Post Season Playoff Summaries

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July 31, 2011 

Playoffs - Championship Round 2, Game 2

Fulton Railroaders 2, Owensboro Oilers 1 - DH game 1.  In 7 innings.  In the first game (Championship Game 2), the Railroaders scored their two runs in the top of the 4th inning. With two out, Joe Mike singled. Tyler O'Daniel followed with a 2-RBI home run over the left field wall.  The Oilers scored their run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Ryan Messex led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second base on a passed ball. Messex scored on a RBI single by Brent Weinzapfel. The Oilers had runners on second and third bases when the the inning ended.  The game ended at the same 2 to 1 score, favoring the Railroaders. The winner was Taylor Reilly for six innings pitched, Tate Glasscock earned the one-inning save..  Box Scores Click Here.

Playoffs - Championship Round 2, Game 3

Fulton Railroaders 10, Owensboro Oilers 7- DH game 2.  In 7 innings.  In the second game (Championship Round Game 3), Fulton scored seven runs in the top of the 1st inning. Mikee Moore led off the game with a double. One out later Rob Hogenkamp walked. Tyler O'Daniel singled -- loading the bases. Moore came in on an RBI single by Colton Speed. A passed ball allowed Hogenkamp to score and the other runners to advance a base. Kahtan Al-Kaissy reached on a error that scored O'Daniel and moved Speed to third base. Al-Kaissy stole second base and Speed broke for home -- ducking under the tag to score. Connor Tracy reached on a error and Chris Divarco singled, loading the bases again. Zach Bailey followed with a 3- RBI triple to drive in all the runners ahead of him. The second and third out came in succession, with the Railroaders leading 7-0.

The Oilers scored two runs in the bottom of 2nd inning. Ryan Messex singled to start the Oiler inning and Brent Weinzapfel hit a 2-RBI home run over the center field wall. At the end of two innings it was a 7-2 game. Owensboro added two more runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Luis Mila led off with a walk. One out later, Ryan Stephens singled. They both advanced a base on the same wild pitch. Mila and Stephens scored with two outs on a 2-RBI single by Austin Hargrove. By the end of three innings, the Oilers had climbed back to a 7-4 deficit. The home team made it 7 to 5 with one run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Austin Clay walked, and was sacrifice bunted to second base. He scored on a RBI double by Mila.

The Railroader offense asserted itself again to score three more runs in the top of the 6th inning. Bailey walked to lead off. Moore, intending to sacrifice bunt, reached on an error that put himself at second base and Bailey at third base. Brandon Eggenschwiler RBI sacrifice flied to score Bailey. Hogenkamp RBI singled to bring in Moore, then went to second base on a passed ball. Tyler O'Daniel followed with an RBI single for Hogenkamp's run. Owensboro escaped further damage -- but now trailed 10 to 5.

The Oilers would rally for two of those five runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. With one out Ty Stetson, Stephens, and Messex strung together consecutive singles to load the bases against Fulton reliever Mike Canady. Austin Hargrove and Dalton Lykins each RBI walked with the bases loaded and no more than two out. Fulton brought on closer Tate Glasscock to record the final out of the 6th inning. After 6 innings the score was 10 to 7 for the Railroaders, and that's the way it stayed to the game's conclusion. The win went to Fulton starter Roman Kelly and Tate Glasscock earned his second save of the day. The tough loss fell on Oilers starter Ben Wright. Of the 10 runs scored against Owensboro in this game only two were earned. That, as they say, is baseball.  Box Scores Click Here.

It is a beautiful thing to watch happen each year, here in Owensboro, and around the League. Baseball can make you feel like a kid again, and baseball can break your heart -- all at the same time. Still, this truth is constant: baseball will bring you back. Thanks everyone for a great 2011 and come back for 2012.

July 30, 2011

Playoffs - Championship Round 2, Game 2

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers PPD Rain.  Game 2 of the Post Season Championship series was rained out.  The game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader in Owensboro on Sunday.  First game start is 5:00 pm.  Should Fulton win the first game (round 2, game 2), the doubleheader would continue with the second game.

July 29, 2011

Playoffs - Championship Round 2, Game 1

Owensboro Oilers 17, Fulton Railroaders 9.  The Oilers take a 1-0 lead in the final series of the Post Season Playoffs by out gunning the Railroaders with 5 homeruns totaling 12 RBIs.  Owensboro marked up 16 hits total leaving only 5 men on base.  The Railroaders chalked up 11 hits with 10 men stranded.  The Oilers started quickly in the 1st with the first homerun from Ryan Stephens for 2 RBIs.  The Railroaders answered with 1 in the bottom half of 1st on a RBI single from Brandon Eggenschwiler. Top of the 3rd, Owensboro fired the second homer by Drew Barrett for 3 RBIs and another single RBI in the 5th to take a 6-1 lead on Fulton.  The Railroaders came up with score number 2 in the bottom of the 5th on a RBI double from Mikee Moore.  The Oilers began the 6th with 3 more runs and closed their half inning with a blasted 3rd homer (worth 3 RBIs) by Eric Barnes.  With the score now 12-2 and hope fading fast, the Railroaders rallied in the bottom of the 6th sending 11 men to the plate, scoring 7 runs on 4 hits along with 2 Owensboro errors, climbing to within 3 runs of the lead.  The score 12-9 to begin the 7th; the Oilers increased their lead with 3 more starting with the 4th homerun by Dalton Lykins for 2 RBIs.  Now down by 6 runs the Railroaders sent in their 5th pitcher Joe Mike, moving him from 1st base to the mound.  Mike fell victim to the 5th and final homer in the 8th, another 2 RBI shot from Brent Weinzapfel to cap off the final 17-9 victory for Owensboro.  Cody Williams earned the win pitching 5 2/3 innings giving up only 3 hits, walking 5 and 3 strikeouts. Of the 8 runs scored against Williams, only 3 were earned.  Starter and losing pitcher for Fulton was BJ Sieverding going 4 2/3 allowing 8 hits, 6 earned runs, a walk and 2 strikeouts.  Game 2 in the final series is scheduled for Saturday in Owensboro, along with game 3 if necessary.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 28, 2011 Playoffs - Round 1, Game 3

Owensboro Oilers 4, Tradewater Pirates 3.  The Owensboro Oilers won the third and deciding game of their first round, best-of-three playoff series over the visiting Tradewater Pirates. The final score was 4 to 3.  The Oilers scored first with one run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Drew Barrett led the inning off with a double. A sacrifice bunt moved Barrett over to third base. Ryan Messex drove Barrett in with a RBI single to account for the scoring. Owensboro added a run to its lead in the bottom of the 4th inning. With one out, Ryan Stephens singled, then sped all the way to third base on a two-base error.  Barrett followed with an RBI single. The Oilers went on to load the bases up, but the Pirates got the two outs they wanted without more scoring. The Oilers led 2 to 0.  Tradewater scored all three of its runs with two outs in the top of the 6th inning. J.B. Sapienza walked to lead off the inning, and a sacrifice bunt moved him up to second base. A strike out later, Eric Herman walked. During Tony Becerra's  at-bat Sapienza stole third base and Herman moved up to second base without a throw. Becerra delivered a 2 RBI double off tiring Oilers starter Allen Haase, scoring both Sapienza and Herman. Then Tyler McDonald also RBI doubled to bring in Becerra. A groundout ended the rally --but now the Oilers trailed 3-2.  Owensboro tied the game in the bottom of the 7th inning. Brent Weinzapfel led off with a walk, and he was sacrificed over to second base. A pop fly out later Ty Stetson RBI singled to score Weinzapfel.  In the bottom of the 8th inning the Oilers retook the lead with a run. With one out, Eric Barnes singled. He moved up to second base on groundout. Austin Hargrove came through with a clutch RBI single, Barnes scored easily on the move. At the end of 8 innings it was 4 to 3 Oilers, if they could keep it that way. Owensboro reliever Jim Mulvaney came in for the top of the 9th and settled matters with two strikeouts and a grouundout.  The winner was Oilers reliever Tim Steed -- who's scoreless 2.33 innings gave the Oilers offense a chance to rally back ahead. Mulvaney earned the save. The loss fell on Pirates reliever Calyn Young.  The Oilers and our community wish the Pirates and theirs smooth sailing in the off season.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 27, 2011 Playoffs - Round 1, Game 2

Fulton Railroaders 3, Marion Bobcats 2.  The Railroaders advance to the final Championship round in Post Season Playoffs after sweeping the Bobcats 2 straight games in the first bracket.  In contrast to Tuesday's 9-3 win in Marion, the Railroaders had to fight back to take the game in the final half of inning of play.  Both teams were scoreless through 2 innings with each loading the bases once but failing to bring runners home.  The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd as Desmond Roberts scored from 3rd base when Fulton failed to turn a doubled play with 1 out.  In the bottom of the 4th and 2 outs, Mike Pudlo walked bringing Mikee Moore to plate.  Moore jumped on the first pitch and hit a solid line drive homer over the flag pole in center field, giving Fulton a 2-1 lead.  The scoring ceased through the next 3 innings as both starters, Roman Kelly for Fulton and Todd Brazell for Marion, held batters at bay and were backed by good defensive play on both sides.  Top of the 8th, the Bobcats got their chance and tied the game; Kyle Vander Ark lead off with a single, sacrificed to 2nd then scored from a Cody Kottich RBI single  Tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the 9th, Mikee Moore singled to start the inning then was given 2nd base on a balk called on reliever Daniel Szathmary who started the inning. Moore made 3rd on a wild pitch as Marion sent in Matthew Vollenweider to face Rob Hogenkamp at the plate with 1 out.  Hogenkamp then hit a high lazy chopper in front of Vollenweider who scooped it up, looked Moore back to 3rd then dropped the ball turning to throw to 1st base for an out.  Moore, the leading base stealer in the league, didn't hesitate and broke for home.  Vollenweider quickly recovered the ball and threw off balance and high to plate as Moore slid under the tag to win the game for Fulton. Tate Glasscock gets the win pitching the 9th entering the game tied.  Daniel Szathmary take a hard loss pitching only 1/3 inning but allowed the go ahead run Moore to get aboard.  Box Scores Click Here.

The loss for the Bobcats ends the post season play for Marion.  The Railroaders now take a day off and wait to see who they will play in the final championship round.  The Pirates win on Wednesday ties the 3 game series with the Oilers at 1 game each.  The two teams will play again on Thursday to decide the which team advances.  An Owensboro win would see the Oilers in Fulton on Friday night, a Pirate win will send the Railroaders to Tradewater on Friday, then home on Saturday for game 2 of the final set. 

Tradewater Pirates 7, Owensboro Oilers 3 .  The Owensboro Oilers lost the second game of their best-of-three first round playoff series to the visiting Tradewater Pirates. The final score was 7 to 3. Tradewater needed the win to remain in the series, now tied at 1-1.  The Pirates scored first on one run in the top of the 4th inning. Derrek Etsell walked to lead off, and stole second base. He moved to third base on a groundout, then came in on a RBI sacrifice fly by Tony Beccera. Tradewater added two runs in the top of the 5th inning. Eric Silakowski led off with a single. David Zorn and Brock Bontrager both walked -- loading the bases. J.B. Sapienza reached on an error that allowed Silakowski to score, and kept the bases loaded. Bill Pace followed with a RBI single for Zorn. Etsell reached on a fielder's choice the Oilers employed to outs at the plate and third base. Out three followed that. The Pirates scored four more runs in the top of the 8th inning. With one out Becerra reached and moved to second base on an error. Tyler McDonald singled, sending Becerra to third base. Silakowski reached on an error that allowed Becerra across the plate as McDonald moved up a base. Zorn singled to load the bases. Bontrager RBI singled to score McDonald. Sapienza RBI walked in Silakowski. Zorn came home on a RBI sacrifice fly by Pace. Then a pop fly ended the half-inning with Tradewater ahead 7 to 0.  The Oilers rallied late with one run in the bottom of the 8th inning and two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. In the 8th inning,  Ty Stetson reached on an error, then Ryan Stephens and Drew Barrett singled back-to-back to load the bases. An inning of potential collapsed with two strikeouts and an infield fly -- but not before Stetson scored from third base on a wild pitch. In the 9th inning, Ty Broady walked to lead off. Gabriel Pena was hit by a pitch. A strikeout later, Stetson walked to load the bases. Ryan Stephens followed with a 2- RBI single that drove in Broady and Pena. The Pirates secured a flyout and groundout to end the inning and the game with the final 7 to 3 in Tradewater's favor.  The must win for the Pirates went to starter Kyle Thomas, who went eight impressive innings of 1-run ball. Oilers starter Myles Scott got the loss..  Box Scores Click Here.

July 26, 2011 Playoffs - Round 1, Game 1

Owensboro Oilers 4, Tradewater Pirates 2.  The Owensboro Oilers won the first game of their first round, best-of-three playoff series. The Oilers outscored the hosting Tradewater Pirates 4 to 2 with Owensboro starter Ben Wright's strong complete game showing. The series now moves to Owensboro for as many as two games if needed, to be played at Apollo High School.

Bucs must return to Owensboro after opening game loss in post season.  For the Pirates to move on to round two, they must win two consecutive games on the road.  The regular season champs schooled the Bucs in small ball tactics, moving runners and finding ways to plate runs.  Tradewater tacks on two runs in the ninth, but it's too little too late, and former Buc skipper Steve Fowler records another win at Riverside Park.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 9, Marion Bobcats 3.  The Railroaders used 5 hits, 2 walks and a sacrifice fly and jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2 innings of play. The Bobcats finally got on the board in the 6th with 3 runs off 4 hits.  Fulton replied in the 7th with a run and 2 more in the 9th to seal the victory in game 1 of the Post Season Playoffs.  Both offenses blasted 23 total hits which included 5 doubles and 2 triples.  Fulton's offense made the most of their 11 total hits only stranding 5 on base.  Mikee Moore was 3 of 4, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs scored; Brandon Eggenschwiler 3 of 3, 2 scores. 1 RBI; Rob HogenKamp 2 for 4, scored and 3 RBI; Joe Mike 2 of 5 and 2 RBIs.  Marion mustered up 12 hits, however left 11 men on board.  Cody Schmitt 3 of 5 and Desmond Roberts 3 of 4 with a RBI lead the Bobcat hitting.  Taylor Reilly started for Fulton and went 6 innings earning the win.  Garret Hunt lasted only 1 1/3 inning but takes the loss with 6 earned runs against him.  Round 1 continues on Wednesday with the Railroaders and Bobcats at Fulton in game 2 of the best of 3 series.  Box Scores Click Here.

Regular Season Game Summaries & Pre-Season Information

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July 25, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 8, Marion Bobcats 6.  In 13 innings.  With the win, the Owensboro Oilers are the regular season Champions. It was the shortest game in league history, ending the Ohio Valley League's first regular season with former Bobcats' skipper Steve Fowler and his Owensboro Oilers on top. Monday's resumption of a tie game suspended in the middle of the 11th earlier this month ended in 2 1/2 more innings of play, with visiting Oilers on top 8-6 in 13 innings.  The win for Fowler and his team left them a game ahead of Fulton for the league title. Ironically, the crown was won on the skipper's home field the last three years with the Bobcats, Guess Field.  A season that began with a roar for the Bobcats ended in a whimper, with Marion (19-22, 20-22 overall) losing 10 of their last 14 including the final four games of the season. July saw the first-place Bobcats plummet in the standings with an 8-16 record for the month. The Bobcats fared bettter on the road than at home, going 12-10 with one of those wins coming in interleague play. At home, Marion was only 7-12.  But the regular season can be put to bed, with the postseason giving the Bobcats a new chance at glory beginning Tuesday when they host second-place Fulton for Game 1 of the best-of-three opening round series. The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. The final two games of the series would be played on the road at Lohaus Field.  In the other first-round series, Owensboro takes on last-place Tradewater, traveling to Dawson Springs for Game 1 Tuesday and heading back home for the rest of the series.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 24, 2011

Tradewater Pirates @ Marion Bobcats Rained Out.   The scheduled makeup game with the Tradewater Pirates at the Marion Bobcats has been cancelled due to rain.  The game will not be rescheduled for play as it does not affect the placement in the season standings.

July 23, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 6, Tradewater Pirates 5.  The Owensboro Oilers won  their Saturday night game against the visiting  Tradewater Pirates by the final score of 6 to 5.  The Oilers scored first with two runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Luis Mila led off the home half with a single, and was balked ahead to second base. Ty Stetson bunt singled, as Mila moved to third base. Ryan Stephens RBI doubled, and Mila scored. Drew Barrett walked to load the bases. Eric Barnes RBI singled in Stetson. The Pirate starter, Derrek Etsell, kept his team in the game by recording three consecutive strikeouts -- getting out of the inning only trailing 2-0.
     

Tradewater, held off for three innings by Oilers starter Tim Steed, scored one run in the top of the 4th inning. Brock Bontrager led off hit by a pitch, Eric Silakowski reached on an error that gave Bontrager second base. Sawyer Smith walked to load the bases with no outs. A strike out later, Eric Herman was hit by a pitch and collected an RBI on the Bontrager run. Steed also got out this Pirate bases loaded rally with two consecutive strikeouts. The Oilers led 2-1. The determined Pirates took the lead with two runs in the top of the 5th inning. Etsell -- hitting for himself in the lineup -- walked. He moved to second base on a passed ball. A pop fly out later, Bontrager  walked. The Pirates executed a double steal with Etsell and Bontrager taking third and second bases respectively. Silakowski RBI singled to plate Etsell as Bontrager took third base. Silakowski was put out caught  stealing while the other runner stood pat. Sawyer Smith followed with an RBI single to score Bontrager. A strikeout ended the rally with the Pirates leading 3-2.  The Oilers tied it up with one run in the bottom of the 5th inning. Ryan Messex reached on an infield single and moved all the way to third base on a throwing error. Two strikeouts later, Messex was still at third base. Gabriel Pena came through with a RBI single to drive Messex in. The 5th inning closed with the game tied 3 to 3.

