The Indians got into the win column on Saturday, and made it a winning streak on Sunday with a 10-3 win over the Knights in 8 innings. Matt Spradlin pitched all 8 innings, gave up 2 hits (all in the first inning) and struck out 11.
The Rangers clung to a 4-2 lead through 6 innings before the bullpen/defense fell apart in a 10-6 defeat to the Thunder. Robert Riley homered for the Rangers. Ryan Callison homered for the Thunder. But the big blow came when John Ramsey came in to pinch hit with 2 outs in the seventh and deposited a fast ball over the centerfield fence for a 3-run go-ahead HR. AJ Boshinski struck out 16 for the second straight time for the win.
Brian Gartley returned to the mound for the Mariners, and with the help offensively from a 3-run shot from Zach Hembree, the M's handed the Royals their first loss of the season 8-3.
The Slammers knocked off the Athletics 14-8. It was the first losing streak for the A's since they lost four straight one-run games near the end of the 2011 season.
The Bats snapped a two-game losing skid with a 9-3 win over the Braves.
WEEK 7 HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday Edition
Indians shock top-ranked A's
It was a rarity, but all 4 visiting teams knocked off the home team on Saturday out at AIA.
The day started off with an 8-inning run-rule by the Thunder over the Braves 17-4. Evan Koogler raced for an inside-the-park HR for the Thunder, as Max Ramsey made papa John proud with the victory on the mound. And, yet again, the Thunder are 0-for-7 on the year in playing exactly 9 innings of baseball.
The Indians/Athletics game was hard-fought as the game stood tied at 5-5 through five innings. The Indians rallied with three runs in the top of the 8th capped by an RBI single from Jon Rose. The Tribe made it 9-6 headed into the bottom of the ninth. The Athletics got a run off closer Matt Coleman before he was able to induce a game-ending double play. Kenny Dixon went 8 innings as the Tribe's first win came at the expense of the Athletics' first loss of the season.
The Slammers rebounded from a loss last week to knock off the Mariners 6-4, which snapped a four-game losing streak to the M's.
The Redlegs rallied from an 7-2 deficit to knock off the Knights 14-11. The Robinson brothers highlighted a 10-run outburst in the 7th inning, as James smacked an RBI single and RBI double in the frame, while younger brother Jacob cleared the bases with a triple. Kevin Campbell picked up the win in relief, while newcomer Kyle Weldon, one day removed from the waiver wire, picked up the save with 2 punchouts in the ninth.
WEEK 6 HIGHLIGHTS
Thunder endure 5th Time Limit
The Miami Valley Thunder will be glad once they are done playing at AIA. For the 5th time in 6 weeks, the Thunder were forced to stop play as a result of the time limit rule. And they're lucky they didn't play there last week as their 11-inning win over the Indians would definitely have qualified as well. But this weekend, the Thunder allowed the Mariners to score late and tie the game at 8-8 through 10 innings of play, before the time limit reared its ugly head once again. The M's/Thunder will continue this contest on June 27 in the 11th inning, followed by their regular scheduled 7-inning affair. Thunder rookie AJ Boshinski struck out 16 batters in 7 innings of work.
The Rangers' Shawn Schmitt outdueled the Slammers' Hank Beasore and Clinton Krakowiak as the Rangers won 2-1. Jonmarc Lippincott and Jelani Arnold had RBI singles for the Rangers, and Kevin Ashworth's RBI single in the ninth spoiled Schmitt's shutout attempt.
The Royals are off to a 7-0 start with a 16-0 win over the Braves, sweeping the season series from the expansion club. Jake Wilson homered and Kevin Reynolds added a four-bagger of the inside-the-park variety. Bryan Murphy and Zach Ryan combined to pitch 5 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 10.
WHO'S HOT? - WEEK 6
No Significant Moves in Rankings
#1 - Fairborn Post 526 A's
The A's took Mother's Day off and will prepare for a pair of games this coming weekend. The Athletics face the Indians on Saturday at AIA and then the Slammers on Sunday at Fairborn Legion field. The A's hold all the cards in getting a top seed in the upcoming Memorial Day tournament.
#2 - Kettering Royals
The Kettering Royals sweep the season series from the Brick City Braves, winning 16-0 in 5 innings. Brian Duffy still continues to get on base at a record pace. The shortstop has more runs (18) than official at-bats(17), and has already walked 15 times. To put that in perspective, Chris Jergens led the Royals last year in base-on-balls with 13! The Royals (7-0) are off to their best start in franchise history, and will face the Mariners on Sunday night at AIA.
