Twisters 2001: Games 30-43 NECBL semis game 3: Keene 4, Twisters 2 TORRINGTON, Aug. 3 -- Still standing after a host of injuries, the Keene Swamp Bats finally landed a body blow that the Twisters couldn't absorb in Friday night's decisive game 3 of the NECBL semifinals. The surging Swamp Bats used a pair of home runs and a dominating nine-inning pitching performance from righthander Gabe Ribas to eliminate the Twisters, 4-2, on a rainy Friday night at Fuessenich Park. The Swamp Bats, who have won eight of its last nine games, advance to the NECBL championship series against Newport, a 12-2 winner over Eastern. Click here for the full story. Keene 4, Torrington 2 Keene 100 021 000 -- 4-4-3 Torrington 000 000 020 -- 2-8-0 Gabe Ribas and Jon Douillard; Reuben Kerbs, Tony Stutz (5), Jeff Trzos and Brian Lentz; WP: Ribas (1-0); LP: Kerbs (0-1); 2B: Gabe Bergeron (K); HR: Myron Lesile (K), Tim Arroyo (K); Att.: 790 NECBL semis, game 2: Keene 14, Twisters 4 KEENE, N.H., August 2 -- The Swamp Bats tied the best-of-3 semifinal series at 1-1 with a 14-4 win over the Twisters at Alumni Field. Keene hit a record five home runs against the Twisters including a grand slam from Kevin Melillo off Twister starter Rory Shortell. It was the worst playoff defeat in team history and the most home runs that Torrington has allowed in a single game in franchise history. Myron Lesile, Shawn Larkin, Eric Rico and Jabe Bergeron also hit home runs for Keene. Rico and Bergeron were each 3-for-5. The Twisters had 11 hits including two home runs from Justin McClain and Adam Haley (2-4, double, HR, 2 RBI). Keene 14, Torrington 4 Torrington 001 002 010 -- 4 11 4 Keene 201 442 10x -- 14 16 1 Rory Shortell, Ben Leuthard (5), C.J. Giampaolo (5), Anthony Tranchina (7) and Brian Lentz; Justin Nywiede, Jordy Templet (9) and Jon Douillard, Anthony Medeiros (9); WP: Nyweide (1-0) LP: Shortell (0-1); 2B: Adam Haley (T); HR: Justin McClain (T); Haley (T); Kevin Melillo (K), Myron Leslie (K); Shaun Larkin (K); Erik Rico (K); Jabe Bergeron (K); Att. -- 1923 NECBL semis, game 1: Twisters 3, Keene 2 TORRINGTON, Aug. 1, 2001 -- As the losses piled up for the Torrington Twisters in the final two weeks of the season, the team's confidence remained steady. The Twisters, who lost seven of its last 10 games, displayed some championship form Wednesday night taking game one of the NECBL semifinals with a gutty 3-2 victory over the defending league champion Keene Swamp Bats at Fuessenich Park. "The fans were getting restless the last two weeks but we knew we could do it," said Twister outfielder Mike McMillian, who had a key RBI triple in the fifth inning to break up a scoreless duel. "We were collecting ourselves and working on the basics. We're a talented team." Click on this link for the full story. Torrington 3, Keene 2 Keene 000 000 002 --2-8-2 Torrington 000 010 02x -- 3-6-1 Tim Stauffer and Jon Douillard; Tim Leveque, Jeff Trzos (8) and Brian Lentz; WP: Leveque (1-0); LP: Stauffer (0-1); 3B: Mike McMillian (T) ; HR: Myron Lesile (K); Save: Trzos (T); Att.: 2487 REGULAR SEASON Game 40: Eastern 4, Twisters 1 WILLIMANTIC, July 30 -- It's not the way to go into the playoffs but for the Twisters the important fact is that they are there for the first time since 1998 following a 4-1 loss to Eastern to conclude the regular season Monday. The Twisters (25-15) have lost seven of its last 10 games but still won the NECBL's National Division championship. Torrington opens the best-of-3 semifinal against defending league champion Keene on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Fuessenich Park. The Tides came up with the big hits to clinch the final playoff spot. Cy Hess had an RBI triple in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie while Brian Sanders had two hits, a double and one RBI. Eastern hurler Matt Schumey (6-1) scattered eight hits. Jordan Czarniecki was 3-for-4 for the Twisters while Brian Lentz had an RBI single. Five Twister hurlers, none pitching more than 2 innings, threw. Bill Leuthard (0-2) took the loss. Eastern 4, Torrington 1 Torrington (25-15) 001 000 000 -- 1-8-1 Eastern (24-16) 100 002 01x -- 4-7-1 Reuben Kerbs, Tony Stutz (3), Bill Leuthard (5), Jeff Trzos (7), Wendell Anderson (9) and Brian Lentz; Matt Schumey and Mike Lombardi; WP -- Schumey (6-1); LP --Leuthard (0-2); 2B -- Sanders (E), 3B Cy Hess (E); Att. -- na. Game 39: Lowell 9, Twisters 1 LOWELL, Mass., July 29 -- Giving the starting pitching staff a day off, the Twisters fell 9-1 to Lowell, which kept its playoff hopes alive with the victory. Relievers C.J. Giampaolo, Anthony Tranchina and Wendell Anderson combined to