Tradewater scored one run each in the top of the 7th and 8th innings. In the 7th inning Bill Pace doubled to lead off, and he was sacrifice bunted over to third base, and Silakowski RBI singled to account for the run. In the 8th inning  Herman walked, David Zorn bunt singled. Herman and Zorn both advanced a base on the same passed ball. J.B. Sapienza was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A big strikeout later, Bill Pace lifted an RBI sacrifice fly to score Herman. A final fly ball out made the one run the only one added. Going into the bottom of the 8th inning the score was now favored the Pirates 5 to 3.  The score was the same when the Oilers came to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning. Dalton Lykins led off with a walk. Austin Hargrove grounded out -- but moved Lykins up to second base. Pena reached on an error, setting runners on the corners. Mila struck out -- bringing the Oilers down to their last out. Ty Stetson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Then Stephens, Barrett and Barnes were all walked in succession -- each earned RBIs for Lykins, Pena, and Stetson respectively. With that, Owensboro rallied, tied, took the lead -- and won a hard-fought game between two teams, each exceeding themselves when it matters most.  The win went to Oilers reliever Jim Mulvaney in stalwart relief. The loss fell to Pirate reliever Tyler McDonald.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 5, Marion Bobcats 4.  The Railroaders finished off their regular scheduled season with a victory over the Bobcats who still have 2 games remaining to complete.  Fulton jumped out to an early 4-0 lead scoring 3 in the 1st and one in 2nd inning.  Marion clawed back in the 3rd when Desmond Roberts hit a homerun with one aboard to make it a 4-2 game.  The Bobcats scratched out another run in the 5th to close within one, off a Caleb Eickhoff RBI double.  The Railroaders gain back the run in the 7th frame with a solo homer from Tyler O'Daniel for a 5-3 Fulton lead.  Marion came right back in the 8th scoring one run from three lead-off singles before Fulton sent in Tate Glasscock to shut down the Bobcats.  In total the Railroaders punched out 11 hits with 5 players having a multiple hit night.  Both Tyler O'Daniel and Joe Mike went 2 of 4 with 2 RBIs, with Mike marking up one double.  The Bobcats put up 12 total hits and also had five players in 2+ hits on the evening.  Desmond Roberts 2 of 5 and 2 RBIs and Caleb Eickhoff 3 for 5 and 1 RBI lead the pack. The Railroaders stranded 8 total men on base while the Bobcats hung out 14 men, ultimately the difference in the error free game.  Starter BJ Sieverding gets the win for Fulton going 7 innings striking out 8, walking 4, allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs.  Glasscock picked up his 9th save in closing out the final 2 innings.  Marion starter Jeremy Jansen takes the loss giving up all 5 earned runs and 11 hits, striking out 7 and walking only 2.  Of particular note in the game, the Railroaders marked up 5 stolen bases giving them a total of 102 on the season in just 42 games, a record for Fulton.  Mikee Moore's second steal on the evening broke the triple digits and was his 30th of the season.  Box Scores Click Here.

The Railroaders must now sit and wait for the completion of a suspended tie game between the Bobcats and Oilers to determine the final standings. The Bobcats return home on Sunday for one rescheduled rain-out with the Pirates, then Monday will resume the suspended tie game with the Oilers in Marion.  The result of the game will decide whether the Oilers will be regular season champions with a win, or tied in 1st place with Fulton if they lose.  Should a tie occur in the standings for 1st place, a single tie breaking game will be played, most likely on Tuesday, and delay the start of the Post Season Playoff series by one day.  

Former Bobcat and KIT League All-star Travis Jankowski on Friday will get to fulfill a dream of many a young ball player: take a swing at the Green Monster in fabled Fenway Park. Jankowski was selected as on of six Bourne Braves to play in the Cape Cod League All-star game next week. Playing the premiere summer league for college players, Jankowski is leading his team in hitting with a .346 average and is second in the league, only 12 points off the lead.  Bobcat fans may remember Jankowski as the best batter and base runner the team has known. He ended the season with a .484 average, 62 hits and 45 stolen bases, each leading the team and the entire league. Jankowski was invited to play in the Cape Cod League last summer at the end of the 2010 KIT League season. While there, he saw only limited action as the New England league's season wound down.  Starting the season in the league, Jankowski has proven his all-star credentials and helped the Braves to the second-best record in the league. Besides the second best average at this stage of the season, the 20-year-old Stony Brook (N.Y.) sophomore has more hits than anyone (47), is second in runs scored (24), third in RBI (21) and has showcased his trademark speed and base running with three more triples than anyone in the league (7) and has the fourth highest number of stolen bases (11).

July 22, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 2, Tradewater Pirates 1.  The Railroaders keep their pennant chances alive with a close win over the Pirates on Friday and sweep the 3 game series with Tradewater.  Fulton took a one run lead in the 1st inning after Mikee Moore singled, stole 2nd then score from a Joe Mike 2 out double.  The Railroaders added their second run in the 2nd with Colton Speed aboard with a single, stealing 2nd and scoring off a David Simmons 2 out single.  The Pirates' only run came in the 5th inning when Eric Herman doubled then scored on a JB Sapiienza ground out.  While the Railroaders committed 4 errors total, they were able to recover with several sparkling defensive plays resulting in the Pirates stranding 12 total on base.  Tradewater keep the game close with overall good defense with 2 errors and leaving 5 Railroaders aboard.  Starter and winner Miles Canady threw for 7 innings giving up only one earned run, 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4.  Jimmy Ryan polished off the final 2 innings for Fulton and picked up a save.  For Tradewater, Dylon DeLaune pitched a complete 8 inning game, allowing 7 hits, 2 earned runs, only one walk and struck out 5.  Fulton improves to 22-19 with their final season game on Saturday against the Marion Bobcats.  Tradewater continues on the road with 2 games left, one in Owensboro on Saturday and ending up in Marion on Sunday.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 5, Marion Bobcats 4 .  In 10 innings.  The Owensboro Oilers rallied into an extra inning win of their Friday night game with the visiting Marion Bobcats. The final score was 5 to 4.  The Bobcats scored first with three runs in the top of the 1st inning. Desmond Roberts led off the game with a walk, and was sacrifice bunted over to second base. Kyle Vander Ark was hit by a pitch. Taylor Banks RBI doubled to plate Roberts -- and move Vander Ark to third base. A fly ball out later, A.J. Dokey RBI singled to score Vander Ark, and send Banks to third base. Dokey stole second base, allowing Banks to swipe home for the inning's third run.  The Oilers answered with one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. With one out, Ty Stetson walked. Wild pitches moved Stetson on to both second and third bases before Ryan Stephens grounded out. Drew Barrett drove Stetson home with an RBI single.  The Bobcats matched that run in the top of the 2nd inning. With one out, Mike Lockett walked. He moved to second base on a wild pitch and third base on a passed ball. Roberts RBI singled Lockett across home for the inning's run.  The Bobcats led 4-1 at that point. Then -- what looked what it might be a blow for blow slugfest throughout the game suddenly went blank until the bottom of the 8th inning. Oilers starter Ethan Robinson, and relievers Allen Haase and Jim Mulvaney, did the job the rest of the way -- keeping Marion from crossing the plate again. Bobcat starter Kyle Tokunaga was steadily effective for 7+ innings.  Owensboro tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the 8th. Stetson led off the home inning with a triple. A strike out later. Barrett scored Stetson on a RBI sacrifice fly. Eric Barnes doubled, and moved to third base on a wild pitch. Ryan Messex RBI singled Barnes in. Ty Broady reached on an error that got Messex to second base safely. Brent Weinzapfel was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. A wild pitch to Gabriel Pena in the next at bat allowed Messex to score the tying run.  The Bobcats got a runner as far as second base and the Oilers as far as third base in the 9th inning. Marion left a runner out at second base in the the top of the 10th inning. Owensboro needed -- and got that one run in the bottom of the 10th inning. Broady walked, and was sacrifice bunted to second base. Pena singled. Luis Mila was intentionally walked  to load the bases. Marion hoped to set up a double play combination any where on the infield. Stetson and Bobcat reliever Josh Anders battled to a 3-2 count before ball four made Stetson's walk to first base the RBI variety for the win.  Mulvaney collected the win as the Oilers pitcher of record in taking the final lead. Anders took the loss for Marion in relief as well.  The Oilers are 22-18 -- still maintaing a 0.5 game lead in the OVL league standings.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 21, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 4, Tradewater Pirates 3 - game 1.  In 8 innings.  The Railroaders swept the doubleheader with the Pirates and gained a game on the leading Oilers who split their doubleheader with the Bobcats on Thursday.  In game 1, both teams where held scoreless through 6 innings until the Pirates finally struck with 2 runs when David Zorn doubled for 2 RBIs giving Tradewater a 2-0 lead.  The Railroaders responded in the bottom of the 7th loading the bases then got a walk-in run and second from a Mike Pudle RBI single.  The scheduled 7 inning game went into the 8th tied at 2 all.  In the top of the 8th, Tradewater took a 1 run lead with Derrek Etsell reaching on a single then scoring from an Eric Silokowski single.  Bottom half of the inning, Brandon Eggenschwler lead off with a walk followed by a bunt single by Rob Hogenkamp.  Joe Mike walked to load the bases bringing Colton Speed to the plate for Fulton.  The offense hit-and-run call resulted in a high infield chopper from Speed who reached 1st safely as the defense tried too late to cut Egeenschwiler at home plate.  A throw back to 1st allowed Rob Hogenkamp to break for home after rounding 3rd and score the winning runs sliding around the tag.  Roman Kelly started the game for Fulton going 7 innings striking out 6, 2 walks and 2 earned runs, and left the game tied.  Aaron Chez Shaw picks up the win throwing the 8th as pitcher of record.  Tradewater's starter Kyle Thomas takes the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 13, Tradewater Pirates 9 - game 2.  In 7 innings.  The night cap of the doubleheader was a reversal in scoring from the first game.  Both teams totaled 24 hits with Railroaders getting 13 and Pirates 11.  The back and forth battle saw the lead change 5 times throughout the game with lots of running action on the bases.  The Railroaders were lead by Mikee Moore going 3 for 3, scoring 3 and included a solo homerun. Moore also added 3 more stolen bases for his league leading 27. Railroader Joe Mike was also 3 of 3, with 2 RBIs and 2 scored, and Tyler O'Daniel went 3 for 4 and 3 RBis.  For Tradewater; David Zorn was 3 of 4, scored 2 times and a RBI, along with Derrek Estell who went 2 or 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 scores including a solo homerun.  On the mound, Tate Glasscock takes the win for Fulton pitching the final 2 innings as the Railroaders took the final lead in the bottom of the 6th inning.  Kyle Weary takes the loss for Tradewater in middle relief and tagged with the Railroaders' go ahead run.  The two teams meet again on Friday to complete their regular season head-to-head schedule.  The Railroaders remain in 2nd place a half game behind the Oilers.  The Pirates fall a game back in the standings, now 4 games out of first.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 5, Owensboro Oilers 4 - game 1.  In 7 innings.  Marion's 5-4 win over Owensboro in the first game Thursday was thanks to a mix of old and new. Newcomer Ian Creager (1-0) took his first win, giving up four runs in 6 1/3 innings. To end the game, the club's season-long closer, Matt Vollenweider, notched his 11th league save by getting the final two outs of the game before the largest crowd at Guess Field in 2011.  The Bobcats broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the sixth on a Mike Lockett sacrifice fly that scored Landon Weitekamp who had reached on a one-out single. Lockett just joined the team this week, and went 2-for-2 with two RBI on Thursday. Cody Scmitt also drove in two runs without the benefit of a hit, pushing runs across on a fielder's choice and sacrifice fly.  The Bobcats registered only four hits in the game, but Owensboro's Brandon Flora (0-2), who allowed only one hit, took the loss having given up the game-winning RBI in the sixth.  Cameron Chestnut and Weitekamp each scored two runs for Marion, including Weitekamps eventual game-winner.  Lead-off hitter Luis Mila was perfect for the Oilers, going 3-for-3 with a run scored. Ryan Stephens batted in two.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 8, Marion Bobcats 7 - game 2.  In 7 innings.  The Bobcats missed a chance to overtake the Oilers in the standings by dropping the second game of the twin bill 8-7. Vollenweider (1-3), having just earned his record 11th save a couple of hours earlier, failed to nail down another, giving up the eventual winning run in on a Ryan Messex single in Owensboro's last time up.  The Oilers had jumped out to a 5-1 lead after their half of the fifth, adding four runs in the inning with the help of an Eric Barnes two-run home run. But Marion marched back with three runs of their own in the bottom half, closing the game to 5-4. Singles in the inning by Desmond Roberts and Cody Kottich drove in one and two runs, respectively.  Roberts would add two more RBI on a three-RBI night in Marion's next at-bat, with Jake Hirniak contributing another RBI in the inning on a sacrifice fly. The back-to-back three-run innings for Marion put them ahead 7-5 over the league-leading Oilers.  Owensboro's seventh-inning rally started of Jeremy Jansen, who put on the eventual tying run in the last frame after giving up two hits. Jansen failed to record an out before manager Kyle Medley called on his closer for the second time on the night.  Of the combined 22 hits—the Bobcats with 10—six were extra-base hits including two doubles from each team, a triple from Marion's Mike Lockett and Barnes' home run.  Lockett, Roberts and Cody Schmitt each went 2-for-4 for the Bobcats. Hirniak and Kyle Vander Ark doubled. Schmitt and Vander Ark scored two runs apiece.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 20, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 11, Fulton Railroaders 0.  The Owensboro Oilers won Wednesday night's game with the visiting Fulton Railroaders by the shutout score of 11 to 0. The victory increased Owensboro's late-season lead in the OVL standings to 1.5 games over second place.  The Oilers scored five runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Brent Weinzapfel led that Oiler inning off with a walk. Gabriel Pena bunted -- intending to sacrifice the runner along. The pitcher made the fielding choice to try the force out at second base, and didn't succeed. Luis Mila followed with a sacrifice bunt that pushed Weinzapfel and Pena on to third and second bases respectively. Ty Stetson RBI singled in Weinzapfel, and eventually moved to second base on a passed ball, Ryan Stephens reached on an error that allowed Pena in to score. Drew Barrett singled to load the bases. Eric Barnes hammered a ball that only a sensational catch by Fulton center fielder David Simmons downplayed to a RBI sacrifice fly scoring Stetson -- and moving both Stephens and Barrett up. Ryan Messex reached on an two-base error that brought in Stephens and Barrett as the final runs of the extended frame. There would be one more walk in the inning before Weinzapfel struck out to end the very inning he led off.  Owensboro added three more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. With two outs,  Stetson was hit by a pitch. Stephens walked, and Stetson stole third base. Barrett singled to load the bases again. Barnes RBI doubled into left field. An errant return throw allowed Barnes to take third base as Stetson, Stephens, and Barrett were all driven in. The Oilers put up two more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. With one out, Weinzapfel singled, Pena doubled. Mila also doubled, garnering an RBI for Weinzapfel. Stetson sacrifice flied for an RBI of Pena. The last Owensboro run of the night came in the bottom of the 7th inning. With two outs, Stephens singled. Barrett followed with a RBI double to the deepest part of center field --Stephens scored easily from first.  It was a complete game for the Owensboro Oilers, in every sense. Starter Ben Wright went all 9 innings. He scattered 5 Fulton hits while striking out 8 opposing hitters to win. The Railroader starter Taylor Reilly took the loss -- though certainly sharing a difficult night for the visiting team.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 6, Tradewater Pirates 5.  Pirates squandered opportunity after opportunity in the early innings, then went dormant until the ninth, trailing 6-1.  Starter Calyn Young and reliever Kyle Weary will both recall several pitches they wanted back; first inning blunders and misfortune erased two rock solid scoring chances; blue was able to make the Bucs see red; and Eric Silakowski is still wishing for either one more burst of speed, or a few more blades of grass.  Long story short, the Pirates made the ninth a very interesting affair, as they drove reliever Glaze from the hill, only to see ace Vollenweider enter.  No worries, though, as even the Bobcat ace had fits with the Mates.  And it boiled down to Eric Silakowski, with two strikes, two outs, the bases loaded, and the Pirates nearly all the way back from sure defeat, trailing 6-5.  Silakowski proceeded to tap a lazy grounder to the shortshop, who charged, avoiding the base-circling Bucs.  Silakowski sped toward first, attempting to erase the memory of a photo-finish loss to Marion just the other night, with George Kalousek tapping the same type of roller.  The throw darted over to first, and Silakowski hustled down the line.  When the smoke cleared.......the ball entered the glove about 1.67 seconds before Silkowski entered the save zone.  Game over, Bobcats, 6-5.  The Pirates could look back and take solace that their last inning effort almost produced glory.  Instead, it produced a steeper hill, and diminishing opportunity for a title.  The Bucs will try to right the ship during a DH tomorrow, at Fulton, who was pasted again by Owensboro.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 19, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 13, Fulton Railroaders 2.  The Oilers dismantled the Railroaders on Tuesday and moved from 3rd to 1st place by a half game in the standings.  Dalton Lykins made it a no contest with 2 homeruns totaling 5 RBIs, and Gabrial Pena adding a 3 RBIs with a homer of his own.  The Railroaders made it a 3-2 ballgame in the 4th scoring on an error and a RBI single from David Simmons, but Lykins's second homer regained the 3 point lead in the 6th.  Owensboro added 6 runs in the 7th to command the game, then tacked on 1 more in the 8th & 9th to seal Fulton's fate.  Oilers' starter Cody Williams went only 2 innings before being pulled for reasons unknown.  Brad Pressley pitched 1 2/3 innings before Davey Murphy came in briefly recording no outs.  Jim Mulnavey took over the mound duties the 4th with 2 outs and continued through the 8th, he gets the wins.  Austin Clay completed the 9th.  BJ Sieverding started and lost the game for Fulton throwing for 6 1/3 innings giving up 9 hits and 10 earned runs.  Fulton used 4 additional pitchers in relief of the losing cause.  The teams go at it again tomorrow, Wednesday, in Owensboro to complete their regular season meetings for the year.  The Bobcats dropped both games of their doubleheader with the Pirates and slip 1.5 games behind Owensboro, the Pirates pick up a game and are now just 2 games behind the leader.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 4, Marion Bobcats 3 - game 1.  In 7 innings.  The Pirates showed a of level of grit and determination that you have to marvel at, as they faced the prospect of sinking lower.  Instead, they made the OVL race even tighter.  The Bucs and Bobs tee it off at 7pm Wednesday, back at "The River".   In the opening contest, the solid pitching of Russ Gilliam lasted until the 6th, but a three run top of the frame by the Bobcats put the game in doubt, until the Pirates scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, on a wild pitch.  George Kalousek came on late to seal the first game deal.  Marion managed only three hits and Josh Anders took the loss. The Bobcats are 6-11 in July after the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 3, Marion Bobcats 2 - game 2.  In 7 innings.  In the second game, the Pirates won 3-2, dropping the Bobcats into third place for the first time this year and only a half-game out of the basement. Marion (17-18) also dropped below .500 in league play for the first time.  The stellar pitching of Logan Thomas, along with some gritty defense and clutch hitting, put a second "L" on Marion.  Some heads up base-running by Eric Herman also helped out the Mates  Box Scores Click Here.

