Walk-Off Win Pushes Selects Past Sox
With the season on the line, the Selects came up with some stellar defence and an outstanding 12 strikeout performance from Doug Hoffman to walk away with the 1-0 victory on Monday night, vaulting them past the Black Sox and onto the semi finals.
It took eight innings and a masterful final three from Doug Hoffman but the Selects got their revenge for the Game 2 walk-off defeat.
A big scare in the fifth - bases loaded, one out - was thwarted by a diving grab into shallow right field by Kevin Ryrie and a Hoffman strikeout.
Following that ordeal Hoffman buckled down retiring the next nine batters he faced, striking out seven of them.
This allowed the Selects a shot in the eigth inning which they jumped all over. An infield single by Brad Cleasby moved the runner, Reed Laughlin, over to third base. Mike Brown then took a pitch in the right arm to load the bases. Ryrie then stepped up and hit a high chopper to third base which allowed Laughlin to score before any play could be made.
Selects now get ready to face the Diamond Jaxx in the semi finals. Series starts Thursday at 9:00. |
Pitching Duel Right to the End
It was a pitching duel right from the start. Doug Hoffman and Larry Cox locked horns from the first pitch of the game and allowed just one run between them.
Unfortunately for the Selects, it was the Black Sox who scored, in the bottom of the seventh that ended the game.
The Selects got their opportunities throughout the game but were unable to cash.
IT all came down to the bottom of the seventh, runners on second and third with one out when a fly ball to right field plated the Black Sox runner who had tagged from third, thus ending the Selects' impressive run of 12 games without a defeat.
The Selects and Black Sox meet on "must win Monday" to decide who goes on to the semis on Thursday.
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Early Runs Lead Selects Over Sox
The Selects began the 2009 KFL Playoffs the same way they finished the regular season... with victory. The Selects defeated their first round opponent, the Black Sox, 6-3 in game one of the series.
Walks by Kevin Ryrie and Jamie Hickling followed by an RBI double and 2 RBI single by Glen Hall and Dan Clark vaulted the Selects ahead of the Black Sox just one inning into the game.
They added two more runs in the second to take a commanding 6-1 lead.
The Sox countered with a run in each of the third and fith innings but could muster no more as they Selects went on to the 6-3 victory.
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First Place Secured With 5-3 Win
The bats stayed hot for the Selects (13-3-3) in a huge 5-3 victory over the Kings on Tuesday night, securing top spot in the KFL for the first time in team history.
After a short rain during warm-ups, the game got underway and within minutes of it's start, Kevin Ryrie had scored. Ryrie grounded to the shortstop, forcing a quick throw that went wide. He then went from first to third on the overthrow, and while sliding into third, the ball was one again thrown past the Kings' fielder and Kevin took home.
One inning later Scott Clark took one for the team, taking a pitch in the right shin. Dan Fogal sacraficed him over to second and Brad Cleasby hit a hard single through the left side to cash Clark, making it 2-0.
The game remained that way until the top of the sixth when the Selects collected three runs on four hits, including a RBI double from Cleasby and a 2 RBI single from Mike Brown, giving the Selects a 5-0 lead.
The Kings answered in the bottom of the seventh scoring three of their own runs and threatening for more. However, as it has gone all season, timely pitching and steallar defence maintained the two-run lead giving the Selects their best regular season finish in team history.
Game MVP: Scott Clark |
Two Long Balls, Bats Power Selects To Win
Jamie Hickling and Scott Clark both went deep for the Selects in a one-sided 18-0 affair at Budd Park on Thursday night.
The Selects collected 16 hits in just three innings of play as they put up their best offensive showing in the team's recent history.
Rod Fevreau had everything in his arsenal working as he pitched three strong innings of perfect ball, not allowing a single base-runner.
The Selects will finish off the regular season on Tuesday night when they take on the Kings at 7:00 PM.
Game MVP: Jamie Hickling |
Victory Pushes Selects Into First
The Selects secured first place in the KFL with a nailbitting 3-2 victory over the Reds on Monday night.
