Home Plate

MSBL Division (28+)

MABL Division (18+)

League Fields

Contacts

Master Schedule

League Photos

Standings and Game Summaries

NEWS Articles

National Rules

Local Rules

Links

League President

2007 Standings and Game Summaries

2007 playoff photos by Stephen Boudreaux

October 7th

Congratulations to the 2007 25+ Champions

FPEC Tigers

MVP Jeremy Travis

Runners Up

Bentonville Dodgers

The 25+ Championships were our best ever much like the 18+ from the week before.  A hard fought battle between two very veteran teams.  The Dodgers dominated the regular season play, but the scrappy Tigers having played into the championships by disposing of the Volcanoes in 7 innings just a half-hour prior, were in a zone.  The contest was high-scoring, but that did not deflate some great defensive efforts and some timely pitching.  We will let the reports come in from each team for details.  Final score 10-9...a late comeback effort was averted by a bottom-of-the-seventh clutch pop up delivery by MVP pitcher, Jeremy Travis.

October 1st

Congratulations to the 2007 18+ Champions

Fayetteville Brewers

Rick Elliot 2007 18+ MVP

Runners Up

Cassville MO Pirates

Reports to follow... Championship in the 18+ was held at Reiff Park in Prairie Grove.  The Brewers defeated the Pirates in probably the most competitive championship game in recent memory.  Two excellent pitchers in the Brewers' Rick Elliot and the Pirates' Eric Smith battled in complete-game efforts.   Elliot edged out Smith to earn the victory as well as the league MVP award.  More to come when reports are received from each team.

Final 18+ Official Standings

1.  Fayetteville Brewers

2.  Cassville MO Pirates

3.  Lowell White Sox

4.  Arkansas DiamondBacks

5.  Tahlequah OK Thunder

6.  Fayetteville Cubs

7.  Arkansas Athletics

8.  Arkansas Braves

9.  Fayetteville Strikers

10.  Fort Smith Marshals

**Special note to give props to the Old Guys of the MSBL. Last weekend for the Dodgers in a double header sweep of the Tigers, they were led by a couple "Old Timers". In game one, Eric Exner, 45 years old, hit 3 home runs, scored four runs, and had 9 RBI's. He pitched a complete game, 6 inning victory, in a run rule shortened game. In game two, the Dodgers rode on the back of Gandoff, and his white horse. Charles Fowler (55) stole Exner's Vitamins, and led the Dodgers with a double and a huge homer into the river, well beyond the fence in left center. Fowler is now known to be the oldest player in NWAMSBL history to go long, (like his hair...). The homers added up to the highest age total in years in baseball history for one team  on the same day. 190 years!--Eric Exner, Dodgers

September 23rd

September 15-16th

2007 18+ Playoffs Round 1 & 2

September 3rd

makeups

The Braves split with the D-backs this past weekend. It was a great day for baseball. The D-backs scored 4 runs thru the first 3 innings and didn't score again the rest of the game. But the Braves had a little trouble getting the bats going. But we finally did in the 5th. We scored 2 in the 5th and 6th to tie the game and held them in the 7th to go extra innings. In the 8th the braves and d-back both got some runners in scoring position but couldn't bring them around. We started the 9th with Seth Lee (1-3, 2b, SB) getting walked and then stealing 2nd to put himself in scoring position. So the Braves had two outs with Josh Myers (2-5) coming to bat and he hits a single back up the middle and Lee was being aggressive on the base path and scored the go ahead run. Bottom of the 9th Braves pitcher Daniel Yates (6 IP, 3 K, 0 R, 6 BB, 2 H) kept going strong and shut down the D-backs. Braves won 5-4. The second game the Braves were tired from playing 9. They never got the bats going. Braves lead off man Kirk Blevins went (3-4, 2b, and a run scored) Ronnie Ragsdale (2-4, 1RBI) got the Braves only RBI in the game. The Braves had a chance to open the scoring up in the 5th, with runners on 1st and 2nd, and Tony Foshe (0-3) hit a rope down the line and it would have scored two. But the umpire called a foul ball. And after Foshe realized the umpire called foul ball he was already at 2nd base. So when he got back to the plate he struck out ending the inning. So in the end Braves lost 8-1--Tony Foshe, Braves

August 24-25th

Thunders ends Season with White Sox split

By Lynn Womack Tahlequah Daily Press Sports Writer
The Tahlequah Thunder ended the regular season with as they split a double-header with the Lowell White Sox Sunday. The Thunder lost the first game 9-1, but won the second 2-0.  The Thunder and the White Sox battled for six scoreless innings Mark Taylor and Andy [Crowson]pitched shut out ball. The Thunder finally scored two runs in the top of the seventh. Mark Dreadfulwater led the inning off with a single. Jeff Robbins followed with a single. Matt Whaler grounded out advancing Dreadfulwater to third and Robbins to second.
J.D. Higgins was the hitting hero of the game as he then hit a double that scored Dreadfulwater and Robbins for the game winning RBI for a 2-0 lead which stood up for the win.  "We finally started hitting the ball better in the second game. The hits finally found the holes in the later part of the second game. In the the first game we hit the ball but it was always right to someone" said Player-Coach Mark Dreadfulwater.  
The Thunder had ten hits in the second game as Jimbo Harris and Chris Roso had two each. Chris Hope, Brent Edwards, Dreadfulwater, Robbins, Whaler and Higgins had one each.  Roso made the final three out in the bottom of the seventh to secure the Thunder win with catches in center field.  The only run the Thunder scored in the first game was in the fourth inning as Robbins scored on a Whaler triple to narrow the White Sox lead to 2-1 at the time. The White Sox answered with seven runs for the 9-1 win.  Evan Niser was the winning pitcher for the White Sox with 14 strikeouts. Edwards had eight strikeouts for the Thunder in a losing cause.  The Thunder could muster only four hits in the game as Harris singled in the first, Robbins had two singles, in the fourth and seventh innings and Whaler's triple in the fourth.   The Thunder concluded the regular season with a 10-8 record.

