Archive for June, 2005

Cameron Decker Homers in the Clutch in USA win Over Mexico

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

Decker decks U.S. over Mexico in extra innings

SUMMERSIDE – Just when it appeared that the United States was going to lose to a valiant rally by Mexico, Camden Decker came through in the clutch. Decker , the designated hitter, towered a three run home run in the top of the eighth inning as the United States prevailed 5-3 over Mexico in day seven action at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park’s VIV Field in Summerside. Decker (2-4, three RBI, run scored, reached on an error), Evan O’Reilly (2-3, run scored, home run), Jason Loe (1-2, two runs scored, double) were tops as the U.S. scored five runs on six hits. O’Reilly started the U.S. scoring binge with a solo shot in the third inning. Mexico rallied with a pair of their own in the bottom half of the sixth, sending it to extra innings. The U.S. had Loe start at second base as a result of the International tie breaking rule. For Mexico, who finish the tournament at 3-5 will enjoy a well-deserved day off on the last day of play Friday, Jesus Barrerra (2-4, RBI), Gustavo Benitez (1-4, ytwo runs scored, RBI, home run) and Alonzo Melendez (2-4) led the way. Zach Warne pitched three innings in relief to earn the win allowing a run on two hits, striking out one. Starter John Kelly went five innings giving up two runs on seven hits walking one and fanning two. Losing pitcher Sergio de la Rosa pitched a complete game, allowing five runs on six hits, walking three and sitting down two.

http://www.2005worldsoftball.com
Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Niagara Snappers Top Ontario ISC II Rankings for June 30

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

It’s no secret that teams from the Ontario province of Canada have dominated the ISC II division. Presently 6 of the top 10 teams are from Ontario. The Niagara Snappers have made a splash in the 2005 season, climbing from #28 in the ISC II overall pre-season rankings, to #18 in the second set, and #8 in the most recent June 17, 2005 overall ISC II rankings.

Ontario also does their own set of rankings, just for Ontario teams, released today, and Niagara has made it to the top of the heap, on the strength of a big win over ISC II # 1 ranked Tavistock Merchants. Since Ontario teams hold down the top 4 slots in the overall ISC II rankings, look for Niagara to be voted #1 in the next set of overall rankings.

Niagara Snappers Won the highly competitive Snapper Shootout & the Innerkip qualifier beating Palermo twice & Norwich. Added Tim Neill, who was named to the All Tournament Team last year, for the ISC II Tournament of Champions

From Al’s Fastball: Ontario Top 10 ISC II Rankings for June 30

Speaking of ISC II, have you visited “The Deuce” lately?

Archived Broadcasts from Portland Rose Cup Tournament Now Available at Ballparkradio.com

Thursday, June 30th, 2005


Two of the four Portland Rose Cup broadcasts are available for listening at Ballparkradio.com. The archives presently include Sunday’s two games, the semi-final between Broken Bow and the Vancouver Grey Sox and the championship game between Vancouver and Portland CR/DeMarini. Due to be added shortly are Saturday’s round robin games, Team Rainey vs. Prince George and Broken Bow vs. the So Cal Bombers.
Ballparkradio.com

2005 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball: 05 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

Monkton 2005 World Fastball Invitational Gets Underway Today

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball: Monkton 2005 – The BIG Day is Here!!!!…….

USA vs. Mexico in Crucial Game at 2pm PST Today (Thursday)

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

The USA Jr. Men’s team (3-3) and Mexico (3-4) are currently “on the bubble” for the playoff round, along with Japan (4-1) . The three teams are fighting for the fourth and final spot in this weekend’s playoff round. Japan is 4-2, but with two tough games left – New Zealand (5-1) and the USA in their final game of pool play.

Today’s USA vs. Mexico game is set to start at 6pm ADT, 5pm EST, and 2pm on the west coast, PST.
We expect to have “in game” reports coming out of Summerside, PEI, Canada from our friend Pat Healey.

