16-inning Marathon
A tough loss for the Connecticut Defenders

Last night was a long 16-inning marathon for the Connecticut Defenders. The score was close with it being 8-7, in favor of the Reading Phillies. One homerun was scored from Nate Schierholtz.

(I am sorry I do not have alot of info on last nights game, as I was unable to listen)

The Starting Lineup for the Connecticut Defenders was: Derin McMains, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Horwitz, Dan Ortmeier, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Todd Jennings, Jake Wald, and Geno Espinelli.

Tonight the Defenders face the Reading Phillies at Dodd Stadium. The first pitch is at 7:05 pm.

The next few nights promotions at Dodd Stadium:

Aug 25th, 2006 - 7:05 PM: Post-Game Fireworks
1st 1000 fans will receive a t-shirt courtesy of Core Plus Federal Credit Union. Don't miss the post-game fireworks.

Aug 26th, 2006 - 7:05 PM: Support our Troops & STAR WARS
Show support for the men and women that fight for our freedom overseas and everyday on Support our Troops Night presented by WCTY 97.7! STAR WARS characters will be invading Dodd Stadium with special appearances by the stormtroopers and Anakin Skywalker!

ALSO ON THE 26TH:

Aug 26th, 2006 - Time TBA: Hard Rock Cafe Pre-game Concert
Remember September highlights the Hard Rock Cafe Summer Concert Series for August 26th. Show time is set for 5:30pm, prior to the Defenders game versus the Reading Phillies.

Road Trip Ends
Defenders Dissapointed

After a long road trip for the Connecticut Defenders, last night was definatly a dissapointing night. The Defenders started off good, while getting one run in the first and three runs in the fifth. While the New Britian Rock Cats only had two from the fourth. But during the bottom of the sixth inning is where it was over... The NBRC earned 9 runs in that inning... and also gained 2 in the seventh and 1 in the eigth, leaving the score in the end 4-14 in favor of the NBRC.

The Defenders return home tonight for a series against the Reading Phillies until the twenty-eigth, then on the road against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats until the thirty-first, and the home for their last four final games, and ending the season, against the Binghamton Mets from September first, to September fourth, final day.

The next few promotions at Dodd Stadium:

Aug 24th, 2006 - 7:05 PM:
Jo Di's is handing out Scratch-And-Win Electronics cards to the first 1,500 fans through the front gate.

Aug 25th, 2006 - 7:05 PM: Post-Game Fireworks
1st 1000 fans will receive a t-shirt courtesy of Core Plus Federal Credit Union. And post-game fireworks.

Aug 26th, 2006 - 7:05 PM: Support our Troops & STAR WARS
Show support for the men and women that fight for our freedom overseas and everyday on Support our Troops Night presented by WCTY 97.7! STAR WARS characters will be invading Dodd Stadium with special appearances by the stormtroopers and Anakin Skywalker!

Defenders Cont. A Bad Roadtrip
The Defenders get shut out, 3 Days in a row Against the NBRC

The Defenders have had their third shut out on the road against now the New Britain Rock Cats. The first two were against Erie 0-7 and 0-1. And last nights score was 0-1. The Defenders on road curse has seemed to hit them one more time before the end of the season. And theres not much time left. Exactly thirteen days until this seasons over.

The staring lineup for the Connecticut Defenders was; Derin McMains, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Horwitz, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Aaron Sisk, Todd Jennings, Jake Wald, and Quincy Foster.

The Defenders face the New Britian Rock Cats again tonight. Lets hope all goes well.

The Defenders return home at Dodd Stadium, Thursday, August 24th.

Weekend Report
Connecticut Defenders get shut out twice

The past two days have not been good for the Connecticut Defenders. Saturday, they were in a rough shut out with a score of 0-7. Today they were shut out 0-1. Hopefully the CT Defenders road curse shall break soon.

News; Travis Ishikawa is still at least a few days away before returning to the field as his wrist is continuing to bother him. Also Derin McMains is going to be hitting righty for a while, not switch hitting because of his shoulder bothering him. ((My opinion: No matter how much I like Tyler Von Schell as a player, Travis Ishikawa seriously needs to come back and give Von Schell a break.))