August 17-18th

Braves 12  Athletics 11

Athletics 6  Braves 17

The Braves finally won. We won the first game 17-6. The A's only had 8 players but that wouldn't matter because the Braves were hitting grounders past the infielders. The second game the A's had another player show up. But it still wasn't enough to keep the Braves from getting the second win after going 0-33 since we started our team. The Braves were down 11-9 in the 7th but the A's pitching struggled. Braves 10 batter got on base by error. Next batter struck out. Then our lead off batter hit it back to the pitcher for a sure double play but our speedy lead off man beat out the throw. Next batter hit it threw short and 3rd base. Next batter walked to load the bases with 2 out. The next batter walked to bring the lead down to 1. Next batter was being patient and the ball got pass the catcher and a runner scored to tie the game. The batter then had a swinging bunt, which would be a sure out, but the catcher made a mistake and stepped on home with out a force there, so everyone was safe. After seeing this happen the next batter should be patient but swung at the first pitch. So we called time and had a brief meeting with the batter telling him not to swing unless it was right down middle. And it paid off, the pitcher then threw him 4 straight balls and the Braves won with a walk off walk. Winning 12-11 --Tony Foshe, Braves

White Sox 6  Brewers 8

Brewers 14  White Sox 3

The White Sox, with as large a roster as they claim, failed to suit up a full squad for the second straight year when facing the defending league champions.  Able to barely field 9 with a rostered member with a broken leg, the White Sox did not stand a chance in game one.  The Brewers routed the Sox in 5.  The only White Sox highlight was an Andy Miller home run and John Michael Hairston's triple.  Sore-armed Bill Pendergist takes the loss despite being pulled from the game after hitting his fourth batsman.  Three of which were the same batter.  Game two was a different game...  The White Sox's game 2 pitcher finally showed to the ballpark and gave the Sox a chance.  Despite missing 6 of 9 starters in the field and at the plate, the game was tight through the 7th.  The White Sox led through the 5th when Rick Elliot of the Brewers and Grist both homered over the short center-field fence pushing the score to 7-6 Brewers.  The Sox put up a fight in the 7th, but were stymied by a quick line drive to short by Andy Miller and a rare 9-3 put out on Stephen Boudreaux by a strategically placed Rick Elliot in right field to kill the rally.  At least the misty rain helped keep the day cool in light of the past few 100+ degree weekends.  John Michael Hairston was the White Sox hero on the day going  4 for 6 with 2HR, 1-3B, 1-2B, 3RBI.  Andy Miller also had a day at the plate 4 for 5, 1HR, 3RBI.  Evan Neiser had a strong day on the hill despite the loss striking out 9 Brewers in 5 innings. --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

Thunder and Pirates Split Double-Header
By Lynn Womack Tahlequah Daily Press Sports Writer
The Tahlequah Thunder split a double-header Saturday with the Cassville, Missouri Pirates, losing the opener 5-3 then winning the night cap 5-2.  The Thunder fell behind in the night cap 2-0, but scored one run in the fourth as Mark Dreadfulwater's single scored Chris Roso to cut the Pirate in half at 2-1. The Thunder scored four runs in the sixth inning. Brett Edwards' double scored Mark Jordan who reached on a error to tie the scored at 2-2. Matt Whaler gave the Thunder a 4-2 lead in the inning with a two RBI double to left field. Whalers' double scored Dreadfulwater and Edwards. Dreadfulwater had walked earlier in the inning. Chris Hope sent Whaler home for the final run of the with an RBI single for the final score or 5-2. Edwards went the distance for the win. Bruce Dean pitched five strong inning for the Pirates with five strike outs for the loss. Brad Smith finished the game in the sixth for the Pirates.  The first game was a scoreless pitching dual for the first four innings between the Thunder's Mark Davis and the Pirates' Eric Smith. Smith was the winner with eight strike outs. Taylor took the loss with seven strike outs.The Thunder took a 3-0 lead with three runs in the fifth as Jordan's two RBI double scored Harris and Roso the give the Thunder a 2-0 lead. Edwards then sent Jordan home with an RBI single for the 3-0 lead.  The Pirates scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score at three then added two more in the sixth for the 5-3 win. Harris went 4-7 at the plate for the Thunder for the two games. Harris had a double in the third inning of the first game for his only extra base hit.
The Thunder will finish the regular season Saturday at Prairie Grove Reiff Park against the Lowell White Sox. The double-header will start at 1:00 p.m. The Thunder is now 9-7 for the season while the Pirates are 13-3 for the season.

August 11-12th

Arklahoma Shootout Weekend

Report Here

Other Games:

