Week 1 Power Rankings

With the first week in the books we thought we'd throw together a little snapshot on where all the teams are.  This is far from scientific and with only one week of stats it's really kind of a crap shoot.  The teams in these positions will be moving up and down this list all season long (except for maybe the top two).  Here we go.

1.  Eastside Expos - When the defending CCWA champions come out and throw not one but two no-hitters you know it's going to be a long season for their competition.  Dan Sefner and Omar Steinberg are still the best 1-2 pitching combo this league has seen.

2.  Jackmove Giants - This team put up some runs in week one and if they can continue to do that and support their stellar pitching they are going to make a deep run into the post-season.  Losing Kyle Schulz will hurt them but Karlis Liepa is a great replacement.

3.  Longview Lumberjacks - This team's pitchers both threw no-hitters also but they couldn't score any runs in game two and lost 1-0 on walks.  If they can score some runs they will be dangerous with Josh Burckhardt and Mike Wilson in the rotation.

4.  Mid-Town Mariners - The M's impressed everybody by plating eleven runs against Blue Jays ace Mike Benkoski in game one of the season.  They will miss Ryan Oxford as the season progresses but Justin Ellis' pitching will keep them in the playoff hunt.

5.  Lexington Brewers - The Brew Crew was without their top three pitchers in week one and lost to a great Jackmove team.  Look for them to bounce back once Kyle Godinho, Eric Keele and Brad Williamson rejoin the squad.

6.  Ridgefield Orioles - The young O's have improved dramatically from last season.  Southpaw Eric Dorland is better then ever from the mound and should help the birds make the playoffs.

7.  Buckman Blue Jays - Although the Jays lost their first game to the M's (game 2 was delayed in the 4th due to darkness) they should bounce back strong.  Look for them to be one of the top hitting teams in the South behind Jeff Priester, Mike Benkoski and Mark Sefner.

8.  Bridge City Dodgers - This expansion team came out blazing in week one as the swept the Biscuits.  Team captain Andy Kushner has his team ready to play but look for them to be tested in the future by a very tough division.

9.  Columbia Hgts. Cardinals - The redbirds were firing on all cylinders in game one behind rookie Casey Robinson's hot bat.  Andy Huntington should continue to improve on the mound and help the Cards make a push for the playoffs.

10.  Portland Gothams - The Gothams had a rough draw, opening the season against the Expos.  Look for them to bounce back behind veterans Joe Occi and John Savoie and challenge the Blue Jays for a playoff spot.

11. (tie)  Rose City Royals - The Royals looked good on Opening Day splitting their round-robin series with their division rivals.  Look for them to challenge for a playoff spot in the South West division behind captain Joey Bock.

11. (tie)  Clark County Colt .45's - Team two in the South West division is the Colt .45's who are led by captain Bryan Anderson.  Look for them to continue to battle the Royals for the top spot and a trip to the playoffs.

11. (tie)  Bridgetown Black Barons - This expansion team is the wild card in the South West division.  If team captain Dan Lurie can keep his squad playing a high level they could run away with the division and make it into the playoffs in their first year.

14. (tie)  Beaver State Biscuits - The Biscuits will have to bounce back from a rough opening weekend that saw them drop two to fellow expansion squad the Dodgers.  The Biscuits will have to contend with division rivals the Blue Jays and Gothams if they want to make a playoff run.

14. (tie)  Cowlitz Black Bears - The Black Bears bats showed some promise in their Opening Day series but they will have to get their pitching dialed in to challenge the teams in the North.  Look for Sonny Cronk to make a run at the Rookie of the Year.

Southern League week 1 Player of the Week



Omar "el Dominicano" Steinberg



Omar "el Dominicano" Steinberg of the Eastside Expos was lights out at the plate and on the mound in week 1 against the Portland Gothams. 

Steinberg went 4-9 at the dish on the day.  He swatted two Homeruns and had ten RBI’s in the series against the Gothams. 

El Domincano also threw a no-hitter in game two.  Steinberg went five innings to earn the complete game victory.  He struck out ten while allowing only a single walk to help his Expos to a 2-0 Start to the Season.

Northern League week 1 Player of the Week

Scott Coleman

The Jackmove Giants came out on Opening Day ready to play.  They were led by their ace pitcher Scott Coleman, who was in mid-season form.  The Giants swept their division rivals, the Lexington Brewers, 8-5 & 11-0 to take an early lead in the North East division.

Coleman had a monster day at the plate going 7-10 with five runs scored.  He also hit five homeruns and had twelve RBIs!  It was the best hitting series of Coleman's career.  It'll be interesting to see if Scott can keep up with such a hot start.

Scott also had an impressive day on the hill.  He pitched a complete game two-hitter and and struck out fifteen in five innings.  Coleman is already the all-time strikeout king in the CCWA and it looks like he's trying to widen that margin this season.

Look for the Giants to make another run deep into the playoffs behind Scott Coleman's pitching and hitting.  Congratulations on such an impressive week Scott.

Kyle Schulz done for the season; Giants sign Karlis Liepa

In a move that stunned just about everybody in the CCWA; Kyle Schulz of the Jackmove Giants has announced that he is done for the season.  Schulz became a free agent at the start of last year's off-season and talked about bringing the Gresham Braves back as their team captain.  That move fell through and he re-signed with the Giants a few weeks before the season started.

Taking his place on the Giants roster is CCWA alum Karlis Liepa.  Karlis played part of last season with the Phillies and has played in parts of five seasons.  His hitting should help replace Schulz's bat in the lineup.  Don't expect to see Karlis pitching very much this year though as he is returning from a shoulder injury.  Giants veteran Zac Warren will be taking a majority of Schulz's starts with Matt Jones filling in occasionally.

We all wish Kyle Schulz a quick return to the CCWA.  The league won't be the same without him.