Southern IL Miners Blog

Jon Tapper

2008-08-21T20:23:00.001-05:00

Here's a photo of former Miners pitcher Jon Tapper and his new bride Kristi getting married last month in North Carolina. Just to remind us that there's more to these young men than just baseball.

Miners post win

2008-06-01T01:23:00.000-05:00

Box Score
The Automated ScoreBook
Gateway Grizzlies at SI Miners
May 29, 2008 at Marion,Il (Rent One Park)

Gateway Grizzlies 4 (1-8)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
Malone,R 2b.............. 4 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0
Vincent,J lf............. 5 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 0
Campbell,M cf............ 3 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1
Lisk,C c................. 5 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 1
Holdren,S rf............. 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0
Breyman,M 1b............. 3 0 1 1 1 1 7 1 0
Owens,R 3b............... 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 5
Barbato,A dh............. 2 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0
Minor,R ss............... 3 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 2
Blacksher,D p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mavroulis,C p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Romero Jr,R p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals................... 31 4 7 3 6 8 24 8 9

SI Miners 11 (5-4)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
Roth,T 2b................ 4 2 1 0 1 0 1 2 3
Suttle,E cf.............. 2 2 2 0 2 0 5 0 0
Jones,B 3b............... 4 1 3 3 0 1 1 1 0
Arnett,B 3b............. 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Metropoulous 1b.......... 4 1 0 0 1 2 9 1 0
Keene,W lf............... 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
Dorn,T dh................ 4 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0
Farkes,J rf.............. 5 1 3 3 0 2 0 0 1
Smith,J c................ 4 0 0 0 0 1 8 0 1
Scanzano,M ss............ 3 1 2 1 1 0 3 5 0
Little,C p............... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Dixon,C p............... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals................... 36 11 14 10 6 9 27 10 8

Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Gateway Grizzlies... 110 000 002 - 4 7 0
SI Miners........... 105 110 12X - 11 14 0
-------------------------------------------

DP - Miners 2. LOB - Grizzlies 9; Miners 8. 2B - Jones,B; Farkes,J;
Scanzano,M. 3B - Barbato,A; Roth,T; Suttle,E; Farkes,J. HR - Keene,W. HBP -
Holdren,S; Minor,R. SH - Suttle,E. SF - Campbell,M. SB - Vincent,J.

Gateway Grizzlies IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
Blacksher,D......... 4.0 7 7 7 4 5 18 23
Mavroulis,C......... 3.0 4 2 2 2 2 12 14
Romero Jr,R......... 1.0 3 2 2 0 2 6 6

SI Miners IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
Little,C............ 7.0 4 2 2 5 6 23 30
Dixon,C............. 2.0 3 2 2 1 2 8 10

Win - Little,C (1-0). Loss - Blacksher,D (0-2). Save - None.
WP - Blacksher,D; Little,C. HBP - by Little,C (Holdren,S); by Little,C
(Minor,R). PB - Lisk,C.
Umpires - HP: Shea Walker 1B: Matt Hughes 2B: Steve Dunahue
Start: 7:11 Time: 3:10 Attendance: 4079
Game: SIL05290

Southern Illinois at Gateway Grizzlies

2008-05-22T01:06:00.001-05:00

The Automated ScoreBook
Southern Illinois at Gateway Grizzlies - Play-by-Play
May 21, 2008 at Sauget, IL (GCS Ballpark)

Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Southern Illinois... 010 090 002 - 12 13 2
Gateway Grizzlies... 222 020 001 - 9 13 2
-------------------------------------------

Southern Illinois starters: 1/cf Koski; 14/2b Roth; 35/1b Dorn; 31/dh Metropolous; 21/3b Jones; 25/lf
Keene; 12/rf Suttles; 6/c Smith; 10/ss Scanzano; 38/p Roark;
Gateway Grizzlies starters: 4/2b Malone; 9/3b Saltzgaber; 7/cf Campbell; 33/1b Breyman; 24/rf Holdren;
15/lf Paula; 41/dh Vincent; 21/c Lisk; 3/ss Minor; 2/p Dessau;

Southern Illinois 1st - Koski flied out to cf (0-0). Roth grounded out to 1b unassisted (1-2). Dorn lined
out to 2b (2-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 1st - Malone grounded out to 1b unassisted (1-2). Saltzgaber hit by pitch (2-2). Campbell
homered to right center, 2 RBI (0-0); Saltzgaber scored. Breyman walked (3-2). Holdren struck out
swinging (1-2). Paula flied out to 3b (2-2). 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 2nd - Barbato to lf for Saltzgaber. Paula to 3b. Metropolous homered to left field, RBI
(3-2). Jones singled to left field (1-2). Keene flied out to 1b (0-1). Suttles lined into double play 2b
unassisted (1-1); Jones out on the play. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 2nd - Vincent singled to right field (1-2). Lisk reached on an error by 3b (1-1); Vincent
advanced to second. Minor grounded out to p, SAC (0-1); Lisk advanced to second; Vincent advanced to
third. Malone flied out to cf, SF, RBI (3-2); Lisk advanced to third; Vincent scored, unearned. Barbato
walked (3-2). Campbell singled to right field, RBI (2-2); Barbato advanced to second, advanced to third
on an error by rf, out at home rf to 2b to c; Lisk scored, unearned. 2 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 3rd - Smith singled to left field (1-0). Scanzano struck out swinging (1-2). Koski out at
first 1b to p (2-0); Smith advanced to second. Roth grounded out to 2b (3-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1
LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 3rd - Breyman struck out swinging (1-2). Holdren struck out swinging (1-2). Paula doubled
to left center (1-2). Vincent singled to center field, RBI (1-2); Paula scored. Lisk singled to center
field (2-1); Vincent advanced to third. Minor singled to left field, RBI (0-0); Lisk advanced to second;
Vincent scored. Malone struck out looking (1-2). 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Southern Illinois 4th - Dorn grounded out to ss (2-1). Metropolous struck out swinging (3-2). Jones lined
out to 1b (0-1). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 4th - Arnett to lf for Koski. Keene to rf for Arnett. Suttles to cf. Arnett to lf for
Keene. McKenzie to p for Roark. Barbato struck out looking (1-2). Campbell grounded out to 2b (3-2).
Breyman grounded out to 2b (1-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 5th - Arnett to lf for Metropolous. Keene to dh for Arnett. Keene singled to center field
(3-2). Suttles doubled to left field (0-1); Keene advanced to third. Smith walked (3-2). Scanzano reached
on a fielder's choice, RBI (3-2); Smith advanced to second on an error by 2b; Suttles advanced to third;
Keene scored. Arnett to cf for Koski. Metropolous to lf for Arnett. Arnett homered to left field, 4 RBI
(2-1); Scanzano scored; Smith scored, unearned; Suttles scored. Herman to p for Dessau. Roth hit by pitch
(0-1). Dorn walked (3-0); Roth advanced to second. Metropolous singled to left field, RBI (0-0); Dorn
advanced to second; Roth scored. Jones singled to third base (1-0); Metropolous advanced to second; Dorn
advanced to third. Arnett to lf. Metropolous to dh. Keene to rf. Suttles to cf. Jones advanced to second;
Metropolous advanced to third; Dorn scored on a wild pitch. Keene flied out to 2b (1-2). Suttles flied
out to rf, SF, RBI (2-2); Jones advanced to third; Metropolous scored. Smith doubled to right field, RBI
(1-0); Jones scored. Scanzano grounded out to 3b. 9 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 5th - Holdren struck out swinging (2-2). Paula lined out to 3b (2-2). Vincent singled to
center field (2-2). Lisk homered to left field, 2 RBI (1-1); Vincent scored. Minor flied out to c (0-0).
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 6th - Santerre to p for Herman. Arnett flied out to rf (2-1). Roth walked (3-1). Roth
advanced to second on an error by c, advanced to third. Dorn out at first p to ss to 1b (2-1).
Metropolous grounded out to 2b (0-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 6th - Malone flied out to ss (2-2). Barbato doubled to right center (1-1). Barbato
advanced to third on a wild pitch. Campbell flied out to 1b (2-2). Breyman lined out to 1b (2-2). 0 runs,
1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 7th - Jones lined out to 2b (1-0). Keene grounded out to ss (2-1). Suttles walked (3-1).
Smith singled to left field (2-2); Suttles advanced to second. Scanzano struck out looking (1-2). 0 runs,
1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 7th - Bailey to p for McKenzie. Holdren singled to right field (0-0). Paula hit into
double play 3b to 2b to 1b (2-2); Holdren out on the play. Vincent flied out to lf (1-0). 0 runs, 1 hit,
0 errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 8th - Merricks to p for Santerre. Arnett struck out swinging (1-2). Roth grounded out to

The Automated ScoreBook
Southern Illinois at Gateway Grizzlies - Play-by-Play
May 21, 2008 at Sauget, IL (GCS Ballpark)

2b (2-2). Dorn struck out swinging (0-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 8th - Zavada to p for Bailey. Lisk struck out swinging (2-2). Minor struck out swinging
(2-2). Malone struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b (1-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 9th - Metropolous struck out swinging (2-2). Jones singled to center field (0-2). Keene
homered to right center, 2 RBI (1-2); Jones scored. Suttles walked (3-0). Smith singled to right center
(0-1); Suttles advanced to third. Scanzano struck out looking (1-2). Arnett flied out to rf (1-2). 2
runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 9th - Farkes to rf for Keene. Milner to c for Smith. McMurran to p for Zavada. Barbato
singled to right field (3-1). Campbell doubled to right field (0-1); Barbato advanced to third. Breyman
struck out swinging (2-2). Holdren grounded out to 2b, RBI (0-1); Campbell advanced to third; Barbato
scored. Hope to p for McMurran. Paula flied out to cf (2-1). 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Miners top Railcats to win opener

2008-05-10T23:36:00.001-05:00

BY D.W. NORRIS, For the Southern

MARION - Southern Illinois manager Mike Pinto said he wanted to see how his pitching staff would react to live batters in Saturday's exhibition game with the Gary South Shore Railcats.

He got his answer as seven Miners (1-0) combined to twirl a one-hitter in a 1-0 victory over the Railcats before 1,287 fans at Rent One Park.

Third baseman Brandon Jones drove in shortstop Mike Scanzano for the game-winning run on a fielder's choice in the third inning.

But obviously, the night's storyline was pitching and defense.

The Miners retired the Railcats' final 16 batters and held them hitless after the second inning. None of the Railcats five base runners advanced past second. Only starter Ryan Quigley allowed a hit.

"I saw a lot of good things (out of my pitchers)," Pinto said. "(Jake) McMurran, I liked the way the ball came out of his hand. Brian Blomquist did a very good job. He had a high percentage of first-pitch strikes. I want to say he was near 80 percent."

Blomquist (1-0) had arguably the most effective night in the "Johnny Wholestaff" win, striking out three in two innings. He also started the Railcats' hitless streak.

McMurran tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Griffin Bailey nailed down the win in the ninth.

The guys behind and in front of the pitchers did their jobs, too. The Miners' defense was rock solid up the middle in the win.

"The guys did a good job. We made a lot of nice plays," Pinto said. "The two double plays early on, (catcher) Jake Smith throwing two guys out at second base really showed me something."

All three plays came in the game's first three frames and all three ended what could have turned into big innings for the Railcats (3-1).

"Certainly the pitching staff and the defense of the Miners tonight were sensational," Railcats manager Greg Tagert said.

Scanzano and second baseman Tony Roth turned double plays that ended both the first and second innings with runners on first and second base. Miners first base coach Ralph Santana and Scanzano were the Frontier League's most electrifying double-play combination last season.

Scanzano said he didn't miss a beat with Roth as his pivot man.

"He's great," Scanzano said. "He gets rid of it quick and he did a great job tonight for us."

Smith had a twin killing of his own in the third after lefty George Biddle walked back-to-back batters. Smith easily gunned down Railcats leadoff hitter Mike Reese and right fielder John McCarthy.

"Oh man, he's got a cannon," Scanzano said. "I was definitely impressed. He threw out some quick runners ? he's got a plus-plus arm."

Aside from his defense, Scanzano provided the spark in the Miners' run-scoring third inning with the best at-bat of the night. Scanzano battled back from a 1-2 hole to run the count full. He fouled off a handful of pitches before slicing a leadoff single to right field.

Centerfielder Kevin Koski followed with an infield single. Roth advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt to the right side of the infield to set the stage for Jones' RBI.

First baseman Tim Dorn paced the Miners with a pair of hard-hit singles in his two at-bats.

"It's early, but I'm going to take it as a good thing," Dorn said. "I'm striking the ball well and I just want to keep it rolling day by day."

Left fielder Eric Suttle provided Southern Illinois with its only other hit and designated hitter Joey Metropolous drew a walk. Quigley walked two and hit a batter in his two-inning start. Nick Tisone allowed a walk in the fourth inning.

