AllKnighters Take 2 Out of 3 From Hamsters April 8, 1999
(AP)Ann Arbor - The AllKnighters showed up in Galena in a bad mood,
taking the season opening series from the defending champs.
"Yes, it's big. We have a young club and it's important to show them
that they can compete at this level," said manager Buddy Bell. "Does it
mean anything as far as the rest of the season is concerned? No. We
still have an entire season to play, and the champs are still the
champs. We still have a long way to go, but this is a good start."
The AllKnighters took games one and two before droping the third game
behind a Hamsters ninth inning rally.
Game one, a 4-1 Ann Arbor victory, was highlighted by Pedro Martinez
throwing 7 2-hit scoreless innings and a 3 run blast by DH Will Clark,
busting a scoreless tie.
Matt Lawton also homered.
Game two was far different from the first as the AllKnighters got to
Daryl Kile early scoring 3 runs in the first. Kile was battered for 5
runs and 7 hits in 4.2 innings. Eric Young paced the AllKnighter attack,
resuming his role as a topnotch leadoff hitter, scoring 3 runs while
reaching base 5 times. Quinten McKraken also had 2 hits.
Dave Wells pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, to cruise to the
victory. Harley Ussatt, Dan Miceli and Ira Colon combined for three
scorless innings to close out the game.
Game three was a pitching stuggle between Scott Sanders and Jeremi
Gonzalez. Both pitchers dueled back and forth, not allowing a run, with
the outcome being decided with both watching from the dugout. Usatt
allowed allowed a ninth inning 3 run homerun to DH Johnny Butler,
sending the Galena crowd home with a smile.
"While this series showed that the AllKnighters are an improved
franchise from last year, it also showed the team's main concern, our
bullpen," stated GM Michael Kennedy, "Overall, I'm happy with the team's
performance, but I think our bullpen didn't quite play up to par. It's a
long season, so there is no point to get too excited at this time. It's
just something we have to keep an eye on."
"All in all, it was a great series for AllKnighter fans. We took on
the defending champs in their own backyard, holding our own and taking 2
of 3. We have essentially the same club as last year, but we have a
young club and that works in our favor. We are a better team then last
year."
Tonight, new AllKnighter Sterling Hitchcock makes his debut.
