The River City Rockers won their second game of the day, both playoff games, a 5-0 win over the Palermo Athletics, and advance to the Sweet Sixteen, to play their third playoff game of the day, at 7pm tonight Central time, against the unbeaten Elmira Cubs of Ontario, California. Bryan Newton has not surrendered a run in either playoff game. Earlier this morning, the Rockers eliminated the defending ISC II Champions, TNT of South Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
River City Rockers Win Again, into Sweet 16
August 12th, 2008Lumberking Survive, Advance, into Sweet Sixteen at ISC II Tournament of Champions
August 12th, 2008
The California Lumberkings won their third game against one loss, this one a second round playoff game against a tough Innovative Communications team from Salt Lake City, Utah, 5-4. (The Lumberkings earned a first round bye) Dr. Dave Drotzman came on in relief of Mike Egerdeen to get two strikeouts with the tying run at second base, for the save. The Lumberkings will come back tonight against a well-rested Bridgeport Braves team from Ontario, California. The two teams have met twice previously at the 2006 and 2007 ISC T of C’s with each team getting a win. Rubber Match tonight at 6:30pm central.
Team Rainey Takes on Defending ISC Champs Tonight
August 12th, 2008Team Rainey (1-0) vs. The Farm Tavern, Madison, Wisconsin, 7pm Central time, 5pm on the west coast. The Farm are the reigning ISC World Champs.
So Cal Bombers Win Second Game at ISC WT
August 12th, 2008So Cal Bombers 7, Midland Explorers 0. Bombers now 2-0 at the ISC World Tournament at Kimberly, Wisconsin.
Click here for the box score and play-by-play.
Darren Box keyed a 5 run second for the Bombers with a home run. Robbie O’Brien drove in two runs in the win for the Bombers, with veteran Marty Grant picking up the win. Peeples and Mata also pitched in the contest.
The Bombers will play one of the tournament favorites next, Patsy’s of New York. Patsy’s recently won the ASA Major National Tournament at Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Lumberkings vs. Innovative Communicationns – 2:30 p.m. Central Today
August 12th, 2008Don’t miss this one: (click logo)
Rockers and Rude Pac Win, Advance at ISC II Tournament of Champions
August 12th, 2008The “R”‘s have it.
The River City Rockers eliminated the defending champions, TNT of South Lebanon, Pennsylvania, 8-0, in a 5 inning run-shortened game. The Rockers jumped on pitcher Rob Fawcett for four runs in the first on five hits, added another in the second and put the game away with three more in the third. Rob Penticoff continued to swing a hot bat, going 3 for 4 in the game with 4 RBI, including a two-out, three-run triple to clear the bases in the third inning, that ran the score to 8-0. Pitcher Bryan Newton picked up his third win against one loss.
Rude Pac eliminated Herda & Sons, 2-1, behind the stellar pitching of Greg “Spud” Barker.
Both teams advance in the single elimination contest.
The other two teams from “out west” square off this afternoon, at 2:30pm, the California Lumberkings and Innovative Communications of Salt Lake City, Utah, in a game that will be broadcast on Ballparkradio.com
Bonus Broadcast – Today at 11am Central added TNT, PA vs. River City Rockers
August 12th, 2008Update: This “bonus coverage” broadcast has been confirmed — LOGIN THROUGH THE BLUE BUTTON AT www.ballparkradio.com
11:00 AM – ALTERNATE CHANNEL (tentative) *****
First-round game:
B4 vs G3
South Lebanon TNT vs River City Rockers
Here’s what ISC II Commish Blair Setford had to say about this one:
Setting up the first round of games on Tuesday morning, the best match-up is B4 vs G3 – TNT vs River City Rockers. Either the defending champions, who have struggled at the plate, or the team with one of the top 3 pitchers in the tournament will be headed home after this one. Wow.
Be sure to note – this broadcast on Ballparkradio Channel 2 – “Two on Blue” — look for the blue button at the bottom of www.ballparkradio.com
or right here:
Day 2 at the ISC II – Upsets Abound
August 12th, 2008
Day 2 – Upsets abound
If Day 1 went mostly according script with the higher ranked teams beating the lower ranked teams in their respective pools, then Day 2 will be remembered for some big upsets and shocking results with potentially terminal ramifications for a pair of highly regarded teams.
Top-ranked California LumberKings dropped a 4-2 decision to the lowest ranked team in their pool, Lloydminster Dodgers. That upset would propel the Dodgers to the top seed in Tuesday’s playoff round, giving them a double bye into the third round of the single-elimination bracket.
The LumberKings would recover to spank Memphis Posse Monday night and claim the #2 seed in Pool A and a first round bye. Memphis finishes #3 in Pool A by virtue of their win over Wyevale Tribe who finish at A4. Wyevale knocked off the Dodgers early in the day, but dropped an 8-5 decision to the Posse in the afternoon.
As shocking as the Dodgers win over the LumberKings, another western Canada team tripped up the defending champions South Lebanon TNT. Bulyea Rustlers threw the standings in Pool B into total disarray with a 3-2 win. That left TNT need a win over Sioux Falls Sox to claim the top seed and the double bye. It wasn’t to be.
