Welcome to my blog of the second game of the Appalachian League Championship Series between the Elizabethton Twins and the Danville Braves at the Dan Daniel Memorial Park in Danville, Virginia.
The Twins lead the series 1-0 with an opportunity to take the title tonight.
FIRST INNING
LHP Jeff Locke on the mound for Danville.
Twins: Estarlin De Los Santos walks, Rene Tosoni strikes out, Deibinson Romero grounds into a double play.
RHP Michael McCardell on the mound for Elizabethton.
Braves: Cole Miles grounds out, Benji Johnson strikes out, Cody Johnson walks, Josh Morris flies out to left.
Score: 0-0
SECOND INNING
Twins: Rene Leveret strikes out, Ozzie Lewis strikes out, Greg Yersich walks, Wesley Connor pops out to center.
Braves: Adam Coe strkes out, Steve Shults singles to left, Chad Lundahl delivers a sacrificed bunt, C.J. Lee sends a hard hit ball to Mark Dolenc in center.
Score: 0-0
THIRD INNING
Twins: Mark Dolenc strikes out, Eric Santiago reaches on an error and is caught stealing at second, Estarlin De Los Santos strikes out but reaches on a wild pitch, Rene Tosoni strikes out. Through three, Locke has struck out six Twins batters.
Braves: Eliazar Carmona leads off with a single to center, Miles strikes out, B. Johnson flies out to left, C. Johnson doubles to put two runners in scoring position for the Braves.
Jim Shellenback walks out to the mound to speak with McCardell. Morris strikes out on Danville's best scoring opportunity thus far in the series.
Score: 0-0
FOURTH INNING
Twins: Romero leads off with a double, Leveret singles to move Romero to third. Now the Player of the Year, who is struggling, gets an opportunity. Lewis delivers a sacrificed fly to right, scoring Romero. 1-0 Elizabethton.
Yersich and Connor follow with singles to load the bases for Mark Dolenc. Danvlle pitching coach Jim Czajkowski makes a visit to the mound. Dolenc bounces one to third, Leveret is thrown out at the plate
Locke walks Santiago, Yersich crosses the plate and Braves manager Paul Runge pulls the plug on the All-Star (Locke) for Edgar Osuna. Connor crosses the plate as De Los Santos walks. 3-0 Elizabethton.
Last night's hero, Tosoni, strikes out for the third time on the night to get Danville out of the inning. The game is Elizabethton's to lose.
Braves: Coe doubles when three Twins stand around and let a pop drop just inside of the line in right field. Shults strikes out, Lundahl grounds out to third, Lee grounds one to Leveret at first.
Score: 3-0 Twins
FIFTH INNING
Twins: Romero flies out to right, Leveret strikes out, Lewis grounds out.
Braves: Carmona leads off with a double to right with the top of Danville's order behind him. Miles pops up to second. B. Johnson strikes out. Appy League home run king Cody Johnson strikes out.
Score: 3-0 Twins
SIXTH INNING
Twins: Greg Yersich opens with a single. With two outs on the board (Connor, Dolenc), Santiago singles to right and an errant throw from right field clears the plate for Yersich. 4-0 Elizabethton. De Los Santos grounds out to end the stanza.
Braves: Morris grounds out, Coe pops out to center, Shults is struck by a pitch, Lundahl grounds out.
Score: 4-0 Twins
SEVENTH INNING
Twins: Tosoni walks, Romero singles to left, Leveret grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. A balk is called on Osuna with Lewis at the plate, scoring Tosoni. 5-0 Elizabethton. Lewis lines out. That may have done it for Danville.
Spencer Steedley pitching for Twins.
Braves: Lee leads off with a double, Carmona strikes out on a wild pitch and is thrown out at first. A wild throw from Leveret towards third allows Lee to sprint towards home. Romero hits Yersich with a throw and Yersich tags Lee, but he is safe. Twins manager Ray Smith disputes the call, but the run stands.
When the dust settles, Miles strikes out and B. Johnson grounds out to second.
Score: 5-1 Twins
EIGHTH INNING
Twins: Yersich strikes out, Connor singles to center, Dolenc singles to right. Paul Runge pulls the plug on Osuna for southpaw Tommy Palica, whose father Wayne played for the E-Twins in 1979 and 1980.
Santiago pops out to second, De Los Santos strikes out.
If the Braves are going to do make their charge they have to do it this frame.
Braves: Steedley plucks C. Johnson, Morris grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. Coe grounds out and Elizabethton is one inning away from their fourth Appy League crown in eight years.
Score: 5-1 Twins
Barring a miracle on Danville's behalf, the Twins win. I have to prepare for postgame activities so I will end my running log at this time. Be sure to pick up Sunday's Star for the full wrap on the Appy League series.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Welcome Star Readers, Twins, High School & Bristol Thoughts
Welcome Elizabethton Star readers to my blog. I plan on doing some things you won't find in the newspaper here including thoughts on our high school sports scene, live blogs on local events (when I have wireless availability) and random notes about subjects that interest me.
