[EMSoccerCoach]

September 8-September 14, 2014

Northern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Heroes	86	56	.606	-
Louisville Racers	71	71	.500	15.0
Charlotte Cougars	69	73	.486	17.0
Boston Riders	66	76	.465	20.0
Philadelphia Ringers	66	76	.465	20.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Chicago Hitmen	93	49	.655	-
Sacramento Stingers	79	63	.556	14.0
Wichita Brigade	76	66	.535	17.0
Indianapolis Engines	66	76	.465	27.0
Milwaukee Bangers	39	103	.275	54.0

Southern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
New Orleans Knights	92	50	.648	-
Memphis Strummers	80	62	.563	12.0
Orlando Orcas	78	64	.549	14.0
Alabama Airmen	74	68	.521	18.0
St. Louis Tides	58	84	.408	34.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Arizona Sandmen	83	59	.585	-
San Antonio Sheriffs	70	72	.493	13.0
Los Angeles Idols	67	75	.472	16.0
Las Vegas Bosses	63	79	.444	20.0
Oklahoma City Scorpions	44	98	.310	39.0

Paul Hines Suffers Injury
Tuesday, September 9th, 2014: Charlotte fans will be disappointed to learn that Paul Hines suffered a hamstring strain while making a defensive play in today's game. After the doctor informed the Charlotte Cougars manager that Hines was expected to miss 2 weeks, the manager told the press that the rest of the team would have to step up their play until the center fielder could return. "You can't make excuses in baseball, because there's always a game tomorrow," said the team's skipper.

Hines is hitting .270 this season with 22 home runs, 89 RBIs and 64 runs scored. He has 132 hits in 489 at-bats.

Cardenal Belts Bunch of Base Hits
Tuesday, September 9th, 2014: Jose Cardenal was on quite a roll today as he knocked the ball all over the park, collecting 5 hits and leading the Hitmen to a 8-7 victory over the Charlotte Cougars.

After the first three hits, all eyes in the ballpark were drawn to him each time he stepped into the batter's box. Even a few of the opposing fans were pulling for him, knowing they were watching a little baseball-hitting history unfold.

In the clubhouse, crowded by reporters, the Chicago center fielder said, "I never realized that batting a little ball around could cause so much commotion." When asked what the secret of hitting so well is, he smiled and replied, "The key to hitting for a high average is to relax, concentrate and hit the ball where they ain't."

Nobody was at home today as Cardenal finished the day with 5 hits in 5 at-bats and a line in the record book.

Cardenal singled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, hit an RBI double in the 6th and singled in the 8th.

So far this season Cardenal is batting .283 with 5 home runs, 43 RBIs and 36 runs scored. He has 86 hits in 304 at-bats, 24 walks and a .332 OBP. Cardenal has played in 92 games.

Gibbons Boosts Hit Streak to 20 Games
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014: At Battalion Ballpark today WichitaJay Gibbons stretched his consecutive-game hitting streak to 20 games with 1 hit against the Boston Riders. However, the Brigade came up short on the scoreboard and lost the game 8-2.

Gibbons grounded out in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 3rd, walked in the 6th and grounded out in the 9th.

Thus far this season Gibbons is hitting .297 with 32 home runs, 134 RBIs and 91 runs scored. He has 156 hits in 526 at-bats and has played in 137 games.

Alexander Holds Idols Scoreless
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014: The Orcas bested the Idols 3-0 behind the 6-hit pitching of Pete Alexander. The Orlando hurler had 6 strikeouts and 1 walk in going the distance.

In 25 starts this season Alexander has rung up a 10-10 record and a 3.80 ERA.

Sacramento Halts Gibbons's Hitting Steak
Friday, September 12th, 2014: Jay Gibbons saw his 20-game hitting streak wither and die today during the Brigade 6-3 victory over Sacramento at Pathfinders Ballpark. The 29-year-old first baseman was held hitless in 1 at-bat by Stingers, but his Wichita teammates produced enough offense to garner the win.

