721 Keys Rd
Yakima, WA 98901
ph: 509-945-5809
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We've come to the end of another baseball season hot, tired, sweaty, relieved to not be playing ball in 100 degree weather, but happy that we got to be a part of something great again. For the 20th year, we got to be involved in the lives of young people, to encourage them, coach them, drive them crazy (paybacks--it's only fair), and share a little about God. We got to continue a long tradition of baseball in our family and in the valley, but, hopefully, we did it bigger and better than ever before.
Going bigger meant moving up to the 18+ age group. Bigger is right! We had 29 different ball players put on a Flyers' uniform throughout the season. Doing it better meant finding good competition for the guys which required traveling out of the valley, so we did--2500 miles in seven weeks.
15-6-1 is an excellent record for a team that had a different line-up nearly every game. Work, school, family commitments, and injuries created more challenges than our opponents did, but that's just part of life, and making the most of an opportunity in spite of these challenges is what our club is about. We want to thank all of the Flyers who played hard and worked as part of a team even when they didn't know who they were taking the field with from one day to the next. You guys made this season a success. Thanks to those who dropped in for just a game or two so we could field a team. Thanks to those who showed up for every practice, field maintenance day, and game. You were the backbone of our team.
Time to thank everyone else starting with Highland High School and Mark, head of the maintenance department, for use of the field and for keeping it ready to go. Thanks to our parents and other family members. We know how much you put into this season of your time, money, and encouragement. It was great to have more fans than the home team at some of our away games! Thank you Clements for opening your home to us for the team BBQ. Thank you sponsors for giving your money, products, and services, especially our longest standing supporters Ron's Coin and Collectibles and Brewer's Mini Mart. Thank you umpires and volunteers. Last, but hardly least, thank you Brent Hodson for not only your financial support and being a true champion of our cause, but for suiting up to make sure we could field a team on a couple of our lean days.
We're already planning for 2010. Mark your calendars--the first practice is Monday, May 31, 2010, 6PM at Highland. Next year's team captains are Dion (Old Man) Tobia and Stephen Boynton. Have a great summer guys. Stop by the house anytime. God Bless,Joe and Tammy
Email info@northwestflyersbaseballclub.com with additional highlights and/or corrections.
Sunday found the Flyers back in Kennewick, after traveling five hundred miles for the week, where the Atoms handed them a 6-2 loss for their last game of the season. Atoms' pitcher Gonzales, former Fresno State hurler, and two of his teammates combined to put on a pitching clinic with 17 strikeouts, no walks and one Atom error, allowing two runs on six hits and marooning four Flyer runners. The Flyer hitters took notes, though, and showed what they'd learned with their first hit of the game by Mark Clements (2-4) in the fifth inning. Turning up the pressure in the sixth, Seth Engelbert took first on an error by the third baseman, and Jacob Marshall (2-4, dbl, 1 RBI) drove him in with a double only to be picked off at second. Greg Hata (2-4, tpl, 1 RBI) followed with a monster triple, but was stranded by another unrelenting strikeout. The Atoms brought in a fresh pitcher in the seventh sensing the looming threat and held the Flyers to just three more hits and one run from the Marshall/Hata combination.
The Flyers fumbled early with two errors in the first inning, but shook it off and provided good defense including two double plays and only two more errors late in the game. Flyers pitchers Jacob Marshall (5 innings, 5 runs, 6 hits, 6 strikeouts, 5 walks) and Seth Engelbert (2 innings, 1 run, 1 hit, 3 walks) combined for a great outing leaving eight Atoms runners deserted and setting up for closer Al Miller (1 inning, 1 walk) who made a successful Flyer pitching debut.
Overall an outstanding effort by the squad of nine along with Coach Hodson and his son Brandon who suited up to ensure these committed ballplayers could get in their last nine innings.
The Northwest Flyers traveled to Spokane to face an All-Star team from the 18+ league in two games on Saturday. Game one starter Dion Tobia, with the help of some terrific defense, efficiently worked through the Spokane line-up throwing only 85 pitches for a complete game, allowing three runs on nine hits with one Flyer error, and forcing the All-Stars to strand seven runners.