Up next for the Miners is a pair of exhibition games Monday with host Schaumburg Flyers and the Windy City Thunderbolts, the defending Frontier League champions

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS AVAILABLE SATURDAY

2008-04-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

MARION, Ill. – Fans can purchase tickets for individual Southern Illinois Miners home games at Rent One Park starting Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at the Rent One Park box office as well as the Miners website, www.southernillinoisminers.com. ; The box office will be open until 4 p.m.

“Saturday will be an exciting day for us and our fans,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I recommend that fans looking to buy Opening Day tickets get here early because I anticipate that game selling out pretty quickly.”

Tickets will be $8 for box seats, $6 for reserved seats and $4 for general admission and lawn seats. The Golden Corral Fun Zone will also open at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the first 100 fans will receive a free hot dog.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS ANNOUNCE WEBCASTS FOR ALL 2008 GAMES

2008-04-24T09:44:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – Thanks to a deal with Interactive Broadcast Network Sports (iBN Sports), Southern Illinois Miners fans will be able to watch and listen to all 96 Miners games live over the Internet this season. IBN Sports is a premiere Internet-based broadcast sports television network and will broadcast all Miners home and road games over the iBN Sports Baseball Channel (www.ibnsports.com). ;

“This partnership will be great for the organization and our fans,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “Not only will it be great for Miners fans who can’t make it out to every single game, but the exposure will help our players too.”

The Miners are the first team in the Frontier League to have video webcasts available for all of its games. The webcasts will feature live video from the game along with the voice of Miners radio play-by-play announcer Scott Gierman.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Hey Miners fans

2008-04-22T20:57:00.001-05:00

One month to go!!!!!!!!!!!

KEENE, SUTTLE SET TO RETURN

2008-04-17T22:18:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners are announcing the return of outfielders Eric Suttle and Willie Keene for the 2008 season. Both players were members of the Miners 2007 inaugural team.

In 57 games Keene hit .263 with 12 doubles, three triples and four home runs. He drove in 31 runs. He was hitting over .300 as late as Aug. 5 but recorded just four hits in his final 14 games.

“Willie and Eric both did a nice job for us last season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “Willie hit a wall late in the season after a full college and pro season, and I know he has worked hard to get ready for a full pro season this year. He adds plus power to the outfield mix.”

Suttle played in 56 games, hitting .252 with 10 doubles, two home runs with 18 RBI. The strong-armed outfielder recorded five assists.

“Eric was hitting near .300 before running into the right field wall,” Pinto said, “which really affected him the last few weeks of the season. He runs well, plays excellent defense and adds some speed to our outfield mix.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Frontier League Tryout Camp And Draft to be held at Rent One Park

2008-04-13T10:36:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, May 4th and Monday, May 5th, the Frontier League will host its annual Tryout Camp and Draft at Rent One Park in Marion, IL. The Southern Illinois Miners, the League’s newest member, will serve as the host team.

“We are ecstatic to be partnering with the Miners to host this event,” Commissioner Bill Lee said. “They are a first class organization and they have a first class facility.”

The Tryout Camp and Draft is open to all baseball players who were 27 years old (or younger) on January 1, 2008 and over the age of 18.

“This is the best way for aspiring players to make a Frontier League roster,” Lee said. “All twelve teams will be represented. Each club will draft at least two players to take to spring training.”

Players interested in trying out can register online at www.frontierleague.com/tryouts.php Registration will also be available in person at 8am on Sunday, March 4th at Rent One Park. For more information, contact Kevin Rouch at the Frontier League office via e-mail at krouch@frontierleague.com or telephone at (614) 203-7911.

MINERS INK BIDDLE FOR '08 SEASON

2008-04-10T22:12:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed right-handed pitcher George Biddle for the 2008 season. Biddle spent the 2007 season with the Kansas City Royals organization.

Biddle, 23, split time between three teams in the Royals system in 2007 reaching as high as the Burlington (Iowa) Bees of the Midwest League. Overall, he posted a 3-4 record with a 4.55 ERA in 14 games, four of them starts. He struck out 25 batters in 31.2 innings.

“George is a command pitcher who will work with his sinker in the upper 80s to low 90s,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is efficient on the mound, controls the strike zone and keeps the ball on the ground. We see him as a guy in the rotation for us.”

Biddle finished his impressive college career at Eastern Michigan University ranking second all-time in EMU history with 327.1 innings pitched, sixth all-time with 20 wins and 10th all-time with 172 strikeouts. In 2007, he made 15 appearances and put together an 8-4 record (7-1 conference) and a team best 2.42 ERA. He was also a first team All-Mid-American Conference selection as he finished the season ranked second in the MAC in ERA (2.25), wins (7) and shutouts (2) and ranked third in games started (13) and complete games (2).

Following his 2006 college season, Biddle pitched for the Edenton (N.C.) Steamers of the Coastal Plain League along with current Miners teammate Ben Norton. For Edenton he carried a 1.85 ERA, striking out 33 and walking 18 over 43 innings. Opposing hitters hit .238 against him. He and Norton helped lead the Steamers to a Division Championship.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS LOGO VOTED BEST IN MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

2008-04-07T03:37:00.000-05:00

MARION, Ill. – After a grueling tournament, Big John the Miner can enjoy his one shining moment. The Southern Illinois Miners logo was voted to be the best in all of Minor League Baseball Wednesday morning after defeating the Wichita Wingnuts in the championship match.

Winners in the 64-team tournament were determined by fan voting on CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell’s Sports Biz blog on the CNBC website.

“It was a long road to the end of the tunnel,” said Rovell. “But it comes as no surprise that it was Big John, with his big muscles, pick axe and trusty light, who moved his way through to CNBC.com's Minor League Baseball Logo Championship.”

Over 170,000 votes were cast in Tuesday’s finale, and the Miners logo garnered 55 percent of the vote. The team will receive a plaque this season from CNBC for winning the first CNBC.com Minor League Baseball Logo Championship.

“This is a great honor for the team to receive this recognition,” Miners GM Tim Arseneau said. “We had a lot of fun with this competition, and we just want to thank Darren for coming up with the tournament and all the people who voted for our logo.”

For more on the competition, fans can visit Rovell’s blog on the CNBC website at http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837629.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

FORMER SLU PITCHER JOINS MINERS

2008-04-02T11:51:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed right handed pitcher Ryan Bird for the 2008 season. Norton, 23, spent the 2007 season with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

In 22 total relief appearances with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and Auburn Doubledays, Bird went 5-3 with a 1.80 ERA. He struck out 43 and walked only 11 in 35.0 innings. Opposing hitter hit a paltry .172 against him.

“I had a chance to see Ryan throw last summer before he signed with Toronto,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “I liked his approach on the mound. He throws strikes and has a great out pitch in his breaking ball. This is a very nice addition to the Miners staff.”

Prior to his year with the Jays, Bird played four years at the University of St. Louis where he was one of the most dominant pitchers in school history. A two-time All-Conference selection and an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American, Bird holds school records for career strikeouts (286), innings pitched (374.2) and games started (56). For his career, Bird posted a career 3.60 ERA with the Billikens, striking out 286 and walking only 133. He is second in SLU history in career ERA (3.48), fourth in wins (16), 10th in complete games (8) and 14th in appearances (58).

In 2007 Bird ranked 10th in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 3.33 ERA. He was named Most Outstanding Player in the 2006 Atlantic 10 Tournament, delivering wins in the first and final games of the Billikens championship run.

“Mike wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to go out and find some pitching,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “He’s done a great job going out and signing some quality arms for the team.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS RE-SIGN BAILEY, VICTOR

2008-03-13T20:48:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed infielder Mike Victor and right-handed pitcher Griffin Bailey for the 2008 season.

Victor, 24, hit .243 with five doubles and seven home runs as a rookie with the Miners in 2007. He posted an impressive .538 average in 13 pinch hit at bats. After starting the season at third base in place of an injured Chris Hall, he went on to play six different positions including designated hitter.

“Mike played a number of important roles for us last season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is a big, strong guy who showed power, and as a pinch hitter in critical spots for us, he was tremendous. Mike is a quality guy and a quality player. We are glad to have him back with us.”

Bailey appeared in 15 games, eight of them as a starter, for the Miners in 2007. He finished the season ranked third on the team in strikeouts (45) and fourth on the team in innings pitched (56.0). The 24-year-old former Louisville Cardinal signed with the Houston Astros after college, and recorded a 4.50 ERA in one season with the Astros organization.

“Griffin has a live arm with better than average velocity,” Pinto said. “He worked hard on his mechanics and his approach last season. We believe that Grif has the ability to help this staff this season.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS SIGN TOP ILLINI PITCHER

2008-03-11T14:18:00.001-05:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed right handed pitcher Tanner Roark from the University of Illinois. Roark went 12-2 in his two seasons with the Illini.

The six-foot-two-inch righty was named to the All-Big Ten team when he posted an 8-2 record in 2007. His eight wins and 54.2 innings pitched both ranked second in the Big Ten last season. Roark, 21, will be eligible for the 2008 Major League First-Year Player Draft, which is scheduled for June 5 and 6.

“Tanner is coming here to highlight his skills before the major league draft this June,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He can have an above 90 (miles per hour) fastball with good sink. Tanner is a battler and is very mentally tough on the mound. He will be a great addition to the staff.”

A native of Wilmington, Ill., Roark led Wilmington High School to state championships in 2003 and 2005. He was named the MVP of the tournament in both years.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS DEAL SIMON FOR INFIELDER ROTH

2008-03-07T14:29:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have acquired infielder Tony Roth from the Evansville Otters in exchange for first baseman Scott Simon and a player to be named later.

Roth hit .378 with a .439 on base percentage in 10 games with the Otters in 2007. The former Yankees prospect spent the majority of the 2007 season with the Texas Rangers organization where he advanced as high as Triple-A.

“Tony is the definition of a ‘gamer’,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He can play excellent defense at multiple positions on the infield, and he plays the game all-out all the time. His ability to hit to all fields and his strike zone discipline gives us a lot of options. We really liked what we saw in him on the field against us at the end of last season. He is a great addition to the Miners lineup and I believe he has the skills to be an all-star caliber player for us.”

At Creighton University, Roth hit .322 over his four-year career with a .411 on base percentage before signing with the Yankees. He was twice named first team All-Missouri Valley Conference, an All-MVC Tournament selection in 2005 and Freshman of the Year in 2002. In 2007 he was named to the All-Time MVC Team along with fellow Miner Drew Moffitt.

Simon hit .264 for the Miners in 2007. He played in 62 games and his time was spent between DH and first base. It was the former Northern Illinois Husky’s first season in professional baseball.

“With Tim Dorn coming back from the Cardinals and Joey Metropoulos returning,” Pinto said, “it left Scott without a position here. I really wanted to find him a place to play every day. He is a wonderful young man and a very good hitter. I am proud that he wore our uniform and our entire coaching staff wishes him well.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS RE-SIGN DREW MOFFITT

2008-03-04T18:34:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed outfielder Drew Moffitt for the 2008 season. Moffitt joined the Miners for the final 18 games of the 2007 season and immediately made an impact, hitting .288 with eight extra base hits. It was his first season in professional baseball since 2005.

“Bringing Drew back is a big thing for us,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He brings another big power source to the middle of our lineup. With an off-season spent preparing to play baseball, I think Drew will have a big impact for us. He is a professional and brings a veteran approach to his efforts.”

Moffitt played his college baseball at Wichita State. In three seasons with the Shockers he hit .301 with 60 home runs and a .439 on base percentage. He led the Missouri Valley Conference in home runs for three consecutive years, was a two time All-MVC first team selection and was named to the MVC All-Centennial Team.

Moffitt was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the tenth round of the 2004 draft. In 75 games over two years with the O’s organization, he hit .258 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. He was released following the 2005 season and did not play in 2006.

After taking more than a year and a half away from the game, he joined the Havasu Heat to play in the NBC World Series. He hit .315 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored for the national champion Heat. He was also named to the All-American team in 2007 before joining the Miners.

“The lineup is really starting to take shape with these important players returning,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I can’t wait to get these guys on the field with Mike and get this season started.”

Moffitt enters the season with a one-year status with the Frontier League. He will turn 27 during the season so this will be his final year of eligibility in the league.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS RE-SIGN LITTLE

2008-02-28T13:13:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed right-handed pitcher Chris Little for the 2008 season. Little went 8-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 2007 as he split time between the Miners and the Gateway Grizzlies.

“Chris has a live arm and is expected to be a solid member of this staff,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He brings experience and a very competitive, professional approach to the mound.”

The St. Louis native is entering his seventh season of professional baseball. He joined the Miners in late July when he was traded for left-handed pitcher Brian Logan, who is now with the White Sox organization. In nine appearances with the Miners, eight of them starts, he went 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA. He did not allow an earned run in his final 16.1 innings of the season. Included in that stretch was a complete game three-hit shutout.

