2003 Atlantic League Season Gets Underway

Published on May 2, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release


What a way to open the season! Charlie Sherman, Mayor Bernie Streeter, the Granite Statesmen Chorus, and color gurads from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines helped us kick off the season in style. On the field, the Nashua Pride (1-0) knocked off the Atlantic City Surf (0-1) in a slugfest, 10-5, in front of 2,487 fans at Historic Holman Stadium. Former Red Sox pitcher Paxton Crawford got the win in his first start with the Pride.

Crawford got off to a rough start, giving up a two-run homer to Surf left fielder Ric Johnson in the first. The Pride answered back with three of their own against Surf starter Anthony Chavez in the bottom of the first, only to see their brief 3-2 lead disappear when the Surf scored tow more runs against Crawford in the top of the second inning.

After that, however, the game belonged to Nashua. In the bottom of the third, the Pride scored all the runs they would need, plating five runs, three off the bat of Pride OF Curtis Pride, who went 2 for 4 at the plate with 5 RBIs on the night. Thanks to all you fans who came outr andmade the night a success, banging away on those ThunderStix!

The Pride play again tonight at 7:05 vs. the Surf, tomorrow (Sat.) night at 7:05 PM and Sunday at 2:05 PM, all games part of the season opening 4-game series vs. Atlantic City. we have giveaways every game, check out our website for the latest.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Ducks bash 18 hits in win over Pennsylvania (Central Islip, N.Y., May 1, 2003) – The Long Island Ducks opened the 2003 season in smashing style, rocking the Pennsylvania Road Warriors 13-4 at Citibank Park in Central Islip. Outfielder Justin Davies, shortstop Kevin Baez and first baseman Doug Jennings combined for 11 of the Ducks 18 hits. Starting pitcher Mark Thompson picked up the win, pitching six strong innings and allowing one earned run while striking out four batters and walking three.

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Mikkelsen Dominates, Riversharks Win Season Opener 5/1/2003

Camden, N.J. – Lincoln Mikkelsen (1-0) allowed just one hit over seven innings of work and Francisco Morales drove in a pair of runs in his Riversharks debut, as Camden opened the 2003 campaign with a 2-0 shutout victory over the Somerset Patriots at Campbell's Field.

The Patriots, who fell to 0-1 on the season, mustered just two base runners against the 2002 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year. Mikkelsen was in control the entire game as he surrendered a second inning base hit and a fourth inning walk, before retiring the final 10 batters he faced to earn his first win of the 2003 season.

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NEWARK, N.J. -- The Newark Bears scored two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to power past visiting Bridgeport 6-5 in Atlantic League baseball action Thursday night before 6,107 at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The game marked the successful managerial debut of Bears skipper Bill Madlock as well as the Bear debut of Major League baseball Rickey Henderson, who went 1-for-3 with a single.

The Bears scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings by way of solo home runs by Tom Hage and Eddy Martinez. With the game knotted at two, the Bluefish nudged ahead in the top of the sixth with Tony Mota and Cesar Devarez driving in runs.

Trailing 4-2, the defending champions responded, scoring two runs in the seventh as Henderson and Jack Santora each drew bases-loaded walks.

Newark wasn't done, scoring two more times in the eighth as Bryan Britt connected on a home run to right and Newark resident Mike Piercy singled home Al Benjamin to put the home team ahead 6-4. The Bluefish cut the Newark lead to a run in their final at-bat, as Richard Almanzar doubled to left.

Newark's Alberto Castillo, persevered to pick up the save while Andy Hazlett, who yielded just one hit in 2 1/3 innings of work was credited with the victory. T.J. Matthews, Bridgeport's third pitcher of the evening absorbed the loss.

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Canadian American League Stories from May 2, 2003


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