Neil Gregg showed great focus in his second appearance on the field this season as he snagged the ball at second base for six assists in five innings. In the eighth inning Mark Clements (1-3, 1 RBI) chased one of only three balls that were hit out of the infield, smashing into the left field fence attempting the catch, but it went over and the All-Stars took the lead, ultimately winning 3-2, on the home run.
The Flyers also struggled at the plate knocking out only five hits, with five strikeouts, and leaving nine on base. Stephen Boynton was first to score for the Flyers after taking first base on one of three errors committed by Spokane. Jacob Marshall (1-4, dbl) made the most of his walk in the third inning by scoring on a double by Greg Hata (1-4, dbl, 1 RBI) for the second of the Flyers’ two runs. Dion Tobia (1-4) and Derek Kihn (1-4), who answered the call to help fill out the 10 man squad, got the remaining Flyer hits.
The Flyers’ offense took charge in game two of the double-header against the All-Stars as they banged out nine hits and capitalized on nine walks to win 12-8. Jacob Marshall (1-1, 1 RBI) was the first to cross the plate after he led off with a walk, followed by two singles from Greg Hata (1-2, 1 RBI) and Stephen Boynton (1-1, 4 RBI). Boynton also scored giving the Flyers a two run advantage to start the game.
Stephen Boynton (4-1) finished his season on a high note pitching a complete game and getting his fourth win, allowing eight runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and four walks. There were five Flyer errors.
The Flyers got off to a rocky start today when, due to injuries and work commitments, they had to scramble to get enough players for a road-trip to Kennewick only to discover they had missed their first game due to a scheduling error. These troubles didn't hold them back though as they battled and took a hard fought win from the Tri-Cities Brewers coming back from a 7-8 deficit to win 10-8 in the bottom of the ninth.
Jacob Marshall (3-5, dbl, 3 RBI) got the first of the Flyers' 13 hits today starting out with a double in the first inning. Greg Hata (2-5, 1 RBI) was next with a single, scoring Marshall for the first run of the game. The Brewers pitching held the Flyers to just one hit by Seth Engelbert (3-4, 1 RBI) in the third and a single by Mark Clements (1-5) in the fourth. The Flyers' bats came alive in the fifth inning and they scored four runs on five hits, starting with a single by Scott Rogers (1-1), recruit for the day, and ending with a double by Scott Podruzny (2-5, dbl, 2 RBI). A pitching change held the Flyers hitless in the sixth, but Dion Tobia (1-4, dbl, 2 RBI) smacked a double in inning seven driving in another run bringing them to within one run of the Brewers. Will Packard (0-3) was first up in the ninth and hit a comebacker to the pitcher. Seth Engelbert followed with a single and ended up standing on third base on a throwing error. Dion Tobia drove a grounder up the middle scoring Engelbert and tying the game. Three more singles in a row by Marshall, Hata, and Podruzny giving the Flyers two more runs and a 10-8 lead.
Stephen Boynton (0-3), started on the mound for the Flyers pitching three innings, giving up six runs on four hits with three strikeouts and five walks. There were three Flyer errors. Seth Engelbert entered in the fourth inning and got the win, giving up one run on four hits with two strikeouts and seven walks.
Like the day in general, the Flyers' defense struggled early, but quickly tightened up and, adapting to new positions and two new players, helped hold the Brewers scoreless in the last five innings, stranding 11 Brewer runners overall. While the outfielders honed in on fly balls, both Flyer pitchers and catcher Dion Tobia camped under pop-ups securing several outs. New recruit, Al Miller (0-3), made a great debut at second base with three put-outs and five assists, including a double play toss to short stop Greg Hata in the ninth. Will Packard, first base, scooped a low throw from third baseman Scott Podruzny to get the last out in the ninth and end the game.
The Flyers will put their endurance to the test in their last four games this coming weekend with a single game at Highland Field Friday evening, two games in Spokane Saturday, and a final trip to Kennewick on Sunday to end the season.
CONGRATULATIONS Northwest Flyers!