Thunder Splits With Cubs

By Lynn Womack Tahlequah Daily Press Sports Writer
The Tahlequah Thunder split a double-header with the Fayettville Cubs Sunday at Thomas Rousey Field. The Cubs run ruled the Thunder 12-2 in the first game, but the Thunder held on the win the second game 6-5.
The Thunder scored four runs in the fifth inning as Mark Taylor, Brett Edwards, and Chris Fowler all walked to load the bases. Jimbo Harris' two-RBI double sent Taylor and Edwards home for a 4-1 lead. Nash Garcia sent Fowler home with a single to up the Thunder lead to 5-1. The final run of the inning scored as Harris stole for the 6-1 lead.
The Cubs rallied as Justin Ledbetter hit a two-run homer over left field to narrow the Thunder lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning. Ledbetter added an RBI single in the seventh to once narrow the Thunder lead to 6-4. Keith Holt then brought the Cubs within 6-5 with an RBI sacrifice fly.
The ended as Brandon James was thrown at the plate for the third out trying to tie score.
The Thunder scored once in the second inning as Garcia sent Harris to the plate with an RBI single. Mark Dreadfulwater's RBI sent Garcia home for the second run of the for a 2-0 Thunder lead in the second inning.
Edwards went the distance to pick the win for the Thunder.
"We played a lot better in the second game. We started to get some hits to fall instead of right to some one. Once again Edwards did a super job pitching for the win". said Player-Coach Mark Dreadfulwater.
In the first game the Cubs scored four runs in the first as Ledbetter lead the way with a two-RBI double. The Thunder answer with two runs in the bottom of the inning as Chris Roso's RBI single scored Harris who had reached on an error to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Cubs. Roso scored to narrow the Cubs lead to 4-2 from Saleeka James' 5-3 ground out. The Cubs then scored eight unanswered runs to secure the 12-2 win in five innings. Taylor went the distance for the loss.
With the split the Thunder goes to 8-6 for the season. The Cubs go to 11-3. Next up for the Thunder well be a double-header with the league leading Cassville, Missouri Piraters Saturday.
 

August 3-4th

Brewers 5  Pirates 0

Pirates 13  Brewers 3

Game one was a tough one for the Pirates as the Brewer’s starter Rick [Elliot] pitched a 7 inning shutout. The Pirates could only muster 4 hits for starter Eric Smith and with no run support, it is hard to win. Eric gave up 5 runs; only 2 earned, and took the loss. It was a great pitching effort from both starters, but the Brewers came out on top 5-0.  Game two was all Pirates. The Pirates started early plating 5 runs on 3 hits and five walks in the first inning. The Pirates added 2 in the second, 3 in the 4th on a Colby Bridges 3 run bomb, and 3 in the sixth on back to back homers by Eric Smith and Colby Bridges. Ashton Dorris was spectacular on the mound going 6 innings and allowing three solo home runs, striking out 11 to take the win. The Pirates took the game, stopping their two game losing streak, winning 13-3. 
Stars at the Plate: Matt Smith 4-6, BB, 4R, Eric Smith 1-4, HR, 3 BB, 3R, 2 RBI, Colby Bridges 3-6, 2 HR & 2B, 5 RBI, Dennis Marshall 2-3, R, RBI and Tray Haney 2-5, 2B, 2RBI--Matt Smith, Pirates

2007 Pirates

Thunder 19  Braves 8
 Braves 2  Thunder 3

Thunder takes two from Arkansas Braves
By LYNN WOMACK
Tahlequah Daily Press
The Tahlequah Thunder took a doubleheader from the Arkansas Braves Saturday, 19-8, and, 3-2.  The Northwest Arkansas Men's Baseball league team scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 3-2 win in the nightcap. "We finally had one go our way in those last inning comebacks" said player-coach Mark Dreadfulwater. The Thunder went into the bottom of the seventh trailing 2-1. Nick Stovall's RBI-single scored Mark Jordan and Mark Taylor. Trailing 2-0, the Thunder had cut the lead in half with a run in the sixth as J.D Higgins sent Jordan home. The Braves had broken a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning by scoring two runs of their own. Tarin Wagers scored B.J. Fosh on a double. Drew Van Potter had an RBI- ingle to score Wagers for the second run in the inning. Thunder pitcher Jeff Robbins and Braves pitcher Brian Grube pitching for five innings until the Braves broke through for their two runs in the sixth. Mark Taylor went the distance in the first game striking out 14 Braves in 6 1/3 innings in the 19-8 win. The Thunder scored eight runs in the seventh inning to put the game away. Chris Roso had a two-RBI double that sent Stovall and Jimbo Harris home. Taylor also has a two RBI single in the inning. Stovall had a two RBI triple  in the inning and Jordan and Chris Hope had RBI singles in the inning. Matt Whaler had given the Thunder a 1-0 lead with a homer over left field in the first. Taylor and Stovall also had RBIs in the inning. The Thunder scored two runs in the third as Taylor and Jordan each had an RBI. Robbins, Jordan and Dreadfulwater each had an RBI in the fourth inning as the Thunder built a 5-0 lead. The Braves scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 5-4, but the Thunder scored four more to increase its lead to 9-4. Thunder added two more runs in the fifth as Harris scored on an error. He had reached base on a double. Roso scored on a wild pitch in the inning. He had reached base on a bunt single. Thunder are now 7-5 for the season.
 

