en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 08:26:22 -0400 Thu, 17 May 2012 08:26:22 -0400 www.wichitawingnuts.com http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/rss/baseball_news.xml http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/rss/baseball_news.xml webmaster@wichitathunder.com (Managing Editor) 60 Wichita Wingnuts Baseball News WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts trimmed their roster to 23 players in preparation for Thursday's season opener versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Wichita released catcher Eric Rodriguez, infielder Cody Fuqua, and pitchers Luis Chirinos and Derek Christensen. The Wingnuts also traded pitcher Derrick Miramontes to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in exchnage for a player to be named later. American Association teams may open the regular season with 23 players. Rosters must be pared down to 22 after the first two weeks. Derek Blacksher takes the mound on Thursday, and is expected to be followed by Ryan Hinson, Josh Lowey, Jose Perez, and Ben Graham. 2012 Wichita Wingnuts RHP Derek Blacksher IF Steve Carrillo OF Mike Conroy RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman RHP Ben Graham LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey C Salomon Manriquez RHP Edgar Martinez 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez LHP Jeff Nadeau RHP Matt Nevarez OF David Peralta RHP Jose Perez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler The Wingnuts open the 2012 season on Thursday, May 17th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1340.html#1337257582 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1340.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHaws at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Ryan Stovall hit a two-run triple to right-center in the top of the second to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead. Fargo never trailed during the game, and added two more runs in the third on Enrique Cruz's two-run home run to left field. Wichita cut the lead to 4-1 in the third. Ryan Khoury drew a one-out walk and scored from first base on Steve Carrillo's double to left-center. Jake Kahaulelio brought Wichita within two when he singled home David Peralta with two outs in the fourth. Jose Perez started for the Wingnuts and allowed four earned runs on six hits in four innings in the loss. Perez struck out four and walked one. Paul Burnside earned the win for Fargo, pitching three shutout innings with three strikeouts. Tony Butler started for the RedHawks and did not factor into the decision. Butler allowed two earned runs on three hits in four innings. Butler walked three and struck out three. Fargo extended its lead in the top of the eighth on a two-out, RBI single from Carlo Cota. Aharon Eggleston homered down the right field line in the top of the ninth to make it 6-2. Mike Conroy singled home the Wingnuts' final run in the bottom of the ninth. With first and second and two outs, the RedHawks turned C.J. Ziegler's line drive to left-center into a double play to end the game. Jared Simon and Matt Nevarez each worked a scoreless relief inning. The Wingnuts finish their spring schedule with a 5-1 record. The Wingnuts open the 2012 season on Thursday night when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Wichita sends Derek Blacksher to the mound against Lincoln left-hander Jino Gonzalez. Individual tickets for the Wingnuts' seven-game opening homestand are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or visiting For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1339.html#1337257583 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1339.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are excited to announce the continuation of their radio partnership with Johnson Enterprises and Oldies 92.7 FM KWME. The Wellington-based station shifted its signal to 92.7 FM earlier this year, and can now be heard clear across Wichita and its surrounding areas. KWME had been carrying Wingnuts baseball on 93.5 FM since 2010. Oldies 92.7 KWME will broadcast all 100 of the Wingnuts' regular season games, as well as any potential postseason contests. The station will carry at least one feature game each night of the 2012 NBC World Series. A 20-minute pre-game show precedes every Wingnuts broadcast. Oldies 92.7 KWME can be accessed worldwide by visiting The stream can also be accessed on smartphones by downloading the TuneIn Radio app and searching for KWME. Fans can listen to a sneak preview of the enhanced signal on Tuesday afternoon when the Wingnuts host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at 2:05 p.m. in their final exhibition game. The Wingnuts open the 2012 regular season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or visiting For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1337.html#1337257584 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1337.html TOPEKA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 3-2 at Hummer Sports Park on Monday night. The Wingnuts broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to take their first lead of the night. Salomon Manriquez led off with a line drive single to center and advanced to second when Jake Kahaulelio was hit by a pitch. Mike Conroy beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases with nobody out. Ryan Khoury drove in Manriquez with a sacrifice fly to right-center. John Rodriguez drew a bases loaded walk to make it 3-1, and finished the game 2 for 2. Rodriguez has now reached base in all nine of his plate appearances this spring with five hits, three walks, and a hit batsman. Mike Conroy made the defensive play of the night to save the game in the top of the ninth. With runners on second and third and one out, Conroy made a diving catch on Victor Mercedes' line drive to left. The play resulted in a sacrifice fly, but prevented the tying run from coming in to score. Derrick Miramontes notched the final out, retiring pinch hitter Brad Payne on a groundout to second base to earn the save. Lincoln took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Mike Provencher lined a single to right to lead off the game and took second on Mercedes' groundout to shortstop. Stephen Holdren cashed in the early chance with a double to left field. Wichita tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Jared McDonld doubled to center leading off the inning and advanced to third when Lincoln right-hander Wade Mackey was charged with a balk. Rodriguez then doubled to left-center to draw the Wingnuts even at 1-1. Moises Melendez started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision. Melendez allowed one earned run on four hits in two innings. Justin Edwards started for Lincoln and threw two scoreless innings in a no-decision. Derek Christensen, Jeff Nadeau, and Ben Graham each worked two scoreless innings of relief. Graham earned the win. Brandon Cooney took the loss for Lincoln, allowing the two earned runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Wingnuts are now 5-0 this spring. The Wingnuts complete their Spring Training schedule on Tuesday afternoon when they host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday's game can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open the 2012 regular season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or visiting For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1338.html#1337257585 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1338.html TOPEKA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 10-6 at the Bettis Family Sports Complex on Sunday night. David Peralta had four hits, while John Rodriguez was 3 for 3 with two walks in his spring debut. Wichita took control of the game early with a five-run bottom of the second against T-Bones' starter Nick Singleton. With one out, Peralta singled through the right side. Two batters later, Jake Kahaulelio reached on an error by shortstop Jose Duran. With first and third and two outs, Mike Conroy lined a single to center field to score Peralta and give Wichita the first run of the night. Ryan Khoury hit a deep flyball that bounced off the top of the right field wall before bouncing back into the outfield. The triple plated Kahaulelio and Conroy to make it 3-0. Jared McDonald capped off the rally with a two-run home run to right-center. Josh Lowey started for the Wingnuts and pitched three shutout innings. Lowey allowed one hit, walked none, and struck out two. Lowey has now thrown six scoreless innings during the pre-season. After the T-Bones scored their first run in the top of the fifth, Wichita answered right back with a three-spot against left-hander Logan Hoch. Singles from Peralta and Salomon Manriquez, plus a walk to Kahaulelio, allowed the Wingnuts to load the bases with no outs. Conroy walked to force home Wichita's sixth run. After Khoury was robbed by Duran on what turned into a line drive double play, Duran was charged with another error that scored Manriquez and allowed McDonald to reach first base. Rodriguez singled down the right field line to score Conroy, and the Wingnuts carried an 8-1 lead into the top of the sixth. Brandon Jones and Lee Cruz picked up RBI singles for the T-Bones in the sixth, but Rodriguez answered back with a single through the right side that extended the lead to 9-3. Kansas City scored three times in the top of the eighth, while the Wingnuts utilized an RBI groundout from Taylor Freeman in the bottom half for their final run. Matt Nevarez and Josh Dew each worked a scoreless inning of relief. Luis Chirinos earned the win, allowing two earned runs in three innings of work. The Wingnuts are now 4-0 this spring. Wichita continues its exhibition schedule on Monday night when they battle the Lincoln Saltdogs at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka. Spring action concludes on Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. when the Wingnuts host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. The Wingnuts open the 2012 season on Thursday, May 17th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or visiting For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1336.html#1337257586 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1336.html WICHITA, KS- The KJCCC Region VI Division-I Baseball Tournament returns to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this weekend. The winner of the four-team bracket moves on to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, CO. This year's participants include Coffeyville Community College, Cowley County Community College, Neosho County Community College, and Pratt Community College. The tournament runs through Monday evening. The first series of games are scheduled for 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Saturday. Sunday's matchups take place at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. The championship is set for Monday at 4:00 p.m. with a double-elimination game to take place at 7:00 p.m. if necessary. Admission for all games is just 10.00 for adults and 5.00 for students. 2012 KJCCC Region VI Schedule Saturday, May 12th 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 13th 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. (if necessary) For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1335.html#1337257587 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1335.html Teams are still available for Twister's Second Annual Tee-Off. The tournament is this Saturday (May 12th) at Cherry Oaks Golf Course, located in Cheney, KS. The four-person scramble format begins with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Cost is just 50 per player, and includes green fee, cart rental, range balls, lunch, and two drink tickets. Several specialty holes include Spinner's Drive Hole, Batter's Box Hole, Closest to the Pin, Long Drive Contest, Par 3 Challenge, and Hole in One on Green. For an extra 50, teams also have the opportunity to add a Wingnuts player to help improve their score. For more information, contact Casey Walkup at (316) 264-NUTS, or Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1333.html#1337257588 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1333.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat Friends University 16-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Already leading 1-0, the Wingnuts exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Taylor Freeman hit an opposite field single to left that scored C.J. Ziegler from third base. After Jake Kahaulelio walked to force in another run, Mike Conroy singled through the middle to drive home two more, and make it 5-0. Ryan Khoury added a run with a sacrifice fly, while Steve Carrillo capped off the inning with a two-run double to left-center. Wichita plated six more runs in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded, Jared McDonald hit a groundball to third base. Zach Ashford's throw to second sailed wide and into right field, allowing Freeman and Conroy to both score. Mitch Einertson drove in the Wingnuts' 12th run with a line drive single to left. Two batters later, Carrillo doubled home another for his third hit of the game. David Peralta finished the rally with a two-run single to right field. Josh Lowey started for the Wingnuts and turned in three shutout innings. Lowey allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out three on just 34 pitches. Jeff Nadeau earned the win with two scoreless frames in relief of Lowey. Derek Christensen, Nick Walters, Moises Melendez, and Edgar Martinez each contributed a scoreless inning. Carrillo had four hits, including three doubles and three RBI. Peralta drew three walks. Bryce Jones started for Friends, and allowed one earned run on three hits in three innings of work. Jones walked one and struck out one in the loss. Preseason action continues Sunday at 7:00 p.m. when the Wingnuts take on the Kansas City T-Bones at Bettis Family Sports Complex in Topeka, KS. Wichita's next home exhibition game is Tuesday, May 15th versus the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at 2:05 p.m. All tickets are just 7.00 General Admission and can be purchased at the gate. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1334.html#1337257589 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1334.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated Newman University 13-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Photo Credit: Andrea Nuss Jared McDonald, Mitch Einertson, and Steve Carrillo powered the offense, each collecting three hits and combining for nine runs scored and six RBI. Wichita scored three times in the bottom of the first and led through the end of the game. McDonald tripled to right-center with one out and scored on Einertson's sacrifice fly to center. C.J. Ziegler and Carrillo followed with consecutive singles. David Peralta then hit a deep flyball to left field that bounced off the glove of Ben Wagner. Ziegler and Carrillo scored on the error. In the second, Ryan Khoury led off with a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, and came home on a Jake Kahaulelio grounder to shortstop that resulted in an error. After Newman scored its lone run in the top of the fourth, the Wingnuts broke the game open with a four-run bottom of the fifth. Singles from McDonald and Einertson helped load the bases with no outs. Carrillo cleared them with a three-run double to right-center to make it 7-1. Carrillo took third base when Tanner Vinson's throw from center came through to the plate, and scored on a Peralta groundball to second. Derek Blacksher started for Wingnuts and tossed three scoreless innings. Blacksher allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out two. Jose Perez followed Blacksher with three strong innings for the win. Perez allowed one earned run, walked two, and struck out five. Khoury singled to center to start the bottom of the sixth and was driven in by McDonald's second triple of the night. Einertson ushered in McDonald with a double down the left field line that made it 10-1. Carrillo doubled into the left field corner two batters later to score Einertson. Wichita pushed across two more in the bottom of the eighth. With second and third and nobody out, Taylor Freeman ripped a single through the right side to score McDonald. Later in the inning, Peralta tacked on the Wingnuts' 13th run of the night with a sacrifice fly. Jared Simon, Derrick Miramontes, and Matt Nevarez combined for three innings of scoreless relief. The trio allowed one hit and struck out four. Ashton Hoffman took the loss for the Jets, allowing three runs, two earned, in one inning. The Wingnuts continue their spring schedule Wednesday morning when they host Friends University at 11:05 a.m. Tickets are just 7.00 General Admission and can be purchased at the gate. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via phone at (316) 755-SEAT, and online at For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1332.html#1337257590 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1332.html Individual tickets for the 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball are on sale now! To place an order for individual tickets, contact Select-A-Seat at (316) 755-SEAT or by visiting their website at For season tickets, group packages, birthdays, and party options, contact the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS. Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1331.html#1337257591 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1331.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat Emporia State University 3-2 in their pre-season opener at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, the Wingnuts rallied for two runs against Emporia State right-hander Matt Robertson to pull out the win. Jared McDonald drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, moved to third on Mitch Einertson's groundout to third base, and scored the tying run on C.J. Ziegler's groundout to second. With two outs and no one on base, Steve Carrillo walked and stole second. After falling behind 0-2, David Peralta worked the count full and won the game on a line drive single to center that plated Carrillo. Edgar Martinez was the winning pitcher in relief. Martinez struck out two during a scoreless top of the ninth. Robertson absorbed the loss. The Hornets snapped a 1-1 tie with a single run in the top of the eighth. Zack Carlson and Joe Vaskas hit back-to-back singles with one out. Ashton McCoy walked to load the bases, and then Jordan Slade drove in Carlson with a groundout to first. The Hornets scored in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, McCoy beat out a groundball for an infield single that scored Dorian Williams from third. Wichita tied it in the bottom of the second when Manny Manriquez ripped a double into the left field corner that scored Carrillo from first base. Luis Chirinos started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on four hits in three innings. Chirinos walked one and struck out four. Steve Picht started for Emporia State and also took a no-decision. Picht allowed one earned run on five hits with one walk and no strikeouts in three innings. Ben Graham chipped in three shutout relief innings with three strikeouts. Nick Walters worked a perfect top of the seventh for Wichita. Mitch Einertson had three hits in four at bats, including a double. Peralta finished the game with two hits. Ryan Khoury had a single and two walks. The Wingnuts did not strike out on offense while their pitching staff fanned 10 Hornets. The Wingnuts continue their spring schedule on Tuesday when they host Newman University at 7:05 p.m. All tickets are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the gate one hour before the scheduled start time. Individual tickets go on sale Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. For individual ticket requests, contact Select-A-Seat at (316) 755-SEAT or The 2012 regular season begins Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1330.html#1337257592 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1330.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts completed their spring training roster on Thursday, signing catcher Manny Manriquez and pitcher Jose Perez. Photo Credit: Paul Hasdall Manriquez (pictured)spent 2011 in the high-minors of the New York Mets' organization. The veteran backstop hit .254 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 60 games for the Double-A Binghamton Mets, and then finished the year by hitting .321 with one home run and seven RBI in 27 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. The Valencia, Venezuela native hit safely in 49 of 87 total games while collecting 19 multi-hit contests. Earlier this spring, Manriquez drove in seven runs in 11 games for the Mexican League's Diablos Rojos del Mexico. We were in a last-minute crunch needing to find a quality catcher, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper, and Manny came about after being recommended by several people. We've been fortunate enough to have great catchers in the past, and I hope Manny can continue that trend. Not only is he a great defensive catcher, but he will also help us out on offense. Being a veteran, I expect a lot out of him, not only in the field, but in the clubhouse as well. Manriquez is in his 12th season of professional baseball, and was originally signed as an international free agent by the Montreal Expos in 1999. The 29-year-old is a lifetime .270 hitter in 2,998 at bats with 81 home runs and 414 RBI. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Manriquez has averaged 34 doubles, 15 home runs, and 76 RBI per 162 games played in his career. Manriquez has thrown out 26% of opposing base stealers in 676 career games behind the plate, and earned all-star honors with the Atlantic League's Newark Bears in 2009. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Manriquez has six years of experience at the Double-A level and three at the Triple-A level. Perez shared time with two Los Angeles Angels' affiliates last season (Double-A Arkansas and High-A Inland Empire), and compiled a 4-1 record with three saves and a 2.84 ERA in 21 appearances. The right-hander allowed just 25 hits and struck out 39, which marked the fifth consecutive season in which he has finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched. Perez did not allow a run in 14 of 21 outings, and worked more than one inning 16 times. Jose is a guy I am very excited to see in person, said Hooper. I've received nothing but great reports on his stuff and ability. He is a powerful arm that has put together a great resume throughout his career and should be a big part of our rotation this season. Perez enters his seventh season of professional baseball with a 20-9 record, four saves, and a 3.18 ERA. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Perez has 320 strikeouts against only 90 walks in 306.0 career innings. A native of Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela, Perez originally signed with the Angels as an international free agent in 2006, and has posted an ERA of 3.90 or better in five of his first six seasons. The Wingnuts have now filled their 28-man Spring Training roster. The first day of camp is scheduled for this Saturday, while the Wingnuts begin exhibition play Sunday evening when they host Emporia State University at 5:05 p.m. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Night on May 17th, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo RHP Luis Chirinos RHP Derek Christensen OF Mike Conroy OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua RHP Ben Graham LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey C Manny Manriquez RHP Edgar Martinez 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes LHP Jeff Nadeau RHP Matt Nevarez OF David Peralta RHP Jose Perez C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler Fans can catch their first glimpse of the 2012 Wichita Wingnuts on Friday, May 4th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, located at 117 N. Mosley St. in Old Town. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1328.html#1337257593 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1328.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2012 exhibition schedule on Wednesday. The Wingnuts' preseason docket features six games, including four at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Exhibition play begins this Sunday at 5:05 p.m. when the Wingnuts battle Emporia State University for a third consecutive year. Wichita hosts Newman University at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8th, and welcomes Friends University the following morning at 11:05 a.m. for their annual School Kids Day. The team travels to Topeka, KS to face division rivals Kansas City and Lincoln on Sunday, May 13th and Monday, May 14th respectively. The spring schedule concludes on Tuesday, May 15th when the Wingnuts host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for a 2:05 p.m. matinee. Tickets for the four home exhibition games are just 7.00 general admission, and can be purchased at the main gate beginning one hour before the scheduled start time. The Wingnuts will also host their fifth annual Media Day on Monday, May 7th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The 2012 Wingnuts players and coaches will be available in uniform for photograph and interview requests. All television, radio, and print media are encouraged to attend the event, which begins at 1:45 p.m. Wichita Wingnuts 2012 Exhibition Schedule Sunday, May 6th vs. Emporia State University - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 8th vs. Newman University - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 9th vs. Friends University - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 11:05 a.m. Sunday, May 13th vs. Kansas City T-Bones - Bettis Family Sports Complex (Topeka, KS), 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th vs. Lincoln Saltdogs - Hummer Sports Park (Topeka, KS), 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 15th vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 2:05 p.m. The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2012 regular season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1326.html#1337257594 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1326.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed pitchers Ben Graham, Derek Christensen, and Jeff Nadeau on Wednesday. Photo Credit: sunsfanclub.blogspot.com Graham (pictured)had a strong 2011 for the Washington Nationals' Low-A South Atlantic League affiliate in Hagerstown. The right-hander was 4-4 with eight saves and a 3.30 ERA in 37 relief appearances. Graham logged 46.1 innings in which he struck out 32 and walked just 14. The Kansas City, MO native did not allow an earned run in 28 of his 37 outings, and worked more than one inning on 13 occassions. Graham had 27 games finished, which ranked eighth in the South Atlantic League. We are excited about the opportunity of having Ben Graham back in a Wingnuts' uniform, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. After his short time with us in 2010, he was signed by the Washington Nationals and had two very solid seasons in their organization. He will be valuable for us as a guy who can succeed in both the rotation and the bullpen. After a stellar college career at Emporia State University, Graham signed with the Wingnuts in June of 2010. The 24-year-old was 1-0 in two starts for Wichita before his contract was purchased by Washington. Graham pitched at two levels in the Nationals' farm system that summer, striking out 32 and walking just nine in 40.2 innings. The third-year professional was 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA during his senior season at Emporia State, and was named the Hornets' 2010 Male Athlete of the Year. Christensen has put up excellent numbers each of the last two seasons in the Minnesota Twins' organization. The right-hander was 5-2 with a 2.84 ERA last year for the Twins' Appalachian League affiliate in Elizabethton. Christensen made 19 appearances totaling 57.0 innings and ranked seventh in the Appalachian League with 61 strikeouts. From July 24th-August 11th, the West Jordan, UT native rattled off 19.0 consecutive scoreless innings. Derek came recommended via Scott Johnson, who is one of my great friends and college teammates, as well as the National Cross Checker for the Minnesota Twins, said Hooper. Derek is another guy who is a valuable commodity because he has rookie status, and has had success as both a starter and reliever. He will come into spring training and compete for a spot in our rotation or bullpen. Christensen was drafted by the Twins in the 43rd round in 2010 out of Salt Lake Community College. A 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander, Christensen struck out 130 batters in 126.0 innings during his two years at Salt Lake. Christensen made his professional debut shortly after being drafted, and pitched to a 0.66 ERA in seven appearances for the Twins' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. Nadeau returns after missing the 2011 season due to injury. A left-hander, Nadeau posted a 2.77 ERA in 39.0 innings for the Appalachian League's Johnson City Cardinals in 2010. Nadeau struck out 28 while allowing just 10 walks and two home runs. The Denver, CO native was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 38th round in 2010 out of Louisiana State University-Shreveport. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Nadeau was 5-0 with a 3.48 ERA for LSU-Shreveport leading up to his selection. Jeff is a guy who came highly-recommended from his agent, whom I respect, said Hooper. He is a rookie left-hander that will come in and compete for a spot either in our rotation or bullpen. He's coming off of arm surgery where he missed all of 2011, but is back to being as strong and hungry as ever. The three pitchers give the Wingnuts 26 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins this Saturday, May 5th. The Wingnuts expect to announce their final two roster spots by the end of this week. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo RHP Luis Chirinos RHP Derek Christensen OF Mike Conroy OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua RHP Ben Graham LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Edgar Martinez 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes LHP Jeff Nadeau RHP Matt Nevarez OF David Peralta C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler The Wingnuts host the Emporia State Hornets on Sunday, May 6th at 5:05 p.m. Tickets are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the main gate. Fans can also meet the 2012 Wingnuts players and coaches this Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, located at 117 N. Mosley St. in Old Town. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1327.html#1337257595 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1327.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts' second annual caravan takes place later this week on Thursday, May 3rd and Friday, May 4th. The event begins Thursday at 10:00 a.m. when the Wingnuts visit the pediatric unit at Via Christi Medical Center, located at 929 N. Francis St. At 2:30 p.m., the caravan shifts to the children's wing at Wesley Medical Center, located at 550 N. Hillside St. Wingnuts players visiting the hospitals include returnees Derek Blacksher, Mitch Einertson, and Josh Dew, as well as newcomers David Peralta and Jake Kahaulelio. The caravan concludes Friday, May 4th at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, located at 117 N. Mosley St. in Old Town. Fans can catch their first glimpse of the 2012 Wingnuts players and coaches during the meet and greet from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wichita Wingnuts 2012 Caravan Schedule: Thursday, May 3rd Via Christi Regional Medical Center: 10:00-11:00 a.m. Wesley Medical Center: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, May 4th Heroes Sports Bar and Grill: 4:00-6:00 p.m. The Wingnuts open the 2012 season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1325.html#1337257596 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1325.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made three major additions to their roster on Monday, signing outfielder David Peralta, as well as pitchers Edgar Martinez (pictured)and Luis Chirinos. The trio played together with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings last season, helping the club reach the North American League Championship Series. In his first season as a position player, Peralta hit a remarkable .392 to capture the North American League batting title. Peralta also hit 17 home runs, and ranked fourth in the NABL with 81 RBI in just 85 games played. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Peralta scored 76 runs, slugged 30 doubles, and finished third in the league with a .661 slugging percentage. Peralta had at least one hit in 68 of his 85 games, and collected multiple safeties in 44 of them. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Peralta opened the season with a 14-game hitting streak in which he was 25 for 55 (.455), and went back-to-back games without a hit just four times all year. At the end of the season, Peralta earned North American League All-Star honors and added six more RBI for Rio Grande Valley in four playoff games. David will more than likely be our Opening Night right fielder, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is a great baseball story who is coming off of a tremendous season. He was a pitcher in the past and only started hitting professionally last year, which makes his accomplishments even more impressive. He is very valuable to us as a rookie who can contribute on a day-to-day basis. I'm really looking forward to watching him play. Peralta originally signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 as an international free agent. The Carabobo, Venezuela native made his stateside debut in 2006 with the Appalachian League's Johnson City Cardinals where he was 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA in two starts and one relief outing. The 24-year-old returned to Johnson City the following season and posted a 1-5 record with a 5.81 ERA in eight starts and seven relief appearances. Peralta has 64 strikeouts in 62.2 professional innings pitched. Martinez led the NABL with 20 saves and was named Relief Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander had a 2.48 ERA in 31 appearances totaling 32.2 innings. Martinez struck out 60 batters--an average of 16.5 per nine innings--against a mere six walks, and did not allow an earned run in 26 of his 31 outings. The Valencia, Venezuela native held a 0.00 ERA through his first 14 games, and strung together nine more appearances without allowing an earned run from July 16th-August 17th. Edgar is a guy that will add a lot of experience to our bullpen, said Hooper. He has an outstanding resume and will give us another great option at the tail end of ballgames. He has significant time in Triple-A and was also a member of Boston's 40-man roster, which speaks to his ability. I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table for us. Like Peralta, Martinez changed positions earlier in his career. The 30-year old signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in 1998, and started his professional career as a catcher. Martinez demonstrated his arm strength for six seasons behind the plate (he owns a 37% caught stealing rate in 291 games at catcher) before completing his transition to the mound in late-2004. Now in his 13th pro season, Martinez has a career 3.75 ERA with 43 saves in 235 appearances. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Martinez has logged 417.1 innings with 371 strikeouts and only 356 hits allowed. Martinez reached Double-A in just his second year as a pitcher, and spent all of 2007 and 2008 with Triple-A Pawtucket. Martinez participated for the World team in the 2006 Futures Game, and was on the Red Sox' 40-man roster from 2005-2007. Chirinos was one of the top starting pitchers in the NABL last year. Another right-hander, Chirinos was 4-2 in 18 total games and ranked fourth in the league with a 3.95 ERA. Chirinos also finished fifth with 93 strikeouts and allowed just 75 hits in 82.0 innings of work. A native of Maracay, Venezuela, Chirinos pitched at least 5.0 innings in eight of his 11 starts, and racked up at least five strikeouts in nine of them. From June 4th-16th, Chirinos made three consecutive starts in which he did not allow an earned run, and went on to finish the season by not allowing an earned run in three playoff games. Luis is a talented pitcher whohad a great season in Rio Grande Valley, and was then signed by the Washington Nationals, said Hooper. He will compete for a spot in our rotation, and will hopefully be a big contributor for us. Luis gives us a good, young arm who is only going to get better and better. Chirinos is in his sixth season of professional baseball and was originally signed by the Florida Marlins in 2006 as an international free agent. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Chirinos has an 18-14 career record with four saves and a 3.51 ERA. In 269.0 lifetime innings, Chirinos has struck out 243, while averaging just 3.3 walks and 0.4 home runs allowed per nine innings. The 22-year-old spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Marlins' Dominican Summer League affiliate before making his stateside debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2009. Chirinos has posted an ERA below 4.00 in each of the last four seasons. The Wingnuts now have 24 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins Saturday, May 5th. The Wingnuts expect to announce the remainder of their camp roster by the end of this week. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo RHP Luis Chirinos OF Mike Conroy OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Edgar Martinez RHP Brandon Mathes 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes RHP Matt Nevarez OF David Peralta C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1324.html#1337257597 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1324.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts re-signed veteran outfielder Mike Conroy on Tuesday. Conroy and his diverse skill set played a major role in the Wingnuts' run to the playoffs last season. The stalwart outfielder hit .301 with 66 runs scored, 23 doubles, 10 triples, one home run, and 48 RBI. Conroy totaled a career-high 116 base hits, added 42 walks, and stole 16 bases in 20 attempts. A left-handed batter and fielder, Conroy started 99 of the Wingnuts' 100 regular season games, and finished the season with a .380 on-base percentage and a .422 slugging percentage. Conroy ranked fourth in the American Association in triples, and ninth in outfield assists with nine. The 29-year-old hit safely in 74 of 99 games, and collected multiple hits in 31 of them. From May 29th-June 14th, Conroy assembled a 16-game hitting streak in which he was 24 for 55 (.436). Mike is a valuable piece to our success with all the intangibles he brings to the table, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He leaves everything he has on the diamond night in and night out. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I would take 22 Mike Conroys on my team any day! In 10 professional seasons, Conroy is a .263 hitter in 3,003 at bats over 824 games played. The Weymouth, MA native has averaged 85 runs scored, 155 base hits, 26 doubles, 11 triples, 10 home runs, 82 RBI, 15 stolen bases, 59 walks, and 12 outfield assists per 162 games during his career. Conroy currently ranks second on the American Association's all-time triples list with 22--one shy of the league record that he briefly held himself last year. A former first round draft pick, Conroy was selected by the Cleveland Indians in 2001 out of Boston College High School in Dorchester, MA. Conroy spent six years in the Indians' organization before joining the University of Connecticut's football team as a wide receiver in 2007. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Conroy returned to baseball in 2008, and has served as the Hitting Coach for the University of Massachusetts-Boston each of the last two springs. The Wingnuts also traded outfielder Josh Workman to the Frontier League's River City Rascals in exchange for a player to be named later. The Wingnuts now have 21 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo OF Mike Conroy OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler Fans can meet Wingnuts players and staff on Friday, May 4th at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill located at 117 N. Mosley in Old Town. The meet and greet will be the culmination of the Wingnuts' second annual caravan and take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1323.html#1337257598 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1323.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed outfielder John Rodriguez on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Ed Woltstein Rodriguez played two seasons (2005-06) in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping the Redbirds win back-to-back National League Central Division titles, as well as the 2006 World Series championship. The veteran outfielder batted .298 with seven home runs and 43 RBI in 332 at bats during his time in the Majors. Last season, Rodriguez hit .313 with 18 home runs and 81 RBI in just 82 games for the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Rodriguez added 74 runs scored, 16 doubles, two triples, and walked more times (43) than he struck out (42). Rodriguez finished the season ninth in the Atlantic League in batting average, fourth in RBI, fifth in on-base percentage (.398), third in slugging percentage (.556), and helped the Ducks compile the league's best record. The New York, NY native hit multiple home runs four times and had 11 games with three or more RBI. On June 9th at Lancaster, Rodriguez hit two home runs, scored six times, and collected eight RBI. Adding the experience and knowledge of a guy like John Rodriguez is a key element towards trying to build a championship team, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. John is a run producer in every sense of the word, and will hit right in the middle of our lineup. He will be a great leader for us not only on the field, but in the clubhouse as well. After opening the 2005 season with the Cleveland Indians' organization, Rodriguez was traded to the Cardinals in June and made his Major League debut on July 18th. Now 34-years-old, Rodriguez hit .295 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 183 at bats during his rookie season in the Major Leagues. The following year, Rodriguez hit .301 for St. Louis with two home runs and 19 RBI in 183 at bats. Rodriguez' impressive resume includes base hits against notable pitchers such as Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman, Tim Hudson, Carlos Zambrano, Jake Peavy, Brad Lidge, Ben Sheets, and A.J. Burnett. A lifetime .276 hitter in 4,772 at bats, Rodriguez is in his 16th season of professional baseball. In addition to his time in the Majors, Rodriguez has seven years of experience at the Triple-A level, three at Double-A, and two in the Mexican League. Rodriguez has more career base hits (1,315) than games played (1,304), and has averaged 34 doubles, 25 home runs, 97 RBI, and 73 walks per 162 contests. The 6-foot, 220-pound Rodriguez has eclipsed 100 hits in a season six times, batted .284 or higher eight times, reached double digits in home runs 11 times, and totaled at least 50 RBI eight times. Rodriguez originally signed with the New York Yankees' organization as a free agent in 1996, and played briefly with Hooper for the Triple-A International League's Columbus Clippers in 2004. In separate move, the Wingnuts sold the contract of right-handed pitcher Junior Guerra to the Marineros de Esenda of the Mexican League North. The Wingnuts now have 23 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson LHP Shawn Joy 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1322.html#1337257599 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1322.html WICHITA, KS- Squid Ink Creatve, a partner of the Wichita Wingnuts, recently earned a Silver ADDY in the 2012 ADDY Awards for their cover artwork on the 2011 NBC World Series souvenir program. The artwork promotes Major League closer Heath Bell above the tournament's official logo. Newly-renovated Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is featured in the background. Bell was named the tournament's 2011 Graduate of the Year for his time with the El Dorado Broncos in 1997. I have extremely enjoyed working with Squid Ink over the past three seasons, said Wingnuts' Assistant General Manager Jeremy Mock. Derek, Frank, and Dallas have continued to grow in what they can do, and they always amaze us with new ideas. They have continued to provide us with eye-catching designs for all of our print and video in an extremely timely manner, and we couldn't be happier to call them a partner of the Wingnuts. The ADDY Awards are the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 50,000 entries each year. Their purpose is to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising. A partner of the Wingnuts since 2010, Squid Ink Creative is a full-service agency located in Wichita that specializes graphic design, photography, web design, multimedia, and media placement. Squid Ink's portfolio covers a diverse selection of clients, including those in the aerospace, health care, corporate training, non-profit, entertainment, and retail industries. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1321.html#1337257600 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1321.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added three players to their roster on Monday, signing third baseman Jared McDonald, catcher Taylor Freeman, and infielder Steve Carrillo. Photo Credit: Matt Pavelek McDonald hit .329 with six home runs and 53 RBI last season for the North American League's Yuma Scorpions. A left-handed batter, McDonald also contributed 44 runs scored, 17 doubles, three triples, and 17 stolen bases. The Tucson, AZ native finished the season with a .388 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. McDonald hit safely in 59 of 79 games played for Yuma, and strung together a nine-game hitting streak from August 14th-24th in which he was 19 for 39 (.487). On August 17th at Edmonton, McDonald raked in four hits and six RBI. We acquired Jared in a deal this offseason and are expecting big things from him, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is penciled in as our third baseman, but has also played first, second, shortstop, and the outfield. He is a very athletic individual who hits from the left side and also runs well. 2012 will be McDonald's fourth in professional baseball. The 24-year-old is a .284 career hitter with nine home runs and 74 RBI in 146 games. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound McDonald was drafted by the Chicago White Sox out of Arizona State University in 2009. The former 21st-round pick spent two years in the White Sox' organization before signing with Yuma. McDonald posted a .361 on-base percentage and a .469 slugging percentage during his final season at Arizona State, and helped the Sun Devils reach the semifinals of the College World Series. Freeman returns to professional baseball after sitting out the 2010 season. A left-handed hitting catcher, Freeman spent two years in the New York Mets' organization and reached the High-A Florida State League with St. Lucie in 2010. The Carney, OK native had a stellar college career at McNeese State University where he hit a combined .352 with 20 home runs and 108 RBI in 99 contests during his junior and senior seasons. The 6-foot, 190-pound Freeman was drafted by the Mets in the 8th round in 2009 and threw out 29 percent of opposing base stealers in his professional debut. Freeman also played at Seminole State College. Taylor will come in and battle this spring for one of our two catching spots, said Hooper. I'm anxious to see his tools with him being a former eighth-rounder. I like the fact that he is a left-handed bat who put up great college numbers at McNeese State. He is a midwest guy, and that's always a plus as far as I'm concerned. Carrillo also returns to the professional ranks after spending his rookie season in 2010 with the Grand Prairie AirHogs. A right-handed batter, Carrillo hit .264 with one home run and 10 RBI for Grand Prairie. Carrillo added 14 walks in just 25 games for a .370 on-base percentage. A native of Harbor City, CA, Carrillo hit safely in 17 of 25 contests during his rookie season. Carrillo played college baseball at California State University at Dominguez Hills, hitting .329 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 61 games as a senior in 2010. As of today, Steve will come into camp and compete for our utility spot, said Hooper. I've heard great things about his work ethic and true passion for the game. He is extremely versatile, and has the ability to play anywhere on the field--including catcher. The Wingnuts now have 22 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson LHP Shawn Joy 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1318.html#1337257601 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1318.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are searching for generous and caring families or individuals who are willing to open their homes to players for the 2012 season. The Wichita Wingnuts host family program provides a safe and comfortable living environment for its players. The majority of minor league baseball players come from all over the United States, making the host family program a vital part of the Wingnuts' organization and Wichita community. Through the program, players connect with the community on a deeper level while each host family has the opportunity to connect with the player, learn about the everyday trials and tribulations of professional baseball, and see the game from an inside perspective that few get to experience. For more information on becoming a host family for the 2012 Wichita Wingnuts, please contact Teri Ashcroft at (316) 522-0000, or call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-6887. Benefits of hosting a Wingnuts player during the 2012 season include: - Grand Slam lower box season tickets, which includes the 2012 NBC World Series - Free tickets to all Wingnuts' exhibition games - Option to purchase tickets to any potential Wingnuts' playoff games for only 2.00 - Option to purchase additional Wingnuts or NBC World Series tickets at a discounted rate - A 25% discount at the Wingnuts' merchandise store - A 10% discount on concession items at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium (excludes alcohol) - Host family t-shirts - Invitation to pre-season and post-season barbecues with the Wingnuts - Other events with the team throughout the season The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1319.html#1337257602 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1319.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed pitchers Jared Simon and Derrick Miramontes on Tuesday. Simon returns for a second year in a Wingnuts' uniform. The right-hander posted a 2.93 ERA in 2011 while finishing tied for sixth in the American Association with 47 appearances. Simon further proved his durability by pitching more than one inning on 17 different occasions. In 55.1 innings of work, Simon struck out 48 batters and allowed just two home runs. From June 21st through July 29th, Simon held the opposition to three earned runs over a span of 16 appearances that totaled 19.1 innings (1.40 ERA). Simon finished the season with a strong playoff series against Grand Prairie, allowing one earned run in four and one-third innings. Jared will be a key part of our bullpen this upcoming season, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is very valuable to us in that he can throw multiple innings, or come in against a right-handed batter and get a groundball when we need it. His sidearm delivery is a different look for us down there, which I like to have. He is very durable, and we have joked all offseason about him making a run at the league's appearance record, which is held by Dustin Pease, a former Wingnut. Simon enters his sixth year of professional baseball with a 15-11 career record, 49 saves, and a 3.16 ERA in 181 appearances. The 27-year-old has struck out 184 batters in 213.1 innings, while allowing only 57 walks and nine home runs. The 6-foot, 180-pound Simon pitched four seasons at Wichita State University, and began his pro career with the Frontier League's Slippery Rock Sliders shortly after his senior season in 2007. After pitching to a 1.46 ERA in 37.0 innings for Slippery Rock, Simon's contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. The Wichita native was assigned to the Low-A South Atlantic League's Lakewood BlueClaws in 2008, and set a team record with 30 saves. Miramontes was stellar in 2011, serving as the closer for the Frontier League's River City Rascals. The right-hander went 9-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 44 appearances. Miramontes struck out 68 batters in 53.0 innings, and allowed just 32 base hits. The Chico, CA native ended the year fifth in the Frontier League in appearances, and sixth in saves with 17. Miramontes did not allow an earned run over his first 13 appearances of the year, and had another dominant stretch from July 3rd-August 23rd in which he allowed two earned runs over 27.2 innings. Miramontes held right-handed hitters to a .178 batting average last year, and struck out 51 of the 135 total righties to face him. Like Simon, Miramontes showed his durability by pitching more than one inning 14 times. Derrick will come into camp competing for one of our bullpen spots, said Hooper. He has been dominant the last two years in the Frontier League, and I'm very excited to see what he can bring to the table for us. He is a right-hander that throws from all different arm angles, which will make him very tough on opposing hitters. Miramontes is 12-6 in his three-year professional career with 22 saves and a 2.86 ERA in 114 appearances. The 24-year-old has 155 strikeouts in 154.1 lifetime innings, allowing just 129 base hits and eight home runs. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Miramontes played two seasons of college baseball at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he was a combined 12-4 with a 3.41 ERA from 2008-2009. During his junior season in 2008, Miramontes earned Horizon League Newcomer of the Year honors. The pair of relievers gives the Wingnuts 19 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins on May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson LHP Shawn Joy 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1316.html#1337257603 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1316.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts secured their double play combination on Thursday, signing shortstop Ryan Khoury (pictured)and second baseman Jake Kahaulelio. Khoury (pronounced KORE-ee) opened last season with the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies where he hit .320 with five home runs in 26 games. The hot start caught the attention of the Boston Red Sox--the team that originally drafted Khoury--who purchased his contract and assigned him to Double-A Portland. Khoury played in 61 games for the Sea Dogs, and earned two separate promotions to Triple-A Pawtucket. The 28-year-old finished the season with a combined .266 batting average, 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 47 RBI in 95 games. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Khoury also drew 62 walks, and posted a .380 on-base percentage. Ryan will come in and be our shortstop this season, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He brings a lot of experience to our team having spent a lot of time at Double- and Triple-A. I'm very excited about bringing his experience and leadership to the top of our lineup and in the field. Khoury enters his seventh year of professional baseball with a lifetime .262 batting average and .361 on-base percentage. A former 12th-round pick, Khoury was selected by the Red Sox out of the University of Utah in 2006. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound shortstop enjoyed an outstanding, four-year career with the Utes. Khoury hit .342 with 137 RBI in 211 collegiate games, including a .437 mark during his senior season in which he was named the Mountain West Conference's Player of the Year. The Salt Lake City, UT native has played parts of three seasons at both the Double- and Triple-A levels, and attended Major League spring training with the Red Sox in 2010 and 2011. Khoury has averaged 36 doubles, 70 RBI, and 82 walks per 162 games over the first six years of his pro career. Kahaulelio (pronounced kuh-HOW-luh-lee-oh) played in the Cincinnati Reds' organization last season, sharing time at High-A Bakersfield, and Double-A Carolina. The Petaluma, CA native played in 95 games for the Double-A Mudcats, hitting .217 with five home runs and 34 RBI. Kahaulelio--who hits and throws right-handed--committed just 10 errors all season while playing all four positions on the infield. Jake will be our second baseman this year, said Hooper. He's had quite a bit of time in Double-A, and will add to our already experienced team. I've heard great things about his defense, and I'm excited to see him and Ryan together up the middle. Heading into his fifth year of professional baseball, Kahaulelio owns a stellar .977 career fielding percentage in 346 games played--238 of which have come at second base. Kahaulelio has hit .246 while averaging 78 runs scored, 35 doubles, 10 home runs, 58 RBI, and 53 walks per 162 games in his career. Kahaulelio was a Double-A Southern League all-star in 2010 after slugging a career-best 13 home runs for Carolina. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Reds in 2007 out of Oral Roberts Universty where he hit a combined .319 during his junior and senior seasons. The former 20th-round pick also played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. Khoury and Kahaulelio have a combined 10 years of experience in affiliated ball. The Wingnuts also traded right-handed pitcher Alex Kaminsky to the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies in exchange for a player to be named later. The Wingnuts now have 17 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins on May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores IF Cody Fuqua LHP Ryan Hinson LHP Shawn Joy 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1315.html#1337257604 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1315.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts re-signed pitchers Ryan Hinson and Derek Blacksher on Tuesday. Last season, Hinson emerged as one of the top starting pitchers in the American Association, finishing tied for third in the league in wins (11), and fifth in ERA (3.35). The left-hander logged 131.2 innings over 20 starts, striking out 84. A native of Rock Hill, SC, Hinson was especially tough at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where he was 6-1 with a 2.33 ERA in nine starts. Hinson--who will be 25 on Opening Night--worked at least six full innings in 19 of his 20 starts, and pitched seven or more in 10 of them. Hinson allowed three or fewer earned runs 13 times. With the Wingnuts facing elimination in the Division Series against Grand Prairie, Hinson helped keep their season alive with a seven inning, three-run performance in Game Three. What an incredible year 'Hinsy' had, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Being a rookie, he exceeded all expectations, and then some. Hopefully he can just build on his success, and roll it over into 2012. 'Hinsy' is a fierce competitor that other members of the team can feed off of. We are ecstatic to have him back in our rotation. Entering his fourth season of professional baseball, Hinson had a standout career at Clemson University before he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2009. During his four years at Clemson--where he twice earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors--Hinson was 15-8 with a 3.69 ERA and 200 strikeouts over 219.1 innings pitched. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Hinson spent two years in the Padres' organization, reaching the High-A California League with Lake Elsinore in 2009. Hinson has a lifetime 4.62 ERA over 187.0 innings in which he has struck out 144 and allowed only 13 home runs. Blacksher was 8-9 in 2011 and ranked 15th in the league with a 4.25 ERA. The right-hander also finished ninth in the American Association in strikeouts (95), and 11th in innings pitched (133.1). The Wingnuts acquired Blacksher from the Fort Worth Cats on July 10th in exchange for outfielder Ryan Patterson. In 10 starts for Wichita, Blacksher went 5-3 with a 3.97 ERA. Overall, Blacksher worked six innings or more in 14 of his 21 starts, including eight of his 10 starts after the trade. The Orange, TX native allowed three earned runs or less in 15 of his 20 starts. We worked really hard to try and get Derek back in a Wingnuts' uniform last year, and we were finally able to make that happen with the trade in July. He is obviously a big piece of our rotation. He has the ideal bulldog mentality that I look for in a pitcher, and he would take the ball everyday if I let him. Blacksher enters his sixth year of professional baseball with a 34-28 record, and a 4.34 ERA over 485.1 innings pitched. The 6-foot, 207-pound Blacksher was a 33rd-round selection of the Florida Marlins out of McNeese State University in 2007. Later that summer, Blacksher posted a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings for two of Florida's affiliates, and earned Best Professional Debut honors from Baseball America. A workhorse since returning to the rotation full-time, Blacksher has pitched at least 128.0 innings in three of the last four seasons. Blacksher was 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 2009--his first season with the Wingnuts--and was named the American Association's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. Hinson and Blacksher combined for 24 quality starts (three or fewer earned runs and at least six innings pitched) in 2011. The pair of starters gives the Wingnuts 17 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores IF Cody Fuqua RHP Junior Guerra LHP Ryan Hinson RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1314.html#1337257605 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1314.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' outfielder Josh Workman and first baseman C.J. Ziegler have been named to the Independent League Prospect Tournament's All-Tournament Team. The American Association posted a 5-3 record in the tournament, which also featured young stars from the Can-Am, Frontier, and North American independent leagues. The first-time event took place at historic Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL. For the first year, we are very pleased, said Tournament Director Nick Belmonte. The idea was to have great talent in a great setting, with the idea that these guys will eventually get an affiliated contract based on playing and being seen in this tournament. We are already planning on year two, and making this an annual event in St. Petersburg. Scouts from Major League organizations were in attendance throughout each day of the tournament. The Wingnuts were well-represented with outfielders Mitch Einertson and David Peralta, as well as catcher Angel Flores, joining Workman and Ziegler. Einertson had arguably the best single-game performance of the tournament. On February 29th, the veteran outfielder fell a triple shy of the cycle, going 5 for 5 with three runs scored and three RBI. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1313.html#1337257606 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1313.html Photo Credit: Chris Lee/Icon SMI WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' owner Nate Robertson has signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Robertson is currently attending mini camp, and is aiming to become a part of Chicago's bullpen. The 34-year-old left-hander spent 2011 in the Seattle Mariners' organization, making 18 starts for their Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate in Tacoma. Robertson last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2010 where he split time with the Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. In nine Major League seasons, Robertson is 57-77 with 775 strikeouts in 1,152.1 innings pitched over 223 appearances. Robertson made three postseason starts in 2006 for the American League champion Detroit Tigers. The Wichita native worked five shutout innings to earn the win in Game One of the American League Championship Series, beating Athletics' left-hander Barry Zito on the road. Robertson then held the St. Louis Cardinals to two earned runs over five innings in Game Three of the World Series, where he matched up against ace right-hander Chris Carpenter. Robertson was originally drafted by the Marlins out of Wichita State University in 1999. The former fifth-round pick reached the Majors for the first time in 2002, and then became a mainstay in the Tigers' rotation following a 2003 trade. Robertson logged at least 168 innings in five consecutive seasons from 2004-2008, including a career-best 208.2 in 2006. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1312.html#1337257607 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1312.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made two additions to their lineup on Friday, re-signing outfielder Josh Workman, and signing catcher Angel Flores. Workman helped anchor the Wingnuts' lineup last season, appearing in all 100 of the team's contests. An alumnus of Wichita State University, Workman set career-bests in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.325), runs scored (66), doubles (29), home runs (10), and RBI (68). The Atchison, KS native drew 44 walks against only 68 strikeouts, and finished with a .398 on-base percentage. The left-handed hitting Workman hit safely in 73 of 100 games, and totaled 36 multi-hit contests--11 of which were for three hits. Unfazed by same-handed pitching, Workman hit .361 against southpaws in 97 at bats. Workman was also a model of consistency, and went consecutive games without a base hit just four times the entire season. We are very excited to have 'Work' coming back for the 2012 season, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. As of now, he will be slotted into the DH spot for us. We will continue to work with him on his defense in the infield and outfield, making him very valuable to give some guys some rest at times. Work had a tremendous year for us last year, and hopefully can continue to build on that success. Being a WSU guy and living in Derby, he will bring us some of that local flavor that I like to have. 2012 will be Workman's fifth in professional baseball. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round in 2008, Workman spent parts of three seasons in their organization. The 26-year-old hit .297 for the New York-Penn League's Oneonta Tigers in 2009, and twice reached the High-A Florida State League. During three seasons with the Shockers from 2006-2008, the 6-foot, 215-pound Workman hit a composite .308 with 157 runs scored, 12 home runs, 102 RBI, and 63 stolen bases in 187 games. Flores played in 40 games for the Atlantic League's Lancaster Barnstormers last season. The Mantai, Puerto Rico native batted .311 with 14 runs scored, one home run, and 11 RBI. In addition to his duties behind the plate, Flores also saw time in the outfield and at first base. A 6-foot, 215-pound backstop, Flores hit safely in 25 of 40 games for Lancaster, and went 17 for 44 (.386) over his final 18 contests. Angel will be our catcher for the upcoming season, said Hooper. We are very excited to see what he can bring to the table, both offensively and defensively. I remember Angel from my Detroit days and what a wonderful person he is. I'm looking forward to working with him everyday and building a great relationship with him. This is going to be a great opportunity for him to show what he can do playing everyday. I have been very fortunate at catcher in the past with Muich, Christy and Bellorin, and I only hope he can follow in those great footsteps. Flores is entering his eighth season of professional baseball, and has twice played at both the Double- and Triple-A levels. The 25-year-old Flores is a career .230 hitter with 173 base hits in 252 games played. Defensively, Flores has a .986 lifetime fielding percentage at catcher, and has thrown out 25 percent of opposing base stealers. Flores was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 46th round in 2003, and elected to play junior college baseball before signing with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent in 2005. Flores spent six years in the Tigers' organization, and was a teammate of Josh Workman in both 2008 and 2010. On July 15th, 2007, Flores was behind the plate when current Major Leaguer Guillermo Moscoso tossed a nine-inning perfect game for Oneonta. The Wingnuts also learned that recently-signed shortstop Jose Martinez has signed with the Houston Astros' organization, and will report to their spring training facility in Kissimmee, FL. Martinez becomes the 11th Wingnut all-time to sign with a Major League organization. The Wingnuts now have 15 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson C Angel Flores IF Cody Fuqua RHP Junior Guerra RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters OF Josh Workman 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1311.html#1337257608 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1311.html WICHITA, KS- The American Association announced its roster for the first annual Independent League Prospect Tournament on Thursday. The Wingnuts are well-represented, with three current or former players on the American Association's 19-man squad. Outfielder/designated hitter Josh Workman, outfielder Mitch Einertson, and infielder Jose Duran will all participate in the 10-day tournament, which takes place February 24th-March 4th at historic Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL--the former spring training home of the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and other Major League clubs. Workman played in all 100 of the Wingnuts' games last year, and set career-highs across the board in batting average (.325), home runs (10), and RBI (68). After being acquired in a late-season trade, Einertson hit .382 with 13 RBI in 14 contests, and then batted .438 during the playoffs. Duran was a .349 hitter over 51 games as Wichita's second baseman before he was traded to the Kansas City T-Bones in August. In addition to the American Association, the four-team tournament is comprised of young stars from the Can-Am, North American, and Frontier independent leagues. The tournament should attract attention from Major League organizations due to its proximity to the start of affiliated spring training, and all of the players being centralized in one location. Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks' pitching coach Steve Montgomery will serve as the manager for the American Association team. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1310.html#1337257609 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1310.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed first baseman C.J. Ziegler and infielder Jose Martinez on Monday. Photo Credits: John L. Russell and Dianna Russell Ziegler was an offensive presence in the North American League last season, splitting time with the Calgary Vipers and Lake County Fielders. The big slugger hit a combined .335 with 24 home runs, 79 RBI, and 66 runs scored in just 75 games played. Ziegler finished tied for third in the NABL in home runs, and ranked fourth in slugging percentage at .658. From June 10th-24th, the Tucson, AZ native hit safely in 14 consecutive games. During the streak, Ziegler was 24 for 53 (.453) with six home runs, 16 RBI, and 15 runs scored. Ziegler cracked multiple home runs in one game four times last year, including a four-hit, seven-RBI performance on August 27th at Edmonton. The 26-year-old Ziegler added two home runs and eight more RBI in six playoff contests for Calgary. C.J. is a guy we had been after since the end of December, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. We were finally able to agree to terms on him being our everyday first baseman, and we couldn't be more excited. C.J. has plus power and will probably be slotted in the four-hole in our lineup. Not only is he a tremendous baseball player, but he is an even better person, which I am thrilled to have both on the field and in the clubhouse. Ziegler has four years of professional experience to his credit, including three with the San Francisco Giants' organization. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Ziegler was drafted in the 16th round by San Francisco in 2008 out of the University of Arizona. In two seasons with the Wildcats, Ziegler hit a combined .346 with 33 home runs and 123 RBI in 119 games. Over the first four seasons of his career, Ziegler has averaged 27 home runs per 162 games played. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Ziegler reached the High-A California League with the San Jose Giants in 2009 before joining the independent ranks the following summer with the Frontier League's Traverse City Beach Bums. Prior to his time at Arizona, Ziegler played two seasons at Pima Community College. Martinez owns five years of affiliated experience, and was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals' organization as recently as 2010. A native of Guacara, Venezuela, Martinez signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in 2005. Two seasons later, Martinez earned a promotion to Double-A Springfield at just 21 years of age, and hit .300 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 66 games. Martinez returned to Springfield in 2008, contributing 20 doubles and eight home runs. Jose just finished having a great winter in Venezuela, said Hooper. Our plans are for him to come in and be our everyday second baseman. This could easily change depending on how our roster develops. He is very valuable in that he can play all three infield spots, and play them well. He has some pop in his bat, and will probably find himself hitting in the middle of the lineup somewhere. We are very excited to see him in a Wingnut uniform for 2012. Now 26, Martinez has demonstrated impressive power for a middle infielder throughout his career. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Martinez has averaged 29 doubles, 14 home runs, and 81 RBI per 162 games played. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Martinez has a lifetime .972 fielding percentage, spending significant time at both shortstop and second base. Last month, Martinez helped the Tigres de Aragua win the Venezuelan Professional League championship. Ziegler and Martinez give the Wingnuts 14 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson IF Cody Fuqua RHP Junior Guerra RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey SS Jose Martinez RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1309.html#1337257610 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1309.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed pitcher Matt Nevarez and infielder Cody Fuqua on Thursday. Nevarez was a force out of the Wingnuts' bullpen after signing in Wichita last July. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander pitched to a 2.76 ERA over 18 appearances, and nailed down a critical save in the second-to-last game of the regular season that helped the Wingnuts eventually clinch the Central Division. Nevarez struck out 19 against only six walks in 16.1 innings of work, and did not allow a run in 16 of his 18 appearances. The Mission Hills, CA native recorded the final two outs in the top of the eighth inning during the Wingnuts' combined no-hitter over the Shreveport-Bossier Captains on July 13th. We're very excited to have the opportunity to bring 'Matty' back for the upcoming season, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's a powerful arm at the tail-end of our bullpen who may not be here long if he continues to improve. He had a great winter in Venezuela, which will end up being valuable experience for him. Entering his seventh year of professional baseball, Nevarez is 10-11 in his career with 11 saves and a 3.76 ERA. Nevarez has struck out 222 in 191.1 lifetime innings (10.4 strikeouts per nine), while allowing 144 hits (6.8 hits per nine) and just seven total home runs. Nevarez--who will be 25 by Opening Night--was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round out of California's San Fernando High School in 2005. The big righty spent four seasons in the Rangers' organization before he was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for all-star catcher Ivan Rodriguez in August of 2009. While with Houston, Nevarez spent parts of two years at the Double-A level, and was a member of the Astros' 40-man roster during the 2010 season. Fuqua (pronounced FOO-kwuh) made his professional debut last season for the Pecos League champion Roswell Invaders. The Jackson, TN native hit .308 (20 for 65) with 16 runs scored and 10 RBI over 34 games played. Fuqua totaled eight multi-hit games during his rookie campaign, including a 4 for 4, four-run performance on July 7th versus Carlsbad. Cody traveled to Wichita from Tennessee to work out for us this past weekend, said Hooper. We signed him right after the workout to come in this spring and battle for our utility spot. Cody can play all three infield spots along with the outfield, making him very valuable. A 6-foot, 170-pound infielder, Fuqua played two seasons of college baseball at MidAmerica Nazarene University where he hit .298 with 21 runs scored, 20 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts as a senior in 2010. Fuqua--who will be 24 by Opening Night--also spent two years at Williams Baptist College, earning All-Conference honors as a freshman in 2007. In addition to baseball, Fuqua lettered in golf at Liberty Tech High School in his home state of Tennessee. The signings give the Wingnuts 12 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson IF Cody Fuqua RHP Junior Guerra RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez RHP Matt Nevarez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1308.html#1337257611 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1308.html WICHITA, KS- Former Wichita Wingnuts' pitcher Dustin Pease is preparing for his second season as a member of the San Diego Padres' organization. After spending four years in the independent ranks, Pease thrived in his first chance with an affiliated organization. The left-hander initially signed with San Diego last winter, and was assigned to the Padres' High-A affiliate in Lake Elsinore, CA. It was a great year, said Pease. One of my goals was to make it out of camp, and spring training turned out to be great. In 2008, Pease attended training camp with the Kansas City Royals, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. The 26-year-old relied heavily on that experience last spring. I already had a little spring training experience from when I was with the Royals in 2008, so I had a better idea of what to expect. I was really looking forward to it, and felt like I was ready to go out and make a team. The first couple of weeks in camp, I felt like they liked me, but they didn't give me any information. So I kept trying to do my best, and I kept getting lefties out. I was throwing good, my velocity was up, and by the end, I found out I was going to High-A. Pease even joked about having fewer competitors to worry about at the Padres' training complex in Peoria, AZ. There weren't nearly as many left-handed pitchers in camp as there were with the Royals, laughed Pease, so that was a good thing. But given how Pease performed once the regular season began, a higher volume of lefties was unlikely to have mattered anyway. Pease worked 73.2 innings over 55 appearances for the Storm, struck out 66, walked only 23, and finished the year with a 3.18 ERA. As has been the case throughout his career, Pease was lethal against left-handed hitters. Pease held lefties to a .148 batting average, and punched out 33 of the 92 (36 percent) total lefties that he faced. From a hitter's perspective, that equates to striking out 216 times over a full-season of 600 at bats. The Major League record is 223. Pease built on his regular season success, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in five playoff games, and helped the Storm win the California League championship. Pease's numbers are impressive in their own right, but his 2011 season carries even more weight when you consider the California League's propencity for carving up pitchers. Of the 10 full-season affiliated leagues (ranging from Low-A to Triple-A), the California League ranked second in 2011 in cumulative ERA (4.89), batting average (.277), and home runs per game (1.8). In comparison, the Double-A Texas League ranked third in ERA at 4.39--half a run lower. That's what they kept saying in camp, said Pease. It's a hitter's league, and the ball flies. I saw some of the farthest home runs I have ever seen in person last year. The air is thinner there because of the elevation. But organizations know that. They know when they send a pitcher there, the numbers may be skewed. It's a known thing, and you just keep pitching the same way you always have. Pease did just that, and was rewarded with the same consistent results he had enjoyed each of the previous four years. 2011 marked the fifth time in as many seasons that Pease finished with an ERA below 4.00, and the fourth time he has checked in under 3.30. It did give me a lot of confidence (playing in the California League) . A 'four' ERA is considered a 'three' over there. I carried a 'two' for most of the year, so I felt like I was doing really well. Pease's performance caught the attention of the Padres' front office, which protected him in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft this past December. Players left unprotected are eligible to be drafted by other Major League organizations. Selected players in the Triple-A phase must be placed on the acquiring team's Triple-A roster for the upcoming season. Protection usually signals two things. It indicates the organization's faith in a player's skills and development potential. It also implies the organization believes competing clubs share a similar evaluation, and could be targeting the player as a potential asset. Pease's journey into affiliated ball followed a record-breaking 2010 season with the Wingnuts. Pease was 6-1 for Wichita with a 2.46 ERA in 55.0 innings, striking out 64, and walking just 20. His 54 appearances set an American Association record during a year in which the league still played 96 games (the schedule has since increased to 100). Pease struck out 33 of the 91 left-handed batters he faced--foreshadowing his dominance in Lake Elsinore--and also held righties to a .242 batting average. Three different times during the season, Pease pitched on four or more consecutive days. He also worked in each of the Wingnuts' final six contests (over a seven-day span) en route to setting the appearance record on August 29th. 'Peasy' was just fun to be around, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He wanted the ball at all times, and seemed to pop back every single night and tell us he was ready. I can't have enough guys like that, especially down in the bullpen. It was a lot of fun when he broke that record because I know it meant a lot to him. He's another guy that I think could find himself sliding up to the Major Leagues, because he is so tough on left-handers. Pease had experience as a reliever early in his career, but was used almost exclusively as a starter in 2009. Pitching for the Windy City Thunderbolts that season, Pease ranked third in the Frontier League in wins (12), second in starts (21), and third in complete games (four). Upon his arrival in Wichita, Pease expressed interest in returning to the bullpen. I really appreciated playing for 'Hoop', said Pease. I remember that's the first thing I told him when I got there--I wanted to break the appearance record. I wanted to pitch everyday. I was coming off a season where I was a starter, and I realized that as a left-handed sidearmer, being a starter wasn't what was going to get me to the next level. Hooper believes in having left-handed depth in the bullpen, so changing Pease's role made sense for both sides. That's the other end of the stick, said Hooper, who has experienced a lot of success turning relievers into starters. He was a starter in the Frontier League who did really well, but hadn't been picked up. You know the stuff is there, so sometimes you have to try a different route to get a guy exposed. Part of our job as a coaching staff is to put guys in situations where they can succeed and have the best opportunity to get signed. For someone who threw as often as Pease in 2010, it would have been perfectly understandable for him to have shown signs of fatigue late in the season--especially in the Wichita heat during the months of July and August. However, Pease was most effective during a busy second half in which he allowed just three earned runs over his final 30 appearances. Coming to a team where they wanted to utilize me as a situational guy, I think it was a good fit, especially with 'Hoop' and Luke (Robertson). They used me as often as I said I could pitch, and they wanted to let me throw. It was a good situation, and I honestly think moving to the bullpen was a reason why I got picked up. It showed I could consistently get left-handed hitters out. Another key factor came during one of the most difficult parts of the season. For the last 77 years, professional baseball teams in Wichita have had to embark on a two-week road trip late in the summer, while the NBC World Series occupies Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The trip can be greuling, and usually coincides with the hottest days of the year. The 2010 trip was no different, taking the Wingnuts through Pensacola, Shreveport, Sioux City, and Lincoln. But it also provided a rare opportunity that Pease took advantage of. On July 31st, the Wingnuts faced Pensacola, and eventually defeated the Pelicans 7-4. What made the night unique for the independent level was that a local cable company elected to televise the game. Pease was summoned from the bullpen in the seventh inning and proceeded to have one of his most dominant outings of an already terrific season. Pease faced four batters--two lefties and two righties--and struck out all four. Following the game, Pease was able to acquire a copy of the telecast and passed it on to his agent. It all started with Wichita, said Pease. Wichita is what gave me the opportunity to get signed. There was a video of the Pensacola game, and that's what we got out to the Padres. It was about a month-long process. They went ahead and invited me to spring training with no guarantees, and I just kind of went out there and battled for a spot. Pease battled and won, making his journey that much more admirable. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Pease was considered undersized by many scouts. Despite a successful college career at Mount St. Mary's University in his home state of Maryland--he is the school's all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched--Pease went undrafted following his senior season in 2007. There's scouting reports out there questioning my stuff, or my size, said Pease. There's always going to be people who do that and say that. But the reality is that they're not me. They don't know how hard I work, and I think the numbers speak for thesmelves. If the numbers are saying I'm getting people out consistently, there's nothing anyone can really say. It's been that way my whole life, and it's fuel for what makes you want to do better. I want to show people that I'm better than maybe what they think. Pease overcame his doubters, working his way through four cities in four different independent leagues--pitching effectively at every stop--before finally catching his break last year. His story includes summers in Canada, the Chicago suburbs, Wichita, and small-town Pennsylvania--not to mention all of the accompanying road trips--and represents hope for the thousands of independent players still eyeing their first chance in affiliated ball. Now, with Double-A a realistic next step heading into this season, Pease is fully aware of the opportunity in front of him--the chance to get to the Major Leagues. And as long as there are left-handed hitters, there will always be a demand for left-handed pitchers. It seems so surreal that it could happen, said Pease, because it's something you've worked for your whole life. A track record for independent players even exists within the Padres' organization. And it's not that unrealistic, said Pease. My throwing partner at the start of last year, Erik Hamren, was playing for the Kansas City T-Bones in 2010. He started out with me in Lake Elsinore, and made it up to the big leagues by the end of the season. Things can happen quickly, especially if you're on a good run. I've been told by the Padres that they really like how I throw, and it makes me feel good that they may see a future in me with their organization. It's not uncommon for Hooper and his staff to board the team bus following a road game and begin checking on former Wingnuts players in affiliated ball. For Pease, the same process is taking place on the other end. That means a lot, said Pease. I do the same thing with all the independent teams I've played for. I come back from my game and see if Wichita won, or who did what in the boxscore. It's a good thing, and I try and stay in touch with everyone as often as I can. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1307.html#1337257612 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1307.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed outfielder Mitch Einertson on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Jancy Ireland Photography The Wingnuts acquired Einertson last August from the North American League's Maui Na Koa Ikaika. In 14 games played, Einertson was 21 for 61 (.382) with two home runs, 13 RBI, and nine runs scored. The veteran was also 7 for 16 (.438) during the Wingnuts' playoff series against Grand Prairie. For the year, Einertson hit .326 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, 62 RBI, and 54 runs scored in 82 contests. At the conclusion of the season, Einertson was traded back to Maui to complete the original deal before re-signing with the Wingnuts as a free agent. Einertson hit .325 with nine home runs and 47 RBI in 2010 for the Golden League's Chico Outlaws where he was a teammate of Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew. Einertson also scored 11 runs and had five RBI in five playoff games, helping Chico win the Golden League championship. Mitch is a true 'gamer' in every sense of the word, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. I can't wait to see what he can do with us for a full season. We acquired him so late that we only got a taste of what he can do, and I loved what I saw out of him. He will be a veteran this year, and I will expect a lot out of him, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse as well. He has been blessed with so many tools, and hopefully he will get another shot in affiliated ball at some point. A 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder, Einertson is heading into his ninth season of professional baseball, and has a lifetime .274 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, and .452 slugging percentage. A native of Oceanside, CA, Einertson has averaged 38 doubles, 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and nine outfield assists per 162 games in his career. Einertson was drafted by the Houston Astros out of California's Rancho Buena Vista High School in 2004. The former fifth-round pick--who will be 26 on Opening Night--is just seven home runs and 34 RBI away from 100 and 500 respectively for his career. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Einertson spent six years in the Astros' organization, including two at the Double-A level. During his professional debut in 2004, an 18-year-old Einertson hit .308 with 24 home runs and 67 RBI in just 63 games for Greeneville in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. The 24 home runs tied a 44-year-old record and helped Einertson capture league MVP honors. Three years later, Einertson won a second MVP award playing for the High-A Carolina League's Salem Avalanche. Einertson's line that year included a .305 batting average, 40 doubles, 11 home runs, and 87 RBI. Einertson's addition gives the Wingnuts 10 players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which starts on May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew OF Mitch Einertson RHP Junior Guerra RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. You can also shop Wingnuts for the holidays by visiting the Wingnuts' merchandise kiosk at Towne West Mall. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1305.html#1337257613 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1305.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed pitchers Junior Guerra and Moises Melendez on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Jancy Ireland Photography Coming off a terrific 2011 campaign, Guerra returns for his second season with the Wingnuts. The right-hander was 9-3 in 20 starts last year, and finished tied for ninth in the American Association with a 3.57 ERA. Guerra also ranked seventh in the league with 103 strikeouts, and posted the third-lowest opponents batting average at .229. The 27-year-old Guerra proved durable, working at least six full innings in 14 of his 20 starts, and at least five innings in 18 of them. On July 13th versus Shreveport-Bossier, Guerra pitched the first seven and one-third innings of Wichita's combined no-hitter over the Captains. Guerra was especially dominant down the stretch. Over his final 10 starts, Guerra went 7-1 with a 2.22 ERA. Junior was a priority for us this offseason after what he accomplished in 2011, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is an integral part of our rotation, and hopefully 2012 will bring an even better Junior Guerra to the table. Guerra originally signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2003, and spent the early part of his career as a catcher. A native of San Felix, Venezuela, Guerra threw out 36 percent of opposing base stealers during his time behind the plate. That arm strength ultimately led to his switch to the mound where he has a career 3.76 ERA. