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Extra Innings Rev. Barry Abraham Zavah
Smoking may have been banned on the campus of Sul Ross University but not inside Kokernot Field. The Cowboys returned home and took 3 of 4 against the visiting Trinidad Triggers! Last weekend�s series picked right-up where the Boys left-off before hitting the trail May 20th � 12 doubles were hit in those 4 games � Alpine displayed aggressive base running � Here�s more of what�s what in a series where everyone contributed to a successful outcome:Game 1 was a 11-1 pasting of Trinidad supported by stellar defense (what�s new?) and an offensive display running into double digits including 5 doubles � Cowboy�s starting ace RHP Chris Welborn lowered his ERA to a miserly 1.35 going the distance with 10 strikeouts and mowing �em down in order in the 7th. Game 2 was marked with excellent relief work by RHP Alfredo Caballero, an offensive performance with 4 more of the weekend�s double-fest � Each Cowboys� batter had at least one hit contributing to a dramatic 6-5 victory (more about that, below). Game 3 had excitement galore notwithstanding a 3-2 heart-wrenching 1 run loss � Fans were treated to stellar pitching from each club�s staff including another masterful job by our own Senior Caballero who continues to sizzle ... Speaking of �cooking�, an unofficial eyeball survey of Reata culinary delights making their way from the concession stand into the grand stand has nachos clearly in front � Those dogs sure look pretty and plump sitting there in a bun � Add some chili?Game 4 was a 5-4 squeaker with several controversial calls and neither team willing to give an inch ... That�s right, the aforementioned Caballero notched the save. No wonder his arm was wrapped in ice. Among the highlights: Between injuries and players noticed by teams in higher levels of Indy ball, there�s been some roster moves: RHP Rob Cooper was traded to the London Rippers of the Frontier League, IF Wes Patterson has been brought in and made his presence known at 3rd in Saturday�s double header � LHP Steve Merslich; with the Cowboys and Carlsbad in 2011, just returned and started last Sunday recording 5 strikeouts in 6 innings � Unable to make it to Kokernot on game day or wonder what�s what when the team is on the road? Our little piece of paradise is blessed to have KVLF 1240 AM or KVLP 92.7 FM provide most of the Alpine Cowboys� games live and/or streamed via the Internet. You�ll find the schedule on-line at http://www.bigbendradio.com/ � The Pecos League offers play by play game day coverage on their website, http://www.pecosleague.com/. Look at the left side of the home page for the listed game and click on the small adjacent baseball diamond icon � Stay tuned to the Alpine Daily Planet, http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/alpine-daily-planet/, for interviews with your favorite Cowboys players and those behind the scenes making it possible to enjoy pro ball at Kokernot. A lowlight among the highlights: In game 2 of the Triggers series, oft aggressive CF Andrew Riddick demonstrated how and why he�s worn-out his welcome in Alpine and other venues, such as last year with White Sands. Coach Stevens acknowledges his talent, but in charging home from 3rd upon a long fly ball to center that allowed an easy run to score, C Justin McDavid stepped away and to the infield side of the plate so as not to interfere with the runner. But Riddick charged McDavid in a way unacceptable in ice hockey, knocking him down and face first into the ground for several minutes. McDavid was not positioned or prepared for a full-frontal, direct-on body shot as opposed to those crucial plays where the catcher is required to block the plate, but is also set for a charging runner�s slide into home. The ump called Riddick out; the fans thought for interference at home, but the ump�s reason seemed to be one of the untoward hit preventing McDavid from reacting to a potential play at second. Editorial: Andy, we always appreciated your talent and intensity and cannot forget how re-acquiring your services last year, along with �Nacho�, provided the necessary offensive spark getting us dramatically back into the playoffs. Giving the Triggers� protest its due, it is debatable whether being called out and preventing your run from being credited Triggers was correct according to the rule book. But what you did on June 9th � well, that�s not right in any reading of Mr. Doubleday�s thoughtful game. When the dust clears and all the reports have been provided, I hope the league�s front office takes appropriate action. Where are they now?: Wearing a Trinidad Triggers uniform is Continental League Big Bend Cowboys IF Ryan Pembroke, aforementioned OF Andrew Riddick and Australian born C Kieran Bradford sports a Santa Fe Fuego uniform � RHP Reed Alfieri comes to town with Roswell � ditto OF Austin Newell with the Pupfish � LHP Greg Denton is with the Kansas City T-Bones in the American Association. Upcoming home games: 6/12-15 White Sands Pupfish; 6/26-29 Roswell Invaders (last season�s Pecos League champs); 6/30-7/1 a return engagement by the Pupfish and 7/3-4 first appearance by New Mexico�s cowboys, the Las Cruces Vaqueros. See you at the game!
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