“We found Chris to be a very hard worker and very coachable,” Pinto said. “He is on our off-season program now and we are looking at a big year for Chris.”

Little was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2001 draft. He spent one season in the Astros organization before signing with Gateway. He then pitched one season with the Montreal Expos affiliate in Vermont before rejoining the Grizzlies for two more seasons.

“It’s great to see so many important pieces of this team returning,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “Mike deserves a lot of credit for that. I’m looking forward to a great season.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Interview with Drew Moffitt

2008-02-28T03:10:00.006-06:00

Part 1 of getting to know the team. Thank you Drew for taking the time to anwser my questions. I look forward to interviewing as many of the Miners Player's as possible.

Do you have a family, i.e wife, children, ect.? No wife or kids. I do have a dog though. He is a year and a half old Brittany Spaniel. He is an awesome hunter and hopefully a field champion some day.

How long have you played baseball? I got into competitive baseball when I was 12. I was actually big into basketball before that.

Have you ever had any major injuires? I have had wrist surgery, shoulder surgery, and knee surgery. I am also recovering from a badly sprained ankle. I guess thats what I get for thinking I am Michael Jordan.

What are your Minor league professional stats? I am not really sure. I do know it wasn't enough at-bats, thanks Orioles!

What are you hobbies? I love to workout. I go to the gym five to six times a week and do not miss a day. I am also a big hunter, mainly deer and pheasants. Oh yeah, and I am also a HUGE Utah Jazz and Cleveland Browns fan.

What TV shows do you watch? I don't watch tv at all. Actually I don't even have cable. If the Jazz or Browns are on I will go to a bar and grill to watch the game.

Whats your favorite food? I eat extremly healthy in the off season, and try to as much as possible in season. Alot of fish, chicken, rice and vegetables.

What do you do in the offseason? Work with little league teams and give private hitting lessons.

What did you major in through college? Sports administration

What makes you better than the guy beside you? Nothing, he is my best friend. I don't think I am better than anyone,unless you challenge me in a sport or game.

Miner's players, please email me at minersblog@aol.com to be Interviewed by us, This gives the community and beyond a look inside of your life. I'm here to promote your playing and personal abilities as much as I can. Thank you, Dan

MINERS RE-SIGN FORMER SALUKI STAR KOSKI

2008-02-26T21:19:00.000-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed centerfielder Kevin Koski for the 2008 season. The former Southern Illinois Saluki hit .297 as a rookie with the Miners in 2007, but after 25 games his season was cut short when he broke his hamate (wrist) bone in July. He underwent season-ending surgery.

“We project Kevin to be our leadoff man this season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He has a great eye at the plate along with great bat control. Kevin can impact a game with his speed and base running abilities. We expect he will be the table setter for our middle of the lineup guys. Kevin plays great defense and plays the game with abandon. It is great to have him back and healthy.”

While at SIU, Koski was a team captain and set a school record with a 36-game hitting streak that stretched over the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Over his four-year college career, Koski hit .319 and stole 55 bases. While in college, he was named “best pure hitter,” “fastest runner” and “best plate discipline” in the Missouri Valley Conference by Baseball America. He also won first team All-MVC honors.

“Kevin is an exciting player, and we’re glad to see him return,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “Mike has done a great job bringing back so many of our key players from last season.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS RENEW RADIO DEAL WITH 97.7 THE BEAR

2008-02-25T16:39:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners and Clear Channel Radio have renewed a deal that will have all 96 Miners games broadcast live on WQUL-FM 97.7 The Bear for the second year in a row.

“It was great for The Bear to be the flagship station for Miners games during the inaugural season,” Clear Channel General Manager Jerry Crouse said. “This is a successful partnership we hope to continue for years to come.”

Radio announcer Scott Gierman will call the play-by-play for every game as well as host the pre-game and post-game shows. It will be his first season as the voice of the Miners.

“The Bear’s coverage area perfectly matches the footprint of our fan base,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “We had tremendous listenership last season. It was unbelievable to walk into a restaurant and hear our games being played over the restaurant’s sound system.”

Miners fans can pick up The Bear on their radios from Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Perry, Saline, and Williamson Counties.

The Miners open the season on the radio against the Gateway Grizzlies on May 21. The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

MINERS RE-SIGN METROPOULOS, TRADE FOR DIAZ

2008-02-21T09:51:00.000-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners strengthened the right side of the infield this week. The Miners re-signed first baseman Joey Metropoulos for the 2008 season and acquired second baseman Jason Diaz from the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League in exchange for a player to be named later.

Metropolous hit .326 with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 32 RBI in only 39 games with the Miners in 2007. He joined the team in late July following his release from the Lansing Lugnuts, the Single-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Metropoulos started off strong with the Miners as he recorded a hit in 11 of his first 12 games and hit two home runs in his first week with the team.

The former USC Trojan really caught fire as the season ended, finishing the year on a 10-game hit streak. During that stretch he hit .475 with five home runs and 21 RBI and raised his season average from .250 to .326. Although he was only with the team for the final six weeks of the season, Metropoulos hit seven home runs at Rent One Park, more than anyone else.

“Joey is a big bat to return to the Miners lineup,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He really got comfortable here as last season went on. He is a real professional in how he plays the game. We found him to be excellent defensively and a great guy to have on the club. To add him to the middle of the order mix with Tim Dorn, Drew Moffitt and Brandon Jones is a big plus for us.”

“He can really hit,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said of Metropoulos. “He was a great pick up for us last season, and I’m looking forward to watching him hit here again this year.”

In 2007 Diaz spent his rookie season playing second base with the San Angelo Colts of the United League. The left-handed hitting Diaz hit .290 with 5 doubles and 12 RBI in 34 games. The Miners were left with an opening at second base since 2007 all-star second baseball Ralph Santana retired to become a coach with the Miners when he surpassed the Frontier League’s age limit of 27 following last season.

“Jason’s college coach told me about him last winter prior to his senior season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “But with Ralph at second base, it was better that Jason had a chance to go to San Angelo to get some at bats. He brings a lot of tools to the Miners. Jason has excellent base running speed, a controlled swing and an excellent feel for the strike zone. That should give him an opportunity to get on base often for us. He also played excellent defense last season.”

Jason played his college baseball at Texas Wesleyan University where he led the team in hitting with a .390 batting average. He also stole 39 bases in 43 attempts. He earned first team All-Red River Athletic Conference honors and was named Player of the Week on two occasions.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

A note to Miners Players

2008-02-19T17:47:00.002-06:00

My email is minersblog@aol.com I get request all the time from former players you played with, friends, family, ect wanting to get in contact with you. If you would like me to forward these emails to you, drop me a line with your email address, Also let your family and friends know that my stats are live and up to date EVERY game, and they can rely on the Blog for any Information they need about the Southern IL. Miners. Thanks guys Dan

MINERS ADD FORMER JOHN A. LOGAN HITTER

2008-02-14T09:41:00.000-06:00

The Southern Illinois Miners have acquired the rights to former John A. Logan College first baseman/designated hitter Eric Allen from the Edinberg (Texas) Coyotes of the United Baseball League (UBL) in exchange for a player to be named later. The acquisition of Allen will add another left-handed bat to the roster.

“Eric gives us some pop and a great eye from the left side,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He played in a very difficult park for lefties to hit homers last season, and Eric plays a very good first base.”

Allen hit .313 in 2007 with three home runs and 31 RBI and a .406 on base percentage in 66 games split between the Coyotes and the San Angelo Colts, both of the UBL.

He was originally signed by the Miners following the team’s first free agent tryout in 2007. However, with the Miners overabundance of first basemen in spring training last season, Pinto helped Allen catch on with San Angelo thanks to his friendship with Manager Doc Edwards.

“From our experience with him in spring training last year,” Pinto said, “our coaches found him to be a great clubhouse guy and a pleasure to have on the club. I am glad we were able to get him back.”

Allen played at JALC during the 2001 and 2002 seasons and was part of the team that made it to the 2002 Junior College World Series. Over two seasons, Allen hit a combined .395 with 27 doubles, 2 triples, 20 home runs and 96 RBI.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

HOPE, TISONE RE-SIGN WITH MINERS

2008-02-12T13:05:00.000-06:00

February 12, 2008

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners will have two important arms back next year as they have re-signed pitchers Travis Hope and Nick Tisone for the 2008 season.

“These are two great returning pitchers on our roster for the 2008 season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said.

Hope joined the Miners as a starting pitcher in 2007 but quickly settled into the closer role following an early season injury to Jason Adams. Hope was nearly unhittable in the second half of the season as he allowed just one run in 28.1 innings of work after the all-star break. During that stretch he recorded nine saves and posted an ERA of 0.32. He finished the year with a franchise best 14 saves and a 1.61 ERA. He held opposing hitters to a .194 average in the second half and a .235 average overall.

A native of Marion, Hope played high school ball at Marion High School before signing with the New York Mets. In three seasons with the Mets organization, Hope went 11-5 with a 3.73 ERA.

“Travis was my go to guy at the end of games last season,” Pinto said. “He just has such a great mentality for taking the game into his hands with the pressure on, and he seems to thrive in these situations. Closing the game out is such a big part of the game, and I am excited to know I have that part of the roster in hand.”

Tisone led the team in wins (eight), starts (19), innings (127.1) and strikeouts (79) in 2007. He also came within four outs of a perfect game when he threw a one-hit shutout against the Traverse City Beach Bums on July 29. His only base runner in that game came on an eighth inning broken bat single.

Before joining the Miners, Tisone spent two seasons in the Atlanta Braves minor league system. In 42 games, only three of them starts, Tisone posted a combined record of 6-5 with a 3.56 ERA with four Braves affiliates.

“Nick had a great year for us last season,” Pinto said. “I had a chance to see him throw a few weeks ago in Arizona, and with his off-season work, he could be even better for us this year. Nick should be one of the leaders of our rotation this season.”

Hope and Tisone join shortstop Mike Scanzano as the first players to re-sign from the inaugural 2007 season.

“It starts with pitching,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “And we’re bringing back two key ones right here.”

Come on guys, Ebay has Miners GAME WORN JERSEYS

2008-02-09T22:00:00.000-06:00

Click here or copy and paste this to go directly to Mike Scanzano's Jersey.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AUTHENTIC-GAMEWORN-SOUTHERN-ILLINOIS-MINERS-JERSEY-10_W0QQitemZ150214225346QQihZ005QQcategoryZ204QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed catcher Beau Milner and second baseman Robert Ninfo for the 2008 season

2008-02-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

Milner, a 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound catcher played last season for the Regensburg Legionaires of the German Professional League where he hit .410 and helped lead the Legionaires to the final game of the league’s championship. He began his college baseball at Mendocino (Calif.) College and later transferred to Bethany (Calif.) University. While at Mendocino, he led the team in hitting with a .374 average and was a first team All-Big Valley Conference selection two consecutive seasons.

Beau comes highly recommended by a friend who is a former major league scouting director,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “(Miners Coach) Bart Zeller had a chance to work him out last week as well and saw the same thing I had in two other scouting reports. Beau has a plus arm behind the plate, can generate some bat speed and has some power. He will be a good addition to bring to spring training.”Ninfo played the last two years at Newman University in Wichita where he hit .388 in conference play. In 2006 he helped turn a team record 49 double plays for the Newman Jets. That year he helped lead the Jets to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Ninfo played the last two years at Newman University in Wichita where he hit .388 in conference play. In 2006 he helped turn a team record 49 double plays for the Newman Jets. That year he helped lead the Jets to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

He also played the last two summers for the Crestwood Panthers who finished third in the National Baseball Congress World Series in both years. In 2006, he won the award for the Most Spectacular Play of the World Series. Ninfo began his college career at Los Angeles Valley Community College where he also won a conference championship.

The reports I have are that Robert has quite the glove at second,” Pinto said. “We want to continue to be a defensively excellent team on the field and Robert fits the bill of what we are looking for. I am told that he is a real blue collar, gamer-type player who leaves it all out on the field every day

All of the Miners signings are scheduled to report to spring training in Marion during the first week of May.“Mike has done a great job filling in the gaps in our roster this off-season,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I’m looking forward to seeing these guys in May.” The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

ALL-STAR SCANZANO RE-SIGNSMARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed all-star shortstop Mike Scanzano for the 2008 season. This is the first announcement the Miners have made regarding re-signing players from the inaugural 2007 season.In 81 games with the Miners, Scanzano hit .309, 15th best in the Frontier League. The former Pittsburgh Panther posted a .347 batting average prior to the all-star break but battled through an injured right hand in the second half of the season. Despite his injury, Scanzano led all FL shortstops with a .959 fielding percentage in 2007. “I am thrilled to have Mike back,” Pinto said. “He gives us such solid defense in the middle of the field and will be a leader for us this season. Our fans saw the heart and fire he plays with every night. He will be the start of a great list of returning players from last season.”Scanzano will be 27 years old on Opening Day, and Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau is excited to have an important piece of the Miners puzzle back for the 2008 season.“We’re glad to have Scanzano back in Southern Illinois,” Arseneau said. “Our fans can look forward to seeing more of our core players re-sign in the weeks leading up to the season.”The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m

MINERS PICK UP FARKES, ZAVADA

2008-01-24T02:23:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed former University of Connecticut outfielder Josh Farkes and former SIU Edwardsville pitcher Clay Zavada for the 2008 season.