allow nine hits to the All-Americans, who broke the game open with four runs in the fifth inning. Mike MacDonald (7-2) allowed only scattered six hits over six innings and struck out five to earn the win. For the Twisters (25-14), Brian Lentz was 2-for-5 with a double while Adam Haley was 3-for-5. Catcher Ryan Rogozinski, the late-season addition from Naugatuck Valley Community College, went 2-for-3 and improved his average to .429. The top two finishers in each division each home field advantage in the first round. A random draw will determine which teams will play each other in the first round. Lowell 9, Torrington 1 Torrington (25-14) 000 010 000 -- 1 9 2 Lowell (22-17) 000 240 30x -- 9 7 3 C.J. Giampaolo, Anthony Tranchina (5), Wendell Anderson (9) and Ryan Rogozinski; Mike MacDonald, B. Groff (7), Lynch (8), S. Nadler (9) and R. Hanigan, Ellerbrook (9); WP -- MacDonald (7-2); LP Giampaolo (0-2); 2B -- Brian Lentz (T), Ryan Hanigan (L), Damon Whalen (L); Att. 217 Cape Cod All-Stars 5, NECBL All-Stars 2 KEENE, N.H., July 28 -- Chatham's Russ Adams and game MVP Larry Broadway of Orleans each had first inning home runs to lift the Cape Cod League All-Stars to a 5-2 win over the NECBL All-Stars before 2,673 at Alumni Field. Adams had a solo shot while Broadway added a two-run shot off Newport lefthander Joel Kirsten to spark Cape Cod's 12-hit attack. The NECBL cut the lead to two in the third inning when Concord's Matt Tupman scored on a RBI double by the Twisters' Taber Lee. Cape Cod added a fourth run in the fourth but the NECBL again cut the lead to two when Middletown's Kevin Wissner scored on a passed ball. Twister closer Jeff Trzos pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts for the NECBL but Cape Cod's David Bush fanned three straight NECBL batters to seal the victory. Broadway hit 13 home runs to win the home run derby competition. Broadway hit nine in the first round and added four in the finals. Wissner finished second with eight home runs and three in the finals. Danbury's Joe Apotheker had five home runs in the first round but only one in the finals. Cape Cod 5, NECBL 2 Cape Cod All-Stars 300 100 010 -- 5-12-2 NECBL All-Stars 001 100 000 -- 2- 8-2 WP -- Crockett, B. Save -- Bush, D. LP -- Joel Kirsten (Newport); HR: Eric Reed (Chatham), Larry Broadway (Orleans). Game 38: Twisters 4, Riverpoint 3 TORRINGTON, July 27 -- The Twisters rallied from a three-run deficit to beat Riverpoint, 4-3 and earn the NECBL National Division championship and the team's first playoff berth since 1998 before 1,500 fans at Fuessenich Park An RBI single by Adam Haley and RBI single from Brian Lentz in the third inning cut the lead to one run. In the fifth, Haley's RBI single scored Ryan Rogozinski and Justin McClain's sacrifice fly scored Nick Carbone with the winning run. Starter Tim Leveque (6-1) pitched six innings of solid baseball, scattering six hits and striking out three. Tony Stutz earned the save in the ninth. Torrington 4, Riverpoint 3 Riverpoint (16-22) 120 000 000 - 3-7-1 Torrington (25-13) 000 220 00x - 4-8-1 Adam Bass and Craig Alexander; Tim Leveque, Reuben Kerbs (7), Tony Stutz (9) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Leveque (5-1); LP -- Bass (4-3); 2B Matt Saulis (Ri), Billy Ryan (T); 3B -- Taber Lee (T), Brian Triplett (Ri) Twister players set to face Cape Cod League Saturday, the little brother gets a chance to show his older sibling that he can indeed play. The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NEBCL) gets the opportunity to face the Cape Cod League, the granddaddy of summer collegiate baseball leagues, in an All-Star game on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Keene. Four Twisters were named to the team by the coaches, All-NEBCL shortstop Taber Lee, All-NECBL first baseman Nate Gold along with second baseman Adam Haley and relief pitcher Jeff Trzos. Gold will not play after fracturing his hand in Monday's game with Keene when he was hit by a pitch. Game 37: Middletown 9, Twisters 7 MIDDLETOWN, July 26 -- The march has slowed to a crawl. The drive for the Twisters toward a National Division championship and its first playoff berth since 1998 remains stuck in neutral. The Torrington bullpen blew a three-run lead in the seventh inning as the Middletown Giants kept the Twisters and the dozen or so faithful fans that make the trek to Palmer Field waiting for the title-clinching victory with a 9-7 New England Collegiate Baseball League victory. The Twisters (24-13) have lost a season-high four in a row and six of its last eight games. Middletown 9, Torrington 7 Torrington (24-13) 000 322 000 -- 