July 17, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 3, Marion Bobcats 0 - game 1.  In 7 innings.  The Owensboro Oilers split their make-up date doubleheader with the visiting Marion Bobcats. The Oilers claimed Game 1 by a 3-0, and came within three outs of a sweep but the Bobcats scratched Game 2 away for themselves, winning that one 4 to 3.  In Game 1 the Oilers scored two runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Austin Hargrove led off the Owensboro inning hit by a pitch, and he stole second base. A strikeout later, Ty Stetson walked. Ryan Stephens followed with a 2-RBI double to account for the scoring. Owensboro added the third run in the bottom of the 5th inning. Dalton Lykins walked to start off. Hargrove sacrifice bunted Lykins over to second base. Luis Mila singled to put runners at the corners. Stetson's fielder's choice to the right side batted in Lykins.  That was all Oilers pitching needed in Game 1. Starter Tim Steed worked six shutout innings, for the win and Austin Clay earned a save, holding down a scoreless top of the 7th inning. Bobcat starter Kyle Tokunaga took the loss, but went the distance for his club.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 4, Owensboro Oilers 3 - game 2.  In 7 innings.  In Game 2, The Oilers scored one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Luis Mila led off the game with a single. One out later. Ryan Stephens brought Mila around on a RBI double. Owensboro led 1 to 0.  The Bobcats scored their first run of the day in the top of the third inning. With one out, Landon Weitekamp walked, then Taylor Banks and Desmond Roberts both reached on consecutive fielding errors, resulting in Weitekamp scoring. The score was tied 1 to 1.  Owensboro scored two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. With one out, Davey Murphy singled, and moved to second on a late and elusive throw to first base. A strike out later, Luis Mila singled Murphy on to third base. Ty Stetson followed with with an RBI single to score Murphy. Ryan Stephens loaded the bases with a third straight single. A wild pitch in the next at bat allowed Mila in from third. The Oilers led again 3 to 1.  Marion came back with a run in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Banks and Roberts singled back-to-back. Caleb Eickhoff drove in Banks with a RBI single, making it 3-2. The Bobcats took the lead with two runs in the top of the 7th inning. Weitekamp and Banks singled back to back to lead off the inning. Roberts followed by executing an ideal bunt. The challenge of fielding and throwing it cleanly in the fraction of time to do it led to a throw that escaped into right field's foul territory. Both Weitekamp and Banks scored as Roberts reached third base. The Oilers recorded three outs while keeping the score no worse, but went to the bottom of the 7th inning now down 4 to 3. Owensboro got a runner as far a second base, but the rally stopped there.  Bobcat starter Jeremy Jansen hung in the whole way for the win. Owensboro reliever Jim Mulvaney took the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Suspended OBO @ MAR game declared Tied.  The Marion Bobcats and Owensboro Oilers have agreed to let the suspended game of July 10, due to a written protest, will remain tied. The game will only be resumed and finished if the result needed to determine final league standings.  The contest will be played if needed on July 25 in Marion.

July 16, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 11, Fulton Railroaders 7.  On Saturday the Oilers reserved the game on the Railroaders from Friday's game to easily win 11-7.  Owensboro scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, added 3 more in the 4th and single runs in the 5th and 6th to take 8-0 lead on the Railroaders.  Fulton finally exploded in the bottom the 6th and close the gap with 6 runs.  The Oilers responded in the 7th with 2 more to bring the score to 10-6.  Owensboro tacked up their final run in the 8th and Fulton matched the run in the bottom half of the inning for the final score.  Luis Mila lead the Oilers offense going 3 of 5 producing 4 RBIs with hits that included 2 doubles and a triple.  Additional offense for Owensboro was provided by Brent Weinzapfel 3 of 4 and 2 runs scored, and Austin Hargrove 2 of 3 scoring twice and 2 RBIs.  Owensboro totaled 14 hits on the night with Fulton marking up 8.  Railroader Mikee Moore, only 1 of 4, did manage a 3 RBI double, his 3rd double in two nights.  Fulton's Joe Mike went 3 of 5 with 2 RBIs.  Ethan Robinson earned the win starting for Owensboro and pitched 5 1/3 innings.  Fulton's starter Miles Canady threw only 3 1/3 innings getting tagged for 6 runs, 3 earned, and takes the loss.  The win moves Owensboro back to a half game behind Fulton in the standings, and tied with Marion who beat Tradewater on Saturday.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 8, Tradewater Pirates 4.  In 10 innings.  On sponsor night provided by J-Lok, the Bucs battle back, and appeared headed to the dugout in the 9th with the win, but a controversial call at first base, taking the winning run from Tradewater, sent the game to the 10th, where Marion erupted for 4 runs, and send the Pirates packing, 8-4.  A grounder by George Kalousek with the bases full in the bottom of the ninth, seemingly moved the winning run to the plate, but the field umpire ruled the throw to first was in time.  However, the Pirates protested that the throw pulled the first baseman, which had much support from those in attendance.  Alas, the call stood, and the 10th came, and so did the runs for Marion.  The game featured some great defense from both squads, with the Cats prevailing in the end.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 15, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 12, Owensboro Oilers 2.  The Railroaders overwhelmed the Oilers with runs to extend Fulton's 1st place lead, while Owensboro experienced a scoring drought.  The combined 22 hit exhibition was conducted in front of a record 366 Fans at Lohaus Field who'd gather to support the Railroaders and Relay for Life.  Although the Oilers out hit the Railroaders 12-10, they only managed 2 runs; highlighted by an Eric Barnes solo homer in the 5th.  Kahtan Al-Kaissy started the scoring by contributing a 2 RBI homer in the bottom of the 1st giving Fulton an early lead.  Mikee Moore then headed the Railroaders with a staggering 7 RBI evening; going 4 of 5 which included a single, two 2 RBI doubles and a 3 RBI homerun.  Eleven of Fulton's 12 runs were earned and the Railroaders stranded 7 runners on base.  For their effort of 12 hits; the Oilers left 9 on base and cashed in only 1 earned run, the other on Fulton's 1 error of the game.  Justin Dailey started the pitching duties and gets the win going 5 innings giving up 9 hits, striking out 4 and allowing no walks.  Three additional Fulton pitchers finished the game with no bases on balls allowed; Aaron Chez-Shaw threw for 2 innings, followed by BJ Sieverding and Steven Dooley each pitching one inning.  Owensboro's starter Brad Pressley went for 6 1/3 innings before being relieved  with 7 runs scored against him and takes the loss.  The two teams repeat play again tomorrow, Saturday, in Fulton.  The Oilers along with the Bobcats, who lost to the Pirates, fall back one game in the standings, now 1.5 behind the Railroaders.  The Pirates continue to trail by 3 games. Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 9, Marion Bobcats 0.  The Bobcats lost their third straight game on Friday as they were shutout in Marion by the Pirates.  Tradewater's' 9 runs came on 11 hits with 4 Pirates having multiple hits, and were lead by J.B. Sapienza going 2 of 2, scoring 3 and 3 RBIs, which included a 2 RBI homerun.  Bobcat Cody Schmitt topped the plate for Marion hitting 2 of 3 on the night.  Taking the win for Tradewater, Kyle Thomas pitched for 7 innings striking out 8, allowing 4 hits and walking 2.  Garret Hunt is tagged for the loss on the mound for 5 2/3 innings with 7 earned runs against him, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.  The teams meet again tomorrow, in Tradewater, for the second of a 2 game series.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 14, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 5,  Marion Bobcats 3.  After spending the month of June in the basement, the Fulton Railroaders climbed into 1st place by a half game on Thursday defeating the Marion Bobcats in Lohaus Field.  Marion has held a strong top standing since early June, but July has been hard on the Bobcats with a 4-8 record.  Both teams were held in check through the first 3 1/2 innings.  The Railroaders broke the ice in the bottom of the 4th when Joe Mike lead off with a double, then scored on a Connor Tracy RBI single. The Bobcats got back into the game in the 6th scoring 2; Tyler Bailey doubled, advanced to 3rd then scored on a wild pitch, and AJ Dokey followed with a single, stole 2nd and scored on a Caleb Eickhoff RBI ground out.  Marion took a 3-1 lead in the 7th scoring another run by Cody Schmitt on a Landon Weitekamp RBI single.  Fulton tied the game 3 all in the bottom half of the 7th capitalizing on a costly Bobcat error while trying to turn a doubleplay with bases loaded and 1 out.  The Railroaders retook the lead pounding out 2 more in the 8th with 2 men aboard and driven in by a Connor Tracy 2 out double.  While both teams played good defense overall, each had 3 errors.  But Fulton escaped error damaged while Marion's resulted in 3 unearned runs and was the difference in the game. The Railroaders had 7 totals hits with Marion punching out 8.  Connor Tracy lead the Fulton offense going 2 of 3, 3 RBIs and scoring once.  Cameron Chestnut bested for Marion with 2 of 4 and scoring once.  Roman Kelly started on the mound for Fulton leaving the game tied after 6 2/3 innings.  Miles Canady threw 1 1/3 innings and wins the game.  Tate Glasscok closed out the 9th picking up his 8th save.  Marion's starter Todd Brazell went 6 1/3 innings and was relieved after tying up the game.  Stephen Glaze finished the game with the winning runs against him and takes the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 2, Tradewater Pirates 1.  The Owensboro Oilers won their Thursday night game with the visiting Tradewater Pirates. The final score was 2 to 1 in a game with play on both sides that was every bit as impressive as that kind of score suggests. The dueling showcases of the evening were the starting pitchers, Ben Wright for the Oilers and Calyn Young of the Pirates. Together, they combined to hold both offenses scoreless until the 8th inning. As the innings passed zero for zero the game became a beacon for their talents, and an omen that the game had to turn in one direction or another sooner or later. Impressive as they are, matching zeroes are not eternal in baseball.  The Pirates finally broke on to the scoreboard in the top of the 8th inning. George Kalousek singled to lead off the inning. He was sacrifice bunted to second base. A sacrifice fly moved him to third. Kalousek scored on a RBI single by David Zorn. Zorn tried stretching his hit into a double and was tagged out, but the damage -- as they say -- was done.  The Oilers hopes in the game came down to the bottom of the 9th inning -- needing that one run back just to extend the game. Drew Barrett led off the inning and reached on an error. He was sacrifice bunted over to second base. A strikeout later, Eric Barnes became the first of three batters at the plate representing Owensboro's very last chance. Barnes was hit by a pitch. Gabriel Pena followed and -- after a protracted battle with Young -- blasted a ball that rebounded fair off the mound and then back into the foul area along the third base line. By the time it could be wrangled the bases were loaded. Luis Mila faced a 3-2 count from Young before finally tagging the 2-RBI single to drive in both Barrett and Barnes -- winning the game for the Oilers.  In merest terms of record, the winner was Wright for the Oilers and the loss taken by Young for the Pirates. However, neither designation should take anything away from two great performances Wright (9 IP, 1R, 1BB, 5 K) and Young (8.67 IP, 2R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). It's people with talent like theirs doing things like that that keep us all watching and loving this game.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 13, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 7 , Tradewater Pirates 0.  The Railroader’s got their record above .500 for the first time this season by shutting out the Pirates in Tradewater.  The game remained scoreless through the first 4 innings of play.  In the top of the 5th, David Simmons lead off with a triple and score on an Alex Azeredo ground out to give Fulton a 1-0 lead.  The Railroaders added 2 more runs in the 7th after Tyler O’Daniel reached on a single, advance to 2nd on a wild pitch and score from a RBI single from Azeredo who then scored on a Mikee Moore RBI single.  Still in the top of the 7th, Fulton loaded the bases with 2 outs when Rob Hogenkamp reached on a throwing error resulting in an additional 2 runs across the plate to make the score to 5-0.  The Railroaders added another run in the 8th with O’Daniel scoring from 3rd on a passed ball, and in the top of the 9th Fulton capped off their score with a run by Hogenkamp from an O’Daniel RBI single.  Taylor Reilly earns the win for Fulton pitching 7 complete innings with Jimmy Ryan and Tate Glasscock each throwing an inning each to close out the game.  Kyle Thomas takes the loss for Tradewater also going for 7 innings.  The Railroaders return home on Thursday to face off with league leading Marion Bobcats.  The Pirates travel to Owensboro to play against the Oilers.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 3 , Marion Bobcats 2.  In 11 innings.  Marion played its fourth extra-inning affair in five days, losing 3-2 Wednesday to Owensboro in the 11th.  The Bobcats put a run on the board in the third and then the seventh, tying the game after the Oilers scored two runs in the top of the inning. The bullpens kept runs off the board until the 11th when Marion's closer, Matt Vollenweider, let the winning run cross the plate to move Owensboro to 3-2. The run and ensuing loss, however, were charged to Garret Hunt (1-3, 3.12 ERA) who allowed the eventual winning run to reach on a lead-off double.  In his third inning of work for Owensboro. Austin Clay sat down the Bobcats 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 11th, securing his third win of the season.  A.J. Dokey had Marion's only RBI of the night, coming of a double in the third inning. Dokey would factor in the Bobcats' only other run as well. In the seventh, Dokey led off the inning with a walk and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.  Owensboro's two runs scored in regulation came off Josh Anders, who started the game for Marion. Both runs were unearned, however, thanks to an error.  Box Scores Click Here.

Suspended Game Ruling for Oilers @ Bobcats  The game played in Marion on Sunday, July 10 between the Owensboro Oilers and Marion Bobcats has been placed in a suspended status.  In response to a filed protest, OVL officials ruled the game incomplete and suspended the game tied 6-6, to be picked up in the bottom of the 11th inning with the first batter.  The game is scheduled to resume on July 21 prior to a game already scheduled in Marion.  On that date the game will resume with the same lineup of players that were playing prior to the suspended game ruling, bottom of the 11th inning.  An adjustment in standings and stats have been removed, and will be reinserted upon completion of the game.  See the Bobcats website for more information. 

July 12, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 5, Tradewater Pirates 2 in 6 innings.  The game had one rain delay, then resumed play until the bottom of the 7th and another rain delay began.  The game was finally called due to rain and field conditions.  The game is complete at 6 innings.

Fulton took full advantage of early Pirate miscues, as well as timely hitting, to forge a 5-0 lead.  The rains then came, and after a considerable delay, the Pirates scored several runs to narrow the margin to 5-2, but could not edge closer.  Sieverding mastered the Pirates to the tune of eight strikeouts, and the Bucs seemed incapable of mounting any sort of comeback. The second rain delay brought torrential rain to Riverside, and the game was called as the Pirates were at bat in the bottom half of the seventh frame.  Russ Gilliam took the loss for the Buccos.  The relief pitching of Caleb Luttrell was the only highlight of the evening for Tradewater, who now find themselves in deep OVL water.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers @ Marion Bobcats - PPD Rain.  A lengthy delay Tuesday due to severe lightning and wind turned into another postponement due to Mother Nature. There have been numerous rainouts and rescheduled dates already this summer, but on Tuesday night, the game with Owensboro had already gotten under way when it was called due to the elements.  The Oilers left town around 9:30 p.m. with a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The game had paused with the tying run at the plate for the Bobcats, but before play could resume, the skies opened up and heavy rains left the field unplayable for the night.

July 11, 2011

Marion Bobcats 6, Tradewater Pirates 4.  A 6-4 decision Monday over the Pirates gave the Bobcats their third win in the last four games and extended the club's lead to 2.5 games over their rival.  Marion scored all of its runs in the first inning when six of the first seven batters reached safely off   Tradewater starter Dylon DeLaune, thanks mostly to some poor defensive play behind him.  The big blow in the inning, however, came on a Tyler Bailey two-RBI double with two out. Three errors accounted for all but one of the runs in the inning.  In six innings, the Pirates offense managed only one run on two hits off Kyle Tokunaga in his third start, but reached Marion's struggling bullpen with three runs on four walks and a single off Daniel Szathmary in the ninth.  After Tradewater chased Szathmary from the game, though, Stephen Glaze came on to shut the door, striking out two of the three batters he faced to end the game. Tokunaga earned the win, his first against two losses.  Despite the rough first that led to his third loss of the year, DeLuane kept the Bobcat hitters off balance for the next six innings. Bailey had the only two-hit night for Marion. Jake Hirniak, Cody Schmitt and Landon Weitekamp were the only other Bobcats to register a hit.  David Zorn had big night for Tradewater at the plate, accounting for half of their six hits in four at-bats and scoring a run.  Tradewater left 12 runners on base to the Bobcats' six.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 3, Owensboro Oilers 0 - game 1.  The Owensboro Oilers spilt a Monday double header with the visiting Fulton Railroaders. Fulton claimed Game 1 by the score of 3 to 0, while Owensboro took Game 2 with the score of 3 to 1. The result marked the third time this season these two teams have split a twin bill in Owensboro by winning those respective games in each.  In Game 1 The Railroaders scored single runs in the the 1st, 3rd, and 5th innings. In the top of the 1st inning, with one out Brandon Eggenschwiler singled and stole second base. An out later he scored on a RBI single by Khatan Al-Kaissy. In the top of the 3rd inning Zach Bailey singled, then reached second on an error. Bailey scored on a two-out RBI by Eggenschwiler. In the top of the 5th inning Mikee Moore hit an RBI solo homerun; the final movement in the Game 1 scoring. That was all Fulton starter Skylar Cobb needed. Cobb stymied the Oilers with a complete game one-hit  gem -- 9 IP 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 2 BB , and 9 K. Owensboro starter Ethan Robinson took the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 3, Fulton Railroaders 1 - game 2.  In Game 2 the Owensboro Oilers scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, while Fulton scored its only run in the top of the 4th inning. In the top of the 1st inning, Luis Mila singled and Ty Stetson bunt singled to start the game, Ryan Stephens sacrificed both Mila and Stetson on to third and second bases respectively. Bo younker followed with a 2-RBI single to plate Mila and Stetson. Younker eventually moved ahead to third base on an Fulton error, and came in to score on a RBI groundout by Eric Barnes.  In the top of the 4th inning. Joe Mike was hit by a pitch with one out. Mike stole both second and third bases. He scored on a  RBI single by Zach Bailey.  That was that for the scoring by either team. Owensboro starter Tim Steed won, and Austin Clay earned a save. Railroader starter Miles Canady lost.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 10, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 6 @ Marion Bobcats 6 - suspended in the middle of 11th inning.  This game to resume on July 25.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 9, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 5, Marion Bobcats 4.  At Marion in 10 innings. For the second consecutive night, the Bobcats and Railroaders needed extra innings to decide the contest. On Saturday, however, Fulton was the team to walk off the field with a 5-4 win.  In a game that saw porous defense from both squads, it was perhaps fitting that an error played a part in the winning run. In the 10th, a defensive miscue to start the inning put Fulton's Mikee Moore on base, setting up a showdown between cleanup hitter Kahtan Al-Kaissy and Marion's closer, Matt Vollenweider. With two outs and Moore on second, Al-Kaissy was able to touch Vollenwieder for his first run of the year on an RBI single. The unearned run kept Vollenweider's ERA at 0.00, but put the first blemish on the record of the league's saves leader—a loss.  The Bobcats would commit another error in the inning, the team's fifth of the night, but no further damage was done—or needed. In the bottom half of the 10th, Fulton's Miles Canady was able to nail down his first save after walking two. Altogether, the two teams combined for eight errors with only four of the nine runs in the game charged to pitchers.  Just like on Friday, Marion rallied late to send the game into overtime. In the home half of the ninth, the Bobcats, down 4-3, tied the game on a two-out RBI single off the bat of Jake Hirniak. With Vollenweider, his perfect ERA and nine saves already on the mound since relieving starter Garret Hunt in the ninth, chances looked good that the Bobcats might again be able to end the game with an extra-inning score. But with the top of the order due up for Fulton in the 10th, Marion's closer was unable to overcome the error that put the leadoff hitter on.  A second Bobcat rally fell short in the final inning despite back-to-back walks issued by Canady. With one out, Taylor Banks reach base on four balls but was soon erased when trying to steal second. Cody Schmitt followed Banks on first via the bases on balls but was left on first when Joey Xavier grounded out to end the game.  Both teams put runs on the board early, each scoring a pair of runs in the first with Marion's coming on a Desmond Roberts home run. But Hunt and Fulton's Roman Kelly settled down, but poor defense behind them allowed each to be touched for another pair of runs. Kelly, who earned the win, threw nine innings, allowing only four hits while walking four. Hunt pitched eight innings, giving up six hits and walking four.  A.J. Dokey added a double and Cameron Chestnut a single to account for Marion's only other hits outside of the run-scoring hits from Roberts and Hirniak. Roberts' home run was his second of the year.  For Fulton, Friday's losing pitcher, Brock Downey, was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Moore scored three runs, including the game winner. Rob Hogenkamp tallied two RBI.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 7, Tradewater Pirates 1.  Game played in Tradewater.  Pirates drop 7-1 game to Oilers on the strength of great pitching from Cody Williams.  Kyle Thomas takes the loss.  Oilers in command all the way.  Pirates take Sunday off, watching the outcome of Owensboro and Marion.  Bobcats lost also, and continue to lead Pirates by one game, with Owensboro and Fulton just 1.5 back.  Marion loss on Sunday puts Pirates and Oilers just one-half game back, with Pirates heading to Marion Monday.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 8, 2011

