|
|
|
...and (It's All About)
|
League Standings 2004 Standings Final Regular Season Overall Champions White Sox
MSBL Division (28+) Champions--Reds Reds 10-5 Tigers 6-9 MABL Division (18+) Champions--White Sox Cardinals 13-2 White Sox 12-4 Dodgers 11-5 Legends 11-5 Athletics 8-8 Fighting Irish 7-8 Diamond Dawgs 7-9 Diamondbacks 6-7 Oklahoma Indians 5-9 Orioles 5-11 Muck Dogs 3-12 Pirates 2-13 Weekend's ResultsExhibition Game White Sox (MABL) 8 Reds (MSBL) 2 The Reds dismantled the Tigers to win the MSBL crown and had a full week to rest in preparation for whomever emerged from the MABL series. Reds skipper, George Bowers, virtually guaranteed a Reds victory regardless of the opponent. With the relentless misting rain, the White Sox lost three of their starters from the previous game and nearly lost the umpires to drier quarters. After some coaxing, the blues returned and the game was on. This game was tied at one through the fourth when, once again, the White Sox picked an inning to rally. The Sox scored 7 runs in the fifth (sound familiar?) punctuated by Stephen Boudreaux's rope single to left off Reds mammoth pitcher, Marty Stewart. Stewart has been likened to an oil derrick worker with guns worthy of adorning any battleship. This hit proved to be Stewart's demise, though, and signaled the beginning of the end for the Reds. The White Sox sent Maine transplant, Matt ("Yank") Rivard to the hill who calmly shut down the Reds sure hitters through four to earn the win. Crafty pitcher, Dustin Wilson, of the White Sox came in for relief to get the save. The pair combined for a four-hit, 8-strikeout game with only two earned runs and one walk. The White Sox offense managed 12 hits in 34 official at-bats through the seven innings. Conversely, the Reds could only muster 4 hits in 26 OABs led by Brad Schuman who scored their only two runs. Lastly, the White Sox solid defense contributed to the win with solid performances all around with stellar plays by shortstop, Ray Sturgis, catcher, Andy Miller, first-bagger, Patrick Taliaferro, and Alex Fortin in center. The White Sox claimed bragging rights to the NWAMSBL for 2004. It was their day thanks to two big innings. The line -- White Sox -- 8 Runs, 12 Hits, 1 Error Reds -- 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error Pitching -- W- Rivard S- Wilson - 7 Innings, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 8Ks, 1BB, 26OAB L - Stewart - 7 Innings, 8 Runs, 8ER, 12 Hits, 5Ks, 2BB, 34OAB, 1HBP --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
MABL Round 3 Playoffs (if necessary) White Sox 7 Cardinals 5 As expected, this game was a doozie. Still the team to beat and with the rain washing out Veteran's Park, the Cardinals managed to get the game moved to their home field in Siloam Springs. Although the rain never fully let up all day, the cakey field was playable and the battle was on. The Cardinals sent their young hurlers, Newt Gregory and Payton Nelson, to the mound and the Sox sent their season stalwart, Jason Bonneville back to the hill for their best chance. The game was a scoreless pitcher's duel through the fifth frame when the White Sox bats erupted for all seven of their runs in the sixth frame highlighted by Deanthony Hall's three-run homer. The Cardinals scattered 5 runs in the sixth and seventh frames, but could not manage the comeback or the save chance by Kevin Kaufman who was looking to take matters into his own hands. Coupled with Bonneville's excellent pitching performance and a expertly managed game by catcher Robert Foshe, the White Sox defense made the difference highlighted by a double-play (turned by skipper, Stephen Boudreaux to Ray Sturgis to Patrick Taliaferro) and three nifty grabs in center by Alex Fortin. The line -- White Sox -- 7 Runs, 8 Hits, 2 Errors Cardinals -- 5 Runs, 7 Hits, 1 Error Pitching -- W- Bonneville (WS) 7 Innings, 5 Runs, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3Ks, 0BB, 34OAB L - Kaufman (C) 7 Innings, 7 Runs, 7ER, 8 Hits, 4Ks, 8BB, 27OAB, 4HBP --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox October 3, 2004 MABL Round 1-2 Playoffs White Sox 9 Cardinals 5 Cardinals 11 White Sox 10 A classic battle as it should be between these two teams. The Cardinals have been the team to beat all season with their power hitting, fiery pitching, and athletic defense. The White Sox were crushed early in the season in a 10-run rule game by the hands of the Cardinals. The White Sox, on the other hand, have been surging as of late with some timely hitting and strong defense. In game one, Sox pitcher, Jason Bonneville hurled a complete game victory supported by strong defense and 15 hits by the Sox batters. In the second game, Sox pitcher Dustin Wilson could not find his groove and gave up seven early runs. Down 10-1 in the third, the Sox began the rally scoring 5 to get within four. The Cardinals then were stymied by relief pitcher, Matt "Yank" Rivard, who only gave up one meaningful run in the 6th frame. On the home side, the Sox mustered their rally again in the fifth only to be told by home plate umpire that the game time limit was to expire. Knowing that a no-time-limit edict had been passed, the Sox had to change their strategy and hurry as the umpire stood his ground. By the 7th frame, the Sox had pulled the score to 10-11. With a runner on second and two outs, Boudreaux looked at a controversial third strike to end the game. The rubber match ought to be a doozie...--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
