Strasburg, USA lose in semifinal to Japan

Story courtesy of usabaseball.com

BEIJING -- Three-run homers by Alexei Bell and Ariel Pestano highlighted a six-run eighth inning as Cuba broke open a close game en route to defeating the U.S. Olympic baseball team, 10-2, on Friday evening in semifinal action at the Wukesong Main Field.
The loss snaps Team USA's four-game winning streak and puts the U.S. in the bronze-medal game against Japan on Saturday morning with first pitch scheduled for 10:30 a.m. local time (Friday night at 10:30 p.m. EDT). Cuba advances to face Korea in the gold-medal game.
Things were tight heading into the late innings with Cuba clinging to a 4-2 lead against the U.S. The Red, White & Blue managed to twice cut two-run deficits in half but could get no more than one run in either the fourth or fifth innings.
Matt Brown (Bellevue, Wash.) tallied a fourth-inning sacrifice fly RBI and Jason Donald (Fresno, Calif.) recorded an RBI single in the fifth to bring the U.S. within a run. That would be the last run scored by the U.S., though, as Cuba went ahead by two runs again on a solo homer by Frederich Cepeda in the sixth inning and kept tacking on.
The offense then started to come together for Cuba in the bottom of the eighth when Michel Enriquez and Cepeda laced back-to-back singles setting the stage for Bell. On a 1-2 pitch from U.S. reliever Jeff Stevens, Bell launched a deep homer into left field to extend the Cubans' lead to 7-2. Cuba continued its offensive attack with three more runs courtesy of Ariel Pestano, who knocked a three-run homer to left field off reliever Blaine Neal.
Cuba would finish the night with a 14-6 advantage in hits with Despaigne's 3-for-4 day at the plate leading the way. Bell, Cepeda and Yuliesky Gourriel added two hits apiece. All nine Cuba starters recorded at least one hit. Cuba also finished with four home runs.
Starting pitcher Norge Luis Vera picked up the win for Cuba after six innings of work allowing two runs -- one earned -- on six hits. The loss fell to U.S. starter Stephen Strasburg (San Diego, Calif.). The right-hander for Team USA went four innings and allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks allowed.
"That was a tough one," said manager Davey Johnson. "We hung too many breaking balls and that was our downfall, and we couldn't get anything going offensively. I thought Stephen [Strasburg] was throwing the ball exceptionally well, but he had 75 pitches after four [innings]. He's got too good a future ahead of him. I didn't want him to go out there and labor at all in the fifth. We were in good position. We just didn't hold them. We made too many mistakes."
Cuba broke ahead, 2-0, in the bottom of the third inning. Giorbis Duvergel reached base on a one-out single and scored on an RBI triple off the bat of Hector Olivera. On the play, U.S. second baseman Brian Barden (Templeton, Calif.) attempted to throw out Olivera at third base but threw errantly to third baseman Mike Hessman (Fountain Valley, Calif.) allowing Olivera to score the second run.
Team USA cut the deficit to 2-1 with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Barden led off with a base hit followed by a single to center field from Nate Schierholtz (Danville, Calif.), giving the U.S. a pair of runners. After a groundout to the left side advanced the runners to second and third, the U.S. scored its first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to left field by Brown.
The lead extended back to two runs, though, as Cuba answered in the bottom of the fourth with Despaigne knocking a two-out solo homer to deep left-center.
Team USA answered in the top of the fifth inning and cut the deficit to a run again with Donald tallying an RBI base hit. That run was unearned, since with one out Lou Marson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) reached base on a fielding error by right fielder Alexei Bell. The catcher reached second base on the play as the ball dropped in between Bell and second baseman Yuliesky Gourriel after miscommunication. Marson would then score when Donald ripped a base hit up the middle, who just edged out the throw at the plate from center fielder Giorbis Duvergel.
"The hitters didn't show up today," said Brian Barden. "We put up two runs early and really didn't get anything going. As a hitter, I take the blame for how the game went along. Stephen [Strasburg] pitched a pretty solid game. The few mistakes that we had -- you can't make those in these big games. You have to come out and pretty much be perfect and today we weren't."

Story about Twister awards

Story about Twister awards from Aug. 12:

In spite of a trying year on the field, several Torrington Twisters were recognized by their general manager and coaches for their performances on and off the field.

Torrington General Manager Kirk Fredriksson and the coaching staff voted on four awards, which are given out each year. The award winners are Robert Chimpky, Brian Baudinet, Corey Huffine, Andrew Triggs and Chase Austin. Huffine and Triggs shared the same award.

Chimpky was chosen for this year's Ryan Kearney Award, which is given to the most outstanding pitcher on the team. Kearney was a lights-out pitcher on the inaugural Twisters team in 1997. Kearney won the league's top pitcher award that season.