Scoreless until the fourth, the Reds struck first scoring Jason Farrelly from third base on a sacrafice fly to left field.
The Selects threatened but didn't plate a run until the top of the sixth when, with runners on second and third and two out, Dan Clark stepped up and ripped a single past the outstretched glove of the Reds' first baseman scoring two runs and putting the Selects up 2-1.
After holding the Reds in the sixth, the Selects managed an insurance run in the top of seven to go up 3-1.
With just half an inning to play, the Reds were able to manufacture a run in the bottom of the seventh to bring them within one until Doug Hoffman enduced a fly ball to second baseman Brad Cleasby to end the game.
The Selects close out the regular season with games on Tuesday and Thursday against the Kings and Paris Predators.
Game MVP: Glen Hall |
Win Streak Over, Unbeaten Streak Hits 8
After nearly one month of winning, the Selects winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night with a 2-2 tie at the hands of the Classics.
Doug Hoffman went the distance for the Selects, striking out nine and allowing just two runs while scattering six hits.
Steve Hall singled in the third and was later cashed by Kevin Ryrie who reached on an error to put the Selects up 1-0.
In the fourth, after the Classics had taken a 2-1 lead, Mike Brown (1 for 2, BB, Run) doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and was driven home by Glen Hall to tie the game at two.
The Selects could only muster two more baserunners through the remainder of the game but were able to hold the Classics to their to runs in order to preserve the 2-2 tie.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Selects Win 2-2? Streak Alive at Seven
"Are you #$%&ing kidding me?"
Little did they know but those five simple words would solidify the Selects seventh straight victory.
After singles by Mike Brown and Kevin Ryrie, Glen Hall and Dan Clark would step up and promptly knock in the Selects first two runs of the game to go up 2-0 after the first inning.
The undermanned Bulldogs team, playing with only eight guys, responded with one run in the first, adding another in the second to tie the game up at two.
The game would stay that way until the bottom of the third inning when a frustrated Bulldogs player uttered five words to the umpire that would abrutly end the game. Having only eight guys to start the Bulldogs could not continue with just seven, handing the Selects their seventh straight victory.
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Late-Game Heroics Keep Streak Alive!
Mike Brown played hero in the bottom of the seventh dropping a bloop single into left field scoring Kevin Ryrie from second base and extending the Selects winning streak to six games, in walk-off fashion.
Ferocious hurler Doug Hoffman allowed just three hits on the night while striking out 13 in the 2-1 victory.
The Selects were held to just three base-runners until the sixth inning when a single and stolen base from Mike Brown landed him in scoring position for Glen Hall who proceded to single him home, tieing the game at one.
After an interference call on a stolen base attempt saw Kevin Ryrie make his way safely to second base, Brown wasted no time at all, promptly shooting a Kevin Clugston offering into left field scoring Ryrie and extending the win streak to six.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Selects Storm Past Predators
The Selects continued their hot-streak with a 6-2 victory over the division rival Paris Predators on Thursday night.
A couple of key hits from the middle of the lineup and solid pitching from Rod Fevreau helped to lead the Selects to their fifth straight win.
It was a slow start for the Selects as they trailed 1-0 after the first. Steve Hall would cash Dan Clark in the 2nd to tie it at ones until a three-run third inning highlighted by a two-run double from centre fielder Mike Brown put the Selects up for good.
Two more insurance runs were added in the fourth inning on singles by Glen Hall and Dan Clark and a triple to right from Scott Clark.
The Predators would squeeze out one more run in the sixth inning but would get no closer.
Game MVP: Dan Clark |
Bats Come Alive For Must Win
A three-for-four night from Dan Clark and a total of 10 hits as a team helped lead the Selects to their fourth straight win, a 5-4 victory over the Moonshiners on Tuesday night.
Down 2-1 early, the Selects battled back in the fifth inning scoring four times. With Mike Brown standing at second and Kevin Ryrie at third, pinch hitter Glen Hall came through with a two-run single to take the lead.
