Speed Kills
Aussie Colts take two from GHFL All-Stars
Speed kills and the Aussie Colts used their team speed
to slay two all-star teams from the Golden Horseshoe
Fastball League in a doubleheader in Niagara Falls on
Monday, June 13, 2005.
Armed with a string of left-handed slap hitters who run
like gazelles, the Australian Junior Men's National Team
will be very difficult to defend against at the ISF
Junior Men's World Championship in PEI starting June 24.
The Aussies jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of
the first inning in game one as Adam Raptis slapped a
double, stole third and scored as James Brooks reached
on an error.
The GHFL roared back, scoring four in the home half of
the first, highlighted by a Mike Bateman home run off
Aussie starter Brooks. Matt Lyons opened with a double
to the fence followed by a solid single by Tim Coe.
Scott Young cashed them both with another double to the
fence and came around to score on Bateman's opposite
field shot.
In the top of the second inning, the Aussies strung
together a triple by Andrew Ratten and five infield
singles from Josh Jones, Damien Nairn, Raptis, Brooks
and Nick Green, pounding the ball into a hard infield
and beating out a series of bunts and high hoppers,
scoring five runs to take a 6-4 lead.
The GHFL closed the gap to 6-5 as Mike Welton scored on
another double off the fence, this one by Mark Hall off
reliever Ryan Van Coeverden. A solo home run by Travis
Southam restored the two-run lead for the Colts as Adam
Folkard came in to shut the door, striking out the side
in the final two innings.
Starting pitcher Scott Wagar took the loss, giving up
seven hits and five earned runs in three innings of work
while striking out six. Dan Deumo tossed three innings
of relief, striking out four while giving up the Southam
home run and a single to Aussie game MVP Adam Raptis.
Bateman was named the MVP for the GHFL.
Van Coeverden was the winner in relief of Brooks, with
Folkard getting the save.
Folkard started on the mound in game two much the way he
finished in game, throwing hard gas and mixing in a
world-class change-up, striking out four in the first
two innings with a hit batter the only blemish on his
record. The GHFL managed only a bunt single by Trevor
Moses in the fifth as the offenses from both teams were
handcuffed by the pitchers.
Garon Clough had the first of two singles in the second
inning, reached second on a passed ball and stole third
before coming home on a double by Van Coeverden. Clough
scored again in the fourth, stealing second and third
after a one-out single and then coming in on a passed
ball.
Chad Reed worked the first two innings and took the
loss, despite striking out five and giving up only the
two hits and the lone run. Duane Singer threw two
innings of relief, allowing four hits and one run. Rick
Hames pitched a clean fifth for the GHFL.
Folkard took the win with relief from both Brooks and
Van Coeverden. Game MVPs were Clough for the Aussies and
Reed for the GHFL.
Game 1
Australia 7 GHFL 5
WP: Ryan Van Coeverden in relief of James Brooks, save
Adam Folkard
LP: Scott Wagar, relief Dan Duemo
Aussies string together a triple and five infield
singles pounding the ball into a hard infield and
beating out a series of high hoppers to score five runs in
the second.
Game 2
Australia 2 GHFL 0
WP: Folkard, relief Brooks, Van Coeverden
LP: Chad Reed, relief Duane Singer, Rick Hames
Not a lot of offense in this one, but Aussies twice
steal third setting up both runs.
Two very competitive games with good defense displayed
by the Aussies and the GHFL (at times). These kids are
incredibly quick. They will be very difficult to defend
against and have no hesitation on the base paths and
will swipe second, third and home if you aren't wary.
Not a lot of power, but Travis Southam and Andrew Ratten
can hit the ball deep. Folkard
was very good, getting 10Ks in four innings of work and
not allowing a hit.
They're also a bunch of very friendly ball players and
are going to be tough to beat in PEI.
Thanks to all the GHFL players, Herb Beckman, Al
Greatrix and Rob Sampano for looking after the Niagara
All-Stars and Brian Costie, Will Lake & Paul Gilmour for
the Waterdown All-Stars. Special thanks to Lindsey
Carroll, Laing Harrow and the Aussie Colts for making
the trip to the Falls and for two competitive games.