July 28-29th

Special Insert:  Jeff Kennett is a big guy.  He is soft-spoken, but he has a big heart.  He is the kind of guy that you might see type-cast in a movie about kilt-wearing ancient Scots... You know the big red-headed guy wielding the 50-pound club?  The guy that never strays too far from the Mel Gibson-type character that would otherwise be dead in the movie's first few frames without him?  Well...I am no Mel Gibson, but Jeff is certainly that crucial role player who gets things done for the sake of all.  Today, Jeff Kennett left for Iraq for a one year tour of duty as a volunteer firefighter.  Many brave Americans have faced the challenge of duty in the middle east over the past decade and a half in their role with the military or other organizations.  Regardless of your personal viewpoint, each and every one of those brave souls deserve our respect, thanks, and certainly our prayers.  Nobody is twisting Jeff's arm in his endeavor.  Rather, he is answering a call from a place that has a need.  Sure, Jeff is doing this partly for the adventure and maybe some small financial quip, but in reality he is being a hero.  An American hero.  I have come to know Jeff better over the past two years after he stepped up to the plate (pun intended) with his volunteer work to help revitalize and maintain the NWAMSBL.  About 5 years ago, our local league was in real danger of becoming a non-entity.  Conduct concerns and strained relationships with partner organizations and communities had nearly taken its toll.  Trying to take on the task of rebuilding these relationships was not the job of any single person.  Nor should one person be handling day-to-day administration of the league.  After a few years of holding out on proper delegation, our league was fortunate to find a Jeff Kennett.  Jeff had taken over the assigning of umpires and the job of field liaison.  In addition, Jeff has tackled the scheduling duties.  So, now like every good administration we have a guy doing all the work so the president can just be a face man.  The NWAMSBL is a current success story due in very large part to the work of Jeff Kennett.   At the conclusion of the 2003 season, I started a rewards program for an individual who contributes to the league unselfishly and is a standout representative to his team and community. The 2005 recipient of the NWAMSBL League Ambassador Award was Jeff Kennett.  In that award report to Hardball Magazine, I stated, "Jeff is a standout first baseman and left-handed catcher (huh?) for his team and general team organizer. Jeff works as an EMT and firefighter in the Northwest Arkansas area during the week where he drives an ambulance mostly in the Siloam Springs area. After his tireless work last season, league president, Stephen Boudreaux, appointed Jeff to a position on the league board to make his efforts officially recognized. Jeff did not take this appointment for granted.  Rather, he stepped up his efforts assisting Boudreaux by working out season and tournament schedules, delivering baseballs across the region, helping with member disputes, facilitating arrangements for a community day at a University of Arkansas baseball game, and being a fine lieutenant and mouthpiece for the league. Congratulations to Jeff Kennett on this coveted honor. Jeff will be traveling to Phoenix for the World Series where he will play with fellow firefighters on the Albuquerque, NM Fire Department Blaze."  Jeff has continued to build on that 2005 effort and traveled again to Phoenix in 2006 with his bretheren.  All the while, Jeff started his own team in our 25+ division, the Old Style.  Jeff quickly realized the strain of running your own team and then tackling the duties of an active board member to boot.  Jeff never flinched nor wavered from his objectivity and he always keeps the best interest of the league in mind.  He will be sorely missed by this league and I absolutely wish for his quick and safe return.--Stephen Boudreaux, President--NWAMSBL

NWAMSBL VP, Jeff Kennett.  Photos by Charles Fowler

Old Style 13  Volcanoes 12

The Old Style came from behind to clip the Volcanoes as time ran out. 13-12 final score. The Volcanoes led throughout most of the came. Scoring several runs in the second inning. They are definitely hitting the ball well. The Old Style managed to chip away with two or three runs almost every inning to catch up. Old Style veteren Mark Davis made his first appearance of the year and picked up the win in relief. --Jeff Kennett, Old Style

White Sox 4  Pirates 12

Pirates 3  White Sox 13

Game 1 seemed to be more of a political debate between Stephen Budreaux, Pirates Manger Don Longley with the umpires as moderators than a baseball game.  A controversial call at the plate got the Pirates’ 4 hole hitter and game 2 starter ejected in the second inning. [snip]  However, game 1 was all pirates as Bruce Dean gave up 3 runs in the first and one in the second before settling down to blank the Sox over the final five innings.  The Pirates bats were [snip] hot on the field pounding out 15 hits and 12 runs.  The Pirates’ O was lead by The Smith boys (no relation), Brad, 3-4, Matt 2-3, and Eric 2-3 with a little D’Money thrown in for good measure, 2-3.  Pirates take game one, 12-4. 

Game 2 was a completely different story.  Already behind the eight ball with a depleted pitching staff (see Game one), the Pirates’ ace was being severely squeezed by the home plate umpire as 4 consecutive strikes were called balls to start the game.  This did improve in the latter part of the game, but by this time [snip] the game was out of hand.  The White Sox pounded the baseball the entire game putting up 13 runs to hand the Pirates their first loss of the season.  I have to hand it to the White Sox and the Pirates for the way they handled the situations in the game.  It could have gotten ugly with teams of lesser class.  Final Score, 13-3 Sox.  Stars at the plate: Brad Smith 3-6, 3R, Matt Smith 3-5, 4 RBI and 2R, Eric Smtih 3-4, HR 4 RBI, 3R, Dennis Marshall 2-4, 2R--Matt Smith, Pirates

The White Sox started game one off well with the first three batters scoring in the first inning.  However, after plating one more in the second, that was all the Sox had in the game trying to match the sleepiness of their manager.  Pirate veteran pitcher, Bruce Dean, lulled the Sox batters into 14 of the final 17 batters hitting it "right at somebody." Only Andy Miller and Patrick Taliaferro had any success against Dean with both going 2-3, but with no runners to advance, their efforts were fruitless.  White Sox pitcher Bill Pendergist suffered his first loss of the season uncharacteristically surrendering 7 earned runs on 7 hits.  Reliever Tom Spaniol had nothing to work with in his effort in the final two frames, but did hold the Pirates scoreless to offer the chance.  In game two, the White Sox were facing feared Pirate ace, Eric Smith.  In a real twist of fate, the White Sox managed three runs in the bottom of the second inning and were surprised to see Smith pull himself from the game.  That was all the confidence the Sox needed to find their "one inning" that it takes to take a game.  What eluded them in game one came in the third inning of game two.  8 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks and a HBP sealed the games fate in that frame alone. Save for Andy Miller's (2-3, HR, 2RBI) solo home run in the 4th and Brandon Barr's (1-1, 3R, BB, HBP) game clincher run on Dave Steeneck's (2-2, 2R, 1HBP, 3RBI) base hit in the 5th, the real hero of the game would be White Sox pitcher, Andy Crowson.  This day was a day for the salty old veterans.  What Bruce Dean did in game one, Andy retorted in game two.  Crowson's line:  5in, 3R, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 1HBP, 3K...--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