Just three batters later Dan Clark continued to swing a hot stick with a single that would plate Hall and Jamie Hickling putting the Selects up 4-1.
The Shiners would respond with two runs of their own in the fifth inning but Roddy Fevreau would settle in striking out four of the last six batters he faced to help secure the victory.
Fevreau went seven strong, allowing just three hits and striking out 10 to earn the complete game victory.
Game MVP: ? |
Now We're Rolling!
For the second straight game, Selects' stalwart pitcher Doug Hoffman carried a one-hitter through the fifth inning where a poorly timed knuckleball resulted in a double and landed him on the bench. Roddy Fevreau came in to close it out striking out three on route to a 9-1 victory over Bell Cartage.
Mike Brown and Jamie Hickling led the way for the Selects. Brown went 2-4 in the game with two RBI and three runs scored while Hickling displayed his patience at the plate collecting four walks and scoring twice.
Hoffman helped his own cause at the plate going 2-2 with two walks and a run scored while a collective group accounted for the remaining three runs.
Big week upcoming for the Selects as they meet division foes in the Moonshiners (Tuesday, 7:00 PM) and the Paris Predators (Thursday, 9:00 PM) .
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Selects Come Out On Top
Doug Hoffman struck out 11 in just five innings of one hit ball, leading the Selects to their second straight victory, this time a 2-0 triumph over the Black Sox.
Hoffman was relieved in the 6th by veteran Rod Fevreau, who made his first appearance of the season for the Selects. Rod allowed no runs and struck out two in his two innings of work.
The Selects got their only two runs in the third inning when Glen Hall cashed Jamie Hickling and Brad Cleasby on a two out double to the gap in right centre. Those two runs would prove to be all the Selects would need as they once again rode Hoffman's arm to victory.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Selects Down Shiners
After spending eight months half-way across the globe, Mike Brown made a triumphant return to the Selects lineup on Tuesday night.
Brown led the way with a walk in the third, where he wasted no time stealing his first base of the season, adding a two-run double in the 4th to put the Selects up for good.
It wasn't a pretty night offensively for the Selects as they scattered just three hits over five innings however, they did manage to walk nine times and score seven runs in the 7-3 victory.
The Selects get right back at it Thursday night looking to keep the winning streak rolling against the Black Sox.
Game MVP: Mike Brown |
Selects Drop Tight Battle
Timely hitting and a costly error were the difference between the Selects handing the Reds their first loss of the season and the ultimate result, a 1-0 loss at the hands of the Red division's first place team.
Doug Hoffman, along with catcher Kevin Ryrie, were once again the story scattering just five hits over seven innings of work while striking out 10.
The Selects would come up empty in the first after singles by Steve and Glen Hall put them in a position to start big. Unfortunately the Hall brothers would be left standing on second and third.
The Selects got another chance in the fourth as Scott Clark and Trevor Botting both reached on errrors. Jamie Hickling would then step up and hit into a controversial triple play.
Two more stranded in the sixth, tied 0-0 into seven, meant the Selects needed to hold the Reds scoreless. Unfortunately an error on a ground ball from pinch hitter Kevin Buckley ended the Selects chances of upsetting the undefeated Reds.
Glen Hall led the way for the Selects offensively going two-for-two with two singles.
Game MVP: Kevin Ryrie |
Selects Get Tie With 7th Inning Comeback
The saga continued on Thursday night as the latest chapter in the Selects-Smoke rivalry ended in a 2-2 tie.
The Smoke scored one run early in the first and would then ad another in the top of six on a few defensive miscues.
After holding the Smoke off the scoresheet in the top of seven, Doug Hoffman helped his cause singling to lead off the bottom of the inning. Dan Clark followed that up with a solid triple to right, cashing Hoffman and putting him into position for a Scott Clark sacrafice fly.
