@ Nashua, NH. Time: 2:26 Attendance: 998

W: Wayne Lundgren (5-4) L: Miguel Flores (3-1) S: None

HR: BR-Melvin Falu (3), Palmer Karr (11), Clyde Williams (9)

The Brockton Rox got a great outing from starting pitcher Wayne Lundgren and plenty of offensive support to roll to an easy win against New Hampshire on the road. With the win, Brockton extended its winning streak to 10 games. Lundgren allowed six hits and struck out six in a complete game shutout to earn the win and improve to 5-4 on the season. The Rox offense posted five runs in the first inning and never looked back. Brockton 1B Clyde Williams, DH Palmer Karr and 2B Melvin Falu all hit home runs and combined to drive in seven of the Rox 10 runs. Brockton SS Dom Ramos led all hitters, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

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Worcester 6, New Jersey 1

@ Worcester, MA. Time: 2:46 Attendance: 1,911
W: Ryan Lobban (5-3) L: Giuseppe Granitto (0-2) S: Santiago Ramirez (3)

HR: WT-Chris Colabello (4)

Worcester 1B Chris Colabello was a one-man wrecking crew as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI to lead the Tornadoes to a 6-1 victory. That turned out to be more than enough support for Worcester starting pitcher Ryan Lobban who allowed two hits in seven shutout innings to earn the win and improve to 5-3 in the process. Tornadoes reliever Santiago Ramirez came on to record the game’s final out and in doing so earned his third save.

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Quebec 6, Sussex 5

@ Quebec City, QC. Time: 2:47 Attendance: 3,918

W: Eric Gagne (2-2) L: Kyle Ruwe (4-3) S: Jason Schutt (6)
HR: SS-Raymond Serrano (4)

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning, the Quebec Capitales scored four times in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-1 lead and never looked back en route to the win. Quebec starting pitcher Eric Gagne picked up his second win of the season. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits while striking out five in seven innings of work. Capitales DH Tony Lewis led the way at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Quebec reliever Jason Schutt closed out the win with a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save.

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FIRST HALF STANDINGS

W   L    GB

New Jersey                       27  17    –

Brockton                         24  19   2.5

Quebec                           21  23   6.0

Worcester                        20  23   6.5

New Hampshire                    20  24   7.0

Sussex                           19  25   8.0

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Tomorrow’s Schedule (All times are Eastern):

New Jersey at Worcester – 11:05 AM

Brockton at New Hampshire – 6:35 PM

Sussex at Quebec – 7:05 PM

]]> http://www.canamindependent.com/2009/07/16/can-am-recap-7-15-09/feed/ 0 http://www.canamindependent.com/2009/07/14/defenders-kick-off-eight-game-home-stand/ http://www.canamindependent.com/2009/07/14/defenders-kick-off-eight-game-home-stand/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:42:18 +0000 Can-Am Independent Wire Services http://www.canamindependent.com/?p=339 (Nashua, NH, July 14, 2009) Come join the Defenders for their upcoming 8 game homestand, July 15 – July 22^nd.  Beginning July 15 – 18^th, the Defenders take on the Brockton Rox. Chick-fil-A will be on hand for “Cow Appreciation Day” on July 17 and fans can stick around after the game on the 17th for a fireworks extravaganza by Atlas Fireworks.

On Saturday, July 18th, the first 500 fans, will receive stadium cups as the Defenders wrap up the four game series against the Rox.  Local classic rock band cover band, the Slakas, will play a set on the Defenders deck located on the first baseline. Fans can enjoy the music when gates open at 5:45pm.

Sunday, July 19 – Wednesday, July 22nd, the Defenders host the New Jersey Jackals in a four game series.  On Wednesday, July 22nd, the Defenders will wrap up the four-game series with “Camp Day” beginning at 11:35am.  Gates open at 10:45am.&n bsp;

The American Defenders Professional Baseball Club provides a fun, affordable, community-based and fan-friendly source of sports entertainment.  The Defenders is participating in its first year of play in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball.  Tune into all of the Defenders game this season via internet radio broadcast on IBN Sports.

For more information call 603-883-BALL (2255), or visit www.AmericanDefenders.us.

The event will include a jump by one of the most recognizable names in the world – Robbie Knievel. In addition to the Knievel jump performance, the day will include a motorcycle run, a meet and greet session with Robbie Knievel, live performances by the Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute bands. Ongoing raffles and silent auctions will be taking place to assist in the fundraising efforts of the Nicholas Legacy Fund.

The Nicholas Legacy Fund is a grass roots, non-profit organization founded in 2007 at the community’s foundation of Morris County, New Jersey. Built on a core belief that our organization directly minister to those in need of essential financial assistance, due to unforeseen circumstances.  This year’s recipients in part are, homeless and financially struggling Veterans and  a Veteran’s Home in NJ. A 13-year old boy with a single mother, suffering from Cerebral Palsy and a number of debilitating medical circumstances.

