Thomson at AFSA Classic
July 15, 2007
Thomson, IL
Thomson, Illinois
The Thomson Merchants had their best weekend to date in the 2007 season at the recently completed AFSA Classic in Aurora. A lot of hard work and perseverance over recent weeks appears to be finally showing through in the teams improved defense and hitting performances. Against 4 fellow Kitchener bound ISC teams the Merchants completed a 2-2 record, included a victory over Circle Tap, a major milestone for our team.
Game 1
Dolan and Murphy vs Thomson Merchants
DM 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 6 7 0
TM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Thomson
Steve Manson - 7ip, 6er, 3bb, 6k - LP
Scott Glazier - 1 for 3
Casey Eden - 1 for 3
Mike House - 1 for 3
Rory Miller - 1 for 3
Q Cody - 1 for 3
Dolan & Murphy
Juan Potoluccio - 7ip, 0er, 0bb, 11k - WP
After a positive start to the game where we had our chances with runners on base the Merchants could simply not capitalize on any opportunities to score our base runners. Some Dolan power hitting at crucial times took the game away from the Merchants and Dolan's Potoluccio effectively shut down our hitters when any oppurtunities threatened.
Game 2
Planngers vs Thomson Merchants
PL 2 0 2 0 2 2 8 12 2
TM 4 4 2 0 0 5 15 11 1
Thomson
Roberto Bahler - 5ip, 6er, 0bb, 7k - WP
Steve Manson - 1ip, 1er, 0bb, 0k
Tony Cody - 1 for 2, 2rbi, HR
Scott Glazier - 1 for 2
Steve Manson - 1 for 3, 1rbi, HR
Casey Eden - 1 for 4, 1rbi
Bruce Bielema - 2 for 4, 4rbi
Mike House - 1 for 2, 1rbi
Rory Miller - 2 for 4, 1rbi
Kevin Anderson - 1 for 4, 2rbi
Q Cody - 1 for 3
Planngers
Rick Plannger - 5.33ip, 11er, 7bb, 3 k - LP
Excellent team hitting and some timely long balls allowed Thomson to fight off a persistent Planngers challenge in our first game on Saturday. Whilst never giving up the lead Planngers did continue to peg back runs after we would score them and so the game never felt 100% safe to the very end. 8 Thomson hitters registered hits, and Bruce Bielema collected 4 rbi, a hint of the power explosion he was going to have later in the day. Roberto Bahler was strong on the mound for Thomson before being replaced by Steve Manson for the save.
Game 3
Thomson Merchants vs Circle Tap
TM 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 5 6 5
CT 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 6 1
Thomson
Steve Manson - 4ip, 1er, 4b, 3k - WP
Roberto Bahler - 3ip, 0er, 0bb, 3k
Scott Glazier - 1 for 3
Steve Manson - 2 for 3, 2rbi, HR
Bruce Bielema - 2 for 3, 2rbi, HR
Rory Miller - 1 for 2
Circle Tap
Matt Bramwell - 4.66ip, 2er, 1bb, 5k
Colin McKenzier - 2.33ip, 1er, 1bb, 5k
The Merchants finally managed to put together a 7 innings display of team softball to knock off a " Top 10 " ranked team for the first time this season. Steve Manson got the ball rolling for THomson with a single in the 1st and was moved over to 3 on a errored hit by Casey Eden. Manson and Eden them both scampered home on a double to Bruce Bielema. Not content with only 2 RBI Bielema added a timely Home Run in the 4th to extend the Merchants lead to 3-1. Then our all too famous fielding errors threatened to break the Thomson charge in the 4th when 3 straight fielding errors on routine plays helped contribute to 2 runs driven in off the bat of Circle Taps Tom Crouch. However the Merchants showed some character by immediately striking back in the 5th with a hugh two run home run from Steve Manson off the first pitch thrown by Circle Tap reliever Colin McKenzie. Roberto Bahler then shut down Circle Tap for the remaining 3 innings to secure the win for Thomson. Thomson center fielder Q Cody also managed to make an amazing home run saving grab on a well hit ball in the 3rd innings, which helped to shut down any Circle Tap charge.
After finishing in a 3 way tie for first in our pool with a 2-1 record we ended up with the 3rd seed due to run differential. This meant we ended up playing close neighbors Quad City Sox in the evenings quarter final battle.
Game 4
Thomson Merchants vs Quad City Sox
TM 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 7 2
QC 0 0 4 0 0 0 - 4 5 0
Thomson
Roberto Bahler - 2.33ip, 2er, 1bb, 0k - LP
Steve Manson - 3.67ip, 1er, 1bb, 3k
Tony Cody - 1 for 2
Casey Eden - 1 for 3
Bruce Bielema - 1 for 2, 1rbi, HR
Rory Miller - 2 for 3
Q Cody - 2 for 3, 2rbi
Quad City
Jeff Farion - 7ip, 3er, 2bb, 10k
After taking the lead in the 2nd on another Bruce Bielema HR Thomson was unable to maintain our composure from earlier in the day as we eventually ran out losers to the Sox 4-3. Despite out hitting the Sox the elusive game tying run proved out of our reach in the 7th after loading up the bases, but a lot of heart was shown to stay in the game to the very last pitch.
The next action for the Merchants is in the Thomson round robin next week vs Dolan and Murphy, Blackhawk and Hustle Hogs. All Thomson action can be viewed at www. thomsonfastpitch.com
Scott Glazier