"(Chimpky) wasn't afraid to take the ball, no matter what the situation was," Fredriksson said.

Chimpky began the season as the team's set-up man, but quickly shifted into the closer's role after Steve Geltz was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Though he did not get many chances, Chimpky made the most of them, saving five games in five attempts. Chimpky went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 appearances, according to the NECBL's Web site. In 17 1-3 innings, he gave up 11 runs (seven earned) on 20 hits, striking out 24, while walking four. Chimpky made the Southern Division All-Star team.

"A good guy," Fredriksson said. "What he lacks in stature he makes up for in determination."

Brian Baudinet, a Watertown resident, was chosen as the team's most valuable player, the honor for which is the David Benham Award, named after a star player on the 1997 team.

"The kid got better as the season went on," Fredriksson said.
Fredriksson said Baudinet was a fun player to have on the team and added that Baudinet's appearance on the all-star team should be credited to his hard work.Baudinet started every game (37) he played in, hitting .256 with a home run and 14 runs batted in. Though his hitting took a while to come around, Baudinet was a threat on defense, recording six outfield assists and keeping many runners from trying to advance on him as the season wore on.

"We hope to have him back next year," Fredriksson said.

Two players on the team were the recipient of the Jeff Hourigan Sportsmanship Award. Hourigan played in Torrington for three years, making the All-Star team in all three years. But Hourigan was just as valuable off the field, Fredriksson said. Hourigan won the league sportsmanship award in 2004.

"Jeff Hourigan's one of the most outstanding individuals to play for us," Fredriksson said. "Even if he wasn't that kind of player, you want him on your team, because of the way he treats people and the way he treats the team."

The winners are Corey Huffine and Andrew Triggs. Huffine continued to improve in the field at third base and at the plate.

"Corey came in here as a replacement (for another player)," Fredriksson said. "He worked hard every day. He played hard every day."

Fredriksson said Huffine was a great kid.

"He was a real pleasure to have on the team," Fredriksson said. "He's a coach's dream."

Another hard worker was Triggs. Pitching for the first time in two years because of Tommy John surgery, Triggs played hard and took the ball when asked, even if his numbers did not always back up his effort.

"He was one guy who showed up every day," Fredriksson said. "I hope we have him back next year. Just a great kid."

Both Huffine and Triggs got the award because of the sportsmanship, professionalism and attitude that they each exhibited.

Winning the team's batting award was Chase Austin. The award was named after Jimmy Deschaine, who set the league record for batting average in Torrington's first season, hitting .429 in 1997. Austin hit .313 this season with four homers and 22 runs batted in.

"Chase was probably our best hitter this year," Fredriksson said. "He hit for power at times when we needed it. He hit to all fields later in the year."

Recap of Wadsworth and Hubner's first season

Recap of Robin Wadsworth and Rita Hubner's first season as co-owners of the Torrington Twisters from Aug. 7:

A tough year on the field for the Torrington Twisters had a silver lining as it was a year of progress off the field, the team's owner said Wednesday.

Robin Wadsworth and Rita Hubner, both of whom live outside of Boston, took over ownership of the Torrington Twisters in April, just two months before the 2008 season was set to begin.

"I think it was a successful experience," Wadsworth, the team's chairman, said Wednesday. "It was more than anticipated from just a sheer amount of effort that it takes to put it together."

As for rumors about the team's move, Wadsworth and Twisters General Manager Kirk Fredriksson said the team is not going anywhere.

"That's never been a question," Fredriksson said. "That's never even been a question. It's not even an issue. They (the owners) plan on doing everything they can to be here not only this year, but for years to come."

Wadsworth said fans approached her at the end of the season and told her they looked forward to seeing them and coming back next season.

"The facts are that back in July, I personally reached out to (Mayor Ryan Bingham's) office," Wadsworth said.

The purpose of the conversation was a lease for the 2009 season, which Wadsworth wants to be see completed by the end of August. Wadsworth said she wants the development of the lease done in concert with the related organizations in the city, including the Parks and Recreation Commission, the City Council, the Fuessenich Park Steering Committee and the Mayor's Office.

Wadsworth said the rumors about issues with the team or about them moving away are disconcerting.

"It's deflating and it's disheartening because you're trying to do something that you have such incredible passion about," Wadsworth said. "You're trying to do the right thing."

Wadsworth said some of the rumors have come from people who have never taken the time to meet with her.

"They don't know what our long-term plans, strategies or desires are," Wadsworth said.

Wadsworth said there was not much difference between the work she did in Torrington compared to her stint with the Double-AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs from 1985-87. Looking back on her first season with the Twisters, she said she would not have done anything differently.

"I'm not sure that there is," Wadsworth said. "We really didn't have enough time to do everything that we needed to do."