Upset Win by Argentina Over Japan Gives USA Shot at Playoff Round

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

Argentina’s upset of Japan yesterday has the USA kids back in the hunt for a playoff spot. The format of the tournament is to take the top four teams to the playoff round. The first three playoff spots appear to be locked up by the pre-tournament favorites, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. (Two time defending champion Australia has officially grabbed a playoff spot)

Japan looked to be the final team making the cut, but the loss to Argentina opens the door for the USA or Mexico. USA is presently 3-3 and needs to beat Mexico today and Japan thereafter. A loss to either would send either Japan or Mexico to the playoff round. (Interesting side note is that Mexico is scheduled to leave PEI at midnight Saturday – in the midst of the playoff round.

Here’s how the standings look heading into the final two days of pool play:

Australia (6-0), with Canada and Denmark left to play;
New Zealand (5-1), with Japan and Canada left to play;
Canada (5-1), with Australia and New Zealand left to play;

Japan (4-2), with New Zealand and USA left to play;
Mexico (3-4), with USA left to play;
USA (3-3), with Mexico and Japan left to play;

Argentina (2-5), Czech Republic and Denmark (0-7) are out of playoff contention.

A win today by the USA (3-3) over Mexico (3-4) would eliminate Mexico. The USA-Mexico game is today at 6pm ADT, 5pm EST and 2pm on the west coast, PST.

Odds makers give New Zealand the edge over Japan, with USA vs. Mexico a “pick ’em”. A day ago, Japan would have been favored over the USA, but today will tell whether Japan can rebound from a costly loss to Argentina.

Day 6 Summary from Pat Healey

Aussies secure playoff spot; Canada, Kiwi’s tied for second Argentina upsets Japan; Mexico, U.S. pick up key wins