The Starting Lineup for Saturday's game for the CT Defenders was: Quincy Foster, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Brian Horwitz, Derin McMains, Todd Jennings, and Jake Wald. Starting Pitcher: Geno Espinelli.

The Starting Lineup for Sunday's game for the CT Defenders was: Quincy Foster, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Brian Horwitz, Aaron Sisk, Andy Busch, and Jake Wald. Starting Pitcher: James Garcia.

Tommorow starts the Defenders three day series against the New Britian Rock Cats. Lets pray for a better time there. Game Starts 7:05 pm.

And also on the New London Days website, Derin McMains posted a new blog.

Defenders Fall Short
First game lost to Erie 2-1

The Connecticut Defenders lost their first game on their road trip against the Erie Seawolves 2-1. The Erie Seawolves picked up runs in the bottom of the first 2 innings and in the bottom of the ninth. The Defenders recieved their only runs of the night in the top of the 6th with a homerun by Nate Schierholtzs scoring in him and Quincy Foster.

The Starting Lineup for the Connecticut Defenders was: Quincy Foster, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Brian Horwitz, Aaron Sisk, Todd Jennings, and Jake Wald. With pitcher Garrett Broshius.

The Starting Lineup for the Erie Seawolves was: Victor Mendez, Vincent Blue, Jackson Melian, Kurt Airoso, Don Kelly, Kelly Hunt, Adam Haley, Nick McIntyre, and Danilo Sanchez. And I am unsure of last nights pitcher.

The Connecticut Defenders face the Erie Seawolves for the next couple of days.

We also have gained a new ending pitcher since Billy Sadler has moved up to AAA. We now have Osiris Matos. Welcome to the team!

The Connecticut Defenders Are On the Road
Against the Erie Seawolves tonight!

The Defenders have just completed a home stretch and today they have arrived to battle it out against the Erie Seawolves from August 18th to August 20th then they are off to face the New Britan Rockcats from August 21st to the 23rd. Then the Defenders shall return home and from the 24th to the the 27th they will be faceing the Reading Phillies, the 28th to the 31st they will be away at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and finally, home for the 1st to the 4th against the Binghamton Mets.

Tonight the Defenders Face the Erie Seawolves at 7:05 PM away.
Follow the score at www.ctdefenders.com
Or listen along at www.sportsjuice.com or listen on WICH 1310 AM

I shall have a report of that game either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

Connecticut Wins!
Also, Billy Sadler Moves Up to AAA.

The Connecticut Defenders defeated the Altoona Curve last night with a score of 4-1. Chris Begg played the entire game for the Defenders, a first time for this year. We also had no PH. The Altoona Curve earned their one and only run in the Top of the Ninth. But it was not enough to defeat the Connecticut Defenders.

Team Standings:

Northern:

Trenton- 68 Win 54 Loss
Portland- 63 Win 58 Loss
Binghamton- 61 Win 60 Loss
Connecticut- 59 Win 65 Loss
New Britan- 53 Win 69 Loss

Southern:

Akron- 74 Win 48 Loss
Altoona- 68 Win 53 Loss
Reading- 63 Win 57 Loss
Bowie- 58 Win 63 Loss
Harrisburg- 57 Win 63 Loss
Erie- 52 Win 70 Loss

The Starting Lineup last night for the Connecticut Defenders was: Brian Horwitz, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmier, Derin McMains, Jake Wald, Andy Busch, and Chris Begg.

The Starting Lineup for last night for the Altoona Curve was: Nyjer Morgan, Brian Bixler, Andrew McCutchen, Simon Pond, Neil Walker, Rafael Alvarez, Brandon Chaves, Javier Guzman, and Jason Roach.

Finally for written news, #40 Billy Sadler has been moved up to the AAA. Good Luck To Him.

And heres a few pictures from last nights game and later I will have up the video I took:

Good Bye Randy Walter
Randy Walter decides its time to move on.