Tickets start at $24 for the day’s event and can be purchased thru the Nicholas Legacy Fund (by calling the number above) or visiting their website at http://www.nicholaslegacyfund.com. In addition, the Nicholas Legacy Fund is on hand at the Chatterbox for bike night each Thursday and tickets can be purchased at that location. Detailed

Skylands Park will also be selling tickets beginning Tuesday, July 21. Parties interested in purchasing tickets through the Skyhawks should contact Matt Myers ( x11 – mmyers@sussexskyhawks.com) or Ben Wittkowski ( x18 – ben@sussexskyhawks.com).

@ Brockton, MA.   Time: 2:39  Attendance: 1,748

W: Craig Anderson (5-2) L: Michel Simard (4-5) S: Jerry Dunn (8)

HR: BRO- Phillip Cuadrado (3); QBC- Sebastien Boucher (1), Pat Deschenes (2)

3B Phillip Cuadrado’s homer sparked a four-run bottom of the sixth inning that carried Brockton to a 5-4 win over Quebec. The two-run shot down the left field line gave the Rox a 3-2 lead before 1B Clyde Williams’ two-out single made it 5-2 Brockton. Quebec countered with two runs in the seventh, including a homerun by RF Sebastien Boucher, but Brockton relievers Keith Noe and Jerry Dunn came on preserve the win. The tandem did not allow a hit in 2 1/3 innings pitched with Dunn picking up save number eight on the season. Rox starter Craig Anderson went 6 2/3 innings and improved to 5-2 with the win.

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New Hampshire 8, New Jersey 7

@ Little Falls, NJ.  Time: 3:07  Attendance: 1,574

W: Nick Asselin (5-3) L: Stuart Pomeranz (3-5) S: Juan Padilla (14)

HR: NH- Jerod Edmondson (8), Chris Kelly(10)

The American Defenders of New Hampshire got off to a fast start and held on for an 8-7 victory over New Jersey. New Hampshire used six hits in the first inning to score five times and took an 8-3 into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Jackals plated four runs on four hits in the frame but couldn’t push the tying run across. A line out left the bases loaded and in the bottom of the ninth, Defenders closer Juan Padilla shut the door. LF Jerod Edmondson and 3B Chris Kelly each homered for New Hampshire. New Jersey 3B Mike Scanzano went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

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Worcester 7, Sussex 6

@ Augusta, NJ.   Time: 3:10  Attendance: 829

W: Chris Farley (1-1) L: Justin Knoff (4-2) S: Santiago Ramirez (2)

HR: WOR- Carlos Sosa (5)

Carlos Sosa turned in a big offensive performance to carry Worcester to a 7-6 win over Sussex. The Tornadoes rightfielder finished 3-for-5 with a homerun, three RBI, and two runs scored and got some help from C Alex Trezza who finished with two hits and two RBI. Worcester starter Chris Farley got the win by working seven innings. He allowed five earned runs on six hits and struck out seven to improve his record to 1-1. Justin Knoff went six innings and allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs. He took the loss to fall to 4-2.

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FIRST HALF STANDINGS

W   L    GB

New Jersey                       27  16    –

Brockton                         23  19   3.5

New Hampshire                    20  23   7.0

Quebec                           20  23   7.0

Worcester                        19  23   7.5

Sussex                           19  24   8.0

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Tomorrow’s Schedule (All times are Eastern):

No Games Scheduled

Third baseman Jeremy Hunt continues to be a strong addition to the Skyhawks this year.   He is currently batting .352, which puts him in the number one spot for batting top 10 in the league.  He is also second in the league for hits (56), slugging percentage (.566), extra base hits (19), and runs scored (35).  On Thursday, July 13, at Yogi Berra Stadium, Hunt hit a league-record three home runs in a single game.  Hunt led off the top of the second with his fifth home run of the year, a rocket shot line drive to left field that curled just inside the foul pole.  In the third Hunt bombed a two-run shot to left field center.  Hunt later launched a line drive rocket on the first pitch of his third at-bat to put the Skyhawks up 6-2 in the fifth inning.

The Skyhawks also hit two other home runs that night.  Catcher Ray Serrano had a solo home run over the left field fence, his third of the season.   First baseman John Urick also bombed a solo home run, two pitches after Hunt’s home run in the third inning.  Despite the 5 home runs that night, the Skyhawks lost in extra innings, when in the bottom of the 10th, shortstop Mike DeJesus singled home second baseman Marcus Sanders to give the Jackals a walk-off win, 8-7.