SUMMERSIDE – Aussie coach Lindsey Carroll can thank a gut instinct for helkping the Aussies down rival New Zealand, securing a playoff position at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship in Sumemrside. Carroll decided to replace Michael Monroe with Nick Norton. That decision paid up in huge dividends as Norton would slam the only run of the game over the tent in left center. In other action on day six at Queen Elizabeth Park’s VIV Field, Mexico and the United States picked up key wins to stay in the hunt while Canada had trouble putting away the pesky Danish team, but finally got them done 11-3 in six innings. Meanwhile, the Eduardo and Francisco-coached Argentinians got a key win heading into their final two round robin games on a high note, upsetting championship final favourite Japan 3-2. In a game that many thought would easily be over in four innings because of the amount of talent on the Canadian roster compared to the young Denmark squad, the Danes stayed with Canada, even pushing them to six innings after the Canucks got out to what seemed like a comfortable 9-0 lead, only to sit back. Canada was held scoreless for the first inning before erupting for nine runs over the next three innings, and holding off a troublesome Danish squad that never quit as they rallied for three runs in the fifth inning thanks to an error and seven wild pitches by pitcher Donnelly Archibald of Aspen, N.S. In that inning, it appeared that Archibald and catcher Brad Fogal of Sharron, Ont. couldn’t handle the ball, leading to the Danes cutting the lead and forcing an extra inning. Also leading the Canadians, who committed two errors and weren’t impressive, was Chris Lewis of Napanee, Ont. (4-4, two runs scored), Nate Bauman of Elmira, Ont. (2-4, run scored, two RBI), Ben Tee of Napanee, Ont. (2-3, two runs scored, double, RBI), Jonathan Kane of Conception Bay South, NL (2-3, RBI, two runs scored, double) and Tyler Hawes of Popes Harbour, N.S. (2-4, run scored, three RBI). For Denmark, Niels Lyder (1-3) led the attack. Denmark scored their runs either off wild pitches or errors by the Canadian defensive unit. Winning pitcher Cory Avery had the Canucks sailing with a seven strikeout performance through three innings ebfore being replaced by Archibald. He went three innings, giving many Canadians a scare with three runs on one hit, three walks and six strikeouts. Losing pitcher Frederik Brask Terkelsen turned in a solid outing fanning 10 batters while giving up 11 runs on 12 hits and walking four. Nick Norton (2-2) slammed a one strike offering from New Zealand’s Vaero Hagai over the tent in left centerfield much to the delight of the Aussie fans that were among the 1700 fans in attendance. Australia also had another huge outing from Adam Folkard, who brought his championship strikeout total to 54 with 11 more in the game while giving up a mere two hits and walking three. Second baseman James Brooks (2-2), Josh Jones (1-2) and designated hitter Shaun Mason (1-2) were all the hits the Aussies managed. For the Kiwi’s, Mario Herbert (1-2) and Tyson Byrne (1-3) was the offense. Hagai allowed six hits, while fanning seven in the loss Centerfielder Gaston Wilsen drove home Damian Mayora with the game winning run and Mauricio Boss and Nelson Ruiz combined for a five-hitter as Argentina (1-5) edged Japan (4-2) 3-2 The game was delayed after the top of the first for about two hours as severe thunderstorms hit the area. Mayora (2-3, two runs scored, stolen base), Gaston Wilsen (1-2, game winning RBI, caught stealing), Federico Ederet (2-2, run scored, RBI), German Sacks (1-2, RBI, hit by pitch, two stolen bases) and Manuel Mata (2-3, stolen base) led Argentina to their first win at the championship. For Japan, who suffers their second loss of the tournament and a huge blow to their chances of locking up a top four finish, Norhiko Aoyama (2-4, double), Koji Ito (0-2, RBI) and Daisuke Kitakoa (1-2, stolen base) were tops. Winning pitcher Nelson Ruiz Diaz went four innings allowing two hits, walking two and fanning three. Starter Mauricio Boss went three innings giving up two runs on three hits, walking two and sitting down three. Losing pitcher Hikaru Matsuda went two and two third innings allowing three runs on six hits, walking one and fanning three. Toshyuki Sakamoto allowed two hits, walking two and striking out two in two and one third innings work. Brian Malkowsky went 4-for-4 with a two-run blast in the third inning, three runs scored and three RBI as Team USA exploded against a young Denmark squad 20-0. Also leading the 3-3 U.S. squad were leadoff man Jason Loe (1-3, run scored, home run, two RBI), Kevin Castillo (2-4, three runs scored, three RBI), Curtis Leavitt (2-2, two runs scored, double, home run, three RBI), Zach Warne (1-2, two runs scored, two RBI, double), third baseman Riley White (2-3, two runs scored, two doubles, three RBI), Evan O’Reilly (1-1, two runs scored, hit by pitch, home run, RBI) and Drew Bode (1-3, two runs scored, triple, two RBI). For Denmark, brothers Valdemar (1-2) and Frederik Brask Terkelsen (1-2) was all the offense for the Danes. Sean Krohse, Kyle Davis and B.J. Hunhoff combined to earn the two-hit shutout win. Krohse went three innings allowing a wlak, a hit and five strikeout while Dasvis pitched two-thirds innings allowing a hit and fanning one. Hunhoff threw two pitches to get the third out in the bottom of the fourth. Losing pitcher Frederik Terkelsen went two innings giving up nine runs on seven hits, walking one and sitting down one. Valdemar Terkelsen went two innings allowing 11 runs on nine hits, wlaking three and striking out two. Ruben Delgadillo (2-2, two stolen bases, two walks, two runs scored) led Mexico in their 11-4 romp of the Czech Republic with a three run blast that was out of the park in a heartbeat during a five-run sixth inning. Gustavo Benitez (2-3, three runs scored, hit by pitch, stolen base, RBI), Wilfredo Castanos (1-2, run scored, RBI, hit by pitch twice) and Johel Pedroza (2-4, run scored, double) were tops at the dish for the 3-3 Mexicans. For the Czech Reopublic, who mounted a two run rally in their half of the sixth only to see Mexico end it with the huge bottom of the sixth, Tomas Benda (2-4, run scored, triple), Svatopluk Smysl (1-2, home run, hit by pitch), Jiri Pospisil (1-2, two RBI, double) and Michal Pyszko (1-2) led the way. Carlos Romero earned the decision going five innings, giving up two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two. Rembrano Cortes went a third of an inning, allowing two runs on no hits, walking one. Sergio de la Rosa pitched two-thirds innings allowing a hit and striking out one in relief. Losing pitcher Stepan Eret went two and two-third innings allowing six runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one. Ondrej Malecek went three innings giving up three hits, five runs, walking two and fanning four. http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