In 2006 at UConn, Farkes posted a .349 batting average and did not commit an error in 52 games. He also earned Player of the Week honors in the Big East. The strong-armed Farkes was slowed during the 2007 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery but still managed to hit five home runs and drive in 26 RBI in 50 games.

“I had a chance to work Josh out down in Clearwater,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is very athletic, has a plus arm from the outfield and showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields along with showing bat speed and some power. Josh also threw off the mound for me and he may be an option there as well.”

Zavada, a hard throwing lefty, comes to the Miners from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. In his 2006 rookie season with the D-backs Pioneer League affiliate, the Missoula Osprey, he posted a 3.47 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 49.1 innings and walked only 15. In his 22 relief appearances he held opposing hitters to a .217 average. Following the death of his father, he took the 2007 season off to get his family farm in order.

“Clay is anxious to get back to baseball after the year off,” Pinto said. “I have watched Clay since his junior college days. He throws hard. He throws strikes and does not allow many base runners. Clay will be a great addition to our staff. He hopes to come in, excel and get himself back to a major league organization.”

Zavada was selected by Arizona in the 30th round of the 2006 draft out of SIUE. In his final season in college he went 5-3 with a 2.42 ERA. He was second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with 90 strikeouts in 70.1 innings.

He is the fifth pitcher the Miners have added to the roster since the end of the 2007 season. Zavada was a college teammate of catcher Jake Smith who the Miners acquired in a trade earlier this week.

“You can tell Mike has really focused on adding pitching depth this season,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I’m sure our fans are eager to see how well this team is shaping up.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

MINERS GAME WORN JERSEYS AVAILABLE FOR AUCTION

2008-01-23T00:58:00.000-06:00

MARION, Ill. – Starting this week fans will have a chance to buy official game worn jerseys from the Southern Illinois Miners inaugural 2007 season. Every week two jerseys will be auctioned individually on eBay.

This will be the only opportunity for Miners fans to own this unique piece of history from the team's record-breaking season at Rent One Park. All jerseys feature the official inaugural 2007 season patch sewn onto the right sleeve and come with a certificate of authenticity.

The first auctions will feature the No. 2 jersey, worn by Eric Harryman and Bryant Perdomo, and the No. 31 jersey, worn by Ryan Hanson and Joey Metropoulos. The auctions of these two jerseys will begin Wednesday, Jan. 23 at noon CST and run through Saturday, Feb. 2 at noon CST.

Every week the team will auction two more jerseys. Starting Feb. 1, all subsequent jersey auctions will run from Friday at noon until the following Friday at noon.

Schedules of future jerseys available for auction will be updated periodically on the Miners website so fans are encouraged to check here for updates.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

MINERS TRADE FOR CATCHER

2008-01-22T11:06:00.000-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have acquired the rights to catcher Jake Smith from the Sioux Falls Canaries of the Northern League for a Player to be named later.

Smith played his college baseball at SIU Edwardsville and played his first two professional seasons in Sioux Falls, the first season under current Miners Manager Mike Pinto.

“Jake was with me two seasons ago,” Pinto said. “And I know what I am getting. He is an excellent catch and throw catcher and has the ability to shut down a running game. His experience in an older league will help him here. He has caught two former major league pitchers over that time. That has given him invaluable lessons in pitch selection.”

With the loss of Rob Wirth and Jason Arrowood to the league age limit following the 2007 season, the Miners were left without a catcher on the 2008 roster.

In his two seasons at SIUE, Smith hit .291 with an on base percentage of .359. He received all- Great Lakes Valley Conference honors following the 2006 season.

“Jake is a quality young man who really wanted to come to the Miners,” Pinto said. “I am glad we were able to get this deal done.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

Information as posted on the Miners Website.

Arnett, McMurran join Miners

2008-01-18T11:36:00.001-06:00

MARION — The Southern Illinois Miners have signed third baseman/outfielder Brad Arnett and right handed pitcher Jake McMurran for the 2008 season.

Both Arnett and McMurran played their college ball at Missouri Baptist University and spent the summer of 2007 playing for the NBC World Series Champion Havasu Heat. Two of their teammates on the Heat were current Miners Drew Moffit and Nick Starnes.

Arnett hit .520 with an .840 slugging percentage to win MVP honors in the NBC World Series. With the Heat in 2007, Arnett hit .432 overall with 15 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 10 stolen bases. He was an all-American at MBU where he hit .373 with five home runs his senior season.

“Everyone I have spoken to has told me that Brad can just flat swing the bat,” Miners manger Mike Pinto said. “He has hit successfully everywhere he has played, and we are glad to add him to the Miners this season.”

McMurran went 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA with his submarine delivery with the Heat. He struck out 41 batters while walking only nine and holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

As a closer at MBU he went 4-2 with four saves in 13 games in 2007. While in college he earned all-America and all-conference honors in the American Midwest Conference.

“The scouting report on Jake is he is a hard thrower from down under,” Pinto said. “He lives on the inner half of the plate and is a flat out competitor. We will most likely use him in the latter part of the ballgame to complement Travis (Hope).”

The Miners have now announced the signing of four players this month including pitchers Jon Bjelland and Nick Starnes last week.

MINERS BOLSTER PITCHING STAFF WITH FIRST SIGNINGS OF 2008

2008-01-10T02:00:00.000-06:00

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed left-handed pitcher Jon Bjelland and right-handed pitcher Nick Starnes for the 2008 season. This is the beginning of Manager Mike Pinto’s commitment to add even more quality arms to the Miners pitching staff.

“We are excited to add Jon and Nick to our pitching staff,” Pinto said. “They are both hard throwers and they throw strikes.”

Bjelland went 11-0 with a 2.17 ERA and struck out 95 batters in 70.2 innings as a senior at Minnesota State University in 2007. This earned him Central Region Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-Region honors. In his career at MSU, Bjelland went 22-1 with a 2.26 ERA, striking out 184 batters in 147 innings.

He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a fifth-year senior in May of 2007. However, he was released by the D-backs when a small tear was found in his rotator cuff. Following successful surgery this past August, Bjelland has completed his rehab and expects to be fully healthy and ready for Miners spring training.

“Jon has shown the ability to win a lot of games over the last four years,” Pinto said. “He is a strikeout guy and is stingy in allowing hits. Jon is a big strong lefty who throws hard. After successful surgery and rehab he could certainly help our club this season.”
Starnes played four seasons at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was a teammate of Miners outfielder Drew Moffitt in the 2007 National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series, the premier semi-pro world baseball tournament.

“Nick has plus velocity and an exceptional breaking ball, and he throws strikes.” Pinto said. “We expect him to compete for one of the spots in the rotation.”

Following his senior year of high school, Starnes was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the ninth round of the 2002 draft but did not sign. That year Baseball America ranked him as the No. 31 best high school prospect.

In 2007 he went 6-0 with a 2.34 ERA with the NBC World Series Champion Havasu Heat. He recorded 47 strikeouts and walked just 11 batters in 34 innings.

“Mike has made a commitment to create a strong pitching staff,” Miners GM Tim Arseneau said. “I know he’s working hard right now to continue to add to this team, and we’ll see even more talent added this year.”

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.

Former Miners reliever signs with White Sox organization

2007-12-21T22:21:00.000-06:00

By Justin Walker, Marion Daily Republican

MARION -- Brian Logan says he doesn't have a favorite professional baseball team. There is no reason to doubt the validity of his statement even though he says it with a chuckle as if declaring neutrality in a war between family members.

It's a good move on his part. Especially now that Logan, who shined as a left-handed middle reliever with the Southern Illinois Miners last summer, is a member of the Chicago White Sox organization. Logan was signed by the American League squad this week and can now say he has been the property of four different major league squads in his young professional career.

"I'm pumped. I'm excited to know I'm getting another chance," Logan said. "I've been in the minors chasing my dream and even though I was let go once, it's nice to feel like someone believes in you. Now I just have to go out and prove it."

Logan, 21, was originally taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 11th round of the Major League Draft after his senior year at Varina High School in Richmond, Va., but turned down a contract offer to attend Louisburg College, where he redshirted due to an injury but was still drafted as a sign-and-follow prospect by the Baltimore Orioles in the 21st round prior to his sophomore year.

Bad luck in the form of mononucleosis caused Logan to see action in just four games that season, but his reputation allowed him to sign as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in rookie ball and was invited to Spring Training but was released in the final week before the season.

That path led to Marion and a key part of the Southern Illinois Miners' inaugural season in the independent Frontier League. Logan was dominant as a southpaw artist used primarily in specialty situations by Miners manager Mike Pinto.

"We would match him up against lefties and you're talking about a lefty with a 91-92 mph fastball with good life on it," Pinto said. "His ball runs in with good late movement and that's not an easy thing to pick up."

Logan was technically a member of the River City Rascals when he was signed by the White Sox. The Miners traded Logan to Gateway in the second half of the season for starter Chris Little, only to regain Logan's services after Gateway traded him to River City with a stipulation that Logan be sent back to the Rascals for the 2008 season.

Logan excelled under the instruction of Miners pitching coach Brad Hall and was named to the Frontier League All-Star Game as a result of some clutch performances last summer. Logan appeared in 28 games while with the Miners, compiling a 3.26 earned run average and striking out 35 batters in 30 1-3 innings. Hitters batted just .263 against him.

"(Hall) worked with me and got me really feeling things," Logan said. "After I was traded it kind of messed up my mindset, but when I came back we got back into it and I understood what he was trying to teach me -- and I was excited about learning what he had to teach me."

Logan began his college career as a starter but was moved to a reliever's role after his bout with mono, a move that paid off for all parties involved.

"I like coming in and being able to throw all your pitches and go right after a guy," Logan said. "I prefer that to being a starter. I keep the mindset that I could come in any inning so I have to be ready. If the starter gets in trouble, I'm ready to go."

Whether it was to preserve a lead or get the Miners out of a sticky situation, Logan was called upon more than any reliever last season to shut down the opposition over the middle innings.

"He came into some tough situations and did a great job," Pinto said. "His being named an all-star was tribute to the job he did. I'm glad we were able to get him back. It worked out well for us."

Logan doesn't know where he'll be assigned within the White Sox organization as of yet.

"I haven't talked to them," he said. "Pinto just called and gave me the heads up and wished me good luck. I'll just continue to work out and hopefully I'll hear something by Christmas."

Logan's goal is to join the White Sox in training camp and this time earn an assignment to a Class A team and take his chances.

"This year I want to start out where I left off, if not go higher," Logan said. "Hopefully I'll go to Spring Training and show them I can compete and then work my way up."

If that doesn't work out, Logan didn't rule out making his way back to Marion sometime in the future.

"That wouldn't be too bad," he said. "I loved my time there."

Although the Miners have yet to play a game in their second season, they've already had two players be picked up by major league organizations. First baseman Tim Dorn was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first half of the Miners' inaugural season.

"Hopefully we'll improve that number next year," Pinto said. "The reason guys come here is for a chance to follow their dreams. I couldn't be happier for Brian. He's worked really hard and we know he has the stuff to succeed there. When he trusts his stuff, he is exceptional."

Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year

2007-12-21T09:50:00.000-06:00

The Southern Illinois Miners were recently named the Marion Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year- the team will receive its award at a banquet to be held on Friday, January 18th

Santana joining Miners coaching staff

2007-12-21T03:14:00.000-06:00

By Justin Walker, Marion Daily Republican

MARION — Ralph Santana spent a lot of time either on first base or a few feet away during the Southern Illinois Miners' inaugural season. He'll continue that trend in the Frontier League squad's second year — in foul territory.

Santana has been hired as a member of the Miners coaching staff, team manager Mike Pinto said. The former second baseman and leadoff hitter will man the first base box and serve as the team's running and infielders coach.

“I like the way they treated me here last year,” Santana said in a press release issued by the team. “I want to stick around and help this team win a championship. I’m looking forward to being a coach and helping these guys get better any way I can.”

Pinto coached Santana while both were with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association and Pinto worked for several months to make Santana a member of the Miners' first team.

Santana quickly became a fan favorite and was one of six Miners named to the Frontier League All-Star Game and the team's lone representative on the postseason All-Star squad.

"I've watched Ralph for two years and watched him mature," Pinto said. "But mostly I've come to watch how he really has a great baseball intelligence. He has baseball smarts. He looks for the little things in the game that will give us an advantage to win.

"And he's a very hard worker. He will work our young guys strongly so they have a lot to look forward to. He will take care of them."