There are some things that she will do differently next year, Wadsworth said without going into detail. With the new ownership in place, the team is expected to lose $12,000 to $13,000, a major change over 2007, when it lost $70,000, Wadsworth said.

"We saw some incredible growth in 2008," she said.

On the field was a different story, where the Twisters finished 14-27 and missed the playoffs.

"I think that from the most holistic perspective, the guys that were here were a great group of guys," Wadsworth said. "I was disappointed with what happened on the field. You get disappointed when you don't make the playoffs and you finish out of contention."

Wadsworth, without naming players, said she was concerned with the effort on display during some games, especially considering some of them have visions of playing in the major leagues.

"You're not going to get there if you're not giving 100 percent 100 percent of the time," she said.

Wadsworth praised the die-hard fans who came to every game.

"There's not a doubt in my mind that they welcomed us with open arms," she said.

The raising of ticket prices from $3 to $6 for general admission and $5 to $8 for box seats did not hurt the team's attendance, Wadsworth said.

"Do I think ticket prices hurt it? Absolutely not," she said.

Wadsworth pointed to special nights such as the Dominican all-star team game, the NECBL All-Star Game and United Way's Night at the Twisters as success stories. She said that all of the exhibition games and other items, including the team's financial system, were set up in a short amount of time.

"We should not lose money next year," Wadsworth said. "There would be no excuse for it."

She said the team would not have lost money had the new ownership come sooner than two months before the season began.

"In two short months, we did it all from scratch," Wadsworth said.

Fredriksson has already been looking at players for next season, he said, while organization of other events is also beginning.

"He's got a pretty strong bead on a bunch of guys," Wadsworth said.

Wadsworth and Fredriksson are working on getting international teams to come to Torrington for an exhibition series.

"I personally am working directly with Major League Baseball," Wadsworth said. "Kirk is working with other countries. We're looking to put together a series that makes this year pale in comparison."

Wadsworth and Hubner brought in David and Paula Tedham of Vancouver, British Columbia, as minority owners in late July. The Tedhams will bring in further organizational experience, Wadsworth said.

Recap of Twister season

Twisters recap story from Aug. 5:

The wheels are already turning for the Torrington Twisters after finishing a frustrating season with a tough 1-0, 10-inning loss to the North Shore Navigators on Thursday.

General Manager Kirk Fredriksson is already looking at players for next season, including some in Connecticut.

A difficult 14-27 season ended with Torrington dropping 18 of its final 23 games after being tied for first place with a 9-9 record on July 6.

"We were 9-9 and were in first place," Twisters coach Gregg Hunt said. "We knew that wasn't going to continue. We thought we had a legitimate shot to get on the right track."

Torrington got to .500 at 9-9 with a 3-2, 11-inning win over in North Adams against the SteepleCats. A Jaren Mathews homer in the 11th won the game.

The euphoria was shortlived, as the Twisters made another trip to North Adams the next night. Torrington made eight errors and lost 13-3.

"Everything seemed to go downhill after that game," Hunt said.

Players forced to play out of position in the field and in the batting order due to a host of injuries and players leaving early for different reasons contributed to the Twisters' slide, Hunt said.

"(The roster) never gelled and we had some guys that we were depending on coming here," Hunt said. "We probably passed on some guys that in hindsight maybe we should have gone after."

It didn't help that Torrington was rained out 14 times this season.

"With the number of rainouts we had, we didn't have any rhythm," Fredriksson said.

Fredriksson said it was hard to lose the players that the Twisters lost early in the season.

"Baseball's a game of exposure," he said. "To the kids' credit, most of them dealt with it well."

Torrington had a 19-player turnover for the season, Hunt said. It started before the season ever began.

Catcher Kevin Silvett of San Diego State, Southern California pitcher Ryan Cabral, pitcher Michael Dixon of San Diego State, Central Michigan infielder Billy Anderson and Arizona shortstop Bryce Ortega could not make it due to injuries. Brigham Young's Steve Parker, a good player for the Twisters last season, went to summer school. James Teas of Central Michigan also did not make it. Chris Epps of Clemson had offseason surgery and was unable to join the team. Others that did not play a game in Torrington included Ryan Wilkins of Lipscomb and Kory Twede of Wright State.

Other players who left for various reasons included Aaron Barrows, Goshen's Andrew Rocco, Kevin Mager, Scott Shuman and Clay Caulfield.

Blake Silguero, a player who hit for power at Cisco Junior College in Texas, played just four games and was sent home because of a back injury. USC's Jordan Hershiser, son of former major league pitcher Orel Hershiser, left because of an arm injury. Robert Papenhause, an infielder from Brown, played in one game, breaking his wrist on a swing.

Steve Geltz, who was slated to be Torrington's closer, was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after pitching in three games for the Twisters.

Turnover is not unusual in summer leagues, but Torrington got bit by it early and often this season.

The statistical bottom line for the Twisters is not pretty.