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Guerra latched on with the New York Mets' organization in 2008, advancing through four levels, and pitching to a combined 2.12 ERA. In 2010, Guerra was 11-1 with a 0.89 ERA for Sant Boi in the Spanish Elite League. Melendez most recently pitched this winter in the Venezuelan Professional League. A left-hander, Melendez was 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 30 relief outings for Zulia, and was a teammate of both Derek Blacksher and Matt Nevarez. The Maracaibo, Venezuela native struck out 18 and walked only five in 22.0 innings of work. Moises adds left-handed depth, and we plan on him being a big part of our bullpen this season, said Hooper. He comes highly-regarded from many people, not only as a pitcher, but as a person and a leader. He's also logged innings as a starter in the past, making him even more valuable. The 25-year-old Melendez spent four years in the Philadelphia Phillies' organization after signing as an international free agent in 2005. Melendez is 21-10 in 88 lifetime appearances--35 of them starts--with a 2.87 ERA. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound lefty has struck out 322 batters against 126 walks in 310.0 career innings. During that span, Melendez has allowed just 16 home runs. The two pitchers give the Wingnuts nine players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew RHP Junior Guerra RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes LHP Moises Melendez C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1299.html#1337257614 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1299.html WICHITA, KS- Former Wichita Wingnuts' pitcher Will Savage has been invited to Major League camp with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Photo Credits: Terri Ashcroft, Evan Meeks Photography Savage--who has pitched in the Dodgers' organization each of the last two years--will compete for a Major League roster spot this spring, and has the chance to become the first Wingnuts' player to reach the pinnacle of professional baseball. It's very surreal, said Savage. I kind of have to put it all in perspective. Having the setbacks that I've had really makes me appreciate the opporunity. After starring for the Wingnuts' in 2009, Savage was purchased by Los Angeles in February of 2010. Since then, the 27-year-old right-hander has made two all-star teams, and risen through three levels of the Dodgers' farm system. I'd take 22 of him, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. When he took the mound, he was fierce. He wanted the ball at all times, and he was going to give you everything he had. He had a true passion for the game. He took a lot of pride in what he did, and he took a lot of pride in what he did during the four days that he wasn't pitching. As a skipper, I can't ask for much more. Now he gets his first invite to Big League camp, which is a huge deal, because he's going to put himself in front of that whole Major League staff and have a chance to shine. Any baseball player would consider it a dream come true to simply reach the Major Leagues. But for Savage, a native of Los Angeles' West Hills, the chance to do it with the team he grew up rooting for would be extra special. You've got Don Newcombe and Sandy Koufax coming in to talk to you, said Savage. It just gives you goosebumps. These guys are legends in the game that you hear about growing up. Then you get to meet them face-to-face and actually have them share their experiences and trying to help you get to where they were. It's unbelievable. Every night I would go to bed as a little kid dreaming of pitching at Dodger Stadium. Hopefully that dream will be realized here pretty soon. Anytime I slip on that Dodgers uniform, I don't take anything for granted. With my whole family being Dodgers fans, and the chance to be able to go back home to Los Angeles and pitch in front of them, it would make everybody's dream come true. This past season, Savage went 12-6 for the Double-A Southern League's Chattanooga Lookouts. Savage led the Southern League in wins, while finishing eighth in ERA (3.95), and second in both WHIP (1.25) and walks allowed per nine innings (1.84). Savage allowed two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 25 appearances, and yielded more than four just three times all season. Savage also logged at least 6.0 innings in 17 of his 23 starts, and was voted to the Southern League's mid-season all-star team. Savage earned two promotions within the organization in 2010, climbing from Low-A Great Lakes to High-A Inland Empire, and eventually finishing in Chattanooga. Savage was a mid-season all-star for Great Lakes, leading the Midwest League in wins at the time of his selection. His 2.80 ERA with the Loons fell 23.0 innings shy of qualifying for second in the league. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of the University of Oklahoma in 2006, the 26th-round pick pitched exclusively out of the bullpen during his first three professional seasons. Savage signed shortly after the draft, and posted a 2.68 ERA in 40.1 innings during his first pro summer. The season concluded with Savage helping the Low-A South Atlantic League's Lakewood BlueClaws capture a championship. In 2007, Savage was promoted to the High-A Florida State League with Clearwater, and had another strong year. He worked 62.0 more innings with a 3.63 ERA, and again helped his club to a championship. Two succesful years in the Phillies' system led to another promotion in 2008--this time to the Double-A Eastern League with Reading. But an arm injury limited Savage to just eight and two-thirds innings, and his season was cut short for good on May 15th. Savage rehabbed his way back into playing shape, but was released by Philadelphia the following spring. It was during his cross-country trip back home that Savage and the Wingnuts made contact. We fell on him really late that year, said Hooper. We were getting ready to start camp, and he was driving back after getting released. It was a close stop with him living in Oklahoma at the time, so he came in and threw a bullpen for us. The rest is history. Signing with the Wingnuts presented Savage the opportunity to re-establish himself within the baseball community. It also opened the door for him to do something he had never done professionally--become a starting pitcher. Prior to 2009, all 70 of Savage's professional outings came in relief. Even during his final two years at Oklahoma, Savage had made just six starts in 72 appearances. But a strong frame--Savage is 6-foot-4 and a former junior college quarterback--and deep arsenal of quality pitches made the decision mutually intriguing for both parties. Sometimes, that's what it takes to get a guy back to affiliated ball, said Hooper. You move him into a rotation where he's going to pitch every fifth day, and he's going to log seven innings a night. Scouts are going to be able to come out and watch him do that and get a gauge on how he responds. For 'Savy', it's been nothing but great, and hopefully he's on his way to bigger and better things. The results were nothing short of terrific. Savage was a major component of a Wingnuts' club that went a league-best 58-38, and a pitching staff that dominated the American Association with a 3.52 team ERA. Savage finished fourth in the league, and first on the Wingnuts, with a 2.94 ERA. The Wingnuts were a launching point for me, said Savage. When I got released by the Phillies, I was out of the bullpen, and 'Hoop' gave me the opportunity to be a starter. The guy was so knowledgeable having played for a long time. I enjoyed being around him and learning the intracacies of the game. Luke (Robertson) was also instrumental in helping me with the transformation from being a bullpen guy to a starter. That helped me out tremendously. On June 23rd, Savage earned a piece of baseball history when he no-hit the Sioux City Explorers in the midst of a pennant race. The feat was even more impressive when you consider that it was just the eighth start of Savage's pro career, and it came on the road in a 1-0 contest. I was fortunate enough that they made a plaque for me. I have it hanging in my office, and I get goosebumps every once in a while when I look at it. It's something that doesn't happen very often, and there's a lot of luck involved. I remember Mike Thompson making a backhanded, diving play down the line to save the no-hitter. 'Hoop' gave me the lineup card, so I definitely remember all of those guys that were a part of it, and it's something I'll never forget. Just five days after the no-hitter, Savage started and won what proved to be the clinching game of the Wingnuts' first half division title. As Savage continued to build his resume as a starter, he also earned more and more trust from his manager. With a playoff spot assured, Hooper had the luxury of setting his postseason rotation exactly how he wanted. It was Savage who was chosen to start Game One of the Division Series, emerging from a staff that boasted four all-stars, four top-10 ERA finishers, and both the Right- and Left-Handed Pitchers of the Year. Savage once again rose to the occassion, pitching seven strong innings to earn the victory in the franchise's first ever playoff game. Savage--who currently resides in Oklahoma with his wife Lacey and their four-month old son Maverick--is just weeks away from starting Big League camp with the Dodgers. Over the last four years, Savage has overcome both injury and disappointment in taking his career to new heights, and he has done it in a completely different role. His former manager could not be more proud. I got a taste of the Major Leagues, said Hooper, and I want every single guy to have that opportunity. 'Savy' was a joy to be around, and I couldn't be happier for him. It would be truly special seeing him on TV pitching in the Major Leagues. It would be a special day for our entire organization. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1304.html#1337257615 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1304.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts re-signed right-handed pitcher Josh Dew on Monday. Photo Credit: Jancy Ireland Photography Dew had a dominant 2011 season while serving as the Wingnuts' closer. In 34 appearances, the right-hander was 3-1 with a 1.12 ERA and 20 saves. Dew struck out 62 hitters, while allowing just 27 hits and 19 walks in 40.0 innings of work. The Montgomery, AL native also made it through the entire season without allowing a home run. Dew's 20 saves ranked third in the American Association--which also tied a Wingnuts' single-season record--while his ERA was the lowest among any pitcher with at least 22.0 innings. Over the last two seasons, Dew has not allowed an earned run in 62 of his 70 appearances. Josh was hands down the best closer in the league from what I saw, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. I may be biased because he is a Wingnut, but we would not have had the season we had last year without Josh Dew closing the door in the ninth. Josh was a top priority for us to re-sign because he was a free agent. He had hip surgery this offseason, and should be ready to go in time for Spring Training in May. Hopefully he will save some more games for us and then get back to affiliated ball, because he deserves another opportunity without question. A 14th-round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007, Dew enters his fifth season of professional baseball. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Dew is 11-6 with 43 saves and a 2.59 ERA in 153 career games. Dew, who turns 27 next week, has 230 strikeouts in 188.0 lifetime innings in which he has allowed just five total home runs. Dew pitched two seasons in the Cardinals' organization, and reached the Double-A level with Springfield in 2008. After missing the 2009 season due to injury, Dew signed with the Golden League's Chico Outlaws, helping them win a championship in 2010. Dew was drafted out of Troy University where he spent his junior and senior seasons. A two-way star for the Trojans, Dew was 12-3 on the mound with a 2.69 ERA while hitting .321 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI in just 110 games at the plate. Wingnuts' right-handed pitcher Nick Singleton has also signed a contract with the Mexican League's Campeche Pirates. Singleton is the winningest pitcher in team history, sporting an 18-5 record with a 3.00 ERA in 31 starts and four relief outings over the last two years. Wichita retains Singleton's reversionary rights. Campeche's regular season is scheduled to finish July 29th. The Wingnuts now have seven players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Josh Dew RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters The Wingnuts open the 2012 season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are all on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1306.html#1337257616 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1306.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired two pitchers on Wednesday, trading for left-hander Nick Walters and right-hander Alex Kaminsky. Photo Credits: Gateway Grizzlies, Keith Cole and Bryan Leeds Walters starred for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies last season, going 2-1 with one save and a 2.81 ERA in 39 relief appearances. The left-hander struck out 54 batters in 41.2 innings of work, averaging 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Walters also allowed just 20 base hits, holding opponents to a .145 batting average. Walters had five separate outings last year in which all of his outs were recorded via strikeout. A native of Phoenix, AZ, Walters had an even better season for Gateway in 2010 where he was 5-0 with three saves and a career-low 1.14 ERA. Walters struck out 71 in just 47.1 innings that year--an average of 13.5 strikeouts per nine--while scattering a paltry 18 base hits. Nick is a left-hander we just acquired via trade whom I am very excited to see, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He will be a big part of our bullpen, and hopefully it won't be long before he gets another chance in affiliated ball. I have heard nothing but great things about Nick, not only as a pitcher, but as a person as well, which is always at the top of my list. Walters was a 31st round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2004, and is entering his eighth year of professional baseball. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Walters is 16-14 in his career with 13 saves and a 3.20 ERA. In 290.0 lifetime innings pitched, Walters has averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and has finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched in five of his seven pro seasons. Walters spent two years with the White Sox before latching on with the Oakland Athletics' organization where he reached the High-A California League in both 2007 and 2009. Kaminsky is a third-year professional who split time with three different American Association clubs in 2011. The rookie right-hander was a combined 7-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 25 games--15 of them starts--for Fargo-Moorhead, El Paso, and Shreveport-Bossier. The Fostoria, OH native totaled 101.2 innings, striking out 88 and walking 43. On July 24th, Kaminsky worked six and two-thirds innings to earn a win against the Wingnuts while pitching for El Paso. Alex had a pretty good year in our league for a rookie. When you have to have four rookies on the roster, someone like Alex becomes really valuable. We've heard really good things about him from a lot of people, and there were other teams interested in him. We had a neat little bond right away when I found out he had watched me play in Toledo for a number of years. He's excited for the opportunity, and will compete for a spot in our rotation. Following a succesful, four-year career at Wright State University, Kaminsky signed with the Cleveland Indians as a non-drafted free agent in 2010. Kaminsky--who will be 24 on opening night--had excellent numbers during his lone year with the Indians. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound righty worked to a 2.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 72.0 innings. Kaminsky finished the season in Double-A Akron where he fired three scoreless innings. Kaminsky was 21-9 in his career at Wright State with a 4.39 ERA in 56 appearances. Kaminsky and infielder Jonathan Johnson were acquired in December from Laredo in exchange for infielder Jimmy Mojica and right-handed pitcher Marcos Tabata. Johnson was traded to Gateway the following week to acquire Walters. The Wingnuts also learned that pitcher Dan Grybash has announced his retirement. Grybash started the Wingnuts' second game of 2011 at Amarillo before exiting with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Walking away from the game is hard because it's defined who I've been for so long, said Grybash. But it's nice to be able to look back and see where baseball has taken me. I tell people all the time, it wasn't about the money. It was about going out and competing, and being around my teammates everyday. The Chicago native pitched for eight seasons and finishes with a lifetime 41-25 record and a 3.77 ERA. Grybash finished with a winning record six times during his eight-year career. The right-hander was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003 out of Carthage College, and reached the High-A Florida State League during his three years with the organization. Grybash joined the independent ranks in 2005 and helped the Fort Worth Cats to consecutive championships in 2005 (Central League) and 2006 (American Association). After one season of pitching in his hometown for the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers, Grybash returned to Fort Worth for the 2008 and 2009 seasons,helping the Cats return to the playoffs both years. Shoulder surgery forced Grybash to miss the entire 2010 season, eventually leading him to Wichita this past summer. My career was about as up and down as it gets, said Grybash, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I was a small kid in high school. When I was younger, I never thought any of this would happen. I loved Wichita, even though it was only for two-thirds of an inning. I have no regrets about trying to come back and play. Everything with the Wingnuts was a great experience. The Robertsons are like a second family. They all treated me really great. And Hoop was a great guy to play for. I love how he made people accountable, and I couldn't have asked for a better manager to end my career with. The Wingnuts now have six players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1296.html#1337257617 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1296.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts shortstop Josh Horn has announced his retirement from professional baseball. Horn closes out a five-year playing career--the last three of which were spent in a Wingnuts' uniform--that includes two championships, five all-star appearances, and more base hits (548) than games played (467). A member of four teams that reached the playoffs, Horn hit .290 or better in each of his five seasons, and at least .300 in four of them. I had a great time doing what I did, said Horn. But I think God has opened up some other doors for me, and I feel like I have to walk through those doors and close this one. I learned a lot about baseball, and I learned a lot about myself, said Horn. The game has taught me a lot. I was around a great group of guys and a great coaching staff. They taught me a lot about the game, and they taught me a lot about life itself. A native of Shelbyville, TN, Horn hit .322 over his three seasons with the Wingnuts, and retires as the franchise's all-time leader in games played (271), base hits (341), runs scored (187), RBI (125), walks (117), and stolen bases (46). Horn's 20-game hitting streak from August 29th, 2009 through June 5th, 2010 also remains a club record. He meant a ton to me, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's my type of guy, no question. I told him I can't thank him enough for being the type of guy that he is, and how he carried himself on and off the field. It's been a joy having him around the last three years, not only for myself, but for the organization as well, because he's a first class act. Horn hit .330 as a senior at Middle Tennessee State University in 2006 before starting his professional career the following summer with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts. Horn spent two years in the Chicago area--serving primarily as a third baseman--and helped Windy City capture back-to-back Frontier League championships. The Wingnuts acquired Horn prior to the 2009 season where he opened the year as Wichita's starting second baseman. Horn moved to shortstop full-time in early-June and held down the position through the end of 2011. Horn hit .310 in 2009 with 68 runs scored, 43 RBI, and stole 19 bases without ever being thrown out by an opposing catcher. One of Horn's signature moments came on August 24th of that season when he slugged a game-ending home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to defeat the Lincoln Saltdogs. I can think back to when 'Hoop' moved me to shortstop, and I was kind of intimidated, said Horn. But as time went on--like anything you do--you get more and more confident. Baseball is a game of failure, so you learn to deal with that, and it makes you a stronger person. Horn was the North Division's starting shortstop at the 2009 American Association All-Star Game in Grand Prairie, scoring a run and collecting two hits. And although he was admittedly 'intimidated' at first by changing positions, Horn still finished the season second in fielding percentage among American Association shortstops. Horn hit .331 during another all-star campaign in 2010, and was one of only three starters from the Wingnuts' opening night lineup to play through the entire season. For a second straight year, Horn was voted the starting shortstop for the North Division, but was unable to participate due to an ankle injury. In 2011, Horn saved arguably his best season for last, hitting .326 and starting all 100 games. Horn set career-bests in runs scored (75), doubles (31), and RBI (55). Horn was a major factor in the Wingnuts' charge to the playoffs down the stretch, hitting .371 over the team's final 42 games. At the end of the season, Horn was named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star team. But for all of his on-field accomplishments, Horn is mostly remembered for his genunine personality, and strong work ethic. He's just one of those guys who was like that when he came, said Hooper. And that's what I mean when I say he's 'our type of guy'. He's a great teammate and a great baseball player, but a lot of people are going to remember him as a great person to be around. That means a lot, said Horn. People judge you by your character, so when somebody says something about you like that, it means a lot to me, no doubt about it. And although he was never given the opportunity to play for a Major League organization--despite an all-star resume, consistent production, a likeable personality, and strong work ethic--Horn is nothing but grateful for his time in the game. I have no regrets, said Horn. Baseball has brought me a lot of good things. If I hadn't played baseball, I never would have come to Wichita, never would have met my wife, and never met some of the great people that I've met. Obviously God didn't have it in the books for me to play affiliated ball or go to the Big Leagues, but I have nothing to be bitter about. I gave it 120 percent, did the best I could do, and can lay my head down at night and have peace about it. Horn's manager shares similar thoughts. I've told him many times that he should have no regrets, said Hooper. It's tough because everybody you talk to asks, 'how does a guy like that not get an opportunity?', but he has no control over that. Life's a big picture. This is just a small piece of it, and I think it's all worked out for him. He knew nothing about Wichita when we got him in the trade, and now he's met his wife here, he's found a job here, and this is probably where he's going to spend the rest of his life. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1295.html#1337257618 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1295.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two players to their 2012 roster on Tuesday, trading for right-handed pitcher Josh Lowey, and signing catcher Eric Rodriguez. Lowey was stellar in 2011 where he was 11-2 with a 2.44 ERA in 20 starts for the Frontier League's River City Rascals. Lowey pitched a career-high 129.1 innings--the third consecutive year in which he has reached the century mark--struck out 114, and walked only 46. A native of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Lowey finished the season tied for third in the Frontier League in wins, fourth in ERA, and fifth in strikeouts. Following his successful regular season--in which he was named the Frontier League's Pitcher of the Year--Lowey posted a 1.74 ERA during three playoff starts, and helped River City reach the Frontier League Championship Series. Lowey helped clinch the first round of the playoffs for River City, yielding just one earned run over seven innings against Southern Illinois in Game Four. Josh was the Frontier League Pitcher of the Year last season and we are very excited to add him to our rotation, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. River City Manager Steve Brook and I are good friends and I had been working very hard for a couple of months to acquire him. We feel like we have a stong core of our rotation coming back and Josh is only going to make it better. I really look forward to seeing him take the mound for us in 2012. In four professional seasons, Lowey is an impressive 29-9 with a 3.17 ERA over 349.2 innings. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Lowey began his career with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts in 2008, appearing in seven contests. Lowey spent the next three seasons in River City where he earned at least eight wins, logged more than 100 innings, and posted an ERA of 3.55 or below each year. Lowey played two seasons of college baseball at Mercer University, which followed two years at Northwest Florida State College. Lowey and his twin brother, Jason, pitched together throughout college while also spending time together in Windy City and River City. Lowey's rights were acquired from River City earlier this month in exchange for first baseman Gerardo Avila. The Wingnuts acquired Avila from the NABL's Yuma Scorpions in late-November. Rodriguez is a true rookie who finished his senior year last spring at Benedict College in South Carolina. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Rodriguez hit .327 with two home runs and 34 RBI in 36 games played for the Tigers. The 6-foot, 195-pound catcher added 12 doubles, four triples, and was 14 for 16 in stolen base attempts. Rodriguez also made two appearances on the mound, striking out two batters in 2.0 innings pitched. At the end of the season, the Kailua, HI native earned SIAC All-Conference honors. Eric will come battle for our backup catching position, said Hooper. He can really run, has a great arm, and is going to be very versatile because of his outfield experience in the past. Eric has a great work ethic and we look forward to seeing him this spring. The Wingnuts now have four players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins May 5th. 2012 Wingnuts Signings LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes C Eric Rodriguez The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. You can also shop Wingnuts for the holidays by visiting the Wingnuts' merchandise kiosk at Towne West Mall. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1294.html#1337257619 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1294.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced at a Friday press conference that field manager Kevin Hooper has signed a two-year extension that will keep him through the 2013 season. I am very excited to be returning as the manager of the Wichita Wingnuts for the next two seasons, said Hooper. I can't give enough thanks to Josh Robertson and the entire Wingnuts' organization for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank all of our fan base for supporting us throughout the years. I can only hope we keep adding to the number of fans night in and night out that attend beautiful Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Hooper enters his fourth year as Wingnuts' manager, and 14th overall in professional baseball. The Lawrence, KS native has guided the Wingnuts to a winning record in each of his first three seasons at the helm, with an overall mark of 163-129 (.558). During this stretch, the Wingnuts have reached the playoffs twice--winning division titles in 2009 and 2011--while falling just one game shy of both the division crown and wild card in 2010. We are thrilled to have 'Hoop' back for another two years, said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. He represents everything there is about the word 'team', and we are confident that he will continue to play a major role in making Wichita proud of its professional baseball team. Over the last three years, the Wingnuts have sold the contracts of nine players to Major League organizations, and one other to the Mexican League. En route to winning the Central Division title in 2011, the Wingnuts ranked first in the American Association in team batting average (.311), on-base percentage (.388), and slugging percentage (.460). On the other side of the ball, Wichita finished third in team ERA (4.52) and second in team fielding percentage (.975). I've tremendously enjoyed my past three seasons managing here, and hope to create many more great memories in the years to come, said Hooper. I thoroughly embrace and love the entire process of recruiting, building a team, and being able to spend so much time with my family here at home. Hooper has also managed numerous individual accomplishments. Since 2009, the Wingnuts have had seven players named to the league's postseason all-star team, and featured 11 mid-season all-stars from 2009-10. In 2009, Hooper was honored as the American Association's Manager of the Year. The Wingnuts were a league-best 58-38 that season--a team that included American Association Player of the Year Greg Porter, as well as the Right- and Left-Handed Pitchers of the Year, Derek Blacksher and Brad Davis respectively. Hooper's playing career started in 1999 when the Florida Marlins drafted him in the 8th round out of Wichita State University. The 35-year old Hooper ascended quickly through the minors and spent six of his 10 professional seasons at the Triple-A level. Hooper reached the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers in both 2005 and 2006. Hooper's playing career concluded with the Wingnuts in 2008, a season that saw him notch his 1,000th professional hit, and win the American Association batting title by 40 points. Hooper and his wife Lindsey now reside in Valley Center with their two daughters Lucy and Laney. The Wingnuts currently have two players under contract for the 2012 season and expect to make several more announcements before the new year. The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2012 season on May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group outings are on sale now. You can also shop Wingnuts for the holidays by visiting the team's merchandise kiosk at Towne West Mall. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website -Wingnuts- Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1293.html#1337257620 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1293.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their first player moves for the 2012 season on Monday, signing pitchers Brandon Mathes and Shawn Joy. Mathes enters his fourth season in professional baseball, and third overall with the Wingnuts. Last summer, the right-hander posted a 4.50 ERA for Wichita while earning one save in 31 appearances. In late July, Mathes was traded to the Frontier League's Florence Freedom where he made 20 more appearances, and pitched to a 2.54 ERA with five saves. A native of Oklahoma City, OK, Mathes totaled 59 strikeouts in 74.1 innings between the two clubs. Mathes' rights were re-acquired from Florence at the end of the season. We are very excited to have Brandon back for the upcoming 2012 season, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. When we traded him away the last month of the season, I demanded that he be the player that we got back at the end of the year. Hopefully he will come in, earn a spot in our bullpen, and become a big peice of our puzzle. He is just going to get better and better each and every year with experience. After making one appearance for the Northern League's Joliet JackHammers late in 2009, Mathes' first full professional season came with Wichita the following year. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Mathes became a key contributor out of the Wingnuts' bullpen, striking out 46 in 51.2 innings with a 4.35 ERA. Mathes, who will be 25 on opening night, was a two-way star at Kansas Wesleyan University where he earned KCAC Player of the Year honors in both his junior and senior seasons. During his senior campaign in 2009, Mathes went 8-1 on the mound with a 1.38 ERA, and hit .335 with 21 doubles and 21 stolen bases as the Coyotes' leadoff hitter. Joy also pitched in the Frontier League last season, going 6-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 18 games for the Southern Illinois Miners. The Topeka, KS native logged a career-high 105.2 innings in what was his second year with the Miners, and third straight in the Frontier League. On August 11th versus Rockford, Joy pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout. Joy walked one, struck out four, and did not allow a hit over the final eight and two-thirds innings. The Wingnuts acquired Joy to complete the April 2011 trade that sent Sean Teague to Southern Illinois. Shawn is a left-hander from the state of Kansas, said Hooper, and I like to have that local flavor around as much as I can. We were very happy in obtaining him in a trade when the season ended. He will compete for a spot in our bullpen and is also very valuable because he has starting experience under his belt. I'm excited to see what he can do on the mound to contribute and help us win ballgames. The 25-year old Joy is 16-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 240.2 career innings over 92 appearances. Joy has averaged just 2.54 walks and 0.67 home runs per nine innings as a professional. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound lefty was originally signed by the New York Yankees in 2008 out of Southern Illinois University. Joy debuted for the Yankees' Rookie-level Gulf Coast affiliate later that summer. During his junior and senior seasons at Southern Illinois, Joy combined for an 11-5 record and a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts. Joy also played two seasons at Cloud County Community College. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players on their roster during spring training, which begins in early May. The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2012 season at home on May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. Fans can also do their holiday shopping with the Wingnuts by visiting the team's merchandise kiosk at Towne West Mall. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1292.html#1337257621 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1292.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their schedule for the 2012 American Association season on Wednesday. To view the Wingnuts' entire 2012 schedule, clich The American Association maintains the continuous 100-game schedule introduced last season, with three division winners and one wild card qualifying for the playoffs. The Wingnuts remain in the Central Division along with Gary SouthShore, Kansas City, Lincoln, and Sioux City. Earlier this week, the league also welcomed the Laredo Lemurs into the South Division. The Shreveport-Bossier Captains and Fort Worth Cats are not expected to operate in 2012, leaving the American Association with 13 teams. Fort Worth's players were distributed through a league-wide draft last month. The rights to Shreveport-Bossier's roster have been transferred to Laredo. To counter the odd number of clubs, the American Association has partnered with the independent Can-Am League to form an interlocking schedule for 2012. Throughout the season, five American Association teams will participate in a 10-game road trip to Can-Am League cities, while five Can-Am League teams will do the same in American Association territories. This covers the 100 games that would have otherwise been played by a 14th American Association club. 2012 marks the second straight year the Wingnuts travel to every city in the American Association at least once. Meanwhile, 11 different teams make their way to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, including four that did not appear in 2010. For the first time since 2009, the Wingnuts open their season at home, hosting the Lincoln Saltdogs May 17th-20th. Wichita then welcomes the Can-Am League's New Jersey Jackals for a three-game series before heading on a six-game road trip to Gary SouthShore and Fargo-Moorhead. The month of June kicks off with a seven-game homestand against defending champion Grand Prairie, and longtime division foe Sioux City. The Wingnuts renew their in-state rivalry with the Kansas City T-Bones June 8th-10th at Community America Ballpark. The T-Bones make their first trip to Wichita the following weekend. The teams have 10 total head-to-head matchups scheduled in 2011. The end of June is highlighted by a six-game homestand against two North Division playoff teams. From June 26th-28th, the St. Paul Saints return to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium for the first time since 2010, while the Winnipeg Goldeyes make their first ever trip to the Air Capital June 29th-July 1st. The Wingnuts spend most of their time in early-July down South, making stops in Grand Prairie, Amarillo, and Laredo. Home series include include Kansas City (11th-12th), Fargo-Moorhead (19th-22nd), and Amarillo (23rd-26th). The Wingnuts' annual long road trip -- while the NBC World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium -- may be the most challenging the team has faced during its five-year history. The five-city, 15-game tour begins in Laredo, and includes three-game stops in Amarillo, Sioux Falls, Lincoln, and Winnipeg. Upon returning from the trip, the Wingnuts enjoy 14 of their final 20 games at home, starting on August 13th with a seven-game homestand versus El Paso and Sioux City. The final stretch of home games includes three against Gary SouthShore (August 24th-26th) and four more with the Diablos (August 27th-30th). Wichita finishes the 2012 regular season at St. Paul September 1st-3rd. All Sunday home games this season begin at 2:05 p.m. Monday-Saturday start times remain at 7:05 p.m., with the exception of a 6:05 p.m. start on Friday, June 1st, and a 12:05 p.m. start on Wednesday, June 20th. A full schedule containing all road start times will be released at a later date. The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2012 season at home on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1291.html#1337257622 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1291.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have partnered with Simon Malls at Towne West Square to offer team merchandise throughout the holiday season. The new Wingnuts' kiosk at Towne West Square features a full array of team merchandise--including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, and more--for both men and women of all ages. The kiosk can be found near the food court inside Towne West Square (located at 4600 West Kellogg), and is equipped to handle both cash and credit card transactions. Information regarding season tickets and group packages will also be readily available. The kiosk will be open during all Towne West Square hours from 4:00 a.m. on 'Black Friday' (November 25th) through Christmas Eve on Saturday, December 24th. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts' baseball begins in mid-May. A full schedule is expected to be released in early December. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1290.html#1337257623 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1290.html WICHITA, KS- Six players who finished the 2011 season with the Wichita Wingnuts are currently playing winter baseball in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional). Pitchers Kendy Batista, Derek Blacksher, Junior Guerra, Matt Nevarez, and Marcos Tabata join catcher Edwin Bellorin as Wingnuts who are currently on LVBP rosters. The league is considered the highest level of professional baseball in Venezuela, and is commonly referred to as the 'Venezuelan Big Leagues'. The LVBP plays a 63-game regular season from October through December, and features a mix of Venezuelan natives, current and former Major Leaguers, and prospects from both the affiliated and independent minor leagues. Wingnuts' hitting coach Jose Amado, a native of San Cristobal, played for three different teams over the course of eight seasons in the LVBP. Amado describes it as a very competitive brand of baseball. It's really good baseball, said Amado. You have a lot of good players down there, from 'A' ball all the way up to the Major Leagues. You only play about 60 games, so every night becomes important and makes each game very intense. Amado still has many baseball ties inside his home country, and has been able to use those connections to help the Wingnuts' organization. In each of the last two years, Amado has both helped the Wingnuts find mid-season upgrades, and also discovered winter ball opportunities for a number of his players. Blacksher, who was recently signed by the Aguilas de Zulia, is expected to report to Venezuela later this week. The right-hander joined the Wingnuts in a July trade with the Fort Worth Cats, and finished 15th in the American Association in ERA (4.25), 11th in innings pitched (133.1), and tied for second in starts (21). Blacksher was 5-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 10 starts following the trade, and is hoping that success carries over into his first season of winter ball. I'm super excited for the opportunity, said Blacksher. I've talked to some guys who have played there before, and they had a lot of good things to say. I've heard the crowds are great down there so that will also be a lot of fun. It's definitely going to be exciting facing Triple-A and 'Big League' talent. I want to do well. My main goal is to go down there, do well, and hopefully get invited to spring training by an affiliated team. Josh (Robertson), 'Hoop', and the coaches are really great about trying to get us to the next level, and hopefully this can lead to that. When Blacksher arrives in Zulia, he will join Nevarez and Tabata, both of whom were major cogs in the Wingnuts' bullpen during their 2011 playoff run. The duo has combined for 10.1 shutout innings over nine appearances. In five games, Nevarez has struck out eight while allowing just one hit. Tabata has allowed just two hits in five and one-third innings, striking out four. Batista, Bellorin, and Guerra are all playing for the Tiburones de La Guaira. Batista has made 18 relief appearances, posting a 1.74 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. Bellorin has hit three home runs in his first 63 at bats and ranks second in the league with a 46 percent caught stealing rate. In nine relief appearances and one start, Guerra has struck out 17 over 19.0 innings and yielded just one home run. Players might participate in the league for various reasons. Some play to stay in shape for the following summer. Others are assigned by a Major League club to improve specific parts of their game, such as developing a certain pitch or learning a new defensive position. As is the case at virtually every level of the game however, the overarching goal is to win. A lot of the winter ball intensity described by Amado comes from tremendous fan support. Players and fans alike take pride in winning for their country and home city. The smallest capacity in the LVBP is 15,500 while four other stadiums can hold 20,000 or more. There are a lot of 'to die for' fans who love their team, said Amado. A lot of them are not only rooting for a team, but the city they grew up in as well. You get to play in front of a lot of people every night, said Amado. Sometimes in 'A' ball, or even Double-A, you don't see that many fans. With each game being so intense, it can help some guys overcome any fears of playing in front of a lot of people. The rigors of continuing to play baseball on a nightly basis can also help a player in preparation for the next year. You get to see a lot of live pitching while you're there, and it really helps you stay sharp going into spring training, said Amado. You stay in that pattern of playing every night instead of sitting at home for four or five months waiting for the next season to start. While the game itself is always the same, traveling to a new location to play can lead to an adaptation period. As someone who spent many years playing in both the United States and Venezuela, Amado's advice is simple. Just keep an open mind and have fun. It's going to be a new country and it's going to be different. But players are also treated well. Everyone gets treated like a 'Big Leaguer'. If you go about your business the right way, have fun, and have an open mind, you will have a good experience. Blacksher believes reuniting with familiar faces will help him ease into his new environment. That's going to be awesome to already know some guys, and have some guys who can help me with any language barriers, said Blacksher. Dwayne Pollok is another guy I played with in Fort Worth, and he's going to be on the same team with us too, so that will be pretty cool. The top five regular season finishers play in a round robin format that determines the two teams that square off in a best-of-seven championship series. The champion then participates in the Caribbean Series, which also includes the champions from the Dominican, Mexican, and Puerto Rican professional leagues. Wingnuts' right-hander Nick Singleton is currently pitching for the Mayos de Navojoa in Mexico. Through seven starts, Singleton is 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA. All-star third baseman Juan Richardson recently began a winter ball tour in his native Dominican Republic. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins in mid-May with a full schedule expected within the next several weeks. Season tickets, flex packs, and group packages are on sale now. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1289.html#1337257624 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1289.