Sioux Falls rallied from a 1-0 deficit with a game-tying single in the 6th and won it in the 8th on a game-ending double play with a TNT runner called out at the plate. The loss handed the division title to Bridgeport Braves, who had wins over Sioux Falls and Bulyea Monday, while TNT dropped to the #4 seed. Sioux Falls finishes #2 while Bulyea comes in at #3.
In Pool C, the New York Knights made it look relatively easy, finishing 3-0, but it wasn’t quite the cakewalk that it seemed at first glance. The Knights needed extras to put away Rude Pac and for 6 innings clung to a 1-0 lead over Elora Wellington Brewers before prevailing 3-0.
While the Knights get the double bye, it’s Rude Pac in the #2 spot as they rallied for a late 4-3 win over Elora who finished third. Earl’s Club will look to get their offence untracked in the playoff round as they went 0-3 in pool play.
John Rozich belted another pair of titanic home runs yesterday, giving him 4 for the tournament.
In Pool D, Kitchener Outlaws scored a 1-0 win over CPI, scoring the only run in the first inning and making it stand up. The Outlaws get the top seed with their 3-0 record, while CPI finishes 2nd. Pete’s Blues who edged Salt Lake City Innovative Communications, will be the #3 seed with Salt Lake finishing a hard-luck 0-3 will be #4.
In Pool E, the standings were a little cleaner as Ashland Stockpack, with a 7th inning walk-off win over Winterset A’s claimed the top seed. Palermo Athletics finished second at 2-1. Carp 14C Victory is the #3 seed at 1-2 while Winterset is the #4 seed at 0-3.
In Pool F, Elmira continued their imitation of a Mack truck, crushing the opposition. The Cubs have scored 27 runs and have yet to allow a run. Hoffman Rise, with a 2-1 nailbiter win over Black Gold secured the #2 seed and the first round bye. Black Gold comes in at #3 while The Bar of Appleton will be the #4 seed.
In Pool G, the tie-breaker rules were put to the test as Ottawa Team Easton Thunder, River City Rockers and St. Paul ASB Villard all finished with 2-1 records. Ottawa beat Villard Sunday before dropping a 2-1 decision in the bottom of the 7th to River City on Monday, but River City had earlier lost to Villard 3-1.
By virtue of allowing the fewest runs in the games involving the 3 tied teams, Ottawa finishes first and gets the double bye while the win by Villard over River City gave them the #2 seed. River City will have to play 3 games on Tuesday to advance to the Elite Eight with Kelvington PDC Comets getting the #4 seed.
Waterdown Hammer scored only 6 runs in their 3 pool games, but it was enough to win all of them and finish first in Pool H. The Hammer needed 8 innings to edge Chicago Fastpitch 1-0 while Keating’s Fitness scored 3 late runs to beat Herda & Sons 5-2 and nail down the #2 seed. Chicago finishes third in Pool H with Herda & Sons #4.
Setting up the first round of games on Tuesday morning, the best match-up is B4 vs G3 – TNT vs River City Rockers. Either the defending champions, who have struggled at the plate, or the team with one of the top 3 pitchers in the tournament will be headed home after this one. Wow.
The bottom half of the draw looks to be the toughest with the LumberKings, Ottawa, Elmira, New York and Bridgeport all on that side. Whoever comes out of that dog-fight will be battle tested, but will they have enough left for the finals on Wednesday?
Stick around to see – it’s gonna be great!
California Teams Playoff Schedule at ISC II Tournament of Champions
August 12th, 2008Tuesday August 12 – all times are central time
Playoff Bracket
11:00 AM
First-round game:
B4 vs G3
South Lebanon TNT vs River City Rockers
12:30 PM
Second-round game
Winner Gm 49 vs C2 (Rude Pac)
2:30 PM
Second-round game
Winner Gm 53 vs A2 (California LumberKings)
And while we’re talking about teams out west, don’t forget Innovative Communications from Salt Lake City Utah !
10:30 AM
First-round game:
D4 vs E3
Carp I4C Victory vs Salt Lake City Innovative Communications
Editor’s notes: Three of the four games are slated for broadcast on Ballparkradio.com, with the River City Rockers a “tentative” broadcast. The original broadcast schedule did not have that one slated for air time, but the Commish is working on a “bonus” broadcast, in our efforts to bring you as much of the action as possible. The Rockers finished 2-1, but are a “3” seed by virtue of a three-way tie and formula based on runs allowed — just one run separated each of the three teams. Their first round opponent? The defending ISC II Champions, TNT from South Lebanon, PA, who fell to a “4” seed after two losses last night, including a nightcap loss to South Dakota, with a runner-thrown out at the plate on a game ending double play !
Here’s how ISC II Commissioner Blair Setford describes the Rocker’s game against the defending champs:
Setting up the first round of games on Tuesday morning, the best match-up is B4 vs G3 – TNT vs River City Rockers. Either the defending champions, who have struggled at the plate, or the team with one of the top 3 pitchers in the tournament will be headed home after this one. Wow.
Let the Playoffs Begin !
August 12th, 2008After two days of pool play, the ISC II Tournament of Champions moves into the playoff round today. All 32 teams make the playoff round, but with pool play results determining seeding. Pool winners earn a double bye, pool runner-ups earn a single bye and the rest slug it out.
Click the logo below for the links to the playoff information.