#3 - Dayton Rangers
The Rangers (5-1) continue to lean on solid defense and excellent pitching. Despite a team batting average of .284, the Rangers have put together key runs in their final 4 innings in each of their wins to pull out victories. The Rangers defeated the Slammers 2-1 scoring twice in the 6th inning. Shawn Schmitt struck out 6 in the complete game victory improving to 4-0 on the season, two wins shy of 50 MVABL victories. The Rangers will play the Thunder on Sunday at Xenia HS.
#4 - South Dayton Slammers
The South Dayton Slammers bats cooled down over the bye week, only accounting for 1 run in a 2-1 loss to the Rangers. The Slammers fall to 3-2, but both losses have been tough as the tying and winning runs have been on base in their final at-bat. The Slammers schedule doesn't get any easier with dates with the Mariners (Saturday) and Athletics (Sunday).
#5 - Ohio Mariners
The Ohio Mariners battled back from an 8-3 deficit late to eventually tie the Thunder at 8-8 to force extra innings. However, the time limit rule allowed both squads to only get 1 extra scoreless frame in, and the game will be continued at a later date. The Mariners will play the Slammers (Saturday) and Royals (Sunday) in hopes to better their seeding for the Memorial Day tournament.
2013 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
MVABL adds 3 members to elite group
Congratulations goes out to the latest inductees into the MVABL Hall of Fame class of 2013! Three players have been selected for the latest class of noteworthy honorees. The top vote-getters were pitchers Matt Klaus and Matt Spradlin, and Sox coach Jeff Fruhwirth.
Ohio Mariners pitcher Matt Klaus is arguably one of the most dominant pitchers the MVABL has ever seen. A 1998 graduate of Bethel high school, Klaus joined the MVABL as a member of the Expos and went on to play for the Ohio Woodpeckers and now the Mariners. One would not disagree that if statistical information was kept prior to 2006, Klaus would hold nearly every pitching record in the league. Matt was a member of the 4-time league champion Woodpeckers and left the league after the 2006 season. He returned in 2011 as the season's strikeout king and followed that up last season with Pitcher of the Year Honors and a First Team All-MVABL selection.
Matt Spradlin of the Springfield Indians is the second flame-throwing right-hander to be elected to the Class of 2013. In six seasons with the Indians, Matt has compiled 27 wins, 400+ innings and an MVABL-best 506 punchouts. Spradlin, a 2006 graduate of Springfield Northwestern high school, is a two-time All-Star and was the league's strikeout champ in 2008, 2009, and 2012. He also carries a respectable .361 batting average.
The final Hall of Fame nod was given to Beavercreek Sox head coach Jeff Fruhwirth. As an extension to the Beavercreek Sox baseball youth program, Jeff formed an adult team in 2003. After getting his feet wet and putting together sub-.500 teams in '03 and '04, Fruh has reeled off a winning season ever since. Coach Fruhwirth has compiled a 166-64 record in 10 seasons. His squad has captured 4 regular season titles. Jeff has coached in the 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 All-Star Game (5-2 AS record). And most recently, Fruhwirth was voted the 2012 MVABL Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to the newest members of the MVABL Hall of Fame! A well-deserved honor for all!
MVABL POSTSEASON AWARDS
2012 Winners Announced
The coaches have sent in their votes for the 2012 MVABL Award winners....and here are the results:
Shawn Haffner locks down MVP
Shawn nearly ran away with the votes, compiling 8 first place votes among the coaches and was the only player to appear on all ballots. Shawn is in his 4th season in the league after stints with the Astros and Blue Jays. Shawn signed with the Athletics in the offseason, and set career highs in pretty much all offensive categories. Shawn capped off a great season with an uncanny 21 RBIs during the week of August 6th, including a pair of grand slams. In fact, he had at least 3 grand slams this season. His 51 RBIs are a league record and toppled Chris Ranstead's mark of 50 set last season. Shawn's 55 hits were second most in a single season. He added 24 stolen bases, which is the 6th highest in a single season. Shawn even contributed to the A's success on the mound compiling a 2-0 record and a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings of work. This is how the rest of the voting went:
1. Shawn Haffner (Athletics) - 30 pts.
2. Chris Jergens (Royals) - 11 pts.
3. Jonmarc Lippincott (Rangers) - 7 pts.
Jacob Robinson (Redlegs) - 7 pts.