Second baseman Chris Brown has also been on a hot streak.  On Friday, July 10, Brown drove in three runs to power the Sussex Skyhawks to a 6-4 win over the Worcester Tornadoes in front of 3,568 fans at Skylands Park.  Brown stroked an RBI-double in the third and a two-run home run to left in the seventh to supply much of the Skyhawks’ offense.  He finished the night 3 for 5.  The following night on July 11, Brown had two home runs and drove in four to supply the Skyhawks with offense.  Brown is currently batting .310 with 18 RBI this season.

This is the second Batter of the Week award for LaForest. The Montebello, QC resident batted .400 with four home runs, eight RBI and six runs scored. He banged out eight hits with one double, slugged 1.050 and had an on-base percentage of .556. In the 7-2 win over the American Defenders of New Hampshire this past Tuesday LaForest was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two runs scored and three RBI.

On the season, the 31-year-old is hitting .303 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI. LaForest leads the league in home runs, slugging percentage (.599) and extra base hits (20) and is second in on-base percentage (.435).

Flores threw a complete game shutout in the 10-0 win over the Worcester Tornadoes in game two of a doubleheader this past Monday. He gave up two hits and a walk while fanning six Worcester batters. The 35-year-old is 1-1 on the year with a 3.26 ERA.

Teamline Direct was designed by TRZ Sports to provide quick and affordable access, for out-of-market and on-the-go sports fans, to their favorite team’s games. It fills the gap between radio broadcasts and internet streaming and takes advantage of the free cell phone minutes that most fans have available on nights and weekends. The cost to listen is $5.00 per game. Visit www.teamline.cc to connect to your team.

Mike Schellinger gave up four runs on 10 hits over five innings to pick up the win for Sussex.  Schellinger struck out four and did not walk a batter.  Sandy Nin pitched to the final batter with the bases loaded to earn his fourth save of the season. Matt Weagle gave up seven runs in three innings to take the loss for Worcester.

Sussex third baseman Jeremy Hunt finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored.  Chris Colabello, Nick Salotti and Michael MacMillan each had three hits for Worcester.

The Skyhawks and Tornadoes play the final game of the four game series at Skylands Park on Monday at 7:05 p.m.

@ Augusta, N.J.      Time: 2:48

W: M. Schellinger (3-3) L: M. Weagle (1-4) SV: S. Nin (4)

HR: SSX: Pappas (1)

Monday’s Probables:

WOR:  C. Farley (0-1)

SSX:  J. Knoff (4-1)

Pavlik (5-1) allowed just one run on four hits in eight innings of work, striking out seven batters and walking just one. The left-hander now has 44 strikeouts this season, the highest total in the Can-Am League. Closer Rusty Tucker came on in the ninth inning to shut the door on New Hampshire and notch his twelfth save of the season.

The Defenders plated their only run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning. After a leadoff triple by designated hitter Jabe Bergeron New Hampshire left fielder Jerod Edmondson laced a single that scored Bergeron from third to make it a 1-0 game.

New Jersey would be kept in check by New Hampshire starter Lucas Ledbetter through the first five innings, stranding eight runners over that stretch. Ledbetter, making just his second start of the season, finally broke in the sixth inning when the Jackals tied the game. After catcher Matt Lauderdale led off with a walk, recent acquisition Justin Humphries ripped a double that placed runners at second and third with no outs. New Hampshire then went to the bullpen, bringing in right-hander Gabe Cuevas to face Mike Scanzano. The Jackals’ third baseman walked to load the bases for centerfielder Billy Kovatch, who grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Lauderdale from third and forced Scanzano out at second.

The Jackals would put their final three runs up on the board in the bottom of the seventh. With new relief pitcher Luis Ramos on the mound, leftfielder Ryan Rogowski drew a walk to start the frame for New Jersey. A sacrifice bunt by shortstop Mike DeJesus moved Rogowski to second before cleanup hitter Myron Leslie drew a walk of his own. Right fielder Quentin Davis then flew out to right field for the second out of the inning. Davis entered the game in the fifth inning to replace Juan Tejeda, who was ejected for arguing a called strike. The next batter, catcher Matt Lauderdale, ripped a single to load the bases and knock Ramos out of the contest. New Hampshire turned to reliever Adam Piechowski to silence the Jackals rally, but New Jersey wouldn’t be stopped. Humphries deposited a two-run single and moments later Scanzano laced a run-scoring single of his own to make it 4-1 Jackals.

In the ninth, Tucker would face just four batters, allowing a one out single to center fielder Edward Ovalle, before retiring the final two batters of the contest. Ramos (4-3) took the loss for New Hampshire as the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning were credited to him.