Winners of the 2009 Northwest Wood Bat Classic
2nd Place Spokane Blue Jays
3rd Place Puget Sound Pilots
4th Place Spokane Braves
Justin Beck - MVP
Levi Mitchum - Home Run Derby Champ
Game 1 Flyers v. Braves 8-0
Game 2 Blue Jays v. Pilots 12-6
Game 3 Yakima v. Pilots 12-9
Game 4 Blue Jays v. Braves 15-5
Game 5 Braves v. Pilots 6-14
Game 6 Flyers v. Blue Jays 10-4
The Northwest Flyers and Spokane Braves opened the tournament Saturday morning under beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the 80's. Jacob Marshall (1 RBI) started things off for the Flyers facing Barge, Braves' pitcher, who threw a complete game ringing up an impressive nine strikeouts and allowing only five hits. Braves' defense committed six errors. The Flyers were hitless until the fifth inning when Jon Thomson (1-2, dbl) hit a double to get things going. Greg Hata (1-3, dbl, 2 RBI) followed with a double of his own, and Vinnie Carrillo (1-3, 3 RBI) and Dion Tobia (1-4) banged out singles. Seth Engelbert (1-2, 1 RBI) got his single in the sixth driving in Chris Dempsey who had reached base on a passed ball.
Kees Colby was first to face Flyer starter, Stephen Boynton. Boynton pitched a complete game and held the Braves to a three-hit shut out with two strike outs. The Flyers provided solid defense committing only two errors. Braves' Justin Beck (1-2) challenged Boynton with a hit in the first inning. Barge (1-2) and Chris Baker (1-3, dbl) knocked out their hits in the second and third innings respectively before the Braves' bats fell silent.
Things were heating up as temps rose into the 90s and the Spokane Blue Jays and Puget Sound Pilots met for game two. Rob McGlothin (3-5, dbl, 3 RBI) led off for the Jays striking out in the first inning, but turned it on in his next four at bats driving in three runs on as many hits. Aaron Rockey (2-4) followed suit adding two hits. Justin Beck (1-3, 1 RBI) was the first to cross the plate for the Jays after starting with a walk in inning two. Daily (2-3, 1 RBI), Warren (1-2, 2 RBI), Sedano (2-4, dbl, 2 RBI), and McMurtry (1-4, 3 RBI) brought the Jay run total to 12 on 12 hits against Pilot pitcher, Kevin, who threw the complete game.
Gabe Orendorff (2-4, dbl), Emmet Woods (1-4, dbl), Eric (2-2, dbl, 1 RBI), Geoff Eckler (2-3, 1 RBI), and Dickmeyer (1-4, 1 RBI) contributed to the six Pilot runs on eight hits. The Jays were rung up striking out nine times and left nine runners on base. The PIlots turned the only double play of the game.
The Northwest Flyers and Puget Sound Pilots battled in game three Saturday. The offense for both teams seemed to thrive scoring a combined 21 runs on 21 hits as the temperature crept up to 100 inside each dugout. The Flyers banged out 12 runs on 11 hits and seven Pilot errors, with four strikeouts and left six runners on base. Hitters included Greg Hata (1-4, 1 RBI), Seth Engelbert (3-5), Levi Mitchum (3-4, 2 RBI), Jacob Marshall (1-3, 2 RBI), Vinnie Carrillo (2-4, dbl, 3 RBI), Dion Tobia (1-2, 1 RBI) and Scott Podruzny (1-3, dbl, 1 RBI).
The Pilots answered with nine runs on as many hits. Flyers' pitchers Greg Hata and Seth Engelbert combined for seven strikeouts. Geoffe Eckler (2-3, 2 dbl, 1 RBI) crushed for the Pilots with two doubles. John Brandhagen (1-2, dbl, RBI) and Gabe Orendorff (2-4, dbl) also doubled. Eric (2-4, 3 RBI), Tod Sakai (1-3), and Kevin (2-3, 1 RBI) rounded out the hitters. Four Pilots were left on base.