5. Ryan Callison (Thunder) - 3 pts.
Gregg Foster (Mariners) - 3 pts.
Matt Stiffler (Shockers) - 3 pts.
8. Joey Watson (Athletics) - 2 pts.
Scott Dickerson (Bats) - 2 pts.
Darren Himsworth (Cardinals) - 2 pts.
11. Ryan Burns (Sox) - 1 pt.
Deane Grandfield (Slammers) - 1 pt.
Klaus is League's Top Pitcher
Ohio Mariners righty Matt Klaus was voted the league's Cy Young Award winner. Matt becomes the 7th winner of this award in the last 7 seasons. Matt has been one of the most dominant pitchers in MVABL history. Unfortunately, the league doesn't have some historical stats on Matt's earlier years with the Expos and Woodpeckers; otherwise, he would probably own many of the league's pitching career records. This season, Matt returned to the league in full force going 8-2 on the season with 1 shutout, 4 CG, and a 3.02 ERA, while striking out 84 batters. This is how the rest of the voting went:
1. Matt Klaus (Mariners) - 20 pts.
2. Joey Watson (Athletics) - 14 pts.
3. Zach Yike (Athletics) - 11 pts.
4. Sean Casey (Slammers) - 8 pts.
5. Ryan Carter (Sox) - 6 pts.
6. Kevin Reynolds (Royals) - 4 pts.
7. Jon Venters (Sox) - 3 pts.
Matt Spradlin (Indians) - 3 pts.
9. Nick Hansman (Cardinals) - 2 pts.
10. Ben Schlater (Mariners) - 1 pt.
ROY goes to Ryan Callison
Ryan was the second overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Thunder and batted .480 on the season. Callison led the league in home runs this season with 10, and was third among rookies in RBIs with 33 and third in hits with 36. Just under 100 new players found their way in an MVABL game this season, but only 13 players were worthy enough to receive votes for this award:
1. Ryan Callison (Thunder) - 22 pts.
2. Joey Everhart (Fury) - 11 pts.
Paul Little (Indians) - 11 pts.
4. Nic Watkins (Mariners) - 7 pts.
5. Ian Huss (Rangers) - 4 pts.
6. Brian Gartley (Mariners) - 3 pts.
Zach Yike (Athletics) - 3 pts.
Ryan Burns (Sox) - 3 pts.
Scott Dickerson (Bats) - 3 pts.
10. Tony Cono (Cardinals) - 2 pts.
11. Kris Brown (Bats) - 1 pt.
Chase Goulette (Sox) - 1 pt.
Ryan Carter (Sox) - 1 pt.
Huss wins inaugural College POY honor
For the first time, the league has created a College Player of the Year honor awarded to a player who is still playing collegiately. Rangers third baseman Ian Huss narrowly beat out Braydon Gomes for this honor. Ian, playing ball now at Cumberland University in Tennessee, tied a league record with 17 doubles. He batted .403 on the season with 31 hits, 32 runs scored, and 29 RBIs. He also added 6 home runs. This is how the rest of the voting went:
1. Ian Huss (Rangers) - 18 pts.
2. Braydon Gomes (Thunder) - 15 pts.
3. Ryan Burns (Sox) - 10 pts.
4. Chase Goulette (Sox) - 6 pts.
Ryan Carter (Sox) - 6 pts.
6. Brandon Riley (Rangers) - 4 pts.
7. Chris Bruckman (Sox) - 3 pts.
8. Darren Himsworth (Cardinals) - 2 pts.
Daniel Rodriguez (Sox) - 2 pts.
Taylor Patterson (Redlegs) - 2 pts.
11. Jonathan Rose (Rangers) - 1 pt.
Paul Wilson (Royals) - 1 pt.
Tony Cono (Cardinals) - 1 pt.
Jordan Pergrem (Mariners) - 1 pt.
Rangers OF Robert Riley is Most Improved
Rangers outfielder Robert Riley was recognized as the Most Improved Player this season. Robert, playing his first season in the outfield, struggled through a 2011 campaign where he batted .208 and struck out once every 3 at-bats. Robert more than doubled most of his 2011 numbers, and in some cases tripled them. In 2012, he improved .260 points to bat .468. He went from 11 hits to 36, 9 runs to 28, 12 RBI to 29, 1 double to 13, and 18 Ks to only 6. This is how the rest of the voting went:
1. Robert Riley (Rangers) - 22 pts.
2. John Ramsey (Thunder) - 17 pts.
3. Toby Stewart (Mariners) - 7 pts.
Kevin Campbell (Redlegs) - 7 pts.