7-10-1 Middletown (15-21) 400 000 50x -- 9-9-2 Rory Shortell, Ben Leuthard (7), Tony Stutz (7) and Brian Lentz; Jason Metzger, Eric Chown (7), Michael James (9) and Jeff Tarigo; WP -- Chown (1-1) ; LP -- Leuthard (0-1); Save -- James (M) 4; 2B -- Billy Ryan (T), Chris Graziano (M); 3B Ryan Bitter (M); Att. 100 Game 36: Danbury 6, Twisters 4 DANBURY, July 25 -- The Twisters continue to come close but can't get the rock over the top of the hill. The win that will clinch a playoff spot and give Torrington the National Division title continues to elude them after a 6-4 loss to Danbury. Torrington (24-12) has lost a season-high three in a row. The Westerners (17-20) had leads of 4-0 and 5-1. "It's our duty to punish the contenders,'' Westerners' manager Moe Morhardt told the Danbury News-Times. "That's what you do when you're not in it yourself.'' Boomer Berry had a two-out, two RBI double in the second inning off Twister starter Anthony Tranchina to give Danbury a 4-0 lead. Berry had an RBI fielder's choice that made it 5-1 in the fourth. The Twisters rallied for three runs in the fifth on four hits. Brian Lentz's two-RBI double cut the lead to one, 5-4. Danbury took a 6-4 in the fifth when Mike Budak was hit by a pitch, stole second, went to third on a ground ball and scored on a sacrifice fly. The Twisters had the tying runs on base in the seventh but the inning was cut short when Danbury starter Ben Hutton picked a runner off second base. Mike McMillian and Ryan Rogozinski, in his first Twister game, each had two hits. Tabor Lee had one RBI. The Twisters can clinch the National Division title and a playoff berth with a win over Middletown tonight at Palmer Field. Danbury 6, Torrington 4 Torrington (24-12) 001 030 000 -- 4 8 3 Danbury (17-20) 040 110 00x -- 6 9 0 Anthony Tranchina, Eric Thomas (6) and Ryan Rogozinski; Ben Hutton, Josh Joiner (8) and Luis Boullon. WP: Hutton (3-2) LP: Tranchina (0-1). 2B: Mike Miller (D), Boomer Barry (D), Joe Apotheker (D), Adam Haley (T), Brian Lentz (T), Mike McMillan (T) Game 35: Newport 3, Twisters 2 TORRINGTON, July 24 -- On a hot, humid evening at Fuessenich Park, the Torrington Twisters couldn't quite keep up with the visiting Newport Gulls and wasted an opportunity to clinch the National Division championship and a NECBL playoff berth. Newport rode the pitching performance of Chris Barlow and outlasted the Twisters, 3-2. Barlow scattered five hits and struck out seven in his second strong performance of the season against the Twisters. He pitched well on June 10 but his bullpen betrayed him as the Twisters prevailed by a run. But there were no late inning heroics Tuesday night for the tired Twisters (24-11), who have lost two of its last three games. Newport 3, Torrington 2 Newport (20-14) 011 100 000 -- 3-5-0 Torrington (24-10) 000 000 101 -- 2-6-1 Chris Barlow, Mike Bergeron (8), Brian Jacobsen (9) and Eric Winegarden, A.J. Zickgraf (7); Wendell Anderson, Tony Stutz (8) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Barlow (2-1) ; LP -- Anderson (1-1); Save Jacobsen (4); 2B -- Jason Kane (N), Mike Bohlander (N), Winegarden (N), Raphael Lara (N) ; HR -- Justin McClain (T), Brian Lentz (T); Att. -- 942 Game 34: Keene 3, Twisters 0 KEENE, N.H., July 23 -- All-Star pitcher Gabe Ribas pitched a complete game, five-hit shutout as the Swamp Bats (20-16) delayed the Twisters' ascension to the top of the National Division with a 3-0 victory on Monday night. Torrington (24-10) can clinch the first National Division title and a playoff berth tonight with a win over Newport at Fuessenich Park. C.J. Giampaolo made his first NECBL start for the Twisters and allowed six hits. Two hits were home runs by Keene All-Star Shaun Larkin, who had a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo home run in the third inning. Larkin currently is second in the league with eight home runs. Ribas struck out six for Keene. Tabor Lee, Justin McClain, Brian Lentz, Billy Ryan and Mike McMillian each had hits for the Twisters. It was only the second time in 34 games that the Twisters have been shutout. Keene 3, Torrington 0 Torrington (24-10) 000 000 000 -- 0-5-0 Keene (20-16) 201 000 00x -- 3-8-0 C.J. Giampaolo, Leuthard (2) and Brian Lentz; Gabe Ribas and Jon Douillard; WP -- Ribas (5-2), LP -- Giampaolo (0-1); HR -- Shaun Larkin (K) 2; Att. -- 1343 MANCHESTER, July 22 -- Robert Newton helped cap off a National Division victory with a two-RBI double in the sixth inning as the National Division ripped 19 hits on its way to a 9-4 victory over the American Division in the 2001 NECBL All-Star Game at Manchester's Northwest Park before 776 fans. Newton