax. The Blasters shelled LaGrange 9-1 to stay in the running for the postseason.

Colfax got 15 hits from its offense and fine pitching by Vito Incardona (7-1 3.21), who went the distance. C Arman Borkowski (.262) slugged a three-run homer, 1B Dennis Cole (.254) unloaded a two-run shot and rookie LF Chris Carroll (.297) chipped in a two-run smash to spark the Blasters. Incardona yielded seven hits, while fanning three and issuing only one base on balls.

The regular season flag winner, the Volusia Vigilantes (91-62), were belted 9-4 by the Forest City Lumberjacks, who pounded them for three home runs and 15 hits. Todd Wolfe (6-5 2.94) didn't last three innings for the V's and took the loss. Wolfe didn't fare well, giving up five runs. However, only two were earned.

Tycobbian Union

All of the postseason berths in the Tycobbian Union have now been decided. Cape Coral has won the TU South crown to join Luxora, Red Bluff and Denton City as the division flag winners and top seeds in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

Tycobbian Union North Division

Hellcats 2nd, Outlast Blue Sox for Last TU Playoff Spot
The Luxora Zorros (91-62) are the top ball club in the TU North with Hartsdale (82-71) hauling in the number two spot in the standings. Blue Lake (79-74) faded in the final days and ended up in third place.

Today Luxora edged Turon 4-3 with RF Cristo Viamonte's (.283) 25th homer providing the difference. He made a winner out of Chris Pierce (9-5 4.18) and a loser out of Freddi Speigel (12-9 3.89). Zorro closer Juan-Carlos Torriente (3-2 3.56) notched his 18th save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Hellcats trimmed Red Bluff 5-4 for their sixth straight triumph with the victory going to Bobo Boisseau (3-4 3.94) with the help of Nico Carnera (10-6 3.48), who pitched a perfect ninth. It was Carnera's 17th save of the year. Ray Schiller (8-9 4.01) tossed seven-plus frames in defeat, allowing all five runs.

The Blue Sox have lost three in a row. They dropped an 11-5 decision to the Colchester Elites, who slammed them for three homers and 15 hits. Jimmy Simmons (26-8 2.78) was not at his best as he gave up seven hits and five runs, but he captured his 26th victory of the season and now joins South Fork's Flint Battle as the biggest winner in IPA history. Battle was 26-11 in 2002 with a 2.88 ERA.

Tycobbian Union South Division

Cape Coral Cops TU South, Summerland Runner-Up
The Hurricanes (93-60) claimed the title with an 8-2 shellacking of the Southport Sun Sox, while the Fairfax Frogs flogged Summerland 13-4 and ended its pennant hopes. However, the Sunsets (91-62) will get another chance in the playoffs as the runner-up to Cape Coral.

Southport starter Nick Humphrey (5-5 4.33) was nursing a 2-1 lead going into the top of the eighth when all heck broke loose. The Hurricanes lashed him for three runs in the inning to go ahead 4-2, then skinned him alive on LF Kippy Doyle's grand slammer in the ninth. Winning pitcher Jeff Salow (18-11 3.48) worked a strong eight innings, holding the Sun Sox to two runs on eight hits, while walking one and striking out five. Cal Holtzman (11-7 3.40) put Southport down without a run in the last of the ninth.

The Fairfax Frogs pretty much had their way with the stunned Summerland Sunsets. The Frogs bolted to a 10-4 lead in the first three innings and never looked back. 1B Jeff Vretsos (.274) and rookie LF Dane Wesner (.297) shared in the glory with three RBIs apiece in the 13-4 thrashing. Summerland's ace Paul Feltner (22-9 2.88) was bashed for six runs in less than two innings. Backed up by a 15-hit barrage Carlos Corza (8-10 3.53) had an easy time of it and went the distance. Corza fanned six and walked one in the win.

Tycobbian Union East Division

Red Sox and Nats Pro Cup Postseason-Bound
Red Bluff (94-59) copped the TU East title with Ozarka (80-73) in the runner-up spot. They will be the division postseason representatives.

Hartsdale whipped the Red Sox today 5-4, while the Naturals slipped past the Ginza Ninjas 4-2 on the next-to-last day of the season.