July 21-22nd

White Sox 8  Braves 2

Braves 2  White Sox 10

It was an absolutely perfect day for baseball in Rogers, Arkansas.  Having to change fields to Bradford Park, the Sox and Braves got under way a bit late.  In game one for the White Sox, pitcher Bill Pendergist faced a much-improved Braves squad.  The Braves out-hit the White Sox 9-7 in game one, but Pendergist settled things down through 4 innings forcing the Brave hits to be scattered.  The White Sox defense was solid as well keeping the Brave runners out of scoring threats.  No real heroes at the plate for the Sox save for Patrick Taliaferro who jacked a 2-run home run to put the Sox up 5-0 in the second.  Pendergist (4-0) gets the win and Tom Spaniol gets the save in relief.   In game two, veteran Andy Crowson took the hill knowing the Braves were hitting the ball.  Right off the bat (literally), the Braves leadoff hitter ropes a triple to right-center.  Through the second inning, the Braves were up 2-0 and the White Sox, despite being loose, were wondering if the Braves were going to get their first win in two years of the veteran White Sox.  Even though I am ready to see the Braves get that victory, I admit I pleaded with my own team to not be the giver in that scenario.  Crowson settled way down to deliver 8Ks over the next 4 innings and rarely a baserunner.  The White Sox bats also found their way out of the bag in the third as White Sox bats are apt to do plating 6 runs in the frame.  Matt Boudreaux was 3 for 3 with 3RBI, Dustin Wilson was 2 for 4 with a HR.  The White Sox in stark contrast to game one (7 hits), had 16 hits for the game.  Andy Crowson gets the win to push his record to 2-0.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

Cubs 6  Pirates 10
Pirates 3  Cubs 2
Game 1 was a rough start as the pirates gave up 4 runs before recording an out. The call to the bullpen was quick in the first, but the Pirates would settle down. Eric Smith pitched 7 strong innings recording 8 Ks for the win. The Pirate offense was paced by Eric Smith 3-4, Troy Flood and Ashton Dorris 2-4, and a long ball by Colby Bridges in the 6th to drive the nail, ultimately finishing the game with a 10-6 victory
Game 2 was the best ball game I have been associated with in the NWAMABL. The Pirates picked up 2 runs in the first inning off of two hits and some wild pitches. The Cubs clamped with some great pitching the rest of the way. The Cubs dented the scoreboard in the second inning with a lone run. The pitchers dual was on until the fourth when the Pirates played small ball with a leadoff double by Colby Bridges, a sac bunt by Dennis Marshall and a sac fly to plate the run by Matt Smith. Ashton Dorris was dominant on the mound giving up only two runs (one earned), one on a solo homer, in 7 innings while recording 6 Ks to get the win, 3-2.  Stars at the Plate: Eric Smith 4-7, 2 RBI, 2R; Colby Bridges 3-6 3 RBI, 3R; and troy Flood 2-4, 3R--Matt Smith, Pirates
 

Thunder 3  Marshals 9

Marshals 5  Thunder 6

Thunder splits with Fort Smith Marshalls
The Tahlequah Thunder salvaged a split with the Fort Smith Marshalls by winning the second game of the double-header 6-5. Brett Edwards pitched the complete game with eight strike outs for the victory. Jimbo Harris was the hitting star of the game by going 3-4 in the game. Edwards helped his winning cause by going 2-3 at the plate.  "Edwards did a really good job on the mound for us in the second game. Nash Garcia did a good job catching in the second game. I feel we still need to be better defensively. Our hitting is fine so far." said Mark Dreadfulwater.  Edwards RBI single in the sixth inning proved to be the game winner as J.D. Higgings came home to give the Thunder a 6-5 lead. The Marshalls had rallied from a 5-2 Thunder lead as Jake Dooley's RBI single sending Travis Jordon home to tie the score at 5-5 in the top of the sixth.   Matt Whaler gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single that sent Harris home. Garcia's sacriface fly in the third inning scoring Higgins gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead. Mark Jordan gave the Thunder a 4-1 lead in the inning with a two-RBI single scoring Harris and Chris Roso who had both singled. The Marshalls narrowed the lead to 4-2 in the top of the fourth, but Harris' RBI double sent Edwards home for the 5-2 lead in the bottom or the fourth inning. Dreadfulwater tried to keep the inning going with a double in the inning, but the Thunder were retired before any further damage was done. The only other threat the Thunder had was in the second inning when Nick Stovall hit a double. Mark Taylor tried to came home on the hit, but was thrown out at the plate.  The Thunder had six runs on 12 hits and commited five errors in the game. The Marshalls had five runs on 10 hits and no errors in the game. Brent Wolfe went 3-4 for Fort Smith while Adam Hill was 2-3 for the Marshalls in the game.  The Thunder lost the first game 9-3 to the Marshalls as Harris went 2-3 and scored two of the three Thunder runs in the game. Harris scored in the first inning off Edwards' single to tie the score at 1-1 at the time. Harris had got on base with a double. Harris then singled in the sixth inning then scored on Whaler's single to narrow the Marshalls lead to 8-3. The only other Thunder run scored in the fourth inning as Roso scored on an error by the Marsall catcher. Roso had reached base on an error.  Paul Cates went 2-4 for the Marshalls while Tieler Driscoll was 2-3 for Fort Smith. Scott Norton was a perfect 2-2 for the Marsalls in the game.  The Marshalls had nine runs with six hits and three errors while the Thunder had three runs on six hit and two errors. Next up for the Thunder will be another home date against the Fayetteville Strikers Sunday. The double-header starts at 1:00 p.m. at Thomas Rousey Memorial Field.  By Lynn Womack Tahlequah Daily Press