was one of five Twisters in the game. Shortstop Taber Lee went 2-for-5 with a walk, an putout and one assist; first baseman Nate Gold was 2-for-4 with an RBI while second baseman Adam Haley made a nice diving grab of a soft line drive in the eighth and had two putouts. Pitcher Rory Shortell did not pitch. Lee and Gold earned spots on the All-NECBL team and were named to the NECBL All-Star team that will challenge the Cape Cod All-Stars on Saturday in Keene, N.H. Click here for the full story. Game 32 & 33: Lowell 6-2, Twisters 3-4 TORRINGTON, July 21 -- In the completion of a game suspended by rain on June 30, Lowell outlasted the Twisters, 6-3. The game was tied 1-1 in the fifth when it was stopped. Lowell's Damon Whalen went 2-for-5 including a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the All-Americans a 3-2 lead. Ryan Hanigan added a home run in the top of the seventh. Taber Lee was 3-for-4 for the Twisters while Brian Lentz and Billy Ryan were each 2-for-4. In game two, the Twisters erased a two-run deficit. A Twister triple play (5-3-2-7) turned the tide. With men on first and third base, a ground ball to third base went to first base for the first out. The runner from third trying to score at home was thrown out as well as the runner from first base who tried to reach third base. All-Star Robert Newton was 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Twisters. Pitcher Rob Harrand improved to 3-0 with eight innings of strong work, allowing only two runs and scattering eight hits. Jeff Trzos picked up his eighth save of the year. The Twisters cut their magic number to clinch the National Division and a NECBL playoff berth to two. Lowell 6, Torrington 3 Lowell (18-14) 000 021 102 -- 6-12-2 Torrington (23-9) 001 010 100 -- 3-12-2 M. McGirr, D. Johnson (5), B. Groff (7) and R. Hanigan; Cory Hahn, Tony Stutz (5), C.J. Giampaolo (8) and Brian Lentz; WP -- Johnson (4-2); LP -- Stutz (1-1); 2B -- R. Leahy (L), Mike McMillian (T), Nate Gold (T); 3B-- D. Whalen (L); HR -- R. Hanigan (L), D. Whalen (L) Torrington 4, Lowell 2 Lowell (18-15) 100 100 000 -- 2-8-0 Torrington (24-9) 000 022 00x -- 4-9-2 M. Nadler, Lynch (5), D. Close (6), C. Nadler (8) and Ellerbrook; Rob Harrand, Jeff Trzos (9) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Harrand (3-0); LP -- Lynch (0-1); Save -- Trzos (9); 2B -- D. Whalen (L), Mike McMillan (T); HR B. Durkin (L); Att. -- 1226 Game 31: Twisters 4, Concord 0 CONCORD, N.H., July 20 -- The Twisters moved within three victories of clinching the NECBL's National Division championship and a playoff berth with a 4-0 win over the Quarry Dogs at Warren Doane Field. Torrington hurler Eric Thomas (3-1) scattered five hits, walked one and struck out three in five innings work to earn the victory. All-Star first baseman Nate Gold was 3-for-4 for Torrington (23-8). Justin McClain was 2-for-4 for the Twisters with a double and one RBI while catcher Billy Ryan had a double and one RBI. Torrington (23-8) 000 400 000 -- 4-10-0 Concord (15-20) 000 000 000 -- 0-6-2 WP: Thomas (3-1) LP: Dowling (0-1); 2B Justin McClain (T), Billy Ryan (T), Jordan Cantalmessa (T); Att. -- 1444 Game 30: Concord 4, Twisters 2 CONCORD, N.H. -- The Quarry Dogs snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory at Warren Doane Stadium. All-Star pitcher John Velosky scattered seven hits but didn't allow a run to improve to 6-1 and lower ERA to 0.76, second behind teammate Matt Elfeldt (0.72). Velosky struck out eight in six innings work. Elfedlt, the former Twisters, struck out three Twister batters in the ninth to earn his league-leading 10th save and his second against Torrington. Adam Haley and Mike McMillian each were 2-for-4 for the Twisters (22-8), who saw their magic number to clinch the National Division title and a playoff berth shrink to four. Keene (18-15) lost to Riverpoint, 3-2. Rory Shortell took the loss for the Twisters while Anthony Tranchina pitching two innings of shutout relief. Concord 4, Torrington 2 At Concord, N.H. Torrington (22-8) 000 002 000 -- 2-7-0 Concord (15-19) 002 020 00x -- 4-6-4 Rory Shortell, Anthony Tranchina (8) and Brian Lentz; John Velosky, Steve Reiss (8), Matt Elfeldt (9) and Matt Tupman; WP -- Velosky (6-1), LP -- Shortell (2-3); 2B -- Brandon Roberts (T), Anthony Derosa (Con); Att. -- 1,233 Diamond Dust: Twisters sign 3 new players The Twisters signed three new players on Sunday while five players -- Taber Lee, Nate Gold, Robert Newton, Rory Shortell and Adam Haley were named to the National Division team for the 2001 NECBL All-Star game. |
Connecticut Sports Online |
