MassBrew

Final: Cedar Rapids (Angels) 7, Beloit 5 Two-out, three-run, walk-off HR dooms Snappers... Beloit Box Score: Luis Pena your starter tonight; Lou Palmisano back in the lineup and behind the plate; 3B Adam Heether continues to pound extra-base hits (HR), but his error cost the team a run early on... GAME DATE: 6/10/04 BLT at CR BELOIT 5 AT CEDAR RAPIDS 7 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG CEDAR RAPIDS AB R H BI AVG T.Trofholz RF 4 1 2 1 .313 H.Kendrick 2B 5 1 1 0 .355 S.Moss CF 5 0 1 0 .218 M.Pali 1B 4 2 2 1 .293 D.Anderson LF 5 0 0 0 .262 B.Wilson CAT 5 0 2 2 .300 L.Palmisano CAT 4 1 0 1 .301 B.Balkcom RF 5 1 1 0 .265 V.Rottino DH 4 0 0 0 .301 B.Wood SS 5 1 2 3 .276 A.Heether 3B 4 1 2 2 .255 M.Brown 3B 4 0 1 0 .245 M.Ramirez 1B 4 1 1 0 .284 A.Peel LF 4 0 1 0 .237 J.Murray SS 4 0 0 0 .193 C.Maher DH 4 1 1 0 .210 W.Lewis 2B 3 1 1 1 .294 Q.Cosby CF 3 1 1 1 .251 L.Pena PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Hunter PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Taubenheim PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Buckley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Dillard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Zimmermann PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 37 5 7 5 TOTALS 39 7 12 7 BELOIT 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0- 5 7 1 CEDAR RAPIDS 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 3- 7 12 4 E--A.Heether, H.Kendrick, B.Wood 2, M.Brown. DP--BELOIT 0, CEDAR RAPIDS 1. LOB--BELOIT 7, CEDAR RAPIDS 8. 2B--T.Trofholz (7), M.Ramirez (11), B.Balkcom (11), A.Peel (5). 3B--B.Wood (3), C.Maher (2). HR--A.Heether (8), M.Pali (4), B.Wood (7). HBP--T.Trofholz. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT L.Pena 6.0 8 4 3 2 7 1 3.66 T.Taubenheim 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.90 T.Dillard (L,1-2) 0.2 3 3 3 0 0 1 3.75 CEDAR RAPIDS C.Hunter 6.0 5 5 3 0 5 1 3.50 A.Buckley 2.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 5.72 B.Zimmermann (W,3-4) 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.82 HB--C.Hunter. SO--T.Trofholz, S.Moss 3, D.Anderson, J.Murray 2, W.Lewis 2, M.Pali, B.Balkcom 2, B.Wood, M.Brown 2, A.Peel, C.Maher 2. BB--W.Lewis, M.Pali, Q.Cosby. T--2:35. A--2649Beloit Game Log: 2B Will Lewis has been contributing at the bottom of the lineup since his call-up... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12632

Updates while the Brewers do their West Coast thing: In progress: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies) 5, Indianapolis 0, after four innings (game delayed by rain at this point) In progress: Birmingham (White Sox) 8, Huntsville 0, after eight innings In progress: High Desert 2, Lancaster (Diamondbacks) 1, after one inning

From Lindon, Utah, hometown of 19th round OF Josh Brady out of Texas Tech: Pleasant Grove's Josh Brady was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 19th round. Brady just finished his junior year at Texas Tech and must now decide whether or not to take a shot at professional baseball. Brady hit .365, with 20 home runs and 88 RBI. "I know the biggest reason I went so late was because of my age (23). I know that if I turn it down, I will be turning (professional baseball) down for good," Brady said. "I just had a daughter two weeks ago and I've got to decide if that's what I want to do. I'm excited to come back to school too, so either way." Brady says he's three semesters away from graduating and looks forward to getting a degree in accounting. If Brady does sign with the Brewers he will likely start his career with Helena in the Pioneer League, which means he would play against the Provo Angels. "That would be fun to play (in Provo)," Brady added. "But it all depends on what they come up with."

MLB.com: Ben Grieve loves facing Sele. Grieve is 12-for-29 in his career against the right-hander with two doubles and four RBIs. No other Brewer has faced Sele in more than seven at-bats. So where's Ben?

Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes (Adobe required...): www.indyindians.com/pdf/gamenotes.pdf

From Mark McCarter in Huntsville: Catcher Kade Johnson cleared waivers and is back on the Stars' active roster. Johnson had been removed from Milwaukee's 40-man major league roster and could have been claimed by other organizations, who would have then had to place him on their 40-man roster. Catcher Nestor Corredor has been removed from the Huntsville roster, but will stay here until the short-season Pioneer League begins play.