Marion Bobcats 3, Fulton Railroaders 2.  Marion broke a four-game skid Friday in dramatic fashion. After tying the game in the eighth at 2-2 with their first scores of the night, Cody Kottich ended the game for the Bobcats in the bottom of the 10th inning with a game winning RBI ground rule double.  The 3-2 win over Fulton was Marion's 14th of the season, but the first in an eight-day, 10-game homestand that began Thursday.  Going into the bottom of the eighth, Fulton led 2-0 with both runs coming off starter Todd Brazell. But Brazell, who gave up only one earned run in this, his fifth start, was taken off the hook when the Bobcats rallied for a pair of runs on a Kyle Vander Ark single. But the Railroaders threatened in both the ninth and 10th innings off reliever Desmond Robert, putting runners on third in both frames. Roberts, though, was able to get out of each inning unscathed, including the 10th when manager Kyle Medley left him in to work out of his own one-out, bases loaded jam.  The win was Roberts' second against no losses. Brock Downey (1-1), who gave up Kottich's game-winning shot after registering only one out, took the loss for Fulton.  Downey, in the 10th, walked Jake Hirniak to lead off the inning then hit Vander Ark to put runners on first and second. Cameron Chestnut came in to run for Vander Ark for insurance against a double play, but a fly out by Caleb Eickhoff failed to advance the runners. It became academic, however, when Kottich stepped in and ended the game with his only hit of the night.  Coming into the night, Marion threatened to relinquish sole possession of first place for the first time since early June. Tradewater, after sweeping a three-game set at Guess Field Thursday, had moved to within one game of the league-leading Bobcats. Friday's victory preserved the game lead over Tradewater, who beat Owensboro 5-3 to remain a game back in second place.  For Marion, Brazell allowed seven hits and struck out seven in eight innings. At the plate, Vander Ark was 2-for-4 and Hirniak, Eickhoff and Cody Schmitt each added singles.  For Fulton, Alex Azeredo was 2-for-4 with a double. Pudlo also doubled for his only hit in three at-bats. Brandon Eggenschwiler had the Railroaders only RBI, with a one run in the fifth scoring on an error*.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 5, Owensboro Oilers 3.  The Pirates remain 1 game behind the Bobcats in the standings after defeating the Oilers on Friday.  Tradewater scored a pair of runs in the 1st and 3rd innings for a 4-0 lead.  The Oilers got on the board with one run in the 4th with the Pirates putting another single run in the 5th.  Owensboro got closer in the 8th chalking up 2 more runs but were unable to produce further.  Tradewater offensive was lead by Derrek Etsell 3 of 4 and a RBI.  Owensboro's Ryan Stephens went 3 for 4.  Starter Calyn Young earned the win for the Pirates throwing for 8 full innings, and George Kalousek picked up a save closing out the 9th.  Myles Scott takes the loss pitching only 3 innings giving up 4 earned runs.  The two teams go at it again tonight in Tradewater.   Box Scores Click Here.

*  In the Fulton @ Marion game the previous reported score of 5-2 was changed to 3-2.  The reported "walk-off" 3 RBI homerun was in error as the ball bounced over the fence and re-scored as a ground rule double. 

July 7, 2011

Tradewater Pirates 6, Marion Bobcats 1.  For the first time this season, the Bobcats have dropped four in a row, thanks in part to a series sweep by a surging Tradewater club. The Pirates left town Thursday with a 6-1 win to preserve the sweep and move to within one game of first-place Marion.  The Bobcats are 2-5 in July and 4-8 since returning from a four-day layoff on June 22.  Marion (13-11, 14-11 overall) took and early lead Thursday with a run in the second, but Tradewater (13-13) tied the game in the sixth. The Pirates took the game with a five-run explosion in the next frame, touching starter Josh Anders (2-1) with four runs. Stephen Glaze came in to finish the game for the Bobcats, but also surrendered a run in the five-run seventh.  Anders, who gave up three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, came into the game with a miniscule 0.67 ERA. After the performance, his 1.35 ERA is still among the best in the league.  Former Bobcat hurler Logan Thomas (3-0) did in his own club Thursday, going the distance and allowing only one run. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out nine.  Lately, it's been ex-Bobcats hurting the club's grasp on first place. Late last week, former manager Steve Fowler took a two-game series at Guess Field. For the Pirates, Thomas is the second winning pitcher in as many nights to have worn the Bobcats tunic. Caleb Luttrell did in his old club with a 2-1 win in the second game of Wednesday's double header.  The bottom of the order for Marion saw solid production out of Landon Weitekamp and Jake Hirniak, each going 2-for-3 as the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters, respectively. Desmond Roberts and Taylor Banks also contributed hits. But Cody Schmitt, who was hitless on the night, drove in the Bobcats' only run, his seventh RBI of the season.  For Tradewater, Brock Bontrager drove in half of the team's six runs in the No. 2 slot, going 2-for-5. J.B. Sapenzia got three hits in four trips to the plate, including a double.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 4, Owensboro Oilers 2.  The Railroaders finally prevailed over the Oilers on Thursday and moved into 3rd place by only.001 percentage point above Owensboro.  The Oilers took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning with Ryan Messex reaching 3rd, tagging and scoring on a caught foul fly.  Great pitching by Oilers' starter Ben Wright kept the Railroaders in check allowing only 2 hits through 5 innings.  In the bottom of the 6th, Mikee Moore reached 1st base on an error bringing up Brandon Eggenschwiler who promptly launch a line drive over the 42 foot high Little Monster in right field giving Fulton a 2-1 lead.  In the top of the 8th, Eric Barnes lead off for the Oilers with a single, and the Railroaders pulled starter BJ Sieverding from the mound and brought in Jimmy Ryan for relief.  Still in the 8th, Barnes made it to 3rd then scored on a Ty Broady RBI single, however, the Oilers loaded the bases with 1 out but failed to score leaving the game tied 2-2.  Owensboro sent in a new reliever, Brandon Flora, to hold the Railroaders at bay.  Bottom of the 9th and still tied, Brandon Eggenschwiler lead off and gained base being hit by a pitch and reached 2nd on a ground out.  After a second out, Joe Mike came to the plate and jump on the first pitch, hitting a walk-off 2RBI homer to win the game for Fulton.  The Oilers amassed 11 hits but stranded 11 on base and had 1 error.  Ty Broady lead the hitting for Owensboro going 3 of 4 and a RBI. The Railroaders only chalked up just 4 hits leaving only 2 men on base and committed no errors.  Jimmy Ryan picks up the win with Brandon Flora taking the loss.  With the Bobcats losing to the Pirates on Thursday, the race has gotten tighter.  Only 1.5 games separate all four teams in the OVL.  The Railroaders head to Marion on Friday and Saturday to take on the Bobcats, and the Oilers go to Tradewater to face the Pirates.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 6, 2011

Tradewater Pirates 2, Marion Bobcats 1 - game 1.  7 innings.  Tradewater took both ends of a double header at Marion Wednesday, walking away with a 2-1 victory in each of the pitching duels. The sweep cuts the Bobcats' lead over rival Tradewater in half. At the end o of the night, Marion (13-10, 14-10 overall) led second-place Owensboro (12-12), who split a twin bill with Fulton, by 1.5 games and Tradewater (12-13) by two.  In the first game, Daniel Szathmary gave up both Pirate runs in his first start, which ended in his first loss of the year. Szathmary (2-1) threw six strong innings, but Tradewater's Russ Gilliam bested him, giving up only one run on seven hits for a complete-game victory. Szathmary, who has served as closer Matt Vollenweider's set-up man for most of the season, gave up only five hits and one of his runs allowed was unearned.  A lead-off triple from Pirate slugger Derek Etsell in the sixth proved to be the difference in the game. He was promptly driven in by a sacrifice fly from the next batter to face Szathmary.  Garret Hunt, normally a stater for Marion, pitched a scoreless top of the seventh, giving the Bobcat bats a chance to tie or win the game in the final frame of regulation. Gilliam, however, remained sharp and sat down the Marion offense in order to end the game.  At the plate, Cody Kottich, Caleb Eickhoff and Kyle Vander Ark all went 2-for-3, with Vander Ark driving in Marion's only run with one in the bottom of the fourth with one of his two doubles on the night. Taylor Banks, who scored the sole run, accounted for the only other hit for the Bobcats.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 2 @ Marion Bobcats 1 - game 2.  7 innings.  In the nightcap, all of the scoring came early with the Pirates posting a run in each of the first two innings and Marion putting its lone run on the board in the home half of the second.  Like in the first game, Marion's starter sparkled on the mound, but came up short thanks to a defensive miscue in the second that allowed Tradewater's Chris Mitko to score on a one-out double. Zach Hall dropped to 2-2 with the complete-game loss for the Bobcats, but pushed his strikeout total on the year to 40 in 29 innings pitched. At the end of the night, he had struck out more batters than any other pitcher in the league.  But Hall and the Bobcats would have gladly traded the strikes for a couple more runs of former Bobcat lefty Caleb Luttrell. Luttrell (1-2) threw five innings for the Pirates, nailing down the win by allowing only one run on two hits. The Pirate bullpen would allow only one more hit in keeping Marion scoreless over the final two innings.  Tradewater pitchers allowed only singles to Schmitt, Banks and Desmond Roberts. Marion would put three more runners on courtesy of the walk, one of which led to the team's only run of the night. A lead-off walk issued to Vander Ark would be Luttrell's worst mistake of the night. Vander Ark would come around to score on an RBI-single from Banks.  Marion will try to right the ship and prevent a series sweep Thursday at Guess Field. The 7:05 p.m. start against the Pirates will be just the third game of an eight-day, 10-game homestand.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 4, Owensboro Oilers 2 - game 1.  7 innings.  The Owensboro Oilers split their Wednesday twin bill with the visiting Fulton Railroaders. The home team dropped the first game by the score of 4 to 2. Owensboro recovered to take the second game by an 8 to 4 final.  In game # 1, the Railroaders single runs in the tops of the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th innings. In the top of the first inning, Mikee Moore led off the game with a single, and moved to third when Brandon Eggenschwiler singled as well. A pop fly out later Eggenschwiler got caught in a rundown and was tagged out sliding a little too far past second base -- but the chase allowed Moore to effectively steal home. In the top of the 2nd inning David Simmons singled and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by Mike Pudlo. In the top of the 5th inning the Fulton run came by way of a solo RBI home run from Eggenschwiler. In the top of the 6th inning Brock Downey singled and eventually scored on another two-out RBI single by Mike Pudlo. Meanwhile the Oilers scored their two game #1 runs with separate tallies in the bottom of the 1st and bottom of the 6th innings. In the 1st inning Luis Mila singled. Ty Stetson sacrifice bunted him over to third base, and Drew Barrett's groundout became an effective RBI chance. Mila and Barret also factored into the Owensboro 6th inning run. Mila doubled, then stole third base. Barret delivered the RBI sacrifice fly to score Mila again.  Fulton closer Tate Glasscock came in to pitch the bottom of the 7th inning. The first two Oilers reached against him, and Owensboro went so far as to load the bases with two outs. Glasscock coaxed the groundball he needed to save game #1 for the Railroaders. Fulton starter Skylar Cobb got the win and Owensboro starter Joe Devine took the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 8, Fulton Railroaders 4 - game 2.  7 innings.  In game # 2 the Railroaders scored one run in the top of the 1st inning, two runs in the top of the 3rd inning and one run in the top of the 5th inning. In the top of the 1st inning Mikee Moore led off with a walk. Brandon Eggenschwiler walked as well. Tyler O'Daniel RBI singled -- then he and Eggenschwiler became tied up about advancing around the bases. The result: they were both recorded out at second base. In the top of the 3rd inning, Moore, Eggenschwiler, and Brock Downey all doubled -- Eggenschwiler collected an RBI for Moore; Downey drove batted in Eggenschwiler. In the top of the 5th inning. Moore walked. Eggenschwiler and Tyler O'Daniel singled back-to-back to load the bases with nobody out. Joe Mike followed with a shallow RBI single to plate Moore, and keep the bases loaded. The run put the Railroaders ahead 4-3 at the time, but it would prove a fateful turn of events -- because the next three Railroaders struck out in order.  The Oilers did their scoring in the bottoms of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th innings. Owensboro scored once in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Bo Younker started the home inning with a single and scored on a two-out RBI single by Gabriel Pena. the bottom of the 3rd produced two more runs. Luis Mila walked, and came in on a two-out RBI double by Younker. Not to be outdone, Eric Barnes followed with a RBI triple scoring Younker. The Oilers took over the lead with three runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. Mila singled and was sacrifice bunted over to second base. Drew Barrett singled as Mila moved to third. Younker followed with an RBI single to bring Mila in. The two remaining base runners executed a double steal to move respectively to third and second base. Barnes launched a 2-RBI double to same deep vicinity he'd tripled to earlier. In the bottom of the 6th inning Owensboro added two insurance runs. With one out, Austin Hargrove reached on an error. Mila walked and Ty Stetson singled to load the bases. Drew Barrett followed by perfectly executing a RBI sacrifice squeeze bunt with Hargrove charging home from third. The only play for an out was on Barrett at first. Mila came in on a wild pitch before the inning was over.  Owensboro reliever Austin Clay claimed the win for curbing Fulton's bases loaded threat, and being the pitcher of record when the Oilers took the lead. Jim Mulvaney worked two scoreless innings for the save. Fulton reliever Justin Dailey had the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 4, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 10, Tradewater Pirates 5.  The Railroaders moved to 3rd in the OVL standings displacing the Pirates with a come-from-behind win on the 4th.of July.  The Pirates expended their fireworks early in the game with in 4 hit 1st inning which included a 3 RBI homerun from the bat of the big gun Derrek Etsell.  Tradewater add another run in 5th to take a 4-0 lead.  The Railroaders finally began scoring the bottom of the 5th taking advantage of an error to score 2 and added another from a Tyler O'Daniel RBI single, cutting down the Pirate lead to 4-3.  A Tony Becerra 7th inning double drove in another run to extend Tradewater's lead to 5-3.  The Railroaders broke out in the bottom of the 7th with 3 runs, scoring on another error and a 2 RBI clutch single from Kahtan Al-Kaissy to finally take a 6-4 lead.  Fulton capped off the win marking up 4 more runs in the 8th from 3 hits and yet another error.  A total of 23 hits for both side produced plenty of fireworks for fans, the Railroaders firing 13 and Pirates 10.  Leading Fulton; Brock Downey 4 of 6 and scored twice, three Railroaders earned 2 RBIs each; Tyler O'Daniiel, Kahtan Al-Kaissy, and Alex Azeredo.  Tradewater's Tony Becrra went 4 of 5, scored twice and had 1 RBI.  On the mound, Aaron Chez-Shaw picked up the win for the Railroader in middle relief pitching 1 2/3 innings. Fulton's starting pitcher Steven Dooley threw for 6 1/3 innings allowing 9 hits, 5 earned runs, walked 2 struck out 5, and left the game down in the score.  BJ Sieverding closed out the 9th with no save having a 5 run lead..  Tradewater's starter Kyle Thomas faired well going 6 innings giving up 9 hits, one walk, 11 strikeouts and no earned runs.  Kyle Weary takes the loss for Tradewater going only one inning but having the misfortune of being pitcher of record for the go-ahead Railroader run.  Both teams now take a day off, then the Railroaders head to Owensboro on Wednesday for a doubleheader against the Oilers while the Pirates travel to Marion for a doubleheader with the Bobcats.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD field condition.  Game rescheduling TBA.

