Tag Archives: Can-Am League

Jun 29 2012
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The One About the Texas Trip

By Nick Gagalis

This might not be an episode of Friends like the title kinda suggests, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun, right? This may be a bit of a misnomer for a few reasons though, and I’ll explain why.

First of all, we’re hoping there are a bunch of blog posts about the Tornadoes’ two-week trip to Texas, as they battle three different American Association teams. They have a three-game series in Laredo with the Lemurs starting tonight, a four-gamer in Amarillo versus the Sox from Tuesday through Friday and another four contests with the El Paso Diablos from Saturday through Tuesday. We might even have a few surprises for you in some upcoming posts, which might not include any content from yours truly…

In addition, this post is just as much about me as it is the team. I don’t often take the spotlight, because so many people around me do plenty of the hard work (like Davis and Seth), and also because I’m not an arrogant guy. I did use the recent radio broadcasts for a surprise I pulled with my girlfriend though.

I am not with the team in Texas right now, and I won’t be able to call any of the games this trip. There was an issue getting me my airfare and hotel room during the stint in the Lone Star State. (Don’t worry though. We’ll be sharing links to all of the different teams’ broadcasts online, so you can tune in for every pitch. I’ll be listening so I can live tweet and write the game stories too.)

I would have told our listeners about this much sooner, but I wanted to give my girlfriend a pleasant surprise in the middle of our season. I don’t get to spend too much time with her during the season, and I didn’t find out until Monday that I wouldn’t be going with the team anyway.

Because my girlfriend tunes in every once in a while, I didn’t want to give it away. It’s really the first time I’ve been able to keep her unaware of something nice I’ve done for her for that long. Thank for you (unknowingly) being a part of something special for her and I. I’ll still be keeping score in my book, sharing tidbits about the team through social media, and doing pretty much everything except for the most fun part of being a broadcaster.

Being around players all summer helped me realize just how little time we get to spend with those we love. Although I’m disappointed to not be covering the games, I’ll relish the time I get with her. Here’s hoping that you can surprise your favorite player or another important person in your life with something soon.

As always, let me know how I can make the broadcasts even more interesting for you (or how I can help you with a surprise of your own)!

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Jun 11 2012
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Quebec Series Preview

Davis VanOpdorp

The Quebec Capitales pull into Worcester today to prepare for a jam-packed six game series against the Tornadoes. The two teams have split the season series two games a piece. The teams will start the series with two straight days of double headers, playing two seven inning games on Monday and two nine inning games on Tuesday. Here are some things to watch in the series:

1. Chris Torres – The back-up catcher will likely be called upon to allow starter Alex Trezza to sit, which may be good news for the Tornadoes lineup. Torres leads the team in batting average (.353) and slugging percentage (.599). He is also one of only five Tornadoes players to hit multiple home runs in 2012. Also, Jose Canseco has seen inconsistent playing time over the past few weeks, which means Chris Torres could also get some playing time at first base as well.

2. Both Bullpens – The two bullpens in this game have prepared for this series in two very different ways. Tornadoes skipper Chip Plante has saved his bullpen. The only two regular bullpen pitchers that were used twice last week were Michael Bourdon, Nick Serino, and Mike Mullen. Kyle Regnault is also supposed to get a start in Monday’s second game.

Meanwhile, the Quebec Capitales had to tax their bullpen in a 12-7 loss against the New Jersey Jackals on Saturday. Maxim St. Pierre and Chris Cox had to both go two innings after starter Adam Kudryk only lasted four innings in his start, giving up ten runs in the process. The Capitales bullpen also had to deal with an 11 inning game on Friday, where four relievers had to be called upon for mound duty.

3. Tornadoes Outfielders – The trio of Brandon Kelliher, Jerod Edmondson, and Cameron Monger have roamed the Tornadoes outfield for 19 of the team’s 20 games. The only other game where that hasn’t happened is when Plante gave JB Brown the nod in left to spell Kelliher. With a condensed schedule, Edmondson and Monger might get their first games off during the series for Quebec. That also means we might see a new lead-off hitter besides Cameron Monger at the top of the lineup card.

4. The Killer B’s – Outfielders Sebastien Boucher and Steve Brown have been yellow hot (note: pun) over the past week and a half. Brown is hitting .400 with two home runs, six runs, and six RBI over his past ten games. Boucher himself has 11 hits in 23 at bats over the past five games, a .478 average, which is combined with four runs and three RBI.