An assortment of stories and links to the top sports news in Connecticut and the nation. |
This page was last updated on: May 9, 2003
Twisters 2001: Games 30-43 NECBL semis game 3: Keene 4, Twisters 2 TORRINGTON, Aug. 3 -- Still standing after a host of injuries, the Keene Swamp Bats finally landed a body blow that the Twisters couldn't absorb in Friday night's decisive game 3 of the NECBL semifinals. The surging Swamp Bats used a pair of home runs and a dominating nine-inning pitching performance from righthander Gabe Ribas to eliminate the Twisters, 4-2, on a rainy Friday night at Fuessenich Park. The Swamp Bats, who have won eight of its last nine games, advance to the NECBL championship series against Newport, a 12-2 winner over Eastern. Click here for the full story. Keene 4, Torrington 2 Keene 100 021 000 -- 4-4-3 Torrington 000 000 020 -- 2-8-0 Gabe Ribas and Jon Douillard; Reuben Kerbs, Tony Stutz (5), Jeff Trzos and Brian Lentz; WP: Ribas (1-0); LP: Kerbs (0-1); 2B: Gabe Bergeron (K); HR: Myron Lesile (K), Tim Arroyo (K); Att.: 790 NECBL semis, game 2: Keene 14, Twisters 4 KEENE, N.H., August 2 -- The Swamp Bats tied the best-of-3 semifinal series at 1-1 with a 14-4 win over the Twisters at Alumni Field. Keene hit a record five home runs against the Twisters including a grand slam from Kevin Melillo off Twister starter Rory Shortell. It was the worst playoff defeat in team history and the most home runs that Torrington has allowed in a single game in franchise history. Myron Lesile, Shawn Larkin, Eric Rico and Jabe Bergeron also hit home runs for Keene. Rico and Bergeron were each 3-for-5. The Twisters had 11 hits including two home runs from Justin McClain and Adam Haley (2-4, double, HR, 2 RBI). Keene 14, Torrington 4 Torrington 001 002 010 -- 4 11 4 Keene 201 442 10x -- 14 16 1 Rory Shortell, Ben Leuthard (5), C.J. Giampaolo (5), Anthony Tranchina (7) and Brian Lentz; Justin Nywiede, Jordy Templet (9) and Jon Douillard, Anthony Medeiros (9); WP: Nyweide (1-0) LP: Shortell (0-1); 2B: Adam Haley (T); HR: Justin McClain (T); Haley (T); Kevin Melillo (K), Myron Leslie (K); Shaun Larkin (K); Erik Rico (K); Jabe Bergeron (K); Att. -- 1923 NECBL semis, game 1: Twisters 3, Keene 2 TORRINGTON, Aug. 1, 2001 -- As the losses piled up for the Torrington Twisters in the final two weeks of the season, the team's confidence remained steady. The Twisters, who lost seven of its last 10 games, displayed some championship form Wednesday night taking game one of the NECBL semifinals with a gutty 3-2 victory over the defending league champion Keene Swamp Bats at Fuessenich Park. "The fans were getting restless the last two weeks but we knew we could do it," said Twister outfielder Mike McMillian, who had a key RBI triple in the fifth inning to break up a scoreless duel. "We were collecting ourselves and working on the basics. We're a talented team." Click on this link for the full story. Torrington 3, Keene 2 Keene 000 000 002 --2-8-2 Torrington 000 010 02x -- 3-6-1 Tim Stauffer and Jon Douillard; Tim Leveque, Jeff Trzos (8) and Brian Lentz; WP: Leveque (1-0); LP: Stauffer (0-1); 3B: Mike McMillian (T) ; HR: Myron Lesile (K); Save: Trzos (T); Att.: 2487 REGULAR SEASON Game 40: Eastern 4, Twisters 1 WILLIMANTIC, July 30 -- It's not the way to go into the playoffs but for the Twisters the important fact is that they are there for the first time since 1998 following a 4-1 loss to Eastern to conclude the regular season Monday. The Twisters (25-15) have lost seven of its last 10 games but still won the NECBL's National Division championship. Torrington opens the best-of-3 semifinal against defending league champion Keene on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Fuessenich Park. The Tides came up with the big hits to clinch the final playoff spot. Cy Hess had an RBI triple in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie while Brian Sanders had two hits, a double and one RBI. Eastern hurler Matt Schumey (6-1) scattered eight hits. Jordan Czarniecki was 3-for-4 for the Twisters while Brian Lentz had an RBI single. Five Twister hurlers, none pitching more than 2 innings, threw. Bill Leuthard (0-2) took the loss. Eastern 4, Torrington 1 Torrington (25-15) 001 000 000 -- 1-8-1 Eastern (24-16) 100 002 01x -- 4-7-1 Reuben Kerbs, Tony Stutz (3), Bill Leuthard (5), Jeff Trzos (7), Wendell Anderson (9) and Brian Lentz; Matt Schumey and Mike Lombardi; WP -- Schumey (6-1); LP --Leuthard (0-2); 2B -- Sanders (E), 3B Cy Hess (E); Att. -- na. Game 39: Lowell 9, Twisters 1 LOWELL, Mass., July 29 -- Giving the starting pitching staff a day off, the Twisters fell 9-1 to Lowell, which kept its playoff hopes alive