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' third baseman Juan Richardson has been selected by Baseball America as a member of its 2011 Independent League All-Star Team. Richardson finished sixth in the American Association batting race at .360, ranked fifth with 86 RBI, and paced the Wingnuts with 12 home runs. The Bani, Dominican Republic native also finished second in the league with a .452 on-base percentage, and fifth with 140 total hits. For a second straight season, Richardson led all American Association third basemen in fielding percentage at .951, besting his own mark of .931 from one year ago. The 31-year old Richardson delivered one of the most dramatic hits in team history on August 19th versus Gary SouthShore. With the Wingnuts trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Richardson hit a two-out, three-run home run to defeat the RailCats in the opener of the team's most critical series of the year. The comeback triggered a three-game sweep that vaulted the Wingnuts' into first place for the remainder of the season. Richardson had an especially strong finish in 2011, hitting .413 (45 for 109) with 20 walks, 19 runs scored, and 32 RBI over his final 27 games. On August 27th at El Paso, Richardson tied a league record with a six-hit performance that included two doubles, a home run, and seven RBI. Richardson's 81 runs scored set a new team record, while his 86 RBI tied the Wingnuts' single-season mark. Following the season, Richardson was named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star Team. The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts' baseball begins in mid-May. The American Association's full 2012 schedule is expected to be released before the new year. For information on season tickets, ticket packages, and group outings, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1287.html#1337257625 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1287.html The Wichita Wingnuts enjoyed another successful season in 2011. The fourth-year franchise earned its second playoff berth in the last three seasons and witnessed a number of memeroable moments both at the plate and on the mound. At 55-45, Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper posted a winning record for a third time in as many seasons since taking over as skipper in 2009. Hooper has now been a part of a winning team in 11 of his 13 seasons in professional baseball, 10 of which have seen the playoffs. At times, 2011 was a roller coaster, with the team experiencing different levels of highs and lows. But when all was said and done, the Wingnuts were Central Division champions and one of just four teams in the 14-team American Association to reach the playoffs. Anytime we can make the playoffs, it's a successful season because you're giving yourself a chance to win a championship, said Hooper. The ultimate goal is to win a championship every single year, but you can't do that without making the playoffs. 2011 began with a seven-game road trip down South where the Wingnuts took five games from the Amarillo Sox and Fort Worth Cats. The season-opening, four-game series with the Sox included some of the wildest baseball the Wingnuts played all year. The entire series was decided by just five runs, with the Wingnuts winning three of the four. In the third contest, a night that saw the Wingnuts win 17-16, utilityman Tommy Fitzgerald pitched an inning and two-thirds to help rest a tired bullpen. Josh Dew recorded the final out to earn his third save in as many nights to begin the season. Dew was arguably the best closer in the American Association in 2011. He finished third in the league with 20 saves and posted a 1.12 ERA in 40.0 innings. The big right-hander also struck out 62 batters, averaging an incredible 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Dew did not allow an earned run in 30 of his 34 appearances, while his ERA was the lowest among any pitcher in the league who threw at least 22.0 innings. I tell you what, Josh Dew is a tough son of a gun, said Hooper. You hear me talk about 'my type of guys' a lot, and he's definitely on the top of that list. He wants the ball all the time, whether he's in pain or in no pain. He wants the ball if its a save situation, and you can't ask for anything more out of a closer. The hot start carried into the Wingnuts' first series of the year at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, a three-game sweep of the El Paso Diablos. Wichita outlasted El Paso in their home opener on May 20th, 9-8 in 15 innings. The teams battled for an American Association-record five hours and 22 minutes. The game even had to be played over the course of two nights due to the league's curfew rule. The Wingnuts rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, and later overcame a one-run deficit in the 14th. When the game resumed the following evening, Wichita fell behind again in the 15th before rallying for two in the bottom half to squeeze out the win. Wingnuts' pitchers combined for 22 strikeouts, setting a new league record. It was another strong year for the Wingnuts' pitching staff, led by fourth-year Pitching Coach Luke Robertson. The Wingnuts finished third in the American Association with a 4.52 ERA, paced the league with nine shutouts, and set a league single-season record with 706 strikeouts. Three Wingnuts' starters ended the year in the top-10 in the league in ERA. Only one other team could claim even two. After sweeping El Paso, the Wingnuts made their first ever trip to Gary, IN to face the RailCats. Gary SouthShore took two of three. Wichita spent a good portion of the summer chasing the RailCats, but would not get another chance to play them head-to-head until the end of the year. The Wingnuts bounced back by taking two of three from the Lincoln Saltdogs on the road, and then winning three of four from the Fort Worth Cats in Wichita. On June 1st versus Fort Worth, the Wingnuts staged another ninth-inning rally to tie the game, and eventually won on Josh Workman's RBI double in the bottom of the 12th. Workman played briefly for the Wingnuts in 2010, but had his season cut short due to injury. Fully healthy in 2011, Workman emerged as an offensive force in the middle of Wichita's lineup. The former Shocker hit .325 with 10 home runs and 68 RBI, and was one of only two Wingnuts to appear in all 100 games. 'Work' had a great year. The guy can flat out hit and he's another local guy who had a tremendous year and had a lot of fun playing in his home town. The Wingnuts improved to 15-6 on June 3rd after blanking the Kansas City T-Bones 5-0 at home. Nick Singleton fired eight shutout innings to earn the win and help Wichita improve to nine games above the .500 mark. Singleton turned in another impressive year, tying for third in the league with 11 wins, and tying for ninth with a 3.57 ERA. Singleton's 11-2 mark yielded a league-leading .846 win percentage. The Wingnuts then experienced the roughest stretch of their season, losing 21 of their next 35 games. During this time, the RailCats overtook the Wingnuts for the Central Division lead, while the St. Paul Saints and Winnipeg Goldeyes each passed Wichita in the wild card standings. At one point, the Wingnuts fell to just one game above the .500 mark. Singleton was signed by the Mexican League's Monclovo Steelers in mid-June, and would eventually return to the Wingnuts in July. Losing an ace pitcher for any length of time is difficult for a team to overcome, but three young starters managed to keep the Wingnuts afloat into the thick of the pennant race. Wichita won 14 games during Singleton's absence, and nine of them came from rookie starters Junior Guerra, Ryan Hinson, and Chad Sherman. Guerra and Hinson, considered the team's fourth and fifth starters respectively at the beginning of the season, combined for 20 wins while each finishing in the top-10 in the league in ERA. Each made 20 starts, threw more than 125.0 innings, and never missed a turn in the rotation. Those two guys, we didn't know what we were going to get when they showed up, but we sure knew what they had when they left, said Hooper. Those guys were pretty special. For two rookies to have such good seasons, especially in a starting rotation, is very impressive. The bullpen was also a major factor in keeping the Wingnuts' in the hunt well into the dog days. In a 35-game span from June 17th through July 25th, the Wingnuts' relief corps pitched to a 2.02 ERA over 111.1 innings. In addition to Dew, righties Jared Simon and Kendy Batista, as well as left-hander Eric Gilliland, all turned in great seasons. Simon led the club with 47 appearances and posted a 2.93 ERA in 55.1 innings. Batista had a 3.16 ERA in 35 games, and did not allow an earned run in 21 of his final 25 appearances. Gilliland had a 2.53 ERA in 25 games, and finished the year with a 1.46 mark over his final 14 games. Simon's an old Shocker also, said Hooper. Anytime I can get a Wichita State guy, I know what he's going to be made of. I know what their makeup is going to be, I know what Gene and those guys expect over there, and I know that's going to carry over. Simon's a great clubhouse guy too. He's a good guy to be around and another fierce competitor that wanted the ball every single night. The Wingnuts' defense also shined in 2011, ranking second in the American Association in team fielding percentage. Veteran catcher Edwin Bellorin played a huge role in the team's defensive success. Bellorin caught 94 games, more than any other catcher in the league, while gunning down a league-high 45 potential base stealers. The next closest catcher had 26. Bellorin also drove in 58 runs at the plate and came up with several big hits throughout the year. 'Bayo' had a special year, said Hooper. He's one of the better defensive catchers you're going to come across at this level. When you have a guy that caught in the Major Leagues, that's something special. He was awful fun to watch behind the plate, and I can't tell you how many times he came up with big hits for us, especially with two outs. Wichita began turning their season around for good in early-July. On July 10th, Sherman pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout versus the Shreveport-Bossier Captains, and set a franchise single-game mark with 12 strikeouts. Later that evening, the Wingnuts bolstered their pitching staff with the acquisition of right-hander Derek Blacksher. Blacksher starred for the Wingnuts in 2009 when he was named the league's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. 2011 proved no different as Blacksher won five of his first seven decisions after the trade, and allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts. Blacksher made his official return two nights after Sherman's masterpiece and worked eight scoreless innings in another shutout of the Captains. Blacksher was acquired from Fort Worth in exchange for outfielder Ryan Patterson, who left as the team's all-time leader in home runs. Patterson was also named Wichita's Professional Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments during the 2010 season. Two shutouts in three nights over a great offensive team is impressive enough, but the work of Sherman and Blacksher turned out to be only a preview for what would take place in the series finale on July 13th. Guerra, recently acquired Matt Nevarez, and Dew combined to no-hit Shreveport-Bossier in a 1-0 Wingnuts' victory. Guerra went the first seven and one-third, striking out nine while earning the win. Nevarez, who became a force out of the bullpen during the second half of the season, used a double play ball to record the final two outs in the top of the eighth. Dew retired the side in order in the ninth, highlighted by back-to-back strikeouts to finish the game. It was the fourth no-hitter in league history, and second in Wingnuts' history, both of which have come in 1-0 affairs. Two nights after the no-hitter, Hinson pitched seven shutout innings in a win at Grand Prairie, giving the Wingnuts a team record three consecutive shutouts, and four in their last five games. Singleton returned on July 19th at Shreveport-Bossier, and earned the win. From July 12th through August 23rd, Wichita won 23 of 37 (.622) to vault themselves back into serious contention. After splitting a six-game road trip against the AirHogs and Captains, Wichita won six of seven at home from El Paso, Fargo-Moorhead, and Kansas City. In the final game of their series versus the RedHawks, the Wingnuts scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning in an eventual 14-9 win. Brent Clevlen hit two home runs in the frame, the first of which gave him a longball in four straight games to set a new team record. Clevlen helped power the Wingnuts' lineup throughout the middle of the year. A former teammate of Kevin Hooper in both the minors and Majors, Clevlen hit .310 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in just 46 games played. Clevlen was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies in August and assigned to Double-A Reading. After the successful homestand, the Wingnuts embarked on their annual August road trip while the NBC World Series took place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For a third straight year the Wingnuts came out of the trip with a winning record at 7-6. The trip included series wins at Fargo-Moorhead, Sioux City, and Winnipeg. Clevlen was purchased while the team was in Fargo, which prompted the Wingnuts to sign former Major Leaguer Carlos Rivera. The slugging first baseman, who was signed by Wichita in a similar capacity in 2010, hit .374 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 23 games to help anchor the league's best offense. Rivera then led the Wingnuts in the postseason, cracking two home runs and driving in eight in just four games. It was a special year for the Wingnuts' offense, led by second-year Hitting Coach Jose Amado. The Wingnuts led the league in batting for the first time in their history at .311. Wichita also ranked first in on-base percentage (.388), slugging percentage (.460), and for a second straight season struck out on offense fewer times than any other team in the American Association. The Wingnuts finally returned home on August 16th, and although they dropped two of three to the T-Bones, the Wingnuts were within 2.0 games of first place heading into their long-anticipated showdown with the RailCats. The Wingnuts also added their final puzzle pieces for the stretch run. Middle infielder Jimmy Mojica was acquired from the Kansas City T-Bones while center fielder Mitch Einertson was acquired from Maui in the NABL. Einertson hit .382 and had 13 RBI in just 14 games for Wichita, and then went 7 for 16 (.438) in four playoff games. In the August 19th series opener, Gary overcame an early 5-0 deficit and carried a one-run lead into the bottom of the ninth. Infield singles from Mike Conroy and Josh Horn gave the Wingnuts hope. That hope was realized when Juan Richardson crushed a two-out, three-run home run to right-center that won the game and left the Wingnuts just one back of first place. It was the Wingnuts' first game-ending home run since August 26th, 2009, fifth all-time, and the only one to date that was hit while the Wingnuts were trailing. The stunning finish was one of many highlights in an MVP-caliber year for the Wingnuts' third baseman. Richardson finished fourth in the league in batting at .360, paced the Wingnuts with 12 home runs, and ranked fifth in the American Association with 86 RBI. On August 27th at El Paso, Richardson tied a league record with six hits. Richardson was 6 for 6 in the game with five runs scored and seven RBI. Consistent hitting and great pitching performances from Singleton and Guerra helped the Wingnuts roll past Gary the next two nights and sweep their way into first place. Wichita never lost control of the division again. I think we were all ready, said Hooper. That was the series we were waiting on all season long, and it's no secret we play pretty well at our ballpark. I feel like our motivation level has been great in those situations the last couple of years. Shortly before the regular season ended, Richardson and Horn were named to the American Association Postseason All-Star Team. It marked the fifth time in five professional seasons that Horn was an all-star. The shortstop hit .326 with a career-high 55 RBI and 75 runs scored, while setting franchise records for base hits and games played. Horn was also the only Wingnuts player in 2011 to start all 100 games, doing so at one of the most physically demanding positions on the diamond. Another league record fell on August 25th when Conroy hit his 21st career triple in three years in the American Association. Conroy's clubhouse leadership and all-out style of play earned him Unsung Hero honors at the end of the year. Conroy hit .302 with 23 doubles, 10 triples, 48 RBI, and 66 runs scored. Conroy also proved versatile, hitting in five different spots in the batting order, and playing all three positions in the outfield. Conroy was my type of guy in every sense of the word, said Hooper. He's going to give you everything he's got. He was a 'gamer' and a guy that cared. He expects the game to be played a certain way and expects his teammates to do the same. The Wingnuts split eight games with Amarillo and El Paso to finish the regular season. And although they lost 14-2 to the Diablos in game 100, the Wingnuts learned in the bottom of the sixth inning that St. Paul had beaten Gary, effectively clinching the Central Division. It was on to Grand Prairie for Games One and Two of the Division Series. The AirHogs were a league-best 64-36 in the regular season and had taken two of three from the Wingnuts in July. Guerra battled Grand Prairie ace Jason Jennings pitch for pitch in Game One, and the score remained tied 1-1 heading into the top of the ninth. A clutch double from Bellorin against 2011 Relief Pitcher of the Year Jon Hunton highlighted a two-run rally that gave the Wingnuts the lead. The AirHogs staged a ninth-inning rally of their own however, and scored three two-out runs in the bottom half to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Wichita came out swinging the bats early and often the next night. Several clutch hits helped the Wingnuts build an early 3-0 lead. And while the AirHogs scored four runs in the fourth to move in front 4-3, a Rivera three-run homer in the fifth lifted the Wingnuts to six unanswered runs and a 9-4 advantage. Relentless, the AirHogs scored seven unanswered runs of their own. The Wingnuts rallied for two in the eighth to even the score, but the AirHogs slipped by in the bottom of the ninth for a second straight game at 12-11. Facing elimination, and working without a travel day, the Wingnuts kept their season alive with a 5-3 win in Game Three. Hinson turned in seven gritty innings, allowing three earned runs in the win. Rivera sparked the offense again, this time with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. Nevarez and Dew were perfect in the eighth and ninth to force a fourth game. The season came to an end in Game Four, with the AirHogs winning 2-1. Singleton and three relievers limited the AirHogs to two runs on just three hits the entire night, but Grand Prairie's John Brownell kept the Wingnuts off balance for eight innings and only allowed one run. The Wingnuts brought the tying run to third with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Hunton managed to escape the jam and clinch the series. Grand Prairie eventually defeated St. Paul in five games for the championship. We played the best team in the league record-wise and I honestly felt that we matched-up against them really well, said Hooper. Unfortunately, the ball didn't bounce our way. You lose three games by one run and it makes it pretty tough. It was a tough finish to the year, but still a successful year for the Wichita Wingnuts. The team has reached the playoffs twice in three seasons under Kevin Hooper, and only missed by one game in 2010. Numerous team and league records were tied or broken over the course of the season, leaving little doubt that fans have much to look forward to in 2012. You live and you learn every year, and if you ever think you know everything about baseball you better get out of the game, because this is a game where you can learn something every single day, said Hooper. I'm always learning and trying to make this the best possible atmosphere I can for our guys. Hopefully we can bring, if not one, multiple championships to the City of Wichita. I think we're setting a standard and the pieces are here to keep making this thing a success. We just have to continue to keep making the playoffs and giving ourselves a chance. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1286.html#1337257626 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1286.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts had their season come to and end on Sunday night, losing 2-1 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Game Four of the Opening Round at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The AirHogs win the series three games to one, and will face either Winnipeg or St. Paul in the American Association Championship Series on Wednesday. Nick Singleton and three Wingnuts' relievers held the AirHogs to two runs on three hits throughout the entire game, but Grand Prairie starter John Brownell kept Wichita to one run over eight for the win. Wichita scored first in the bottom of the second. Carlos Rivera singled on a line drive to center and advanced to second when Jorge Delgado was hit by a pitch. Mitch Einertson doubled to the right field fence to drive in Rivera and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Josh Workman drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases with no outs, but Brownell retired the next three hitters in a row to stop the Wingnuts from breaking the game open. In the top of the third, Singleton allowed a leadoff walk to Guillermo Martinez. David Espinosa singled to center, advancing Martinez to second. Greg Porter pulled a single down the right field line that scored Martinez with the tying run and sent Espinosa to third. With first and third and no outs, Cesat Nicolas grounded into a double play that pushed across the game's decisive run. Brownell kept the Wingnuts in check from the third through the seventh innings, allowing just two hits and never allowing a runner past first base. Edwin Bellorin led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Mike Conroy, but Brownell retired the next two hitters to strand the tying run in scoring position. Facing closer Jon Hunton in the bottom of the ninth, Juan Richardson led off with a double down the right field line. A Rivera groundout to second moved the tying run to third with one out. Delgado hit a hard, high chopper towards third that was snagged by a leaping Greg Porter. Porter threw to first to get Delgado and keep Richardson at third. Hunton then retired Einertson on a foul popup behind the plate to earn the save. Singleton took the loss, allowing two earned runs on two hits in six innings. Singleton walked eight and struck out five. Logan Hoch, Jared Simon, and Matt Nevarez combined for two scoreless relief innings. Brownell earned the win, allowing one earned run on five hits in eight innings. Brownell walked two and struck out five. The Wichita Wingnuts would like to thank the near 160,000 fans that supported them throughout the entire 2011 season. The Wingnuts earned their second playoff berth and division title in three years. The 2011 American Association schedule will be released sometime in the next several months. For information on season tickets to the 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts' baseball, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1285.html#1337257627 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1285.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts staved off elimination on Saturday night, winning 5-3 over the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Game Three of the Opening Round at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts now trail Grand Prairie 2-1 in the best-of-five series, and have forced a Game Four which is scheduled for Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson delivered seven strong innings to earn the win, while Matt Nevarez and Josh Dew combined for two perfect innings of relief to close out Wichita's first win of the series. Tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Mike Conroy hit a grounball to first base that deflected off of John Alonso's glove. David Espinosa grabbed the loose ball and flipped it back to Alonso, but Conroy beat the throw and reached on what was scored an error. Jimmy Mojica then ripped a line drive to left-center. Conroy hustled from first to third, narrowly beating Danny Figueroa's throw. Conroy's baserunning allowed Mojica to take second. Josh Horn broke the tie with a groundout to second that scored Conroy. Two batters later, and with Mojica on third, Carlos Rivera made it 4-2 Wichita with a sacrifice fly down the left field line. The AirHogs trimmed the lead to 4-3 in the top of the seventh on a two-out double down the left field line from Espinosa, but Hinson retired Greg Porter on a groundout to first to strand the tying run on second base. Nevarez worked a perfect top of the eighth on just 10 pitches, giving the Wingnuts a chance to build an insurance run. In the bottom half, Rivera led off with a line drive single to left. Jorge Delgado, back in the lineup after missing Game Two with an injury, lined a double down the right field line on an 0-2 pitch to give the Wingnuts second and third and no outs. Porter robbed Mitch Einertson for the first out of the inning, snaring a sharp groundball towards third base with the infield drawn in. After Josh Workman was intentionally walked, Edwin Bellorin drove in Rivera with a groundout to third base. Dew took over in the top of the ninth, and set the side down in order to convert his first postseason save. Dew got Chris McMurray on a groundout to second, struck out Figueroa on three pitches, and fielded a comebacker from Stephen Douglas to seal the win. The AirHogs took an early 1-0 lead on Cesar Nicolas' two-out, RBI single up the middle in the top of the first. The Wingnuts answered in the bottom half to take the lead, and never trailed again. Mojica led off with a double to right-center. AirHogs' starter Josh Rainwater retired the next two hitters, but Rivera slugged a two-run home run to right field to put Wichita in front. Porter tied the game with an RBI single through the right side in the top of the fourth. Hinson allowed three earned runs on 10 hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out five. Rainwater took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, in seven innings. Rainwater walked two and struck out one. Rivera now has eight RBI in the last two games of the series. The game started one hour and 27 minutes late due to inclement weather. There was also a 50-minute rain dely during the bottom of the eighth. 2011 Opening Round Schedule (Grand Prairie Leads Series 2-1) Game 4: Sunday, September 4th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 5*: Monday, September 5th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. *If Necessary Game Four of the series is Sunday at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts send Nick Singleton to the mound to try and even the series and force a decisive fifth game. The AirHogs go with right-hander John Brownell. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1284.html#1337257628 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1284.html GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 12-11 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Game Two of the Opening Round at QuikTrip Park on Friday night. The AirHogs now have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. The AirHogs won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning for a second straight night, with David Espinosa scoring from third on a wild pitch by Josh Dew. Espinosa drew a one-out walk in the inning against Jared Simon and took third when Greg Porter doubled off the top of the left field fence. The Wingnuts intentionally walked Cesar Nicolas before Dew relieved Simon. Simon took the loss, allowing one earned run in two and one-third strong relief innings. Wichita jumped on the board first for a second straight night. Jimmy Mojica led off the game with a double down the left field line, advanced to third on Josh Horn's sacrifice bunt, and scored two batters later on a two-out single down the right field line from Carlos Rivera. Gerardo Bustamante doubled to center field leading off the second. Edwin Bellorin grounded out to second to move Bustamante to third base. After Mike Conroy was retired on a groundout to second, Mojica laid down a two-out bunt along the third base line that scored Bustamante. The play was ruled an error after John Alonso dropped Greg Porter's throw at first base. Mitch Einertson, who had four hits in the game, led off the fourth with a single and scored on a hit-and-run double to right-center from Josh Workman. The AirHogs had the first of three big innings in the bottom of the fourth. Stephen Douglas, German Duran, Espinosa, and Porter all singled on line drives to open the frame, with Porter's cutting the lead to 3-1. Wingnuts' starter Derek Blacksher got Nicolas to ground into a double play, scoring Duran and sending the tying run to third. John Alonso followed with a two-run home run to right field that gave Grand Prairie a 4-3 lead. The Wingnuts answered back in the top of the fifth. A Mojica single, and a Juan Richardson walk set up a line drive, three-run home run to right from Rivera. With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, Horn singled through the middle to increase the Wingnuts' lead to 8-4. Rivera added another run with a sacrifice fly to center. Grand Prairie plated three in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 9-7. Duran, Espinosa, and Porter all singled against Blacksher to open the inning. With the score at 9-5 in favor of the Wingnuts, Geivy Garcia relieved Blacksher and hit Nicolas with a pitch to load the bases. After Alonso was robbed by Bustamante on a shallow popfly to right, David Thomas ripped a double down the right field line to score two more runs. Kendy Batista relieved Garcia and recorded the next two outs to keep the Wingnuts in front. Blacksher took a no-decision, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in five-plus innings. Blacksher walked one and struck out one. Douglas and Duran singled off Batista to open the bottom of the seventh. Eric Gilliland came on and hit Espinosa to load the bases. Porter then hit a bloop double down the left field line that scored the tying runs. Simon took over for Gilliland and allowed a sacrifice fly to center from Nicolas. On the same play, Porter scored from second when Einertson's throw bounced away from Juan Richardson at third base. Trailing 11-9 in the top of the eighth, the Wingnuts rallied to tie the game. With the bases loaded and one out, Einertson singled to center field. Workman lifted a sacrifice fly to center that evened the score at 11-11. Jon Hunton, who earned the win for Grand Prairie, escaped a first and second, one out jam in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied. Tim Brown started for the AirHogs and also took a no-decision. Brown went five and one-third innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits. Brown walked one and struck out two. The first four hitters in Grand Prairie's lineup were a combined 11 for 18 with 11 runs scored. The Wingnuts host the AirHogs in Game Three of the series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Ryan Hinson takes on right-hander Josh Rainwater. A fireworks show will follow the game. 2011 Opening Round Schedule (Grand Prairie Leads Series 2-0) Game 3: Saturday, September 3rd - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 4*: Sunday, September 4th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 5*: Monday, September 5th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. *If Necessary For tickets to Saturday's game, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1283.html#1337257629 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1283.html GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Game One of the Opening Round at QuikTrip Park on Thursday night. The Wingnuts led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, but Grand Prairie rallied for three runs after there had been two outs and no one on base to win the game. Stephen Douglas started the rally with a double down the right field line against Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew. German Duran fought off a single to shallow center field to score Douglas and cut the lead to 3-2. David Espinosa followed with a triple into the right field corner to score Duran and tie the game. Greg Porter was intentionally walked, and then Cesar Nicolas drew an unintentional walk to load the bases. After throwing a first pitch ball to John Alonso, Dew was relieved due to an apparent injury by Kendy Batista. Batista threw three consecutive pitches out of the zone to force in the winning run. The Wingnuts had just taken the lead, breaking a 1-1 tie with a rally in the top of the ninth. Jorge Delgado led off with a single through the middle. Tommy Fitzgerald pinch ran for Delgado and moved to second on Mitch Einertson's sacrifice bunt. After Josh Workman was intentionally walked, Edwin Bellorin ripped a double into the left field corner to give the Wingnuts a 2-1 lead. Mike Conroy was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting up a sacrifice fly to center from Jimmy Mojica that plated Workman. Dew took the loss, and was charged with three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Jon Hunton earned the win in relief, allowing both earned runs in the top of the ninth. Wichita scored the first run of the series in the top of the third. Conroy led off with a double to left-center. Mojica walked to put runners on first and second. Josh Horn laid down a sacrifice bunt, and then Juan Richardson scored Conroy on a groundball to second base. Alonso tied the game at 1-1 with an opposite field solo home run against Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra in the bottom of the fourth. Guerra took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on seven hits in six and two-thirds innings. Guerra walked three and struck out four. Jason Jennings started for Grand Prairie and took a no-decision. Jennings allowed one earned run on seven hits in eight innings. Jennings walked two and struck out six. Jared Simon, Eric Gilliland, and Matt Nevarez combined for one and one-third scoreless relief innings to help the Wingnuts keep the game tied through eight. Game Two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher faces right-hander Tim Brown. All the action can be heard locally on Sports Radio 1550 KKLE and then on tape delay on Oldies 93.5 KWME. The game can also be heard worldwide at and 2011 Opening Round Schedule (Grand Prairie Leads Series 1-0) Game 2: Friday, September 2nd - QuikTrip Park, 7:05 p.m. Game 3: Saturday, September 3rd - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 4*: Sunday, September 4th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 5*: Monday, September 5th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. *If Necessary The Wingnuts host the AirHogs in Game Three of the series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1282.html#1337257630 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1282.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts dropped their regular season finale 14-2 to the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium on Tuesday night, but clinched the Central Division by virtue of Gary SouthShore's 9-7 loss versus St. Paul. The Wingnuts finish the regular season 55-45, winning the division by 1.0 game over the RailCats. The Wingnuts face the Grand Prairie AirHogs in a best-of-five series beginning Thursday night. St. Paul claims the wild card and will face the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the opening round. It is the Wingnuts' second division title in three seasons. Wichita won the North Division's first half crown in 2009. El Paso scored five early runs against Nick Singleton in the bottom of the first to take control of the game. Albenis Machado, Alberto Espinosa, and Brian Joynt all had RBI hits in the inning, while Kory Drew hit a popfly single to shallow right that drove in El Paso's fourth and fifth runs. Nelston Teilon hit an RBI double in the third to make it 4-0. Later in the inning, Drew drove in his third of the night with a two-out single to left. Teilon extended the lead to 8-0 with a two-out, RBI double in the fourth. Juan Richardson knocked in the Wingnuts' lone runs with a single in the top of the seventh. El Paso put the game away with a four-run bottom of the seventh. Joynt, Martin Parra, and Machado all had RBI in the inning. Espinosa and Parra each drove in a run in the bottom of the eighth for the Diablos. Singleton took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on 14 hits in five innings. Singleton struck out seven and walked two. Reymond Cruz earned the win for El Paso, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits in seven innings. Cruz walked four and struck out five. 2011 Opening Round Schedule Game 1: Thursday, September 1st - QuikTrip Park, 7:05 p.m. Game 2: Friday, September 2nd - QuikTrip Park, 7:05 p.m. Game 3: Saturday, September 3rd - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Game 4*: Sunday, September 4th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 5:05 p.m. Game 5*: Monday, September 5th - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. *If Necessary Junior Guerra faces right-hander Jason Jennings in Game One of the Opening Round on Thursday night at QuikTrip Park. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts host the AirHogs in Game Three of the series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1281.html#1337257631 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1281.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 7-6 at Cohen Stadium on Monday night. With Gary SouthShore's loss versus St. Paul, the Wingnuts now have a 1.0 game lead in the Central Division with one game remaining on their regular season schedule. The Wingnuts have ensured they will at least play in a tie-breaker game on Wednesday, and could clinch the division outright on Tuesday night with a win over El Paso, or a Gary SouthShore loss versus St. Paul. Trailing 6-5 in the top of the ninth inning, the Wingnuts managed two runs in bizarre fashion to take a 7-6 lead. Facing reliever Reyes Dorado, Juan Richardson lined a one-out single to center field. Carlos Rivera was retired on a bunt to third base, advancing Richardson to second. Jorge Delgado drew a five-pitch walk to put the go-ahead run on first, and was pinch-run for by Tommy Fitzgerald. Mitch Einertson then hit a popup into shallow left field that was dropped by Brian Joynt. Richardson scored the tying run, Fitzgerald went to third, and Einertson took second. Josh Workman was intentionally walked to load the bases. On a 1-2 count, Edwin Bellorin hit a sinking line drive to left field that was initially ruled a catch by a diving Joynt for the final out of the inning. After a lengthy discussion between the umpiring crew, the call was overturned and ruled a trap. Bellorin was credited with an RBI single that made it 7-6. Several Diablos players and staff were ejected following the decision. With Josh Dew unavailable for the bottom of the ninth, Matt Nevarez took over and worked a scoreless inning to earn his first save of the year. The Wingnuts jumped on the board first for a third time in the series, scoring four runs in the top of the second. Einertson singled up the middle and went to third on Workman's single through the right side. Bellorin hit a chopper over Martin Parra at thrid base that scored Einertson with the game's first run. After Mike Conroy hit into a force play for the first out, Jimmy Mojica singled through the left side. Bellorin scored from second, sliding underneath the tag of catcher Alberto Espinosa. Espinosa then tried to throw behind Mojica at first, but sent the ball down the right field line. Conroy scored on the error, while Mojica went to third, giving the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Josh Horn finished the rally with a single to right-center that scored Mojica. El Paso rallied for four of their own in the bottom of the third. Kory Drew led off with a solo home run down the left field line against Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson. Maikel Gonzalez followed with a walk and scored three batters later on Javier Brito's two-out, RBI double to center field. Espinosa tied the game with a two-run home run to left field. Rivera singled home the lead run in the top of the seventh with two outs to put Wichita back in front 5-4, but a two-out wild pitch thrown by Kendy Batista in the bottom half allowed El Paso to knot the score for a second time. The Diablos took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth when Adam DeLeo homered to left field off of Eric Gilliland. Jared Simon earned the win in relief, throwing two-thirds of a scoreless inning. Dorado took the loss. Hinson took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs on seven hits in six and two-thirds. Hinson walked three and struck out one. Scott Hodsdon started and took a no-decision for El Paso, allowing five runsthree earnedon 13 hits in eight innings. Hodsdon walked one and struck out three. The series wraps up on Tuesday night at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Nick Singleton squares off against right-hander Reymond Cruz. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For information on potential tie-breaker and playoff tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1279.html#1337257632 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1279.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' third baseman Juan Richardson and shortstop Josh Horn have been elected to the American Association's 2011 Postseason All-Star Team. Richardson currently ranks fourth in the league in batting at .361, fifth with 84 RBI, and has belted a team-best 12 home runs. On Saturday night at El Paso, the Bani, Dominican Republic native tied an American Association record with six hits, and tied a Wingnuts' club record with seven RBI. The 31-year old Richardson has helped lead the Wingnuts' offense down the stretch. Richardson is hitting .419 over his last 26 games in which he has 32 RBI. From June 24th through July 8th, Richardson hit .472 during a 14-game hitting streak. Horn earns all-star honors for a third straight year in a Wingnuts' uniform and for a fifth time in five professional seasons. The Shelbyville, TN native is hitting .325 with four home runs, and a career-high 55 RBI. Horn's .325 average is best among American Association shortstops with more than 300 at bats. Like Richardson, the 27-year old Horn is finishing the season strong. Over his last 41 games, Horn is batting .370 with 34 runs scored and 24 RBI. Horn had a 15-game hitting streak earlier this season from July 15th through July 30th. St. Paul Saints' outfielder Ryan Patterson was also named to the team. Patterson opened the season with the Wingnuts, and hit .299 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 55 games prior to being traded to Fort Worth in July. The Wingnuts play their final scheduled regular season game tonight at El Paso at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. If the Wingnuts win, or if the Gary SouthShore RailCats lose to the St. Paul Saints, the Wingnuts will clinch the Central Division. Should the Wingnuts lose and the RailCats win, a one-game playoff would be scheduled for Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets to any potential Wingnuts' home playoff games or tie-breakers, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1280.html#1337257633 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1280.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium on Sunday evening. With St. Paul's win at Gary SouthShore earlier on Sunday, the Wingnuts, Saints, and RailCats are once again in a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots with two games left in the regular season. The Wingnuts got off to a fast start for a second straight night, scoring twice in the top of the first, but managed zero runs the rest of the way. In the bottom of the fifth, Brian Joynt reached on an infield single when Josh Horn deflected a groundball on his backhand side into shallow left field. After Adam DeLeo lined out to center, Kory Drew lined a single to center field that put runners on first and third with two outs. Drew took off for second and stopped short of the bag to set up a rundown play. When Edwin Bellorin threw down to second base, Joynt broke for home plate. Jimmy Mojica quickly fired back to Bellorin, but Joynt narrowly slid underneath the tag to cut the Wingnuts' lead to 2-1. Maikol Gonzalez reached on an infield single to third base to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base. With Gonzalez in motion off first, Albenis Machado blooped a single into shallow center field that scored both Drew and Gonzalez to give El Paso a 3-2 lead. The Wingnuts stranded the tying run in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings, and had a leadoff hit batsman erased in the eighth on a groundball double play. Kyle Cremers, who converted a nine-out save, retired the Wingnuts in order in the top of the ninth to finish the win. Jimmy Mojica led off the game with a walk and scored two batters later when Juan Richardson doubled to right-center field. After Carlos Rivera flied out to right field, Jorge Delgado ripped a single to left to score Richardson with the Wingnuts' second and final run. Derek Blacksher took a tough loss, working a complete game. Blacksher allowed three earned runs on nine hits in eight innings, walking none and striking out five. Luis Montano earned the win for El Paso, allowing two earned runs on six hits in six-plus innings. Montano walked three and struck out two. The series continues Monday night at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Ryan Hinson faces righty Scott Hodsdon. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For information on Wingnuts' tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1277.html#1337257634 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1277.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts head into their final two games of the 2011 regular season tied with the Gary SouthShore RailCats atop the Central Division, and tied three-ways with the RailCats and St. Paul Saints for the American Association wild card. The Wingnuts finish the season with two games at El Paso. Meanwhile, the RailCats and Saints have two games remaining in their head-to-head series at U.S. Steel Yard. Should the Wingnuts win their final two contests, Wichita would be guaranteed an outright playoff spot. Based on geography, the Wingnuts would face Grand Prairie in the opening round, regardless of what method is used to get in. Games One and Two would be scheduled at QuikTrip Park for Thursday and Friday respectively. If all three teams remained tied through the 100 games, St. Paul would be awarded the wild card, while the Wingnuts would host the RailCats in a one-game playoff at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday, August 31st at 7:05 p.m. A buy-one, get-one-free ticket special will be offered for all seats at the regular adult price for any potential one-game playoff. If the Wingnuts finish tied with either Gary SouthShore or St. Paul, with the third team finishing ahead of the other two, the Wingnuts would again host the remaining club for a one-game playoff on Wednesday. The Wingnuts would host Games Three, Four, and Five of the opening round from September 3rd-5th. The Wingnuts play at El Paso tonight at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Ryan Hinson faces right-hander Scott Hodsdon. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For tickets and information regarding potential 2011 playoff games, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1278.html#1337257635 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1278.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 19-2 at Cohen Stadium on Saturday night. Gary SouthShore beat St. Paul 5-2 at U.S. Steel Yard, leaving the Wingnuts in a first place tie with the RailCats for first place in the Central Division. Both Wichita and Gary now hold a 1.0 game lead over the Saints for the wild card. All three teams are down to their final three games. Juan Richardson tied an American Association record with six base hits, and tied a Wingnuts' club record with seven RBI. The Wingnuts racked up 27 hits in the win, setting a new team single-game record, and falling one hit shy of the American Association's single-game mark. Wichita's previous high was 23 hits, set at Cohen Stadium on June 3rd, 2009. 