2011 AAU – Thursday Scoreboard (Day 1 of 4)

Editor’s notes: Some early tournament surprises in this first batch of scores coming in, courtesy of co-tournament director Ken Hackmeister.

Two that will catch your eye are losses by two of the top pitchers in the world, Adam Folkard of Sureno Soy and Sean Whitten of the Italian Athletic Club. Pitching for Dominicana, Rob Schweyer outdueled Folkard, while Sopotocientos edged IAC 2-1, serving notice that the Venezuelan teams aim to compete.

Whitten was stellar in the 2010 AAU, and might have earned Most Valuable Pitcher honors, but for his team’s early departure from the tournament after qualifying for the finals. Whitten suffered a 2-1 loss in IAC’s 2011 AAU opener, as his California (IAC) teammates had trouble getting the offense going, jet lagged perhaps, but also no doubt missing Derek Mayson, who is with Softball Canada in this tournament. Mayson picked up the win in Softball Canada’s opener against Lanzeros from Venzuela.

Andrew Putnam pitched a gem for Macabbi USA over Ohio Battery, meaning tomorrow morning’s broadcast game between Softball Canada and Maccabi USA will pit two unbeaten squads.

Young Andrew Blackshaw tossed a shutout for Team Minnesota, with Bar of Appleton teammate Delorit behind the plate. Team Minnesota always seems to find a way to Sunday at the AAU, coming close to winning the tournament (falling to Team USA a few years back), and knocking on the door several times.

Sebastian Gervasutti also tossed a shutout for another Minnesota team, the Minnesota Angels, a 10-0 win in their opener. The Angels have benefited greatly from the influx of world caliber Argentine players, including Juan Potliccio.

Veteran Paul Algar won a close one, 4-3, for the Virgin Island Eagles and will make them competitive with anyone.

Defending AAU Champions, Chicago/NY cruised to an easy 4-0 win in their opener, with Dean Holoien enjoying a day in the sun.

Al Doran of Al’s Fastball, who is at the tournament in person, reports:

AAU, Folkard starts off with a loss and a two game suspension

Just waiting for the official scores to load up but interesting game I watched saw Adam Folkard upset in the 6th inning, giving up a two run shot that may have resulted in a bit too much celebrating and the next batter going down on a hit to the helmet. Classy move by catcher Frank deGroat who ducked a punch by the felled batter and held him in a bear hug while the benches cleared; no harm done. By the time they warmed up a new pitcher the curfew had ended the game. Later, and I did not see this, I was told that someone took a poke at Folkard as he left the field. Update: Adam Folkard and the hit batter each suspended for two games.

Al’s Fastball Schedule and Scoreboard

1pm Games

Niagara Fury………………8
Capitalinos………………..0
WP – Vassos and Newson
LP – Yepez and Parisca

Ohio Battery…………….1
Maccabi USA…………..6
WP – Putnam and Gluckman
LP – Kammeuller and Gray

Virgin Islands……….4
Aragua………………..3
WP – Algar and Melendez
LP – Suniaga and Loreto

Dominicana US………4
Sureno Soy……………..1
WP – Schweyer and Pinto
LP – Folkard and Degroat

Combatientes……………..1
Memphis……………………..1
Urboneja and Figeroa
Morgan and Gex

Minnesota Angels……5
Blackburn Transport..3
WP – Hardyand Scabel
LP – Bramwell and Macdonald

3pm Games

South Carolina Tornados…7
Hooligans of Niagara………6
WP – Zimmerman and Shiles
LP – Smith and Hall

Hill United………10
Florida Fastpitch..2
WP – Leahy and Crawford
LP – Elkerton and Maher

Elmira Expos…..3
Miami……………..2
WP – Martin and Martin
LP – Segura and Fereira

Team Canada…………5
Lanzeros…………………1
WP – Mayson and Boland
LP – Nujica and Alvarez

Team Minnesota…..5
DC Metros……………0
WP – Blackshaw and Delorit
LP – Hineline and Mc Kenzie

Gigantes………………6
Kitchener Outlaws..0
WP – Dubsky and Hernandez
LP – Hames and Stagg

5pm Games

Sopotocientos……………………2
Italian Athletic Club……………..1
WP – Jones and Flores
LP – Whitten and Wenstrom

Minnesota Angels…………………..10
Brewers…………………………………..0

WP – Gervasutti and Shreeve
LP – Chaparro and Godoy

El Dorado……………………………..7
Tijuana…………………………………7

Vasquez and Hernan
Colmenares and Rivera

Los Socios………………….7
CPI……………………………..2
WP – Swit and Tapia
LP – Fawcett and Sepulveda

Cobourg Force………………8
Oklahoma Fastpitch……….1
Score sheet not provided

LaRaza………………………..6
Petroleros……………………2
Score sheet not provided

7pm Games (underway)

Cobourg Force………4
Dominicana US……..3
WP – Zack and Swift
LP – Schweyer and Pinto

Lanzeros………….10
Ohio Battery………0
WP – Alvarez and Alvarez
LP – Kammueller and Gray

Petroleros……….2
Hill United………..0
WP – Villaroear and Rios
LP – Hillhouse and Crawford

Houston Carnage………..5
Millwood Logistics……….3
WP – Schofield and Camona

Illinois Pirates………….3
NY/PA Metros………….0
WP – Kelly and Hammack
LP – Gregg and John

Chicago/New York……….4
Brewers……………………….0
WP – Holoien and Rozich
LP – Contreros and Mizrohi