Last year's first base coach, Bart Zeller, will remain a member of the coaching staff along with pitching coach Brad Hall and bullpen coach Sean Patrick, Pinto said. Frontier League rules allow a team as many coaches as its budget will allow.

The 27-year-old Santana exceeded the Frontier League age limit after spending just one year with the Miners. It was the last of seven years in professional baseball, where he compiled a career batting average of .298 and ripped 740 hits.

Santana, a lefthanded batter and righthanded thrower, had more hits than anyone in the Frontier League last season (126) and held a batting average of .342 that was third-best in the league. The Orlando, Fla., native was a big reason why the Miners had the league's highest hit total (936) and finished second in team batting average (.282).

Santana stole a team-high 25 bases last season in addition to knocking in 47 runs — including three home runs — while battling nagging injuries.

He also recorded 270 putouts at second base, often making tough plays look routine. Statistics provided to Pinto by the Frontier League show that Santana had 47 more putouts than the next closest second baseman.

Although Santana's playing days in the Frontier League are over, he could have pursued joining a team in another independent league — former Miners outfielder Andre Marshall has signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association, for example — but after chasing his dream for seven years, has decided to take another route.

"He certainly could've played a number of places and I've received a number of calls," Pinto said. "But I think he's at the point where he has nothing else to prove and has decided to look at the next stage of his life."

Santana has also begun assisting with speed and agility training with Born Athletic, Inc. in Marion, a company expanded earlier this month by owner Dr. Toby Brooks.

The Miners begin their second season May 21 on the road against the Gateway Grizzlies. Their home opener is slated for Saturday, May 24.

SIMMONS RECEIVES AWARD

2007-12-12T22:55:00.000-06:00

Southern Illinois Miners owner Jayne Simmons has been selected by the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago to receive the Club’s Minor League Executive-of-the-Year Award. Simmons will be honored at the organization’s annual awards banquet on Jan. 20 at the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont, Ill.

“I’m very honored, especially for this being our first year,” Simmons said. “It took a lot of hard work to get to this, but I certainly can’t take all of the credit. We have a tremendous staff who just worked their tail off this past year, and it makes me look good. Our staff, our sponsors and our fans, they all combined to make this an unbelievable year.”

The Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago is a professional baseball organization that promotes professionals in the game of baseball in the Chicagoland area. The awards are selected by the Pitch and Hit Club’s board of directors and Honorary Chairman Roland Hemond. Hemond is the former general manager of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles and has been named Major League Executive of the Year three times.

Recent award winners at the Pitch and Hit Club’s annual dinner include Ozzie Guillen, Jim Hendry, Bo Jackson, Mark Prior and Aaron Rowand among others.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Miners' new schedule reveals divisional shift

2007-11-29T22:17:00.000-06:00

By Justin Walker, Marion Daily Republican

MARION — The release of the Southern Illinois Miners' newest schedule ever came with some interesting pieces of information.

The Miners will begin their second season of Frontier League play Wednesday, May 21, in Sauget to begin a three-game series with the Gateway Grizzlies. The home opener is Saturday, May 24, against the Evansville Otters.

What is newsworthy besides the release of the schedule itself is that the Frontier League has become a two-division league, like it was prior to the 2007 season when Southern Illinois and Slippery Rock were added as expansion teams. Last season, teams competed in either the West, East or Central divisions.

The Miners are still in the West Division along with Gateway, River City and Evansville, but have been joined by Windy City and Rockford from the former Central division. Kalamazoo and Traverse City are now members of the East along with Washington, Chillicothe, Florence and the Midwest Sliders.

Yes, the Midwest Sliders.

Although no formal announcement has been made, the Slippery Rock franchise will become a travel-only team this season, Miners manager Mike Pinto confirmed.

Windy City is the Frontier League's defending champion, having knocked off Washington in the championship series. Washington eliminated West division champion Gateway in the division series, while Windy City took out Wild Card winner Rockford to advance.

Pinto said the adjustment to a two-division format — with two division champions joined by two teams with the best remaining records — presents the same challenge as last year to get to the postseason.

"The truth is, you still have to win a lot of games to get in," Pinto said.

The major difference is that the Miners will only have to face teams such as Gateway and River City 12 times instead of 18 like last year. Teams from the West will play six games against East clubs, three at home and three on the road, Sliders excluded.

The Miners opened their inaugural season with six straight road games as construction of Rent One Park was being completed. They also spent spring training at Marion High School's Crisp Sports Complex and John A. Logan College out of necessity.

Having a chance to spend spring training at Rent One Park will be a major plus entering the second season, Pinto said.

"I like having the entire spring training there," Pinto said. "Last year, we were at different places and had to cart equipment from place to place and it was a lot harder than we let on. Everyone was great to help us out, but it wasn't easy."

Pinto was informed that "holiday pack" ticket sales for Miners games have been brisk and said the announcement of new players are coming soon. The addition of utility man Brandon Jones was made earlier this week.

Unlike last season when virtually every future Miner was anonymous, fans already know much of what next year's team will look like. Everyday players such as Tim Dorn, Mike Scanzano, Kevin Koski and Eric Suttle are expected to return, as well as pitchers Travis Hope, Nick Tisone and Chris Little, to name a few.

Deals for new additions are in the works, Pinto said.

And as May approaches, fans now have a schedule to behold as anticipation increases.

"We're at the point where it can't come soon enough," Pinto said.

Catching up

2007-11-19T22:35:00.000-06:00

Windy City pitcher Shawn Phillips has signed with the Florida Marlins. Last season for the ThunderBolts Phililps was 8-4, 2.45 with 100 strikeouts against only 12 walks.
Washington’s Travis Risser signed with the Tampa bay rays (They have dropped “Devil” from their name.) Risser was 4-2, 1.09 for the Wild Things in 2007.
Traverse City has signed lefthanded pitched Jacob Cook. Cook was 3-1, 3.28 for the Gulf Coast Blue jays in 2007. Last month they signed outfielder James Conrad, a speedster who stole 49 bases at Lafayette College this past season.
There will be something new and something old at Wuerfel Park in 2008. New is the playing surface, made of GameDayXpe turf, similar to FieldTurf. Old is the return of Mancino’s Pizza. I ate a Mancino’s when I was in Traverse City a couple of years ago and it’s really good. They have these pizza crust nuggets that are, I think, dipped in butter and then rolled in parmesan cheese. They are similar to the crazy bread at Little Caesar’s but not as greasy and with a firmer exterior. IMHO, Mancino’s is a “must visit” in Traverse City, along with North Peak Brewing.
The Gateway Grizzlies have announced that their 2007 coaching staff of Phil Warren (manager), Darin Kinsolving (hitting) and Randy Martz (pitching) will all return in 2008. No surprise there, considering the great season the Grizzlies had in 2007.
The Florence Freedom has hired a firm to “rebrand” the team. The company will, according to the press release, “will examine all phases of the team’s communication, including logos, mascots, print and digital communication.” I’m not sure exactly what is happening but it sounds as if the Freedom may be looking at a new image. I am impressed that Clint Brown each year improves the operation a bit more.
Scott Gierman has joined the Southern Illinois Miners as play-by-play announcer. Gierman spent the last three seasons calling games for the Savannah Sand Gnats (Single A) and a year prior to that for the Charlotte Knights (Triple A).

Thank you From the Bleachers

MINERS OFFER 10 GAME HOLIDAY PACK OF TICKETS

2007-11-18T10:26:00.001-06:00

MARION, Ill. – This holiday season the Miners are offering fans a great gift idea, a holiday pack of 10 box seats for only $80. The 10 Game Holiday Pack offer is good for any 2008 Miners home game, excluding Opening Day. Holiday Packs will be available beginning on Friday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Miners General Store at Rent One Park. They will also be available on the website.

Of the 10 games, fans can choose five weekday (Sunday-Thursday) games and five weekend (Friday and Saturday) games. Game choices are subject to availability, and seating locations may vary by game. Fans receiving the Holiday Pack as a gift have until Jan. 11 to select their games.

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.

Miners to have new radio voice for 2008 season

2007-11-01T01:19:00.000-05:00

MARION — The Southern Illinois Miners will have a new voice on the team’s radio broadcasts for the 2008 season. Scott Gierman joins the Miners as the new play-by-play announcer and media relations director.

Gierman spent the previous three years with the Savannah Sand Gnats, a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets.

While in Savannah, Gierman headed up the media relations and creative departments. He also called the play-by-play for all Gnats home games over the Internet.

Following the 2006 season, his first as media relations director, Gierman received the honor of South Atlantic League Media Relations Director of the Year.

Prior to his time in Savannah, Gierman also spent a season working with the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

“Scott is a great addition to the team,” Miners general manager Tim Arseneau said. “I’m confident our fans will enjoy listening to the games with him.”

A native of Griffith, Ind., Gierman graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a major in sport communication and a minor in telecommunications.

“I’m excited to be a member of an elite organization,” Gierman said. “I look forward to calling the action for all the great fans in Southern Illinois.”

Gierman replaces Mike Lockert, who called the Miners' inaugural season.

The Miners' home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24
As reported in The Marion Daily 10/31/07

Miners Madness Blowout

2007-10-23T22:50:00.000-05:00

October 27 - Miners Madness Blowout Sale starting at 11:00 am. Along with all the great deals in The General Store, the 101.5 CILFM will be conducting a live radio broadcast.

WELCOME BACK TIM

2007-10-12T00:21:00.000-05:00

Everyone welcome back Tim Dorn, Its official, he signed, he will deliver......

Is he? Will he? I hope so,

2007-10-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

Tim Dorn is reportedly coming back to the Miners, That would be great for us, I hope Tim feels welcome, I'm glad to see him here again. Welcome back Tim.

Mike Pinto says hi.

2007-09-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

Dan:

I had a chance to see your Miners blog for the first time tonight. Congratulations and great job. You should have gotten the Blog of the Year Award!

It will be a long off-season waiting to get going again. It was a great summer and the fans were fantastic. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out there again.

Have a great winter.

All the best,

Mike Pinto

Washington 3, Windy City 10

2007-09-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

Wow. That’s really all you can say after watching this whole series play out. It was back and forth, and one team emerged triumphant.

The Windy City Thunderbolts are that one team. They are the 2007 Frontier League champions.

In the deciding fifth game of the series, the T-Bolts just poured it on in their return to Crestwood. A total of 10 runs were scored. It started on the very first pitch of the game. Washington starter Tom Cochran served it up to Rob Marconi who took it deep for a solo home run. Marconi had a huge game. He had 4 hits. He added two more RBI’s, two more doubles, a single, and a stolen base.

Mike Coles added an RBI on a grounder. Phillip Hawke had two base hits and an RBI. Josh Horn had a base hit. Scott Billak also had a huge game. He had a double, a two run double, and went deep for a solo home run in the eighth inning. John McCarthy had three base hits. He had an RBI and a stolen base. Gavin Concepcion had an RBI on a sacrifice.

Tom Cochran got hit by the Windy City offense so much that he got taken out after 1+ innings of work. The Wild Things would use seven pitchers in this game. Meanwhile, T-Bolts starter Shawn Phillips, who previously had never had a good game against the Wild Things, had a great game. Shawn went 6 and 2/3 innings and struck out six batters and gave up just two walks a few hits. That was more than enough for Windy City’s bullpen to close it out.

For Washington, Jarod Rine had two base hits. Matt Sutton had a double and an RBI. Robbie Knapp had an RBI. Rene Quintana had two base hits. Pat O’Brien had a double. Ryan Bethel had a base hit. The Wild Things could not get it together with a string of hits.

Here are some notes and details:

The Thunderbolts become the first #1 seed in the FL postseason to win the championship in all 5 games of the finals. This is also the sixth time the Washington Wild Things have come up short of their goal, making the playoffs in each of their six years, and second time in the finals, but they didn’t win it all. The sprinklers came on late in the game. There was a small delay. It was pretty funny, to be honest.

The Washington Wild Things defeated the Gateway Grizzlies

2007-09-06T01:07:00.001-05:00

The Washington Wild Things defeated the Gateway Grizzlies once again to take a 2-0 lead in the first round of the Frontier League playoffs. This is the second game that the Wild Things have beaten the Grizzlies at their own game, relying on the long ball.

Mario Garza went deep for home runs twice. He had 4 RBI’s overall. He had a good swing going in this game. Nathan Messner would add a home run of his own. Chris Sidick went 3-for-4 with an RBI. He had an RBI as well. Matt Sutton added an RBI double. Starting pitcher Tom Cochran went 4 and 2/3 innings and had a good game on the mound. He recorded 5 strikeouts.

For Gateway, they sent out Nathan Roush, who wasn’t the #2 starter in the regular season rotation. They could’ve gone with Toro ”The Bull” Trevino, who has been lights out for them. Roush got into trouble right away, giving up 4 runs to the Washington offense. It didn’t get any better for Nathan, and he was pulled not much later.

