Tornadoes Win South Division Title
July 12, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Worcester, MA (July 11, 2005) - The City of Worcester waited 71 years for the return of professional baseball, but upon its arrival it took just one half of a season before it experienced the first title. With a 9-1 win Monday night over the Quebec Capitales, coupled with a loss by the second-place New Jersey Jackals at the hands of the Brockton Rox, the Worcester Tornadoes clinched the South Division first-half title in their inaugural season.
A team known for heart-stopping comebacks and on-field theatrics left nothing to chance on Monday, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looking back.
In fact, the greatest drama came after the game ended. The Tornadoes waited with bated breath as the Jackals attempted an ill-fated, ninth-inning comeback, posting four runs before finally succumbing to the Rox and kicking off the celebration in Worcester.
The Can-Am League operates on a two-half system, meaning that the first and second half of the campaign are almost considered different seasons. When the first half concludes on Wednesday, the teams in first place in the two divisions qualify for the playoffs. On Thursday, all records revert to 0-0 and teams now play for the second half division title. In the post-season, the first and second half champions play each other in a five-game divisional playoff, with the divisional series winners meeting in a best-of-five championship series.
Tickets for the playoffs will first be offered to season ticket holders, after which they will go on sale to the general public. Announcements about tickets for the post-season will be made in the coming weeks.
The Tornadoes earned their way into the playoffs Monday night with the same things that pushed them into first place: strong pitching, timely hitting, and a hard-nosed, business-first attitude embodied by first-year manager Rich Gedman.
Josh Beauregard, as he has done all season, set the tone for the game with a leadoff triple. Though Beauregard was erased at home on a fielder's choice, the Tornadoes continued pumping on all cylinders; Andy Brown joined Omar Pena on the basepaths with a walk, and All-Star Yohanny Valera drove them both home with a mammoth home run to left field.
Worcester manufactured a run in the second when Alex Nunez singled, and Lucas Taylor followed with a bunt single. Nunez advanced to third on a fly out, then scored on Omar Pena's fielder's choice.
Danilo Reynoso improved the lead to 6-0 in the fifth with a two-run homer, then Zach Strong added two more with an RBI single in the sixth to make it 8-0. Beauregard nabbed the final RBI with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning that plated Chris Colabello.
Reid Willett picked up his team-leading fifth win with a gem of a performance, pitching into the eighth inning. He gave up just three hits and a lone run while walking two and striking out five. Eddie Pena pitched 1-1/3 scoreless innings to close out the game.
The Tornadoes have two games remaining in the first half against the Capitales, who have yet to clinch their division. Should Quebec win one of the next two games, or the North Shore Spirit lose one of the next two, the Capitales will win the first-half title and, like the Tornadoes, look ahead to the playoffs.
Worcester has five games remaining in the current homestand, which will end with the All-Star break. Following the Capitales, the Elmira Pioneers will come to town to kick off the second half of play. Tickets for all home games are available at the Tornadoes ticket office at 313 Main Street, over the phone by calling (508) 792-2288, or online by logging on to worcestertornadoes.com.
Canadian American League Stories from July 12, 2005
- Brockton trounced by New Jersey, 16-2 - Brockton Rox
- Quebec clinches North Division title - Can-Am
- Stawarz shuts down Grays - New Haven County Cutters
- Jackals manager reaches milestone in team victory - New Jersey Jackals
- Spirit bats were heard - North Shore Spirit
- Tornadoes Win South Division Title - Worcester Tornadoes
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