Randy Walter left the Defenders last night, with plans to start spending time with his family and possibly continue his college degree in Criminal Justice. Randy played his final game last night winning with them 2-1 against the Altoona Curve. Randy also recieved a standing ovation. We are going to miss Randy greatly and so are the managers and team mates of the Connecticut Defenders.






Credit for story from www.norwichbulletin.com

Defenders Pull It Together Tonight
Defenders Defeat the Altoona Curve tonight 2-1

Yes I said I was going to post tomorrow, but oh well. The Defenders just completed their game against the Altoona curve, not maybe 20 minutes or so ago winning with a score of 2-1. Runs for the Defenders were hit early in the 1st and 3rd innings. Innings 4-7 were just plain 0's. The Altoona was shut out until the 8th inning where the scored their one run of the night, not enough to defeat the Connecticut Defenders.

Starting Lineup for the Connecticut Defenders was: Randy Walter, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Brian Horwitz, Todd Jennings, Derin McMains, Jake Wald and Jesse Floyd.

Starting Lineup for the Altoona Curve was: Nyjer Morgan, Brian Bixler, Neil Walker, Simon Pond, Brandon Chaves, Andrew McChutchen, Ray Sadler, Javier Guzman, and Wardell Starling.

Tomorrow night is the promotion where the first 1,000 fans entering Dodd Stadium will recieve a Bernie Willaims Rehab Bobblehead. Number 4/4 in the series. This will also be the final game against the Altoona Curve in this series, then the Defenders are on the road until they return on the 24th against the Reading Phillies.

Possible Photos shall be posted tomorrow if Creditable News sources provide.

Connecticut Defenders Fall Sadly Short
In last nights Double Header; August 14th, 2006

Welp, I have seen a few people doing Defenders Blogs so I thought I would create my own too... here I shall try to have updated photos from either my own, or a credited news source as in the New London Day or Norwich Bulletin, all credit to them. And as I usually listen to the games every night I shall have news everyday on the team status... I'm not happy though of starting this so late, as now I have to wait till next season to get it really going , and my luck my favorite player (hence my name) wont be playing anymore... but hes played for Norwich/CTDef. for 3 years so I think he may be around for one more.

Anyway, last night at Dodd Stadium was a double header against the Altoona Curve. I was a witness of sadly loosing the two games against Altoona with Altoona being victorious 4-2 and 6-3. It was defiantly a rough night for the Defenders. Starting line up for the Defenders last night included the following; Game 1: Quincy Foster, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Derin McMains, Todd Jennings, Jake Wald and James Garcia. Game 2: Brian Horwitz, Nate Schierholtz, Brian Buscher, Tyler Von Schell, Dan Ortmeier, Derin McMains, Jake Wald, Andy Bush and Jason Waddell.
Starting Line up for the Altoona Curve included; Game 1: Nyjer Morgan, Javier Guzman, Vic Buttler, Simon Pond, Dave Parrish, Brian Bixler, Rafael Alvarez, Brandon Chavez, and John Van Benschoten.
For Game One The Altoona Curve ended with 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors.
For Game One The Connecticut Defenders ended with 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error.
For Game Two The Altoona Curve ended with 6 Runs, 14 Hits, 0 Errors.
For Game Two The Connecticut Defenders eded with 3 Runs, 8 Hits, 1 Error.

Tonight is a Fireworks night and pre-game parade for Cutter's Summer Reading Club and the library's.

Tomorrow night the first 1,000 fans to walk into Dodd Stadium will recieve a Bernie Williams Rehab Bobblehead, number 4/4 of the series. And tomorrow night will be the final night for this series against the Altoona Curve.

After tomorrow the Defenders will be away to the Erie Seawolves and the New Britain Rock Cats up until the 23rd. The Defenders next home game is on the 24th against the Reading Phillies.

And here is a photo from last nights doubleheader.





Also you can check out my photos at: http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/VonSchell28/

I promise I shall get all my photos uploaded as soon as possible, just it takes a long time, I have about 50 picture from the double header last night and I am probably going to BobbleHead night tomorrow to get more pictures, so please bare with me.

I shall post during the day tomorrow of tonights game. (August 15th)