Tycobbian Union West Division

DC Redbirds and BSC Bucs 1-2 in the TU West
The Denton City Redbirds (96-57) waltzed away with the TU West crown and will now head to the Pro Cup playoffs along with the number two club in the division, the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (86-67).

Both team won insignificant games today as the regular season winds down. The season ends tomorrow. The Redbirds flew past the High Mesa Cowboys 9-5 and the Buccaneers clipped the Midway Wolves 6-2.

Denton City used three long balls and a dozen hits to power past the high-octane High Mesa Cowboys. 1B Rod MacCormack (.307) knocked in four runs to lead the way. RF Lavon Gooch (.333) and 3B Jay Petit (.298) walloped the other two. SS Trevor Tomlinson (.267) also went 4-for-4 and scored four times for the victors.

Bay St. Clair pitcher Kenny Metcalf (7-7 3.15) had a great day on the mound and at the plate. He cracked a home run and pitched a complete-game victory.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division

Ranford Wins RU North Pennant, Taranto Also in Playoffs
The pennant race came down to the last day in the Ruthlandian Union North. The Ranford Bulls (84-70) won the pennant and Taranto (83-71) came in second. Both ball clubs are Pro Cup playoff-bound. Far Mountain (82-72) flopped on the final day of the season and will miss the postseason. The Redhawks finished in third place, just a game out of the playoffs and two games away from the division title. Ranford played well down the stretch, going 7-3 over the last ten games, while the other contenders faltered. Taranto went 3-7 and Far Mountain slumped to 2-8.

Ranford made sure no one could catch them by smashing the Sugar Valley Rattlers 11-4 today, while Taranto and Far Mountain were losing. The Tars were toppled by Sligo 7-5 and Crystal Lake shut out the Redhawks 7-0.

The Bulls seemed to be in deep trouble on the road. They trailed the Rattlers 4-1 after five innings with 23-game winner Gregg Neal on the mound. Ranford cut it to 4-3 in the sixth on RF Sherman Waters' (.281) two-run triple. The the Bull bats really went to work in the eighth and battered a tired Neal for six more runs to win going away. Waters also had a two-run double in that crucial frame. Waters sparked Ranford's 15-hit attack with four RBIs and was aided by 2B Johnny Fenroy (.297), who drove in three runs and 1B Jordy John (.316), who batted in a pair.

Chris Bernhoffer (16-11 3.18), Ranford's top hurler, didn't have a good day, but kept them close. Bernhoffer gave up four runs in his six innings. Manager Page Satcher's bullpen came to the rescue and blanked Sugar Valley over the final three innings. Jamie Phillips (7-6 3.34) got the win with a scoreless seventh, followed by Tim DeKosky (7-10 2.55) and Ted Chambers (3-6 4.99), who also held the Rattlers in check for an inning each. Neal (23-10 2.97) took the loss.

It all started well for Tommaso Lazzorda. His Taranto Tars gave his ace Anthony Nardone a 4-run cushion in the top of the first and it looked like the Tars would be in a first place tie at the end of the day - but it didn't end up like that - the Sligo Rovers did not cooperate. They treated Nardone (18-14 3.84) quite harshly, slamming him for six runs in five innings on the way to a 7-5 triumph. Winning pitcher Al Bukowski (18-13 3.42) settled down and permitted only one run over the next seven frames.

LF Lefty Roberts (.228) paced the Rovers with two hits, including a three-run homer. LF Dominic Zuccaro (.329) zapped a three-run homer for the Tars. While Taranto did not win the pennant, they did take second place and a spot in the Pro Cup playoffs.

Crystal Lake put a kink in Far Mountain's postseason plans. 3B Nelson Tolliver (.271) hammered a three-run homer and batted in five runs and Gordon Doomis (4-3 2.52) hurled a five-hit masterpiece to lead the Crushers past the Redhawks 7-0. Doomis struck out nine and walked three. Robby Kelly (16-15 3.69) took the loss that dropped Alex Groveland's club down to third place in the standings. The Redhawks lost their last three games to seal their doom.