Also if anybody has any questions about local sports or would like my opnion on anything, please shoot me a comment either here or via e-mail at wholtsclaw@starhq.com.
I had originally planned on doing a live blog for the Sharpie 500 race on Saturday at Bristol, but was unable to do so due to our midnight deadline.
Here's a look at some of the big stories in our coverage area this week.
TWINS
The Elizabethton Twins have been on a roll since the beginning of the 2007 Appalachian League season. With the regular tilt winding down, the team has all attention focused on East Division Champion Danville, whom they will meet when the Appy League Championship Series begins at Joe O'Brien Field on Thursday.
This is a big series, not only for the Twins, but for Danville. The two squads have won the last two Appy League titles. Elizabethton topped Danville in a three-game series on the road in 2005. Last year, Danville topped Elizabethton in a postponed series at Riverside Stadium for the crown.
Thursday begins the rubber series between the Twins and Braves, who have had the most success in the League this decade. Danville's managed by Paul Runge, a former Atlanta standout, and has sent several of its players into the parent club.
Elizabethton has the winningest short-season manager in league history in Ray Smith, himself a former Minnesota catcher. The Twins have also had their share of greats take the big league diamond including Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Joe Mauer and others.
Judging the roster of both Danville and Elizabethton, there are several players who have the potential to reach the highest level of professional baseball.
Elizabethton placed an Appy League record seven players on the All-Star team, while Danville contributed four. Each team has several players who weren't named to the All-Star squads who are just as capable of shining on any given night. That's what makes this series so intriguing this year.
This series reminds me of 2005, when both teams were loaded with talent. Elizabethton saw three of its top pitchers that season (Kevin Slowey, Matt Garza, Glen Perkins) get promoted early on. Despite losing three guys who have already seen action in a Minnesota uniform within their first three years in professional baseball, Elizabethton overcame a powerful, talented Braves team, one of the top offensive squads in league history, in three games.
I will have a full preview of Thursday's series in that day's edition of the Star.
There will be a community tailgate taking place beginning at 5 p.m. in the parking lot at Joe O'Brien Field for those interested in coming to the ballpark early and enjoying the atmosphere.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
In between race coverage last weekend, I covered the Elizabethton-Happy Valley game on Friday.
I came away impressed with both teams, who underwent head coaching changes during the summer months. Shawn Witten and his staff have done a tremendous job at Elizabethton. The same can be said about Scotty Verran with his young team at Happy Valley.
I feel the future is bright in both programs. Neither may win a conference title this year, or next year for that matter. But the teams are on the right track.
Elizabethton faces a tough challenge at Science Hill this week, while the Warriors host rival Unicoi County. EHS and HV will enter their games as the underdog, but it wouldn't surprise me to see each team prevail.
One team receiving a lot of publicity this past weekend was Hampton, who overwhelmed Johnson County. The game was no surprise to me. I felt like the Bulldogs were going to be heavy favorites even though the Longhorns had the best athlete on the field (Christian Prudhomme).
Hampton has perhaps the most depth in the backfield of any team in Class 1-A this year. If the Bulldogs are going to get to Murfreesboro and challenge for a State Championship, this is their best shot by far. They'll face a stern test at Oneida this week.
Unaka opened their season with a win over Chuckey-Doak last Thursday. It's a good start for the Rangers, who were led by a monsterous defensive effort from perennial Mr. Football candidate Jacob Estep. Estep totaled over 20 tackles in the game, many for loss. I'm anxious to see how he does against Union County this week.
Cloudland lost their first meeting with Avery County, NC in 20 years on Friday, debuting their new spread offensive scheme. The Highlanders looked good at times, and seemed confused at others. They should get their first win of the season Thursday against West Greene, but nothing is a given in high school football these days.
BRISTOL
I went to the Sharpie 500 Saturday night expecting a classic Bristol race. I left severely disappointed.
I'm not saying the racing was bad — it wasn't. There was great side-by-side racing on the surface, with drivers getting three wide at times on the track. It just wasn't classic Bristol.
There wasn't any drama. The beatin' and bangin' many expected wasn't there. There wasn't a great race for the win.
Carl Edwards wasn't challenged after taking the reigns from Kasey Kahne, who himself had the track all to himself when he was atop the field during the early stages of the event.
Sometimes I think a great Busch race can build up a Nextel Cup race so much that people's expectations become so high, they can't enjoy what they see. I think that was the case for some this week. Friday night's Food City 250 was one of those classic Bristol races.
Even Wednesday's Pro Cup and Truck series races provided the drama that fans crave when they arrive at Bristol.
