Western Division Finals Preview

SERIES IN BRIEF
The Keene Swamp Bats and the Vermont Mountaineers have been battling for dominance in the Western Division since the Mountaineers came into the league in 2003. Since '03, Keene has two and Vermont as two, making this a challenge to see who can get into the finals and possibly go up one in the rivalry (Keene does have another championship but it came in 2000, before Vermont was in the league). The Mountaineers are also trying to avenge last years loss in the first round to Keene, where their star pitcher Alex Haines was pounded in game one. The Mountaineers lost 22-0 and then dropped the next game in the sweep.

KEENE SWAMP BATS - 27-17, #1 seed in the Western Division (0 games back)
Keene started 3-11, but rattled off 24 wins in their final 30 games, backed by the best hitters in the league and solid pitching as well. A .278 team batting average tops in the league as well as 36 home runs. The small Alumni Field and some of the top hitters in the league makes for a potent offense. The pitching is almost just as good, with a 2.87 team ERA that is the third and final sub-3.00 team ERA. Fielding isn't an issue either, as they rank third there as well. Three top three finishes make for an all-around talented team. The Swamp Bats got here by winning the first game narrowly, 5-4 after staving off a Holyoke comeback in the ninth. The Swamp Bats were held to two runs the next game, behind a dominant pitching performance by Blue Sox Michael Burke. In a crucial game three, the bats came alive in a 16-1 pounding to advance to the division finals.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Zach Lucas-DH- .331/22R/17RBI
2. Matt Ford-2B- .272/24R/21RBI
3. JP Sportman-CF- .340/24R/31RBI
4. Brian O'Grady-RF- .297/23R/26RBI
5. Tommy Monnot-C- .263/12R/11RBI
6. Zachary Lauricella-LF- .248/21R/14RBI
7. Eric Gutierrez-1B- .226/19R/15RBI
8. Robbie Cafiero-3B- .341/9R/11RBI
9. Dylan Moore-SS- .243/29R/9RBI

VERMONT MOUNTAINEERS - 24-20, #2 seed in the Western Division (3 games back)
The Mountaineers started off strong but were plagued by injuries and losses in the second half of the season. They limped into the playoffs. with a 24-20 record, staving off third place North Adams by just two games. The Mountaineers have been boosted by their stalwart pitching, with a 3.11 ERA that ranks fourth in the league. Vermont's bats have been coming alive, as they've boosted their average to .252, which ranks fifth in the league. Not a power team, they get it done with frequent RBI singles. The Mountaineers took on the SteepleCats in the first round, and swept them. The first game, Trey Oest turned in a complete game performance for Vermont to win 4-1. The next game, both starting pitchers, John Miles for Vermont and Michael Murphy for North Adams went nine innings apiece in a 12-inning affair. A two run top of the 12th gave them a 3-1 victory and a spot in the division finals.

PROJECTED LINEUP (SEASON STATS)

1. Thomas Roulis-SS- .244/16R/12RBI
2. Mike Triller-LF- .211/8R/9RBI
3. Chandler Brock-CF- .339/22R/12RBI
4. Kevin Krause-C- .370/8R/6RBI (46 AB)
5. Kyle Smith-RF- .169/4R/6RBI
6. AJ Ryan-1B- .172/7R/7RBI
7. Brad Kaczka-3B- .264/14R/12RBI
8. Bret Dennis-2B- .255/15R/5RBI
9. Danny Mendick-DH- .250/3R/2RBI (32 AB)


SERIES PROJECTED STARTERS
Keene's Brian Hunter vs. Vermont's Sean Meekins
Keene's Nathan Kirby vs. Vermont's David Hickey
Keene's Paul Covelle vs. Vermont's Cody Brown