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Eugene Church · 06-22-2009, 05:42 PM

The Islandian Times

March 9, 2004

Ozarka Could Be Playoff Team Again in TU East

The Ozarka Naturals are not as good as the top teams in the TU East, but they are better than the bottom teams. The Nats under skipper Joe Mac Carney have finished fifth twice with 70-80 and 77-78 marks, while last season they managed to break .500 with a 78-76 record and made the Pro Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the First Round of the playoffs the Nats were eliminated by the TU East titlists, Red Bluff.

In the preseason polls Ozarka is usually rated fourth or fifth. The Naturals are about even with the South Fork Stallions and will have to beat them out for the last playoff position like they did last year. Ozarka edged out the Stallions by one game on the last day of the regular season.

Carney's club has improved over the winter with the addition of a quality pitcher in righthander Karl Kleinert and a power-hitting, good-fielding 3B Nathan Ferrell, both rookies. Kleinert will get a shot at the #4 starter slot, while Ferrell will split time with last year's regular Ray Robinson. An outstanding gloveman, switch-hitting Gil Lantz, is back at second base after being released in 2002 for poor hitting. Lantz will be the fulltime second sacker.

Best Pitchers: Pat Schwartz (22-9 3.54) and closer Dayle Claypoole (6-2 2.16) with 6 saves in 36 games.

Best Batters: Gold Glove CF Kermit Wiggins (.342 BA/3 HR/67 RBI/107 R/71 SB), SS Duffy Douglas (.290 BA/13 HR/90 RBI/88 R/18 SB)

06-22-2009, 05:42 PM	#1040 (permalink)
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 17,080 Thanks: 100 Thanked 100x in 52 posts	The Islandian Times March 9, 2004 Ozarka Could Be Playoff Team Again in TU East The Ozarka Naturals are not as good as the top teams in the TU East, but they are better than the bottom teams. The Nats under skipper Joe Mac Carney have finished fifth twice with 70-80 and 77-78 marks, while last season they managed to break .500 with a 78-76 record and made the Pro Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the First Round of the playoffs the Nats were eliminated by the TU East titlists, Red Bluff. In the preseason polls Ozarka is usually rated fourth or fifth. The Naturals are about even with the South Fork Stallions and will have to beat them out for the last playoff position like they did last year. Ozarka edged out the Stallions by one game on the last day of the regular season. Carney's club has improved over the winter with the addition of a quality pitcher in righthander Karl Kleinert and a power-hitting, good-fielding 3B Nathan Ferrell, both rookies. Kleinert will get a shot at the #4 starter slot, while Ferrell will split time with last year's regular Ray Robinson. An outstanding gloveman, switch-hitting Gil Lantz, is back at second base after being released in 2002 for poor hitting. Lantz will be the fulltime second sacker. Best Pitchers: Pat Schwartz (22-9 3.54) and closer Dayle Claypoole (6-2 2.16) with 6 saves in 36 games. Best Batters: Gold Glove CF Kermit Wiggins (.342 BA/3 HR/67 RBI/107 R/71 SB), SS Duffy Douglas (.290 BA/13 HR/90 RBI/88 R/18 SB)