July 3, 2011

Marion Bobcats 8, Fulton Railroaders 6 - game 1 in 7 innings.  The Bobcats and Railroaders split the doubleheader on Sunday with Marion taking the first game.  The Bobcats shot out in the 1st inning with 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 Railroader errors.  The Railroaders answered in the bottom of the 1st with 3 of their own using 4 hits and 1 Bobcat error.  Marion took the lead back in the 2nd, scoring 1 run from a hit and another error by Fulton.  Bottom of the 2nd, the Railroaders matched the run again to tie it at 4-4.  The Bobcats put up a single run in the 4th and 5th innings to take lead a 6-4 lead.  The Railroaders fought back in the bottom of the 5th to tied the game once more scoring 2 runs.  A solo homerun by Cameron Chestnut in the top of the 7th gave Marion the lead again, and they added another bringing the score to 8-6.  The Railroaders were unable to rebound in the bottom of the 7th.  Both teams managed 12 hits each.  Marion's AJ Dokey was 2 of 5 and 2 RBIs and Desmond Roberts 3 of 5, one run scored and a RBI.  Roberts also picks up a win in relief, moving from right field to the mound and throwing for 1 1/3 innings.  Matthew Vollenweider closed out the 7th to earn his 8th league leading save on the season.  For Fulton at the plate, Tyler O'Daniel hit 3 of 5, scored once and produced 3 RBIs, and Rob Hogenkamp 2 for 3, scored twice and one RBI.  Tate Glasscock took his first loss in relief and gave up his first earned run on the season.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 3, Marion Bobcats 2 - game 2 in 7 innings.  In the night cap of the doubleheader in Fulton, the Railroaders savaged one game of the three game series with the Bobcats.  Marion scored their first run in the 3rd with a single and an error, and added another run in the 4th scoring off a fielder's choice.  The Railroaders took their 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 4th with two lead off doubles by Tyler O'Danial and Joe Mike. The go ahead run scored in the 4th came from Alex Axeredo who reached base hit by a pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, then stole home while Zach Bailey was reaching 1st safely on a dropped 3rd strike.  The Railroaders managed only 3 hits for the game while the Bobcate picked up 6 total.  Starting pitcher Taylor Reilly takes the win for Fulton going 6 innings, striking out 4, walking one, allowing 6 hits and only one earned run.  Jimmy Ryan picked up a save closing out the 7th inning.  For Marion, Kyle Tokunaga gets the hard loss pitching a strong 6 innings, giving up only 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walking 2 and striking out 9 at the plate.  The Railroaders remain at home on Monday to face off with the Pirates, and the Bobcats continue on the road towards Owensboro to play the Oilers.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 5, Tradewater Pirates 1.  Tradewater Loses To Owensboro Before Huge Madisonville Crowd At Elmer Kelley.  Steve Fowler made sure his return to Elmer Kelley Stadium in Madisonville was memorable, as his Owensboro Oilers used classic Pirate Ball to defeat his former team, by the count of 5-1.  Once again, the Pirates were on the run most of the game, attempting to catch a more aggressive team, as Owensboro put the pressure on the Pirates right from the get-go.  Cody Williams pitched a three hitter for the Oilers, who kept the Pirates at bay all night.  The Bucs threatened on several occasions, but watched the Oilers increase their lead consistently, putting the game out of reach in the late innings.  Calyn Young took the loss for Tradewater, who sunk deeper in the standings with the loss.  The game marked the return of Bill Pace to the Pirate lineup, as the designated hitter.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 2, 2011

Marion Bobcats 1, Fulton Railroaders 0.  In a game featuring a pitching dual between Marion's Garret Hunt and Fulton's BJ Sieverding, the Bobcats prevailed over the Railroaders. Hunt allowed only 2 hits, 6 walks and handed out 12 strikeouts.  Sieverding gave out 3 hits, only 3 walks and issued 8 strikeouts.  Matthew Vollenweider earned another save.  The only run scored in the ballgame came in the bottom of the 7th when Desmond Roberts reached home on a Landon Weitekamp bunt single.  The Bobcats stranded 7 total men on base with the Railroaders leaving 6.  Mike Pudlo got both of the Railroaders' hits (one a double) and was the only multi-hit player for either side.  The teams go at it again on Sunday in a doubleheader in Fulton.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 5, Owensboro Oilers 4.  The visiting Tradewater Pirates defeated the Owensboro Oilers Saturday night at Chautauqua Park. The final score was 5 to 4.  The Pirates scored first with one run in the top of the 2nd inning. Tony Becerra led off with a double. He was sacrifice bunted over to third base, and one more out later, Becerra scored on an RBI single by Tyler McDonald. Tradewater made it 2-0 with another run in the top of the 3rd inning. With one out, Brock Bontrager walked. He moved to second base on a groundout, and scored on an RBI single by Derrek Estell.  The Oilers offense sparked to life with one run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Luis Mila reached on an error to start the home half. He was sacrifice bunted over to second base, and took third base on a wild pitch. An RBI groundout by Bo Younker brought Mila across the plate. The score closed to 2-1.  The Pirates pushed back with two more runs in the top of the 5th inning. Eric Herman reached on an error to start Tradewater. Bontrager was hit by a pitch. The effect of a second error in the inning resulted in Herman at third base and Bontrager on second base. The timely opposition hitting that plagued Owensboro through the game continued as Becerra delivered a 2-RBI single to drive in both Herman and Bontrager. The Pirates led 4 to 1.  Owensboro got a run in the bottom of the 7th inning from a solo RBI home run by Bo Younker. The game stayed within reach at 4-2.

Tradewater secured one additional tally in the top of the 8th inning. Becerra led off with a single. In the course of the inning he stole both second and third bases with less than two outs. Chris Mitko produced the manufactured run wit an RBI sacrifice fly. The tradewater lead was 5 to 2.  The Oilers responded with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. With one out, Austin Hargrove singled. A wild pitch sent him to second base, and the error that put Ryan Stephens on safely moved Hargrove to third base -- then Stephens stole second base. Mila followed with a 2-RBI single, taking second on the errant handling of his hit. Just like that the score was only 5-4 in Tradewater's favor. A scoreless top of the 9th brought the whole game down to the last Owensboro turn at bat. The Oilers loaded the bases with one out, but Tradewater closer George Kalousek got back-back strike outs to end the game with the 5 to 4 score intact, and in their favor.  Tradewater starter Logan Thomas picked up the win. Owensboro starter Brad Pressley had the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 1, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 3, Tradewater Pirates 1.  The Railroaders took another win against the Pirates on the road in Tradewater. Tradewater's summary:  It's said that you should never wake a sleeping dog, lest you beg for trouble, and the Tradewater Pirates did just that Friday, allowing Fulton to score runs in the 7th and 8th, to erase a long-standing Pirate lead.  The Roaders struck for two runs in the 7th, and one run in the 8th, then watched relief pitching from Dailey and Glasscock support a great effort by starter Miles Canady, to defeat the Pirates 3-1, before a huge crowd at Riverside Park.  The Pirates took an early lead, with a run in the first, but never capitalized with runners on base throughout the contest.  To Fulton's credit, defense was king tonight, as the Railroaders made one sparkling play after another.  The Pirates did themselves no favors, allowing two runners to be picked off in the basepaths, and watching one run erased at the plate by outstanding Fulton defense.  All in all, the Roaders played more like a team possessed, schooling the home team before their own partisan crowd.  Marion lost, so Fulton and Tradewater are just three games back, with Owensboro slicing the Bobcat lead to two games.  The Pirates play two crucial games versus the Oilers Saturday and Sunday.  Dylan Delaune pitched well as the starter for Tradewater, but saw his mates do little to support him..  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 7, Marion Bobcats 3.  The visiting Owensboro Oilers defeated the hosting Marion Bobcats Friday evening by a final score of 7 to 3.  The Oilers scored first with two runs in the top of the 4th inning. Luis Mila led off with a single, Ty Stetson walked, and Ryan Messex was hit by a pitch -- loading the bases. Drew Barrett followed with an RBI walk scoring Mila. One out later, a fielder's choice by Brent Weinzapfel effectively drove in Stetson's run. The Oilers led 2-0.  The Bobcats tightened the game by scoring one in the bottom of the 6th inning. Cody Schmitt was hit by a pitch leading off. Cody Kottich followed by reaching on an error that sent Schmitt on to third base. Taylor Banks brought Schmitt across the plate with an RBI groundout. At the end of six innings the Oilers led 2-1.  Owensboro responded with three runs in top of the 7th inning, all coming with two outs. With two away Gabriel Pena and Ryan Stephens singled back-to-back. Next Mila cracked a 2- RBI double, scoring both Pena and Stephens motoring around the bases from first. Mila took third base as the Bobcats threw home after Stephens. Mila came in with the third run on a wild pitch. The Owensboro lead expanded to 5-1. The Oilers added two more runs in the top of the 8th inning. With one out, Barrett walked, Eric Barnes and Bo Younker doubled back-to-back -- Younker's being the 2-RBI variety. The Oilers lead reached 7-1. The difference between a lead and a final is the margin kept and Marion gained ground by scoring one run in both the bottom of the 8th and 9th innings. In the 8th inning, Joey Xavier reached on fielder's choice traded for the second out. Before the third out was secured Xavier stole second and scored on a RBI single by Caleb Eickhoff. That made the score 7-2. In the 9th inning, with one out -- AJ Dokey singled and stole second base. He came the rest of the way around before the Bobcat side struck out to end the game with the 7 to 3 score favoring the visitors.  Owensboro starter Myles Scott recorded the win. Bobcat starter Todd Brazell got the loss. 

For the first time this year, the Bobcats were swept in a series, albeit only a short, two-game set with Owensboro (10-10). The Oilers came to town for the second night in a row, beating Marion (11-7) 7-3 Friday night. The Bobcats, however, remain in first place despite the back-to-back losses. Box Scores Click Here.

June 30, 2011

Fulton Railroaders 8, Tradewater Pirates 4.  The Railroaders chased and tied the Pirates through almost 5 innings before finally taking a lead.  Tradewater took a 1-0 in the 2nd off a Derrek Etsell solo home run.  Fulton tied the game in 3rd with Mikee Moore driven in by a Rob Hogenkamp RBI ground out.  Top of the 4th, the Pirates jumped to a 3-1 lead with a 2 RBI double from Sawyer Smith, and the Railroaders answered in the bottom of the inning with RBI doubles from David Simmons follow by another from Mikee Moore. Score tied 3-3, the Pirates regained a one run lead in the 5th with Brock Bontrager reaching on an error, stealing 2nd, reaching 3rd, and then scoring on a RBI groundout. Bottom of the 5th, Rob Hogenkamp lead off with a solo homer of his own to tie the game again at 4 all.  The Railroaders tacked on 3 more runs in the 4th and never looked backed, adding one addition run in the 8th for good measure for the final 8-4 tally.  Railroaders Mike Moore, Brandon Eggenschwiler and Connor Tracy all went 2 of 4 for Fulton, and Rob Hogenkamp with 2 RBIs.  The Pirates only managed 3 hits and Sawyer Smith leading with 2 RBIs.  While the Railroaders played catch-up through half the game; starter Skylar Cobb managed 6 2/3 innings striking out 8, walking 2 and allowing 3 earned runs and gets the win for Fulton.  Tradewater's Caoeb Luttrell takes the loss after relieving starter Russ Gilliam who left the game tied.  The two teams go at it again on Friday in Tradewater.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 4, Marion Bobcats 3.  Two former Bobcats came back to haunt the team Thursday night.  Steve Fowler, the manager that led Marion onto the field in its first three seasons, opened at two-game series at Gordon Blue Guess Field Thursday with 4-3 win over his former team as the first-year manager of the Owensboro Oilers. The game-winning hit was provided an ex-Bobcat shortshop under Fowler, Drew Barrett.  The Oilers (9-10) jumped out to an early one-run lead with a score in the first inning and added two more in the seventh to take a 3-0 lead of Marion (11-6, 12-6 overall). But the Bobcats stormed back in the home half of the inning to tie the game on a two-RBI single from Cody Kottich and a Tyler Bailey score on a double steal. Owensboro answered, however, with an RBI hit off the bat of Barrett.  In the last frame of the contest, the Bobcats were able to get the tying run to third, but Owensboro's bullpen left Cody Schmitt stranded on third and the Bobcats with a loss in the second game of a long four-game homestand.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 29, 2011

Tradewater Pirates 7, Owensboro Oilers 0.  The Owensboro Oilers were shut out by the visiting Tradewater Pirates Wednesday night by the final score of 7 to 0. The loss results in a split of the two-game series here between the two clubs.  The Pirates scored two runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Tyler McDonald and Sean Noland opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Chris Mitko sacrifice bunted to move them respectively to second and third bases. Both scored on a 2-RBI single by Tony Becerra. Tradewater broke the game open offensively with five runs in the top of the 4th inning. McDonald walked. One out later, Mitko reached on a dropped third strike and an errant play for the put out at first base gave him second base and pushed McDonald to third base. Becerra reached on an error, and David Zorn was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The next Pirate hitter, Eric Herman tripled to collect RBIs for the three runners ahead of him. Herman scored when when JB Sapienza reached on an error before the third out was recorded.  That was the only scoring either team would do for the game, but thanks to the complete game effort of Tradewater starter Kyle Thomas -- who gave up 4 hits, 3 walks, and had 11 Ks -- it was more than enough ... for one night, at least.  Kyle notched the the win for Tradewater. Owensboro starter Zach Krebs took the loss, though only four of the seven runs posted against him were earned.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 8, Fulton Railroaders 0.  When the Bobcats finally got a break in the weather to return to the field, they returned in grand style, scoring X runs and shutting out Fulton Wednesday at Guess Field.  Marion (11-5, 12-5 overall) has been idle five days due to rainouts both at home and away. In fact, in those five days, six attempts at ballgames have been quashed by Mother Nature. But Wednesday, the bats and arms of the teams seemed to have benefited from the time off, making an almost perfect return to action.  The Bobcats were efficient at the plate, with their eight runs coming on eight hits, while starter Zach Hal with some help from Marion native Alex Wood and the bullpen held the Railroaders scoreless and to just three hits. The defense was also flawless in the field.

The offense exploded for five runs in the second inning, scoring an RBI single by Landon Weitekamp and a grand slam off the bat of A.J. Dokey, both his first home run and the first bases-clearing shot this year for the Bobcats. Marion added a run in the third and two more in the sixth.  Zach Hall (2-1) kept Fulton batters guessing all night, striking out 13 in only seven innings pitched, including retiring the side on strikes in the second, fifth and seventh innings. Earning the win, Hall has now struck out 31 batters in 22 innings pitched. His strikeout total was tops in the league at the close of the ballgame.  Wood came on in the eighth, striking out one, and Daniel Szathmary pitched the last frame, setting the Railroaders down in order with two strikeouts and a fly ball. The bullpen didn't allow a hit. All total, Bobcat pitchers fanned 16 Railroaders, a team high for this year.  Dokey's one hit was more than enough for Marion to strengthen their hold on first place, but Caleb Eickoff and Cameron Chestnut each added two hits and an RBI. Desmond Roberts, Taylor Banks and Jake Hirniak also added hits.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 28, 2011

Owensboro Oilers 2, Tradewater Pirates 1.  The Owensboro Oilers defeated the visiting Tradewater Pirates on Tuesday evening by a final score of 2 to 1. The game was played in a timely manner, but the victory came at the eleventh hour.  Both offenses were long stymied by talented starting pitchers going for both sides -- Joe Devine for the Oilers and Calyn Young for the Pirates. Tradewater manufactured its lone run in the top of the 6th inning. Eric Herman led off the inning with a double. David Zorn bunted him over to third base. Herman scored on a RBI sacrifice fly by Chris Mitko. The score remained 1-0 as Pirate reliever Dylon DeLaune came on to change the pace against Owensboro in the bottom of the 9th inning. It was the score that changed instead.  Eric Barnes walked to lead off the Oilers 9th inning. Drew Barrett followed with another walk. Dalton Lykins bunted on safely with the runners moving and no one covering first base -- loading the bases. Ryan Stephens came to the plate and promptly erased an evening of missed opportunities for the team by tagging a 2-RBI walk-off double through the center-left gap for the home team win.  Jim Mulvaney took the win in relief for his 9th inning relief of Devine's eight-inning, three-hit gem. DeLaune had the loss for the Pirates on a night that showcased well-played, competitive baseball being every bit as unpredictable as it can be.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats @ Fulton Railroaders - PPD field condition.  The weather again has created field conditions in Fulton unsuitable for playing.  The game for tonight has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader to be played this Sunday, July 3 at Fulton.  Each game will be 7 innings each and the first game will start at 5 pm.

June 27, 2011

Tradewater Pirates @ Marion Bobcats doubleheader - PPD rain.  Rain has once again postponed an OVL game.  Rescheduling TBA..

June 26, 2011

Fulton Railroaders  @ Owensboro Oilers doubleheader - PPD rain.  Heavy rain has postponed today's doubleheader at Owensboro.  Rescheduling TBA..

Tradewater Pirates @ Marion Bobcats doubleheader - PPD rain.  Heavy rain has postponed today's doubleheader at Marion.  One of the two game will be played tomorrow, Monday June 27 in Marion starting at 7 pm.  The other game will be rescheduled and is TBA.

June 25, 2011 results:

Fulton Railroaders 5, Owensboro Oilers 4.  The Railroaders held on to win against the Oilers and get their second victory at home for 2011.  Fulton jumped to a 5-0 lead in 3rd inning using a walk, 4 hits and a wild pitch. Owensboro answered in the top half of the 4th with 3 runs produced from 4 hits and a wild pitch.  The Oilers added another run in the 5th to complete the eventual 5-4 score.  Outstanding defensive play on both sides created a scoring drought through the remainder of the game, with the Oilers playing error free ball and the Railroaders marked for 2 with no damage. The 8 total Railroader hits were spread evenly among the lineup as were the RBIs, and included a double by Mikee Moore. The Oilers pumped out 10 hits; lead by Ryan Messex and Eric Barnes who both went 3 of 4 with a double each. Both teams stranded 9 runners during the game, but in the end Fulton's run production edged out over the Oilers  Starter Roman Kelly threw for 4 innings with no decision.  Justin Dailey and Jimmy Ryan both pitched 2 innings in middle relief with Ryan earning the win allowing no runs or walks and striking out two.  Tate Glasscock closed the 9th and picked up his 5th save on the year.  Starter Cody Williams completed 5 innings and takes the loss for Owensboro. Allen Haase and Austin Clay both combined to finish the mound duties for the Oilers.  The teams continue the 3 game series tomorrow in Owensboro with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 5 pm.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats @ Tradewater Pirates - PPD field condition.  Due to heavy rain and flooding at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs, tonight's game between the Marion Bobcats and Tradewater Pirates has been postponed.  Rescheduling of the game is TBA.