 

July 14-15th

Thunder drop two in heartbreak
By JACOB UNRUH
Tahlequah Daily Press
The Tahlequah Thunder baseball team could not outlast the Arkansas Diamondback¹s Sunday at Thomas Rousey Field. In doubleheader action, the Diamondback¹s relied on late-inning comebacks and costly errors in 12-11 and 10-9 victories. In early action, Arkansas (3-3) capitalized on four passed balls and two wild pitches in the comeback victory. The Thunder (2-4) threatened in the final inning after a two-RBI single by Tony Davis, but he was cut down trying to steal second base for the final out. ³I can see both ways what he was thinking and what I was thinking,² said Thunder head coach and player Mark Dreadfulwater. ³The call (at second base) could have went both ways too. It was a combination of things.² The Diamondback¹s used late-inning blunders to score the winning run in the bottom half of the seventh inning in game two as Carlos Arce scored on a wild pitch from Mark Taylor, who had thrown 96 pitches the previous game. ³What was it, 26 hits total and we still get swept?² said Dreadfulwater. ³That says something about our defense and pitching. From what I can tell they scored seven runs on passed balls. Our defense is killing us. Our hitting is coming along, but our defense is opening the flood gates.² The defense did falter as they committed five errors, three wild pitches and an astounding 13 passed balls on the day, including eight in game two. Arkansas capitalized on a big sixth inning in game one with six runs on five hits and three errors. The inning was capped by a two-RBI single by Arce for a 12-9 lead. Tahlequah led by as many as six runs in game one after a quick 6-0 lead after consecutive walks by Mark Jordan and Taylor with the bases loaded in the second inning. But the Diamondback¹s began to chip at the lead in the third inning with two runs on consecutive wild pitches by Taylor. Arce led the Diamondback¹s at the plate, hitting 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Daniel Poor and Jacob Koch added two hits each. Jimbo Harris ignited the Thunder offense hitting 3-for-4 with a walk, stolen base, two runs and two RBIs. Davis followed hitting 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a stolen base. Matt Whaler and Nick Stovall added two hits each. In game two, the Thunder plated six runs on a mere two hits, but pitcher Brett Anglin ran into trouble as he walked in Jordan to tie the game. Tahlequah posted four more runs on two walks, a hit batsman and an error for a 9-5 lead. However, Russ Williams put his team back in the game with a three-RBI double in the sixth inning tying the game, 9-9, off pitcher Brett Edwards. ³That kid that hit the shot to right, that was probably the farthest he¹s hit it all year,² said Dreadfulwater. ³Brett as out of gas at that point.² The Thunder jumped to another early lead with four consecutive leadoff hits and a two-run single by Mark Jordan for a 3-0 early lead off Anglin. But once again, the Diamonback¹s began to creep their way back in the second inning as Tyler Hoover scored on the third straight passed ball. Daniel Poor continued to chip at the lead with an RBI single in the third inning, cutting the deficit 3-2. Jordan led the Thunder, hitting 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Davis, Taylor and Whaler added two hits each in the loss. Newt Gregory was the only player to have multiple hits for the Diamondback¹s, hitting 2-for-3 with two RBIs. The rest of the team was able to scatter a mere five hits. The losses drop the Thunder to 2-4 on the season as they look to rebound Sunday in Tahlequah. The Diamondback¹s improve to 3-3 on the year with the sweep.  ³We¹re just glad to be at .500,² said Diamondback head coach Heath Robinson. ³We started playing in about the fourth inning and we kept playing. Finally.²

Pirates 12  Braves 1

Braves 5  Pirates 16
Game one was all Pirates’ offense with 5 Pirates recording a multi hit game. Eric Smith, Steve Strausters and Dennis Marshall led the way for the Pirates, all having a perfect day at the plate. Eric Smith’s day included a 3-run bomb over the right field wall. Bruce Dean had another good outing giving up one run through five as the Pirates take the game 12-1.  Game 2 was more of the same even though the Braves had a 3-0 lead in the third against the pirate ace Eric Smith. That was all erased with Colby bridges grand Slam into the left field parking lot at White river. From that point the rout was on. Eric Smith added a second three run homer and a line shot off of the right field fence that was a foot from a third home run. Three more pirates had perfect days at the plate to cap off a 16-5 Pirate’s win in 5 innings.
Stars at the plate for the day: Eric Smith 4-6, 2 home runs, 2 Doubles, 8 RBI, Matt Smith 3-4, 2BB, 4 RBI, Dennis Marshall 3-6, 2 doubles, 4RBI, Colby Bridges 1-4, GS 4 RBI--Matt Smith, Pirates
 

White Sox 12  Fayetteville Strikers 2

Fayetteville Strikers 0  White Sox 12

Yesterday, the White Sox swept the Fayetteville Strikers in a double-header 12-2 and 12-0.  In game one, Sox pitcher, Bill Pendergist, was pitching a no-hitter shutout through 6 2/3, but after a lazy error put two on, Striker batter Howard lined a single to left to score two.  Sox shortstop, John Michael Hairston made up for the error by tossing a rope to first off his back foot to end the game.  Pendergist's line was 6in, 0ER, 2H, 3BB, and 9Ks.  At the plate, the Sox were lackadaisical through the first three innings failing to plate a run.  In the fourth, Dustin Wilson hit a lead-off home run to start the frenzy.  Robert Foshe bested Wilson with a dinger of his own for a 3-0 lead.  Plating 4 in the fifth and 5 in the sixth finished the scoring.  Dustin Wilson was 3-3 with a walk, HR, 3 runs scored and 2RBI to start his stellar day at the plate going 5 for 6 with a home run, walk, 6RBI, and four runs scored.  Game two was much like the first with the White Sox starting off slow at the plate.  Andy Crowson pitched a complete game victory going 5 innings shutout on one hit, zero walks and 5 Ks.  Basically, the first batter gets a base hit and the old stalwart Crowson pitches a perfect game thereafter. 