10 different Wingnuts had at least one hit in the victory, while seven had at least two. Eight Wingnuts had at least one RBI. Wichita scored three early runs against Diablos' starter Adam Rowe. Jimmy Mojica led off the game with a double down the right field line. Mojica took third on a wild pitch and scored on Josh Horn's RBI single to right-center. Richardson singled Horn to third on a line drive to left-center. Rowe retired the next two hitters, but Mitch Einertson made it 3-0 Wingnuts with a two-out, two-run single to center field. Horn led off the top of the third with a triple to right center. Richardson knocked in Horn on the next pitch with an RBI single through the left side. In the top of the fourth, Josh Workman doubled down the left field line and scored two batters later on Mike Conroy's line drive single to right-center. After Mojica flied out to right, Horn singled through the left side to put runners on the corners. Rowe was relieved by Gilbert Tussey who allowed an RBI single to center from Richardson that made it 6-0. The Wingnuts broke the game open for good with a nine-run, nine-hit top of the fifth. Jorge Delgado led off with a line drive single to right and went to third on Einertson's single to left-center. Workman drove in Delgado with a groundball single up the middle that also moved Einertson to third. Edwin Bellorin hit a groundball to third that he beat out for an infield RBI single to give Wichita an 8-0 lead. Conroy hit into a force play that put runners on first and second with one out. Mojica followed with a line drive single to center that scored Workman. After Horn walked to load the bases, Richardson hit a first-pitch grand slam off of Tussey to left-center field. Later in the inning, Workman capped off the rally with a two-out, two-run double to left-center. Richardson hit a two-out, RBI double to straightaway center field in the top of the seventh that drove in the Wingnuts' 16th run of the night. In the eighth, Wichita scored three more. Third baseman Martin Parra committed an error that plated Tommy Fitzgerald. Delgado and Einertson also had RBI in the inning. Marcos Tabata earned the win, going five-plus shutout innings. Tabata allowed only two hits, walked one, and struck out two. Tabata was removed after one pitch in the bottom of the sixth due to an apparent injury. Logan Hoch worked two scoreless relief innings, while Geivy Garcia pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth. Jared Simon allowed two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth before retiring Kory Drew on a flyout to center field that ended the game. Rowe took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits in three and two-thirds innings. Rowe walked none and struck out two. Horn and Einertson each had four-hit games, while Delgado, Workman, and Conroy each collected three hits. The series continues Sunday evening at 7:05 p.m. Central Time. Derek Blacksher faces right-hander Luis Montano. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For information on Wingnuts' tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1276.html#1337257636 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1276.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Amarillo Sox 6-4 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. With St. Paul's loss to Sioux City, the Wingnuts moved back into a tie with the Saints in the wild card standings. The Wingnuts remain tied in the Central Division with the Gary SouthShore RailCats, who beat Lincoln. All three clubs are down to their final four games of the year. Junior Guerra improved to 9-3 with eight strong innings. Guerra allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits. Guerra walked three and struck out seven in the win. The Wingnuts scored first for the first time in the series, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first. Jimmy Mojica led off with a walk, stole second, and was sacrificed to third by Josh Horn. Juan Richardson scored Mojica with a groundout to second base. In the bottom of the second, Jorge Delgado led off with a line drive single to right-center. Delgado stole second base and scored three batters later on Mike Conroy's two-out, RBI single to center field. Amarillo briefly tied the game in the top of the third. Adam De La Garza and Harrison Kain drew back-to-back walks against Guerra to start the inning. Kevin Butler sacrificed the runners to second and third. Ron Fenwick brought in De La Garza on a groundout to shortstop. Kain scored when Jason White beat out an infield single on a groundball up the middle with two outs. Horn and Richardson hit consecutive singles to open the third. With runners on first and third, Carlos Rivera grounded into a double play that gave Wichita a 3-2 lead. With two outs and no one on base in the fifth, Rivera and Delgado lined singles to put runners on first and second. Mitch Einertson extended the Wingnuts' lead with a long double to left-center that scored both runs and made it 5-2. The teams traded unearned runs in the sixth inning, both coming on sacrifice flies. Josh Dew allowed a two-out, RBI triple down the left field line to De La Garza in the top of the ninth, but struck out Kevin Butler with the tying runs on base to end the game and earn his 20th save of the year. The 20 saves tie a Wingnuts' single-season record, set by Byron Embry in 2008. Ryan Mitchell started for Amarillo and took the loss. Mitchell allowed six runs, five earned, in seven innings. Mitchell walked four and struck out four, and allowed 10 hits. The Wingnuts head to El Paso for a four-game series at Cohen Stadium, beginning Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Marcos Tabata will start for Wichita. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For information on Wichita Wingnuts' tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1275.html#1337257637 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1275.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 in 10 innings to the Amarillo Sox at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. With Gary's win versus Lincoln, the Wingnuts drop back into a first place tie in the Central Division. The Wingnuts are also 1.0 game back of the St. Paul Saints for the wild card, after St. Paul defeated Sioux City at home. The Sox snuck past the Wingnuts late for a second straight night. Tied at 2-2 in the top of the 10th inning, Tim Alberts led off with a double to right-center field against reliever Jared Simon. Van Pope sacrificed Alberts to third base, leading to an intentional walk of Nick Farnsworth. With runners on the corners and one out, Adam De La Garza hit a slow chopper to second base that deflected off Jimmy Mojica's glove. Alberts scored the go-ahead run and Mojica was charged with an error. Wichita rallied in the bottom of the inning against reliever Corey Bass, who was working his second frame. Mike Conroy doubled down the left field line with one out, and then Mojica legged out an infield single to third base. Josh Horn advanced the runners to second and third with a groundout to short. Now with two outs, Bass retired Juan Richardson on a groundball to deep second base to end the game. Amarillo scored first for a third straight game in the series, plating two runs in the top of the third against Wingnuts' starter Nick Singleton. Harrison Kain drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, and took third on Kevin Butler's groundout to first. Ron Fenwick hit a ground rule double down the left field line that scored Kain. Jason White walked, and then Lee Cruz was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Alberts drove in Fenwick from third base on a fielder's choice to short. Conroy tripled down the right field line with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Mojica fought off a single to right field to cut the Sox' lead in half. Conroy also tripled in the bottom of the fourth, giving him 21 in three seasons in the American Association which is a new league record. The Wingnuts totaled three triples in the game, setting a new franchise single-game mark. With two outs and no one on base in the seventh, Mitch Einertson doubled down the left field line and scored the tying run two batters later on Edwin Bellorin's RBI single to left-center. Singleton took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on three hits in six innings. Singleton walked four and struck out one. Justin Garcia started for Amarillo and also took a no-decisoin. Garcia allowed two earned runs on seven hits, walking one, and striking out five. Kendy Batista, Matt Nevarez, and Josh Dew each worked a scoreless relief inning, and combined for seven strikeouts. Bass earned the win for the Sox with two scoreless innings. Simon was charged with the loss, allowing one earned run in one inning. The series concludes on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. in the Wingnuts' final regular season home game of 2011. Junior Guerra faces right-hander Ryan Mitchell. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1274.html#1337257638 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1274.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 to the Amarillo Sox at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Tied at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, Adam De La Garza ripped an 0-2 pitch to right-center field for a two-out, RBI single that scored Van Pope with the go-ahead run. Pope started the rally with a bloop single to shallow center field with one out, and advanced to second on Nick Farnsworth's groundout to first. Three of Amarillo's four runs in the game were scored on two-out hits. Mike Conroy singled up the middle with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Chad Povich managed a scoreless inning to preserve the win. Povich was the winning pitcher, throwing the final two and two-thirds innings for the Sox without allowing a run. Tim Alberts lined a two-out single to center in the top of the first to score Ron Fenwick and give Amarillo an early 1-0 lead. Jimmy Mojica responded in the bottom half, leading off with a double into the left field corner. Josh Horn laid down a sacrifice bunt, and then Mojica came home with the tying run on Juan Richardson's groundout to shortstop. Wichita rallied for its only lead in the bottom of the second. Jorge Delgado led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a groundball. Josh Workman walked before Sox' starter Matt Elliott retired Edwin Bellorin on a popout to short. Conroy connected on a long double to center field that scored Delgado with the lead run. As Conroy was running to second, Harrison Kain's throw from center field bounced by shortstop Jason White, allowing Workman to score the Wingnuts' third run. De La Garza doubled with one out in the top of the fourth and scored two batters later on a two-out, RBI single down the right field line from Kevin Butler. De La Garza tied the game in the fifth with an RBI groundout to short that scored Pope from third. Geivy Garcia took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing the one earned run in the top of the ninth. Ryan Hinson started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision, allowing three runs, two earned, in six innings. Hinson walked two and struck out one while allowing 10 hits. Jared Simont, Eric Gilliland, and Marcos Tabata combined for two scoreless relief innings. Elliott took a no-decision, allowing three runs, two earned, in six and one-third innings. Elliott allowed six hits, walked four, and struck out two. The series continues Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes on right-hander Justin Garcia. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1273.html#1337257639 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1273.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Amarillo Sox 11-4 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Wichita's offense had three innings of three or more runs, while Derek Blacksher scattered three earned runs on seven hits over eight innings to pick up his eighth win of the season. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Jimmy Mojica singled to left and took second on Josh Horn's sacrifice bunt. After Juan Richardson walked, Carlos Rivera lined a single to right-center field to score Mojica with the tying run. Two batters later, Mitch Einertson ripped a double down the left field line to score Richardson and Rivera. Lee Cruz hit a solo home run off of Blacksher in the top of the third, but the Wingnuts responded one inning later to break the game open. Jorge Delgado and Einertson opened the bottom of the fourth with singles against Sox' starter Austin Chambliss. Josh Workman then laid down a bunt towards the third base line that Chambliss mishandled, leading to an infield single that loaded the bases. Edwin Bellorin ripped a double down the left field line that scored all three runners to make it 6-2. Rivera hit a one-out, solo home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth to drive in the Wingnuts' sixth run. Nick Farnsworth hit an RBI, ground rule double in the top of the sixth that cut the Wingnuts lead to 7-3, but Wichita plated four in the bottom of the seventh against reliever LaCurtis Mayes to stretch their lead to eight runs. Rivera drew a leadoff walk and went to second on Delgado's line drive single to center. Einertson crushed an opposite field double to right-center that scored Rivera. With runners now on second and third, Workman singled up the middle and through a drawn-in field to make it 9-3. Bellorin hit a chopper to third baseman Ron Fenwick, who gloved the ball and fired home to try and get Einertson. The throw went wide of catcher Kevin Butler and allowed Einertson to score. Mike Conroy capped off the inning with an RBI groundout to shortstop that brought in Workman. Blacksher is now 5-2 with the Wingnuts this season. Blacksher walked two and struck out four in the win. Eric Gilliland allowed an earned run in the top of the ninth before closing out the game. Van Pope drove in Amarillo's first run with a two-out, RBI single to right in the top of the first. The series continues Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton faces right-hander Justin Garcia. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1272.html#1337257640 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1272.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts took over sole possession of first place on Sunday evening, beating the Gary SouthShore RailCats 7-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. By finishing the three-game sweep, the Wingnuts now have a 1.0 game lead over the RailCats in the Central Division, as well as a 1.0 game lead over both the RailCats and St. Paul Saints in the wild card standings. With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Mitch Einertson drew a leadoff walk. After Josh Workman flied out to left field, Edwin Bellorin lined a hit-and-run single to center that sent Einertson to third base. Mike Conroy blooped a double into shallow center field that deflected off the glove of Toddric Johnson. The hit scored Einertson with the lead run and put runners on second and third with one out. Tommy Fitzgerald was next and hit a sharp groundball to first that bounced off the glove of Mike Rohde and into right-center. Two runs scored on the infield single and gave Wichita a 5-2 lead. Junior Guerra kept the lead intact, allowing just two earned runs on six hits over eight full innings for the win. Guerra walked three and struck out two. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Workman hit a groundball to second base that Chris Carrara gloved and threw to second for a force play. Einertson slid into second base and helped break up a potential double play which allowed the Wingnuts to score two more runs. Eric Gilliland, pitching for the first time since July 11th, worked around a leadoff single and tossed a scoreless ninth to close out the win. Gilliland was activated from the Inactive List late Saturday night. Gary scored first for the first time in the series in the top of the second. Cristian Guererro led off with an infield single and advanced to second when Rico Washington walked. Johnson hit a soft groundball to third that advanced each runner one base, setting up a sacrifice fly to left from Rohde. Wichita responded in the bottom of the inning. With Jorge Delgado on first and one out, Einertson homered for a second straight night to give Wichita a 2-1 advantage. Einertson's blast went to deep left-center field. Einertson has now hit safely in five games in a row. Gary briefly tied the game in the fourth on a solo home run to left from Guerrero. Scott Shaw started and took the loss for the RailCats. Shaw allowed five earned runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings, walking three and striking out one. The Wingnuts have Monday off and then open a four-game series against the Amarillo Sox on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher will be on the mound for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1270.html#1337257641 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1270.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are offering a buy-one, get-one-free ticket special during their final four regular season home games for 'Fan Appreciation Week'. This is our way of saying thank you to all of the fans that came to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this summer to support the Wingnuts, said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. We hope all Wichitans take advantage of this offer to come see the Wingnuts continue their playoff race and cheer them on during the final four home games of the year. By mentioning 'Fan Appreciation Week', fans can purchase buy-one, get-one-free tickets for all seats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at the regular adult price. The Wingnuts host the Amarillo Sox in a four-game series beginning Tuesday night. All games start at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday is the Wingnuts' final Shiner Bock Beer-for-a-Buck night, presented by 107.3 The Brew. Fans can enjoy Shiner Bock Beer for just 1.00. Following Thursday night's contest, the Wingnuts host their final P.F. Chang's Home Run Derby, courtesy of P.F. Chang's China Bistro. One last round of contestants will attempt to hit one out of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Any qualifiers will then participate against the top sluggers from this summer in a championship round. Thursday is also Thirsty Thursday, presented by T-95, where fans can enjoy 2.00 off all drinks, excluding small sodas. The regular season concludes Friday with Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Clear Channel Radio. Several flights to Phoenix, AZ will be given away, courtesy of Allegiant Air. After the game, two lucky fans will throw for a chance to win the 100,000 grand prize in Kansas Star Casino's Launch-a-Ball promotion. The Wingnuts currently lead the Gary SouthShore RailCats by 1.0 game in the Central Division, and have a 1.0 game lead over the RailCats and St. Paul Saints in the wild card standings. All three teams are down to their final eight regular season games. The Wingnuts and Sox kick off their series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher will be on the mound for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1271.html#1337257642 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1271.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts moved into a first place tie in the Central Division on Saturday night, beating the Gary SouthShore RailCats 8-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts scored runs in seven of their eight team at bats while Nick Singleton provided six strong innings without allowing an earned run to pick up his 11th win of the year. Juan Richardson picked up where he left off on Friday night, hitting a two-out, solo home run to left-center in the bottom of the first that gave Wichita a 1-0 lead. Jorge Delgado led off the second with a walk, took third on Mitch Einertson's double down the left field line, and scored the Wingnuts' second run on a sacrifice fly to right field from Josh Workman. Wichita built a run for a third consecutive inning in the third when Carlos Rivera walked with one out. Delgado singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Workman drove in Rivera with a line drive single to center. Gary scored three unearned runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game. With a runner on third and two outs, Cristian Guererro reached on an error by Richardson at third base. Toddric Johnson followed with a triple down the right field line that cut the lead to 3-2, and then scored the tying run on Brian Kolb's RBI single through the middle. The Wingnuts re-gained the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Delgado lined a single to right with one out. Einertson was next and crushed a two-run home run down the left field line to make it 5-3 Wichita. Jimmy Mojica led off the seventh with a double down the left field line. Josh Horn sacrificed Mojica to third, setting up Richardson's RBI single through a drawn-in infield. The RailCats cut the lead to 7-5 on a two-out, two-run double to right-center in the top of the eighth from Mike Rohde. In the bottom of the inning, the Wingnuts got one of the runs back when Rivera flared a single down the left field line that scored Richardson from second. Singleton allowed three unearned runs on five hits in six innings to tie Derek Blacksher (2009) and Ryan Hinson (2011) for the most wins in franchise history in a single season. Josh Dew took over in the top of the ninth and earned his 19th save of the year. After allowing a bunt single to Adam Klein, Dew struck out the next three hitters in a row to lock down the win. Trent Lare took the loss for Kansas City, allowing five earned runs on eight hits. Lare walked four and struck out two. Einertson had four hits in the game, while Richardson and Workman each had three. Geivy Garcia worked a scoreless relief inning for the Wingnuts. With St. Paul's win versus Fargo-Moorhead, the Wingnuts and RailCats each have a 1.0 game lead over the Saints in the wild card standings. The series finishes on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Junior Guerra goes to the mound for Wichita and faces right-hander Scott Shaw. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1269.html#1337257643 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1269.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats 8-6 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Juan Richardson hit a two-out, three-run home run to right field off of RailCats' closer Travis Minix to win the ballgame. It was the first game-ending home run for the Wingnuts since August 26th, 2009. With the head-to-head win over Gary, the Wingnuts are now within 1.0 game of first place in the Central Division. Coupled with St. Paul's loss versus Fargo-Moorhead, the Wingnuts also have a 1.0 game lead over the Saints in the wild card race. All three teams have 10 games remaining this season. Mike Conroy started the ninth-inning rally with one out, legging out an infield single on a slow bouncer to second base. After Minix struck out Jimmy Mojica, Josh Horn grounded a single just over the second base bag on a full count to put the tying and winning runs on base. Richardson fell behind 0-2 before working a full count himself. Richardson's home run came on the seventh pitch of the at bat. The Wingnuts scored four early runs in the bottom of the first against Gary starter Ryne Reynoso. Mojica lined a single center and scored from first when Horn sliced a double in front of the warning track in right-center. Richardson drove in his first run of the night with a single to center that plated Horn. After Richardson was caught stealing, Carlos Rivera singled to left, Jorge Delgado walked, and Mitch Einertson grounded a single through the left side to load the bases. Josh Workman capped off the rally with a line drive single to right that scored two more runs. Wichita scratched out another run in the bottom of the third. Reynoso threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, allowing Rivera to score from third base. Reynoso took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in five and one-third innings. Reynoso walked four and struck out two. Ryan Hinson battled through six innings in a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits. Hinson walked two and struck out one. The RailCats scored twice in the fourth on an RBI double down the left field line from Brian Kolb and a two-out, RBI single to right from Mike Valadez. Gary cut the lead to 5-4 with two more runs in the sixth. With second and third and one out, Adam Klein drove in Mike Rohde with a groundout to second. Mike Massaro followed with an RBI triple to right-center field. In the top of the seventh, Toddric Johnson singled with one out against Jared Simon and scored on Kolb's double down the right field line. Matt Nevarez relieved Simon, walked Rohde, and then retired Valadez on a groundout to third base. Chris Carrara made it 6-5 RailCats with a two-out, RBI single to left field. Kendy Batista and Marcos Tabata each worked a perfect inning of relief to keep the Wingnuts within one run. Tabata earned the win. Greg Porter hit the Wingnuts' last game-ending home run in a win versus Lincoln on August 26th, 2009. The series continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton faces left-hander Trent Lare. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1268.html#1337257644 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1268.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-6 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. Wichita is now tied for the wild card lead with St. Paul and trails Gary SouthShore by 2.0 games in the Central Division. All three teams are down to their final 11 games. 12 of the 13 runs in the game, including all six of Wichita's, were scored on two-out hits. With the Wingnuts leading 5-3 in the top of the eighth, the T-Bones rallied for four two-out runs to take a 7-5 lead. Logan Hoch allowed a one-out single to Jose Duran and was relieved by Geivy Garcia. After Rico Washington walked, Garcia struck out Ray Sadler for the second out of the inning. Garcia then walked Jim Fasano on a full count to load the bases, setting up a first-pitch, three-run double to deep left center field to Kala Ka'aihue that made it 6-5 Kansas City. Justin Snyder followed with a soft single to left-center that drove in the T-Bones' seventh run of the night. The Wingnuts put the tying runs on base with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth when Drew Graham was relieved by Kyle Dahman. Dahman retired the next three hitters in a row to escape the jam without allowing a run. In the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Rivera led off with a line drive single to left-center against Dahman to bring the tying run to the plate. Rivera was forced out at second on a groundball hit by Jorge Delgado. After Mitch Einertson flied out to left, Delgado took second base on defensive indifference and scored on a two-out single to center from Josh Workman. Dahman then retired Edwin Bellorin on a popout to shortstop to end the game and notch his second multi-inning save against Wichita in three nights. Ka'aihue and Snyder hit back-to-back, two-out solo home runs off of Wingnuts' starter Derek Blacksher in the top of the second to give Kansas City an early 2-0 advantage. In the bottom of the inning, Workman lined a two-out double down the left field line and came in when Bellorin flared a single to shallow right-center. Jimmy Mojica led off the bottom of the third with a single, stole second base, and eventually scored the tying run on Rivera's two-out, line drive single to left. Wichita took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and no one on base, Josh Horn ripped a single to left and scored from first on Juan Richardson's RBI triple down the right field line. With no one on base in the fifth, Workman and Bellorin hit back-to-back singles with two outs. Mike Conroy drew a walk to load the bases. Mojica followed with a long single to left-center that scored Workman and Bellorin with the Wingnuts fourth and fifth runs. Blacksher settled in after the second and did not allow a run until Ka'aihue hit his second home run of the night leading off the top of the seventh. Blacksher took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on five hits in seven innings. Blacksher walked one and struck out five. Kris Johnson started for Kansas City, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits in five and two-thirds innings. Johnson walked three, struck out five, and also took a no-decision. Chris Little earned the win for Kansas City, working one and one-third scoreless innings. Garcia took the loss for Wichita. The Wingnuts open a crucial three-game series against the Central Division-leading Gary SouthShore RailCats on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson takes on right-hander Ryne Reynoso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1266.html#1337257645 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1266.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced Friday that twelve lucky Wingnuts' fans have qualified for the finals drawing in the Kansas Star Casino Launch-a-Ball Grand Prize. Following the final regular season home game on Friday, August 26th versus the Amarillo Sox, two lucky fans will be randomly selected from the qualifying Launch-a-Ball nightly jackpot winners for a chance to throw for the grand prize of 100,000. Launch-a-Ball has been a hit from the start of our season, said Wingnuts' majority owner Steve Ruud. The chance to win the 100,000 grand prize has added a whole new sense of excitement to our games, and contributed to our successful attendance numbers this season. Since announcing the addition of the Kansas Star Casino grand prize on July 8th, 2011, twelve Launch-a-Ball jackpot winners at Friday, Saturday and Sunday home games have qualified to be entered into the drawing for a chance to win 100,000. The two finalists will stand atop the main pitcher's mound at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and throw to a target positioned 60-feet, six-inches away. If either contestant throws three strikes through the target at home plate, before throwing four balls outside of the target, they will win the grand prize of 100,000 cash. Beginning tonight at 7:05 p.m., there are still four games left for fans to qualify for the grand prize. Those games include August 19th, August 20th, August 21st Friday, August 26th. The Wingnuts introduced Launch-a-Ball at the beginning of the 2011 season. The promotion takes place immediately following every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Wingnuts' home game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Fans at least 21 years of age can purchase Launch-a-Balls in the Wingnuts' gift shop for just 1.00. When the signal is given, the Launch-a-Balls are thrown onto the field where fans aim for the jackpot bucket, and other great prizes. Fans over 21 years of age will also have the opportunity to apply at the game to join the Kansas Star Casino Lucky Star Players Club and have a chance to win one of three Kansas-made Chevy Malibus. A video featuring the Wingnuts' Launch-a-Ball promotion can be found here: For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1267.html#1337257646 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1267.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts overtook the wild card lead on Wednesday night, defeating the Kansas City T-Bones 6-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. With St. Paul's loss at Winnipeg, the Wingnuts are now a half-game in front of the Saints in the wild card standings, and one full game ahead in the loss column. It marks the first time in 56 days the Wingnuts have held one of the American Association's four playoff spots. After Gary SouthShore's loss versus Shreveport-Bossier, the Wingnuts are within 1.5 games of the RailCats for the Central Division lead with 12 games remaining on their schedule. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Wingnuts sent nine men to the plate in a four-run rally that gave them their first and only lead of the night. Facing reliever Steven Stewart, Mike Conroy checked his swing, but lined a double down the left field line. After Jimmy Mojica grounded out to third base, Josh Horn reached via a hit batsman after attempting to bunt for a base hit. Juan Richardson pulled a double to left-center field that scored Conroy and cut the lead to 5-3. Carlos Rivera worked out a walk to load the bases. Brian Grening relieved Stewart, and retired Jorge Delgado on a short flyball to right field. Mitch Einertson hit a broken bat, line drive single to left to score Horn and bring the Wingnuts within a run. With the bases still loaded and two out, Josh Workman pinch hit for Gerardo Bustamante and singled up the middle to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. After a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth, Matt Nevarez relieved Logan Hoch and retired the next three hitters in order to keep the lead intact. Josh Dew took over in the top of the ninth and stranded the tying run on second to preserve the win. Keanon Simon tripled with two outs and no one on base in the top of the third against Wingnuts' starter Marcos Tabata. Simon scored when Jose Duran lined a single to center, giving Kansas City a 1-0 lead. The T-Bones added three more runs in the fifth. Peter Barrows led off with a walk, took second on Simon's hit-and-run groundout to second, and scored on another single to center from Duran. Tabata struck out Rico Washington for the second out of the inning before Ray Sadler doubled down the left field line to score Duran and make it 3-0. Nick Singleton relieved Tabata and allowed an RBI double to Jim Fasano for the T-Bones' fourth run. The Wingnuts got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Edwin Bellorin drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third when Conroy doubled to right field. Mojica plated Bellorin with a groundout to second. Horn knocked in Conroy with a groundball single through the left side. Tabata took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on six hits in four and two-thirds innings. Tabata walked three, struck out three, and was making his first start in exactly four years. Kendy Batista earned the win for the Wingnuts, allowing one earned run in two innings. Reid Santos started for Kansas City and took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Santos walked four and struck out one. Stewart absorbed the loss for the T-Bones. In the bottom of the eighth, Mike Conroy led off with a triple. It was Conroy's eighth triple of the season, and his 20th in three seasons in the American Association, tying Jake Whitesides' career record. The series concludes Thursday night with Derek Blacksher facing left-hander Kris Johnson. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1265.html#1337257647 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1265.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Wichita was four outs away from securing a win when Jim Fasano hit a two-out, two-run home run over the right-center field fence against Geivy Garcia to provide the game's final margin. Justin Snyder reached on a bloop double with one out to start the rally. Garcia retired Ray Sadler on a line drive to short before allowing the home run. Wichita loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth when Kansas City brought in closer Kyle Dahman for a five-out save. Dahman induced a groundball to first from Josh Workman that Fasano gloved and fired home to earn a force on Juan Richardson. With the bases still loaded, Edwin Bellorin hit a sharp groundball towards the hole on the right side that was grabbed by a diving Justin Snyder. Snyder tossed to first to end the inning and prevent the Wingnuts from tying the game. Jimmy Mojica doubled down the right field line with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Dahman struck out Josh Horn and retired Richardson on a groundout to third to end the game and convert the save. Kansas City struck first against Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra. Keanon Simon led off the game with a walk and scored from first on Jose Duran's double to deep center field. Guerra settled in after the first and finished the night with a no-decision. Guerra allowed one earned run on just three hits, walking six, and striking out seven. Richardson tied the game at 1-1 with a two-out, RBI single through the right side that scored Mojica. In the bottom of the seventh, Workman led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice from Bellorin. Mike Conroy reached on an error charged to Jeff Hulett, allowing Workman to advance to third. After falling behind 0-2, Mojica drove a flyball to right for a sacrifice fly that scored Workman with the go-ahead run. Drew Graham was the winning pitcher in relief for Kansas City, allowing one unearned run in one and one-third innings. Devin Anderson started and took a no-decision for the T-Bones, allowing one earned run on six hits in six innings. Anderson walked three and struck out five. Carlos Rivera's hitting streak was snapped at nine games. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the loss and had three runners caught stealing. The Wingnuts and T-Bones continue their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Marcos Tabata makes a spot start against T-Bones' righty T.J. Large. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1264.html#1337257648 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1264.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced several transactions on Tuesday, including the acquisition of shortstop Jimmy Mojica, outfielder Mitch Einertson, and right-handed pitcher Geivy Garcia. Mojica (pronounced moh-HEE-kuh) comes to the Wingnuts from the Kansas City T-Bones in exchange for second baseman Jose Duran. Mojica is currently hitting .303 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 82 games. The 27-year old Mojica has swiped 20 bases and ranks tied for fifth in the American Association with 72 runs scored. Mojica is expected to play second base for the Wingnuts. A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Mojica was the league's inaugural Rookie Player of the Year in 2006 after hitting .299 with 44 runs and 32 RBI in 87 games for the St. Joe Blacksnakes. Twice during his six-year career, the 6-foot, 185-pound Mojica has had his contract purchased by a Major League organization, seeing time in both the Milwaukee Brewers' and Seattle Mariners' farm systems. The right-handed hitting Mojica entered 2011 with a career .280 batting average, .354 on-base percentage, and 83 stolen bases in 109 attempts. Einertson was acquired from the North American Baseball League's Maui Na Koa Ikaika in exchange for a player to be named later. Einertson hit .314 with eight home runs and 49 RBI in 68 games for Maui. Last season, the Oceanside, CA native played alongside Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew for the Golden League champion Chico Outlaws. Einertson hit .667 in five playoff games with five RBI and 11 runs scored. Einertson was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fifth round out of Rancho Buena Vista High School in 2004. The 25-year old outfielder started his professional career later that summer and belted 24 home runs in just 63 games for the Greeneville Astros. At the end of his rookie season, the 5-foot10, 178-pound Einertson was named the Appalachian League's Most Valuable Player, as well as Rookie Level Player of the Year. Einertson spent two years in Double-A with Houston and participated in the 2007 Arizona Fall League. Garcia (first name pronounced HY-vee) opened 2011 in the Mexican League, appearing in three games for the Petroleros de Minatitlan. The 29-year old righty then made 43 appearances for the Truenos de Tijuana in the Liga Norte de Mexico, the same circuit the Wingnuts signed Jorge Delgado from last July. With Tijuana, Garcia went 8-2 with 23 saves and a 2.45 ERA, striking out 56 in 58.2 innings pitched. Garcia spent parts of two seasons in the American Association, pitching for the Grand Prairie AirHogs in 2008 and 2010. A native of Laguna Salada in the Dominican Republic, Garcia earned South Division All-Star honors last season with a 3.47 ERA and 11 saves in 49.1 innings. Like Mojica, Garica has seen time with two different Major League organizations in his career. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Garcia was originally signed by the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in 2001 and would have his contract purchased by the San Francisco Giants after a successful season with Grand Prairie in 2008. Garcia's reversionary rights were acquired from the Amarillo Sox in exchange for a player to be named later. The Wingnuts released right-handed pitcher Chad Sherman, and in a separate deal, traded outfielder Peter Barrows to Kansas City in exchange for a player to be named later. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight against the T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. Wichtia is currently 0.5 games behind the St. Paul Saints for the wild card, and 1.5 games back of the Gary SouthShore RailCats for the Central Division lead. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1263.html#1337257649 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1263.html WINNIPEG, Manitoba- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Shaw Park on Sunday afternoon. Tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Ridge Carpenter led off with a double to center field and moved to third on Price Kendall's groundball single through the left side. Logan Hoch relieved Kendy Batista and recorded an out at the plate on Carpenter when Kody Kaiser bounced into a fielder's choice. With runners on second and third and one out, the Wingnuts' intentionally walked John Weber. Hoch then walked Brian Myrow and Wes Long back-to-back with the bases loaded to force in two runs. Jamie Vermilyea took over in the top of the eighth and worked a six-out save to close out the game. The Wingnuts jumped on the board first for a third straight game. Mike Conroy led off with a walk, stole second, and took third on a sacrifice bunt from Josh Horn. Conroy scored on an error by Long at shortstop. Wichita went on to load the bases, but Goldeyes' starter Zach Baldwin escaped further trouble. Kaiser hit a one-out, solo home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game. Wingnuts' starter Nick Singleton kept the Wingnuts in the ballgame, keeping things tied until the sixth when he allowed a two-out double to Louis Ott. Singleton was relieved by Batista who allowed an RBI double to Luis Alen that made it 2-1 Goldeyes. The Wingnuts briefly tied the game in the top of the eighth when Horn doubled to left-center and then scored on an RBI single through the right side from Juan Richardson. Singleton took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on four hits in five and two-thirds innings. Singleton walked seven and struck out two. Baldwin also took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on six hits in five innings. Baldwin walked three and struck out one. Batista took the loss for Wichita. Aaron Hartsock earned the win for Winnipeg. The Wingnuts walked 10 batters in the loss. Wichita concludes the long portion of their road trip with a record of 7-6, having won three of four series along the way. The Wingnuts finally return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1261.html#1337257650 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1261.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts first baseman Carlos Rivera has been named the American Association's Pointstreak Batter of the Week for August 1st-7th. Rivera collected a hit in all seven games last week, going 15 for 32 (.469) with four doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, and 10 runs scored. On Saturday night at Winnipeg, Rivera powered the Wingnuts' offense in a 15-4 win at Shaw Park. The Fajardo, Puerto Rico native went 5 for 6 with two home runs, three RBI, and tied an American Association single-game record with five runs. The 33-year old slugger has hit safely in all nine games since joining the Wingnuts on August 6th at Sioux City. Rivera is hitting .425 during that stretch with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored. Rivera joined the Wingnuts after another succesful stint in the Mexican League, hitting .311 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI in 103 games for the Petroleros de Minatitlan. Rivera joined the Wingnuts in similar fashion last season and hit .372 with six home runs in 28 games for Wichita. Rivera was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round in 1996 and spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues with Pittsburgh in 2003 and 2004. It marks the second weekly award the Wingnuts have won this season. Nick Singleton was named Pitcher of the Week for May 23rd-29th. The Wingnuts are currently battling three other teams for the final three American Association playoff spots. Wichita trails Gary SouthShore by 2.0 games in the Central Division, and St. Paul by 1.0 game in the wild card race. The Wingnuts are also 3.0 games back of the North Division-leading Winnipeg Goldeyes in the overall standings. Heading into Monday, all four clubs are down to their final 14 games of the season. The Wingnuts host the Kansas City T-Bones on Tuesday night to start a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1262.html#1337257651 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1262.html WINNIPEG, Manitoba- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 15-4 at Shaw Park on Saturday evening. Carlos Rivera and Jorge Delgado each tied a Wingnuts' single-game record with five base hits. Rivera also tied a league record and set a Wingnuts' record with five runs scored. Wichita scored seven runs in the top of the first inning against Goldeyes' starter Chris Salamida. Mike Conroy and Josh Horn opened the game with groundball singles. Juan Richardson drove in Conroy with a line drive single to center. Rivera singled to right to load the bases, setting up Delgado's two-run line drive single to left that made it 3-0. Salamdia struck out Josh Workman, but then walked Peter Barrows to re-load the bases. Edwin Bellorin followed with a line drive single to right that scored Rivera and Delgado to give Wichita a five-run lead. Salamida was relieved by Mike Williams who allowed an RBI single to center from Jose Duran that made it 6-0. Conroy drove in the final run of the inning with a groundout to shortstop. After Derek Blacksher escaped three first inning walks to keep the seven-run lead intact, an RBI single from Bellorin and sacrifice fly from Duran made it 9-0 Wichita heading into the bottom of the second. Luis Allen drove in Fehlandt Lentini with a line drive single down the left field line, but Blacksher escaped further trouble by inducing a double play of the bat of Kendall Price. Rivera clubbed a long, solo home run with two outs in the top of the third to make it 10-1. Bryan Myrow and Wes Long each had an RBI in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 10-3. In hte bottom of the fourth, Winnipeg loaded the bases with no outs, but Blacksher limited them to just one run to keep the Wingnuts in front 10-4. Wichita put the game away for good with three runs in the top of the fifth. Richardson singled through the left side to score Horn from third base. Rivera followed with a two-run home run to right field. Delgado doubled home a run in the top of the seventh while the Wingnuts' 15th run came home on an error charged to Long at shortstop. Blacksher earned the win, battling through five innings. Blacksher allowed four earned runs on nine hits, walked four, and struck out one. It was Blacksher's first road win this season. Salamida allowed seven earned runs on six hits in the loss, walking one, and striking out one. Kendy Batista, Logan Hoch, Jared Simon, and Matt Nevarez each chipped in a scoreless inning of relief. Seven of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit, while seven scored at least one run. The series concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Nick Singleton takes the mound for the Wingnuts against left-hander Zach Baldwin. All the action can be heard live at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1260.html#1337257652 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1260.html WINNIPEG, Manitoba- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 3-1 in their inaugural meeting at Shaw Park on Friday night. Ryan Hinson allowed one earned run over eight innings pitched to earn his 11th win of the season, tying Derek Blacksher's single-season team record set back in 2009. Tied at 1-1 in the top of the seventh, Peter Barrows grounded a leadoff single through the left side against Goldeyes' starter Luis Villarreal. After Edwin Bellorin sacrificed Barrows to second, Villarreal was replaced by Aaron Cook. Jose Duran hit a chopper to shortstop that was mishandled by Wes Long and gave the Wingnuts first and third with one out. Mike Conroy ripped a double off the fence in right-center field to score Barrows and Duran with the go-ahead runs. Hinson Worked around a hit batsman in the seventh and then retired the side in order in the eighth before turning the ball over to Josh Dew. Dew worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to earn his 17the save of the year. Hinson scattered seven hits, struck out four, and walked only one. Hinson has now won four consecutive starts. Hinson retired the leadoff hitter in seven of eight innings. Wichita scored the first run of the night in the top of the first. Conroy led off the game with a walk and moved to second on a bunt single from Josh Horn. Juan Richardson's fielder's choice to shortstop gave Wichita runners on the corners. Conroy came home on a broken bat groundout to first base. Winnipeg tied it in the fifth, scoring their only run of the game. Ridge Carpenter was ruled safe at first on a one-out bunt attempt along the third base line. After Hinson retired Price Kendall on a popup to first base, Kody Kaiser sliced a double to deep right-center to score Carpenter with the tying run. Villarreal took the loss, allowing two earned runs on six hits in six and one-third innings. Villarreal walked two and struck out three. The series continues Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. Derek Blacksher takes on left-hander Chris Salamida. All the action can be heard live at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1259.html#1337257653 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1259.