Jeff Vincent went deep for a solo home run. Dustin Roberts had a good game. He had an RBI double, and RBI single and went deep for a 2-run home run. Stephen Holdren once again hit top tier Wild Things pitching, getting two hits, an infield single and an RBI double.

The defense for the Grizzlies has some flaws. Manny Paula and Charlie Lisk are probably the guys on the team that are most likely to make a defensive mistake. The defense for the Grizzlies was tested often. It’s hard to adjust your fielding when playing in a hitter’s bandbox

Miners lose final game of the year!

2007-09-03T01:27:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for reading my blog, I will be back next year, I will keep up to date as far as any transactions go, but not day to day, it'll be month to month..

Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus

2007-09-02T01:42:00.000-05:00

Evansville beat the Miners tonight, so the Miners are eliminated. Rockford and Kalamazoo split their doubleheader, so the Kings retain a half game lead over the RiverHawks. Kalamazoo is in the driver’s seat, as the only way they can lose is if the RiverHawks sweep both games of tomorrow’s doubleheader between the two teams. It’s do or die time in Rockford.

The playoffs start Tuesday, with Gateway hosting Washington and Windy City hosting either Rockford or Kalamazoo.

Miners lost 5-3

2007-09-02T01:08:00.000-05:00

WP:Stephen Obenchain 6IP, 3ER, 8H, 2BB, 2K LP: Chris Little 5.2IP, 5R, 0ER, 7H, BB, 2K Drew Moffit 2-4,HR(3), 2B, 3RBI SS Mike Scanzano 4 errors JJ Owen 1-4, RBI Kyle Smith 1-4, R, 2RBI Zack Pace 2-4, R, 2B, RBI

Miners walkoff win 8th Straight

2007-08-31T21:37:00.001-05:00

6,264 fans came out tonight to support the Miners in the Miners final home game of the season.

Joey Metropoulos had a great night, Again! RBI Double in the 5th, and an RBI in the 9th to tie the game.

Andre Marshall singled in the game winning run in the bottom of the 12th.

The Miners are 2.5 games behind for the wild card.

Miners Organization win's Awards

2007-08-31T01:20:00.000-05:00

The Southern Illinois Miners were named the Organization of the Year.

2B – Ralph Santana – Southern Illinois Miners

Newspaper of the Year – The Southern Illinoisan

Blog of the Year- Mine, ok maybe not, but I try.

The Frontier League is pleased to announce its 2007 All-Star Team and award winners. In one of the closest votes in League history, Travis Garcia, shortstop of the Chillicothe Paints has been named the League’s Most Valuable Player and wins The Morgan Burkhart Award. Garcia is a 3-time Post-Season All-Star. His stellar defense and clutch hitting led the Paints for the entire season.

Aaron Ledbetter, of the Washington Wild Things claimed the Brian Tollberg Award as the League’s Most Valuable Pitcher. In 2007, he became the new Frontier League career record holder for wins. The right-hander ranked among the League leaders in wins, ERA, and innings pitched.

Windy City Manager, Andy Haines, has won the Roger Hanners Award for Manager of the Year, after leading his club to a new League record for wins in a single season. Haines, in his first year as a manager, led the ThunderBolts to their first Division title and post-season appearance in the club’s history.

In other League Awards, Ryan Basham, outfielder of the Florence Freedom claimed The Jason Simontacchi Award as the League’s Rookie of the Year. The Fran Riordan Citizenship Award was won by River City Rascals pitcher Steve Brook for his many efforts in off-the-field endeavors in the O’Fallon, Missouri area. The Southern Illinois Miners were named the Organization of the Year. Gateway Grizzlies General Manager, Tony Funderburg, was named the Executive of the Year.

The following is the entire list of 2007 All-Star Team and award winners.

1B – Mike Breyman – Gateway Grizzlies
2B – Ralph Santana – Southern Illinois Miners
3B – Joe Ramos – Kalamazoo Kings
SS – Travis Garcia – Chillicothe Paints
OF – Jon Armitage – Gateway Grizzlies
OF – Mike Coles – Windy City ThunderBolts
OF – Jason James – Rockford RiverHawks
C – Mike Russell – Kalamazoo Kings
DH – Dustin Roberts – Gateway Grizzlies
SP – Aaron Ledbetter – Washington Wild Things
RP – Matt Petty – Windy City Thunderbolts

Morgan Burkhart Award (Most Valuable Player) – Travis Garcia – Chillicothe Paints

Brian Tollberg Award (Most Valuable Pitcher) – Aaron Ledbetter – Washington Wild Things

Roger Hanners Award (Manager of the Year) – Andy Haines – Windy City ThunderBolts

Jason Simontacchi Award (Rookie of the Year) – Ryan Basham – Florence Freedom

Fran Riordan Citizenship Award – Steve Brook – River City Rascals

Organization of the Year – Southern Illinois Miners

Executive of the Year – Tony Funderburg – Gateway Grizzlies

Coach of the Year – Brendan Sagara – Windy City ThunderBolts

Trainer of the Year – Geof Manzo – Gateway Grizzlies

Groundskeeper of the Year – Chris Young – River City Rascals

Broadcaster of the Year – Roger Redmon – Florence Freedom

Newspaper of the Year – The Southern Illinoisan

Writer of the Year – Phil Gray – Chillicothe Gazette

Umpire of the Year – Jim Schaly

Marshall's bat helps Miners win 7th Straight

2007-08-30T22:26:00.000-05:00

Chris Little(8-7) Was our Winning Pitcher The Miners won their 7th straight game tonight 14-9 Home runs? Yes, power has been wonderful during this stretch, Hall got one, An Inside the park home run, Head first slide. Andre Marshall got one (A Grand SALAMEEEEEE) 3-5 1 run 6 RBIS for Marshall..Metropoulos has been on fire, he got a 2-run double, way to go Joey. The Miners are just 3 games behind Kalamazoo for that last playoff spot. 4,862 fans watched the Miners win tonight.

WP: Little (8-7) LP: Michael (0-2)

SIL) Marshall HR (5) 6RBI (19 ), Hall HR (13) RBI (55), Metropoulos 2RBI (29)

(EVN) Pace RBI (25), Rachal 3RBI (12), Spry RBI (27), Carr 2RBI (19), Teller RBI (5)

Miners Win 7-4 in Home run Fest

2007-08-30T01:08:00.001-05:00

WOW, What a night, the Miners won, Kalamazoo lost, Rockford lost, 3rd in the wild card just 3.5 games behind Kalamazoo for the last spot in the playoffs. The Miners 47-45 play at Rent One Park again on Thursday against Evansville.

WP: Hope 4-3) LP: Benacka (2-5);

RIV) Miller HR (7) RBI 25) Czyz RBI (18 ) Lup RBI (22), Hough RBI (48);

SIL) Hall RBi 49), Metropoulos HR (9) RBI (27); Scanzano HR (1) RBI (20), Victor RBI (27), Hall HR (12) RBI (51)

Miners win 10-4

2007-08-28T22:06:00.000-05:00

In consecutive order, Andre Marshal, Scott Simon, Jason Arrowood and Chris Hall hit for a combined cycle in a five run third inning that saw the Miners go from Trailing 3-1, to leading 6-3.

Hall, who was already 2-2 with a 2-run homer, lead off the sixth with a single and then later scored when Joey Metropoulos ended an 0-14 streak against the Rascals with a double off Doherty that hit the top of the left field wall to plate Hall making it 7-3.

It was 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth. Taylor Fowler worked a scoreless seventh, but walked the first two he faced in his second inning and was taken out for Jordan Thomson. Metropoulos was the first batter Thomson faced and the big first baseman crushed the Miners second home run of the night to left center to make it 10-4

Lovell (2-1) went seven innings, giving up three earned runs, six hits and struck out two. Both his wins have come against River City this season.

WP: Ben Lovell LP: Steve Brook;:

(SIL) Simon 2RBI (35); Arrowood 2RBI (21), Metropoulos 4RBI (26), Hall 2RBI (48);

(RIV) Czyz RBI (17), Hough HR (8) RBI (47), MIller HR (6) 2RBI (24)

The Miners pull ahead of Rockford for the wild card spot, but Kalamazoo won keeping the wild card lead at 4.5 games.

Miners win 8-1 Now 4.5 Games back of The Wildcard Spot

2007-08-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

Drew Moffitt is becoming a monster, and I don't mean Halloween boogieman. Moffitt hit another HR tonight, going 3-4 with 3 runs. Joey Metropoulus hit a huge HR going 3-5 with a double.

The Miners thanks to Kalamazoo and Rockford both losing are now only 4.5 games behind for the final wild card spot.

WP: Chris Little (6-7) 4.47 LP: Stephen Obenchain 7IP, 6R, 5ER, 12H, BB, 7K

SIL--Drew Moffitt 3-4, 3R, HR(2) Joey Metropoulus 3-5, 2B, HR(7) 4RBI Ralph Santana 3-6, R

EVN--Mike Spry 1-3, RBI

Miners Win 1-0

2007-08-27T00:49:00.000-05:00

The Miners won again on Sunday night 1-0 Kalamazoo also lost which draws us to 5.5 games behind the Kings for the final Playoff spot. Evansville had some good pitching tonight along with solid defense, but Newest Miner Andrew Moffitt had a great hitting night, going 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

WP: Marcus McKenzie (3-3) 6.2IP, 0R, 2H, 5BB, 4K LP: Mark Murray (3-4) 6IP, ER, 7H, 2BB, 2K SV: Travis Hope (14)

SIL- Drew Moffitt 2-3, 2B, R

Miners Win 6-3

2007-08-26T01:08:00.000-05:00

Miners beat out a good Rockford team tonight behind Home runs by Joey Metropoulos and Andrew Moffitt and some good Defense

The Miners picked up a Game and a half on the Kings because the Kings got swept in a double header against Florence. Leaveing the Miners 6.5 games behind Kalamazoo for the final Playoff spot.

WP: Hummel (3-2) LP: Watson (10-2) Save: Hope (13)

(RCK) Hagen RBI (55), Kimbrough RBI (12);

(SIL) Metropoulos HR (6) 4RBI (17), Arrowood RBI (18), Moffitt HR (1) RBI (3)

Miners Win 5-4

2007-08-24T22:48:00.000-05:00

WP: Blomquist (4-8) LP: Parker (6-2) Save: Hope (12)

(SIL) Arroowood 2RBI (17) Perdomo HR (1) RBI (4) Metropoulos HR (5) 2RBI (13);

(RCK) Cohen 2RBI (25), Huskins (19), Hagen RBI (54)

Miners lose 2 vs Rockford

2007-08-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

Miners lost both games of a double header on Wen. 3-1 and 11-7

Double Header today

2007-08-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

The Miners will play 2 games against Rockford today starting at 5:35pm

Go Miners

Miners lose 13-1

2007-08-22T22:20:00.001-05:00

WP: Billy Phillips (7-5) LP: Chris Little (6-7)

Double Header Tuesday

2007-08-21T22:40:00.000-05:00

Game 1

WP: Nick Tisone (8-3) LP: Amos Ramon (5-1) S: Travis Hope (11)

Game 2

WP: Shawn Phillips (7-4) LP: Marcus McKenzie (2-3) Phillips (WCY): CG, 1 H allowed, 5 K, 1 BB

Miners lose 4-1

2007-08-19T01:06:00.000-05:00

ROCKFORD - Rockford got runs in the first and second inning, then added two more in the eighth to take a 4-1 win over Southern Illinois Saturday.

W-Parker (6-1) L-Blomquist (3-8) HR - Sauls 2B - Anthonsen, Hagen, Sweet, Huskins

Southern Illinois only run came in the eighth, when a Mike Victor ground out scored Drew Moffitt. Moffitt finished 3-for-4 for the Miners.

Southern Illinois will try to salvage today's series finale with Rockford before embarking on a three-game set to Windy City beginning Monday

Miners lose 6-4

2007-08-18T02:04:00.000-05:00

The players who were left after 3-4 Miners Including Mike Pinto got ejected after a weird set of events. More Info coming on this.

W - Dowling (6-5) L - Bailey (2-3)

HR: Marshall, Henderson 3B:Simon 2B: Marshall, Arrowood, Sauls

Miners lose 3-1

2007-08-17T01:25:00.000-05:00

The Miners lost today 3-1 and it would have been 3-0 if it were not for New Miner Drew Moffitt in the bottom of the 9th.

LP: Chris Little (2-3), WP: Amos Ramon (5-0),

S: Matt Petty (19);

WCY) Billak RBI (32) HR (3), McCarthy RBI (20);

SIL) Moffitt RBI (1)

The Miners travel to Rockford Game starts at 6:05pm Friday

Miners lose 10-4

2007-08-15T22:57:00.000-05:00

LP: Marcus McKensie (2-2), WP: Shawn Phillps (6-4)

(WCY) Long 2 RBI (54) HR (6), Mejia RBI (16), Concepcion 2 RBI (16), Ramon RBI (12), Coles 2 RBI (61), Marconi RBI (31);

(SIL) Arrowood RBI (13), Santana RBI (46)

4,132

2007-08-15T21:29:00.000-05:00

The new record for attendance on Aug. 15th against Windy City is 218,285 Wonderful Miner Fans.