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Adrian Hernandez at home vs. Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies), 7:00 PM Audio link: www.newstalk1430.com/ Alternate audio link (Red Barons' feed): www.sportsjuice.com/provi...swbrbarons HUNTSVILLE: RHP Chris Saenz at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 7:05 PM Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ HIGH DESERT: RHP Jesse Harper in his Mavs' debut at home vs. Lancaster (Diamondbacks), 9:05 PM Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: TBD at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 7:00 PM Audio link (Kernels' feed): www.kernels.com/radio.html

Daily Press High Desert Game Story: Mavericks sink deeper High Desert comes up short in home-run derby By TIM HARAN/Staff Writer ADELANTO ? The High Desert Mavericks out-homered the Lancaster JetHawks but couldn't overcome a six-run deficit against the South Division's top team. Travis Hinton, Troy Farnsworth and Dan Boyd each hit a home run for the Mavs on Wednesday night, but the trio of round-trippers wasn't enough to halt High Desert's season-high losing streak. The JetHawks, which hit two home runs of their own, topped the Mavs 9-7 in front of 1,013 at Mavericks Stadium. Mavs' starter Khalid Ballouli hasn't won a game since May 20 and struggled again Wednesday against the JetHawks. He allowed nine runs on 10 hits in four innings of work. The Mavs, which have yet to win a game in June, extended their losing streak to 11. "It's tough when you lose that many in a row," said Mavericks pitcher Dan Kolb, who pitched two perfect innings of relief. "You've got to keep going and you can't give up." High Desert jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second inning following a leadoff home run to deep right-center field by first baseman Hinton and a two-run double off the wall by shortstop Enrique Cruz. But the lead evaporated in the top of the third as Lancaster scored four runs, including a two-run homer by third baseman Jamie D'Antona. Conor Jackson started the JetHawks scoring in the third with an RBI double down the left-field line. He later scored after sliding past catcher John Vanden Berg's tag. Lancaster sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on four hits and extending its lead to 9-3, and ending Ballouli's night on the mound. "(The bullpen) did a real good job and Ballouli did a good job for a couple of innings but he got off track in the third and fourth," High Desert manager Mel Queen said. "He lost his curveball and couldn't throw it for strikes. They kind of figured that out and laid off any curveball he threw because he wasn't throwing it for strikes and just sat on his fastball." Mavs' reliever David Nolasco pitched three innings of two-hit ball as High Desert rallied to narrow the deficit with a two-run homer by Farnsworth in the fourth inning. The Mavs, behind a solo shot by Boyd that slipped just inside the right field foul pole, scored two more in the fifth. And Scott Candelaria just missed hitting one out, sending a rocket off the left field wall for a double. But it wasn't enough to outscore the league's most prolific offense. "They had too big a mountain to climb," Queen said. Lancaster added to its league-leading home run total with D'Antona's homer and a two-run monster shot over the left field wall in the fourth inning by right fielder Carlos Quentin. The Mavs, meanwhile, are leading the California League in home runs allowed with 69. The team is ranked sixth in all of minor league baseball in that category. Hinton went 3-for-4 on the night and Boyd went 2-for-5 to extend his hit streak to six games. High Desert and Lancaster will wrap up their four-game series tonight. The Mavericks will start right-hander Jesse Harper, whom the Milwaukee Brewers claimed this week off waivers. Jared Doyle (0-1, 12.21) is scheduled to get the start for the JetHawks. Tim Haran can be reached at 955-5303 or via e-mail at tim_haran@link.freedom.com Photo by James Quigg/Victor Valley Daily Press Staff Photographer Mavericks catcher John Vanden Berg holds on to the ball after another JetHawk run scored behind him Wednesday as Lancaster won 9-7. http://www.vvdailypress.com/storypics2/061004_mavs.jpg

Indians third baseman Luis Figueroa makes the catch on a pop-up in the fourth inning of the Tribe's loss to the Red Barons. -- Matt Kryger / The Indianapolis Star http://www.indystar.com/images/pics2/image-153710-1674.jpg

WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 31 26 .544 [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 30 27 .526 1.0[/b] TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 31 29 .517 1.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 29 30 .492 3.0 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 32 28 .533 MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 32 28 .533 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 30 30 .500 2.0[/b] BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 30 30 .500 2.0 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 26 34 .433 6.0 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 37 22 .627 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 34 25 .576 3.0 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 31 28 .525 6.0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 28 31 .475 9.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 20 40 .333 17.[/b]5 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 36 22 .621 KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 36 22 .621 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 35 23 .603 1.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 32 27 .542 4.5[/b] CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 30 27 .526 5.5 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 26 29 .473 8.5 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 25 33 .431 11.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 18 41 .305 18.5

Folks here said it last winter, and it makes sense. Not sure how a farm system can rank # 1 in all of baseball when one full level (one quarter of your organization above rookie level) is playing .333 or worse baseball. The sad part about High Desert's 2004 performance is that the squad has had much less turnover and upheaval to deal with than Indy or Huntsville.