The Spokane Blue Jays and Spokane Braves met for the final match up of the day in game four. The Jays started out hot scoring three runs on four walks and a double by Marlow (2-4, dbl, 2 RBI) in the first inning against Braves' starting pitcher, Jesse Lehman. Keeping the pressure on, the Jays knocked out 10 more hits and exploited several walks to lead the entire game as they faced two more Braves' pitchers, Baker and Colby. Zirkle (3-4, HR, 3 RBI) hammered out the first home run of the tournament, McMurtry (2-4, dbl, 1 RBI) and Rob McGlothin (2-4, dbl, 1 RBI) smacked doubles, and Daily (1-2, 2 RBI) and Warren (1-3, 1 RBI) added to the hit tally. Eight Jays were left on base.
Jays starting pitcher, Landon Johnston, had a great game against the Braves giving up only two runs on four hits and three walks in the first four innings. Inning five saw three different Jays pitchers (Jayson McConnell, Warren, McMurtry) who combined for three more runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Justin Beck (2-3, dbl) and Barge (1-3, dbl) doubled and scored, while Colby (1-2), Baker (1-2, 1 RBI), Alvarado (1-2, 1 RBI), and Elton (1-3, 1 RBI) offered up singles for the Braves. Five were left on base.
Sunday morning brought cooler weather but the Seattle Pilots' bats stayed hot as they took third place from the Spokane Braves. The Pilots scored six runs in the first inning against Braves' starting pitcher, Alvarado, on three hits and three walks. Baker stepped in to face the last three batters of the inning and held the Pilots to six hits and struck out six through the rest of the game. Gabe Orendorff (2-2, HR, 6 RBI) powered out a home run and drove in six RBI as the top Pilot performer of the game. Tod Sakai (2-4), John Brandhagen (1-5, 2 RBI), Emmet Woods (1-3), Williams (2-4, dbl, 2 RBI), and Marc Groneau (1-4, 2 RBI) filled out the hit count.
Dickmeyer pitched the complete game for the Pilots retiring an amazing 15 Braves on strikeouts. The Braves battled though with a double in the first at bat by C. Alvarado (1-4, dbl) and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Baker (1-3, dbl, 4 RBI) in the first inning. Barge (2-4, 2 dbl, 1 RBI) had a great day with two doubles. Beck (1-3), J.C. Lehman (1-2), and Colby (1-1) added their bats for three more hits.
The Northwest Flyers and Spokane Blue Jays went at it In the championship game of the Northwest Wood Bat Classic Sunday afternoon. Chris Dempsey took the mound for the Flyers and Rob McGlothin started for the Jays. Each held the other team scoreless until the fourth inning when the Flyers sent two home. They scored three more runs in the fifth and six innings. Jays' reliever, Marlow, entered the game in the sixth inning holding the Flyers until they got their final two runs in the ninth scoring a total of 10 runs on 10 hits, with three strikeouts, leaving nine on base. The Jays also scored their first three runs in the fourth inning, but only converted one more run in the ninth out of their seven hits facing the Flyers' reliever, Levi Mitchum, who entered in the fifth. They had seven strike outs and left five men on base.
The Jays defense started off tough turning two double plays in the first two innings, but the Flyers hitters broke through with four doubles by Seth Engelbert (2-4, dbl), Chris Dempsey (2-3, dbl, 3 RBI), Levi Mitchum (1-3, dbl, 1 RBI), and Jacob Marshall (1-4, dbl) and singles by Dion Tobia (1-3), Greg Hata (1-4, 1 RBI), and Will Packard (1-1, 1 RBI). Nine Flyers were stranded.
Aaron Rockey (1-3, HR, 2 RBI) put on his own hitting clinic with a home run, only the third of the tournament, in the fourth inning. Marlow (1-4, dbl) and Zirkle (2-4, dbl, 1 RBI) weighed in with doubles, and McMurtry (1-3), Warren (1-4), and Justin Beck (1-3) knocked out singles. Five Jays were left on base.
The Northwest Flyers traveled to Kennewick making their first appearance in the Tri-Cities 18 and up league. The Flyers are scheduled to play five different teams in two double headers and a single (nine inning games) over the next three weeks. The Tri-Cities teams will be using fresh players every start, but the outcome of these games will affect their league standings so they'll be looking to make the most of every advantage!