June 24, 2011 results:

Tradewater Pirates 7, Owensboro Oilers 2.  Logan Thomas was so dominating in Friday night's Pirate 7-2 win over Owensboro, the determined righty was inches away from a shutout, until Bo Younker spoiled it in the 9th with a two-RBI single.  But the Bucs rode the strong pitching by Thomas, timely hitting and good defense, to even their record at 8-8.  The Thomas performance was eerily similar to his outing at Owensboro, not long ago, before the Pirates fell apart late, in a disappointing loss.  But not tonight, as Logan and Company broke the game open with runs in the 5th, 6th and 7th, to forge a 7-0 cushion.  Thomas held his overall pitch count below 95, giving up just three hits on the night. The tough loss goes to Derek Cape who went 5 innings allowing only 1 earned run, 4 hits, 2 walks and striking out 7 batters. Tradewater's Tyler McDonald played award-winning "D" at third, and the Pirates put pressure on the Oilers all night, in a classic Tradewater Pirate victory. Oilers' miscues helped the Pirates win the game with 3 runs scored in a no hit 6th inning and 3 of their total 4 errors . The Bucs play Marion tomorrow night at Riverside, in a battle between first and second place teams, and the Oilers head to Fulton to tackle the Railroaders.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 2, Fulton Railroaders 1.  The Bobcats got back on their winning ways on Friday in Fulton by a narrow victory over the Railroaders.  Marion scored both their runs in the top of the 4th inning after loading the bases and a Caleb Eickhoff 2 RBI single.  Fulton put up their only run in the 6th with a 2 out RBI single by Kahtan Al-Kaissy who went 2 of 4 on the evening, the only multi-hit player for either team. Error free defensive play and good pitching were the rule of the evening on both sides with 9 total combined hits, Railroaders 4 and Bobcats 5.  Starter and winner Andrew Edward threw for 6 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits, 6 walks and striking out 7.  Matthew Vollenweider capped off the bottom of 9th to get a save.  Taking the hard loss for Fulton was BJ Sieverding going a full 8 innings allowing 5 hits, 5 walks, and handing out 10 strikeouts. The win for Marion comes after their first two straight losses on the season, while the Railroaders continue to struggle at home, winning only 1 of 7 games played at the "Yard."  The Bobcats remain on the road and head to Tradewater on Saturday to face the Pirates who are on a 3 game winning streak.  The Railroaders will remain at home on Saturday to host the Oilers who have slipped to 3rd in the standings after their loss in Tradewater on Friday.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 23, 2011 results:

Tradewater Pirates 8, Owensboro Oilers 5.  Pirates and Russ Gilliam ride a big home run shot by Sean Noland to win over Owensboro.  Bucs raced out to a 5-0 cushion, then extended it 8-2, before a crowd of 500 at Hopkinsville, in a game broadcast by WHOP.  The Oilers took advantage of a momentary lapse by Pirate pitching and fielding late, but Weary comes on to douse the fire in the 8th and 9th, to record their seventh win versus eight losses.  With the loss, the Oilers drop to 7-7.  The squads repeat the action at Riverside Park Friday night at 7pm.  Box Scores Click Here.  

Fulton Railroaders 9, Marion Bobcats 3.  A big night for the Fulton Railroaders as they defeat Marion using 11 hits, 4 Bobcats errors to produce their 9-3 win. Marion's 3 runs came on 6 hits and 2 Railroader errors. Fulton's newly signed Miles Canady pitched a good game and gets a win for his first outing.  The two teams meet again on Friday in Fulton.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion's summary: The Bobcats were unable to supply their general manager with a win Thursday for a belated birthday gift, dropping their second in a row with a 9-3 loss to visiting Fulton. It is the first time this season Marion has lost two consecutive games. It also marked the worst loss of the year, a six-run deficit. Despite the loss, the Bobcats (9-5) remain in first place and celebrated general manager Gordon Guess' birthday—albeit five days late—after the game in what has become a tradition at the field that carries his name. Guess' birthday was on Saturday, but that contest with Tradewater was rained out, delaying the festivities.  At the plate Thursday, Joey Xavier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for the Bobcats. A.J. Dokey and Cameron Chestnut each registered doubles. Matt Fears was 1-for-4 in his debut for Marion. Fears replaced Josh Johnson on the roster. Johnson left the team earlier this week due to personal reasons.  Starter Garret Hunt (0-2) took the loss for Marion, giving up seven of the nine runs, though two were unearned. Miles Canady picked up his first win for Fulton, allowing three Bobcat runs in seven innings. The Railroaders tallied four extra-base hits, including a triple off the bat of Rob Hogenkamp. Kahtan Al-Kaissy was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI.  The Bobcats will look to right the ship at Fulton tomorrow.

June 22, 2011 results:

Tradewater Pirates 3, Fulton Railroaders 2.  In another close game between the teams, the Pirates finally prevailed overcoming the Railroaders by one run.  Fulton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th inning as Rob Hogenkamp singled, advanced a base on a second Railroader hit, the scored off a fielder's choice.  In the bottom of the 6th, Tradewater took a 2-1 lead from a Tyler McDonald double with one man aboard, then he scored off another double by Sean Noland.  The Railroaders tied the game in the 8th from a RBI single by Mikee Moore with a man on 3rd base.  In the bottom half of the 8th, the Pirates regained the lead as Derrek Etsell singled and Keita Murakami came into to run for Etsell.  Murakami was batted to 2nd, made 3rd on a wild pitch, then scored the go ahead run on a Railroader error.  Tradewater's George Kalousek picked up the win in relief throwing the final two innings of play and Taylor Reilly the loss for Fulton pitching the last two innings.  The win puts the Pirates in 3rd place alone in the standings and drops the Railroaders back into 4th. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 2, Marion Bobcats 0 - game 1.  In 7 innings.  The Owensboro Oilers and Marion Bobcats completed one game of the make-up doubleheader they had rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Oilers shut out the visiting the visiting Bobcats in that seven-inning game by the score of 2 to 0.  The game was a scoreless pitching duel between Owensboro starter Ben Wright and his Marion counterpart Todd Brazell as they combined to scatter 4 hits between the two teams through the top of the 6th inning.  The Oilers finally broke the long chain of goose eggs to score two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Ryan Stephens singled leading off. Jordan Cessna sacrificed Stephens to second base. Stephens hustled in to score on a shallow RBI single by Ty Stetson. Stetson stole second base and moved to third base when Bo Younker singled. Younker stole second base to magnify the RBI situation. Stetson scored the important insurance run on a RBI sacrifice fly by Davey Murphy. Owensboro's defense overcame a couple of inopportune miscues to get three opportune Bobcat outs in the top of the 7th inning to secure the win, 2 to 0.  Ben Wright earned the win -- giving up just 2 hits in six innings pitched. Zach Krebs earned the save for a scoreless 7th inning. Marion's Todd Brazell is pinned with what could certainly be called a quality loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats @ Owensboro Oilers game 2 - PPD Rain.  Game 1 was completed in 7 innings.  Rain between games rendered the field unplayable for game 2.  Rescheduling TBA..

June 21, 2011 results:

Fulton Railroaders 7, Tradewater Pirates 4.  The Railroader drew the first blood in the 1st inning scoring 2 runs from a hit, walk, error and a groundout RBI.  Top of the 2nd; Fulton added another run when Mike Pudlo reach 1st on a two out single, stole 2nd and then scored off a Mikee Moore base hit. The Pirates got their first man aboard in the bottom of the 2nd but failed to score.  In the 3rd inning; Railroader Rob Hogankamp lead off with a single and Tyler O'Daniel followed with a RBI triple to give Fulton a 4-0 lead. Top of the 4rh; with one out Mike Pudlo walked followed by Mikee Moore who promptly got his third hit, a RPI triple bringing Fulton's total to 5 runs. Bottom of the 4th the Pirates finally got on the board when Eric Herman singled with one out and then scored off a Derrek Estell double. Estell then scored off a fielders choice to cut Fulton's lead to 5-2.  Top of the 5th; Tradewater's starting pitcher Calyn Young got into trouble and loaded the bases with 2 outs.  Young was pulled and Logan Thomas was sent in and end the Railroader threat with a strikeout.  Bottom of the 5th; Pirates pick up another run with 2 men aboard and a 2 out RBI double from Eric Herman.  In the 6th, the Railroaders got the bases loaded with one out and Brock Downey knocks in 2 RBIs with a single to extends Fulton's lead 7-3.  Fulton reliever Justin Daily replaced starter Steven Dooley to begin the bottom of the 6th inning and holds the Pirates scoreless.  Kyle Weary assumed the pitching duties for the Pirates to begin the top of the 7th inning and retires the Railroaders side for the first time on the evening.  Tradewater manufactured one run in the bottom of the 7th with an RBI single from Eric Herman for a 7-4 score. Both teams were scoreless in the 8th inning.  Dylan Delaune came in to pitch for Tradewater in the 9th and puts down 3 straight Railroaders.  Fulton put Tate Glasscock on the mound for the bottom of the 9th who gave up 2 singles to start the inning, then 2 outs and issued a walk to load the bases.  Pirate Chris Mitko comes to plate and hits a ground ball back to Glasscock who throws to first for the final out of the game.  Dooley takes the win for Fulton, Glasscock earns a save, and Young the loss for Tradewater.  The two teams meet again tomorrow, Wednesday in Tradewater.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD rain.  Tonight's game in Owensboro has been postponed due to heavy rain.  It has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader, in Owensboro, tomorrow Wednesday, June 22.  First game start 5 p.m..

June 20, 2011 results:

The Owensboro Oilers split a Tuesday evening doubleheader of seven-inning games with the visiting Fulton Railroaders. Fulton came from behind to escape Game 1 with a 5 to 4 win. Owensboro responded by taking Game 2 decisively, by a 12 to 2 score.

Fulton Railroaders 5, Owensboro Oilers 4 - game 1.  In Game 1 the Oilers scored first with one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Ryan Stephens led off with a single and eventually scored on an RBI single by Bo Younker. The Railroaders scored three runs in the top of the 3rd inning. With one out Zach Bailey singled, Mikee Moore doubled, and David Simmons walked to load the bases. An RBI single by Rob Hogenkamp scored Bailey. One strikeout later, a bases loaded RBI walk to Brandon Eggerschwiler plated Moore. Simmons also scored on a RBI single by Brock Downey. However, Owensboro scored three runs in the bottom half of the same inning to re-claim a 4-3 lead. Once again, Ryan Stephens led off -- with a double. One out later, a single by Ty Stetson set up a first and third base situation. With two outs, Davey Murphy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brent Weinzapfel delivered with a 2-RBI single scoring  Stephens and Stetson. Eric Barnes RBI doubled to drive in Murphy as the last run of the Oilers inning. The score of Game 1 held at 4-3 Oilers until the top of the 7th when the Fulton took the lead with two unearned runs. Moore led off the frame with a single. He stole second and third bases. An errant throw attempting to put him out at third base allowed him to score the tying run. With two out, Tyler O'Daniel reached on an error, and gave way to pinch-runner Mike Pudlo. Pudlo advanced to second base on another error, and scored on a single by Eggenschwiler, for another RBI. Owensboro managed one base runner in the bottom of the 7th inning but a force out and two fly balls ended the game in Fulton's favor, 5 to 4. Fulton starter BJ Sieverding got the win and Tate Glasscock earned the save. Owensboro reliever Zach Krebs took the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 12, Fulton Railroaders 2 - game 2.  In Game 2 The Oilers scored one run in each of the first four innings before lighting up the scoreboard for eight runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. The Railroader offense was limited to one run each in the tops of the 4th and 7th innings. In the bottom of the 1st inning. Ryan Stephens singled, stole second base, and came the rest of the way around on wild pitches. In the bottom of the second Luis Mila singled and eventually scored on a RBI single by Kyler Mason. In the bottom of the 3rd inning Mila doubled and Eric Barnes RBI singled. Fulton made it 3-1 wit one run in the top of the 4th inning. Brock Downey and Joe Mike singled back-to-back. Connor Tracey reached on an error that allowed Downey to score from second base. One strikeout later, Mike Pudlo walked -- but Mikee Moore grounded into a double play to end the threat. Owensboro got that one run back in the bottom of the 4th inning. Mason followed a familiar lead off pattern for the Oilers -- singled, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored with two outs on a RBI single by Jordan Cessna. The Oilers had their biggest inning yet this season by scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. The frame started with Bo Younker being hit by a pitch. He stole second base, moved to third base on a groundout, and scored on a high RBI single to center field by Barnes. With two outs, a walk and a pair of wild pitches scored Barnes and positioned Mason on third base. Jesse Moralez and Stephens also followed with walks to load the bases. Cessna knocked in Mason with another RBI single -- keeping the bases loaded. Ty Stetson RBI walked to bring in Moralez, bases still jammed. Younker returned to the plate in the half-inning he led off and launched a pitch over the center field wall for a grand slam home run. At the end of the 5th inning, Owensboro led Fulton 12-1. The Railroaders picked up one more run in the top of the 7th inning. Mike Pudlo scored on a two-out bases loaded RBI walk to Brock Downey. A strikeout finalized the Oilers win at 12-2. Owensboro starter Myles Scott went the distance for the win. Fulton starter Roman Kelly took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

June 18, 2011:

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers Doubleheader- PPD Rain.  Inclement weather continues to remain in the area for the Oilers and Railroaders.  Today's doubleheader included last Saturday's rain out in Owensboro. Both games have been rescheduled for Monday, June 20 in Owensboro, with the first game a 5 pm start.  Last night's rainout with Fulton at Owensboro has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 6, in Owensboro as part of a doubleheader.

Tradewater Pirates @ Marion Bobcats - PPD Rain.  Game rescheduling TBA.

June 17, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 6, Tradewater Pirates 3.  Tradewater summary: When your highlight of the night becomes a two out strikeout by your everyday first sacker, then you know it's been a rough evening.  But that's exactly the case for the Pirates, who never led Marion, and lost a crucial early season contest to the league leading Bobcats, by the count of 6-3.  By the way, the strikeout by the first sacker, Etsell, was not with bat in hand, but instead, Etsell on the hill, relieving middleman Nic McCowin, with two outs in the top of the 9th, after Marion saw three unearned runs cross the plate, and increase their 3-1 lead, to a comfortable 6-1 margin.  Kyle Thomas started, and pitched admirably, but saw his mates produce virtually nothing at the plate off Marion starter Josh Anders.  And to complicate matters, two Buc runners got picked off at first in the contest.  McCowin entered for Thomas, and gutted out two innings, but ran into major trouble in the 9th.  Not to worry.  Etsell traded gloves, took the mound, and proceeded to strike out the final batter in the top of the 9th.  The Pirates got to Szathmary a bit in the bottom of nine, but all to late, and the Buccos sink to 5-7, while Marion sails away from Riverside with another win.  The two squads do battle at Marion, on Saturday evening. 

Marion summary:  The Bobcats gained ground on the entire league once again with a 6-3 victory Friday at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs. The win over the Pirates was the third in a row for Marion (9-3, 10-3 overall) and the seventh in the last eight contests. The team's last loss came in the tail end of a double header last Sunday against the Tradewater squad in the same setting.  Because Owensboro and Fulton were rained out, Marion picked up a half game on the second- and fourth-place teams, respectively. Owensboro (5-5) is three games out, Tradewater drops to two games below .500 and four behind Marion at 5-7 and Fulton, whose last two contests were called due to Mother Nature, stands five games out in last place at 3-7.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD Rain.  The game will be rescheduled , date TBA.

June 16, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 5, Owensboro Oilers 4 in 12 innings.  The visiting Marion Bobcat defeated the Owensboro Oilers on Thursday night, coming from behind to take the game into extra innings, and then simply take the game by the final score of 5 to 4 in 12 innings.

The Oilers scored first with two runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Luis Mila singled to lead off the inning, and he stole second base. Two outs later, Mila had been moved along to third base. He scored on a passed ball. Ryan Messex singled, and Austin Hargrove followed by reaching on an error that allowed Messex to come around and score the frame's second run. Owensboro increased its lead to 3-0 with another run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. With one out, Ty Stetson reached on an error, and stole second base. Stetson scored as Bo Younker drove him in with an RBI double.

The Bobcats got back in the game with two runs in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Tyler Bailey was hit by a pitch. AJ Dokey followed with a single. Wild pitches brought Bailey across the plate and positioned Dokey at on third base. He scored on a RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Caleb Eickhoff. However, Owensboro got one of those runs back in the bottom of the 5th when Ty Stetson hit a solo RBI home run over the right field wall -- with two out.

Yet, the middle inning scoring flurry did not end soon enough, as Marion posted two more runs in the top of the 6th inning. With one out, Desmond Roberts singled. Landon Weitekamp walked. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Then, Joey Xavier RBI singled to bring in Roberts and Cameron Chestnut did the same to drive in Weitekamp. The Oilers got a strikeout and fly out to get to their half of the 6th tied with the Bobcats 4 to 4.

And so it remained .... into extra innings. Each team looked for the one run they seemed to know it would take -- but each team seemed to get the pitch or the play they needed to keep the other from scoring. The tie held until the 12th inning ... the top of the 12th inning when the Bobcats found that elusive one run. Cody Kottich led off the Bobcat inning with a solo RBI home run for the 5 to 4 lead. Owensboro retired the next three batters, but couldn't spark the offense in the bottom of the inning -- making the 5 to 4 score final. Bobcat setup pitcher Tripp Jolly got the win and Matthew Vollenweider picked up their save. The tough  Owensboro loss went to reliever Jim Mulvaney.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates @ Fulton Railroaders - PPD Rain.  The Railroaders vs Pirates game went into a rain delay in the bottom of the 3rd inning.  After an hour of rain and lightning, the game officials finally called the game.  The contest will be rescheduled as a doubleheader in Fulton, date TBA.