Final: Lancaster (Diamondbacks) 9, High Desert 7 High Desert Site Game Summary: JETHAWKS HAND MAVS 11TH LOSS IN A ROWThe High Desert Mavericks fell short in an attempted six run comeback, dropping their 11th straight loss in a 9-7 setback to the Lancaster JetHawks before 1,013 at Mavericks Stadium on Wednesday night. Up 3-0, the Mavericks (20-40) yielded nine unanswered runs in the third and fourth innings, in what proved to be too big of a deficit to overcome. Jamie D?Antona followed a Conor Jackson RBI double and a Carlos Quentin RBI single with a two-run homer to center, putting Lancaster out front. The frustrating aspect of the JetHawks? rally is that all four runs came with two out. Lancaster (37-22), inching closer to a California League first-half title which would give the JetHawks a first-round bye, poured on five more runs in the fourth, chasing Mavs starter Khalid Ballouli from the game. Quentin completed the damage in a nine-batter inning with a mammoth two-run homer just inside the left-field line. The Mavs began their spirited comeback attempt with a two-run homer by Troy Farnsworth, his fourth in a High Desert uniform, to cut the lead to 9-5 in the fourth. A Dan Boyd solo homer and a sacrifice fly by Scott Candelaria chopped the deficit to two in the fifth, but the Mavs were quieted from that point on by the Lancaster bullpen trio of Greg Belson, Justin Wechsler, and Jason Bulger. High Desert got on the board first with three runs in the second, on a solo-homer by Travis Hinton to the deepest part of the ballpark in right-center, followed by a two-run double off the bat of Enrique Cruz. Belson (2-0) picks up the win in relief for Lancaster , while Ballouli (3-7) takes the loss for the Mavericks. Bulger collected his third save of the season by retiring the side in order in the ninth inning. High Desert attemps to snap their season-long 11-game skid Wednesday night at Mavericks Stadium and avert a sweep by Lancaster, when Jesse Harper makes his first appearance in a Mavs uniform, taking on counterpart Jared Doyle (0-1) at 7:05 p.m. (9:05 Central). Good seats still remain and can be purchased at the Mavs ticket office or by calling (760) 246-MAVS, while the game?s broadcast can be heard live on radio at 910-AM and on the internet at www.hdmavs.com. High Desert Box Score: GAME DATE: 6/09/04 LNC at HD LANCASTER 9 AT HIGH DESERT 7 YTD YTD LANCASTER AB R H BI AVG HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG D.Richar SS 4 1 1 2 .347 K.Bibbs CF 5 0 0 0 .299 N.Brown 2B 4 1 0 0 .299 C.Crabbe 2B 5 0 0 0 .301 C.Jackson LF 4 1 3 2 .346 D.Boyd LF 5 1 2 1 .302 C.Quentin RF 5 2 2 3 .293 T.Hinton 1B 4 2 3 1 .314 J.D'Antona 3B 5 1 2 2 .323 J.Vanden ber CAT 3 1 1 0 .315 D.Tosca DH 3 0 0 0 .265 S.Candelaria RF 2 1 0 1 .246 S.Luellwitz 1B 4 0 2 0 .247 P.Rasmusen DH 3 1 1 0 .222 M.Morgan CAT 4 1 1 0 .256 T.Farnsworth 3B 3 1 1 2 .173 J.Ball CF 3 2 1 0 .282 E.Cruz SS 4 0 1 2 .222 E.Gonzalez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Ballouli PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Belson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Wechsler PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Kolb PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.BULGER PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 9 12 9 TOTALS 34 7 9 7 LANCASTER 0 0 4 5 0 0 0 0 0- 9 12 0 HIGH DESERT 0 3 0 2 2 0 0 0 0- 7 9 0 DP--LANCASTER 0, HIGH DESERT 0. LOB--LANCASTER 5, HIGH DESERT 5. 2B--C.Jackson (15), J.Vanden ber (9), E.Cruz (3). 3B--D.Richar (3). HR--C.Quentin (14), J.D'Antona (12), D.Boyd (8), T.Hinton (7), T.Farnsworth (4). CS--D.Tosca. HBP--N.Brown, S.Candelaria. SF-- C.Jackson, S.Candelaria. SH--D.Richar, P.Rasmusen. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA LANCASTER E.Gonzalez 4.1 7 7 7 1 2 3 5.84 G.Belson (W,2-0) 1.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.59 J.Wechsler 2.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 1.69 J.BULGER (S,8) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.86 HIGH DESERT K.Ballouli (L,3-7) 4.0 10 9 9 2 5 2 8.71 D.Nolasco 3.0 2 0 0 0 4 0 7.90 D.Kolb 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.50 HB--E.Gonzalez, K.Ballouli. WP--D.Nolasco. BALKS--K.Ballouli. SO-- N.Brown, C.Quentin 2, J.D'Antona, D.Tosca 2, S.Luellwitz 2, M.Morgan, C.Crabbe 2, D.Boyd, J.Vanden ber, P.Rasmusen, T.Farnsworth, E.Cruz. BB--D.Tosca, J.Ball, J.Vanden ber, T.Farnsworth. T--2:41. A--1013High Desert Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=17913

