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EMSoccerCoach · 11-04-2009, 07:01 PM

Pastime Baseball League

PENNANT WATCH!
Oct. 1, 2011

First to the Finish

Heroes pummel Racers 15-4 in decisive, if anti-climactic, end to race

NEW YORK -- In horse racing parlance, the Louisville Racers simply ran out of gas down the stretch.

What was a neck and neck battle all season long seemed set for a match race of sorts - four games between New York and Louisville for the division crown. And for the first three games of the duel, the Heroes were Secretariat. Louisville broke down.

The New York Heroes won their third consecutive Northern League East Division crown with a 15-4 drubbing of the Racers last night, winning behind last year's Outstanding Pitcher runner-up Bill Byrd.

Louisville sent Nig Cuppy out in a must win, and it was a move that baffled many. For Cuppy posted a 7.85 ERA in September, going 1-5. But Louisville's options were limited, particularly with Roy Oswalt shelved. So Cuppy came out with a season's pressure on his shoulder. It ultimately would bury him.

New York scored a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI double from Roger Connor. But it was the second - in which they scored six runs, including a three-run homer by Jesse Burkett - that not only knocked Cuppy off the hill, but served to knock the Racers' hopes of the postseason out of their heads.

Billy Southworth doubled home a run in the third and scored on a Herman Long single. The Racers had scored one in the top of the second, so at this point had narrowed the score to 7-3. That's as close as it got.

New York added a run in the third, a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth to go up 12-4 and never look back.

Connor and Burkett each drove in four runs, and every starter had a hit. Tomorrow's season finale now stands as a formality.

Would Oswalt have made a difference for Louisville?

"Doesn't matter," manager Ned Hanlon said afterward. "That wasn't an option."

And so it stands as it has since the PBL's began three years ago: Wichita and New York for the Northern League title. Wichita won the series, and the championship, in 2009. New York ousted Wichita last season before losing the PBL Championship to New Orleans. Wichita wants their title back. New York wants their first.

It begins here in New York Tuesday night.

11-04-2009, 07:01 PM	#467 (permalink)
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,440 Thanks: 34 Thanked 104x in 88 posts	*Pastime Baseball League* *PENNANT WATCH!* Oct. 1, 2011 First to the Finish Heroes pummel Racers 15-4 in decisive, if anti-climactic, end to race NEW YORK -- In horse racing parlance, the Louisville Racers simply ran out of gas down the stretch. What was a neck and neck battle all season long seemed set for a match race of sorts - four games between New York and Louisville for the division crown. And for the first three games of the duel, the Heroes were Secretariat. Louisville broke down. The New York Heroes won their third consecutive Northern League East Division crown with a 15-4 drubbing of the Racers last night, winning behind last year's Outstanding Pitcher runner-up Bill Byrd. Louisville sent Nig Cuppy out in a must win, and it was a move that baffled many. For Cuppy posted a 7.85 ERA in September, going 1-5. But Louisville's options were limited, particularly with Roy Oswalt shelved. So Cuppy came out with a season's pressure on his shoulder. It ultimately would bury him. New York scored a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI double from Roger Connor. But it was the second - in which they scored six runs, including a three-run homer by Jesse Burkett - that not only knocked Cuppy off the hill, but served to knock the Racers' hopes of the postseason out of their heads. Billy Southworth doubled home a run in the third and scored on a Herman Long single. The Racers had scored one in the top of the second, so at this point had narrowed the score to 7-3. That's as close as it got. New York added a run in the third, a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth to go up 12-4 and never look back. Connor and Burkett each drove in four runs, and every starter had a hit. Tomorrow's season finale now stands as a formality. Would Oswalt have made a difference for Louisville? "Doesn't matter," manager Ned Hanlon said afterward. "That wasn't an option." And so it stands as it has since the PBL's began three years ago: Wichita and New York for the Northern League title. Wichita won the series, and the championship, in 2009. New York ousted Wichita last season before losing the PBL Championship to New Orleans. Wichita wants their title back. New York wants their first. It begins here in New York Tuesday night. __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association