September 12, 2004 White Sox 15 Pirates 0 Pirates 2 White Sox 6 The White Sox concluded their regular season on a high note with some strong pitching performances by Jason Bonneville (5-inCG Shutout, 0-ER, 1-Hit, 1-BB, 9-K) and Dustin Wilson (6-inCG, 2-ER, 2-Hits, 6-BB, 11-K). Knowing that their playoff destiny may not be in their hands, the Sox had to record a pair of wins. The Pirates had some trouble finding their groove in the first game primarily due in part to the excellent pitching of Bonneville. However, in the second game, the Pirates mustered a good effort to keep the outcome in question. Danny Dodge, a brief member of the Sox, scored the Pirates only two runs on the day in the second and sixth frames. When it looked as if the Pirates were going to rally with no outs in the second after a couple of walks and base hits, Sox pitcher Dustin Wilson served up three straight Ks (of 11) to retire the side and kill the rally. The White Sox offense was an incredible .438 as a team on the day going 21 for 48. The Sox defense, when challenged, was perfect on the day with no errors on 21 chances.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
August 28-29, 2004 Orioles 2 White Sox 8 White Sox 9 Orioles 3 Both games were well played and hard fought until the final innings when the White Sox found their bats hidden underneath the benches somewhere and put them to use. Game 1 was tied at 2 until the bottom of the 6th when Dustin Wilson started the rally for the Sox (Wilson also filled in admirably at first in the absence of Patrick Taliaffero). In that frame alone, the Sox combined for 6 runs on 6 hits, a hit batsman, a walk and a sacrifice fly. In the seventh frame, the deflated Orioles couldn't muster a comeback. Sox pitcher, Jason Bonneville pitched a 7-inning complete game 2-hitter with zero earned runs to accompany his 2 for 3 day at the plate and a pair of RBI. Lyndall Bolinger and Alex Fortin also went 2 for 3. Andy Miller--recently returning from a professional camp in Minnesota where he was one of only 20 pro prospects invited to another level camp in Louisiana-- went 2 for 2 with a walk. In game two, it was déjà vu all over again. With the game tied at two (again), Sox skipper, Stephen Boudreaux roped a hit to right field to score Ray Sturgis and Deanthony Hall who both reached on walks. In the bottom of the frame, the Orioles got one run back on a wild throw, but in the top of the 7th, Hall was hit by a pitch that scored another and Boudreaux rolled one through the left side to make the score 6-3. Three more runs scored to end the frame and pitcher Alex Fortin (7-innings CG, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3K, 1 HBP) shut down the birds in the bottom half.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
August 21-22, 2004 White Sox 14 Legends 5 In a shocking start to the annual cookout series, the White Sox jumped out to a quick 5-3 lead over the powerful Legends...a well-coached team picked to go the distance unscathed this season with hot bats and great pitching. The Sox threw hurler Jason Bonneville at the Legneds and kept them at bay most of the day giving up only four hits and striking out five. The Sox were led at the plate by Dustin Wilson (1 for 1 with three walks and four runs), Deanthony Hall (2 for 2 with two walks and three runs), and Boudreaux (3 for 4 with two runs and a pair of RBI). --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
Legends 8 White Sox 2 Most importantly, the two teams gathered together for a cookout between the two games to celebrate a glorious day with our families, and our ability to play baseball with good friends. This is the third annual cookout series with the Legends leading the six games 4 to 2. Look for pictures and more reports in a special section later.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