Although from February, this detailed profile of 14th round pick Grant Richardson, 3B out of Washington State, is worthwhile: (Haven't researched how much third base vs. first base Richardson played this spring...) Linked here while active, text follows: www.sportstricities.com/s...8126c.html A stroke of power for Richland's Richardson This story was published Wednesday, February 11th, 2004 By Eric Degerman For the second straight season, Grant Richardson expects to fight it out with a friend. Last year, the starting first baseman at Washington State University faced a constant battle from former Richland High teammate Steve Mortimer. This winter, Richardson said he'd been competing with Shawn Evenhus, a 21-year-old redshirt sophomore from East Wenatchee. "We're best friends, so it's kind of similar, but my improvement at first base last year was mostly because of Steve," Richardson said. "Last year, it was not as awkward as a lot of people think because we went to high school together. But it was kind of interesting." Richardson, a junior who bats and throws right-handed, started 52 of 56 games last season for WSU. The 6-foot, 210-pounder led the Cougars in home runs (13), RBI (50) and slugging percentage (.564). He was third on the team with a .318 average and a .395 on-base percentage. "Professional scouts look to see if you can hit and hit with power, and Grant can do both," said WSU head coach Tim Mooney. "He has a good approach to his at-bats. He looks for pitches he can hit and not hit pitches out of the strike zone. "It's a real credit to him and that shows a real growth as a hitter," Mooney added. "As a freshman, he struck out a little more and would take some called third strikes." The junior season for any collegian is exciting because they are eligible for the major league draft for the first time since their senior year in high school. His cousin, Kevin Richardson, plays in the Texas Rangers organization. Grant said he's focusing on what he can do to help the last-place Cougars improve on their record -- 19-37 overall, 7-17 in the Pacific-10 Conference. "I don't really believe in setting number goals. I just want to go out and do better than the day before," he said. "The key is to not let the 0-for-4 game, which is going to happen, get you down and don't feel too good after the 4-for-4 game. Baseball is a funny game." And the offseason preparation for the regular season is not much different from other sports. These days, it's nearly a year-round proposition. "I'm just trying to improve on my strength, quickness and speed," he said. "I do the hitting and the fielding all the time, but you also have to go out and lift the weights. I enjoy it because you start to notice the change. It's fun because you get to see the ball go a little bit farther." About the only knock against Richardson is his speed, which affects his range at first base and on the basepaths. "He's working on that too, but it's not as big as a concern at first base," Mooney said. "Besides, if you hit the ball as far as he does, it goes over the fence and you can trot. And he has gotten a lot better defensively." Richardson showed he takes his glove work seriously, committing only two errors in 366 chances at first base last season. Yet it's his overall approach to the sport that seems to really impress Mooney. "He always has a smile on his face," Mooney said. "Even when he's working, he's enjoying it, so that attitude always comes through. I think that reflects on his parents." Richardson and Mooney also said it's a reflection upon the program that Ben Jacobs has developed at Richland, which won the 4A state title in 1999 with both Mortimer and Richardson as stars. "I had a great coaching staff in high school," Richardson said. "Coach Jacobs made the game fun. You always wanted to come to practice and come to the games. And Tim Ruane is still my hitting coach. During Christmas break, he came and threw to me over at Marvin Benard's place." But it sounds as if Ruane hasn't helped out Richardson when it comes to steelhead fishing with some Richland coaches, which include his dad -- the boys golf coach -- and boys basketball coach Earl Streufert. "I don't like to talk about it," Grant said. "My dad and Ruane tell me how I'm a good netter, but it's still fun going out on the river. I just started off a couple of years ago." The baseball landscape at WSU has changed a little a bit for Richardson. Last fall, Don Marbut of Edmonds Community College replaced infielder coach Mike Cummings. "There's been some ups and downs, but I've always had a way to have some fun in the hard times," Richardson said. There's no doubt that it takes a while before baseball weather heats up in Pullman, which makes gearing up for the season a real grind. "It's a lot tougher than people think," Richardson said. "You practice 3-4 hours a day and come back to your room after lifting weights. By that time, you don't want to study, but you have to." His field of study is psychology. "I want to be a high school counselor like my dad," he said. "That's my goal right now." He already knows how to resolve conflicts on the field with friends.

As colbyjack well knows, he really needs to summer out here with me. The Cape Cod League and New England Collegiate Baseball League begin play this month, and needless to say, colby would be in high heaven with the daily fill of baseball available. Patrick, the two teams within a short drive for me are Wareham of the Cape League and Newport, RI (yes, high society http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ) of the NECBL. I did notice that the Brewers' 14th round pick, 3B Grant Richardson of Washington State, is on Newport's roster, so if he weren't to sign right away, I'd have ample opportunities to meet him and see him play. I've actually penciled in next Friday the 18th for a visit I hope I can make, as it would allow me to say hello to 47th round pick Derek Miller (University of Vermont) as well, as his team from Lowell (Mill City) is visiting. Colby, as busy as you've been, have you had a chance to review the two league's rosters for any of the Brewers' other college picks? And when can I put you and the Mrs. up for a bit? We bought the sleeper sofa this winter. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