June 15, 2011 results:

Tradewater Pirates 7, Fulton Railroaders 6.  As in their first game of the series, the Railroaders and Pirates battled hard to get and maintain a lead.  Tradewater started the scoring in the 1st inning from a RBI ground out by Bill Pace driving in Brock Bontrager from 3rd base.  Fulton responded in the top of the 2nd with a 2 RBI homer by Joe Mike to take a 2-1 lead.  Top of the 3rd, Railroaders continued scoring with aggressive base running and small ball to put up 3 more runs and lead 5-1. Pirates answered in bottom of the 3rd with 4 runs using their own brand of small ball and tied the game 5-5.  Both teams remained scoreless in the 4th through 6th innings.  In the top of the 7th, Tradewater' starter Russ Gilliam loaded the bases with Railroaders and one out.  George Kalousek came in to pitch and helped the Pirates turn a doubleplay to get out of the inning.  The Railroaders relieved their starter Skylar Cobb and Justin Daily took over the mound to begin the bottom of the 7th kept the Pirates scoreless.  In the top of the 8th Fulton's Chris Devarco got aboard and made to 3rd base, then scored on a passed ball to give the Railroaders a 6-5 lead.  Bottom of the 8th, the Pirates got the bases loaded with 2 outs and scored when Daily walked in a run to tie the game again at 6-6. The Railroaders were scoreless in the 9th.  Bottom of the 9th, Pirate Bill Pace walked then stole 2nd and 3rd.  Chris Mitko came to the plate with 2 out and hit a game winning RBI single.  George Kalousek takes the win for Tradewater and Justin Daily the loss for Fulton.  The two teams meet again on Thursday in Fulton for the final game of the 3 game series.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 3, Owensboro Oilers 1.  Marion proved a poor host on Wednesday for former manager of the Bobcats, Steve Fowler. Fowler, now heading the Owensboro Oilers (5-4), was met with a 3-1 defeat in his first trip to Guess Field as the opposing skipper.  With the win, Marion (7-3) held on to first place and increased their lead over second-place Owensboro by a full game. The Oilers will be looking to return the favor Thursday and whittle away A 1.5-game gap when the Bobcats play visitor.  Leadoff hitter A.J. Dokey did his job for Marion, going 2-for-4 and scoring one of Marion's runs. On the mound, Zach Hall (1-1) erased memories his Opening Night loss by pitching eight innings, striking out 12 and allowing only four hits. Matt Vollenweider closed out the game for his league-leading fifth save.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 14, 2011 results:

Fulton Railroaders 5, Tradewater Pirates 4.  The Fulton Railroaders get their first win at home at the expense of the Tradewater Pirates. In a hard fought game by both teams, the Railroaders edged out by one run.  Fulton took an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning when newly signed David Simmons got things going with a single and immediately stole 2nd & 3rd bases.  Rob Hogenkamp then hit an RBI single, stole 2nd and score off a hit from Tyler O'Daniel.  Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the 4th when Pirates' lead off hitter Eric Herman tripled and scored on a ground out by Derrek Etsell.  Tradewater tied the game 2-2 in the 5th scoring one run off a wild pitch and a man on 3rd.  The Railroaders regained the lead in the bottom of 6th; David Simmons lead off with a double and scored from another Tyler O'Daniel single.  O'Daniel reach 2nd on a wild pitch then scored off a base hit by Brandon Eggenschwiler.  The Pirates fought back in the 8th to tied the game again when Derrek Etsell reached base on an error, and JB Sapienza proceeded to slam a 2 RBI homer over right field's 40 ft Little Monster in Fulton.  Bottom of the 9th, the Railroaders' O'Daniel lead off with a single and reached 2nd on a sacrifice.  Joe Mike then hit a sharp ground ball to the Pirate shortstop who chose to throw towards 3rd and cut down O'Daniel.  The ensuing run down between 2nd & 3rd base ended with the go ahead run safe on 3rd.  With 2 outs, Alex Azeredo came to the plate and singled to drive in the game winning RBI.

Fulton totaled 11 hits and 2 errors; Tyler O'Daniel went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and scored twice. David Simmons was 2 of 4 and also scored twice.  Tradewater put up 10 hits with no errors.  With his timely hitting, JB Sapienza lead the Pirates offense with his 1 hit 2 RBI homerun, and Brock Bontrager was 3 of 5 on the evening.  

Fulton's starter Steven Dooley pitched a good game through 7 2/3 innings striking out 5 with no walks and giving up 9 hits.  With the game tied, Dooley was pulled, Brock Downey came in to finish the 8th inning and he receives the win.  Tate Glasscock closed out the top of 9th for Fulton striking out 3 of 4 batters faced, he picks up a save.  Newly signed Caoeb Luttrell takes a hard luck loss for Tradewater, pitching only one inning after relieving starter Calyn Young who went for 7 complete innings. The two teams meet again tomorrow in Tradewater for the 2nd of a 3 game series, with the 3rd game in Fulton on Thursday.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers @ Marion Bobcats - PPD Rain.  Game has been rescheduled for Monday, July 11.

June 14, 2011: 

Bobcats hustle Lexington out of interleague win.   It was another come-from-behind rally that allowed the Bobcats to take the Snappy Tomato Classic Monday in their final at-bat. Breaking a 6-6 tie in the 9th inning on a score from third off a wild pitch, Marion (6-3, 7-3 overall) was able to seal another comeback with a 7-6 victory over the Lexington Hustlers (0-2, 0-3 overall) of the Great Lakes League.

The interleague contest at a neutral site in Elizabethtown, Ky., was the first meeting between the teams in the first-ever Classic. The win, however, will not count in Ohio Valley League standings, but returns league-leading Marion to its winning ways after dropping the night cap of Sunday's double header to Tradewater.

The Bobcats dug themselves a hole early, ending the third inning down 6-0 to the Hustlers, but pulled even with two runs in each of the next three innings. Marion starter Anthony Edwards gave up all six Lexington runs in four innings, but was taken off the hook with the rally and another strong showing by the bullpen.

Desmond Roberts, typically an outfielder, made his first appearance on the mound, spelling Edwards and throwing two scoreless innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts. Daniel Szathmary pitched the 8th, earning the win. Matt Vollenweider recorded a save by shutting down Lexington's offense after giving up a lead-off single in the final frame.

The win was Szathmary's third and the save was Vollenweider's fourth, each leading the Bobcats in the respective categories. Statistics and records for the game will not be tallied with Ohio Valley League numbers, but will count toward Bobcat records.

At the plate, Roberts also shined, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and run scored. Meantime, Taylor Banks had 3 RBI on a 2-for-3 night, and A.J. Dokey added a two-run home run to pull Marion even in the visitor's half of the sixth. Cody Schmitt scored the winning run on the wild pitch after a lead-off single in the 9th.

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June 12, 2011 results:

Owensboro Oilers 7, Fulton Railroaders 6 - game 1 in 7 innings.  The Oilers worked up a 5-0 lead on the Railroaders through 4 innings before Fulton finally got on the scoreboard in the 5th with 3 runs. Owensboro added 2 more runs, one each in the 6th and 7th innings, bringing the score to 7-3.  Fulton mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 7th, but fell short by one run for the final of 7-6.  The Oilers played error free ball and produced 9 hits total.  The Railroaders came up with 11 hits but 4 costly errors helped the Oilers win their 3 straight game.  Joe Devine takes the win for Owensboro and for Fulton BJ Sieverding the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 2, Fulton Railroaders 1 - game 2 in 7 innings.  The Railroaders woes continued in the night cap by out hitting the Oilers 6-3 but falling short by one run again. Fulton scored first in the 3rd to take a 1-0 lead.  Owensboro answering in the 5th with a solo homerun from Ryan Stevens to tie the score.  The Oilers took the lead in the 6th with the game wining RBI single off the bat of Ryan Stevens. Again, 2 game errors and 5 hit by pitches plagued the Railroaders who are struggling at home to get a win.  Matt Daniels earned the win for Owensboro in relief pitching 3 innings.  Starter Roman Kelly takes the loss for Fulton.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 7, Tradewater Pirates 6 - game 1 in 7 innings.  The first game of tonight's double header at Riverside Park went to Marion. The Bobcats defeated Tradewater 5-2 behind 11 hits. Marion (6-2) broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 6th inning with three runs. All three runs came on Pirate miscues—an error and two passed balls—with a runner on third. Marion added two more runs in the top of the seventh on a Cody Kottich triple and single by Desmond Roberts. Kittich's single was the first for the Bobcats in 2011. The extra runs were needed to preserve the win as Tradewater mounted a comeback against starter Todd Brazell and the visiting Bobcats in the final inning, scoring four runs before closer Todd Vollenweider closed the door on the comeback at 7-6. The Pirates scratched out the four runs in nearly every way possible—two hits, a walk, a hit batsman, an error and a sacrifice fly.  Brazell earned his second win in as many starts despite the rough 7th inning. Vollenweider tallied his league-leading fourth save by getting the final two outs of the game.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 6, Marion Bobcats 5 - game 2 in 7 innings.  Tradewater ended the Bobcats' winning streak Sunday and ceased their own four-game slide in the nightcap of a double header, earning a X-X victory at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs.  The Pirates (4-5) broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the bottom of the 3rd inning and never looked back, tacking on 3 more runs in the fifth. Marion (6-3) was held scoreless by Pirate starter Dylon Delaune (1-0) after pushing across 2 runs in the 2nd inning for brief lead. Garret Hunt (0-1) took the loss for the league-leading Bobcats.  Despite the loss, Marion remained in first place in the Ohio Valley League.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 11, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 7, Tradewater Pirates 5.  Marion summary:  The Bobcats retained sole possession of first place Saturday with a 7-5 win over Tradewater. Marion (5-2) moved two games ahead of Tradewater (3-4) with another come-from-behind win. The game was the first meeting of the year between the rivals.  Josh Anders picked up his second win in as many starts and Daniel Szathmary earned his third save of the season.  Marion also picked up a half-game on both second-place Owensboro (3-3) and last-place Fulton (2-4). Saturday's Oilers-Railroaders game was postponed due to rain and lightning. The game will be rescheduled at a later date.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater summary:  The Tradewater Pirates had a chance to dent the armor of league-leading Marion at Guess Field in Marion, only to see the Bobcats score late and hold on to a 7-5 victory, moving them to 5-2.  The Pirates, now with a three game skid, fall to 3-4 in 2011.  But redemption is at hand, as the Pirates host the Cats at Riverside Park Sunday evening for a double dipper, beginning at 5pm.  The Bucs clawed back to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth, but as with the past several contests, let things get out of hand when the home team picked up the sticks, sending Tradewater below .500 after seven games.

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD Rain.  Game rescheduling TBA.  

June 10, 2011 results:

Owensboro Oilers 6, Tradewater Pirates 5.  The Owensboro Oilers swept their two-game series with the visiting Tradewater Pirates. The Oilers rallied to win Friday night by the final score of 6 to 5.  The Pirates scored one run in the top of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Brock Bontrager was hit by a pitch. He advanced and scored by way of a sacrifice bunt and two fielding errors in the frame.  The Oilers took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Jordan Cessna led off with a double. Ryan Stephens sacrificed bunted Cessna to third base. Ty Stetson RBI singled Cessna across the plate. Stetson's encore was stealing both second and third bases, making it possible to score on a RBI groundout by Eric Barnes.

Tradewater tied the game in the top of the 4th inning. With one out, Derrek Etsell hit a solo RBI home run to drive himself in and knot the score at 2-2. The Pirates re-took the lead with one run in the top of the 7th inning. Michael Lyon walked. Tyler McDonald was hit by a pitch. Sawyer Smith hit into a fielder's choice used to force Lyon out at third base. David Zorn got the RBI single Tradewater wanted to plate McDonald for the inning's run. The Pirates broke their own scoring pattern by adding two runs in the top of the 9th inning to pad their advantage from 3-2 to 5-2. Lyon singled, and after McDonald popped out, Smith walked. Both of them came in to score when Bontrager reached on an error.  

Tradewater scoring out of its own groove proved to be opening Pandora's Box, as Owensboro scored four runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to come all the way back for the win. Luis Mila walked. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch and to third base on a passed ball. Austin Hargrove walked as well. Ryan Messex followed with a RBI sacrifice fly that plated Milla and moved Hargrove to second base. Hargrove got third base with a wild pitch, and scored on a RBI single by Cessna. Stephens singled, with Cessna holding at second base. Both runners advanced a base on the same passed ball. The tying and go-ahead runs were now in scoring position for Stetson, who delivered a 2-RBI single for the walk-off win.  Owensboro reliever Zach Krebs was the pitcher of record because of the rally and got the win. Tradewater reliever George Kalousek picked up the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 6, Fulton Railroaders 5.  Marion's summary: Marion mounted a comeback Friday down 5-0 in the fourth to score the first home win of 2011, downing Fulton 6-5. The win moved the Bobcats to 4-2, the team's best start in its four years of existence. The win also kept Marion in first place, the latest the team has retained at least a share of first. Bobcats starter Tripp Jolly gave up all five Railroader runs through 5.1 innings pitched, but Marion's offense and pitching staff got Jolly off the hook for the loss in his first start. Daniel Szathmary (1-0) earned the win despite facing only one batter, and Matt Vollenwieder earned his second save of the year by closing the door in the ninth.  The bullpen for the Bobcats has given up only three earned runs in 18.1 innings, a collective 1.47 ERA.  Marion is 3-1 against Fulton (2-4) this year, guaranteeing the best head-to-head record with the Railroaders since the Bobcats were born in 2008.

Fulton's summary: The Railroaders lead 5-0 going into the the bottom of the 4th. The Bobcats scored 2 in their half of the 4th and added 2 more in the 5th inning. Both team threaten to score several times until the Marion half of the 8th when the Bobcats score 2 to take a 6-5 lead to win the game. Daniel Szathmary takes the win for Marion and Matthew Vollenweider earned a save, Justin Dailey takes the loss in relief pitching the last 3 innings. The Railroader now head to Owensboro to play the Oilers on Saturday.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 9, 2011 results:

Owensboro Oilers 5, Tradewater Pirates 4.  The home-standing Owensboro Oilers defeated the visiting Tradewater Pirates Thursday night by a final score of 5 to 4.  The Pirates scored first with one run in the top of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Brock Bontrager walked, and an errant throw trying to keep him off second base moved him over to third base instead. Bontrager came in on a RBI single by Eric Herman.  The Oilers  tied the score with one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter  Ryan Stephens batted himself in with a solo home run to start the frame.  Owensboro took the lead with one run in the bottom the 2nd inning. Jordan Cessna led off the inning with a walk, and stole second base. Wild pitches brought him the rest of the way around.  The Oilers increased their advantage to 3-1 with another single run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Oiler newcomer Ty Stetson reached on a fielder's choice that put him on first with one out. He stole both second and third bases, and scored on a RBI groundout by Eric Barnes.

Tradewater began its own series of scoring with one run in the top of the 6th inning. With two out, David Zorn bunted on safely, and he stole second base. The next two batters walked -- suddenly the bases were loaded. Tony Becerra followed by reaching on an error that allowed Zone to score. The score shrank to 3-2.  The Pirates tied the game with one run in the top of the 7th inning. Bill Pace led off with a single and moved to second base on a groundout. He was still there an out later when a high pop-up between home plate and the mound became an object lesson in never assuming any catch is a sure thing. Pace came all the way from second to score the tying run, making it 3 to 3. Tradewater took the lead with one more run in the top of the 8th inning. With one out,  Bontrager singled, and stole second base. Becerra walked. Herman followed with an RBI infield grounder, while Becerra was out at second base, the double play attempt eluded control -- and Bontrager scored. The game had reversed directions and Tradewater led 4-3.  

The Owensboro Oilers reclaimed the game with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Pinch-hitter Gabriel Pena led off with a walk. Then pinch-hitter Luis Milla sacrificed Pena over to second base. One strikeout later, he was still on second base, but a wild pitch and passed ball consecutively in the process of walking Stetson brought Pena in for the tie. Barnes followed the walk to Stetson by reaching on an error, and the hustling Stetson created an errant throw to third base that brought him in with the go-ahead run. The score held at 5 to 4 through the top of the 9th inning to end the game.  Owensboro reliever Jim Mulvaney picks up the win, and Austin Clay strikes out two in a scoreless 9th inning for a save. Tradewater reliever Keita Murakami takes the tough loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 7, Marion Bobcats 3.  The Bobcats fell to 3-2 by dropping their home opener Thursday 7-3 against Fulton. By the fortune of a Tradewater loss, however, Marion remained in a first-place tie with the Pirates. Fulton managed all of their runs against Marion starter Zach Hall (0-1), sending 4 runs home in the fifth inning. However, the Bobcats' bullpen remained strong, with Kyle Tokunaga throwing two scoreless innings to close the game. The bullpen has allowed only 3 earned runs in 14.2 innings. The Railroaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with runs scored on a wild pitch and double steal. After another score in the third, Rob Hogenkamp contributed a 3-run double two innings later to run the score to 6-1. Nick Duff added the last Fulton run on a single in the same inning.

Marion scored its first run on a passed ball in the fourth after blowing a bases-loaded opportunity the inning before. With runners on every station and no outs in the third, Caleb Eickhoff hit into a double play that started with a force out at the plate. Joey Xavier ended the inning with a fly to center, leaving two runners in scoring position. Despite another no-out double play to start the seventh, the Bobcats managed to chase Fulton starter Steven Dooley (1-1) with a second run. The Bobcats added their final run in the ninth on a bases loaded walk with one out. With the bags still full, the tying run came to the plate in the next two batters, but Fulton reliever Tate Glasscock was able to end the game with back-to-back strikeouts, leaving all three Marion runners stranded.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 9, 2011 results:

Owensboro Oilers 5, Tradewater Pirates 4.  The home-standing Owensboro Oilers defeated the visiting Tradewater Pirates Thursday night by a final score of 5 to 4.  The Pirates scored first with one run in the top of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Brock Bontrager walked, and an errant throw trying to keep him off second base moved him over to third base instead. Bontrager came in on a RBI single by Eric Herman.  The Oilers  tied the score with one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter  Ryan Stephens batted himself in with a solo home run to start the frame.  Owensboro took the lead with one run in the bottom the 2nd inning. Jordan Cessna led off the inning with a walk, and stole second base. Wild pitches brought him the rest of the way around.  The Oilers increased their advantage to 3-1 with another single run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Oiler newcomer Ty Stetson reached on a fielder's choice that put him on first with one out. He stole both second and third bases, and scored on a RBI groundout by Eric Barnes.

Tradewater began its own series of scoring with one run in the top of the 6th inning. With two out, David Zorn bunted on safely, and he stole second base. The next two batters walked -- suddenly the bases were loaded. Tony Becerra followed by reaching on an error that allowed Zone to score. The score shrank to 3-2.  The Pirates tied the game with one run in the top of the 7th inning. Bill Pace led off with a single and moved to second base on a groundout. He was still there an out later when a high pop-up between home plate and the mound became an object lesson in never assuming any catch is a sure thing. Pace came all the way from second to score the tying run, making it 3 to 3. Tradewater took the lead with one more run in the top of the 8th inning. With one out,  Bontrager singled, and stole second base. Becerra walked. Herman followed with an RBI infield grounder, while Becerra was out at second base, the double play attempt eluded control -- and Bontrager scored. The game had reversed directions and Tradewater led 4-3.  