August 14-15, 2004 White Sox 6 Diamond Dawgs 8 Two teams seeming to go in opposite directions in this first game. The Sox jumped out quickly with three runs of the Dawgs excellent pitcher, Shane Hubbard , but couldn't muster things late in the game. The Sox committed some untimely errors to put pitcher Alex Fortin in a bind. Journeyman Ray Sturgis came in to shut the Dawgs down late, but the Sox couldn't complete the comeback bid. --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox The D-Dawgs continued there winning ways against the White Sox. Shane Hubbard toed the mound for the 2nd day in a row and gutted out a complete game victory. We started out a little shaky allowing 3 unearned runs in the 1st inning, but settled down and played some sound defense. Hubbard fanned 9, walked 1, allowed 6 hits and 2 ER’s for the victory. At the plate, clutch 2-out hitting by the D-Dawgs was the difference maker in the see-saw battle. Randy Patton continued his hot hitting from the lead-off spot going 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Hubbard helped himself out with 2 RBI’s on 1 for 4 hitting while Bobby Coker, Heckathorn, Rick Patton, and Mark Dreadfulwater each collected RBI’s in the victory--Brian Lehmann, Diamond Dawgs Oklahoma Indians 0 White Sox 1 Muck Dogs 1 White Sox 5 After the Indians failed to show for the night game, the White Sox eager for more baseball decided to make the long day of things and take on the young and powerful Muck Dogs. The Muck Dog intimidation factor started early with their fireballing pitcher from Henderson State taking the mound and hurling his reported 90+ MPH fastball and a dandy of a breaking ball. The Sox, having taken a little BP in the intermission might have found that it paid off. Sox pitcher, Jason Bonneville, went the distance shutting down the Dogs with a little defensive help from centerfielder Fortin (Web Gem diving catch Double Play), left fielder Lyndall Bolinger, and a host of others. Bonneville drew up some intimidation of his own with a sharp fastball and some slippery sliders along the way for the win.. --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
July 31-August 1, 2004 Pirates 2 White Sox 8 White Sox hurler, Alex Fortin and Pirate southpaw, Jason Grainger combined for 18 strikeouts in the pitcher's duel, but the White Sox were able to take advantage of some key miscues and timely walks to outscore the hefty Pirates.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
White Sox 3 Cardinals 13 White Sox 1 Tigers 0 (F)
July 17-18, 2004 White Sox 9 Tigers 2 Diamondbacks 3 White Sox 2 The White Sox came out strong against the salty Tigers in game one. Alex Fortin and Dustin Wilson combined for 4 scattered hits over 7 innings to record the win and save respectively. Patrick Taliaferro and Stephen Boudreaux, and Andy Miller lead the way going 7 for 10 while shortstop Ray Sturgis recorded 7 assists hooking up with Boudreaux to turn a couple of dandy double-plays. In the second game, the Diamondbacks flexed journeyman Andy Crowson's muscles off the mound. Crowson who jumped from the Cubs to the Tigers and now to the D-Backs held the tired Sox to just 5 hits and two runs. The game was tight as Sox pitcher Dustin Wilson picked up where he left off from the previous game to no-hit the D-Backs through 5 innings. Andy "Bull" Miller in relief added to a 10-strikeout performance. The Sox bested the D-Backs by limiting them to only 4 hits in 35 at-bats led by Kevin Stockbridge, but three Sox errors led to three runs with the winning run coming in extra innings. A great game setting up what looks to be a strong top of the division race.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
June 27, 2004 White Sox 12 Fighting Irish 0 Fighting Irish 3 White Sox 7 The Sox were anxious as the rest of us to get the season started. I was personally anxious to see the season get off its feet despite much hard work and tribulations during the pre-season. As reports come in from these games, I have heard glowing, positive remarks from all regarding the higher quality of the umpires and the excellence of the fields thus far. and according to reports and some games I witnessed, it is going to be a strong year all around. In our games, the Sox bats were hot in the first game on a beautiful day...skipper, Stephen Boudreaux went 3 for 3 with a double and 4 RBI. Newcomer, Ray Sturgis also went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI and a double to lead a 12-hit game for the Sox. Pitcher Alex Fortin threw 4 solid innings to earn the win and a shutout...one blooper shy of a no-no. In the second game, the Irish threw a strong pitcher and kept the Sox on their heels. Boudreaux, Patrick Taliaferro, and Dustin Wilson led the charge each going 2 for 3. Taliaferro hit a 2-run HR in the second to secure the early lead. Newcomer, Ryan Waddell gets the win with Wilson the save with a strong middle inning by another rookie, Andrew Hudgens. The Irish are scrappy and will contend this season. They are young and strong, so be on the lookout as their luck should turn.--Stephen Boudreaux
2003 Final Standings and Summaries2002 Final Standings and Summaries2001 Final Standings and Summaries2000 Final Standings and Summaries
|
|
Sponsored By
Page built and designed by: Stephen M. Boudreaux. Design and original ideas © Boudreaux2001-04.
|
|