Ruthlandian Union South Division

San Dimas and Valka Tied for 2nd, Playoff Game Tomorrow
154 games couldn't settle it, so San Dimas (82-72) and Valka (82-72) will play number 155 to decide who gets second place and the last playoff spot in the RU South. Both clubs won on the final day of the regular season necessitating the one-game playoff. In today's games the Rancheros in an unbelievable comeback nipped Middlefield 5-4 in 12 innings and the Blackhawks blasted Fort Benton 10-0 in a rout. The TU South regular season titlist, Belair Beach (96-58), outlasted the Marston Nine 7-6 in 18 innings.

The playoff game will be played at Cybertel Park in Valka tomorrow afternoon. The Blackhawks and Rancheros split six games during the regular season, but Valka had a better divisional record. The Blackhawks were 18-15, while San Dimas was 10-11. On the hill for Jaan Kurus will be Bobby Karu (15-16 2.62), while Bill Sharp (11-13 3.79) will get the call from San Dimas skipper Paco Balderos.

Middlefield took a commanding 4-1 lead in the 12th inning on 2B Timmy Gage's (.265) three-run shot and it seemed like San Dimas could forget the postseason. Well, as they say, it ain't over, till it's over. The Rancheros proceeded to get back in the game and win it. With two outs 2B Cyclone Cobb (.292) made it 4-3 with a double, CF Doyle Dobbs (.262) tied it up with a triple and then along came 3B Domingo Rios (.256), who clubbed a walk-off homer for a fantastic comeback and a fantastic finish.

This was a great game. Ranchero starter Keith Callahan (18-12 3.97) and Rooster starter Jamie Hicks (17-8 3.36) locked up in a classic duel. Hicks allowed only 1B Johnny Carducci's (.304) 44th home run of the season in the fourth inning. Callahan blanked Middlefield on four hits for eight innings, then gave way to closer Cleve Skinner (8-7 3.00), who blew the save when rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.327) sent the game into overtime with his 51st roundtripper. Gamble's homer tied High Mesa's Adam Zitek for the most this season in the IPA. Gamble hit six homers in his last seven games. The IPA record for most home runs belongs to Karol Zodoka of East Point, who hammered 54 in 2001.

Little-used reliever Jim Mooney (3-2 4.53) got the last two outs of the game for San Dimas and chalked up the victory. Denny Yarrow (14-11 5.53) gave up the game-winner and got the loss.

At Old Fortress Park in Fort Benton, Daryl Vannoy (16-13 3.06) mowed down the Defenders 10-0 on six hits to move the Valka Blackhawks into the one-game playoff to decide second place in the TU South. Vannoy worked a marvelous game, struck out seven and walked only one. RF Jimmy Tremayne (.322) provided two homers and five RBIs for the Blackhawks. SS Bobby Stroud (.300) also went deep.

Ruthlandian Union East Division

Sugar Valley Champs in RU East, Runner-up Marston Also in Postseason
The postseason teams from the RU East have been decided with Sugar Valley (98-56) easily winning the pennant with the best record in the IPA this year. The Rattlers took the division by 14 games over runner-up Marston (84-70). Although it didn't matter in the standings, they both were beaten today. Ranford roughed up Sugar Valley 11-4 and Marston lost an epic 18-inning classic to Belair Beach.

Sunbird 3B Mike Janocko (.293) homered to tie score in the bottom of the ninth, the won the game with an RBI single in the eighteenth inning, giving Terry Christian (9-8 4.57) the victory. Christian yielded no runs and fanned six over the final five innings. Marston's sixth pitcher Ranson Moore (0-2 4.75) came on in the seventeenth and caught the loss.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Colfax and Middlefield Play Off for 2nd Place in RU West
Clem Rogers and his Colfax Blasters (84-70) squirmed their way into a tie for second place and the last playoff spot in the RU West today. Colfax got a great game from Ilya Szabo (17-12 2.87), who throttled LaGrange 4-1 on six hits. Szabo walked none and struck out six for the victory. Middlefield could have taken second place with a win against San Dimas, but stunningly lost 7-6 in 12 innings after taking a three-run lead into the last inning.

Colfax is tied with Middlefield (84-70) now and will meet them in a one-game playoff tomorrow at Mountain View Stadium. The Blasters will be the home team because they whipped the Roosters four out of six games in the regular campaign. It will be Joshua Jackson (16-15 3.52) for Middlefield and Harry Manning (18-12 3.57) doing the honors for Colfax.