University of Vermont Press Release: BURLINGTON, Vt. ? Pitcher Derek Miller (Pelham, N.H.) of the University of Vermont was selected in the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. A red-shirt junior, Miller was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 47th round of the draft. The hard-throwing lefthander did not see action this season for the Catamounts after successful 'Tommy John' surgery on his throwing elbow last fall. In 2003, Miller went 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA with 61 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 59.1 innings as Vermont won their first-ever America East Regular Season Championship. He has a 7-4 career record with a 3.77 ERA. In 100.1 innings pitched, he has struck out 120 hitters with only 38 walks while limiting opponents to a .224 batting average. Miller is expected to return to the mound later this summer for the Mill City (Lowell, Mass.) Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The Brewers will retain his draft rights until the 2005 First-Year Player Draft in June. One of seven America East players drafted this year, Miller is the third Catamount selected by major league clubs over the last two years and the 15th in the history of the draft. RHP Jamie Merchant (16th round, Houston) and OF Jeff Barry (18th round, Kansas City) were drafted in 2003 and are currently playing in the minor leagues. Merchant is on the Salem Avalanche (Class A) in the Carolina League and Barry is with the Burlington Bees (Class A) of the Midwest League. This link has been added to Miller's profile which you'll see when you click on the 2004 draft link across the red menu bar above -- a reminder for your future draft browsing needs... www.uvm.edu/~sportspr/?Pa...oryID=5101

Just to help with colbyjack's follow-up next year, it appears that 48th round OF Brandon Glover is committed to Texas A&M, and not Texas, as mentioned above: Brandon Glover ? OF ? McKinney, Texas (McKinney) Brandon Glover is a good defensive outfielder that can cover a lot of ground and possesses an above-average arm. Glover earned second-team all-district honors as an outfielder after his junior season at McKinney. Glover also played for the Texas Rangers Area Code team and was invited to play in the Texas Scouts Association All-Star Game. Glover also played varsity football for three years and was the team captain as a senior.

Bangor Daily News: Rogers pitches Eagles to regional title Pro draft pick 2-hits Brewer By Ernie Clark BANGOR - With an Eastern Maine Class A baseball championship at stake, the next Brewer was just too much for the team from Brewer. Senior righthander Mark Rogers, the No. 5 overall pick in Monday's amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, allowed just two scratch singles and struck out 16 Tuesday night as top-ranked Mount Ararat of Topsham shaded No. 3 Brewer 4-1 in the regional final before the largest crowd in Mansfield Stadium history. Rogers, the national Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year, threw 96 pitches, 68 for strikes, with his fastball topping out at 96 miles per hour on a radar gun held by Brewers' area scout Tony Blengino, who was among the more than 3,000 in attendance. But with little sleep in recent days due to the impending draft and the widespread interest in his baseball future, Rogers did show a human side - throwing four wild pitches, two that led to just the second earned run he has allowed this season. "I'm working on about eight hours of sleep since Saturday," said Rogers, who also was pitching on only three days rest for the first time this spring. "I'm running on adrenaline right now, but I came out and pitched and we won the game, and that's all I care about." Still, the 6-foo-2, 205-pounder threw 18 first-pitch strikes to Brewer's 24 batters, and never allowed the ball to be hit out of the infield. Brewer had just three baserunners. Rogers retired the first nine batters he faced before Andrew Otis drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. His no-hitter was intact until the sixth, when the Witches got back-to-back infield hits by Ben Davis and J.T. Davis. Ben Davis then scored on two wild pitches to cut Mount Ararat's lead to 3-1. "My curveball was very effective," said Rogers, who has 158 strikeouts in 63 innings this spring. "I thought I threw that well, but I worked a little backwards today, I used the curveball when I was behind in the count because I could throw it for strikes and was consistent with it. But my fastball took off on me today. I felt comfortable and confident, but there were a couple times the pitches got away." Meanwhile, a Brewer team that had little margin for error against Rogers committed six errors. "Had we been able to play defense, who knows what would have happened," said Brewer coach David Morris. "But all the credit to them. The kid's a pro pitcher, and he pitched a heck of a game. "To beat a pitcher like that - if you're going to beat him, and I'm not sure you're ever going to beat him - you can't make mistakes defensively." The win gives the Eagles (18-1) their second straight EM title, and sets up a rematch against defending state champion Deering of Portland in Saturday's state final at Gorham High School. Deering (19-0) defeated Portland 12-0 Tuesday in the Western A final. Rogers outdueled Brewer righthander Andrew Patterson (5-2), who allowed just seven hits and two earned runs while striking out two and walking two, one intentionally. "At first I was nervous," said Patterson, "but after the first couple of guys got on I kind of settled down. The errors didn't help, but I just had to deal with it." Mount Ararat capitalized on three Brewer errors to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Jim Ouellette reached on an infield error and went to third on an errant pickoff throw. He scored as Brent Williams reached on an error. The Eagles stretched their lead to 3-0 with two runs in the fifth. Williams drew a one-out walk with Chris Doherty and Todd Strong hitting RBI singles. Mount Ararat's final run came in the bottom of the sixth. Brandon Galarneau reached on an error, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on another Brewer error.