Talking to reporters after the game, Gibbons was upbeat. "Am I disappointed about the hit streak? Maybe, just a little bit. How could you be unhappy after you have hit in 20 straight games? I'm just glad it lasted as long as it did. And I am really happy that we won another ballgame today. Life is good."

For the year Gibbons has hit at a .296 clip with 134 RBIs, 32 home runs and 91 runs scored.

Sandmen Blank Los Angeles, Leonard Winner
Friday, September 12th, 2014: Dutch Leonard effectively shut down the Idols today, blanking them 4-0 on 5 hits, ringing up 9 strikeouts and allowing no walks. The Sandmen pitcher appeared to get stronger as the game went on.

"I don't know if I was getting any stronger," Leonard said after the game, "I feel like my mechanics were getting better. I was able to make some adjustments and get a little more comfortable out there."

The Idols skipper said, "We had some opportunities, but weren't able to execute. We just didn't swing the bats very well today."

To date this season, Leonard has registered 29 starts, 18-6 won-lost mark, 2.80 ERA, 224.2 IP, 154 strikeouts and 71 walks. Opposing teams have hit .219 against him.

Strummers Lackey Blanks Alabama
Saturday, September 13th, 2014: Today at The Air Field John LackeyAlabama batters on 4 hits en route to a 6-0 shutout.

"He was able to keep hitters off balance and got the ball down," said the Strummers skipper about his starter's performance.

Lackey had 4 strikeouts and 1 walk in the game.

Up to now Lackey has compiled an ERA of 3.98 with a 11-11 mark over 27 starts. He has 106 strikeouts in 206 innings and has held opponents to a .276 batting average.

Hits Blitz for Tides Granderson
Saturday, September 13th, 2014: St. Louis center fielder Curtis GrandersonLas Vegas pitchers and hitting for the cycle. He sparked the Tides to a 10-9 triumph over the Bosses by going 4-5 with 2 RBI and scoring 3 runs.

Granderson hit an RBI double in the 2nd, singled in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off Christy Mathewson in the 5th, tripled in the 7th and struck out in the 9th.

For the season, Granderson is hitting at a .287 clip with 8 home runs, 44 RBIs and has scored 35 runs. He has 78 hits, 15 walks and a .323 on-base percentage.

	Bad News for New York, Drake Injured Sunday, September 14th, 2014: Heroes starting pitcher Bill Drake was hurt throwing a pitch during today's Racers game and suffered a dead arm. He will be laid up about 6 days. To date this year in 17 starts, Drake has crafted a 12-6 mark with a 3.26 ERA.

Carty's Hit Streak Soars to 25 Games
Sunday, September 14th, 2014: Rico Carty, left fielder for the Philadelphia Ringers, ran his consecutive-game hitting streak to 25 games with 2 hits in his club's 2-1 victory today over the Indianapolis Engines at Liberty Field.
R. Carty struck out in the 1st, singled in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th and singled in the 9th.

In 68 games this year Carty has posted a .352 average and put up these numbers: 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 38 runs scored.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NL Awards Player of the Week Trophy
Monday, September 15th, 2014: At the age of 27, Heinie Peitz might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The Louisville catcher put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .556 batting average. For his efforts Peitz collected the Northern League Player of the Week Award.

He racked up 10 hits in 18 at-bats, 2 home runs and 3 RBIs last week in 5 games.

This year Peitz is hitting .239 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 125 games played. He also boasts an OBP of .293 with 32 walks and 57 runs scored.

Beckley Takes This Week's Trophy
Monday, September 15th, 2014: His hard work and hustle paid off this week. The hard-working and hard-playing Jake Beckley was rewarded with the Southern League Player of the Week honors.

The scrappy New Orleans Knights first baseman hit .632 while collecting 12 hits in 19 at-bats, 2 home runs and 8 RBIs.

This season Beckley has hit at a .326 clip and produced 96 RBI, 24 home runs and 87 runs.