The Owensboro Oilers reclaimed the game with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Pinch-hitter Gabriel Pena led off with a walk. Then pinch-hitter Luis Milla sacrificed Pena over to second base. One strikeout later, he was still on second base, but a wild pitch and passed ball consecutively in the process of walking Stetson brought Pena in for the tie. Barnes followed the walk to Stetson by reaching on an error, and the hustling Stetson created an errant throw to third base that brought him in with the go-ahead run. The score held at 5 to 4 through the top of the 9th inning to end the game.  Owensboro reliever Jim Mulvaney picks up the win, and Austin Clay strikes out two in a scoreless 9th inning for a save. Tradewater reliever Keita Murakami takes the tough loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 7, Marion Bobcats 3.  The Bobcats fell to 3-2 by dropping their home opener Thursday 7-3 against Fulton. By the fortune of a Tradewater loss, however, Marion remained in a first-place tie with the Pirates. Fulton managed all of their runs against Marion starter Zach Hall (0-1), sending 4 runs home in the fifth inning. However, the Bobcats' bullpen remained strong, with Kyle Tokunaga throwing two scoreless innings to close the game. The bullpen has allowed only 3 earned runs in 14.2 innings. The Railroaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with runs scored on a wild pitch and double steal. After another score in the third, Rob Hogenkamp contributed a 3-run double two innings later to run the score to 6-1. Nick Duff added the last Fulton run on a single in the same inning.

Marion scored its first run on a passed ball in the fourth after blowing a bases-loaded opportunity the inning before. With runners on every station and no outs in the third, Caleb Eickhoff hit into a double play that started with a force out at the plate. Joey Xavier ended the inning with a fly to center, leaving two runners in scoring position. Despite another no-out double play to start the seventh, the Bobcats managed to chase Fulton starter Steven Dooley (1-1) with a second run. The Bobcats added their final run in the ninth on a bases loaded walk with one out. With the bags still full, the tying run came to the plate in the next two batters, but Fulton reliever Tate Glasscock was able to end the game with back-to-back strikeouts, leaving all three Marion runners stranded.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 8, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 13, Owensboro Oilers 3.  The visiting Marion Bobcats split their first two-game trip to Owensboro by defeating the Owensboro Oilers Wednesday night. The final score was 13 to 3.  The Bobcats scored first with two runs in the top of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Desmond Roberts (hit by pitch) and Cody Schmitt (single) scored. Schmitt collected an RBI for Roberts and came in  himself on a wild pitch.  Marion added two more runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Josh Johnson singled, and advanced to second base on an error. Two outs later, back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Cody Eickhoff made the Oilers pay with a 2-RBI single ahead of the third out.  Owensboro got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Eric Barnes led off with a single. He moved up to second base as Ryan Messex walked behind him. Barnes scored one strikeout later on a RBI single from Austin Hargrove -- who was then tagged out trying to go to second base. A groundout followed. The Bobcats pushed their lead to 9 to 1 with five runs in the top of the 5th inning. Scoring were Cody Kottich (single), Eickhoff (walk) Taylor Banks (2-RBI single), Landon Weitekamp (walk), and Johnson (hit by pitch). Jake Hirniak got the RBI for Banks -- but both Weitekamp and Johnson were plated by fielding errors.  The Oilers answered all-too briefly with one run in their half of the 5th inning. Luis Mila led off with a single. One out later, Davey Murphy doubled. Barnes made a groundout to the right side of the infield an effective RBI opportunity to bring Mila across. The inning closed at 9 to 2.  Marion increased their advantage with two runs in the top of the 6th inning. Eickhoff led off hit by a pitch. Joey Xavier followed reaching on an error. Both were respectively driven in by Weitekamp (hit by a pitch) and Johnson (single).  Owensboro responded with enough intent for one run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Carter Pack reached first base safely after a dropped third strike. Hargrove hit into a fielder's choice that cut Pack down at second base, but couldn't take out Hargrove at first base. A wild pitch moved him over to second base. Another out later, Ryan Stephens came through with an RBI single to score Hargrove.  The Bobcats added one run each in the top of the 7th and top of the 9th innings. In the 7th inning, Cameron Chestnut walked, took two bases on an error, and eventually scored on a RBI single by Xavier. In the top of the 9th inning, with one away Schmitt singled, Bailey walked and Eickhoff  RBI doubled to plate Schmitt before two fly out closed the night's scoring at 13 to 3.  Marion starter Andrew Edwards gets the win. The starting Owensboro pitcher Matt Daniels takes the loss  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 16, Fulton Railroaders 3 .  The Pirates took revenge on the Railroaders early in Wednesday's game scoring 9 runs in the 2nd inning which included two 3 RBI homers from Tony Becerra and Derrek Etsell.  Tradewater added 3 more runs in the 4th off 2 walks and 2 costly Railroader errors.  Top of 6th, Derrek Etsell hit his second homerun for 2 RBIs (6 RBIs total on the evening) giving the Pirates a 14-0 lead. The Pirates rounded out their scoring in the 7th with 2 more runs for their final tally of 16 before the Railroaders finally got on the board in the bottom half of the inning scoring 1 run off a Tradewater error.  The Railroaders only highlight at the plate came in the 8th inning from a solo homer by Kahtan Al-Daissy,  The final scoring for Fulton came in the 9th with a walked in run from Tradewater reliever Nick McCowin.  Pirates starter Calyn Young pitched a good full 8 innings allowing 6 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 4 strikeouts and no walks, and take the win.  Dylan Lynn takes his second loss of the year going 5 innings giving up 11 hits, 14 runs (10 earned), walking 3 and striking out 6. The 3-1 Pirates return home Thursday to face off with 1-3 Oilers while the 1-3 Railroaders hit the road to Marion to play the 3-1 Bobcats.   Box Scores Click Here.

June 7, 2011 results:

Owensboro Oilers 3, Marion Bobcats 2.  The Owensboro Oilers defeated the visiting Marion Bobcats in Tuesday night's season home opener for the Oilers. The final score was 3 to 2.  Owensboro scored first with one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Ryan Stephens led off the game by reaching on an error. He stole second base, and scored with one out on a RBI single by Gabriel Pena.  The Bobcats tied the game with one run in the top of the 2nd inning. Cameron Chestnut walked leading off the inning. Chestnut moved all the way to third when Tyler Bailey followed with a single. Landon Weitekamp delivered a RBI sacrifice fly to bring Chestnut across before the Oilers got the two final outs of the frame. 

The game rolled along tied at 1 to 1 until Owensboro scored another solo run in the bottom of the 5th inning. With one out, Bryce Shoulders singled and gave way to pinch-runner Jesse Moralez. Both Ryan Messex and Jordan Cessna followed with back-to-back singles -- Cessna's batting in Moralez. The inning closed with the Oilers up 2 to 1.  Marion tied the score again in the top of the 6th inning. Caleb Eickhoff was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Chestnut walked. They both moved up a base on an error trying to hold the runners. Taylor Banks reached first when his infield grounder was used to throw Eickhoff out at home plate. Weitekamp executed a RBI bunt single to score Chestnut. Once again Owensboro pitching got outs two and three with no further damage -- but once again the game was tied, now at 2 to 2.  

The Oilers claimed their season home opener with a walk-off run in the bottom of the 9th inning. With one out, Davey Murphy singled, and gave way to pinch-runner Austin Hargrove. Moralez sacrifice bunted Hargrove over to second base. Ryan Messex connected with a powerful drive toward the left field corner that a great effort could not keep from becoming the game-winning walk-off RBI single.  The winning pitcher was Oilers' reliever Zach Krebs, who pitched a scoreless 9th inning to keep the Bobcats in check. The loss goes to Marion reliever Kyle Tokunaga.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 8, Tradewater Pirates 6.  In 13th inning.  Traderwater summary:  Fulton threatened to give the game away early, as the Pirates raced out to an early lead, only to see the Railroaders claw back.  The Pirates fell behind by the count of 5-4, but managed to tie the game at 5-5, and that's where it stayed until the top of the 13th, when a Herculean effort by reliever George Kalousek finally fell apart, when the Roaders scored three big runs.  So, heading to the bottom of the 13th, the Pirates managed several runners, and one run, to close to 8-6.  But a groundout/forceout at second ended the Pirate rally, and Fulton picks up win number one in 2011.  Kyle Thomas pitched well, but gave way to Keita Murakami, and then normally short reliever George Kalousek, who held the Roaders at bay several times, with superb pitching and a little help from his friends.  All for naught, though, as the Bucs suffer loss number one in the young season.  After several road contests, the Buccos return home Sunday  for a 5pm double dip with the Marion Bobcats.  

Fulton summary:  Railroaders get their first season win on the road against a tough Pirates team. Fulton trailed in the game until the 8th inning when Nick Duff's RBI single finally gave the Railroaders their first lead of the season at 5-4. The Pirates quickly rebounded in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game 5 all. Both teams had men in scoring position in the 9th but failed to cash them in. In the top of the 12th, Brock Downey lead off with a single and made it all the way to 3rd on a misplayed ball in the outfield, but could not get home. Top of the 13th the Railroaders finally explore scoring 3 runs to take a 8-5 lead. Bottom of the inning, Pirates scored one but not enough wind left to score as BJ Sieverding closed out the game for Fulton with a save. Aaron Chez-Shaw takes the win and George Kalousek the loss for the Pirates. The two team meet again on Wednesday in Fulton.Box Scores Click Here.

June 4, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 7, Fulton Railroaders 4.  The Bobcats completed a two game sweep of the Railroaders in Fulton with their best yet season start.  While the Railroaders showed some signs of life during the game, the Bobcats managed more scoring from their offense. Marion produced 10 hits which included 3 solo homeruns from Cody Kottich, Cameron Chestnut and Desmond Roberts.  Fulton's offense cranked out 9 hits with Brandon Eggenschwiler leading the way going 3 or 5 including a 2 RBI homer to tie the game in the 3rd. The Bobcats regained the lead in the top of the 4th and added more every inning through the 7th for their total of 7 runs.  The Railroaders put up their final 2 runs on the board in the bottom half of the 7th inning.  Marion stranded 10 on base while Fulton left 9 hanging.  Marion's winning pitcher Todd Braze went 7 innings giving up 7 hits, 4 earned runs and 2 walks, he struck out 8.  Daniel Szathmary threw the 8th and Matthew Vollenweider the 9th to pick up a save. Fulton's Steven Dooley takes the loss and threw for 4 2/3 innings allowing 5 earned runs, 8 hits, a walk and had 4 strikeouts. Both teams now take 2 days off then on Tuesday, June 8, the Bobcats head to Owensboro to face the Oilers and the Railroaders travel to Tradewater to take on the Pirates.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 9, Owensboro Oilers 8.  The Tradewater Pirates won in 10 innings, as Owensboro walked in the winning run with the bases loaded, giving the Bucs a 9-8 victory, in a game that saw a little bit of everything.  Pirate hurler George Kalousek provided a gritty performance in relief of middle man Nick McCowin, and starter Logan Thomas saw his mates battle throughout the contest, from down in the count, and down on the mat, numerous times.  Both squads had their chances to win, but some sparkling defense ended several rallies, and poor defense extended several innings.  All in all, the Pirates and Oilers would probably rate their performances about an overall C+, but the Pirates found themselves on the winning end of things when the last shot was fired.  Box Scores Click Here.

Now 2-0, the Pirates and Marion sit atop the OVL, with Marion shocking Fulton in enemy territory, two evenings in a row.  The Pirates have several well deserved days off, and return to home action Tuesday, versus a very angry bunch of Railroaders.   Note:  The Meet the Pirates event Sunday has been postponed, due to excessive afternoon temperatures, and will be rescheduled.

June 4, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 7, Fulton Railroaders 4.  The Bobcats completed a two game sweep of the Railroaders in Fulton with their best yet season start.  While the Railroaders showed some signs of life during the game, the Bobcats managed more scoring from their offense. Marion produced 10 hits which included 3 solo homeruns from Cody Kottich, Cameron Chestnut and Desmond Roberts.  Fulton's offense cranked out 9 hits with Brandon Eggenschwiler leading the way going 3 or 5 including a 2 RBI homer to tie the game in the 3rd. The Bobcats regained the lead in the top of the 4th and added more every inning through the 7th for their total of 7 runs.  The Railroaders put up their final 2 runs on the board in the bottom half of the 7th inning.  Marion stranded 10 on base while Fulton left 9 hanging.  Marion's winning pitcher Todd Braze went 7 innings giving up 7 hits, 4 earned runs and 2 walks, he struck out 8.  Daniel Szathmary threw the 8th and Matthew Vollenweider the 9th to pick up a save. Fulton's Steven Dooley takes the loss and threw for 4 2/3 innings allowing 5 earned runs, 8 hits, a walk and had 4 strikeouts. Both teams now take 2 days off then on Tuesday, June 8, the Bobcats head to Owensboro to face the Oilers and the Railroaders travel to Tradewater to take on the Pirates.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 9, Owensboro Oilers 8.  The Tradewater Pirates won in 10 innings, as Owensboro walked in the winning run with the bases loaded, giving the Bucs a 9-8 victory, in a game that saw a little bit of everything.  Pirate hurler George Kalousek provided a gritty performance in relief of middle man Nick McCowin, and starter Logan Thomas saw his mates battle throughout the contest, from down in the count, and down on the mat, numerous times.  Both squads had their chances to win, but some sparkling defense ended several rallies, and poor defense extended several innings.  All in all, the Pirates and Oilers would probably rate their performances about an overall C+, but the Pirates found themselves on the winning end of things when the last shot was fired.  Box Scores Click Here.

Now 2-0, the Pirates and Marion sit atop the OVL, with Marion shocking Fulton in enemy territory, two evenings in a row.  The Pirates have several well deserved days off, and return to home action Tuesday, versus a very angry bunch of Railroaders.   Note:  The Meet the Pirates event Sunday has been postponed, due to excessive afternoon temperatures, and will be rescheduled.

June 3, 2011 results:

Marion Bobcats 7, Fulton Railroaders 1.  The home opener in Fulton went far better for the Bobcats than it did for the Railroaders. Marion amassed 14 hits to Fulton's 5 with both teams committing only one error each. The starter and winner for the Bobcats was Josh Anders going 6 innings giving up 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 of 23 batters faced.  Marion used 3 more pitchers, one in each of the remaining 3 innings of play.  The only unearned run for Fulton occurred in the 7th from a throwing error.  Fulton starter Dylan Lynn went only 4 innings allowing 7 hits, 2 walks, and had 5 strikeouts with 4 runs (1 unearned) scored against him, he takes the loss.  Two Railroader relievers could not stop the Bobcats bats as they double their hit total in the remaining 5 innings.  Offensively, catcher Taylor Banks went 4 of 5 and scored twice to lead the Bobcats.  Also for Marion, Cody Schmitt hit 3 of 5 with 2 RBIs and AJ Dokey got the only extra base hit on the evening with a double. For the Railroaders, center fielder Nick Duff got 2 of the 5 total hits for Fulton. Both teams meet again on Saturday evening in Fulton for game 2 with the Railroaders hoping to reverse the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Tradewater Pirates 8, Owensboro Oilers 3.  The Tradewater Pirates opened the 2011 season in winning fashion, breaking open a tie game in the 7th with three runs, then added two more in the 8th, winning going away, by the count of 8-3.  The Bucs rode the solid pitching of starter Russ Gilliam, who got late help from Dylan Delaune, as the Pirates kept pressure on Owensboro all night with aggressive baserunning and classic small- ball tactics. The five run explosion beginning in the seventh featured several Oiler miscues, as the Pirates applied basepath pressure. JB Sapienza and Tony Becerra came up big at the right time for Tradewater, then saw a host of mates produce at the right times.  Owensboro tried a combination of pitchers, but Tradewater came through big in the late innings.  The Buccos and Oilers do battle at Riverside Park again Saturday, beginning at 7pm, on Carhartt Night.  Box Scores Click Here.

May 9, 2011

2011 Season ready to begin on June 3rd.  The inaugural baseball season for the Ohio Valley League is set to begin on Friday, June 3, 2011.  The Fulton Railroaders will host the Marion Bobcats at Lohaus Field in Fulton Kentucky, and the Tradewater Pirates open at home against the Owensboro Oilers at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs Kentucky.  The games have a 7 p.m. start time.  Both home teams, Railroaders and Pirates, are scheduled to broadcast their opening season games on TeamLine over the Internet (goto individual team's website for info and link to TeamLine). The OVL is committed to continue brining quality wooden bat baseball to the Heartland area.  Each team in the newly formed OVL has developed strong rosters for 2011 from top local, regional and national talent.  Visit each teams' website for their latest information and check this site for game summaries, box scores and stats.

January 11, 2011

League Officials meet and set 2011 Season in motion.  The OVL board of directors met on Sunday, January 9th, and agreed on a minimum 42 game schedule for the upcoming season. The schedule is based on 4 league teams, leaving open dates for scheduling exhibition games with any of several regional amateur teams; e.g. Nashville, Jasper, Indiana, & Lexington.
 
Play is expected to begin on Friday, June 3, and continue through July 26. There will also be a 4 team playoff series, best 2 out of 3, to begin July 28 with the winners playing for the title on July 31 through August 2.  Each team will play a minimum 44 and maximum 48 games within the league. Most Sundays and Mondays will be open with July 4 (Monday) the exception. A final 2011 schedule is expected to be ready before February 1.
 
Efforts to bring Paducah and Mayfield into the league as teams #5 & #6 were well received, however, organizational efforts are incomplete. Both franchises expect to work on those efforts in the interim and officially join the league for the 2012 season.

November 1, 2010

New Ohio Valley League in work for 2011.  Welcome to the new Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League website. The Marion Bobcats, Owensboro Oilers, Fulton Railroaders and Tradewater Pirates, will be playing in the new league for the 2011 season. All four teams left the KIT League after the end of the 2010 season in order to form their own summer collegiate baseball league. The Ohio Valley League will play with essentially the same rules on the field as the teams had played under in the KIT League. Wooden bats will still be used and the bulk of the season will be played in June and July.

Three of the four teams had played in the KIT League, a throwback to the original Kitty League, since their establishment—Fulton in 2004, Owensboro in 2006 and Marion in 2008. Tradewater began play in 1999 as an independent semi-pro team, but joined the KIT League in 2007.

While only four Kentucky teams comprise the Ohio Valley League at present, Bobcats General Manager Gordon Guess said talks with other communities might yield franchises from other states, such as Missouri or Tennessee. Guess, also a key participant in forming the new circuit, said other cities in Kentucky have also expressed an interest in eventually adding franchises to the league. Among them are Paducah and Mayfield.

The league's bylaws are still being drafted, but Guess said the league is on firm footing. For current news on individual teams, please check their websites (links on the "Teams" page of this website).