The Capitales currently sit 1.5 games behind the league leading Jackals with a 12-8 record, whereas the Tornadoes are four games under .500 with an 8-12 record. The gates for tonight 5:05 PM game will open at 3:00 PM. Be sure to like us on facebook, follow us on twitter, and check out our official website for all the latest news and promotions.

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Jun 07 2012
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Is Redemption on the Way?

By Nick Gagalis

Ryan Bicondoa will get the start in just over an hour for the Tornadoes in the rubber game of the series at Les Quebec Capitales. As far as I knew last season, Quebec defeated him in what would probably be his final professional game. The way he spoke after the contest about missing his family, I figured the tough luck start he was issued would end his career. I was happy to learn that wasn’t the case this past off-season.

Nine months later (almost to the day), Bic has another start north of the border against the Caps. The way last night’s game turned out was actually pretty similar to the come-from-behind win for the home club that night toward the end of 2011. Five errors and a late Quebec rally dropped Worcester out of the Can-Am League Playoff Race, as four of the eight runs were unearned, including two in the bottom of the ninth. Last night, there were five miscues (three in the eighth alone), and Les Capitales had yet another rally to win.

In case you’re curious about the other game I mentioned, here’s the box score to the game from last year.

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May 22 2012
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Tornadoes Win!

Davis VanOpdorp

The Tornadoes (2-3) pull out the win in their home opener! They beat Les Quebec Capitales (3-2), with RHP Michael Gedman getting the win and LHP Nick Serino getting the save. Jose Canseco got his first home hit, Johnny Welch hit his first 2012 home run, and the team recorded 15 strike outs. Here’s what I took away from the game:

1. Phil Negus: WOW! What a start by him. The converted reliever for the Tornadoes started a little rusty, but ended the night with nine strikeouts on 84 pitches in five innings. This was a much needed start for the Tornadoes, as they turn it to the top of their rotation for the double header tomorrow.

2. Brandon Pinckney: He just keeps hitting! The former AAA player hit another home run while raising his batting average to .368 on the 2012 campaign. He seems cemented in the number two spot in manager Chip Plante’s lineup for now, and I don’t expect him to slow down any time soon.

3. Jose Canseco: I’m contractually obligated to mention Jose Canseco in a blog post (well not really), but he deserves it. He got a standing ovation in his first at bat and a hit in his second. For a 47-year-old ballplayer, he still has his signature big hack swing working, and skied a pop up that could have been hit onto I-290 if he made contact right.

4. Tornadoes Fielding: a huge wart that the Tornadoes need to get rid of. They had two errors in the game, now giving them nine as a team on the season. Two other plays could have been ruled errors as well, but our official scorer argued for the latter. It will need to improve if the Tornadoes want to have postseason aspirations.

5. The Weather: man was it wet. Usually it would not be much of a story, but the weather could cloud this opening home stand. Rain is supposed to return tomorrow for the double header, which is rather inconvenient.

Hopefully the Torandoes can build on this great victory against the defending champs, and steal one of the two games tomorrow. Gametime for both contests are 11:05 and 7:05 respectively. Select tickets are still available, but given the rare circumstances of tomorrow’s games, tickets will be sold at the ballpark starting at 9:00 AM tomorrow, and the phone and office hours at the 303 Main Street office are to be announced. Remember, tickets are always available online anytime right here.

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May 21 2012
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Opening Day: It’s Finally Here

By Seth Orensky

Hey guys,

After months of anticipation the day is finally here, the Tornadoes will take the field tonight for the first time at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. After a rough 1-3 weekend against the Newark Bears, right-handed pitcher Phil Negus will get his first start in a Tornadoes uniform against the three-time defending champion Quebec Capitales.

While the team struggled in Newark, a few players had big weekends. After playing with a dozen minor league and independent teams, second baseman Brandon Pinckney had a big first weekend with the team going 5-for-15 with a home run and six RBI. Former Capitales pitcher Dan Sausville had a strong debut for the Tornadoes as well, earning the lone win of the weekend Saturday with six strong innings. First baseman Jose Canseco rebounded from a slow start to go 3-for-10 Saturday and Sunday with his first RBI and first multi-hit game.

Make sure to check out our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/worcestertornadoes) and our twitter page (https://twitter.com/#!/worctornadoes) for in-game updates. And check back on the website (http://www.worcestertornadoes.com/) and the blog for all of our post-game coverage.

In the event of inclement weather, check out our Facebook, twitter, website or call the office (508-792-2288) for any potential delays or cancellations.

SIx hours, 46 minutes and 30 seconds and counting. 

 

 

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