Huntsville Site Game Summary: Birmingham banged out 12 hits and defeated Huntsville, 8-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (30-30) dropped into a tie with the Barons (30-30) for third place in the Southern League West, 2 1/2 games out of first pending action later Wednesday when Mobile plays two at Greenville and West Tenn hosts Montgomery. The Barons scored three in the first with the help of an error charged to pitcher Mike Jones. Michael Spidale singled and Edwin Yan dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but the ball popped out of Jones' hand before he could throw to first. Michael Morse walked to load the bases, and Aaron McNeal singled home two runs. With runners at first and third, Scott Bikowski grounded into a double play, plating Morse for a 3-0 Barons lead. Brad Nelson's run-scoring single drew Huntsville within 3-1 in the bottom of the first, but the Stars could draw no closer. In the third, Bikowski singled in a run, then with runners at first and third, Carlos Maldonado hit a double-play ball to short. Johnny Raburn fed Rickie Weeks at second, but the ball slipped out of Weeks' hand as pulled it from his glove, allowing another run to score for a 5-1 Birmingham lead. Normand Martel accounted for two Barons runs with sacrifice flies in the sixth and ninth, and Nate Murphy ripped a solo homer to left in the eighth. Chris Barnwell launched a two-run shot for Huntsville in the eighth, his third homer of the season. Jim Bullard (4-3) notched his fourth win and second against Huntsville, allowing two runs and scattering seven hits and two walks with one strikeout in 6 2/3 innings. Mike Jones (0-3), limited to 35 pitches in his first start after 6 1/2 weeks of rehab, suffered the loss, surrendering three runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks while fanning two over 1 2/3 innings. Huntsville sends righty Chris Saenz (4-3, 3.70) against an unannounced Barons starter in game three of the series Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Final: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies) 10, Indianapolis 6 Indianapolis Post-Game Notes: Former Indian Lou Collier had four hits Wednesday afternoon leading the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons to a 10-6 win over the Indianapolis Indians. Collier homered, doubled and added a pair of singles to lead the Red Barons? hitting attach which ripped Tribe pitching for 16 hits. Josh Hancock (6-3) pitched eight innings to pick up the win. Indianapolis starter Pedro Liriano (2-4) was tagged with the loss as the Tribe bullpen failed to keep the Red Barons bats quiet with the exception of the sixth inning. Indianapolis loses its third consecutive game at home to the Red Barons and now stands 30-27 on the year. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre improves to 36-22. QUOTES: Marc Bombard, Red Barons manager on the win: "Hancock really gave us a shot in the arm," said Bombard. "We had some tough conditions today. It was extremely humid and our bullpen was thin. Lou (Collier) had a big game for us today. Defensively, A.J. Hinch made a nice play early in the game to keep things going. Collier made a great catch in left field as well. Notes: Chris Magruder and Matt Erickson each had two doubles. Mark Johnson added a solo home run. The Tribe has lost three consecutive games for the first time this season. Indianapolis Box Score: Corey Hart a base hit and sacrifice fly... GAME DATE: 6/09/04 SWB at IND SCRANTON-WB 10 AT INDIANAPOLIS 6 YTD YTD SCRANTON-WB AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG A.Machado SS 4 3 2 1 .243 P.Bergeron CF 5 1 1 0 .222 M.Budzinski RF 5 1 2 0 .226 C.Magruder LF 4 1 2 1 .267 L.Collier LF 6 2 4 4 .329 C.Hart RF 3 0 1 1 .287 J.Rushford 1B 6 1 2 3 .320 B.Gemoll 1B 3 0 0 1 .225 S.Wooten 3B 3 0 1 0 .111 M.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hitchcox 2B 5 1 1 0 .224 L.Figueroa 3B 4 0 0 0 .285 A.Hinch CAT 4 0 1 0 .222 L.Figueroa 2B 0 0 0 0 .285 B.Hannahan CF 5 1 2 1 .328 S.Scarbrough 2B 3 0 0 0 .215 J.Hancock PIT 4 0 0 1 .000 C.Michalak PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Smith PH 1 1 1 0 .239 M.Johnson 1B 1 1 1 1 .292 D.Giese PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Erickson SS 4 2 2 0 .223 A.Delgado CAT 4 1 2 1 .164 P.Liriano PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Nunnally PH 1 0 0 0 .252 T.Erdos PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Sheldon 3B 1 0 1 1 .227 TOTALS 43 10 16 10 TOTALS 33 6 10 6 SCRANTON-WB 1 0 1 1 1 0 3 1 2-10 16 0 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 2- 6 10 0 DP--SCRANTON-WB 0, INDIANAPOLIS 0. LOB--SCRANTON-WB 12, INDIANAPOLIS 4. 2B--A.Machado (5), L.Collier (14), M.Smith (13), C.Magruder 2 (12), M.Erickson 2 (11), S.Sheldon (8). 3B--B.Hannahan (1). HR--A.Machado (2), L.Collier (10), J.Rushford (2), M.Johnson (3). SB--M.Budzinski (9), A.Delgado (1). HBP--S.Wooten. SF--C.Hart, S.Sheldon. SH--B.Gemoll, P.Liriano. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA SCRANTON-WB J.Hancock (W,6-3) 8.0 8 4 4 0 2 0 3.50 D.Giese 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 1 2.31 INDIANAPOLIS P.Liriano (L,2-4) 5.0 8 4 4 3 4 2 5.29 T.Erdos 1.1 4 3 3 0 1 1 7.17 C.Michalak 1.2 1 1 1 1 2 0 5.91 M.Childers 1.0 3 2 2 1 0 0 5.00 HB--T.Erdos. SO--M.Budzinski, L.Collier, J.Rushford, B.Hitchcox, B.Hannahan, J.Hancock 2, S.Scarbrough 2. BB--A.Machado 2, M.Budzinski, S.Wooten, A.Hinch. T--2:50. A--7414Indianapolis Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14154

