* Reprinted with Permission, Midland Daily News, Midland, Michigan *
http://fastpitchwest.com/morningbrief/?p=1775
TWISTERS BURST ONTO FASTPITCH SCENE
By Greg Chalfin, Midland Daily News
http://www.ourmidland.com
There's a new local fastpitch softball team taking the competition by
storm. The Michigan Twisters -- a brand new team with several
Midlanders -- broke into the International Softball Congress II
rankings on Saturday, coming in at No. 30.
"We're in our first year, and we've got a good squad," catcher Neil
Faccio said. "We're starting to turn some heads."
The team has started its inaugural campaign with three tournament
victories, including a win in the 'A' division at Midland's Boulevard
Lounge tournament two weeks ago.
Faccio and five of his Midland-based teammates -- Rick Engle, Seth
Freed, Adam Osantowski, Ron Case and Matt Morgan -- left locally
operated Coppens Brigade to help form the new Twisters squad. Faccio
said. "We were ready for a change."
Faccio said he and his teammates were looking for an opportunity to
play more often and against better competition and decided to join
with some players looking to leave Roscommon's Roofs of the North
team. The team's fast start -- a 26-2 record thus far -- has the team
considering traveling to Kitchener, Ontario for the ISC II World
Tournament (Tournament of Champions).
But the team will run into another Midland juggernaut this
weekend.
Coming off two consecutive tournament victories, the Midland Explorers
(14-3) return home for three exhibition games at Currie Stadium this
weekend.
The Explorers started quickly last season but struggled after pitcher
Doug Gillis suffered a midseason stroke. Midland finished 21-17-1 last
year, marking its worst record in the history of the club.
"We just lost a lot of close games," manager Clint Beane said. "For
whatever reason."
But the Explorers have come back strong this season, having won 11 of
their past 12 games.
"When you get good pitching and good defense, the hitting usually
comes around," Beane said. "It's been a really good start."
On Saturday, the Explorers tangle with the Twisters at 5:30 p.m.
before a nightcap against St. Thomas (Ont.) at 7:30 p.m.
The Explorers conclude play Sunday against Jarvis (Ont.) at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Upcoming area softball tournaments
Midland will host a number of softball tournaments during the summer,
including the Chapman/Alexander tournament the weekend of July 13-14,
, the men's fastpitch class "A" and "B" state tournaments from Aug.
3-5, the men's modified class "B" state tournament from Aug. 10-12,
and the men's fastpitch class "D" state tournament from Aug. 31-Sept.
3.
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Best regards,
Jim Flanagan
www.fastpitchwest.com
Email: jim (at) fastpitchwest.com
