July 1, 1907
Code:
FLL STANDINGS W L PCT GB
Seneca Falls 55 29 .655 --
Waterloo 42 42 .500 13
Watkins Glen 41 43 .488 14
Canandaigua 38 46 .452 17
Geneva 38 46 .452 17
Penn Yan 38 46 .452 17
Who let the Dogs out?
The
Seneca Falls Sheepdogs are running wild through the first half of the 1907 Finger Lakes League season. Surprisngly, they've done it while their best pitcher has spent most of the season on the sidelines.
Back spasms forced ace southpaw
Dennis Williams out of action in late April, and he only returned last week. Upon his return, he did some real damage with his bat, going 4-5 and driving in the winning run in a 7-6 victory over Waterloo.
In Williams' absence, rookie
Roger Hopkins (13-3, 1.45) and hulking
Jordan Coleman (12-5, 2.51) have emerged as stars. The excellence of Hopkins, considered a prize prospect, is less surprising than that of the well-traveled Coleman, now working for his third team. The Sheepdogs offense, featuring CF
Ryan Hill (.353) and C
Ramon Morales (.306-6-36) has been productive, if not spectacular.
The other five teams are scrambling hard for a playoff spot behind the Sheepdogs. Right now, the surprising
Waterloo Finches hold a slight advantage, powered by the blazing .362 bat of
Fernando Molina and the steady production and dazzling defense of RF
Duane Blackburn (.296-1-32).
Ernesto Santos, with 13 wins, leads a solid pitching staff.
Other players who are putting together fine seasons include the
Penn Yan outfield duo of
Mike Young (.348, 39 RBI) and
Francisco Rivera (.326, 26 RBI) and
Watkins Glen flychasing pair RF
Neil Byers (.319-2-43) and LF
Ken Johnston (.318-2-35). Byers homered and drove in five run against Waterloo on May 12.
The year's best-pitched game to date belongs to crafty
Watkins Glen lefthander
Howard Ross, who shut out Penn Yan on two hits on May 13, striking out five without issuing a walk.
Will Seneca Falls continue to dominate the league? Can Waterloo hold on to second place? If they can't, which contender will take the spot from them?
We'll see...