So here we are. Another #16 moves on in the Trenton Thunder. Congratulations to the Wichita Wingnuts (the Sand Gnats tried hard), Dayton Dragons and the Jamestown Jammers, who also advance to the Sweet Sixteen and will do battle next week. Remember, polls will stay open throughout the weekend, but votes will be tallied only for 24 hours and winners will be recorded at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday. We'll show you a new pair of brackets again on Monday.
The Wingnuts fell behind early Thursday morning, but slowly came back from a 54%-46% deficit throughout the day. The Wingnuts tied things up late Thursday afternoon and took a 52%-48% lead in the evening. When the dust settled, Wichita clung to the slimmest of victories, taking 51% of the 5600 votes cast.
The contest, which will run through March 31, features 64 teams in a single-elimination bracket decided by online voting. The 12th seeded Wingnuts advanced to the Sweet 16 by upsetting the number five seed Inland Empire 66 in a landslide and the number four seed Sand Gnats. Stay tuned for Wichita’s next battle early next week.
Wichita’s newest baseball team will begin their inaugural season of play on May 7th, when they host the Sioux City Explorers for a three-game set. The Wingnuts will be holding tryouts for the 2008 team on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. The cost is $50 per player and you must bring your own equipment. Bats, balls and water will be provided for the tryout camp, which will focus on hitting, pitching, defense, running and arm strength.
The Wichita Thunder, meanwhile, returns to action tonight when they travel to Oklahoma City for a 7:35 p.m. face-off with the Blazers. The Thunder will host the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday for their season finale. Game time is set for 7;15 p.m. For more information on baseball or hockey, please call our office at 264-GOAL or visit our websites www.wichitathunder.com and www.wichitawingnuts.com.