In progress: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies) 8, Indianapolis 4, after eight innings

I'm glad that two questionable defensive players aren't beating themselves up over a few mental errors in the field. Yeah, kind of like Alex Sanchez and Izzy Alcantara that day, huh?

Final: Birmingham (White Sox) 8, Huntsville 3 Huntsville Box Score: GAME DATE: 6/09/04 BIR at HVL BIRMINGHAM 8 AT HUNTSVILLE 3 YTD YTD BIRMINGHAM AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG M.Spidale CF 4 1 2 0 .300 R.Weeks 2B 4 1 0 0 .241 R.Yan 2B 3 1 2 0 .266 A.Gwynn CF 3 0 1 0 .248 M.Morse SS 3 2 0 0 .298 P.Fielder 1B 5 0 3 0 .274 A.McNeal 1B 5 2 3 2 .271 B.Nelson LF 5 0 1 1 .294 S.Bikowski RF 4 0 1 1 .275 R.Knox RF 3 1 1 0 .265 C.Maldonado CAT 4 0 1 1 .262 C.Barnwell 3B 2 1 1 2 .229 N.Murphy DH 5 2 2 1 .288 J.Raburn SS 4 0 0 0 .236 N.Martel LF 3 0 0 2 .327 O.Chavez SS 0 0 0 0 .197 T.Nicholson 3B 5 0 1 0 .346 O.Chavez DH 4 0 0 0 .197 C.Duncan PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Alvarado CAT 4 0 1 0 .149 J.Bullard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Jones PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Smith PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Housman PIT 0 0 0 0 .308 J.Novinsky PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 8 12 7 TOTALS 34 3 8 3 BIRMINGHAM 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1- 8 12 1 HUNTSVILLE 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0- 3 8 1 E--T.Nicholson, M.Jones. DP--BIRMINGHAM 0, HUNTSVILLE 1. LOB--BIRMINGHAM 10, HUNTSVILLE 10. 2B--P.Fielder (10), J.Alvarado (3). 3B--N.Murphy (4). HR--N.Murphy (7), C.Barnwell (3). CS--M.Spidale, A.Gwynn. HBP-- M.Spidale, R.Weeks, R.Knox, C.Barnwell. SF--N.Martel 2. SH--R.Yan. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BIRMINGHAM C.Duncan 1.1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1.23 J.Bullard (W,4-3) 6.2 7 2 2 2 1 1 4.22 M.Smith 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.27 HUNTSVILLE M.Jones (L,0-3) 1.2 2 3 1 2 2 0 4.60 J.Housman 6.1 8 4 4 2 4 1 3.77 J.Novinsky 1.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 3.25 HB--C.Duncan 2, J.Bullard, M.Jones. WP--J.Novinsky. PB--J.Alvarado. SO--M.Spidale, M.Morse 2, N.Murphy 2, N.Martel, T.Nicholson, A.Gwynn, B.Nelson 2. BB--R.Yan, M.Morse 2, S.Bikowski, C.Maldonado, A.Gwynn 2, C.Barnwell. T--2:58. A--1604Huntsville Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12001

