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batted balls · 07-04-2006, 09:22 PM

September 21, 2006

Bristol, Conn.--Back-to-back clutch performances have all but sealed the All-American Baseball League East title for Ivy.

"Miami gave us a strong challenge, but we were up to the task," said Ivy manager Bob Seddon after his Eagles took three of four games in a home series to reduce Ivy's magic number to three.

The Eagles, 98-56, hold a six-game lead over Miami. After the two teams split a pair of games in Miami, the Hurricanes took game one of the series at Eagle Nest Park. The opening victory pulled Miami to within three games of first-place Ivy. Moreover, the Hurricanes had ace Alex Fernandez on the mound for game two in Bristol.

"If we lose to Alex, then our lead is down to two," said Seddon. "Who knows what happens then."

What did happen was an Ivy uprising. Lou Gehrig went 3-for-5 including his East-leading 20th home run as the Eagles pounded Fernandez and the Hurricanes 7-1.

"Lou came up big for us," Seddon said of his All-Star slugger who also collected his East-leading 40th double in the game.

Gehrig was a hero again the next night. The Eagle first baseman delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth off emergency reliever Neal Heaton as the Eagles triumphed 8-7. Miami manager Ron Fraser brought Heaton, normally a starter, in to face Gehrig with the bases loaded and only one out.

"I played the lefty vs. lefty percentage and lost," said Fraser.

The series finale saw Ivy race to an 8-0 lead and then hang on for an 8-5 win. Recent minor-league call-up Chris Young came out of the bullpen when Eagle closer Dave Sisler faltered in the ninth. Young got Pat Burrell to hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded. It was Young's first career save.

"Chris came through in a very tough situation," said Seddon.

With just six regular-season games to play, Ivy is on the verge of a College World Series showdown with Arizona State.

Diamond Notes: Will Clark of Mississippi State has taken control of the East batting race. Clark--a .369 hitter this month--is batting .325, seven points higher than Cap Anson of Notre Dame . . . Pitcher Carl Lundgren of Illinois is the East Player of the Week . . . Florida State closer Craig Skok recorded his 41st save Sept. 21 in a win over Minnesota . . . Ivy's Sam Mele leads the RBI race by one over teammate Lou Gehrig (112-111) . . . Mississippi State stopper Bobby Thigpen has a sore shoulder and may miss the remainder of the season. Thigpen has 27 saves with a 1.92 ERA . . . After winning his first two games and allowing just one run, Mississippi State pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was battered for five runs and 11 hits in a loss to Florida State . . . Recent minor league call-up Chris Young of Ivy has allowed just one hit in 5.1 innings. Young (shown below) has struck out two batters. Should the Eagles clinch the East title, Young may be added to the College World Series roster.

Stat of the Week: Ivy won the season series with Miami 12-9.

Standings
Ivy 98-56 -- Magic Number 3
Miami 92-62 -6
Illinois 91-62 -7
Florida State 84-70 -14
Mississippi State 82-72 -16
Michigan 73-81 -25
LSU 66-81 -32
Notre Dame 65-89 -33
Minnesota 64-90 -34
Michigan State 55-99 -43

07-04-2006, 09:22 PM	#131 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Posion Ivy: Eagles Trip Miami to Reduce Magic Number to Three September 21, 2006 Bristol, Conn.--Back-to-back clutch performances have all but sealed the All-American Baseball League East title for Ivy. "Miami gave us a strong challenge, but we were up to the task," said Ivy manager Bob Seddon after his Eagles took three of four games in a home series to reduce Ivy's magic number to three. The Eagles, 98-56, hold a six-game lead over Miami. After the two teams split a pair of games in Miami, the Hurricanes took game one of the series at Eagle Nest Park. The opening victory pulled Miami to within three games of first-place Ivy. Moreover, the Hurricanes had ace Alex Fernandez on the mound for game two in Bristol. "If we lose to Alex, then our lead is down to two," said Seddon. "Who knows what happens then." What did happen was an Ivy uprising. Lou Gehrig went 3-for-5 including his East-leading 20th home run as the Eagles pounded Fernandez and the Hurricanes 7-1. "Lou came up big for us," Seddon said of his All-Star slugger who also collected his East-leading 40th double in the game. Gehrig was a hero again the next night. The Eagle first baseman delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth off emergency reliever Neal Heaton as the Eagles triumphed 8-7. Miami manager Ron Fraser brought Heaton, normally a starter, in to face Gehrig with the bases loaded and only one out. "I played the lefty vs. lefty percentage and lost," said Fraser. The series finale saw Ivy race to an 8-0 lead and then hang on for an 8-5 win. Recent minor-league call-up Chris Young came out of the bullpen when Eagle closer Dave Sisler faltered in the ninth. Young got Pat Burrell to hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded. It was Young's first career save. "Chris came through in a very tough situation," said Seddon. With just six regular-season games to play, Ivy is on the verge of a College World Series showdown with Arizona State. Diamond Notes: Will Clark of Mississippi State has taken control of the East batting race. Clark--a .369 hitter this month--is batting .325, seven points higher than Cap Anson of Notre Dame . . . Pitcher Carl Lundgren of Illinois is the East Player of the Week . . . Florida State closer Craig Skok recorded his 41st save Sept. 21 in a win over Minnesota . . . Ivy's Sam Mele leads the RBI race by one over teammate Lou Gehrig (112-111) . . . Mississippi State stopper Bobby Thigpen has a sore shoulder and may miss the remainder of the season. Thigpen has 27 saves with a 1.92 ERA . . . After winning his first two games and allowing just one run, Mississippi State pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was battered for five runs and 11 hits in a loss to Florida State . . . Recent minor league call-up Chris Young of Ivy has allowed just one hit in 5.1 innings. Young (shown below) has struck out two batters. Should the Eagles clinch the East title, Young may be added to the College World Series roster. Stat of the Week: Ivy won the season series with Miami 12-9. Standings Ivy 98-56 -- Magic Number 3 Miami 92-62 -6 Illinois 91-62 -7 Florida State 84-70 -14 Mississippi State 82-72 -16 Michigan 73-81 -25 LSU 66-81 -32 Notre Dame 65-89 -33 Minnesota 64-90 -34 Michigan State 55-99 -43 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-05-2006 at 06:59 PM.