with the victory. Relievers C.J. Giampaolo, Anthony Tranchina and Wendell Anderson combined to allow nine hits to the All-Americans, who broke the game open with four runs in the fifth inning. Mike MacDonald (7-2) allowed only scattered six hits over six innings and struck out five to earn the win. For the Twisters (25-14), Brian Lentz was 2-for-5 with a double while Adam Haley was 3-for-5. Catcher Ryan Rogozinski, the late-season addition from Naugatuck Valley Community College, went 2-for-3 and improved his average to .429. The top two finishers in each division each home field advantage in the first round. A random draw will determine which teams will play each other in the first round. Lowell 9, Torrington 1 Torrington (25-14) 000 010 000 -- 1 9 2 Lowell (22-17) 000 240 30x -- 9 7 3 C.J. Giampaolo, Anthony Tranchina (5), Wendell Anderson (9) and Ryan Rogozinski; Mike MacDonald, B. Groff (7), Lynch (8), S. Nadler (9) and R. Hanigan, Ellerbrook (9); WP -- MacDonald (7-2); LP Giampaolo (0-2); 2B -- Brian Lentz (T), Ryan Hanigan (L), Damon Whalen (L); Att. 217 Cape Cod All-Stars 5, NECBL All-Stars 2 KEENE, N.H., July 28 -- Chatham's Russ Adams and game MVP Larry Broadway of Orleans each had first inning home runs to lift the Cape Cod League All-Stars to a 5-2 win over the NECBL All-Stars before 2,673 at Alumni Field. Adams had a solo shot while Broadway added a two-run shot off Newport lefthander Joel Kirsten to spark Cape Cod's 12-hit attack. The NECBL cut the lead to two in the third inning when Concord's Matt Tupman scored on a RBI double by the Twisters' Taber Lee. Cape Cod added a fourth run in the fourth but the NECBL again cut the lead to two when Middletown's Kevin Wissner scored on a passed ball. Twister closer Jeff Trzos pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts for the NECBL but Cape Cod's David Bush fanned three straight NECBL batters to seal the victory. Broadway hit 13 home runs to win the home run derby competition. Broadway hit nine in the first round and added four in the finals. Wissner finished second with eight home runs and three in the finals. Danbury's Joe Apotheker had five home runs in the first round but only one in the finals. Cape Cod 5, NECBL 2 Cape Cod All-Stars 300 100 010 -- 5-12-2 NECBL All-Stars 001 100 000 -- 2- 8-2 WP -- Crockett, B. Save -- Bush, D. LP -- Joel Kirsten (Newport); HR: Eric Reed (Chatham), Larry Broadway (Orleans). Game 38: Twisters 4, Riverpoint 3 TORRINGTON, July 27 -- The Twisters rallied from a three-run deficit to beat Riverpoint, 4-3 and earn the NECBL National Division championship and the team's first playoff berth since 1998 before 1,500 fans at Fuessenich Park An RBI single by Adam Haley and RBI single from Brian Lentz in the third inning cut the lead to one run. In the fifth, Haley's RBI single scored Ryan Rogozinski and Justin McClain's sacrifice fly scored Nick Carbone with the winning run. Starter Tim Leveque (6-1) pitched six innings of solid baseball, scattering six hits and striking out three. Tony Stutz earned the save in the ninth. Torrington 4, Riverpoint 3 Riverpoint (16-22) 120 000 000 - 3-7-1 Torrington (25-13) 000 220 00x - 4-8-1 Adam Bass and Craig Alexander; Tim Leveque, Reuben Kerbs (7), Tony Stutz (9) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Leveque (5-1); LP -- Bass (4-3); 2B Matt Saulis (Ri), Billy Ryan (T); 3B -- Taber Lee (T), Brian Triplett (Ri) Twister players set to face Cape Cod League Saturday, the little brother gets a chance to show his older sibling that he can indeed play. The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NEBCL) gets the opportunity to face the Cape Cod League, the granddaddy of summer collegiate baseball leagues, in an All-Star game on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Keene. Four Twisters were named to the team by the coaches, All-NEBCL shortstop Taber Lee, All-NECBL first baseman Nate Gold along with second baseman Adam Haley and relief pitcher Jeff Trzos. Gold will not play after fracturing his hand in Monday's game with Keene when he was hit by a pitch. Game 37: Middletown 9, Twisters 7 MIDDLETOWN, July 26 -- The march has slowed to a crawl. The drive for the Twisters toward a National Division championship and its first playoff berth since 1998 remains stuck in neutral. The Torrington bullpen blew a three-run lead in the seventh inning as the Middletown Giants kept the Twisters and the dozen or so faithful fans that make the trek to Palmer Field waiting for the title-clinching victory with a 9-7 New England Collegiate Baseball League victory. The Twisters (24-13) have lost a season-high four in a row