June 30-July 1st

The rain continues to hamper game-play.  Please keep an eye on the on-line schedule for make up dates.

Thunder steals one from Athletics
By TRAVIS METCALF
Tahlequah Daily Press
The Tahlequah Thunder had five stolen bases including Chris Roso¹s steal of home plate in the sixth inning as the Thunder rolled over the Arkansas Athletics in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, 14-3. The Athletics won the second game however, 12-8. In the first game, the Thunder lived up to their name as they pounded out 17 hits and didn¹t have a single error. The Thunder scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take a 5-1 lead. They continued to pour it on in the fifth and sixth innings as they scored nine runs combined in each of those innings.  Matt Whaler was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Mark Dreadfulwater went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI while Mark Jordan and Mark Taylor both went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Taylor got the win for the Thunder, improving to 1-1 on the season. The Thunder started off just as hot in the second game, getting the early 5-0 lead, but gave up 10 unanswered runs, nine of which came in the bottom of the first inning. Brett Edwards started the game and walked six batters while hitting three in picking up the loss. He was pulled in the second inning but was put back in the game in the fourth inning and pitched three total innings. Masashi Yoshimoto pitched innings two and three. The game was stopped in the fifth inning due to a time limit. Jordan went perfect in game two at the plate, going 2-for-2 with run scored. Dreadfulwater went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI while Jimbo Harris went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. The Thunder¹s (2-2) next game will be on July 15 when they play the Arkansas Diamondbacks at Thomas Rousey Field. 

June 23-24th

Pirates 5  Marshals 4
Marshals 5  Pirates 10
Game 1 was a tightly contested game with the winning run coming for the Pirates in the bottom of the 7th. Dennis Marshall started things off on a good note in the first with a single to right which turned into a 2 base error plating two runs. The Pirates added another in the second on a RBI single by Matt Smith. Single unearned runs in the third and fourth made the score 4-0 after 4. The Marshalls added some unearned runs in the fifth and sixth to tie the score after 6. This set the stage for Troy Flood’s 2 out game winner in the 7th. A great pitching effort from Bruce Dean was spoiled in a no decision. Eric Smith picked up his second win in relief.  Game 2 featured some shoddy defense by the Pirates behind a great pitching performance from Ashton Dorris. The Marshalls had a gem of their own going into the fifth up 4-0. The Pirates erupted in the fifth with a walk, a triple by Troy Flood, single by Brant Bishop, a couple of walks and a double by Matt Smith to plate 4 in the inning. The Marshalls added a run in the bottom of the inning to lead 5-4, but it was all Pirates after that. Plating 6 runs in the last two innings to take the win 10-5. Ashton Dorris pitched a complete game and picked up his second win of the season.  Stars at the plate for the day: Dennis Marshall 3 for 6, Matt Smith 3 for 6 and Troy Flood 2 for 5.  --Matt Smith, Pirates
 

All other games rained out...Make up games will be scheduled where available

June 16-17th

Thunder Splits with Brewers
The Tahlequah Thunder Men's League Baseball Team split with the Fayetteville Brewers, last years league co-champions Saturday. The Thunder lost the first game 10-0 by rune rule in five innings, then won the night-cap 7-2. The Thunder built a 4-0 lead in the second game, scoring one in the first and three more runs in the fourth. The Brewers scored two runs in the fifth to cut the lead the Thunder in half at 4-2. The Thunder put the game away in the sixth with three runs for the 7-2 lead at that time. The Thunder had seven runs on nine hits with no errors. The Brewers scored two runs on five hits and one error. New comer Brett Edwards threw the complete seven inning game for the Thunder with nine strikeout. Chris Hope went 2-3 in the game for the Thunder including a three run homer over the left field fence. Jimbo Harris, Mark Dreadfulwater, Massashi Yosimoto, Mark Taylor, and Matt Whaler also had hits for the Thunder in the second game.
"I was glad to the first game behind us and come out and take the second one. We took care of business and really settled down at the plate and in the field. It was a solid game all around for us" said Player-Coach Mark Dreadfulwater. Matt Villines was the losing pitcher for the Brewers. He had the only RBI for the Brewers with a sacrifice fly. The other Brewer run scored on a wild pitch. Edwards is 1-0 for the season while Villines is 0-1. In the first game the Thunder fell behind early as the Brewers scored two in the second, three more in the third for a 5-0 lead. The Brewers added five more runs in the fourth for a 10-0 to secure the victory. The Brewers had six hits and one error in the game. Rick Elliott and Chad Lidshmeyer had three each for the Brewers, both going 3-4. Lidshmeyer had a two RBI double for the Brewers. The Thunder one hit and committed seven errors in the first game. Mark Jordan had the only hit in the game, a single in the second inning. Taylor started the first game, going 3 1/3 innings. He gave up seven runs with five strike outs and allowing three hits. The defense did not help Taylor much as there were five error in the field while he was on the mound. Yosimoto came in relief giving up three runs on two hits. He had three strikeouts in the game. The Thunder had two errors when Yosimoto was pitching. " I was nervous going into the weekend. The weather kept us from practicing much. Even though the practices we had were good, we weren't ready for this matchup" said Dreadfulwater. I expected us to come out flat, but it has been a long time we have a game with so many errors. Taylor did a good job on the mound. But because we had so much trouble with our fielding, it was really had for him (Taylor) to keep focused as seven runs off three hits speaks for it's self" continued Dreadfulwater. Dreadfulwater ended by saying: ' We finally beat them after five tries to win one against them. It was a good win for us since we lost to them last year. We have a quality team this season. We will be competitive this year. I am excited about the up coming season." The Thunder is now 1-1 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Thunder will next play on Sunday June 24 against the Fayetteville Cubs at Thomas Rousey Memorial Field on the campus of Northeastern State University. the double-header will begin at 1:00 p.m. ~By Lynn Womack Sports Writer Tahlequah Daily Press

