The California Taylor Farm A’s run at the 2009 ISC World Tournament came to an end late Wednesday evening, with a 7-0 loss to the Midland Explorers from Michigan. It was the second time that Michigan beat the A’s, having sent them to the loser’s bracket in their open game. The first time around, the # 20 ranked A’s nearly upset the # 10 ranked Michigan, taking a 4-1 lead into the 7th inning before Michigan rallied for 4 in the 7th to beat them.
Wednesday night, the game was not nearly as close. Michigan scored three in the first inning, with a home run from ISC veteran Todd Schultz. The game was then suspended due to a torrential downpour. Play finally resume hours later, but the California squad could not must much in the way of offense, with just four hits, one each by veterans Todd Budke and Eddie Martin, and the kids, Marcus Tan and Kevin Castillo. Argentine Sebastian Gervesutti took the loss, finishing 2-2 in the top flite tournament.
Budke and Martin had solid tournaments for the A’s, whose only losses were to higher ranked teams (# 10 Michigan and # 11 Dominican Republic, both of who are still alive in the tournament), while knocking off two higher ranked opponents, #17 Quad City Sox, IA and #14 ranked Dolan & Murphy, IL. It was the first ISC World Tournament for the Salinas squad which finished with a 2-3 record, after an 0-2 start.
The ISC World Tournament heads into its final two days, with the championship game slated for 7pm on Friday. Most of the remaining games in the tournament will be telecast on Ballparkradio.TV, starting with a 3pm CDT broadcast that will kick off a string of eight broadcasts in two days.
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