North Division Series Game Three Preview
September 4, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
2009 North Division Series Game Three: Wichita Wingnuts (58-38) vs. Lincoln Saltdogs (49-47)
Series Tied 1-1
Where: Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Time: First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
How to catch it: Due to a scheduling conflict, tonight's game will not be carried on 1410AM KGSO. You can hear the game worldwide on the internet at www.sportsjuice.com
TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts look to regain the lead in the series and send righty Derek Blacksher to the mound in Game Three. Blacksher earned the league's 2009 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year award, going 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA. Blacksher led the league in wins, finished seventh in ERA, and tied for fifth with 93 strikeouts. Blacksher won his final six decisions and nine of his last 10. His last start came on August 29th, in a no-decision against Grand Prairie, allowing three earned runs in 6.2 IP. Blacksher went 5-0 in 10 starts at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, with a 3.39 ERA. Blacksher was also 1-0 in three starts against the Saltdogs with an ERA of 3.38. For the second straight year, Blacksher soaked up innings, working into the sixth in 18 of his final 19 starts and pitching six full innings or more in 17 of his last 19. Blacksher issued three or fewer walks in 17 of 20 starts, and allowed three or fewer earned runs in 16 of 20. Blacksher pitched in the postseason last year for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies.
Lincoln looks to build momentum off of their Game Two win by sending rookie righty Tim Brown to the hill. Brown went 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA during the regular season in 17 outings, 10 of them as a starter. Brown was 4-0 as a starting pitcher with an ERA of 2.14. His last regular season outing came on August 30th in the Saltdogs' division clinching win over Sioux Falls. Brown worked three innings in relief, not allowing a run. Brown was signed mid-season after finishing his college career in Kansas at Pittsburgh State University. Brown faced the Wingnuts four times during the season, going 1-0 in four outings, two starts, with a 1.08 ERA. Brown showed great control as a true rookie in 2009, issuing just 10 walks in 62.2 IP. Brown allowed three or fewer earned runs in all seven of his starts.
POSTSEASON NOTES: The Wingnuts bullpen has pitched four scoreless innings over the first two games of their series against Lincoln. Josh Horn, Nick Blasi, and Joe Muich are the only three Wingnuts with at least one hit in each game, while Josh Burrus and Gavin Dickey are the only two for Lincoln.
IN THE SOUTH: After a 7-0 shutout loss in Game One of the South Division Series, the Fort Worth Cats bounced back and took Game Two 8-2 over the Pensacola Pelicans at LaGrave Field. The series is now tied 1-1 heading to Pensacola for Game Three tonight. Antoin Gray is 5 for 8 in the series and has hit a postseason leading two home runs. The Cats are the only team in league history to have made the playoffs in all four years.
Game Four of the North Division Series is scheduled for Saturday, September 5th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
American Association Stories from September 4, 2009
- Pelicans Look Solid in 12-4 Win - Pensacola Pelicans
- Pelicans take lead in series with 12-4 win - Fort Worth Cats
- Blacksher leads Wingnuts to game three win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs lose 5-1 to the Wingnuts - Lincoln Saltdogs
- American Association Recap - AA
- Pelicans to Broadcast Alabama Football Game for Fans - Pensacola Pelicans
- Game Tonight: Game 3 of the South Division Championship Series - Pensacola Pelicans
- Pelicans Giveaway $10K to local Charity and $1K to Fan - Pensacola Pelicans
- Pelicans Giveaway Trip to Disney World - Pensacola Pelicans
- North Division Series Game Three Preview - Wichita Wingnuts
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