Pat Healey MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

ISF Jr. Men’s World Championship Game-by-Game Recaps

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

ISF Jr. Men’s World Championship Game-by-Game Recaps

NorCal “C”: Nielsen Gamblers Score at Sonora

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball: Nielsen Realty Gamblers Score at Sonora

The Gamblers became the sixth different team to win one of the weekend series. The others were Long Beach Painters, A-1 Tank, Romie’s Angels (they will be going to the Class B Nationals), King Real Estate and the Oroville Braves.

In a highlight game on Saturday, the Santa Rosa Storm, which lost a 9-8 decision to McLaughlin Air in the decisive game of the Stockton National Qualifier, edged McLaughlin 6-5 in a nailbiter as Jim Vargas scattered eight hits to get the win. He hit one, walked three and struck out seven. Vargas also got two hits and drove in two runs and for the tournament he went 10-for-14 and drove in nine runs.

Vancouver Grey Sox Game Summaries from the Rose Cup

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Portland, Ore.

Game 1 Van 9-13-0 Sacramento 0-4-0. W-Rick Smith (12 K’s). Vancouver scored 4 times in the first. Jeff Kawaguchi paced the offence with 3 RBI, Kevin Schellenberg had 2 hits and drew a walk.

Game 2 Pueblo, Col 2-4-0 Van 1-5-0. W-Jeremy Manley, L-Nick Underhill. Vancouver gave up 2 runs in the first 4 innings. Scott Newitt had 2 hits for Vancouver, including a laser-like home run in the 7th.

Game 3 Van 9-10-0 Seattle 0-1-1. WP Rick Smith was the stopper
surrendering only a 2 out single in the fourth and striking out 9. Darin Strang took the loss. Vancouver mercied their opponent on the strength of a six run fourth inning. Dan Whiteford, who blasted a third inning homer, scored 3 runs for the Sox. Newitt, who was perfect at the plate, also took one out of the yard.

Game 4 Van 5-12-0 Boise, Id 0-3-0. W-Underhill. This was the Evan
Potskin show as he laced 4 consecutive balls to the 285 foot barrier. Two went for triples and 2 were caught at the base of a 12′ high fence. Undoubtedly all would have been homers in a regulation size park.

Game 5 Van 12-12-0 Pueblo 0-2-0 W-Smith This was payback time, as the Grey Sox needed only 5 innings to dispose of Pueblo. Newitt homered again as did Ryan Marklinger.

Game 6 (Semi-Final) Van 5-7-2 Broken Bow 3-6-1. W-Underhill, L-Gerald Muizellaar, Piechnik (5). The Bow scored 3 runs with 2 out in the third, with all the damage coming from batters who were facing 2 strike counts. Vancouver had a 4 run fourth, again the scoring all came with two out. Kevin Schellenberg drilled a 3 run homer to put Vancouver ahead by one. In the fifth, Potskin added insurance with a homer. Underhill survived a one-out bases loaded jam in the fifth, and retired the last 8 batters in a row.

Game 7 (Championship Game)
Van 9-10-0 Portland 0-2-2. W-Smith, L-Luster.
Smith struck out the side in the first two innings, and Schellenberg’s 2 run homer in the third launched a 6 run rally in a one-sided final that ended in 5.

Top Pitcher: Rick Smith; MVP: Kevin Schellenberg; All-Stars: Underhill, Whiteford, Potskin, and Newitt.

Grey Sox 2005 record is now 24 wins, 4 losses and 1 tie.

Next up: 2 Doubleheaders in Prince George v. Black Bears, starting at 6:00 p.m., on Friday July 1 and Saturday July 2.

Conrad Margolis,
Vancouver Grey Sox