and six of its last eight games. Middletown 9, Torrington 7 Torrington (24-13) 000 322 000 -- 7-10-1 Middletown (15-21) 400 000 50x -- 9-9-2 Rory Shortell, Ben Leuthard (7), Tony Stutz (7) and Brian Lentz; Jason Metzger, Eric Chown (7), Michael James (9) and Jeff Tarigo; WP -- Chown (1-1) ; LP -- Leuthard (0-1); Save -- James (M) 4; 2B -- Billy Ryan (T), Chris Graziano (M); 3B Ryan Bitter (M); Att. 100 Game 36: Danbury 6, Twisters 4 DANBURY, July 25 -- The Twisters continue to come close but can't get the rock over the top of the hill. The win that will clinch a playoff spot and give Torrington the National Division title continues to elude them after a 6-4 loss to Danbury. Torrington (24-12) has lost a season-high three in a row. The Westerners (17-20) had leads of 4-0 and 5-1. "It's our duty to punish the contenders,'' Westerners' manager Moe Morhardt told the Danbury News-Times. "That's what you do when you're not in it yourself.'' Boomer Berry had a two-out, two RBI double in the second inning off Twister starter Anthony Tranchina to give Danbury a 4-0 lead. Berry had an RBI fielder's choice that made it 5-1 in the fourth. The Twisters rallied for three runs in the fifth on four hits. Brian Lentz's two-RBI double cut the lead to one, 5-4. Danbury took a 6-4 in the fifth when Mike Budak was hit by a pitch, stole second, went to third on a ground ball and scored on a sacrifice fly. The Twisters had the tying runs on base in the seventh but the inning was cut short when Danbury starter Ben Hutton picked a runner off second base. Mike McMillian and Ryan Rogozinski, in his first Twister game, each had two hits. Tabor Lee had one RBI. The Twisters can clinch the National Division title and a playoff berth with a win over Middletown tonight at Palmer Field. Danbury 6, Torrington 4 Torrington (24-12) 001 030 000 -- 4 8 3 Danbury (17-20) 040 110 00x -- 6 9 0 Anthony Tranchina, Eric Thomas (6) and Ryan Rogozinski; Ben Hutton, Josh Joiner (8) and Luis Boullon. WP: Hutton (3-2) LP: Tranchina (0-1). 2B: Mike Miller (D), Boomer Barry (D), Joe Apotheker (D), Adam Haley (T), Brian Lentz (T), Mike McMillan (T) Game 35: Newport 3, Twisters 2 TORRINGTON, July 24 -- On a hot, humid evening at Fuessenich Park, the Torrington Twisters couldn't quite keep up with the visiting Newport Gulls and wasted an opportunity to clinch the National Division championship and a NECBL playoff berth. Newport rode the pitching performance of Chris Barlow and outlasted the Twisters, 3-2. Barlow scattered five hits and struck out seven in his second strong performance of the season against the Twisters. He pitched well on June 10 but his bullpen betrayed him as the Twisters prevailed by a run. But there were no late inning heroics Tuesday night for the tired Twisters (24-11), who have lost two of its last three games. Newport 3, Torrington 2 Newport (20-14) 011 100 000 -- 3-5-0 Torrington (24-10) 000 000 101 -- 2-6-1 Chris Barlow, Mike Bergeron (8), Brian Jacobsen (9) and Eric Winegarden, A.J. Zickgraf (7); Wendell Anderson, Tony Stutz (8) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Barlow (2-1) ; LP -- Anderson (1-1); Save Jacobsen (4); 2B -- Jason Kane (N), Mike Bohlander (N), Winegarden (N), Raphael Lara (N) ; HR -- Justin McClain (T), Brian Lentz (T); Att. -- 942 Game 34: Keene 3, Twisters 0 KEENE, N.H., July 23 -- All-Star pitcher Gabe Ribas pitched a complete game, five-hit shutout as the Swamp Bats (20-16) delayed the Twisters' ascension to the top of the National Division with a 3-0 victory on Monday night. Torrington (24-10) can clinch the first National Division title and a playoff berth tonight with a win over Newport at Fuessenich Park. C.J. Giampaolo made his first NECBL start for the Twisters and allowed six hits. Two hits were home runs by Keene All-Star Shaun Larkin, who had a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo home run in the third inning. Larkin currently is second in the league with eight home runs. Ribas struck out six for Keene. Tabor Lee, Justin McClain, Brian Lentz, Billy Ryan and Mike McMillian each had hits for the Twisters. It was only the second time in 34 games that the Twisters have been shutout. Keene 3, Torrington 0 Torrington (24-10) 000 000 000 -- 0-5-0 Keene (20-16) 201 000 00x -- 3-8-0 C.J. Giampaolo, Leuthard (2) and Brian Lentz; Gabe Ribas and Jon Douillard; WP -- Ribas (5-2), LP -- Giampaolo (0-1); HR -- Shaun Larkin (K) 2; Att. -- 1343 MANCHESTER, July 22 -- Robert Newton helped cap off a National Division victory with a two-RBI double in the sixth inning as the National Division ripped 19 hits on its way to a 9-4 victory over the American