The Flyers knocked out nine runs on nine hits, including a homerun by Greg Hata, and capitalized on eleven walks and eight errors committed by the Athletics to take game one 9-6. Stephen Boynton held the A's to two runs on three hits through eight innings with ten strikeouts. Cameron Ramero closed in the ninth allowing four runs on two hits.The Flyers left thirteen men on base.
Seth Engelbert 2-4; Mark Clements 1-1; Ryan Hill 2-5, double; Greg Hata 2-4, double, homerun.
The Flyers were out pitched in game two against the White Sox losing 1-8 as fatigue from their fourth game in two days took it's toll. Flyer pitcher Wacey Hayes started slowly giving up four runs on three hits in the first inning. He warmed up quickly though and rang up seven strikeouts in five innings, not allowing another run until inning six. Will Packard challenged the White Sox in the seventh giving up two hits and one run, and Cameron Ramero closed with two strikeouts and two hits, allowing two runs.
White Sox pitchers stymied the Flyers holding them to six hits in nine innings with ten strikeouts. A homerun by Ryan Hill (2-4) in the top of the ninth inning broke up the shutout.
Vinnie Carrillo 1-3; Jon Thomson 1-4; Cameron Ramero 1-4; Anthony Allen 1-1.
Next stop: Northwest Wood Bat Classic Tournament July 4th & 5th.
It was Red vs. Black today as the Flyers played two intra-squad games when their scheduled opponent couldn’t make an appearance. A large crowd of family and friends got to see this first-time-ever event in Flyers’ history owing to the great player turn out this year.
The Blacks, led by Coach Wagner, wrestled two from the Reds as teammates faced off against each other. Coach Hodson stepped up to fill out the Red roster as player/coach putting all of his heart (and back) into the day.
The Reds came out strong and steady in game one scoring three runs in each of the first four innings on thirteen hits. The Black team started well with four runs in two innings, including a homerun by Anthony Allen, then turned up the heat in the fourth and fifth innings scoring nine runs and taking the win with a final score of 13-12.
Jacob Marshall pitched for the Reds. Batting: Jon Thomson 2-4, double; Jacob Marshall 2-4, double; Cameron Ramero 2-4; Seth Engelbert 2-3, double; Dion Tobia 3-4, double; Luke Mitchum 1-2; Will Packard 1-3; Brent Hodson 1-3, double.
Vinnie Carillo was starting pitcher for the Black team, Scott Podruzny pitched 1 1/3 innings relief, and Mark Clements closed. Batting: Anthony Allen 2-3, double, homerun; Greg Hata 1-2, triple; Ryan Hill 1-4; Vinnie Carrillo 2-3; Elias Mitchum 1-3 double; Wacey Hayes 1-2; Mark Clements 1-3, double.
Ryan Hill and Greg Hata, of the Blacks, started off game two with a bang hitting back to back home runs. Vinnie Carrillo took one for the team then worked the bases to score giving the Blacks a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Jacob Marshall ignited a Red scoring drive in the third inning which continued into the fourth and fifth with eight hits, including three doubles, allowing them go ahead 6-5. The Black team answered with four more runs in the last two innings snatching back the lead and winning by a score of 7-6.
Jon Thomson pitched the first two innings for the Reds. Dion Tobia gave two innings of relief followed by Will Packard and Neil Gregg, each pitching one inning. Batting: Jacob Marshall 3-4, double; Cameron Ramero 2-3, double; Seth Engelbert2-4, double; Will Packard 1-2; Dion Tobia 1-3; Neil Gregg 1-3.
Greg Hata pitched a complete game for the Blacks. Batting: Ryan Hill 3-3, homerun, double; Greg Hata 2-4, homerun; Anthony Allen 1-3; Elias Mitchum 1-3; Stephen Boynton 2-3, triple.