Just noticed that 45th round OF Deik Scram is a teammate of third round pick RHP Josh Wahpepah and DFE signee C Clay Blevins ... Link below while valid, text follows: www.arkcity.net/stories/0...0003.shtml Two Cowley players taken in baseball draft Cowley County Community College's Josh Wahpepah, a 6-5 right-handed pitcher who was named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player this past season, and Deik Scram, who led the Tigers in batting as a freshman, were each taken in the Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday and Tuesday. Wahpepah, who went 11-3 and struck out 94 batters in 95 innings, was drafted by the Brewers with the 76th overall pick of the draft on Monday. Wahpepah was a first-team all-conference selection each of his two seasons at Cowley, and won 19 of his 22 career decisions. "I'm excited for Josh," said Cowley assistant coach/pitching coach Darren Burroughs. "We are always looking for guys to advance to the next level and to try and get better." Scram, of Arkansas City, batted .371 with seven home runs and 37 runs batted in as a freshman, and was taken in the 45th round of the draft by the Brewers on Tuesday. If Scram does not sign with Milwaukee before the end of his sophomore season, he will be allowed to go back into next year's draft pool. Besides Wahpepah and Scram being drafted by the Brewers, Cowley catcher Clay Blevins (.314 average, three home runs, 45 RBI), who was drafted by Milwaukee in the 46th round of last year's draft, signed a pro contract with the Brewers just five days after the Tigers' season came to an end with a 8-5 loss to Seward County at the Region VI Tournament. Another Tiger connection with the Brewers is Junior Spivey, who played baseball at Cowley during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Spivey is the starting second baseman for Milwaukee after spending his first three seasons in the major leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It's ironic that those guys would all be with the Brewers," Burroughs said. "Everything would have to happen right for them to be able to play together professionally, but it's kind of cool that they are all with the same organization." Even though Milwaukee is one of the surprise teams in baseball this season with a record of 28-27, the Brewers are in the midst of 11 consecutive losing seasons and are in the middle of a rebuilding project in which they hope to build their team with a solid core of young players. "You always hope your players get drafted by somebody that needs help and that is not afraid to bring young people up," Burroughs said. Wahpepah and Blevins were teammates in high school in Dale, Okla., and played the past two seasons at Cowley. Now, the pitcher and catcher will get a chance to start their pro careers together playing summer ball in the Brewers' organization. Cowley finished the 2004 season as Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division champions, and a record of 43-19.

More draft talk in Helena -- they're waiting on their roster: www.helenair.com/articles...904_02.txt

Huntsville Times Game Story: Huntsville could see rally was in the Stars Gwynn says he could sense comeback in ninth By PAUL GATTIS Times Sports Staff pgattis@htimes.com Roll 'em. Roll your eyes as Tony Gwynn Jr. tries to sell you on the fact that he can apparently see the future just as well as he can hit a round ball with a round bat - no matter how well he did both Tuesday night. "In the eighth and ninth innings, you had a sense that we weren't going to lay down," Gwynn said. But this, Tony? You sensed this? Three runs for the Huntsville Stars in the bottom of the ninth for a 4-3 win over Birmingham to keep fanning the hopes of a first-half Southern League Western Division pennant? Three runs in a rally that included two infield singles and another single off a broken bat? Roll 'em. Sure, in hindsight, the view is 20/20. Had it all the way. But heading into that ninth inning against a pitcher who had allowed only three runs all season? Not even Lasik surgery could make that look good. "In the 9-5 (loss on Monday), I didn't feel we were going to do anything late," Stars manager Frank Kremblas said. "But tonight, I felt like we were not done. We had put pressure on them the whole game." Well, maybe Gwynn's not so crazy after all. Maybe the announced crowd of 4,512 at Joe Davis Stadium saw it coming, too. Maybe the six straight batters that reached base with one out in the ninth off losing pitcher Josh Fields (3-2) should have surprised no one. Nah, maybe not. Still, this is what happened in the ninth for the Stars: Nestor Corredor struck out, Ozzie Chavez walked, Rickie Weeks reached on an infield single, Gwynn stroked a missile to right that scored Chavez, Prince Fielder looped a broken-bat single to right to score Weeks, Brad Nelson was intentionally walked and Ryan Knox topped a slow roller down the third base line to score Gwynn. Stars win. Easy. "It's great," Gwynn said. "You don't swing the bat well all day but you don't give up." Sitting in the locker next to Gwynn, Fielder wore a smile almost of disbelief. Even though he, too, confirmed that sense of victory in the dugout when victory seemed so unlikely, Fielder appeared amazed that it actually came to pass. "Tony got the big hit and we got something going," said Fielder, who was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and his 12th home run. "I knew we had a chance." Indeed, just as last rites seem appropriate for the Stars, they score three in the bottom of the ninth to beat their biggest rival in the league. After all, the research had already been done. In what would've been the seventh loss in the last eight games, the Stars would have dipped under .500 for the first time since April 17. Instead, the Stars remain two games behind West Tenn in the West with 11 games to play after the Diamond Jaxx beat Montgomery 6-0. Meanwhile, Mobile dropped out of a tie for first after getting rained out in Greenville. Unsung heroes for the Stars were relievers Brian Adams (1-1) and Glenn Woolard, who combined to pitch 6 2/3 innings and allowed one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. So between that pitching and the string of hits in the ninth and Gwynn's soothsayer talents, maybe it's remarkable the Barons lost by only one run. "You get lucky sometimes," Kremblas said of the soft hits that made a lot of noise in the ninth inning. "We hit the ball where they weren't standing." And the game-winning hit - a roller from Knox that traveled maybe 60 feet - didn't even go far enough to where the Barons were standing. "It's still a hit," Kremblas said with a grin. Roll 'em.