Info

2007-08-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

New acquisition Drew Moffitt took swings in the batting cage after Tuesday's game and could see action Wednesday night. He is nursing a hamstring injury and will be used as a pinch-hitter until fully recovering, Pinto said.

The Miners released righthander Charlie Hahn to make room for Brian Logan's return.

With the attendance Tuesday night, the Miners' total for its first season is 214,157. That's 3,343 fans away from breaking the previous Frontier League mark set by Gateway.

Miners beat Windy City 10-5

2007-08-14T21:56:00.000-05:00

The Miners hit their way into a win against the best team in the league. Miners had 13 hits, 10 runs, 3 Home Runs.
Andre Marshall hit a HUGE blast over the right field wall, Joey hit 2 Home Runs, way to go Joey. Nick Tisone pitched a great game after the first inning. The Miners stay behind Kalamazoo 3.5 games for the wild card.

WP: Tisone (7-3) LP: Fussell (9-2)

WCY) Coles RBI (59), Long RBI (52), Hawke RBI (68) Horn RBI (43);

SIL) Simon 2RBI (29), Metropoulos 2HR (4) RBI (11), Marshall HR (3) 4RBI (10), Scanzano RBI (18)

Some rules of The Frontier League

2007-08-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

The Frontier League, based in Troy, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States and Western Pennsylvania. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either. Though not part of the official minor league system, its level of play is considered about equal to A-level. The league was formed in 1993.

The Frontier League exists so that professional baseball players who are not signed by a Major or Minor League organization could have another chance at playing at a higher level. Although the level of Frontier League play can be categorized at the single A standard, players in independent baseball are usually not scouted heavily by Major League teams. Many Major League alumni have played for Frontier League teams in an effort get back to the Majors. The league also caters to players who are not quite talented enough to play at a higher level.

Teams in the Frontier League must recruit and sign their own players, which usually consist of undrafted college players or one-time prospects who have been released by their teams.

Frontier League rules limit teams to three "veterans" (those with three or more years of professional experience), two two-year players and seven one-year players (those with at least 150 professional at-bats or 50 innings pitched). The other half of the 24-man roster is confined to rookies. Players cannot be older than 27 as of Jan. 1.

Pay in the Frontier League is minimal, as each team has a salary cap of $60,000 and the league minimum is set at $600 per month. Due to the low pay, players typically live with host families.

The first league champions were Zanesville. Only three teams have won more than one championship: Springfield in 1996 and 1998, Johnstown in 1995 (as the Steal) and in 2000 (as the Johnnies) and Richmond (now Traverse City) in 2001 and 2002. The Florence Freedom (including years as Erie and Johnstown) and the Rockford RiverHawks (including years as Portsmouth and Springfield) are currently tied for the most league championships with each franchise winning three.

Transactions

2007-08-14T17:04:00.000-05:00

Former Wichita State University standout Drew Moffitt is now a Miner, and Brian Logan is a Miner again.

Moffitt, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder/designated hitter In 198 games from 2002-04, hit .300 with 60 home runs and 217 RBI's
Moffitt was first drafted in the 25th round of the 2003 major league draft by Boston, but didn't sign, In 2004, after busting 26 homers for the Shockers, Moffitt improved his draft status. He was then selected in the 10th round by Baltimore, who in turn signed him.

Moffitt, who'll celebrate his 26th birthday this Sunday, played two seasons in the Orioles' organization before being released in 2005.

Brian Logan was 2-1 with a 2.81 earned-run average in 24 games with Southern Illinois, but his trade to Gateway turned into a nightmare. Picking up just five innings of work, Logan had no record with a 14.40 ERA in six games.
We picked him up via Gateway trading him to River City, and Pinto calling River City up and offering a draft pick for him.

Age restricted league

2007-08-14T09:45:00.000-05:00

Hummel, Rick
Hall, Chris
Santana, Ralph
Marshall, Andre
Wirth, Rob
Sounds like an all-star team? Its guys unless I'm figuring wrong, which I hope I am, that will be to old to play next year, the league has an age restriction, which says if your 27 you cant play in the Frontier league.Also all teams have to have a set amount of rookies on the team. Someone tell me I'm mistaken. Please. I hope for our sake I am. I don't wanna lose these guys.

Former Miner Gets Signed by Detroit Tigers

2007-08-13T16:15:00.000-05:00

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For the second time in less than a week, a San Angelo Colt player is on his way to a Major League organization. Only five days after the Yankees signed Stephen Artz, the Colts and United League Baseball announced today that the contract of San Angelo shortstop Eric Harryman has been purchased by the Detroit Tigers.

Harryman, 22 years old, has been assigned to play for the Gulf Coast League Tigers, the Rookie-level affiliate of the big-league club, and is expected to be in uniform with his new team Thursday night. Harryman and Artz join John Anderson and Drew Coffey as the four Colts who have gone onto play affiliated baseball this season.

“Eric is an outstanding young man who has tremendous hands, great instincts as an infielder, and was great to watch here,” said Colts manager Doc Edwards.

Harryman, a defensive specialist, posted a .957 fielding percentage in 39 games as the Colts’ shortstop. He committed only seven errors in 163 total chances and recorded 97 assists with 59 putouts. In addition, the Corona, California native participated in 26 double plays during his time in San Angelo.

After playing at California Baptist University, Harryman began his professional career in 2005 with Yuma of the Golden League. In 70 games there, he hit .256 with nine doubles, three triples, three home runs, 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Splitting time between second base and shortstop, Harryman amazingly only committed four errors in 199 total chances that season.

He began the 2007 season with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League before joining the Colts on June 15. He hit .198 with San Angelo but was surging with a .243 average in July. In addition, Harryman posted seven doubles, one triple, and one homer with nine RBIs and two steals in two attempts.

“If his bat grows the way we expect it to, he will certainly make it to the big leagues because defensively, he’s a Major League shortstop,” said Edwards.

The Colts continue this seven-game homestand with game two of this four-game series against Alexandria at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31; it will be a “Two-for-Tuesday” at Foster Field, as fans can enjoy two hot dogs for the price of one all night.

Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on “Cool 100” – KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts’ official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.

The San Angelo Colts are a part of a six-team league that make up United League Baseball. The independent league has teams located in San Angelo, Laredo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Rio Grande Valley, Texas as well as Alexandria, Louisiana, and began play in the 2006 season.

Taken from http://www.sanangelocolts.com/news/?id=6158

San Angelo Colt's Website.

Wild Card Standings

2007-08-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

As of 8-14:

Kalamazoo 41 32 –
S. Illinois 39 37 3.5
Rockford 37 35 3.5
Chillicothe 37 39 5.5

Miners Win 11-10

2007-08-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

O’Fallon, MO,
The Miners won their 4th straight game tonight, Chris Hall, Andre Marshall and Mike Victor all hit Home Runs on Sunday night on their way to a 11-10 win. A Solo Home Run by Chris Hall , Andre Marshall had a 2 run Home Run, Mike Victor had a 3 run Home Run. These are some high scoring games vs. River City, tonight was no exception. The win tonight was the Miners 15th come from behind win this season. Travis Hope finished off the Rascals in the 9th, but had a tough time of it, the Rascals scored a run on an infield hit, Hope seemed to be affected by the Umpires bad calls.

The Miners are now 39-37, 3.5 games back from Kalamazoo in the Wild card standing’s.

WP: Charlie Hahn (4-3) LP: Joe Newman(0-1)

SV:Travis Hope (10)

RIV - Jeff Miller - 2-5, HR(2), 3 RBI's, 2 runs Angel Colon - 1-3, HR(7), 2 RBI's, 2 runs

SIL - Chris Hall - 3-6, HR(9), 2 RBI's -Andre Marshall 2-6, HR(2), 2B, 3 RBI's

The Miners have Monday off and play at Rent One Park on Tuesday at 7:05pm against Windy City.

Miners win 13-9

2007-08-11T23:42:00.000-05:00

The Miners won tonight behind 18 hits and 13 runs.

Seth Beason had a 2 run hr, Jason Arrowood went 4-4 with a 3 run hr and 5 rbi’s.
Blomquist was pulled in the 2nd inning after giving up 5 runs.
New Miner Andre Marshall had a 2 run Home run,a triple, 2 runs, 3 rbi’s

21 hits on july 8th is the season high for hits in 1 game.

WP: Ben Lovell (1-0) LP: Steve Brook (9-5) SIL - Jason Arrowood - 4-5, HR (2), 5 RBI RIV - Andrew Sweet - 2-4, HR (3), 3 RBI

The Miners play River City again Sunday. The Miners are now above .500 again with a 38-37 record. 3 and a half games behind for the wild card.

Miners Win 8-0

2007-08-10T23:40:00.001-05:00

The Miners shut out the River City Rascals tonight 8-0 behind great pitching by Chris Little. Mike Victor hit a left center 2-run home run. New Miner Andre Marshall got on base 3 of 4 times and had a RBI. Nice Job Chris on your 6 innings of shutout work.

WP: Chris Little (6-5), LP: Gryan Hansen (1-4)

SIL) Marshall RBI (1), Keene RBI (31), Victor 2 RBI (20) HR (5), Hall RBI (38), Arrowood RBI (6)

I was at the game and won the Show me the money contest, in which I had to show my Bank of America card and go crazy. I won $50.00 Woo Hoo way to go me.

The Miners set an attendance record tonight with 6,757 or so and had a great Fireworks show after the game.

Miners travel to O’Fallon, MO to play the rascals in a 2 game set.

New left fielder

2007-08-10T17:21:00.001-05:00

The Miners will have a new left fielder Friday night after Andre Marshall, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound switch-hitter, signs a contract Friday morning. ... Marshall, a former 13th-round draft pick of Philadelphia out of the University of Washington, is expected to provide a big bat in the lineup. ... "He's an LS-2, with three years' experience in the Phillies organization," Pinto said. "He just finished up the MBC World Series in Wichita. He's a big guy who hit 18 homers in a tough Wooden Bat league in Washington

Pray

2007-08-09T23:56:00.000-05:00

For the Miners that are still buried deep beneath the earth in Utah. If the six trapped miners are alive, they may be sitting in inky darkness, their headlamps having burned out. Wearing thin work clothes in the 58-degree cold, they could be chilled to the bone if water is seeping into their chamber 150 stories below ground. How much air they might have is any one's guess.

So lets PRAY! ever one that reads this post please stop and say a prayer for the rescue of the 6 Miners trapped below the earth in Utah.. My heart goes out to them, the family's and to all working to get them out. Thank you

Miners Win 6-2

2007-08-09T22:33:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo Reggie, the best time I've ever had at a Miners game. Reggie was great. And we won, good offense, great, great, defense, and great pitching, Way to go Miners, and Management did great also hiring Reggie.

WP: Marcus McKenzie (2-1), LP: Jonathan Miller (5-3) SV: Hope (10)

(RIV) Miller RBI (11), Bielski RBI (5)

(SIL) Santana 2 RBI (43), Arrowood RBI (5), Hall RBI (37), Beason RBI (3)

Momma told me to cheer the Miners to the Wild card, Thanks Mom for being my Mom, Go Miners!

The Miners play River City Again Friday night at 7:05pm

Miners lose 7-4

2007-08-08T17:02:00.000-05:00

WP: Roush (6-3) LP: Tisone (6-3), Save: Staatz (2)

GTW) Breyman RBI (51), Holdren HR (19) RBI (57) Lisk HR (10) RBI (29), Andrews HR (6) RBI (43) Saltzgaber HR (4) RBI (15);

SIL) Hall RBI (36), Simon RBI (25), Victor 2RBI (18)

Time to make some changes.

2007-08-08T00:46:00.000-05:00

We've got 3-4 players we need to drop. Ouch, I know that hurts to say, But, we want to win, Right?
So here we go,

Seth Beason, batting .188 in 16 games, hitting some dh, pinch running at points.

Mike Victor, batting .226 in 37 games, is he even still with us?

Jon Qualls, He pitches 75 mph, thats his fastball, which is ok, but he has a 5.53 era, batters are hitting .314 against him, which is the 2nd highest opp avg on the team..

This of course is my opinion, and is only that, an opinion. But we need to try and beef up our lineup, Our offense is lacking that blast off hitter, Joey M. is a great add, Jason is a great add, We should trade Jon Qualls for some Rookie prospect or a player to be named while he is still worth something. Seth seems to be needing more at-bats, trade him away.