Braves 5  Marshals 6

Marshals 10  Braves 1

The braves started out good. We actually played all 7 innings in both games. So we are already looking better than last year. Although we lost both games 6-5 and 10-1. Both teams played really good baseball. We had two stolen bases that the umps called us out on. But despite the calls we still tried to win the game. The Braves were down after the heart breaking loss in the first game and couldn't hit the ball the second game. But I promise the Braves have gotten over the first weekend jitters and will be ready to play from now on.--Tony Foshe, Braves

Volcanoes 13  Tigers 11
Very good pitching performances by both squads mixed with both teams
hitting the ball well, yet the Tigers allowed three to four unearned
runs that gave the Volcanoes enough momentum to endure and take the
win...--Robert Coffin, Tigers

White Sox 18  Athletics 4

Athletics 5  White Sox 6

On the inaugural MSBL games at Prairie Grove's Reiff Park, the White Sox came out swinging against the Athletics.  The Athletics have always had a solid team with all of their incarnations throughout the years.  A's pitcher, Marty Harrison, has been a regular stalwart in the league, but just wasn't having his best day this day.  He lasted a few innings in a tight ball game through the 4th until the White Sox found their groove to go up 4-2.  When in the 5th, the A's brought in relief pitching that allowed the flood gates to open in the 5th where the White Sox scored 14 runs.  Key batters during the game were found up and down the order highlighted by Bill Pendergist (2R, 2H, BB, RBI, HBP) and Patrick Taliaferro (1R, 3H, 2RBI, HBP), and Matt Boudreaux (2R, 2H, 6RBI).  Bill Pendergist gets the complete game win in his White Sox debut with 10 Ks, 3ER on just 6 scattered hits in 5 innings.

In the 'nightcap', the game was a tighter affair as expected with these two evenly matched teams.  A's pitcher, Allen, was a tougher adversary and had the White Sox on their heels most of the evening as a light rain made its way into Prairie Grove.  The key Sox at the plate were Patrick Taliaferro (3 for 3 to complete the 6 for 6 day), Mike Lopez with 2 runs scored, and John Michael Hairston whose RBI, timely HBP, and stolen base set up a dramatic finish on Tim Foshe's RBI walk to secure the win in extra innings.  The White Sox welcomed back Andrew Norman to their pitching rotation.  Andrew was key in games during the Sox's Championship run in 2004 and returned to pitch a great complete game 8-inning gem to keep the A's at bay (8IP, 4ER, 6H, 12K).  Norman also helped himself out defensively with 2 putouts and 2 assists.  For the Athletics, only Greg Cusick was having any luck against Norman going 2-3 with a BB and and HBP.  Cusicks run scored in the top of the 7th forced extra innings when the White Sox failed to plate a run.  Patrick Taliaferro squandered his perfect day at the plate by getting caught trying to steal third.  Dustin Wilson made two dandy plays at third base to shut down the A's threat in the top of the 8th inning.  In the bottom frame, John Michael Hairston's aforementioned HBP and stolen base set up a walk by Wilson, a single by Andy Miller to load the bases and then in a surprise substitute of Foshes (Tim for a struggling Robert), Tim Foshe draws the RBI walk-off-walk to end the game.  --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox
 

June 9-10th

Old Style 13 Volcanoes 3  (7 innings)
Volcanoes came out first with one run in each of the first two innings. The Old Style came back with three runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Another run was posted in the 4th. The Volcanoes made a  pitching change in the 5th and that lead to an 8 run inning with the Old Style sending 11 batters to the plate that inning. The Volcanoes got a run in the 6th off of a couple of hits and a couple of walks. The run coming on a walk. The Old Style managed to push across one more run in the 6th and held the Volcanoes scoreless in the 7th to cinch the victory. The Volcanoes seemed to be able to make plenty of contact off of  the Old Style manager but our defense made most of the plays. Credit for the win definitely goes to the defense today.--Jeff Kennett, Old Style

Dodgers 11  Tigers 9

The Tigers opened up with 1 run in the first, which was answered by 1 for the Dodgers. After 4 innings the Tigers had managed 3 more to lead 4-1. After 7 innings the Tigers held a 6-5 edge on the Dodgers. The bottom of the 8th proved to be a disaster for the Tigers. A huge coaching error contributed to 6 unearned runs for the Dodgers. The Tigers fought back in the top of the 9th and managed 3 more, but fell short 11-9 Dodgers. The Tigers coach has since fired himself.---Marvin Undernehr, Tigers

2007 Standings

Final 18+ Official Standings

1.  Fayetteville Brewers

2.  Cassville MO Pirates

3.  Lowell White Sox

4.  Arkansas DiamondBacks

5.  Tahlequah OK Thunder

6.  Fayetteville Cubs

7.  Arkansas Athletics

8.  Arkansas Braves

9.  Fayetteville Strikers

10.  Fort Smith Marshals

Final 25+ Official Standings

1.  FPEC Tigers

2.  Bentonville Dodgers

3.  Volcanoes

4.  Siloam Old Style

2006 Final

2005 Final

2004 Final

2003 Final

2002 Final

2001 Final

Page built and designed by:  Stephen M. Boudreaux.

  Design and original ideas © Boudreaux2001-Present.