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Dukes Clinch First-Ever Playoff Berth in NECBLBy Michael Radomski
Pittsfield Dukes
09:20AM / Saturday, July 26, 2008
PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield Dukes have clinched their first ever playoff berth with a 6-0 victory over the Manchester (Conn.) Silkworms at Wahconah Park on Friday night.
With both Manchester and Torrington (Conn.) Twisters losing on Friday night, the Pittsfield Dukes have secured one of the four spots in the NECBL Southern Division playoffs.
The Dukes have never won more than 16 games in their five-year existence and have never finished above sixth in the NECBL standings.
This season, the Dukes boast one of the most potent offenses and one of the best pitching staffs as well. Pittsfield is second to the Newport (R.I.) Gulls with a .284 batting average and are currently third in the New England Collegiate Baseball League with a 3.25 earned run average.
All-star first baseman/catcher Matt Adams (Slippery Rock) is putting up Triple Crown numbers for the Dukes as he is hitting .398 on the season with six home runs, and 35 runs batted in, all team highs. Pittsfield has four hitters hitting over .300 this season, all of which are lefties, and all of which hit in the middle of the lineup.
The Dukes were also well represented in the 15th annual NECBL All-Star Game at Torrington last Sunday. The Southern Division defeated the Northern Division 5-2 and 8 Dukes were on the winning team. First baseman Adams and left fielder Chris Edmondson (Le Moyne) started for the Southern Division as second baseman Craig Hertler (San Jose State), shortstop Jake Rosenbeck (Buffalo), and centerfielder Jason Martin (San Jose State) made the team as reserves. The Dukes represented three of the nine pitchers on the All-Star staff as well with Kyle Vazquez (Franklin Pierce), Michael Ness (Duke) and closer Zach Anderson (Buffalo) making the team.
It has yet to be determined which playoff spot the Pittsfield Dukes will have in the Southern Division playoffs, which are set to begin on Aug. 2. The Newport Gulls (20-16) sit 2 1/2 games back of the Dukes with six games left to be played. The Silkworms (14-22) are 8 1/2 games off the pace with the loss and Manchester also has six games left on the schedule. The Torrington Twisters (12-21) are also still in hunt of a playoff spot and rest nine games behind the first-place Pittsfield Dukes with nine games to be played.
The Dukes (21-12) will send Mike Woytek (Wright State) to the mound Saturday night when Pittsfield hosts the North Adams SteepleCats in the Battle of the Berkshires at Wahconah Park. It will also be Fan Appreciation Night as Dukes Happy Hour will start at 5 with the band Quick Fox playing at Wahconah Park. The Dukes will also have a picnic for all of their sponsors at the park as well. Game time is set for 7.
Fans can listen to all Pittsfield Dukes games on the NECBL Broadcast Network.
Tickets are still available for Dukes' games at Wahconah Park. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 105 Wahconah St. or by calling 413-447-DUKE (3853). |
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