The Volusia Vigilantes (92-62) won their division for the second time. The V's were eight games ahead of Colfax and Middlefield. Today they knocked off the Forest City Lumberjacks 9-3 behind Brian King (8-2 3.62). King, mainly used in relief this season, got his 10th start of the year and held the 'Jacks to just two runs and seven hits in an impressive seven-inning performance. SS Warren McDaniel sparked the Vigilantes with a grand slam homer (.220).

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 18,2005

Tycobbian Union North Division

Luxora Wins TU North Title, Hartsdale Number 2
Alejandro Rodrigo led his Luxora Zorros (92-62) to their first TU North pennant. The Z's topped Hartsdale (82-72) by 10 games and third place Blue Lake (79-74) by 13.

On the final day of the season Luxora trimmed Turon 7-2, led by Julio Higuera (8-2 3.69), who worked a solid five-plus innings for the win, giving up only two runs, only one of them earned. Relievers Tito Tavares (8-7 4.12) and Juan-Carlos Torriente (3-2 3.42) closed it out with 3-plus scoreless frames. LF Joel Reed (.317) led the 14-hit attack with four hits, including a home run. RF Cristo Viamonte (.284) also hit one out for the Zorros.

Hartsdale ran into some impressive mound work by Red Bluff ace, Mila Mohoski (22-8 3.03), who held them to just four hits and two runs, while going the route. RF Kris Grabowski (.332) and LF Tony Blundell (.283) paced the Red Sox. Grabowski hit a two-run homer and Blundell banged a solo shot. Rip Arnold (9-13 4.27) absorbed the loss and gave up all four scores in his six innings.

Hartsdale went 7-3 the last ten days of the season to nab second place from Blue Lake. The Blue Sox stumbled to a poor 4-6 mark and came up short in the postseason race. Today Blue Lake snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 triumph over Colchester.

Tycobbian Union South Division

Cape Coral Crowned Champs in TU South, Summerland Second
The Cape Coral Hurricanes (93-61) fought off a determined bid by the Summerland Sunsets (91-63) to nab their second successive TU South crown. Both teams will now get ready for the postseason.

Today they closed the season out with losses. Southport squeezed by Cape Coral 2-1 in 10 innings. Paul Grange (10-16 3.43) tossed a strong nine innings and held the 'Canes to just a run. Roger Gwatney (4-3 3.00) twirled a scoreless inning to claim the victory. Grange helped himself with a second-inning triple. The winning score was plated by C Jeff Johnston's (.267) RBI single in the tenth. Hurricane CF Edmundo Montano (.289) singled and evened the score at 1-1 in the seventh.

Summerland was beaten 5-4 on the road at the Frog Pond in Fairfax. Alex Alessi carried a 4-1 lead into the late innings, but couldn't maintain it. 1B Jeff Vretsos (.274) had a walk-off single in the ninth to beat him. Alessi (7-5 2.90) whiffed nine batters, walked just two and allowed only two earned runs. Fairfax closer Jay Sorenson (8-5 3.91) pitched two scoreless frames for the victory.


Tycobbian Union East Division
Red Sox Win Third TU Flag, Ozarka Runner-up
With both teams guaranteed a playoff spot, the Red Bluff Red Sox (95-59), the regular season champs, and the Ozarka Naturals (81-73), who ran second in the race, tuned up today for the Pro Cup playoffs with victories. On the last day of the season the Red Sox swept past Hartsdale 4-2 and the Nats dumped Ginza 6-1.

Red Bluff's Mila Mohoski (22-8 3.03) fired a 4-hitter against the Hartsdale Hellcats and beat them 4-2. The Red Sox backed him up with three homers.

Ozarka used the same formula in its 6-1 victory over the Ginza Ninjas. Left-hander Rene Gautier (11-6 3.54) limited the Ninjas to just four hits and fanned nine. LF Vic Weinstein (.277), RF Gus Dufrene (.278) and 2B Gil Lantz supplied the offense with home runs. Carl Trebek (18-11 3.66) was the losing pitcher. He was touched for six runs in seven innings.

Tycobbian Union West Division

Redbirds Claim 1st Pennant in TU West, Buccaneers 2nd
On the final day of the regular season schedule, no playoff spots were in question. Denton City (97-57) claimed its first division title 10 days ago and Bay St. Clair (87-67) clinched the second spot about a week ago.