Division in the 2001 NECBL All-Star Game at Manchester's Northwest Park before 776 fans. Newton was one of five Twisters in the game. Shortstop Taber Lee went 2-for-5 with a walk, an putout and one assist; first baseman Nate Gold was 2-for-4 with an RBI while second baseman Adam Haley made a nice diving grab of a soft line drive in the eighth and had two putouts. Pitcher Rory Shortell did not pitch. Lee and Gold earned spots on the All-NECBL team and were named to the NECBL All-Star team that will challenge the Cape Cod All-Stars on Saturday in Keene, N.H. Click here for the full story. Game 32 & 33: Lowell 6-2, Twisters 3-4 TORRINGTON, July 21 -- In the completion of a game suspended by rain on June 30, Lowell outlasted the Twisters, 6-3. The game was tied 1-1 in the fifth when it was stopped. Lowell's Damon Whalen went 2-for-5 including a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the All-Americans a 3-2 lead. Ryan Hanigan added a home run in the top of the seventh. Taber Lee was 3-for-4 for the Twisters while Brian Lentz and Billy Ryan were each 2-for-4. In game two, the Twisters erased a two-run deficit. A Twister triple play (5-3-2-7) turned the tide. With men on first and third base, a ground ball to third base went to first base for the first out. The runner from third trying to score at home was thrown out as well as the runner from first base who tried to reach third base. All-Star Robert Newton was 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Twisters. Pitcher Rob Harrand improved to 3-0 with eight innings of strong work, allowing only two runs and scattering eight hits. Jeff Trzos picked up his eighth save of the year. The Twisters cut their magic number to clinch the National Division and a NECBL playoff berth to two. Lowell 6, Torrington 3 Lowell (18-14) 000 021 102 -- 6-12-2 Torrington (23-9) 001 010 100 -- 3-12-2 M. McGirr, D. Johnson (5), B. Groff (7) and R. Hanigan; Cory Hahn, Tony Stutz (5), C.J. Giampaolo (8) and Brian Lentz; WP -- Johnson (4-2); LP -- Stutz (1-1); 2B -- R. Leahy (L), Mike McMillian (T), Nate Gold (T); 3B-- D. Whalen (L); HR -- R. Hanigan (L), D. Whalen (L) Torrington 4, Lowell 2 Lowell (18-15) 100 100 000 -- 2-8-0 Torrington (24-9) 000 022 00x -- 4-9-2 M. Nadler, Lynch (5), D. Close (6), C. Nadler (8) and Ellerbrook; Rob Harrand, Jeff Trzos (9) and Billy Ryan; WP -- Harrand (3-0); LP -- Lynch (0-1); Save -- Trzos (9); 2B -- D. Whalen (L), Mike McMillan (T); HR B. Durkin (L); Att. -- 1226 Game 31: Twisters 4, Concord 0 CONCORD, N.H., July 20 -- The Twisters moved within three victories of clinching the NECBL's National Division championship and a playoff berth with a 4-0 win over the Quarry Dogs at Warren Doane Field. Torrington hurler Eric Thomas (3-1) scattered five hits, walked one and struck out three in five innings work to earn the victory. All-Star first baseman Nate Gold was 3-for-4 for Torrington (23-8). Justin McClain was 2-for-4 for the Twisters with a double and one RBI while catcher Billy Ryan had a double and one RBI. Torrington (23-8) 000 400 000 -- 4-10-0 Concord (15-20) 000 000 000 -- 0-6-2 WP: Thomas (3-1) LP: Dowling (0-1); 2B Justin McClain (T), Billy Ryan (T), Jordan Cantalmessa (T); Att. -- 1444 Game 30: Concord 4, Twisters 2 CONCORD, N.H. -- The Quarry Dogs snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory at Warren Doane Stadium. All-Star pitcher John Velosky scattered seven hits but didn't allow a run to improve to 6-1 and lower ERA to 0.76, second behind teammate Matt Elfeldt (0.72). Velosky struck out eight in six innings work. Elfedlt, the former Twisters, struck out three Twister batters in the ninth to earn his league-leading 10th save and his second against Torrington. Adam Haley and Mike McMillian each were 2-for-4 for the Twisters (22-8), who saw their magic number to clinch the National Division title and a playoff berth shrink to four. Keene (18-15) lost to Riverpoint, 3-2. Rory Shortell took the loss for the Twisters while Anthony Tranchina pitching two innings of shutout relief. Concord 4, Torrington 2 At Concord, N.H. Torrington (22-8) 000 002 000 -- 2-7-0 Concord (15-19) 002 020 00x -- 4-6-4 Rory Shortell, Anthony Tranchina (8) and Brian Lentz; John Velosky, Steve Reiss (8), Matt Elfeldt (9) and Matt Tupman; WP -- Velosky (6-1), LP -- Shortell (2-3); 2B -- Brandon Roberts (T), Anthony Derosa (Con); Att. -- 1,233 Diamond Dust: Twisters sign 3 new players The Twisters signed three new players on Sunday while five players -- Taber Lee, Nate Gold, Robert Newton, Rory Shortell and Adam Haley were named to the National Division team for the 2001 NECBL All-Star game. |