I think the track did a great job on its new surface. It provided some of the best racing I've seen in a long time — until Saturday night.
Also if anybody has any questions about local sports or would like my opnion on anything, please shoot me a comment either here or via e-mail at wholtsclaw@starhq.com.
I had originally planned on doing a live blog for the Sharpie 500 race on Saturday at Bristol, but was unable to do so due to our midnight deadline.
Here's a look at some of the big stories in our coverage area this week.
TWINS
The Elizabethton Twins have been on a roll since the beginning of the 2007 Appalachian League season. With the regular tilt winding down, the team has all attention focused on East Division Champion Danville, whom they will meet when the Appy League Championship Series begins at Joe O'Brien Field on Thursday.
This is a big series, not only for the Twins, but for Danville. The two squads have won the last two Appy League titles. Elizabethton topped Danville in a three-game series on the road in 2005. Last year, Danville topped Elizabethton in a postponed series at Riverside Stadium for the crown.
Thursday begins the rubber series between the Twins and Braves, who have had the most success in the League this decade. Danville's managed by Paul Runge, a former Atlanta standout, and has sent several of its players into the parent club.
Elizabethton has the winningest short-season manager in league history in Ray Smith, himself a former Minnesota catcher. The Twins have also had their share of greats take the big league diamond including Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Joe Mauer and others.
Judging the roster of both Danville and Elizabethton, there are several players who have the potential to reach the highest level of professional baseball.
Elizabethton placed an Appy League record seven players on the All-Star team, while Danville contributed four. Each team has several players who weren't named to the All-Star squads who are just as capable of shining on any given night. That's what makes this series so intriguing this year.
This series reminds me of 2005, when both teams were loaded with talent. Elizabethton saw three of its top pitchers that season (Kevin Slowey, Matt Garza, Glen Perkins) get promoted early on. Despite losing three guys who have already seen action in a Minnesota uniform within their first three years in professional baseball, Elizabethton overcame a powerful, talented Braves team, one of the top offensive squads in league history, in three games.
I will have a full preview of Thursday's series in that day's edition of the Star.
There will be a community tailgate taking place beginning at 5 p.m. in the parking lot at Joe O'Brien Field for those interested in coming to the ballpark early and enjoying the atmosphere.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
In between race coverage last weekend, I covered the Elizabethton-Happy Valley game on Friday.
I came away impressed with both teams, who underwent head coaching changes during the summer months. Shawn Witten and his staff have done a tremendous job at Elizabethton. The same can be said about Scotty Verran with his young team at Happy Valley.
I feel the future is bright in both programs. Neither may win a conference title this year, or next year for that matter. But the teams are on the right track.
Elizabethton faces a tough challenge at Science Hill this week, while the Warriors host rival Unicoi County. EHS and HV will enter their games as the underdog, but it wouldn't surprise me to see each team prevail.
One team receiving a lot of publicity this past weekend was Hampton, who overwhelmed Johnson County. The game was no surprise to me. I felt like the Bulldogs were going to be heavy favorites even though the Longhorns had the best athlete on the field (Christian Prudhomme).
Hampton has perhaps the most depth in the backfield of any team in Class 1-A this year. If the Bulldogs are going to get to Murfreesboro and challenge for a State Championship, this is their best shot by far. They'll face a stern test at Oneida this week.
Unaka opened their season with a win over Chuckey-Doak last Thursday. It's a good start for the Rangers, who were led by a monsterous defensive effort from perennial Mr. Football candidate Jacob Estep. Estep totaled over 20 tackles in the game, many for loss. I'm anxious to see how he does against Union County this week.
Cloudland lost their first meeting with Avery County, NC in 20 years on Friday, debuting their new spread offensive scheme. The Highlanders looked good at times, and seemed confused at others. They should get their first win of the season Thursday against West Greene, but nothing is a given in high school football these days.
BRISTOL
I went to the Sharpie 500 Saturday night expecting a classic Bristol race. I left severely disappointed.
I'm not saying the racing was bad — it wasn't. There was great side-by-side racing on the surface, with drivers getting three wide at times on the track. It just wasn't classic Bristol.
There wasn't any drama. The beatin' and bangin' many expected wasn't there. There wasn't a great race for the win.
Carl Edwards wasn't challenged after taking the reigns from Kasey Kahne, who himself had the track all to himself when he was atop the field during the early stages of the event.
Sometimes I think a great Busch race can build up a Nextel Cup race so much that people's expectations become so high, they can't enjoy what they see. I think that was the case for some this week. Friday night's Food City 250 was one of those classic Bristol races.
Even Wednesday's Pro Cup and Truck series races provided the drama that fans crave when they arrive at Bristol.
I think the track did a great job on its new surface. It provided some of the best racing I've seen in a long time — until Saturday night.
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