AllKnighters crawl back from the cellar
May 4, 2001
(AP) Ann Arbor - over the past two weeks the Ann Arbor AllKnighters
have been the hottest team in the Spock division, winning seven of their
last ten games. The seven victories came against league powers Galena,
Mississuaga and the team formerly known as Anchorage. AllKnighters swept
defending Spock Galena in a mini two game series, split a four game
series with the maple dogs before ruining the Solarcats inaugurial
series with dominating pitching by winning three of the four games
against the defending penant winners.
While the AllKnighters offense has improved over the ten game stretch,
pitching has been the theme. Brilliant all-around performances were
turned in by all members of the rotation: Pedro Martinez, Scott Sanders,
Paul Wilson, Ira Colon and rookie Russ Ortiz. The bullpen by committee
has also been very good as Carlos Perez has continued on last season's
success, holding teams scoreless in 11 of his 12 appearences and
stranding six of seven inherited runners. Billy Taylor, John Sularz and
Dixie Easton have also all pitched well in the pen.
The offense has finally picked it up slightly, moving up a grade from
non-existent to barely perceptible. Johnny Damon and Scott Stahoviak
have returned to their regular all-star form as they power the offense.
LF/DH Quentin McCraken has also come close to bouncing back to his
previous form after a year lost to injury. Young 3B/SS Luis Melter has
also played well in his first full time role and rookie Derek Lee has
performed surprisingly well and has been receivng improved playing time.
3B/LF Chris Stynes has been somewhat of a disapointment and has seen
more then his share of pine recently.
Of their most recent series victory over the 'team formerly know as
Anchorage', AllKnighter GM Michael Kennedy had this to say, "Ruined
their historic inaugarial series did we? Good. Feels damn great to get
some pay back. What goes around comes around and we got a second helping
for them. I don't care what they call themselves now. They are still the
Abominations and our top division rival. This was a sweet win for our
ballclub and hopefully something we can use to grow on."
1B Scott Stahoviak had this to say of the series, "I am glad we were
their first opponents. I am tired of losing to them. I have been here
since the beginning and for some reasons these games with Tulach's crew
are always close no matter the standings. These clubs hate each other in
a competitive way. This division is ruled by pitching and I think we
showed them that the quality of our pitching is a match for their
pitching anyday if not better. All I have left to say is 'who's your
daddy Tulach'"