5. AJ Jiles (Athletics) - 6 pts.
6. Josh Allen (Shockers) - 4 pts.
7. Matt Coleman (Indians) - 3 pts.
Eric Jameson (Royals) - 3 pts.
OJ McDuffy (Athletics) - 3 pts.
Fruhwirth Earns 1st Coach Honor
Jeff Fruhwirth earns his first Coach of the Year award as he led the Beavercreek Sox to a league-best 24-3 record. It was the fifth time that Jeff led the Sox to the highest winning percentage during the regular season. Jeff was also the All-Star Game winning coach for a league record 5th time.
Other coaches who received a vote were Jeff Whited (A's), Tim Sullivan (Mariners), Ted Neubauer (Bats), Jacob Robinson (Redlegs), and Jonmarc Lippincott (Rangers).
STATISTICAL UPDATES
Final stats added to website
Here are the final leaders in each statistical category... Batting Average - Ryan Burns, Beavercreek Sox (.566) - 7th highest single-season avg. OBA - Jacob Robinson, Redlegs (.616) ERA - Brian Gartley, Mariners (2.05) Plate Appearances - Kyle Combs and Brandon Kunkle, Athletics (119) Hits - Shawn Haffner, Athletics (55) - 2nd highest single-season total Doubles - Ian Huss, Rangers (17) - Tied for most in a single season Triples - Caleb Elkins, Cardinals (9) - Tied for most in a single season HR - Ryan Callison, Thunder (10) - Tied for 3rd most in a single season. Runs - Brandon Ward, Sox (46) - 3rd most in a single season. RBI - Shawn Haffner, Athletics (51) - Record for most in a single season! BB/HBP - Ian Huss and Jonmarc Lippincott, Rangers; Brandon Kunkle, Athletics (25) SAC - Ryan Burns, Sox (8) K/PA - Matt Coleman, Indians (.014) - 1 K in 69 plate appearances SB - Brandon Ward, Sox and PJ Dobbins, Mariners (28) - Tied for 4th most in a season Wins - Joey Watson, Athletics; Matt Klaus, Mariners; Ryan Carter, Sox (8) - Tied for 4th most in a season Saves - Chris Jergens, Royals and Tony Cono, Cardinals (2) Strikeouts - Matt Spradlin, Indians (94) - 7th highest in a season Innings - Matt Spradlin, Indians (88) - 8th most in a season
MVABL/COMABL ALL-STAR GAME
Lippincott gets walk-off winner
Congrats to the MVABL who defeated the COMABL 5-4 in 10 innings on Saturday at Time Warner Stadium in Dayton. Slammers pitcher Micah Wilson tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Mariners SS Cody Ridinger had a two-run double, and Shockers OF Matt Stiffler had an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch. Casey McGrew of the Columbus Red Devils launched a game-tying 3-run HR in the top of the ninth to force extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth, Rangers SS Jonmarc Lippincott singled home Shawn Haffner with the walk-off victory!
LITTLE GETS BIG FLY IN ASG
Buckeye wins 7-5 over Miami
Rookie Paul Little of the Springfield Indians was the talk of the town with his 3-for-4 performance including a towering home run to left-center field as he helped the Buckeye Division win 7-5 over the visiting Miami Division. Little singled and scored in the second, hit a 3-run HR in the third, and roped a two-run single in the fourth to account for his 5RBI night. The 5 RBIs tied the All-Star record, shared with David Moss' performance in 2010. All-Star Box Score
MVABL ON WDTN
Living Dayton spotlights All-Star Game
Commissioner Jason Hyman, Sox coach Jeff Fruhwirth, Slammers coach Rick Anderson, and head umpire Mike Ballard meet up with folks at Channel 2 in a spotlight for the league on the Living Dayton program on July 13.
Commissioner Jason Hyman, Rangers coach Jonmarc Lippincott, Slammers coach Rick Anderson, and head umpire Mike Ballard meet up with folks at Channel 2 in a spotlight for the league on the Living Dayton program on Tuesday, May 29.