The Selects would get two more runners on, with a walk from pinch hitter Reed Laughlin and a single up the middle from Dan Fogal. However, the comeback bid would fall just short though as a strikeout ended the game.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Bats Fall Silent In 3-0 Loss
Held to just three hits on the night, the Selects were unable to muster any kind of momentum and fell 3-0 to the experienced Classics club Monday night.
Doug Hoffman had yet another outstanding game giving up just three runs and striking out nine in five innings of work.
The Selects are back at it on Thursday evening as they take on the rival Smoke (7:00 pm).
Game MVP: TBA |
Pitching Duel Ends In Draw
Doug Hoffman and Kevin Clugston put on a show on Monday night strking out a combined 25 batters as the Selects and Diamond Jaxx played to a 2-2 tie.
The Diamond Jaxx got out to an early lead in a three hit, two run third inning led by leadoff man Bryan Reeve.
The Selects would be held scoreless until the fifth inning when Trevor Botting's single cashed Glen Hall from third. An inning later, after Brad Cleasby's double, Glen Hall stepped up to knock him in, tying the game at two.
The Selects made a little noise in the top of the seventh but were held off the scoresheet by Clugston.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Selects Climb To 3-1 With Win Over Wizards
The Selects continued their early season success with a 3-1 victory over the young Wizards.
The Selects once again rode the strong arm of Doug Hoffman - who earned MVP honours once again - striking out 10 in five innings of work for his third win of the season.
Kevin Ryrie made his first start of the season out of the nine hole where he grabbed an RBI and scored three times. Dan Clark went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored while Scott Clark hit his first career KFL homerun - an inside the parker - to cash two runs of his own.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Hoffman Powers Selects To Victory
The Selects bats came to life on Tuesday night as they followed a two run 3rd with a seven run 4th to power their way past the Kitchener Predators.
Doug Hoffman returned to the mound for the Selects and went five strong innings, allowing just three runs and striking out 11. Hoffman helped his cause in the fourth hitting a mammoth three-run shot to centre field.
Continuing his strong start to the season, Jamie Hickling cashed four runs in the game including a bases loaded three RBI triple in the fourth.
With the win the Selects push their season record to 2-1 as they eye a tough test on Thursday against the Black Sox.
Game MVP: Doug Hoffman |
Can't Win Em' All
Just one night after a dominating performance over the Bulldogs, the Selects experienced a complete reversal of fortunes falling for the first time this season, 16-4 at the hands of the rookie Cardinals.
The Cardinals got off to a quick start scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first. The Selects would answer back in the second scoring four of their own when Dan Clark cashed Brent Furtney and Trevor Botting on a one out double and Scott Clark singled in Dan and Zack Anstett.
Unfortunately that was all they could muster as the bats fell silent for the remainder of the game.
The Selects take the weekend to regroup and get right back at in on Tuesday night against the Predators.
Game MVP: Reed Laughlin |
Selects Kick Off Season In Big Way
The Selects scored early and often Wednesday night as they earned their first win of the 2009 season, an 11-0 victory over the Bulldogs.
After scoring one run in the first inning the Selects busted out in the second scoring nine times in an inning that would see the Selects make 14 trips to the plate.
Selects' veteran first baseman Steve Hall played just two innings and still showed what he's made of stealing a base in the first after drawing a walk and then hitting a towering three-run shot to Centre to help ensure the victory.
Doug Hoffman pitched three scoreless innings for the Selects, striking out six while Scott Clark fanned three in two shutout innings of relief.
Game MVP: Steve Hall, 1B |
Season Starts Wednesday!
With "training camp" coming to a close on Monday night, the Selects are looking ahead to the first game of the season as they get set to take on the Bulldogs on Wednesday night.
The Selects welcome back a familiar face in Jamie Hickling for the 2009 season. Hickling re-joins the team after a two year hiatus. Also joining the Selects for the '09 campaign is rookie pitcher Brent Furtney.
The Selects fell just shy of the finals in 2008 and will be looking to make a tear through the league this year and challenge for the KFL title. |