The Northwest Flyers gave up their first two losses of the season to the Spokane Valley Pradres, an 18 and up team which includes some of our own YVCC players home for the summer. The Flyers battled with a squad of nine producing 11 hits, making diving catch attempts, and running down three Padres between bases, but couldn’t overcome the damage done by numerous errors and the Padres’ hitting performance.
The Padres took game one 14-5 on 14 hits and eight walks. Stephen Boynton pitched the complete game. Anthony Allen was 2 for 4, Dion Tobia 1 for 4 with a double, and Ryan Hill went 2 for 2 with a three run homerun. The Flyers got seven hits, left seven on base, and committed four errors.
The Flyers rallied in game two but lost by a score of 5-4. Ryan Hill pitched four innings striking out seven and giving up one hit. Greg Hata pitched two and a third innings of relief allowing two hits. Scott Podruzny--making his first appearance on the mound this season--faced the last batter giving up a hit to Connor Hargrove in the bottom of the seventh inning sending home Josh Tiede who had set up the score when he was hit by a pitch then stole two bases. Jake Ridley went 1 for 1 scoring twice, Vinnie Carrillo was 1 for 3, and Greg Hata contributed two of the four Flyer hits going 2 for 4 with a bases clearing double in the top of the seventh which scored three runs and tied the game. The Flyers left six runners on base and committed six errors.
Saturday, June 27th, the Flyers will meet the Eastside Orioles for a double header at Highland, 2PM. Sunday they’ll face two different Tri-Cities teams in Kennewick for two games starting at 1PM.
The Northwest Flyers battled in a three game set in Battle Ground, WA this weekend against the Cobras, a new program for high school seniors and college freshmen in the Vancouver area coached by Don Reynolds, five year MLB veteran and brother of former Seattle Mariner Harold Reynolds.
The well-coached and talented Cobra team challenged the Flyers with hard line drives to the infield and long fly balls into the massive outfield measuring 465 feet in left center. Ryan Hill and Joel Ledesma snagged a couple of line shots out of the air, second baseman Jon Thomson took a bad bounce from a grounder to the face, and Jake Ridley gave his all attempting a diving catch in right field. The Flyers executed double plays and textbook put outs at every base putting on a defensive show. Offensively the Flyers gave a great performance throughout the series nailing 37 hits to score 28 runs, including a perfectly placed suicide bunt by Dion Tobia which allowed Greg Hata to squeeze home in the last inning of game two.
The Flyers took the first nine inning game of the weekend 9-4. The winning pitcher was Stephen Boynton, Will Packard contributed three innings of relief, and Cameron Ramero closed for the save. Jon Thomson and Jacob Marshall went 2 for 5. Ryan Hill was also 2 for 5 with a double and a triple.
Game two ended in an 11-11 tie when called due to darkness in the eighth inning. Jacob Marshall was starting pitcher, and Rigo Rodriguez set up for Greg Hata to close. Jon Thomson went 3 for 5 with a double. Greg Hata was 4 for 5 with three doubles. Scott Podruzny went 2 for 4, and Ryan Hill was 2 for 5 with the only Flyer home run of the weekend.
Game one on Sunday went to the Flyers, 9-8, in nine innings. Jon Thomson was winning pitcher and Rigo Rodriguez got the save while Dion Tobia and Anthony Allen split catching duty. Jacob Marshall and Joel Ledesma were 3 for 4. Scott Podruzny went 2 for 4 with a double.
The Flyers will travel to Spokane for a 1pm double header at West Valley High School next Saturday, 6/20/09.
There are many familiar faces on the Flyers squad this year as well as several new ones. After a handful of practices, the team came together and gave a great performance for the 2009 season opener at home on Highland Field in Cowiche with two wins against the Orioles. Ryan Hill and Stephen Boynton combined efforts to pitch a two hitter in game one. Matt Montez and Vincent Carrillo both went 2 for 4. The Orioles jumped out in front in game two with five runs on as many hits, but could not hang on to the lead thanks, in part, to efforts by Bo Lydeck (2 for 4), Joel Ledesma (4 for 4), and Jacob Marshall who made a terrific diving catch in center field.
2009 ROSTER
721 Keys Rd
Yakima, WA 98901
ph: 509-945-5809
info