Offensively, Torrington was tied for last in the NECBL in team batting average (.218), second to last in runs batted in (129), second to last in slugging percentage (.309), second to last in runs scored (146), second to last in on-base percentage (.300) and second to last in sacrifice hits (7). When the Twisters did get on base, they made life tough on opposing catchers, finishing fifth in the league in stolen bases (62).

The offensive woes did not make life easy for Torrington's pitching staff.

"Our pitchers are thinking, 'I got to hold teams to three runs or less or we have no chance to win,'" Hunt said.

Another problem was the Twisters had a hard time holding down their opponents in the first few innings of a game. Torrington was outscored by its opponents 38-24 in the first inning, 26-15 in the second, 29-13 in the third and 30-6 in the fourth. For an offense that had trouble scoring runs, being put behind the 8-ball early did not help. Torrington was 2-13 when opponents scored in the first inning and was 1-15 when its opponent scored first in a game. Comebacks were also not in the cards for the Twisters. Torrington was 3-24 when trailing after six innings, and that record slipped to 1-19 when trailing after seven and 1-21 when trailing after eight.

"We had games where we would not do well in the beginning and we were out of it," Fredriksson said.

The pitching staff was hurt by injuries and inconsistency. Several pitchers had good performances at the end of the year, but were hurt by a lack of run support.

Overall, the Twisters finished third to last in team earned run average (4.44), fourth in most hits allowed (350), second in most runs allowed (232), third in most walks allowed (183), tied for fourth in most triples allowed (8), fourth in most hit batters (40), tied for first in most wild pitches (37) and for second in most balks (6). On the positive side, Torrington pitchers finished tied for third in most strikeouts (346). Twisters hurlers also had the second most strikeouts where batters were called out looking with 105.

Torrington will not change how it recruits despite its worst record in its 12th season, Fredriksson said."We'll recruit the same," Fredriksson said. "You can't have that bad a luck every year. You can't lose 19 players every year."Baseball is a game of adjustments, Hunt said, and everyone from owners to general managers to coaches will make the necessary changes."

Strasburg blog on San Diego State site

Stephen Strasburg, a former star pitcher for the Torrington Twisters, is writing a blog about his Olympic experience with Team USA in Beijing, according to San Diego State's athletics Web site.
Strasburg is sharing his thoughts and experiences on the blog, according to the site. To read Strasburg's blog, go to:
http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/strasburg-blog.html

Strasburg, USA pick up first win in Beijing

Former Torrington Twister Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State) helped keep Team USA alive in pool play in Beijing with a 7-0 rain-shortened win over the Netherlands, according to Team USA's Web site.
Strasburg went 7 scoreless innings, striking out 11 while walking just 1. He retired the first 13 batters he faced, 8 of which were by strikeout. Strasburg pitched 4 1/3 perfect innings and carried a no-hitter into the 7th. The only hit was a one-out single to Sharnol Adriana in the 7th. Strasburg's strikeout total was the third highest for a U.S. pitcher in Olympic baseball and just 3 off of the record. The game ended after 8 innings due to rain.
Team USA is 1-1 and next takes on Team Cuba at 11 p.m. EDT on Friday.

Torrington's season over

A trying season for the Torrington Twisters came to a rough close Thursday with a 1-0, 10-inning, loss to the North Shore Navigators.
Torrington wasted a good performance by USC's Danny Beck (9 1/3 innings, 1 run, 9 hits, 3 strikeouts, 5 walks), managing just four hits. North Shore won the game on a game-winning single by Kent Graham (Trinity College) with one out in the bottom of the 10th. The teams combined to leave 21 runners on base. The Twisters left eight runners on, including a runner on second with one out in the ninth. Torrington also could not take advantage of two Navigator errors, one in the seventh and one in the ninth that allowed Alejandro Crisostomo (St. Augustine College) to reach second with one out. Crisostomo led the Twisters with two hits while Corey Shimada (Utah) and Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) added one hit apiece.
Graham led North Shore, going 3-for-5, while Nick Belcher (Eastern Tennessee State) and Tyler Kuehl (Point Loma Nazarene) went 2-for-4. Kuehl scored the game-winning run. Joshua Garton (Volunteer State Community College) and Chad Zurcher (Memphis) added a hit apiece for the Navigators (26-15).
The game was played at MacKenzie Field in Holyoke because North Shore was scheduled to play the Holyoke Blue Sox after they had played Torrington. The game did not start for over three hours due to torrential rains. The Twisters finished the season at 14-27.
Torrington lost another opportunity to keep its playoff hopes alive as Manchester was pounded 12-3 at home by Vermont. The Twisters finished 2 games out of the final playoff spot.
After reaching the .500 mark at 9-9 with a 3-2 11-inning triumph over North Adams, Torrington went 5-18 to end the year.