Today managers Ford Whiteman of the Redbirds and Guy Rondre of the Buccaneers gave their regular starters the day off. Denton City mauled High Mesa 11-3 with the win going to Bruce Baird (6-1 3.07), who made his seventh start of the year. Baird went the distance, stopping the Cowboys on three runs and eight hits. Baird also walloped a two-run homer to help his cause. CF Paul Coniglio (.320) led the Redbird hit brigade with three RBIs and RF Lavon Gooch (.336) added two more. Denton City battered 21-game winner Joey Popovich (21-13 3.72) for seven runs in just four innings, only four of them were earned as the Cowboys played lousy defense with four errors.

Bay St. Clair got the best of Midway 6-3 with Duke DeVree (14-8 4.01) striking out 11 Wolves in just seven innings. DeVree gave up only one unearned run before leaving the game with a five-run lead. RF Dean Howell (.268) paced the offense with a double, triple, two runs scored and one RBI. LF Stan Denton (.302) batted in a pair of runs for the Bucs.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 19, 2005

Ruthlandian Union South Division
Sharp Too Sharp for Valka, San Dimas Wins Playoff
It's been an up-and-down season for Bill Sharp of the San Dimas Rancheros. The 23-year-old right-hander has been good at times and struggled at times. Today on the road at Cybertel Park in Valka he was razor-sharp as he hurled the Rancheros past the Blackhawks 4-1. The victory gave San Dimas second place in the RU South and the right to play in the postseason playoffs that begins tomorrow. Sharp (12-13 3.73) went into the seventh inning and allowed only one run and six hits. Cleve Skinner (8-7 2.89) came on in relief and held Valka hitless over the final two and one-third innings for his 22nd save.

Manager Paco Banderos got key hits from 2B Cyclone Cobb (.295) and 1B Johnny Carducci (.305), who both batted in two runs each. The Rancheros outhit the Blackhawks 11-6 and gave the loss to starter Bobby Karu (15-17 2.65), who permitted three runs and eight hits in his seven innings.

San Dimas will open its Sweet 16 postseason series tomorrow afternoon at home at Ranchero Stadium, opposed by the Ranford Bulls, who won the TU North this year by one game. It will be a best-of-five series. Ranford is managed by the wily old Page Satcher.

Ruthlandian Union West Division

Gilchrist Stop Colfax, Roosters Win Playoff 4-1
The Middlefield Roosters are in the Pro Cup playoffs. Rookie Jamie Gilchrist pitched the most important game of his young career, stopping Colfax 4-1 to win a one-game playoff for second place in the Ruthlandian West and the postseason position that comes with it. Gilchrist (7-3 2.07) didn't give up an earned run and limited the Blasters to six hits in a complete-game victory at Mountain View Stadium in Colfax.

The Roosters took the lead in the top of the first frame when 2B Timmy Gage (.265) remained alive on a two-base error by 1B Dennis Cole, moved over to third on a ground-out and was driven in by RF Bailey Norcross' (.290) base hit. Middlefield got another run in the fourth inning on C Mike Kanjorsky's (.282) RBI single. Colfax cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth when SS Earl Reeves botched a grounder and allowed 3B Neely Keeton (.283) to score from third. Keeton has led off the inning with a single, was sacrificed to second and advanced to third on ground-out. The Roosters added a run in the sixth when CF Ty DeWitt (.263) singled to begin the inning, went to second on a 6-3 ground-out, tagged up and advanced to third on a deep fly to center, then was plated by 1B Allie Ludlow's (.268) RBI single. Middlefield got the final run on 2B Timmy Gage's four-bagger.

Harry Manning (18-13 3.58) was the losing pitcher. He was hit hard and struggled with his control, surrendering four runs - three earned - in six and one-third innings. Manning walked three and struck out four. The Roosters outhit the Blasters 9-6 in the game. Norcross topped Middlefield with three hits in five tries with help from DeWitt and Ludlow, who had a pair of hits apiece.

Smitty Michaels' Roosters will now go up against the champions of the RU East, the Sugar Valley Rattlers, who are managed by Gibson Bobkins. Middlefield will host the first two games at Middlefield Park in the best-of-five Sweet 16 Series.