Miners lose 1-0

2007-08-07T23:29:00.000-05:00

The Miners lose in a pitchers duel 1-0, 1 HUGE blast by Gateway's Andrews was the only offense in the whole game. The Umpire on 1st base made a horrible call on a throw from shortstop to 1st. Us Miners fans let the Ump know he made a mistake. But, that call did not lose the game for us, great defense by both teams, Gateway walking the bases loaded so we can hit into a double play, twice. The Miners play a hot one at 2:05 pm Tomm.

(WP: Hertel (6-1) LP: Bailey (2-2) (Save: Ridener (18) (GTW) Andrews HR (7) RBI (25)

Miners win 5-3

2007-08-06T22:39:00.000-05:00

The Miners came out with a RARE win against the Grizzles 5-3 Monday night in front of 4300 or so at Rent One Park. The Miners are 3-14 against Gateway. The Defensive play and Player of the game in my eyes, Ralph Santana, had a great game. Gateway lead off the first inning with Roberts hitting a huge blast to dead center field, making it 2-0 right out of the gates. The Gateway 2nd baseman gave us a couple of runs on errors, and we pounded out some good timed hits to pull out the win.

WP: Wilburn (1-1), LP: Kellbach (7-1), S: Hope (9);

(GTW) Roberts HR (21) RBI, Andrews RBI (24);

(SIL) Kane RBI (13), Suttle RBI (18), Scanzano RBI (17), Simon RBI (24)

Info

2007-08-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Miners released relief pitcher Scott Holcomb Sunday after getting handled by Gateway.
The Miners will host "Miner's Night" at 7:05 p.m. tonight.

Miners lose 15-2

2007-08-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

WP: Eril Dessau (10-1) LP: Chris Little (1-2)

(GTW) Breyman HR (15) RBI (50), Paula 2HR (9) RBI (30), Holdren RBI (30), Beck RBI (14), Sullivan RBI (27), Vincent 3RBI (42) ;

(SIL) Suttle RBI (17)

Miners play Gateway again Monday night. I'll be at the game Section 113 row B seats 12-13. come say hi.

Congratulations Barry Bonds

2007-08-05T07:50:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Barry Bonds who hit #755 last night. What the man had to endure the last few years most men could not handle. Love him or hate him, the man has created one of the biggest stories of the decade.

With a short swing, a half stare and an emphatic clap of his hands, Barry Bonds rounded the bases. After so many days and so many tries, he had finally caught Hammerin' Hank.

"The hard part is over right now," Bonds said.

No. 755 was a strong shot for all the doubters, an opposite-field drive of 382 feet to left-center, moving Bonds within one swing of having baseball's pinnacle of power all to himself. It came on a 2-1, 91 mph fastball Saturday night.
"This is the hardest thing I've had to do in my entire career," he said. "I had rashes on my head, I felt like I was getting sick at times."
And it was a long time coming.
It had been eight days and 28 plate appearances since Bonds hit his 754th home run, and he came out for early batting practice Saturday, hoping to break his slump. He did it quickly, leading off the second inning.
"No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable," Selig said in a statement.

Way to go Barry!

Miners win 9-4

2007-08-05T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Miners picked up a game on Kalamazoo Sat. night by defeating Traverse City 9-4.
Southern Illinois opened a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and took advantage of five unearned runs to capture the win.

W: Marcus McKenzie (1-1) L: David Nathanson (3-2)

SIL - Joey Metropoulos 2-3, R, 2RBI; Willie Keene 3-4, 2B, BB, 3RBI

TRA - Brad Vericker 3H, 2RBI, BB; Zack Kalter 4-5, 2B, 3R

Gateway at Southern Illinois 2:05 pm at Rent One Park

Miners lose 7-5

2007-08-04T00:49:00.000-05:00

W: Ryan Gehring (5-7) L: Brian Wilburn (0-1) SV: Tyler Meigs (4); TRA - Aaron Garza 2-4, 2 2B, 2RBI; SIL - Ralph Santana 2H, R, 2RBI

The Miners are now 33-34 and below .500 for the first time in awhile. The Miners play Traverse City again Sat. night at 6:05

Miners lose 7-3

2007-08-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

The Miners fell 5 games back of Kalamazoo for the wild card spot with a 7-3 loss to Traverse City. Traverse City scored runs with 2 outs in the 2nd and 3rd inning's, I don't even know where to start, so I wont.

W: Jeremy Dow (1-0) L: Griffin Bailey (2-1) SV: Tyler Meigs (3)

SIL - Eric Suttle, 2H, 2B

TRA - Aaron Garza 3R HR (4); Zack Kalter 3-4, 2B, R, RBI

The Miners play Traverse City again Friday at 6:05pm

Miners lose 7-1

2007-08-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

The Miners are now 4 games behind Kalamazoo for the final wild card spot, and now travel to Traverse City to play a 3 game set.

KZO WP: Trenton Lare (3-1)
SIL LP: Brian Blomquist (3-7)

Miners win 14-7

2007-07-31T21:47:00.000-05:00

Miners beat Kalamazoo tonight 14-7, and moved within 3 games of the wild card spot. Ralph Santana went 2-5 and was hit by a pitch. Kalamazoo had an 8 game win streak over the Miners. We pulled out 21 hits, I think the most hits ever by the Miners. we gave up 11 hits. Chris hall doubled in 6th and scored a run, Joey Metropoulos homered to lead off the 7th inning, Miners scored 7 runs and had 6 hits in the 7th. Chris Little was the Winning pitcher.

The Miners are now 33-31 and play Kalamazoo and then travel to play at Traverse City.

Roster moves:

2007-07-31T01:14:00.000-05:00

The team put right-handed pitcher Chris Tierney on the retired list and center fielder Kevin Koski on the disabled list Sunday. Tierney, who is expected to remain with the team and could pitch for the Miners in 2008, is eligible to be re-activated in 30 days. Koski, who's nursing a broken bone in his wrist, is out at least two weeks, Pinto said.Sean Patrick was also put on the retired list.The moves opened up slots for new catcher Jason Arrowood and new left-handed pitcher Marcus McKenzie. Arrowood was one of the Frontier League's leading hitters in the first month of the season at Gateway. McKenzie could start tonight, Pinto said. The 6-foot, 190-pound rookie was 7-1 with a 6.61 ERA at Minnesota last spring.

Miners lose abunch-to not enough

2007-07-30T22:01:00.000-05:00

Kalamazoo is now be added to the we can't beat these guys list. Along with Chil., Gateway. 16-4? are you kidding me? Keene hit a home run, and a sac fly. Chris Hall also hit a home run, but left the game hurt after trying to catch a foul ball. He was replaced by Byrant Perdomo. Eric Suttle also had an RBI.

WP: Dane DeValk (4-3) LP: Marcus Mckenzie (0-1)

Marcus Mckenzie and Jason Arrowood are the new Miners playing tonight for us. Arrowood is a catcher and I'm guessing is Wirth's replacement.

The Miners play Kalamazoo again in MI. on Tuesday.

Miners win 2-0 Sweep the Beach Bums

2007-07-30T00:50:00.000-05:00

The Miners got the sweep over the Beach Bums on Sunday shutting out the Traverse City hitters for a 2-0 win. Nick Tisone pitched a great game giving up only 1 hit. The Miner s are now are 32-30 and still behind Kalamazoo by 2 games for the wild card spot. SIL now travels to MI. to play Kalamazoo for a 3 game set.

WP: Nick Tisone (6-2) vs. LP: Ryan Gehring (4-7)
(SIL) Suttle RBI (11), Keene RBI (23)

New player for the Miners.

2007-07-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

Benjamin Lovell

Lovell, a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder out of the University of Toledo, went 1-3 in five appearances with the Freedom, including four starts. He gave up 33 hits in 17 2/3 innings with seven walks and ten strikeouts. Overall, with Chillicothe and Florence, Lovell posted a 4-5 mark with a 3.97 ERA in his second Frontier League season.

Miners win 7-3

2007-07-29T01:10:00.000-05:00

WP: Bailey (2-0) LP: (3-6), Save: Lovell (1)

(TRV) Young RBI (5), Braduburry RBI (34)

(SIL) Patrick 2RBI (2) Keene 2RBI (22), Suttle RBI (10), Beason RBI (2), Kane RBI (11)

The Miners are now 31-30 and 1.5 behind Kalamazoo for the final wild card birth. The Miners now play Traverse City at 2:05 pm Sunday for the sweep of the Beach Bums.

Wirth likely done this season

2007-07-28T08:56:00.000-05:00

MARION – Rob Wirth hasn't called it a season, but will be out at least another four weeks after a Friday CAT scan revealed a broken bone in his wrist.Wirth, the Southern Illinois Miners' starting catcher for most of the season, will miss between four and six weeks after getting diagnosed with a broken hamate bone

I'm always optimistic, and I think we will make the playoffs. I plan on, hopefully, coming back," Wirth said as he watched Traverse City take batting practice prior to Friday's game. "Right now, I'm just trying to keep my legs in shape; trying to do anything I can to stay in good baseball shape, I guess. Right now I'm just trying to soak up this bad news."A .298 hitter, Wirth played in 52 games before taking a cut against River City Monday at Rent One Park.Wirth said he hurt the wrist holding the bat too hard or with an awkward swing that night. He scored 30 runs, third-best on the team, and was third on the squad in RBIs (31). Today he will be fitted with a cast, where his wrist will try to heal itself as the Miners try to get back into the wild card race.Doctors told Wirth surgery was probably not his best option, because the bone did not shift when it broke, but the prognosis did little to lessen the blow."It's really a three-prong hit," Miners manager Mike Pinto said. "You're losing a guy in the middle of the order, who hit four for us most of the year. You're losing a .300 hitter and a guy who knows every one of your pitchers, knows the league and calls our games.That's a big hit."Pinto said the wrist would be re-examined in about three weeks.Wirth, 26, wasn't sure if he would return to his hometown of Wonder Lake or stay with the team through its final five weeks of the regular season. Should the Miners make the postseason, the first round of the playoffs would fall in the sixth week of Wirth's rehabilitation."I'm just going to hang around, try to help the catcher, help these guys get to the playoffs, and see what happens," Wirth said.Pinto said he had not signed a catcher as of Friday, and that bullpen coach Sean Patrick should finish out the homestand on the roster as a catcher. Bryant Perdomo started Friday night's game.The Miners host Traverse City tonight and Sunday afternoon before heading to Kalamazoo (Mich.). Patrick was 0-for-2 at the plate Thursday night.ETC: The team held a 10 a.m. practice and took batting practice earlier than usual Friday. ... Griffin Bailey (1-0, 2.76 ERA) is scheduled to take the hill tonight for Southern Illinois against Ryan Gehring (4-6, 3.97) at 7:05. ... The Beach Bums were second in the league in attendance entering Friday's game but last in the Central Division at 25-34.

By Todd Hefferman, The Southern

Miners win 5-3

2007-07-27T22:57:00.000-05:00

The Miners got the win tonight, Ralph Santana hit a home run, his 3rd of the year.

WP: Blomquist (3-6) LP: McClellan (4-5), Save: Hope (8)
(TRV) Orr 2RBI (33), Kalter RBI (27)

(SIL) Santana HR (3) 2RBI (37)
Miners are 30-30 and gained a half game on Kalamazoo for the last wild card spot.

Miners play Traverse City Sat. night at 7:05 pm at Rent One Park

Miners lose 8-6

2007-07-26T22:35:00.000-05:00

Metropoilos hit a home run, way to go Joey. we lost. We're now 29-30 and in a rut. We need to look into some stronger pitching. Some hitting would be nice, below .250 at 25+ games should be gone, 10+ errors at 25+ games, should be gone, era above 6 should be gone. And why is or was Chris hall batting 8th in the lineup when he is one of our best hitters. 8th? he's an rbi machine, maybe he should be in the 4 or 5 spot, but not 8. And yes, I can speak as someone who knows what he's talking about, I'm a Cubs fan, I know every way to lose their is. Our pitching is hurting us, stop the bleeding now, get rid of high era, no saves, no wins, too many er's. How many loses do we need to see some real changes. We trade 2 of our best pitchers, or at least good ones, when its pitching we need, Joey was a good pickup.

WP: DeValk (3-3) LP: Little (0-1) Save: Caldwell (2)

(KAL) Grose RBI (31), Carter RBI (49), Russell RBI (37), Brachold RBI (46)

(SIL) Metropoilos HR (1) 2RBI (2) Simon 2RBI (21), Keene RBI (20), Santana RBI (35)

The Miners play again at Rent One Park on Friday Night

Miners lose 15-2. Pinto, cut em up.

2007-07-26T00:48:00.000-05:00

WP: Fogelson (5-6) LP: Hahn (3-3)

(KAL) Williams RBI (22), Ramos 2RBI (33), Carter RBI (48), Russell HR (10) 4RBI (37), Brachold 2RBI (45), Grose RBI (30), Brady RBI (7), Moron HR (4), 3RBI (26);

(SIL) Suttle 2RBI (9)