New Jersey concludes its four-game series with the Defenders tomorrow night as Stuart Pomeranz takes the mound for the Jackals against New Hampshire right-hander Nick Asselin. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. but tune in to the live broadcast starting at 6:50 p.m. at www.jackals.com. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan will be on the call for the contest.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2009 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

Twice Brockton erased a deficit, and did so without scoring an earned run in the entire game.  Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the Rox scored three unearned runs to take a 3-2 lead.  Capitales’ CF Goefrey Tomlinson dropped a fly ball off the bat of Brockton’s DH Palmer Karr to start the inning.  Karr took second base on the error.  LF Keith Brachold singled to plate Karr after a ground out.  Then 2B Melvin Falu doubled into the right field corner to push Brachold to third base.  Brachold scored on a ground out and Falu scored on a subsequent RBI double by C Chris Grossman.

Meanwhile, RHP Buster Lussier was called on in emergency relief after Rox starter LHP Bryan Morse left in the first inning with tendonitis in his forearm.  Lussier retired the first four batters he faced, getting the last out in the first inning and working a 1-2-3 second inning.  However, Quebec re-captured the lead with two runs in the third against Lussier who surrendered three total in his 4.1 innings of work.  The third run Lussier allowed gave Quebec a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning.  3B Patrick Deschenes doubled to bring home 1B Pierre-Luc Laforest.

Quebec committed its second of three errors to open the sixth inning when SS Ivan Naccarata threw wildly to first on a ground ball by RF Jud Thigpen.  The Rox capitalized by scoring four runs in the inning on three hits and another Capitales’ error.  The final run of the inning scored on a wild play.  With 3B Phillip Cuadrado at third and Grossman at first, SS Dominic Ramos singled to left field.  Grossman went to third and Ramos found himself hung up in a run down between first and second.  Quebec left field Tony Lewis threw to the cutoff man, Naccarata who turned and threw to second base, catching Ramos between first and second base.  In the ensuing rundown, Grossman bolted for home and the attempt to throw him out skipped beyond Capitales’ catcher Patrick D’Aoust.  Grossman scored and Ramos reached second base safely.

The Rox bullpen was terrific as RHP Matt Zachary earned the win, following Lussier’s 4.1 innings with two scoreless frames of his own.  LHP Brad Hertzler extended his scoreless innings streak to 12 with a scoreless eighth and RHP Jerry Dunn picked up his seventh save of the year getting the final three outs.

The two teams complete the series on Monday at 6:05 PM at Campanelli Stadium.  Quebec will send RHP Michel Simard (4-4, 3.36 ERA) out to match up against Rox LHP Craig Anderson (4-2, 2.58 ERA).

@ Little Falls, NJ. Time: 2:36 Attendance: 1,739

W: Isaac Pavlik (5-1) L: Luis Ramos (4-3) S: Rusty Tucker (12)

HR: None

New Jersey starting pitcher Isaac Pavlik turned in a terrific performance and led the Jackals to victory over the American Defenders of New Hampshire. Pavlik went eight innings allowing one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts. With the win, Pavlik is now 5-1 on the season. C Matt Lauderdale and 3B Mike Scanzano each collected three hits on the afternoon to lead the Jackals offense. The Jackals’ magic number to clinch the first half title is now one.

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Sussex 9, Worcester 5

@ Augusta, NJ. Time: 2:48 Attendance: 1,263

W: Mike Schellinger (3-3) L: Matt Weagle (1-4) S: Sandy Nin (4)

HR: SX-Mark Pappas (1)

A tremendous day at the plate by Sussex SS Mark Pappas leads the Skyhawks to a 9-5 win over the Worcester Tornadoes. Pappas went 2-for-3 with a first inning grand slam, two runs scored and six runs driven in. Sussex starting pitcher Mike Schellinger evened his record at 3-3 with the victory. Schellinger went five innings giving up four earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts. 3B Chris Colabello, 1B Nick Salotti and LF Mike MacMillan each had three-hit days for the Tornadoes in defeat.

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Brockton 7, Quebec 6

@ Brockton, MA. Time: 3:11 Attendance: 2,633

W: Matt Zachary (3-1) L: Chris Allen (3-4) S: Jerry Dunn (7)

HR: QC-Pierre-Luc LaForest (11)

The Brockton Rox rallied from a 5-3 deficit with a four-run sixth inning and defeated the Quebec Capitales to win their eighth straight game. The six through nine hitters for the Rox went a combined 8-for-16 at the plate with five runs scored and four runs driven in. Matt Zachary pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Brockton to notch his third victory of the year. Quebec 1B Pierre-Luc LaForest hit his league leading 11th home run of the season in a 3-for-4 day.

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FIRST HALF STANDINGS

W   L    GB

New Jersey                       27  15    –

Brockton                         22  19   4.5

Quebec                           20  22   7.0

New Hampshire                    19  23   8.0

Sussex                           19  23   8.0

Worcester                        18  23   8.5

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Tomorrow’s Schedule (All times are Eastern):

Worcester at Sussex – 7:05 PM

New Hampshire at New Jersey – 7:05 PM

Quebec at Brockton – 7:05 PM