Lake Erie Takes Doubleheader

YPSILANTI, MI, June 30, 2009

The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti dropped both games in the twi-night double header with the Lake Erie Crushers. Each game came down to the last pitch as Sliders lost 6-4, and 3-1.

Both games ended with Midwest having the winning runner at the plate, and tying runner at first but were unable to do anything.

The Crushers got an early lead in the first game when John Rivera tripled and Andrew Davis homered putting the Sliders in a 2-0 hole. Davis hit another bomb in his next at bat to put Lake Erie up 3-0.

An Error and wild pitch helped allow two unearned runs to score in the top of the fourth, putting the Crushers up 5-0.

Midwest came roaring back scoring four runs in the next two innings to cut the lead to just one run. Gilberto Zayas hit a two-run bullet over the fence in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth, three singles and a sac fly helped score Zack Pace and Roberto Mena which made it a 5-4 game.

Lake Erie added an insurance run off a double and single putting them up two. Midwest brought the winning run to the plate and tying run at first in the last at bats, but couldn’t score.

Mike Penn gave the Sliders a great outing throwing a complete game only allowing four earned runs and striking out six, but suffered the loss.

Kyle Kearcher gave the Sliders another nice performance in the second game of the series. Kearcher only allowed one hit in his first four innings of work.

Jimmy Baker hit a solo homer in the bottom of the first for the only Slider run of the game. Baker and DeLuca both had multi hit games for Midwest.

Lake Erie put three runs up on Kearcher in the fifth that turned out to be the difference in the game. Midwest had a walk and single in their last at bats but couldn’t score the runners to put it in extra innings.

Kearcher threw 6.1 innings allowing three runs and struck out four while receiving his fifth loss of the year.

Tomorrow’s series finale will feature new Slider pitcher Jeff Fischer. Fischer already picked up a win in his first relief appearance Sunday, and will be making his first start for Midwest. The first pitch is at 7:05 at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium.

Sliders Belt Five Homers to Sweet Two-Game Set

FLORENCE, KY, June 28, 2009

The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti went into Florence and took both games from the Freedom in a short two-game series. The Sliders won 17-6 with 19 hits, five of which home runs.

The game wasn’t always a blow out though, in the second Gilberto Zayas hit a solo homer to start the Sliders scoring, then Robbie Knapped doubled and scored off Bryan Bonners single to make the game 2-0.

Florence came right back in the bottom half of the inning when Tim Grogan hit a two run homer to even up the game. The Sliders added two more in the fourth from a Sam DeLuca single. Once again Florence fought back when Justin Pickett hit a solo homer to cut the Midwest lead to 4-3.

Knapp hit a solo home run in the fifth to give the Sliders once again a two run lead at 5-3. For the third straight inning the Freedom answered Midwest with a run of their own cutting to lead to one yet again.

In the top of the sixth inning Midwest broke the game open scoring eight runs mostly thanks to a three-run homer by Jimmy Baker, two run double by Bonner, and a solo homer by Ben Barrone. The Sliders offense continued to produce in the eighth when DeLuca hit a grand slam making the score 17-6.

DeLuca finished 4-6 with six RBI’s, and Barrone went 4-5. Each Slider starter collected at least one run scored and on hit during the onslaught.

Midwest’s Jeff Fischer earned his first win throwing three innings of relief allowing two runs. P.J. Zocchi made the start and threw four innings allowing four runs and striking out four.

The Sliders will enjoy their first scheduled day off in three weeks Monday, before taking on Lake Erie Tuesday in a twi-night double header beginning at 5:05 p.m. at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium.

Albury Wins Third Straight for Sliders

FLORENCE, KY, June 27, 2009

Big performances by James Albury and Ben Barrone catapulted the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti 11-1 over Florence Freedom. Albury hurled a great pitching performance, and Barrone hit two homeruns that drove in six runs that propelled Midwest.

The Sliders began their scoring with two outs in the fourth. Bryan Bonner walked, and then a Clay McCord single led up to the three-run bomb by Ben Barrone.

The Sliders scored four runs in the next two innings which put the game away. Three singles and an error lead to the four in the fifth, Gilberto Zayas lead off with a single, followed by Sam DeLuca RBI single, and then McCord had a two run single.

Barrone struck again with two outs in the sixth. Zayas doubled, then was drove in by Joash Brodin, McCord single, and Barrone hit a three run shot to make the score 11-1.

Behind all the scoring was another strong pitching performance from James Albury. He only allowed four hits, through seven innings of work, allowing one run. Albury earned his fourth win of the season and third in a row.

P.J. Zocchi (1-1) takes the mound Sunday for Midwest against Moises Melendez (4-3), as the Sliders try to steal the short two game series. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. Following the game the Sliders will head back to Ypsilanti with a day off Monday. Tuesday they play a double header at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium against the Lake Erie Crushers starting at 5:05 p.m.

Sliders Split Doubleheader with Kings

YPSILANTI, MI, June 26, 2009

The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo Kings split their double header Friday night at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium. Midwest won the first game 8-6 after building a five run lead in the first. The Kings came back to win the second game 11-7 after the Sliders took another 5-0 lead in the first inning.

Midwest took advantage of two errors on the catcher while trying to throw out base stealers in the first inning of the first game, to score three unearned runs.

Midwest added two more runs in the third from a Jonnie Knoble, two run double, to go up 7-4. A walk, stolen base, and Ben Barrone double added an insurance run in the sixth putting Midwest up 8-6.

Douglas Brooks earned his second win going 5.2 innings allowing four earned runs, as Arshwin Asjes earned his second save coming in to pitch the last 1.1 innings striking out two.

Beginning the second game, Robbie Knapp belted a grand slam in the bottom of the first, followed by a Joash Brodin solo homer to put Midwest up 5-0.

The Kings answered with seven runs of their own in the second that knocked Eric Gilliland, the Sliders starter, out of the game. Kalamazoo took advantage of walks as they only had four hits in the second scoring seven runs mostly due to walks.

Kalamazoo didn’t need walks in the third scoring four runs off six hits and taking the lead 11-6. Midwest added another run in the third, but couldn’t scrap any more runs the rest of the game.

Eric Gilliland suffered the loss allowing seven runs in only a 1.2 innings. Bernard Robert received his third win for the Kings.

Friday the Sliders will be in Florence Kentucky to take on the Riverhawks at 7:05 p.m. They will play a two game series before Midwest will come home to play another double header Tuesday at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium beginning at 5:05 p.m.

Sliders Rained Out, Doubleheader Tomorrow

YPSILANTI, MI, June 25, 2009

Storms stopped the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo Kings game at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium tonight. The game is rescheduled for tomorrow as they’ll play a double header starting at 5:05 p.m.

Kalamazoo stole the first game last night 6-4. Midwest will try to take both games tomorrow to win the series. The Sliders will put Douglas Brooks (1-3, 7.15) on the mound in the first game, the second games starter is TBA.

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