From the Mitchell Advocate
Need to keep clicking in all facets of game to have a shot at title, coach says
By Andy Bader
Wednesday August 08, 2007
The Mitchell Mets have two final tune-up games prior to the start of the International Softball Congress (ISC) II Tournament of Champions tournament in Kitchener and Cambridge next week – and they hope to better last year’s finish.
The Mets, 5-1 losers to the Shakespeare Falcons last Wednesday (who are also entered in the T of C), host Linwood tonight (Wednesday) before a re-match is set with the Falcons this Saturday in Shakespeare.
The games will be solid tests, as both the 86ers and Falcons are also in the T of C, along with five other South Perth Men’s Fastball League (SPMFL) squads, including the defending champions from Tavistock.
But coach Bob Ward is confident that the club, as long as they continue to hit the ball and play as well as they have this season, will fare out fine at the T of C.
“I think we have a good shot at it – our pitching is going to be there, definitely our defence and we hit the ball,†he said last week. “You’ve got to hit the ball – if you don’t in this tournament, you’re in trouble.â€
The Mets have averaged more than six runs per league game this season, and although it’s doubtful they won’t amass such offense against top quality teams at the T of C, look for their offense to carry them.
Veterans Jeff Pauli, his brother Dennis, Kevin Gettler, Kevin Quipp and Darryl Eidt have hit the ball well most of the season for the Mets, and with steady contributions from centerfielder A.J. Moses, catcher Matt McGill and second baseman Joe Harris, the club looks to continue to put the ball in play and make things happen offensively.
“I’d say our top six batters have been as good as anybody in the league,†Ward said. “ And the guys we’ve picked up are going to help out, too. It may be difficult to work guys in, but depth will be an asset. It’s going to be nice for the puposes of when we do get into some tight games, we’ve got some bench that you can throw a guy in to run.â€
The Mets bolstered their lineup with two members of the Mitchell Jr. Chiefs, middle infielders Scott Lealess and Kevin Ward, as well as outfielder Scott Kemp and pitcher Jeff Smith from the Monkton Muskrats.
Kevin Pomfret is the Mets’ ace, and is rounding into form, although he did suffer the loss to the Falcons last week. He struck out 12 in the complete-game, but was hurt by his defence, normally a strong part of the Mets’ game.
Ward agreed that defence is a key element of the game, and in their loss to the Falcons, they made some errors early which led to two unearned early runs.
“If you make the other team earn every run they get, it’s a lot easier on us,†he said.
Also expecting some pitching duty is Garnet Kraemer, Jeff Pauli, Kevin Gettler and Smith. Others on the team include outfielders Mark Bye and Kory Dietz and infielder Daryl O’Connell.
The club opens the 35-team tournament (seven pools of five teams each) next Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. against Glencoe at Budd Park in Kitchener. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the Mets will take on Ottawa Valley at Riverside Park in Cambridge at 3:30 p.m., and conclude the round-robin Thursday, Aug. 16, against Palermo (last year’s runner-up), at 11:30 a.m., at Riverside, and again at 4:30 p.m., also at Riverside, when they take on South Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Playoffs, if the Mets qualify, will take place Friday with the final set for Saturday as part of the ISC World Championship final.
Last year, the Mets went 3-1 in their division and won their pool, but dropped their first playoff game to Ashland, Ohio.
Other SPMFL teams to participate other than those already mentioned include the host Bridgeport Braves, Hickson Reds, Wellington Brewers and Harriston Mercurys.
Against the Falcons in their loss last week, Jeff Pauli’s RBI-single was one of four hits yielded by Shakespeare pitcher Fred Follings, who struck out 11. Moses hit a single and walked twice, while Quipp legged out a double.