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Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 30 - October 9, 1972

The Flyers lead the Confederate Series three games to one and can clinch their second championship in five years with another win: either today in San Antonio, or Wednesday or Thursday at State Fair Park.


Last Week's Results

Oct 2 - OFF

The Flyers are ten players over the playoff roster limit of twenty-five, so RP Dave Elliot, RP Bob Lamb, RP Chad Williams and SS Henry McKie are designated for assignment, while SP Gerald Bonham, SP Christopher Horan, C Gary Armitage, 1B Steve Brown, 3B Troy Shaughnessy and LF Rudy Olson are all sent back to AAA Winston-Salem.

Oct 3 - OFF

Oct 4 - vs SAN - L 3-4

An error at first by Darrel Robinson leads to a three-run Missions 7th as San Antonio comes back to win Game 1. Relieving Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) with a 3-1 lead to begin the 7th, Oscar Matthews (0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H) gives up a single before Robinson muffs a grounder to put two on with no outs. Johnny Westerman (1/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER) induces an out at third on the attempted sacrifice, then Kevin Hodgkins allows a walk to load the bases. After a pop out, Missions SS Dave Mikel hits a double down the left field line, scoring three to give San Antonio the win. Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the bottom of the 7th for arguing balls and strikes, but the Flyers' lineup cannot solve Raymond Melton (2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) and Tim Lesley (SV, 1, 1 IP, 1 H). John Trull hits 2 for 3 in the losing effort.

L - Hodgkins (0-1)

Oct 5 - vs SAN - W 6-2

Keith Becker (1/3 IP, 1 K) starts the game with a three-pitch strikeout, then leaves the field with back spasms that will end his season. Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K) is pressed into action and comes out blazing, even hitting a two-run single in the 6th. Alan Bruns also drives in two on a 2 for 4 night.

W - Frazier (1-0)

In other news, SS Henry McKie is claimed on waivers by Atlanta.

Oct 6 - OFF

Oct 7 - at SAN - W 8-5

Eight hits, including five doubles, lead to a six-run Flyers 1st that sets the club on their way to a 2-1 series lead. Paul LaFontaine (2 for 4) drives in two, while John Swanson (2 for 5, R) hits a pair of doubles on the night. Justin Randolph (5 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) is pounded hard but gets the win, thanks to the relief corps of Rafferty (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 K), Matthews (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K), Westerman (0 IP, 1 H), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 BB), who earns his third postseason save.

W - Randolph (1-0)
SV - Bingham (1)

Oct 8 - at SAN - W 3-2 (10)

Getting an unexpected start due to Becker's injury, Ken Green (9 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K) makes the most of it, but it takes a pinch-hit two-run double by Dave Snow with two out in the top of the 10th to secure the victory. Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) puts two on with two out before picking up the save.

W - Green (1-0)
SV - Bingham (2)
HR - Trull (1)

Playoffs: 3 - 1


Who's Hot

Dale Francis
Last 5 games: 6-13 (.462), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Tom VanWinkle
Last 5 games: 5-16 (.313), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.50 ERA, 18 IP

Ken Green
Last 3 games: 2-0, 2.70 ERA, 20 IP

Who's Not

Clark Davidson
Last 5 games: 3-20 (.150), 0 HR, 0 RBI

John Swanson
Last 5 games: 3-20 (.150), 1 HR, 1 RBI


The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

I never would have guessed that I would get ejected from a playoff game... but two bad strike 3 calls in a row was more than I could take...

Apparently, the injury bug wasn't done with us yet... but so far, losing Becker hasn't hurt us too badly as both Frazier and Green have done very well...

VanWinkle has also been surprisingly effective with the bat... You could consider him a front-runner for Confederate Series MVP at this point...

Hopefully, we won't be seeing you at State Fair Park next week... but either way, wish us luck!