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-7 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Thursday night. Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Saints rallied for three runs after there were two outs and no one on base. Argelis Nunez hit a line drive double to center against Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman, breaking a streak of 15 batters retired in a row. Kendy Batista relieved Sherman and allowed an infield single to Richard Mercado. With runners on first and second and two outs, Jonathan Van Every ripped a three-run home run down the right field line to give the Saints a 6-5 lead. Ronnie Bourquin hit a two-run, opposite field home run to left in the bottom of the seventh to make it 8-5. The Wingnuts rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth to get back within one run. With second and third and two outs, Edwin Bellorin grounded a single up the middle against Kyle Foster to score Carlos Rivera and Jorge Delgado. Foster came back and retired the next four hitters through the ninth inning to earn the save. Sherman retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the first inning before allowing a double to right-center from Ole Sheldon. Jason Cooper walked to put runners on first and second. After falling behind no balls and two strikes, Argelis Nunez worked a full count and then ripped a double into the left field corner that scored Sheldon and Cooper. Richard Mercado made it 3-0 Saints on a bloopsingle down the right field line. Wichita scored twice in the top of the second to pull back within one run. Rivera drew a leadoff walk and took third on Delgado's double to right-center field. Josh Workman lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Rivera and advanced Delgado to third. Peter Barrows plated Delgado with a sacrifice fly to center. Josh Horn doubled to left-center with one out in the top of the third and went to third on Richardson's single to left. Rivera tied the game with the Wingnuts' third sacrifice fly of the night. Wichita took its only lead of the game in the top of the fourth. Workman led off with a walk and stole second base. Two batters later, Bellorin crushed a triple to right center field that made it 4-3 Wichita. Saints' second baseman Justin Snyder committed an error on a groundball hit by Jose Duran that allowed Bellorin to score the Wingnuts' fifth run. Sherman took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on four hits in five and two-thirds innings. Sherman walked two and struck out two. Edwin Walker started for the Saints and was relieved after three innings in a no-decision. Walker allowed three earned runs on three hits, walked one, and struck out none. Robert Coe earned the win in relief for St. Paul. Batista took the loss. Richardson has hit safely in 10 games in a row. Jose Duran had a nine-game hitting streak come to an end. The Wingnuts head to Shaw Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a three-game series against the Goldeyes beginning Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces left-hander Luis Villareal. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the feature game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1257.html#1337257654 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1257.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the St. Paul Saints 8-2 at Midway Stadium on Wednesday night. Junior Guerra kept the Saints to two earned over seven and two-thirds innings to earn the win and help the Wingnuts pull back within 2.0 games of St. Paul for the wild card lead. Guerra allowed just two hits over the first seven innings, and only five by the end of the night. Guerra struck out six, walked two, and is now 6-1 over his last eight starts. Offensively, eight of Wichita's nine starters had at least one hit. Carlos Rivera and Jorge Delgado opened the top of the second with back-to-back singles. Josh Workman laid down a sacrifice bunt to give the Wingnuts second and third and one out. After Saints' starter Donald Brandt struck out Peter Barrows, Edwin Bellorin ripped a groundball double down the left field line to give the Wingnuts an early 2-0 lead. Wichita broke the game open in the top of the third. Mike Conroy led off with a single and then helped break up a double play which resulted in a throwing error by Justin Snyder that sent Josh Horn to second base. Juan Richardson drove in Horn with a long, RBI double to the right-center field fence. Rivera followed with a line drive double down the left field line that made it 4-0. Delgado narrowly missed a home run, flying out to deep right field, but Workman slugged a two-run shot with two outs to give the Wingnuts a 6-0 lead. Rivera doubled to right-center leading off the fifth and went to third when Delgado singled to left. Workman lined a single to center field to score Rivera with the Wingnuts' seventh run. Brandt was relieved by Kris Edwards who allowed a hit-and-run, RBI single to right from Bellorin that made it 8-0. Guerra did not allow a hit until Ronnie Bourquin's bloop single down the left field line with one out in the bottom of the fourth. The Saints scored their first run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to deep left field that scored Argelis Nunez. St. Paul scored their second and final run in the bottom of the eighth on a single to right from Steve Mays. Matt Nevarez took over for Guerra with two on and two out in the eighth and retired Ole Sheldon on a flyout to center to end the inning. Logan Hoch worked around three singles in the bottom of the ninth, and struck out the side to finish the game. Brandt went four-plus innings and took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits. Brandt did not walk a batter and struck out three. It was Brandt's first loss at home this season. With Gary's loss at Sioux City, Wichita is also back within 2.0 games of first place in the Central Division. The series concludes Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Chad Sherman takes on left-hander Edwin Walker. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1256.html#1337257655 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1256.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts fell 8-7 to the St. Paul Saints in 10 innings at Midway Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Richard Mercado drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th with a sacrifice fly to left field. Jason Cooper led off the inning with a line drive single to center off of Jared Simon. Argelis Nunez sent Cooper to third, hitting a groundball double down the right field line that took a high bounce over the head of Carlos Rivera. Simon took the loss, allowing the one earned run in one-third of an inning. The Wingnuts had a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the Saints rallied for three runs to tie the game. Steve Mays drew a leadoff walk against Marcos Tabata. Walks to Steve Mays and Ronnie Bourquin gave the Saints first and second and one out against Marcos Tabata. Ole Sheldon cut the lead to 7-5, hitting a flyball double to left-center field. Josh Dew relieved Tabata and walked Jason Cooper to load the bases. Argelis Nunez followed with a groundball, two-run double down the left field line that tied the score. Dew struck out two batters later in the inning to keep the game tied. Wichita had mounted a comeback of their own in the top of the inning. Down 4-2, Peter Barrows drew a one-out walk, stole second, and then scored on a throwing error by Bourquin at third base. Jose Duran tripled home the tying run with a line drive to right. After Mike Conroy walked, Josh Horn singled through the left side to give the Wingnuts a 5-4 lead. Two batters later, Rivera pulled a double down the right field line that scored Conroy and Horn to make it 7-4. St. Paul scored two runs in the bottom of the first against Wingnuts' starter Nick Singleton. Sheldon hit a short poplfy single to center that scored Adam Frost from third base. Later in the inning, Mercado lined a single to left with two outs that scored Cooper with the Saints' second run. Wichita loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth and tied the game when Rivera singled through the middle. Rivera finished the game with four RBI. St. Paul went back in front in the bottom of the seventh. Bourquin drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Sheldon's single down the left field line. Two batters later, Nunez hit a bloop single to center field to drive in Bourquin. Jonathan Van Every accounted for the second run of the inning with a single to center field. Singleton took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs in six plus innings. Singleton gave up 10 hits, three walks, and struck out five. Kyle Carr started for St. Paul and also took a no-decision. Carr allowed three hits, three walks, and did not allow a run while striking out one. All nine of the Wingnuts' starters reached base on either a hit, walk, or hit by pitch. The Wingnuts are now 3.0 games behind the Saints for the wild card with 19 games remaining in the season. The series continues Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra faces left-hander Donald Brandt. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1255.html#1337257656 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1255.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-2 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Monday night. Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Saints broke the game open with a four-run inning. Derek Blacksher, who took a tough loss, allowed a leadoff double to Steve Mays down the left field line. Blacksher retired Adam Frost on a flyout to center before issuing an intentionall walk to Ronnie Bourquin. Marcos Tabata relieved Blacksher and allowed a groundball single through the left side of the infield to Ole Sheldon that scored Mays to give St. Paul an insurance run. Tabata struck out Jason Cooper for the second out of the inning, but Argelis Nunez, Richard Mercado, and Jonathan Van Every each collected a two-out, RBI single, allowing St. Paul to take a 6-1 lead. The Wingnuts rallied for an unearned run in the top of the ninth before stranding the bases loaded with the tying run at the plate to end the game. Jesse English retired Gerardo Bustamante for the final out and earned the save. The Wingnuts stranded 12 runners on base in the loss. The Saints struck first in the bottom of the second. Nunez doubled down the right field line with one out and scored on an error charged to Josh Horn at shortstop. Mays hit a sacrifice fly to right in the bottom of the fifth to make it 2-0 St. Paul. In the top of the sixth, Juan Richardson was hit by a pitch and took third on a single through the right side from Carlos Rivera. Bustamante followed with a hard groundball single to center that cut the lead in half. A wild pitch later in the frame gave the Wingnuts second and third with two outs. Peter Barrows hit a deep drive down the right field line that was caught by a tumbling Nunez to save the tying and go-ahead runs. Bustamante took over at DH after the fourth inning when Jorge Delgado was ejected for arguing a called third strike with home plate umpire Danny Hymel. Still trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth, Richardson led off with a double, but relievers Caleb Thielbar and Kyle Foster prevented the Wingnuts from tying the game. Blacksher allowed four runs, three earned, in the loss. Blacksher yielded just three hits in seven and one-third innings, walked four, and struck out five. Alberto Rolon earned the win for the Saints, allowing one earned run on seven hits in seven-plus innings. Rolon walked two and struck out six. Richardson reached base four times in the loss with a single, double, walk, and hit batsman. The Wingnuts are now 2.0 games behind the Saints for the wild card and 3.0 back of the Gary SouthShore RailCats for the Central Division lead. All three teams have 20 games remaining this season. The series continues Tuesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. Nick Singleton will be on the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1254.html#1337257657 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1254.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux City Explorers 10-7 at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday evening. After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Wingnuts rattled off 10 unanswered runs to build a nine-run lead. The comeback started in the top of the second when Jorge Delgado and Josh Workman hit back-to-back singles with one out. Peter Barrows lined a single to center to tie the game, sending Workman to second. After Edwin Bellorin flied out to center, Jose Duran lined a single to right field that scored Workman with the go-ahead run. Duran's single bounced by Derek Schermerhorn, allowing Barrows to score from first with the Wingnuts' third run. Bellorin led off the top of the fifth with a solo home run to left field, giving Wichita a 4-1 lead. Juan Richardson added an RBI single later in the inning, while Jorge Delgado capped off the frame with a sacrifice fly to right. The Wingnuts scored four more times in the top of the sixth. Barrows and Bellorin opened the inning with singles, and each took an extra base on a sacrifice bunt to third from Duran. After Mike Conroy was intentionally walked to load the bases, Josh Horn lifted a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-1 Wichita. Richardson followed with a two-run double down the left field line that scored Bellorin and Conroy. Carlos Rivera drove in the Wingnuts' final run with a line drive single to left. Sioux City rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 10-5. All four runs came on two-out hits, with Ray Serrano, Brett Flowers, and Ryan Priddy accounting for the RBI. Flowers hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to make it a three-run game, but Josh Dew slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 16th save of the year. Dew struck out the side in order on 11 pitches. Ryan Hinson started and won for the Wingnuts. Hinson allowed five earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out one. With 10 wins on the season, it marks the first time the Wingnuts have had multiple 10-game winners in one season. Nick Singleton is currently 10-1. Kendy Batista worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Wichita. Jason Jarvis started and took the loss for Sioux City, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits in five innings. Jarvis walked two and struck out two. The Wingnuts open a four-game series at St. Paul on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher takes the mound for Wichita against righty Alberto Rolon. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1253.html#1337257658 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1253.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-4 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park on Saturday night. The Explorers sent 11 men to the plate during a six-run bottom of the fifth inning that erased a 3-1 Wichita lead. With one out and nobody on base, Wally Backman Jr. reached on a bunt single up the third base line and moved to second on Derek Schermerhorn's groundball single through the left side. Kent Sakamoto pulled a single through the hole to score Backman and trim the lead to 3-2. Ray Serrano was next and chopped a single up the middle to score Schermerhorn with the tying run. After Brett Flowers walked to load the bases, Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman was relieved by Jared Simon. Simon induced a groundball to shortstop from Ryan Priddy. The ball deflected off of Josh Horn who was able to recover and get the force at second on Flowers while Sakamoto came in with the lead run. Tyler Goodro drove in two more runs, hitting a flyball double to center field. Center fielder Mike Conroy appeared unable to locate the ball which eventually landed beyond his reach. After Mike Murphy walked, Dustin Jones hit a bloop single into shallow right field to score Goodro with the Explorers seventh run. Wichita had overcome an early 1-0 deficit with three runs in the top of the fourth against X's' starter Nick Schumacher. Carlos Rivera lined a double down the left field line with one out and came home on Jorge Delgado's single to left. Delgado took second on a bunt single from Josh Workman and then scored on Peter Barrows' line drive single to left-center. With Workman now on third, Edwin Bellorin made it 3-1 Wichita with an RBI groundout to second base. Schumacher eventually earned the win, working eight-plus innings. Schumacher allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits. Schumacher walked three and struck out eight. The Wingnuts scratched out an unearned run in the top of the eighth on a throwing error by Priddy. Emiliano Fruto relieved Schumacher in the top of the ninth and retired three straight hitters to earn the save. Sherman took the loss, allowing six earned runs on nine hits in four and one-third innings. Sherman walked two and struck out five. Schermerhorn drove in the X's first run with an RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the first. Kendy Batista and Matt Nevarez each worked a scoreless relief inning for the Wingnuts. The Explorers have now won 10 consecutive games that Schumacher has started. The series concludes Sunday evening at 6:05 p.m. with Ryan Hinson taking on right-hander Jason Jarvis. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1252.html#1337257659 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1252.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux City Explorers 5-3 at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night. With the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the eighth, Josh Workman scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch from Explorers' reliever Jon Plefka. Workman opened the inning with a walk and took second on Jorge Delgado's groundball single through the left side. Edwin Bellorin laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out. Plefka's wild pitch came on an 0-2 count with Peter Barrows at the plate. Marcos Tabata worked a perfect bottom of the eighth for a second straight night, allowing the Wingnuts to add an insurance run in the top of the ninth. With two outs and nobody on base, Josh Horn lined a double to right-center field. Fighting back from an 0-2 count, Juan Richardson then singled on a line drive to center to score Horn and give Wichita a 5-3 advantage. Josh Dew took over in the bottom of the ninth and pitched a one-two-three inning to earn his 15th save of the year. The Wingnuts took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Delgado was retired on a groundball to third that scored Mike Conroy from third base. With a Jose Duran on second and two outs in the top of the fifth, Richardson singled through the left side to make it 2-0 Wingnuts. After Workman singled to right, Delgado pulled a double to left-center that plated Richardson with the Wingnuts' third run. Junior Guerra turned in another strong start, and kept the Explorers hitless over the first five and two-thirds innings. Derek Schermerhorn broke up the no-hit bid with a two-out double down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth. Sioux City rallied to tie the game in the seventh, scoring three runs. Ray Serrano led off with a double to left-center and went to third on Brett Flowers' groundball single into left. Ryan Priddy lined a single to left field to score Serrano and cut the Wingnuts' lead to 3-1. Tyler Goodro doubled on a groundball down the third base line that scored Flowers and put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Brian Bistagne followed with a groundball to third. Priddy attempted to score the tying run, but was tagged out by Edwin Bellorin who blocked the plate. Jared Simon relieved Guerra and nearly escaped with the lead intact, but Dustin Jones beat out a potential double play groundball back to Simon. Simon Kept the game tied, striking out Derek Schermerhorn to end the inning. Simon earned the win, working two-thirds of a scoreless inning. Plefka took the loss, allowing two earned runs on four hits in two innings of relief. Ty Marotz started for Sioux City and took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on seven hits in seven innings. Marotz walked three and struck out three. Richardson reached base five times with three hits and two walks. The Wingnuts totaled four doubles in the win. The series continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Chad Sherman takes on right-hander Nick Schumacher. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1250.html#1337257660 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1250.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed first baseman Carlos Rivera late Saturday afternoon. Rivera is expected to hit cleanup tonight for the Wingnuts in the middle game of their three-game series at Sioux City. The left-handed batting Rivera recently finished his season with the Mexican League's Petroleros de Minatitlan where he hit .316 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI in 103 games played. Last season, Rivera hit .372 with six home runs and 16 RBI in 28 games for the Wingnuts following his first tour with Minatitlan. Rivera has a combined eight years of experience in the Mexican League and at the Triple-A level. The Fajarda, Puerto Rico native won the Mexican League batting title at .410 in 2007 while playing for Oaxaca. Now in his 15th season of professional baseball, Rivera is a lifetime .308 hitter with 195 home runs and 969 RBI. Rivera has more hits (1,778) than games played (1,642) throughout his 15 professional seasons, averaging 20 home runs and 97 RBI per 162 games. The 33-year old slugger spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003 and 2004, appearing in 85 games. Rivera was drafted by the Pirates in the 10th round in 1996 out of Rio Grande High School in Puerto Rico. Rivera fills the open spot on the Wingnuts' roster that was vacated earlier in the week when center fielder Brent Clevlen was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Wingnuts continue their series tonight at Sioux City with Chad Sherman taking on right-hander Nick Schumacher. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at after the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home from their 15-game road swing on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1251.html#1337257661 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1251.html FARGO, ND- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3-2 in the rubber game of their three-game series at Newman Outdoor Field on Thursday night. Nick Singleton delivered seven terrific innings to earn his 10th win of the year. With the win, Singleton also passed Brad Davis to become the Wingnuts' franchise leader in victories with 17. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fourth, Juan Richardson led off with a single to right-center field. Josh Workman hit a groundball to second that resulted in a force at second base. Workman took second base however, when Zach Penprase's relay to first bounced out of play. Jorge Delgado drove in Workman with a double down the left field line to cut the RedHawks' lead to 2-1. In the fifth, Gerardo Bustamante drew a leadoff walk against RedHawks' starter Kevin Light. Jose Duran was next and singled on a shallow flyball to right. With runners on first and second and no outs, Light was relieved by left-hander Joe Harris. After Mike Conroy laid down a sacrifice bunt, Josh Horn was intentionally walked to load the bases. Harris then walked Juan Richardson to force in the tying run. Peter Barrows finished the Wingnuts' comeback with a long home run down the left field line with one out in the top of the sixth to make it 3-2. Singleton allowed two earned runs on just five hits over seven innings for the win. Following an RBI single from Nic Jackson in the bottom of the third, Singleton recorded 13 consecutive outs to give the Wingnuts a chance to comeback. Singleton struck out five and walked one. Marcos Tabata worked a perfect eighth inning to set up closer Josh Dew. Dew retired the first two hitters in the ninth and then worked around a two-out single by striking out C.J. Retherford to end the game. Harris took the loss, allowing one earned run on four hits in four and one-third innings. Light took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in four-plus frames. Light gave up five hits, walked two, and struck out two. Fargo's first run came on a bloop single from Jesse Hoorelbeke with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. The Wingnuts now have 24 games left on their 2011 schedule and trail the Gary SouthShore RailCats by 3.0 games in the Central Division. The Wingnuts' trail the St. Paul Saints and Winnipeg Goldeyes by 2.0 games in the wild card race. All four teams have played 76 games this season. The Wingnuts head to Sioux City and open a three-game series against the Explorers on Friday night. First pitch at Lewis and Clark Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra faces right-hander Ty Marotz. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1248.html#1337257662 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1248.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' center fielder Brent Clevlen has been purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. Clevlen has been assigned to the Double-A Eastern League's Reading Phillies. The Austin, TX native debuted for Reading last night, going 0 for 1 after joining the game as part of a double switch. Anytime we can get a guy signed out of here, it's a wonderful thing for our organization, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Obviously it's tough when you lose a three-hole hitter of Brent Clevlen's caliber, but he has to what is best for his career. The plan for all of these guys is to try and get into affiliated ball. Our staff and organization wishes him nothing but the best, and hopefully he can do well and get back to the Major Leagues. Clevlen hit .310 for the Wingnuts in 46 games played with 10 home runs and 32 RBI. The 27-year old Clevlen scored 32 runs, added 15 doubles, and drew 25 walks. On June 27th versus El Paso, Clevlen hit the first inside-the-park home run in team history. Clevlen also set a team record by hitting a home run in four consecutive games from July 24th-27th. Clevlen homered twice in the same inning on July 27th versus Fargo-Moorhead. Clevlen opened the season with the Wingnuts before having his contract purchased by the Cincinnati Reds near the end of spring training. Clevlen appeared in 26 games with the Triple-A Louisville Bats before re-joining Wichita in early-June. Clevlen spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves, and appeared alongside Hooper in nine big league contests for Detroit in 2006. Clevlen's purchase marks the 10th overall time the Wingnuts have sold a player to a Major League organization. All-Time Wingnuts Signed by Major League Organizations 2008 - OF Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies 2010 - RHP Will Savage, Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 - RHP Ben Graham, Washington Nationals 2010 - LHP Justin Dowdy, Tampa Bay Rays 2011 - OF Ryan Patterson, Arizona Diamondbacks 2011 - LHP Dustin Pease, San Diego Padres 2011 - RHP Cephas Howard, Texas Rangers 2011 - OF Kenny Gilbert, Chicago White Sox 2011 - OF Brent Clevlen, Cincinnati Reds 2011 - OF Brent Clevlen, Philadelphia Phillies The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight against the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with Junior Guerra taking on right-hander Ty Marotz. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1249.html#1337257663 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1249.html FARGO, ND- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 10-8 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field on Wednesday night. The RedHawks overcame a four-run deficit in the win and scored eight of their 10 runs with two outs. The RedHawks had the leadoff hitter on base in seven of their eight team at bats. With the Wingnuts leading 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh, Nic Jackson led off with a single to right against Logan Hoch. Hoch was relieved by Matt Nevarez who issued a walk to Kyle Nichols. Jesse Hoorelbeke followed with a double to right-center field that cut the Wingnuts' lead to 8-7. Nevarez nearly escaped the jam, striking out C.J. Retherford and Carlo Cota back-to-back. But after a walk to pinch hitter John Wagle loaded the bases, Todd Jennings singled just over the head of first baseman Jorge Delgado to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. Kendy Batista relieved Nevarez and allowed an RBI, infield single to Jonathan Wyatt that gave Fargo-Moorhead a 10-8 lead. Nichols hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the first against Wingnuts' starter Derek Blacksher that gave Fargo and early 2-0 lead. Jennings added a two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the second to make it 3-0. The Wingnuts rallied for five runs in the top of the third to take a 5-3 lead. Peter Barrows led off with a line drive single to center and took third on Gerardo Bustamante's hit-and-run single through the right side. Jose Duran tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Barrows. After Mike Conroy grounded out to second base, Josh Horn lined a single to right that plated Bustamante with the Wingnuts' second run of the night. Josh Workman flared a single down the right field line to put runners on the corners. Juan Richardson capped off the inning, swinging on a 3-0 count, and crushing a two-out, three-run home run to straightaway center field. A two-out single from Retherford in the bottom of the third narrowed the lead to 5-4, but the Wingnuts scored one in the fourth and two in the fifth to build an 8-4 lead. Conroy singled home Duran from second base with two outs in the fourth, while a wild pitch and RBI groundout accounted for the Wingnuts' runs in the fifth. Fargo trimmed the lead to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth on RBI doubles from Hoorelbeke and Cota. Kevin Fuqua earned the win with four scoreless innings of long relief. Donnie Smith worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save. Matt Nevarez took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in the bottom of the seventh. Blacksher took a no-decision, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits in five innings. Blacksher walked two and struck out four. Dan Blewett started for Fargo and also took a no-decision, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits in four-plus innings. Blewett walked zero and struck out four. Eight of the Wingnuts' nine starters had at least one hit. Richardson was 4 for 5, while Workman and Delgado each had two hits. The series concludes Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton will be on the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1247.html#1337257664 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1247.html FARGO, ND- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 5-1 at Newman Outdoor Field on Tuesday night. Ryan Hinson tossed seven strong innings, allowing one earned run on six hits to outduel fellow left-hander Jake Laber. Hinson struck out seven and walked just one. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth, the Wingnuts scored twice to take the lead for the remainder of the night. Jorge Delgado led off with a walk and advanced to second when Josh Workman reached first on a bunt single that was dropped by RedHawks' first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke. Peter Barrows laid down a sacrifice bunt along the third base line to give the Wingnuts second and third and one out. Edwin Bellorin followed with a single through the left side of the infield, on an 0-2 pitch, to give Wichita a 2-1 advantage. Having been handed the lead, Hinson responded by striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth. Beginning with the final two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Hinson retired the next eight batters in a row before a leadoff error charged to Juan Richardson in the bottom of the seventh. Hinson worked around the error when Todd Jennings flied into a double play to shallow right. Jonathan Wyatt grounded out to Hinson on the mound for the final out of the inning. Marcos Tabata took over for Hinson in the bottom of the eighth. Zach Penprase reached on an error charged to Josh Horn leading off the inning. Like Hinson in the seventh, Tabata worked around the error. Brent Clevlen helped Tabata for the first out, making a sliding catch to rob Nic Jackson on a sinking line drive to center field. Tabata then struck out Kyle Nichols and Hoorelbeke back-to-back to end the inning. Wichita broke the game open with three runs in the top of the ninth. Richardson led off with a double and took third on Delgado's groundball to second base. The RedHawks intentionally walked Josh Workman, setting up a hit-and-run, infield single to second that was knocked down by Carlo Cota. Richardson scored on the play and both Workman and Barrows moved an extra base when Bellorin grounded out to shortstop. Jose Duran, activated from the Disabled List before the game, hit a soft line drive to left-center that went over the head of Penprase to drive in the Wingnuts' fourth and fifth runs. Josh Dew closed out the game with a scoreless ninth. Nichols drove in the RedHawks' only run with a two-out, RBI single to right in the bottom of the first that scored Penprase from second base. Laber took the loss, allowing two earned runs on just two hits. Laber walked four and struck out seven. Josh Horn's 15-game hitting streak came to and end, while Brent Clevlen's 12-game streak was also snapped. In addition to activating Duran, the Wingnuts released catcher Matthew Powell, second baseman Tyler Robbins, and also signed catcher Gerardo Bustamante. Bustamante recently finished his season with Yucatan in the Mexican League where he hit .207 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 54 games. Bustamante has thrown out 28% of opposing base stealers during his six-year career. The series continues on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher goes to the mound for the Wingnuts and faced right-hander Dan Blewett. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1246.html#1337257665 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1246.html KANSAS CITY, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-1 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark on Saturday night. In the top of the first, Jimmy Mojica led off with an infield single, beating out Josh Horn's throw to first on a groundball to shortstop. Keanon Simon then worked a 10-pitch at bat before lining a single to left, chasing Mojica to third base. Rico Washington drove in Mojica with an RBI single down the right field line. With runners on first and third, Ray Sadler hit a groundball to short that plated Simon. The T-Bones added two more in the bottom of the fifth. With first and second and no outs, Kala Ka'aihue singled to right-center to drive in Sadler. After Aharon Eggleston bunted for a single to load the bases, Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra was relieved by Jared Simon. Simon got Johnny Bowden to hit a groundball towards third base, but threw low to home plate after picking up the ball in an attempt to get the force. Jim Fasano scored from third, but Simon was able to record an out when Ka'aihue tried to score from second. Eggleston grounded a two-run single up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-0 Kansas City. Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper was ejected following Eggleston's hit, arguing with home plate umpire Bryan Childe on pitch to Ka'aihue earlier in the inning. Peter Barrows hit a home run down the left field line in the top of the seventh to account for the Wingnuts' lone run. Trent Lare earned the win for Kansas City, allowing one earned run on three hits in eight full innings. Lare struck out five and walked three. Guerra took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, in four-plus innings. Guerra allowed nine hits, four walks, and struck out four. Matt Nevarez, Logan Hoch, and Kendy Batista combined for two and one-third scoreless innings of relief. Josh Horn singled in the third to extend his hitting streak to 15 games in a row. Brent Clevlen doubled in the top of the sixth to stretch his streak to 12 games. The Wingnuts continue their long road trip on Tuesday when they travel to Fargo, ND to open a three-game series against the RedHawks. First pitch at Newman Outdoor Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the 77th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1245.html#1337257666 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1245.html KANSAS CITY, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 9-8 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark on Friday night. Keanon Simon, who finished the night with four hits, drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to break an 8-8 tie. With runners on first and second and two outs, Simon singled to left field in front of Tommy Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald made a strong throw to the plate which appeared to be on target to record the final out, but the ball took a bad bounce over the head of Wingnuts' catcher Edwin Bellorin and allowed the winning run to score. The Wingnuts rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to give themselves a chance to win. With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the sixth, T-Bones' starter Devin Anderson hit Juan Richardson with a pitch to force in the Wingnuts' first run of the night. Jorge Delgado followed with a line drive, two-run single to left that cut the T-Bones' lead to 5-3. After Josh Workman walked to load the bases, Anderson was replaced by Drew Graham who allowed a sacrifice fly to Peter Barrows that pulled the Wingnuts within one. Kansas City responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Ray Sadler, Jim Fasano, and Kala Ka'aihue each drove in a run to stretch the lead to 8-4. Wichita rallied again in the top of the seventh, again loading the bases with no outs. Facing new reliever Steven Stewart, Brent Clevlen grounded a double down the left field line that sliced the lead to 8-6. Richardson made it 8-7 with an RBI groundout to second. The Wingnuts finally tied the game in the top of the eighth when Bellorin led off with a single. Bellorin took second on a sacrifice from Fitzgerald and moved to third on a wild pitch. Tyler Robbins hit a sacrifice fly to left field that knotted the game at 8-8. Nick Singleton started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in three-plus innings. Singleton walked six and struck out three. Anderson also took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on six hits in five-plus innings. Anderson walked three and struck out five. Kendy Batista took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing one earned run in one and two-thirds. Kyle Dahman earned the win in relief for Kansas City, pitching one and one-third scoreless innings. Wichita left the go-ahead run in scoring position in each of the final three innings. Horn extended his hitting streak to 14 games in a row, while Clevlen has now hit safely in 11 straight. Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew took over for Josh Workman as DH in the top of the seventh. Workman was ejected for arguing a called third strike. Dew singled in the top of the ninth and stole second base. Jared Simon did not allow a run in two innings of work. The series concludes Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra faces former Wingnuts' left-hander Trent Lare. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1244.html#1337257667 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1244.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 8-3 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. Josh Workman hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the first to set the tone on offense, while Derek Blacksher worked seven strong innings to help the Wingnuts to a fourth consecutive win. Mike Conroy opened the bottom of the first with a double down the left field line and was sacrificed to third by Josh Horn. Brent Clevlen and Juan Richardson drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. T-Bones' starter Matt Mitchell retired Jorge Delgado on a foul popup to first, but Workman cashed in the early rally with a deep flyabll over the left-center field wall. Kansas City cut the lead in half against Blacksher in the top of the second when Aharon Eggleston hit a two-out, two-run home run to left-center. Wichita grabbed one of the runs right back in the bottom half when Horn doubled to right-center to score Conroy from first with two outs. Jim Fasano doubled down the right field line in the top of the fourth to score Ray Sadler from first and cut the Wingnuts' lead to 5-3. After Kala Ka'aihue walked, Eggleston grounded out to second to put the tying runs in scoring position with two outs. Blacksher stranded both when Jeff Hulett popped out to third base in foul territory to end the inning. The T-Bones managed just one runner past first base through the remainder of the game. Clevlen doubled down the left field line to drive in Conroy in the bottom of the seventh to make it 7-3 Wichita. Edwin Bellorin drove in the Wingnuts' final run with a groundball single up the middle in the bottom of the eighth. Blacksher earned the win and improved to 3-1 since re-joining the Wingnuts. Blacksher allowed three earned runs on six hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out five. Mitchell allowed six earned runs on six hits in five innings in the loss. Mitchell walked four and struck out one. Logan Hoch, Matt Nevarez, and Josh Dew combined for five strikeouts during two scoreless innings in relief of Blacksher. It is the fifth time this season the Wingnuts have won four games in a row. Horn has now hit safely in 13 straight games while Clevlen has hit safely in 10 straight. Workman's grand slam was the Wingnuts' second of the year. The Wingnuts head north to Kansas City to finish their series with the T-Bones and begin a stretch of 15 consecutive games on the road. First pitch on Friday night at Community America Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton faces left-hander Devin Anderson. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 16th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1243.html#1337257668 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1243.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts completed a three-game sweep of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, winning 14-9 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. All nine of the Wingnuts' starters scored a run and reached base with either a hit or a walk. Eight of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit. Brent Clevlen hit two home runs, and in the process, set a Wingnuts' team record by homering in a fourth consecutive game. Josh Horn had two hits and drove in four. The Wingnuts broke things open early, scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the first. Mike Conroy led off the inning with a groundball to RedHawks' starter Josh Smith. Smith fielded the ball cleanly, but bounced his throw to first. The ball went down the right field line and allowed Conroy to take third base. Horn drove in Conroy with a groundout to second to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. Clevlen followed with his first home run, lining it just over the left-center field fence. Juan Richardson and Jorge Delgado drew back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second. Josh Workman pulled a single through the right side to score Richardson and send Delgado to third. Peter Barrows lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Delgado to make it 4-0. After Workman stole second, Edwin Bellorin crushed a two-run home run over the left field wall to increase the Wingnuts' lead to six runs. With two outs and no one on base, Tyler Robbins walked and advanced to third when Conroy doubled into right field. Horn was next, and drove in his second and third runs of the inning with a groundball single off of the second base bag. Clevlen hit a two-run home run to left-center to cap off the 10-run outburst. Chad Sherman earned the win for the Wingnuts, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in six innings. Sherman struck out six and walked three. Sherman struck out the side in the top of the fifth. The RedHawks got on the board in the top of the third on Zach Penprase's two-out, RBI double down the right field line. The Wingnuts responded with two in the bottom half of the inning. Delgado led off with a towering home run to left field that made it 11-1. Later in the frame, Conroy singled to center with two outs to drive in Barrows from third base. Penprase hit a two-run homer in the sixth while Jesse Hoorelbeke added an infield, RBI single to cut the lead to 12-4. The Wingnuts answered back in the bottom of the sixth with RBI doubles from Horn and Richardson. Fargo scored one in the seventh, and two in both the eighth and ninth innings, but four relievers kept the Wingnuts in front through the end of the game. Wichita worked out 10 walks in the win. The Wingnuts' four home runs tied a franchise single-game record. Smith took the loss, allowing 10 runs, two earned, in two-thirds of an inning. Smith gave up eight hits, three walks, and did not strike out a batter. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the RedHawks turned a groundball triple play on Jorge Delgado with first and second and no outs. The Wingnuts host the Kansas City T-Bones on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher will be on the mound for Wichita. The T-Bones counter with left-hander Devin Anderson. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1242.html#1337257669 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1242.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 12-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Josh Horn and Brent Clevlen each homered for a third consecutive night, while Ryan Hinson kept the RedHawks' offense at bay with seven three-hit, shutout innings. Wichita scored twice in the bottom of the first for a second straight night to take an early lead. Horn singled through the right side with one out to start the rally and extend his hitting streak to 11 games in a row. Horn took second on Clevlen's flyball to right field and then scored when Juan Richardson lined a double into the right field corner. Jorge Delgado made it 2-0 with an RBI single to center that scored Richardson from second. Hinson walked one and struck out three during his seven scoreless innings. Hinson faced multiple baserunners just once and never allowed a runner past second. Delgado tacked on Wichita's third run in the bottom of the third with an RBI groundout to short that plated Horn who had led off the frame with a walk. Wichita broke the game open with five in the bottom of the fourth. Peter Barrows and Edwin Bellorin opened the inning with back-to-back singles and each advanced one base on Tyler Robbins' sacrifice bunt to third. Mike Conroy walked to load the bases, setting up a two-run single down the left field line from Horn that made it 5-0. Conroy took third on a flyout to right from Clevlen, and scored when RedHawks' starter Jake Laber threw a wild pitch. Richardson and Delgado drew back-to-back walks to re-load the bases. Josh Workman followed with a two-run double down the right field line that opened an 8-0 lead. The Wingnuts increased their lead again in the sixth. Horn and Clevlen started the inning with back-to-back home runs, with Horn's going to left-center and Clevlen's hitting the batter's eye in straightaway center field. Two batters later, Delgado doubled off the fence in left-center and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Bellorin drove in the Wingnuts' final run of the night with an RBI groundout to short. Seven of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit. Horn scored four runs, reached base five times, and collected his third consecutive three-hit game. Laber took the loss for Fargo, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits in four innings. Laber walked five and struck out three. The series concludes on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. with Chad Sherman facing right-hander Josh Smith. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1241.html#1337257670 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1241.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 8-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in the inaugural meeting between the clubs on Monday night. Junior Guerra turned in another terrific outing, allowing one unearned run on two hits in seven full innings to earn the win. Guerra walked four and struck out four, and is now 5-0 in his last six starts. Brent Clevlen gave Guerra early support, lining a two-run home run over the left-center field fence in the bottom of the first. The Wingnuts manufactured two more runs in the bottom of the second. Josh Workman led off with a walk and took second when Peter Barrows singled down the left field line. Edwin Bellorin advanced the runners with a hit-and-run groundout to second, setting up Tyler Robbins' RBI groundout to shortstop to give the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Mike Conroy capped off the rally with an opposite field double to left that made it 4-0. Guerra did not allow a hit until two outs in the top of the sixth when Kyle Nichols singled to left-center. Dating back to his performance on June 13th, Guerra worked 13.0 consecutive hitless innings at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Guerra faced multiple baserunners in just two innings of work. Juan Richardson singled down the right field line in the bottom of the fifth to score Josh Horn from third base and increase Wichita's lead to five runs. In the bottom of the sixth, Barrows led off with a single to center and advanced to third on Bellorin's hit-and-run single to center. Robbins followed with another RBI groundout to drive in the Wingnuts' sixth run. After Conroy reached on a fielder's choice, Horn broke the game open with a long, two-run home run to left-center. Jared Simon worked a scoreless eighth, while Matt Nevarez struck out two during a perfect ninth to finish the game. Horn has now hit safely in 10 games in a row. The Wingnuts signed Robbins prior to the game. The 22-year old second baseman hit .325 as a senior this spring at Dallas Baptist University with 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 60 games. The Wichita, KS native and Bettendorf, IA resident drew 56 walks and posted a .517 on-base percentage. Robbins hit .373 as a junior at Dallas Baptist after spending two seasons at Des Moines Area Community College. Wichita placed second baseman Jose Duran on the Disabled List. The series continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. with Ryan Hinson taking on left-hander Jake Laber. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1240.html#1337257671 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1240.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-4 to the El Paso Diablos at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. The Diablos' bullpen stranded the tying run on third base in both the eighth and ninth innings to prevent the Wingnuts from finishing a three-game sweep. Nick Singleton suffered his first loss of the season for Wichita. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth, reliever Ezequiel Infante issued back-to-back, one-out walks to Josh Workman and Peter Barrows, and was replaced by right-hander Josh Grady. Edwin Bellorin pinch-hit for Matt Powell and lifted a deep flyball to right-center that moved Workman to third base. After Barrows stole second, Grady escaped the jam by inducing a groundout to second from Tommy Fitzgerald. Kendy Batista tossed a scoreless top of the ninth to keep the Wingnuts within one run. Lefty Adam Rowe took over for Grady in the bottom half and allowed a leadoff single through the right side to Mike Conroy. After fouling off two bunt attempts, Josh Horn lined a single down the right field line to put runners on first and second. Colin Allen relieved Rowe and retired Brent Clevlen on a line drive to center. Conroy took third, sliding in just ahead of Kory Drew's throw. With first and third and one out, Juan Richardson hit a groundball to shortstop that Maikol Gonzalez turned into a game-ending double play. El Paso scored three times against Singleton in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Stephen Douglas reached when Josh Horn committed an error at short. Albenis Machado followed with a single to center field to put runners on first and second. Nelson Teilon drove in both runs with a double down the right field line. After Javier Brito flied out to center, Alberto Espinosa lined a single to center that scored Teilon and made it 3-0. Singles from Conroy and Horn in the bottom of the first put runners on the corners against Diablos' starter Alex Kaminsky. Kaminsky kept the Wingnuts to one run in the inning, which came on a groundball double play from Clevlen. Wichita had bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the second, but Kaminsky retired three straight hitters to escape the jam without allowing a run. El Paso extended the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth. Gonzalez led off with a double and moved to third on Drew's sacrifice bunt. Douglas singled through the right side of a drawn-in infield to make it 4-1. Douglas stole second and went to third on a single to right from Machado. Singleton struck out Teilon, but a passed ball charged to Powell on the third strike allowed Douglas to score from third with the Diablos' fifth run of the game. Kaminsky retired 13 in a row from the second inning into the sixth when he allowed a solo home run to center to Clevlen that cut the lead to 5-2. With two outs in the seventh, Horn lined a two-run home run just fair, and just over the fence down the left field line to bring the Wingnuts within one. Singleton allowed five runs, three earned, on nine hits, walking one and striking out five in the loss. Kaminsky earned the win, pitching six and two-thirds. Kaminsky allowed four earned runs on eight hits, walked three, and struck out seven. Matt Nevarez worked a perfect eighth for the Wingnuts, striking out the side in order. The Wingnuts continue their homestand on Monday night when they play their inaugural series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Junior Guerra takes on Fargo right-hander Alex Caldera at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1239.html#1337257672 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1239.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 2-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Derek Blacksher and three Wingnuts' relievers limited the Diablos to just one run on eight hits over the course of the game. Blacksher earned the win, allowing one earned run in six and two-thirds innings, striking out three, walking two, and scattering seven hits. With the Wingnuts ahead 2-1 in the top of the seventh, Blacksher departed with the tying run on second and two outs. Logan Hoch came in and retired left-hand batting Stephen Douglas on a flyball to left that stranded the tying run in scoring position. Marcos Tabata worked a scoreless eighth, recording all three outs on groundballs. Josh Dew pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 13th save of the year. Alberto Espinosa led off the top of the ninth with a double to left-center, but Dew retired the next three batters in a row to preserve the win. Dew struck out Brian Joynt, induced a flyout to center from Maikol Gonazalez, and froze Kroy Drew with a called third strike that ended the game. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Jose Duran was hit by a pitch and took second on Mike Conroy's hit-and-run single to left field. Josh Horn laid down a sacrifice bunt up the third base line to put runners on second and third and two outs. Brent Clevlen lifted a deep flyball to the fence in right-center that scored Duran with the tying run. In an exciting play, Conroy attempted to score from second on the same flyball, but was ultimately thrown out at the plate after Espinosa withstood a collision and held onto the ball. Wichita took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Edwin Bellorin led off with a double into the left field corner. Bellorin moved to third on Duran's groundout to second base, and scored when Conroy lined a sacrifice fly to center field. Douglas drove in El Paso's lone run with a two-out, RBI single down the left field line in the top of the third. Luis Montano started for El Paso and took the loss, allowing two earned runs on nine hits in seven and one-third innings. Montano walked none and struck out three. The series wraps up on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Nick Singleton faces right-hander Alex Kaminsky. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1238.html#1337257673 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1238.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the El Paso Diablos 6-5 in 13 innings at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Edwin Bellorin clocked a long solo home run to left-center off of Diablos' starter Scott Hodsdon to tie the game. The drive was Bellorin's second homer of the night and banked off the video board beyond the outfield wall. Each bullpen came up with big outs over the first three extra frames before Wichita won it in the bottom of the 13th. Facing reliever Josh Grady, Peter Barrows led off with a four-pitch walk. Bellorin sacrificed Barrows to second, and on the next pitch, Jose Duran lined a sharp single to center that scored Barrows with the winning run. Josh Dew earned credit for the win, working two and two-thirds shutout innings. Dew struck out four, walked none, and allowed just an infield single. Grady took the loss, allowing one earned run in one and two-thirds innings. El Paso scored twice in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead against Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman, with infield singles from Alberto Espinosa and Maikol Gonzalez driving in the runs. Bellorin hit his first home run in the bottom of the second, a high flyball to left against Hodsdon that sliced El Paso's lead in half. After El Paso scratched out a run in the fourth on a bases loaded walk to Stephen Douglas, Josh Workman hit an opposite field home run off the the scoredboard in left field in the bottom of the inning that again brought Wichita within one. The Wingnuts took their first lead of the night in the fifth. Bellorin led off with a single to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Duran. Mike Conroy sent Bellorin to third with an infield single. Josh Horn followed with a two-run double down the right field line that gave the Wingnunts a 5-4 advantage. El Paso took advantage of two two-out errors in the top of the seventh to score the tying and go-ahead runs. Sherman took a no-decision, working the first six innings. Sherman allowed three earned runs on four hits, walking seven, and striking out six. Sherman settled in during the middle innings, retiring the final seven batters to face him after the bases loaded walk to Douglas. Hodsdon also took a no-decision, working nine full innings and allowing five earned runs. Hodsdon allowed nine hits, two walks, struck out four, and threw 134 pitches. Jared Simon, Kendy Batista, Logan Hoch, and Marcos Tabata joined Dew in combining for seven relief innings without allowing an earned run. Hoch, a left-hander, was signed before the game. The 24-year old spent the last season and a half in the Detroit Tigers' organization, averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Hoch pitched two years at Wichita State University from 2008-2010, redshirting in 2009. The Wichita native worked to a 2.18 ERA as a senior for the Shockers last season before the Tigers selected him in the 30th round. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts also traded Brandon Mathes to the Frontier League's Florence Freedom in exchange for a player to be named later. The series continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher takes the mound across Diablos' righty Luis Montano. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1237.html#1337257674 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1237.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field on Wednesday night. Wichita led 2-0 through five innings, but Shreveport rallied for two in the sixth and one in the seventh to avoid a three-game sweep at home. With the Captains down 2-0, Alex Cowart was hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the sixth and advanced to third on Mike Provencher's double down the left field line. After Robert Perry lined out to left field, Bryan Sabatella lined a single to left that cut the Wingnuts' lead to 2-1. Palmer Karr Jr. then tied the game with an RBI groundout to third base. Uriak Marquez led off the seventh with a single down the right field line against Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson. Hinson was relieved by Jared Simon who retired Brian Peterson on a popout to first. Marquez stole second and moved to third on Bryan Frichter's groundball to second. Cowart then drove in the go-ahead run with a soft single to right field. Captains' starter Osvaldo Rodriguez worked around a leadoff single in the top of the eighth from Josh Horn and kept the Wingnuts from tying the game. Rodriguez gave way to Mark Haynes in the top of the ninth, who pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save. Rodriguez allowed two earned runs on five hits over eight innings for the win. Rodriguez struck out seven and walked four. Wichita took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-out, RBI double off the left-center field fence by Brent Clevlen. Peter Barrows extended his hitting streak to six games in a row with a solo home run with two outs in the fourth that made it 2-0 Wichita. It was Barrows' first professional home run. Hinson pitched well and took a tough loss. Hinson allowed three earned runs on five hits in six-plus innings. Hinson walked one and struck out five. The Wingnuts return home and open a seven-game homestand on Friday night when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Chad Sherman is expected to be on the mound for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1236.html#1337257675 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1236.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 9-2 at Fair Grounds Field on Tuesday night. Nick Singleton allowed one hit and one earned run in five and one-third innings in his return to the Wingnuts, while rookie right fielder Peter Barrows collected three hits for a second straight night and chipped in three RBI. Singleton and four Wichita relievers combined for a two-hitter in the win. Wichita jumped on Captains' starter Steve Kent for three runs in the top of the first. Mike Conroy led off the game with a walk and took third on Josh Horn's hit-and-run single to right field. Brent Clevlen drove in Conroy with a line drive single to left. Juan Richardson lifted a flyball to right field that allowed Horn to take third and Clevlen to take second. Jorge Delgado made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to deep center that scored Horn. Two batters later, and With Clevlen now on third, Barrows legged out an infield single that scored Wichita's third run of the inning. Mike Provencher led off the bottom of the first with an infield single up the middle for the only hit the Captains managed against Singleton. Singleton stranded two in the first, and following a leadoff walk to Uriak Marquez in the second, went on to retire the next 12 Captains' hitters in a row. Singleton struck out seven and walked just two while improving to 9-0 this season. Workman drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth and scored from first on a long double to left-center from Barrows that gave Wichita a 4-0 lead. Barrows drove in Workman from first base again in the top of the sixth, hitting another line drive double to left-center. Shreveport-Bossier scored its only runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two on and one out, Bryan Sabatella doubled to right-center field against Brandon Mathes to bring the Captains within three runs. Mathes retired the next two hitters to end the rally, starting a run of 11 in a row by the Wingnuts' bullpen to close out the contest. The Wingnuts broke the game open for good in the top of the eighth. Richardson drew a leadoff walk, setting up a long, two-run home run over the left field fence by Delgado. Wichita took advantage of walks in the eighth to Workman and Barrows with Conroy and Horn each driving in a run with two outs. Matt Nevarez, Marcos Tabata, and Kendy Batista each worked a perfect inning in the seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively. Tabata struck out the side during his frame. Kent took the loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits in two innings of work. Kent walked one and struck out one. Workman reached base four times with a hit, two walks, and a hit batsman. Workman scored three runs. The series concludes on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces right-hander Osvaldo Rodriguez. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1235.html#1337257676 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1235.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 8-4 at Fair Grounds Field on Monday night. Wichita overcame a 3-2 deficit with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Mike Conroy drew a one-out walk and stole second base. Josh Horn singled up the middle to score Conroy with the tying run. After Brent Clevlen walked, Juan Richardson crushed a double to deep left field that drove in two more runs to give Wichita a 5-3 lead. Shreveport-Bossier scratched out a run in the bottom of the seventh on Bryan Sabatella's two-out, RBI single off of Jared Simon. Sabatella then stole second base and took third on a throwing error charged to Edwin Bellorin. After Palmer Karr Jr. walked, Simon retired Andres Rodriguez on a line drive to right, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Wichita added three more runs in the top of the eighth to extend the lead. A single from Peter Barrows, a walk to Edwin Bellorin, and a bunt single from Jose Duran loaded the bases with no outs. Conroy forced home Wichita's sixth run with a bases loaded walk. Horn and Clevlen followed with back-to-back sacrifice flies to make it 8-4. Marcos Tabata threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning while Josh Dew had a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to finish the win. RBI singles from Bellorin in the second, and Richardson in the third allowed the Wingnuts to take a 2-0 lead. Robert Perry doubled home Shreveport-Bossier's first run in the bottom of the third. Alex Cowart tied the game with a double in the bottom of the fourth. Uriak Marquez hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to give the Captains their brief 3-2 lead. Junior Guerra started and earned the win for the Wingnuts, allowing three earned runs on six hits. Guerra walked three and struck out six. Guerra is now 4-0 in his last five starts. Josh Strawn started for the Captains and took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Captains' reliever Jake McCarter was charged with the loss. Barrows finished the game with three hits, a walk, and a stolen base. Conroy set a Wingnuts' single-game record with four walks. The series continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1233.html#1337257677 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1233.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced Tuesday that they have re-signed right-handed pitcher Nick Singleton. Singleton returns to the Wingnuts after a stint in the Mexican League with the Acereros de Monclova (Monclova Steelers). Singleton was 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA in three starts for the Steelers, striking out 16 batters in 12.2 innings pitched. The 28-year old right-hander is 8-0 this season for the Wingnuts with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts and two relief appearances. The Montgomery, AL native has struck out 47 and walked only 13 in 47.0 innings. Despite having missed the last month of the American Association season, Singleton's eight wins still rank tied for third in the league, while his ERA is just several innings short of qualifying for first. Singleton has led the American Association in ERA two out of the last three seasons, posting a 2.24 mark in 2008 with Sioux City, and a 2.36 figure last season with the Wingnuts. Singleton is expected to take the mound tonight at Shreveport-Bossier in the middle game of the Wingnuts' series against the Captains. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1234.html#1337257678 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1234.html GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-0 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs at QuikTrip Park on Sunday evening. AirHogs' starter Jason Jennings threw seven shutout innings to earn the win. Jennings allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out seven. Grand Prairie had a multi-run first for a second straight night. With first and second and one out, Cesar Nicolas doubled home two runs on a line drive to right-center field. Two batters later, Chris McMurray ripped a single down the left field line to make it 3-0. Nicolas drove in the AirHogs' fourth run with an RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the third. Derek Blacksher took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing four earned runs on six hits in six innings. Blacksher walked four and struck out three. Blacksher settled in after allowing the three runs in the first, and kept the AirHogs to one run on four hits from the second through the sixth. Kendy Batista threw two scoreless innings in relief of Blacksher. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the loss. It marked only the third time this season the Wingnuts have been shutout. The Wingnuts head to Shreveport, LA for a three-game series against the Captains beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1232.html#1337257679 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1232.html GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs at QuikTrip Park on Saturday night. Grand Prairie scored two in the first and four in the second to build an early lead that the Wingnuts could not overcome. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the first, Greg Porter singled to center to drive in two runs against Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman. David Thomas led off the bottom of the second with a walk and stole second base with one out. Thomas scored on Danny Figueroa's triple to right-center field. Guillermo Martinez lined a single to left that scored Figueroa and gave Grand Prairie a 4-0 lead. Two batters later, Cesar Nicolas hit a sacrifice fly to right that brought in Martinez. Porter drove in the AirHogs' final run with a two-out, RBI single to left. Brandon Mathes took over for Sherman after Porter's base hit in the second, and led four Wingnuts' relievers in working six and one-third scoreless frames. Mathes worked three and one-third, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out two. Jared Bradford, Matt Nevarez, and Marcos Tabata each chipped in a scoreless inning. Wichita rallied for their only runs in the top of the seventh. Jorge Delgado drew a one-out walk, and scored from first on Josh Workman's double to center field. After Peter Barrows reached on an infield single, Edwin Bellorin doubled into the left field corner to drive in two more runs. Wichita eventually brought the tying run to the plate before AirHogs' reliever Bo Schultz retired Tommy Fitzgerald on a flyout to left to end the inning. Sherman took the loss, allowing six earned runs on five hits in one and two-thirds. Sherman walked four and struck out two. John Brownell earned the win for Grand Prairie, allowing three earned runs on five hits in six and two-thirds innings. Brownell walked four and struck out nine. Brownell held the Wingnuts to two hits over the first six innings. The series concludes Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher opposes right-hander Jason Jennings. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1231.html#1337257680 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1231.html GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts posted their third consecutive shutout, and fourth in the last five games, beating the Grand Prairie AirHogs 5-0 at QuikTrip Park on Friday night. Ryan Hinson continued the Wingnuts' recent trend of outstanding starting pitching, limiting the AirHogs to just four hits over seven full innings. Hinson walked three and struck out six while earning his seventh win of the season. It is the first time the Wingnuts have ever pitched three consecutive shutouts. The Wingnuts scored three times in the top of the first to give Hinson early support. With two outs and no one on base, Brent Clevlen walked and took third on Juan Richardson's single to right. Jorge Delgado plated Clevlen with a line drive single to left. Josh Workman made it 2-0, pulling a single into right field. Rookie right fielder Peter Barrows capped off the rally with an RBI single to center field in his first professional at bat that brought in Delgado from third base. Barrows finished the night 2 for 4 with a walk, RBI, and stolen base. The Wingnuts extended the lead in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded and one out, Mike Conroy ripped a single down the right field line that scored Edwin Bellorin and Josh Horn to make it 5-0. Hinson worked around Grand Prairie's only scoring threat in the bottom of the inning. The AirHogs loaded the bases with two outs, but Hinson induced an inning-ending flyout to right from David Thomas. Kendy Batista worked a scoreless eighth inning while Jared Simon tossed a perfect ninth to wrap up the Wingnuts' league-leading ninth shutout of the season. The Wingnuts' pitching staff did not allow a runner past first base after the fourth inning. Lance Janke started for the AirHogs and took the loss. Janke allowed five earned runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out five. Barrows was signed before the game. The Old Saybrook, CT native recently finished his college career at the University of Bridgeport where he hit .353 with 31 RBI and 21 stolen bases. Barrows most recently played in the collegiate wood bat summer MINK League, hitting .404 with eight home runs and 44 RBI in 35 games for the Nevada Griffons. The series continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. with Chad Sherman taking on right-hander John Brownell. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1230.html#1337257681 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1230.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Shreveport-Bossier Captains for a third time in four games, winning 1-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Three Wingnuts pitchers combined to throw the fourth no-hitter in American Association history, led by starter Junior Guerra who went the first seven and one-third innings. Guerra struck out nine, walked seven, and retired 14 batters in a row from the third inning into the eighth. With one out in the top of the eighth, Guerra issued a full count walk to Bryan Frichter. Guerra, who finished the night at 123 pitches, was relieved by right-hander Matt Nevarez. Nevarez promptly induced an inning-ending groundball double play off the bat of leadoff hitter Mike Provencher. Josh Dew took over in the top of the ninth, and retired the side in order to finish the no-hitter. Dew set down Robert Perry on a flyball to left field, and then struck out Bryan Sabatella and Andres Rodriguez back-to-back to earn his 12th save of the year. Guerra escaped the Captains' lone scoring chance in the top of the third. With two outs and no one on base, Provencher, Perry, and Sabatella each walked to load the bases for Rodriguez. Guerra stranded all three runners when Rodriguez hit into a fielder's choice at shortstop. The Wingnuts scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, Jorge Delgado sliced a double to the right-center field fence. On the next pitch from Captains' starter Richard Salazar, Josh Workman muscled a single into shallow center field to score Delgado with what proved to be the only run of the night. Guerra's run of setting down 14 consecutive Captains started with Rodriguez in the third. Guerra struck out two in both the fourth and six innings. With one out in the top of the seventh, Palmer Karr Jr. lifted a deep fly ball to left-center field. Mike Conroy ran to the fence and made a short leap, before reaching over the wall and taking away a potential game-tying home run. Guerra finished the seventh by striking out Uriak Marquez. Salazar took the loss, allowing one earned run in seven-plus innings. Salazar walked one and struck out four. It was the second no-hitter in team history, both of which have now come in 1-0 victories. Will Savage had the other on June 23rd, 2009 at Sioux City. The Wingnuts open a three-game series at Grand Prairie on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson takes on right-hander Lance Janke. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 22nd when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1229.html#1337257682 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1229.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 5-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. In his official return to the Wingnuts, Derek Blacksher pitched eight shutout innings to earn the win. Blacksher allowed just two hits, and none after the fourth inning. Blacksher struck out six, walked three, and retired the leadoff hitter in seven of eight frames. Blacksher threw 111 pitches and never allowed a runner past second base. The Wingnuts took an early lead in the bottom of the first, scoring twice. Brent Clevlen reached on an infield single with two outs. Juan Richardson followed with a line drive, two-run home run over the left field wall. In the bottom of the fourth, Jose Duran reached first on an infield single with one out. Mike Conroy tripled to left-center field to score Duran and give the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Richardson collected his third RBI of the game with a two-out, RBI single through the left side. Josh Workman hit a long, opposite-field home run with one out in the bottom of the fifth to give the Wingnuts a five-run lead. Twice in the game, Blacksher retired seven or more hitters in a row. Marcos Tabata finished the game with a scoreless top of the ninth. Aaron Cunningham started for the Captains and took the loss. Cunningham allowed five earned runs on 11 hits in six innings. Cunningham walked one and struck out three. Blacksher improved to 6-0 lifetime at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and 12-2 in a Wingnuts' uniform. The Wingnuts defense turned three groundball double plays in the win. The Wingnuts and Captains finish their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra goes to the mound against left-hander Richard Salazar. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1228.html#1337257683 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1228.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for outfielder Ryan Patterson in a late-Sunday trade. Blacksher, the American Association's 2009 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year, was 3-6 in 11 starts and one relief appearance with a 4.55 ERA for the Cats. In 65.1 innings, the 26-year old Blacksher struck out 55, walked 22, and allowed 69 hits. Born in Bridge City, TX, Blacksher allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his 11 starts, including a two-hit, 12-strikeout performance versus the Amarillo Sox on June 3rd. I am excited to have Derek Blacksher back in a Wingnuts uniform, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He was a key part to our success in 2009, and hopefully can help us make a run to the postseason to finish out this year. In 2009, Blacksher went 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA for the Wingnuts in 20 starts. Blacksher led the American Association in victories and won his 11th game before anyone else in the league had won 10. The 6-foot, 205-pound Blacksher finished the season seventh in ERA and fifth in strikeouts (93). Incredibly, Blacksher did not allow a home run over his first 111.1 innings in 2009, and yielded just two by the end of the year in 125.0. Blacksher put an exclaimation point on his season with a brilliant performance in Game Three of the Division Series versus Lincoln, working seven and two-thirds scoreless innings to give Wichita a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Blacksher was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 33rd round in 2007 out of McNeese State University. The fifth-year professional entered 2011 with a 26-19 career record with 11 saves and a 4.37 ERA. Patterson hit .297 with 26 home runs and 116 RBI over 151 games over the last season and a half. Last season, Patterson led the Wingnuts with 15 home runs and 72 RBI, and became the first player in team history to start in every game (96). Ryan Patterson has been a huge part of our success offensively over the last two seasons, and will be hard to replace in our lineup, said Hooper. I wish him nothing but the best! Starting pitching has been a need all year, and sometimes you have to give up something good to get something good in this game. Blacksher is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night versus Shreveport-Bossier. The Wingnuts continue their four-game series versus the Captains tonight at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1226.html#1337257684 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1226.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-9 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. The Wingnuts rallied from an 11-run deficit to pull within two in the bottom of the ninth, but had their comeback ultimately fall short. The Captains' final nine runs all scored with two outs. Shreveport-Bossier scored five runs in the top of the first against Wingnuts' starter Jared Bradford. Mike Provencher and Robert Perry opened the game with back-to-back singles. After Bradford struck out Bryan Sabatella, Andres Rodriguez doubled off the top of the left-center field fence to drive in Provencher with the first run if the night. Perry came home on Brian Peterson's RBI groundout to second. Palmer Karr Jr. singled home Rodriguez with a groundball through the right side. Uriak Marquez made it 4-0 with a triple to right-center. Alex Cowart finished the rally with a line drive single to right that plated Marquez. Shreveport added four more runs with two outs in the second. Karr hit a three-run home run over the scoreboard in left-center which was followed by a solo shot to right by Marquez. Bradford took the loss, allowing nine earned runs on 11 hits in two innings. Bradford walked one and struck out two. Bryan Frichter hit a two-out, two-run double down the right field line in the top of the fourth to increase the Captains' lead to 11-0. Brandon Mathes led a string of six Wingnuts' relievers who held the Captains to just two earned runs on four hits over seven full innings. Kendy Batista, Eric Gilliland, Jared Simon, Matt Nevarez, and Marcos Tabata each worked a scoreless frame to keep the Captains at bay. Wichita's comeback started in the sixth. Mike Conroy and Jorge Delgado each clubbed a two-run home run to cut the lead to 11-4. Edwin Bellorin hit an RBI groundout in the bottom of the eighth that made it 11-5. In the bottom of the ninth, Thomas Fitzgerald and Jose Duran hit consecutive singles against reliever Dan Griffin. Conroy then doubled off the fence in straightaway center field to cut the lead to five runs. Griffin was lifted from the game due to injury and replaced by Lee Henry, who promptly allowed a long, three-run home run to left-center to Brent Clevlen. Henry recovered, with the Captains now nursing a two-run lead, and retired the next three hitters in a row to end the game. Ryan DiPietro started and earned the win for the Captains. DiPietro allowed four earned runs on seven hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out seven. The Wingnuts and Captains continue their series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher is scheduled to make his official return to the Wingnuts. Shreveport-Bossier goes with left-hander Aaron Cunningham. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1227.html#1337257685 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1227.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 11-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. With temperatures in excess of 105 degrees throughout the entire game, Rookie right-hander Chad Sherman pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout, and set a Wingnuts' club record with 12 strikeouts. Until the ninth inning, Sherman kept the Captains to just one base hit, which came on a line drive single to center from Bryan Sabatella with two outs in the top of the fourth. After Sabatella's base hit, Sherman retired the next 14 batters in a row before Alex Cowart reached on an error by Thomas Fitzgerald with one out in the top of the ninth. Mike Provencher followed with a single off the glove of Jose Duran to put runners on first and second. Ryan Patterson helped preserve the shutout, diving towards home plate to catch Robert Perry's sinking line drive to right field for the second out. Sherman then struck out Joe Urtuzuastegui during an eight-pitch at bat to end the game. Sherman struck out nine different batters over the course of the masterpiece, and struck out the side during the top of the sixth. From the fourth inning into the seventh, Sherman struck out nine of 12 batters faced. The right-hander threw 114 pitches and walked only one batter. It was the first nine-inning complete game for a Wingnuts' pitcher since July 10th, 2010, and the first nine-inning, complete game shutout since June 27th, 2009. Offensively, the Wingnuts scored six times in the bottom of the second to build an early lead. Mike Conroy grounded a single up the middle and took third when Matthew Powell flared a single into shallow right. Josh Horn beat out an infield single on a grounbdall to shortstop, scoring Conroy with the game's first run. Jose Duran laid down a sacrifice bunt towards third base that put runners on second and third with one out. Ryan Patterson made it 2-0 with a groundball single through the right side of a drawn in Captains' infield. Brent Clevlen hit a sacrifice fly to right that scored Horn with the Wingnuts' third run. After Juan Richardson drew a walk, Jorge Delgado lifted a three-run home run over the left field fence to cap off the big inning. Richardson hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to increase the lead to 8-0. Later in the same inning, Powell drew a bases loaded walk to force home Wichita's ninth run. Josh Workman hit an opposite field, two-run home run to left in the sixth to provide the game's final margin. Joel Kirsten started for the Captains and took the loss. Kirsten allowed nine earned runs on 10 hits in four innings. Kirsten walked four and struck out three. Eight of Wichita's nine starters had at least one hit, while all nine reached base with either a hit or a walk. The 11-0 win was the Wingnuts' largest margin of victory in a shutout. The series continues Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Jared Bradford takes on left-hander Ryan DiPietro. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1225.html#1337257686 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1225.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-1 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Lincoln scored five unearned runs over the first five innings, all of which came on two-out hits. In the top of the second, Brandon Jones reached on an error by Juan Richardson. After Joseph Ramos walked, Vance Albitz laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson retired Blake Gailen on a groundout to first, but Gavin Dickey tripled to the fence in right-center to give Lincoln a 2-0 lead. In the fifth, Ramos reached first with one out on an error by Jose Duran. Albitz walked, and then Gailen grounded out to Hinson to again put runners on second and third with two outs. Dickey walked to load the bases which set up a two-run single to left field from Phil Hawke that made it 4-0. Pat Trettel followed with a line drive single to center that scored Dickey with Lincoln's fifth run. Jorge Cortes singled through a drawn in infield in the top of the seventh to make it 6-0. The Wingnuts' lone run came in the bottom of the seventh. Consecutive singles from Josh Horn, Duran, and Mike Conroy loaded the bases with nobody out. Nick Schreiber relieved Lincoln starter Alessandro Maestri and induced a double play ball off the bat of Ryan Patterson that brought in Horn from third base. Hinson took the loss, his first at home in six starts this season, allowing five unearned runs in five and two-thirds innings. Hinson allowed six hits, walked five, and struck out four. Maestri earned the win, allowing one earned run on seven hits in six-plus innings. Maestri walked three and struck out two. Marcos Tabata and Josh Dew each threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the loss. Juan Richardson's 14-game hitting streak came to an end. The Wingnuts open a four-game series versus the Shreveport-Bossier Captains on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Chad Sherman will be on the mound against lefty Joel Kirsten. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1224.html#1337257687 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1224.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 9-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Junior Guerra pitched eight strong innings, allowing one earned run on just five hits to earn the victory. The Wingnuts' offense collected 12 hits and scored all nine of their runs with two outs. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Jose Duran reached on an infield single into the hole at shortstop. Mike Conroy singled up the middle, and then Ryan Patterson drew a walk to load the bases with one out against Saltdogs' starter James Garcia. After Garcia struck out Brent Clevlen for the second out of the inning, Juan Richardson was hit by a pitch to force home the tying run. Jorge Delgado followed with a line drive single to left that scored Conroy and Patterson to give Wichita a 3-1 lead. Delgado, who was celebrating his 31st birthday on Friday, finished the night with five RBI. Josh Workman finished the third-inning rally with a long double down the right field line that scored Richardson and Delgado. The Wingnuts added four more in the bottom of the sixth against Lincoln's bullpen. Josh Horn and Duran drew back-to-back walks to open the inning. Reliever Sean Potter retired the next two hitters before Clevlen lined a single to right-center that scored Horn to make it 6-1. After Richardson walked to load the bases, Potter was relieved by Jordan Stern. On Stern's second pitch, Delgado doubled to the fence in right-center to clear the bases and break the game open at 9-1. Guerra cruised after the Wingnuts took the lead, and did not allow a hit over the middle three innings. Guerra struck out seven and walked only one in the win. Lincoln grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Phil Hawke singled home Blake Gailen with one out. Guerra prevented Lincoln from working a big inning by striking out Jeff Howell and Jorge Cortes back-to-back to end the inning and strand runners on the corners. Garcia took the loss, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in five innings. Garcia walked one and struck out three. Right-hander Matt Nevarez made his Wingnuts' debut in the top of the ninth, and recorded a scoreless inning with his fastball consistently sitting in the mid- to high-90's. Nevarez was signed by the Wingnuts prior to the game. The 24-year old right-hander was with the Houston Astros' organization earlier this season, pitching for Double-A Corpus Christi in the Texas League. Nevarez was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers out of high school in 2005 in the 10th round. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Nevarez was on Houston's 40-man roster last season. The Mission Hills, CA native has averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings in six professional seasons. The Wingnuts released right-hander Justin Murray to make room for Nevarez. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces right-hander Alessandro Maestri. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1223.html#1337257688 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1223.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-5 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. All nine of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit, with the team combining for 18 in the loss. Wichita had an early 1-0 lead, but Lincoln scored four in the second and three in the fourth to take command of the game. Jeff Howell led off the top of the second with a triple against Wingnuts' starter Justin Murray and came home when Brandon Jones grounded a single through the middle of a drawn in infield. After Jones advanced to second on a passed ball, Joseph Ramos doubled on a deep flyball to the warning track in right-center to give Lincoln a 2-1 lead. Vance Albitz reached on an error when his line drive to second went off of Jose Duran's glove and into right field. Blake Gailen and Gavin Dickey extended the rally with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 4-1. Ramos reached on an error charged to Brent Clevlen leading off the fourth. After Albitz walked, Gailen singled through the middle for a second time in the game to drive in Lincoln's fifth run. Dickey singled to right to load the bases, setting up a two-run single to left from Phil Hawke that broke the game open at 7-1. Wichita scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to four runs. Juan Richardson drove in Ryan Patterson from third with an RBI groundout. With two outs and the bases empty, Jorge Delgado singled to center, stole second base, and scored on a single to left field from Josh Workman. Lincoln scored an eighth run in the top of the sixth on an RBI groundout to second from Jorge Cortes. The Wingnuts rallied in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on first and third, Mike Conroy hit a ground rule double over the center field fence to again bring the Wingnuts within four. After reliever Paul Koss retired Patterson, Brent Clevlen ripped a line drive towards shortstop that deflected off of Albitz and into left field. Third base umpire Tony Scenia however, ruled that the ball struck Conroy, signaling the end of the inning. Workman hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the ninth before reliever P.J. Zocchi struck out Josh Horn to end the game and notch the save. Murray took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, in five innings. Murray walked four and struck out three. Tim Brown earned the win for the Wingnuts, allowing three earned runs in six and two-thirds innings. Brown struck out three and did not walk a batter while scattering 11 hits. Brown improved to 5-0 lifetime against the Wingnuts in the regular season in six starts and two relief outings. Richardson extended his hitting streak to 13 consecutive games. Jared Simon chipped in one and two-thirds scoreless innings. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra takes on right-hander James Garcia. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1222.html#1337257689 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1222.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 1-0 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. T-Bones' starter Matt Mitchell tossed a complete game, four-hit shutout to help the T-Bones take the rubber game of the five-game series. Mitchell never allowed a runner past second base, and limited the Wingnuts to four hits and two walks. Mitchell threw 113 pitches, struck our four, and retired the final seven batters to face him in the win. The only run of the game came in the top of the first. With the bases loaded and one out, Kala Ka'aihue hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Keanon Simon. Newcomer Jared Bradford started for Wichita, allowing just the one earned run in four innings of work. Bradford took the loss, allowing seven hits, walking one, and striking out two. The Wingnuts' bullpen combined for five shutout innings in relief of Bradford. Brandon Mathes and Kendy Batista each worked two, while Jared Simon pitched a scoreless top of the ninth. Juan Richardson extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single to right field in the bottom of the fourth. It was the Wingnuts' first 1-0 shutout loss at home in their history. The Wingnuts signed Bradford prior to the game. The 25-year old right-hander pitched four seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. Bradford is 5-8 in his career with a 4.31 ERA in 163.0 innings pitched. Bradford has averaged just 2.0 walks per nine innings in his four professional seasons. The Birmingham, AL native pitched collegiately for two seasons at LSU from 2007-2008, and struck out 15 batters in just 12.1 innings during the 2008 College World Series. To make room for Bradford, the Wingnuts traded right-hander Michael Cotter to the Frontier League's Washington Wild Things in exchange for future considerations. The Wingnuts open a three-game series versus the Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Justin Murray takes on Saltdogs' right-hander Tim Brown. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1221.html#1337257690 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1221.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced a new partnership with Kansas Star Casino on Wednesday.South central Kansas' casinowill be the title sponsor of the Wingnuts' Launch-a-Ball promotion. Kansas Star will bring more than their name to Launch-a-Ball, as finalists will be selected for a chance to throw for 100,000. Launch-a-Ball has proven to be a fun addition to our home games, said Wingnuts' majority owner Steve Ruud. The huge grand prize can only add to the excitement and Launch-a-Ball's success. Beginning July 8th, 2011, any Launch-a-Ball jackpot winner at all remaining Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home games will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win 100,000 following the Wingnuts' final home game on Friday, August 26th. Two lucky fans will be randomly selected from all of the previous jackpot winners for a chance to throw for the grand prize of 100,000. The two finalists will stand atop the main pitcher's mound at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and throw to a target positioned 60-feet, six-inches away. If either contestant throws three strikes through the target at home plate, before throwing four balls outside of the target, they will win the grand prize. A video featuring the Wingnuts' Launch-a-Ball promotion can be found here: The Wingnuts introduced Launch-a-Ball at the beginning of the 2011 season. The promotion takes place immediately following every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Wingnuts' home game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Fans at least 21 years of age can purchase Launch-a-Balls in the Wingnuts' gift shop for just 1.00. When the signal is given, the Launch-a-Balls are thrown onto the field where fans aim for the jackpot bucket, among other great prizes. The Wingnuts open an eight-game homestand Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1220.html#1337257691 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1220.html KANSAS CITY, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark on Monday night. The T-Bones overcame an early 3-0 Wingnuts' lead, scoring six unanswered runs. With two on and two-out in the bottom of the third, Ray Sadler hit a three-run home run to left-center field that tied the game against Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman. With two outs and no one on base in the fourth, Jimmy Mojica doubled down the left field line and scored the go-ahead run when Aharon Eggleston singled up the middle. Eggleston drove in the T-Bones' fifth run of the night with a bouncing ball single in the bottom of the sixth. Prentice Redman homered down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh for the final run of the game. Andy Shipman earned the save for Kansas City with a perfect top of the ninth. The Wingunts scored three runs in the top of the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Jorge Delgado and Josh Workman reached on back-to-back singles with one out. Edwin Bellorin followed with a line drive single to right that scored Delgado from second base. Josh Horn grounded out to the mound, advancing Workman to third and Bellorin to second with two outs. Jose Duran finished the rally with a single to shallow right that cashed in two more runs. Devin Anderson earned the win for Kansas City, allowing three earned runs in six-plus innings. Anderson walked three and struck out six. Sherman took the loss, allowing four earned runs in four-plus innings. Sherman walked three and struck out four. Brandon Mathes struck out four batters during one and one-third innings of relief. Kendy Batista threw a scoreless relief inning in the bottom of the eighth. Juan Richardson extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double in the top of the eighth. The Wingnuts return home on Wednesday when they host the T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1219.html#1337257692 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1219.html KANSAS CITY, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 10-9 over the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark on Sunday night. The Wingnuts rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to take seprate leads in the eighth and ninth innings, before holding on for the one-run win in the bottom of the ninth. Eight of the Wingnuts' 10 runs came on two-out hits. With the game tied at 7-7, Jose Duran led off the top of the ninth with a line drive single to left field. Duran stole second base and advanced to third when T-Bones' reliever Kyle Dahman made an errant pickoff throw to second base. Mike Conroy drilled a deep flyball to straightaway center field that was caught on the warning track by Ray Sadler. Duran tagged from third and scored the go-ahead run. Later in the inning, Jorge Delgado doubled to right-center field to drive in two more runs and give the Wingnuts a 10-7 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Jimmy Mojica drew a leadoff walk against Josh Dew, who had come on in relief of Marcos Tabata in the bottom of the eighth. After Rico Washington popped out to shortstop, Ray Sadler singled through the left side to bring the tying run to the plate. Dew retired Kala Ka'aihue when the T-Bones' first baseman swung at a 3-0 pitch and flied to shallow right field. Aharon Eggleston tripled to the fence in left-center to bring the T-Bones within one run, but Dew got Prentice Redman to fly out to left field to end the game. Kansas City scored three in the bottom of the second, beginning with an errant pickoff throw from Wichita starter Ryan Hinson. Jeff Hulett capped off the inning with a two-run double to left field. Redman and Mojica hit solo home runs, in the fourth and fifth innings respectively, to increase Kansas City's lead to five. Wichita loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh against T-Bones' starter Kris Johnson. The Wingnuts' first run of the night scored when Edwin Bellorin hit into a double play. Josh Horn cut the deficit to 5-2 with a two-out, RBI single to right field. Wichita rallied to load the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth against reliever Drew Graham. Josh Workman made it a 5-3 game, reaching on an infield, RBI single to third against new reliever Steven Stewart. Bellorin was next and cleared the bases with a double to the left-center field wall. Now leading 6-5, Horn delivered again with two outs, lining a single to right that plated Bellorin. Tabata recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the eighth before allowing back-to-back walks to Ka'aihue and Eggleston. Dew took over and allowed a walk to Redman that loaded the bases. Gerardo Caceres then singled to center to tie the game. After Jeff Hulett walked to re-load the bases, Dew struck out Bowden to keep the game tied. Dew earned the win in relief, working one and one-third innings on 43 pitches. Hinson took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs on five hits in seven innings. Hinson walked three and struck out two. Johnson also took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on four hits in seven innings. Johnson walked four and struck out four. Stewart took the loss in relief for the T-Bones. Richardson extended his hitting streak to 10 games in a row. Wichita and Kansas City play again at Community America Ballpark on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Wednesday when they host the T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1218.html#1337257693 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1218.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Kansas City T-Bones 7-6 in front of 6,023 fans at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, the Wingnuts rallied for two runs against T-Bones' closer Andy Shipman to pull out the win. Ryan Patterson led off with a bloop single to shallow center. Patterson stole second base and moved to third when Shipman's pickoff attempt went into center field. Shipman came back to strike out Brent Clevlen, but Juan Richardson hit a groundball triple that struck the left field foul line before rolling into foul territory. The T-Bones elected to walk Jorge Delgado and Josh Workman back-to-back to load the bases with one out. Edwin Bellorin won the game, drawing a five-pitch walk against Shipman to force in Richardson from third base. Kansas City had mounted a comeback of their own in the top of the eighth against Wingnuts' reliever Kendy Batista. With the Wingnuts leading 5-4, Ray Sadler led off with a broken bat single to left field. Kala Ka'aihue followed with a line drive, two-run home run to left that moved Kansas City in front. Jimmy Mojica hit a two-out, three-run home run to left field in the top of the second that gave the T-Bones an early 3-0 lead. Josh Workman cut the lead to one run with a two-run double in the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the fourth, Patterson was hit by a pitch and Clevlen drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. Richardson hit a groundball to third baseman Rico Washington who recorded a force at second, but Jeff Hulett's relay to first went into foul territory and allowed Patterson to score the tying run. Delgado doubled into the right field corner on a 3-0 count to give the Wingnuts a 4-3 lead. Bellorin added a fifth run with an RBI single to right-center. Kansas City scored their fourth run in the top of the sixth when Keanon Simon hit into a double play with the bases loaded. Marcos Tabata earned the win, working a scoreless top of the ninth inning. Jared Simon worked one and one-third perfect innings of relief. Junior Guerra started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs in five-plus innings. Guerra allowed five hits, five walks, and struck out three. T.J. Large started for Kansas City and also took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs on five hits in four and two-thirds innings. Large walked four and struck out one. Shipman took the loss in relief for the T-Bones. Jose Duran's hitting streak ended at 13 games. Richardson's ninth-inning triple extended his hitting streak to nine. The teams shift their series to Kansas City on Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces left-hander Kris Johnson. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1217.html#1337257694 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1217.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-8 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Wichita led 5-1 after two innings, but an eight-run top of the third handed the T-Bones the lead for good. Consecutive singles from Jimmy Mojica, Rico Washington, and Ray Sadler loaded the bases with no outs against Wingnuts' starter Justin Murray. Kala Ka'aihue singled through the left side to score Mojica and Washington and cut the Wingnuts' lead to 5-3. Aharon Eggleston walked to re-load the bases, setting up Prentice Redman's line drive RBI single to center. With the lead now at 5-4, and with the bases still loaded, Keanon Simon doubled to deep right field to score Ka'aihue and Eggleston with the tying and go-ahead runs. Jeff Hulett doubled to left center to score two more runs and give Kansas City an 8-5 lead. Johnny Bowden singled to center to drive in Hulett with the T-Bones' ninth run of the game. The Wingnuts came right back in the bottom half of the third against T-Bones' starter Reid Santos. Juan Richardson led off with a double down the right field line. After Jorge Delgado walked, Josh Workman ripped a double into the right field corner that scored Richardson to make it 9-6. Edwin Bellorin drove in Delgado from third with a groundout to second base. Josh Horn brought the Wingnuts back within one run with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Workman. Jose Duran then reached on an infield single to put the tying run on first, but Santos went on to retire the next 12 hitters in a row. Wichita had only two hits after Duran's single through the remainder of the game. Kansas City added a run in the top of the fourth on an errant pickoff attempt by Bellorin. Bowden drove in Hulett for a second time in the game in the sixth with a groundball single through the middle that made it 11-8. Steven Stewart and Andy Shipman combined for two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief of Santos. Shipman earned the save. Mojica led off the game with a single to left and scored on a double to left-center from Washington. Murray limited the T-Bones to the one run in the opening inning, allowing Wichita to take the lead. With two outs and no one on base, Brent Clevlen and Richardson drew back-to-back walks against Santos. Jorge Delgado was next and lined a single to left that scored Clevlen to tie the game. Mojica cutoff the throw from left and attempted to throw behind Richardson at second base, but his throw overshot Hulett and went clear across the field. Richardson scored the lead run. With Delgado now on third, Workman grounded an infield single up the middle that made it 3-1 Wichita. Ryan Patterson hit a two-out, two-run home run to left-center field in the second to give Wichita a 5-1 lead. Murray took the loss, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits in two and two-thirds innings. Murray walked three and struck out three. Santos allowed eight runs, six earned, in six and one-third innings for the win. Santos walked three and struck out five. Jared Simon allowed one earned run in two and one-third innings of long relief. Michael Cotter, Eric Gilliland, Marcos Tabata, and Josh Dew each worked a scoreless inning. Duran had three hits and has now hit safely in 13 games in a row. The six Wingnuts pitchers combined to throw 212 pitches in the game. The Wingnuts and T-Bones continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra takes on right-hander T.J. Large. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1216.html#1337257695 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1216.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 10-5 to the El Paso Diablos at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. El Paso broke the game open early, scoring seven runs in the top of the second against Wingnuts' starter Steve MacFarland. With the bases loaded an no outs, Adam DeLeo hit a two-run double to right-center that gave the Diablos a 2-0 lead. Kory Drew followed with a triple to right-center that made it 4-0. Later in the inning, Albenis Machado singled home Drew with El Paso's fifth run. After Machado was caught stealing, Johan Garcia reached on an error by Juan Richardson. Kyle Nichols followed with a two-out, two-run home run to left-center that capped off the early rally. The Diablos scored another run in the top of the third on a bases loaded walk to Machado. The Wingnuts got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Ryan Patterson crushed a two-run home run to left field. During the game, Patterson was named the Wichita Sports Commission's 2011 Professional Athlete of the Year, an award the Wingnuts have now won two out of the last three seasons. DeLeo hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to make it 9-2. RBI singles from Josh Workman and Patterson in the fifth and eighth innings respectively, brought the Wingnuts within five. An error from Josh Horn on Maikol Gonazalez' infield single in the top of the ninth brought in El Paso's final run of the night. Workman drove in Richardson from third in the bottom of the ninth before El Paso reliever Ray Silva ended the game when Edwin Bellorin hit into a double play. MacFarland took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, in one and two-thirds innings. MacFarland allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out six. Brandon Mathes worked four and one-third innings of long relief, allowing two earned runs. Eric Gilliland pitched two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. Scott Hodsdon earned the win for El Paso, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits in six innings. Hodsdon walked three and struck out three. With an infield single in the fourth, Jose Duran extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Wingnuts left 11 runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts open a two-game home series versus Kansas City on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Justin Murray will be on the mound against Kansas City lefty Reid Santos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1215.html#1337257696 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1215.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 6-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Wichita staved off a late Diablos' rally that saw a home plate collision in the top of the eighth that cut down the potential tying run. With the Wingnuts leading 6-4, and with the bases loaded and one out for El Paso, Josh Dew was called from the bullpen for a five-out save opportunity. The first batter Dew faced, Johan Garcia, bounced a single into shallow left field that cut the lead to 6-5. On the same play, Stephen Douglas attempted to score from second base to tie the game, but was thrown out at the plate by Mike Conroy. Wingnuts' catcher Matthew Powell received Conroy's throw a few feet up the third base line before withstanding Douglas' tackle to record the second out. Dew then struck out Kyle Nichols on three pitches to end the inning and keep the Wingnuts in front. Dew worked around a walk and a single in the ninth inning to record his 12th save of the year. Wichita scored three runs in the bottom of the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Jorge Delgado led off with a line drive single to center and went to third when Josh Workman pulled a double down the right field line. Both runners scored on Josh Horn's triple to center that sailed over the head of Kory Drew. Two batters later, Jose Duran singled to center to drive in Horn. Duran went 3 for 3 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. After the Diablos scored a run in the third on an RBI groundout, Duran tripled with one out in the fourth and came home on a wild pitch thrown by El Paso starter Jae Jung. Nichols hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 4-3. Wichita scored one in the fifth on a Workman sacrifice fly, and another in the seventh on a Horn RBI double. Chad Sherman started for the Wingnuts and earned his first career win. Sherman allowed three earned runs on eight hits in five and two-thirds innings. Sherman struck out two and walked two. Jung took the loss, allowing five earned runs on 11 hits in five and one-third. Jung did not allow a walk, nor record a strikeout. Jared Simon pitched one and one-third innings of scoreless relief. The series concludes on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Steve MacFarland faces right-hander Scott Hodsdon. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1214.html#1337257697 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1214.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 9-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. All nine of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit, while Ryan Hinson worked seven shutout innings to lead Wichita's second consecutive shutout. For a second straight night, the Wingnuts struck in the bottom of the third to break a scoreless tie. With runners on first and second and two outs, Ryan Patterson doubled onto the warning track in left-center field to give Wichita a 2-0 lead. The Wingnuts scored three more in the fourth to expand their lead. Juan Richardson drew a leadoff walk and moved to second when Jorge Delgado reached on an infield single to shortstop. Josh Workman followed with a groundball double down the right field line that bounced over the first base bag before veering into the Diablos' bullpen. Richardson scored on the play to make it 3-0. Edwin Bellorin singled home Delgado on a line drive to shallow left-center. Josh Horn finished the rally with an RBI single through the right side that plated Workman. Patterson led off the fifth with a line drive solo home run that just cleared the fence down the left field line. Workman and Horn added RBI hits later in the inning to carve out an 8-0 advantage. Wichita's final run came in the seventh on a two-out, RBI single down the right field line from Jose Duran. Duran has now hit safely in 10 games in a row. Hinson allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter during his seven innings. Hinson struck out six en route to his sixth win of the season. Hinson is now 5-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in five starts. Adam Rowe took the loss for El Paso, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. Rowe walked two and struck out one. Brandon Mathes and Michael Cotter each turned in a scoreless inning in relief of Hinson. It marked the third time in team history the Wingnuts have pitched back-to-back shutouts. The Wingnuts have combined for 21 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to Sunday's game at St. Paul. The series continues on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. Chad Sherman takes the mound against right-hander Jae Hun Jung. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1213.html#1337257698 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1213.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the El Paso Diablos 10-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra tossed eight innings of two-hit shutout ball to earn his second win of the year. Guerra struck out a career-high eight batters while walking only three. After a leadoff infield single to Stephen Douglas to begin the game, Guerra retired the next 12 hitters in a row, and did not allow another runner past first base until the top of the eighth. Guerra did not allow a fair ball out of the infield until Maikol Gonzalez' lineout to center with one out in the eighth. With two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the third, the Wingnuts strung together four consecutive hits to open a 3-0 lead. Mike Conroy singled through the right side and came around to score when Ryan Patterson doubled into the left field corner. Brent Clevlen sliced a double to the right-center field fence to drive in Patterson and make it 2-0. Juan Richardson, who finished the night 4 for 4, singled through the left side to drive in Wichita's third run. The Wingnuts scored five more runs on two-out hits in the bottom of the fourth to break the game open. Josh Horn lined a single to center and was driven in from first on Jose Duran's hit-and-run double down the right field line. Conroy reached on an infield single that advanced Duran to third. After Conroy stole second base, Patterson dumped a single into center field that scored two more runs. Clevlen capped off the inning with the first inside-the-park home run in team history, lining a ball to the center field fence that bounced over the head of a diving Kory Drew. Wichita added a run in the seventh on Josh Workman's sacrifice fly and tacked on their 10th of the night in the eighth inning when Conroy singled home Horn from second base. The Diablos loaded the bases with two outs against Guerra in the top of the eighth. Duran helped keep the shutout intact though, with a sliding play to his right on a sharp groundball to second base by Albenis Machado. Michael Cotter then locked down the win with a scoreless ninth inning. With a runner on third and two outs, Cotter struck out Kevin Smith looking and retired Adam DeLeo on a foul popup to Thomas Fitzgerald at first base. Reymond Cruz took the loss for El Paso, allowing nine earned runs in six and one-third innings. Cruz struck out three and walked one while allowing 13 hits. Conroy, Patterson, Clevlen, and Horn all joined Richardson with multi-hit efforts. The series continues on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson goes to the mound for the Wingnuts against El Paso lefty Adam Rowe. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1212.html#1337257699 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1212.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints 6-4 at Midway Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 3-2, the Wingnuts took the lead for good with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jose Duran led off and homered to deep left field against Saints' starter Jacob Schmidt. It was Duran's second home run in as many games. After Mike Conroy grounded out to third, Ryan Patterson walked, stole second base, and eventually scored on Juan Richardson's long two-out, two-run homer to left. Jonathan Van Every hit a two-out double to left-center in the bottom of the sixth off of Eric Gilliland to cut the Wingnuts' lead to one run. Gilliland recorded the final out in the sixth to keep the Wingnuts in front and then struck out two during a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Kendy Batista pitched a perfect eighth, helping the Wingnuts build an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Josh Horn led off with a double to right center, moved to third on a sacrifice by Duran, and then scored on a wild pitch by Saints' reliever Kyle Foster. Josh Dew took over in the bottom of the ninth and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn his 10th save of the year. With one out in the first inning Patterson doubled to left field and took third on Brent Clevlen's single to center. Richardson followed with an RBI single to center that gave Wichita a 1-0 lead. Schmidt limited the Wingnuts to one run in the first when he induced a double play ball off the bat of Jorge Delgado to end the inning. St. Paul tied the game in the bottom of the first on a two-out, RBI double to right-center from Jason Cooper, and went in front 2-1 in the second when Adam Frost grounded a two-out, RBI single through the left side. Patterson tied the game in the third with a solo home run to left field. In the bottom of the fourth, Richard Mercado homered to left-center to put St. Paul back in front at 3-2. Justin Murray started for the Wingnuts and earned the win, allowing four earned runs in five and two-thirds innings. Murray struck out three and walked two while allowing nine hits. Schmidt went five innings and took the loss, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Patterson finished the game with three runs scored. The Wingnuts return home on Monday for a three-game series versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1211.html#1337257700 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1211.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 9-6 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Saturday night. Trailing 9-4 in the top of the ninth, the Wingnuts eventually rallied to bring the tying run to the plate before Robert Manuel, who earned the win on Friday night, notched the final out to earn the save. Mike Conroy singled to center field to lead off the inning. Jose Duran doubled down the right field line, sending Conroy to third. Conroy then scored when Brandon Tripp's throw from bounced into shallow left field. Alberto Rolon retired Brent Clevlen and Juan Richardson before allowing an RBI single to center to Jorge Delgado that cut the lead to 9-6. Kyle Carr relieved Rolon and walked Josh Workman to bring the tying run to the plate. Manuel then came in for Carr and struck out pinch hitter Ryan Patterson to end the game. Wichita jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Duran hit a solo home run to left two batters in. Later in the inning, Delgado ripped a two-run double to the left-center field fence that scored Clevlen and Richardson. The Saints rallied for three in the bottom of the first to tie it. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ole Sheldon lined a single to center against Wingnuts' starter Steve MacFarland to bring the Saints within one run. After Jason Cooper walked to re-load the bases, Tripp hit a broken bat single to left that tied the game. MacFarland escaped further trouble when Clevlen gunned down Sheldon at the plate after tagging up on Ronnie Bourquin's flyball to center field. MacFarland retierd Alex Garabedian on a popout to third base to end the inning. Jonathan Van Every hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second to give the Saints their first lead. St. Paul added three more in the third inning with Cooper, Bourquin, and Garabedian each driving in a run. St. Paul went ahead 9-3 in the seventh on Bourquin's RBI double to left-center and Van Every's sacrifice fly to right. Delgado hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning to account for Wichita's fourth run. Delgado finished the night with three hits and four RBI. MacFarland took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in two and one-third innings. MacFarland walked three and struck out seven. Edwin Walker earned the win for the Saints. Walker allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked five, and struck out three. Brandon Mathes worked two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief of MacFarland. Kendy Batista chipped in a scoreless bottom of the eighth. The series concludes Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Justin Murray faces right-hander Jacob Schmidt. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, June 27th when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p. m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 26 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1210.html#1337257701 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1210.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Friday night. Adam Frost drove in the winning run with a two-out single to left field in the bottom of the ninth that scored Jonathan Van Every from second base. Van Every nearly won the game himself one batter earlier, doubling to the fence in left field. Alex Garabedian was waved home representing the winning run, but Josh Horn took Brent Clevlen's throw from the warning track and nailed Garabedian at the plate to keep the Wingnuts alive. Wichita took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. With first and third and one out, Jose Duran hit a tapper back to the mound that glanced off of Saints' starter Donald Brandt and resulted in an infield RBI single. The Saints moved in front with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Snyder led off with a double and avanced to third on Shane Costa's groundout to shortstop. After Ole Sheldon walked, Jason Cooper singled on a line drive to center field to score Snyder with the tying run. Brandon Tripp poked a single to shallow left to load the bases, and then Ronnie Bourquin drew a bases loaded walk against Wingnuts' starter Chad Sherman to force home the lead run. Sheldon singled home St. Paul's third run in the fifth inning. On the same play, Horn threw out Costa at the plate for the final out to keep the Wingnuts within two. Wichita scored two unearned runs in the sixth to re-tie the contest. Clevlen reached on the first of two throwing errors in the inning by Frost at shortstop. Two batters later, Jorge Delgado doubled down the right field line. Costa then made a sliding catch to take a base hit away from Josh Workman. Clevlen tagged from third on the play and scored, cutting the lead to 3-2. Edwin Bellorin was next and hit a slow roller towards short that Frost grabbed and threw wildly into foul territory, allowing Delgado to score the tying run. Sherman took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on three hits in five innings. Sherman struck out one and walked seven. Brandt also took a no-decision, allowing three runs, one earned, in five and two-thirds. Brandt allowed seven hits, two walks, and struck out three. Jared Simon took the loss for the Wingnuts. Robert Manuel earned the win in relief for the Saints, working a scoreless top of the ninth. Duran finished the game with three hits. Eric Gilliland struck out five batters over two shutout relief innings. Brandon Mathes also worked a scoreless inning of relief. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the loss. The series continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with right-hander Steve MacFarland making his Wingnuts' debut. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, June 27th when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p. m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1209.html#1337257702 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1209.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts ended a four-game losing streak, winning 6-1 over the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. Ryan Hinson delivered seven terrific innings, allowing one earned run on five hits to earn his fifth win of the year. Wichita scored twice in the bottom of the first in support of Hinson. Josh Horn led off with a single to shallow right field, stole second base, and advanced to third on Ryan Patterson's line drive to right. Brent Clevlen drove in Horn with a groundball double to deep left-center. Clevlen moved to thrid on a groundout to short by Juan Richardson and came home when Jorge Delgado ripped a double down the left field line. Wichita added two more in the fourth. Delgado singled through the right side to lead off and scored from first on Edwin Bellorin's hit-and-run double that hit the right field foul line. Two batters later, Mike Conroy singled through the middle to score Bellorin and give Wichita a 4-0 lead. Fort Worth mounted their only rally in the top of the fifth. Marcos Rodriguez and John Allen opened the inning with singles. Cory Morales laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third, but Hinson limited the Cats to just one run on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Sauceda. The Wingnuts scored twice more in the sixth. Delgado collected his third hit of the night with a one out double down the left field line. Josh Wormkan followed with a double into the left field corner that scored Delgado with the Wingnuts' fifth run. Later in the inning, Conroy drove in his second of the night, pulling a line drive single to right that scored Workman from second. Hinson struck out five, walked two, and needed only 92 pitches to get through seven complete innings. Hinson allowed just two runners past first base and is now 4-0 in four starts this season at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Jared Simon worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts while Josh Dew finished the game with a scoreless ninth. Dwayne Pollok took the loss for the Cats, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits in six innings of work. Pollok struck out two and walked none. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts signed right-handed pitcher Steve MacFarland. MacFarland is 7-11 in his career with a 5.74 ERA over five professional seasons. The 25-year old righty has averaged 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings over 178.2 career innings. MacFarland pitched in the Frontier League last year, going 3-2 with a 5.45 ERA in seven starts for the Washington Wild Things. MacFarland is scheduled to pitch Saturday night at St. Paul. The Wingnuts travel to St. Paul for a three-game series against the Saints beginning Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Rookie Chad Sherman takes on left-hander Donald Brandt. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, June 27th when they host the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p. m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1208.html#1337257703 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1208.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-3 to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. The Cats scored all of their runs with a seven-run top of the third against Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra. Wichita grabbed a 1-0 lead when Josh Workman ripped a two-out, solo home run down the right field line against Cats' starter Mike Bacsik. Jeremy Sauceda started the Cats' rally in the third, hitting a leadoff home run that was carried by the wind over the right field wall. Aljay Davis followed with a walk and came around on Brian Fryer's triple to right-center field. Travis Metcalf fouled out to right, but Kelley Gulledge singled through a drawn in infield on the left side to give Fort Worth a 3-1 lead. Trent Lockwood grounded a single through the right side to put runners on the corners, setting up an RBI double off the center field fence from John Allen. Guerra retired Marcos Rodriguez on a popout to short, but Cory Morales broke the game open with a two-run double down the left field line that increased the Cats' lead to 6-1. Sauceda, who opened the inning with the game-tying homer, drove in the seventh run with a double to left field. Guerra shut down the Cats over the next four innings. Guerra took the loss, allowing the seven earned runs on nine hits. Guerra walked four and struck out four. The Wingnuts rallied against Bacsik in the bottom of the sixth. With first and second and one out, Jorge Delgado doubled to the fence in left-center to cut the lead to 7-2. After Workman drew a walk to load the bases, Edwin Bellorin hit a deep drive to the warning track in left-center field. Sauceda made a running, leaping grab to rob Bellorin of an extra-base hit. The play resulted in a sacrifice fly that made it 7-3 Fort Worth, but the Wingnuts were kept off the board through the remainder of the game. Bacsik earned the win, allowing three earned runs over six innings. Bacsik gave up six hits, walked two, and struck out three. Cody White pitched three shutout innings to close out the game and earn the save. Brandon Mathes and Kendy Batista each worked a scoreless inning in relief of Guerra. With a crowd of 3,412, the Wingnuts celebrated their 500,000th fan in franchise history. The series concludes on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson takes on right-hander Dwayne Pollok. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1207.html#1337257704 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1207.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Justin Murray allowed two earned runs on five hits over seven and two-thirds innings, but a two-out double from Trent Lockwood in the top of the eighth inning scored an unearned run that proved the difference in the game. Wichita held a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh when Lockwood drew a leadoff walk against Murray. After Marcos Rodriguez flied out to left field, John Allen singled to left, advancing Lockwood to second. Derek Kinzler hit a groundball to second base and beat out Josh Horn's relay to first on a potential double play to keep the inning alive. With runners on the corners and two outs, Cory Morales lined a single to right field that scored Lockwood and tied the game. In the top of the eighth, Brian Fryer reached first on an error charged to Jorge Delgado to lead off the inning. Murray retired Travis Metcalf on a deep flyball to center, and after Fryer stole second base, Murray got Kelley Gulledge to line out to shortstop for the second out. Murray was then relieved by Eric Gilliland who allowed the double to left-center by Lockwood. Nick DeBarr relieved Cats' starter Wade Mackey in the bottom of the eighth and retired the final six batters to face him, earning an extended save. Mackey and DeBarr combined to retire the final 11 Wingnuts' hitters. Murray allowed three runs, two earned, in his seven and two-thirds while taking the loss. Murray walked three and struck out two. Mackey earned the win, allowing two unearned runs in seven complete innings. Mackey yielded five hits, walked one, and struck out three. The Wingnuts scored first in the bottom of the fourth. Ryan Patterson led off with a double down the right field line. After a walk to Brent Clevlen, Juan Richardson hit a groundball to third. Metcalf recorded the force on Clevlen at second, but Kinzler's relay to first for a double play bounced by Lockwood at first. Patterson came around to score on the play. The Cats tied the game in the fifth on an RBI groundout from Kinzler. Wichita re-gained the lead in the bottom half on a bunt play by Mike Conroy. Edwin Bellorin led off with a double and scored when Mackey threw Conroy's bunt to the left side of the mound into right field. Jared Simont worked a scoreless top of the ninth in relief. Josh Workman's hitting streak ended at nine games. The Wingnuts and Cats continue their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra takes on left-hander Mike Bacsik. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1206.html#1337257705 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1206.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-6 to the Amarillo Soxat Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Sunday evening. The Wingnuts had a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, but Amarillo rallied for nine unanswered runs from the fifth through the seventh to re-take the lead. Amarillo's run started with a four-run bottom of the fifth against rookie starter Chad Sherman. Adam De La Garza led off the inning with a single and scored on Cyle Hankerd's RBI triple to straightaway center field. After Lee Cruz grounded out to third base, Van Pope singled home Hankerd to make it 6-4. Tim Alberts doubled to the center field fence to score Pope. Alberts took third on a single from Matthew Tucker and scored on Kevin Butler's sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game. Hankerd cracked a two-run home run against Jared Simon in the bottom of the sixth to give Amarillo an 8-6 lead. Hankerd then drove in two more to lead a three-run rally in the seventh in which all of the runs were unearned against the Wingnuts. Trailing by five runs in the eighth, the Wingnuts put runners on first and second with one out against reliever Pat Overholt. Thomas Fitzgerald lined a ball down the left field line that struck the chalk but was ruled foul by home plate umpire Jay Trosper. Overholt eventually retired Fitzgerald on a line drive to right and escaped the inning without allowing a run. In the top of the ninth, the Wingnuts had second and third with one out, when Jorge Delgado ripped a line drive down the left field line that again hit the chalk but was ruled foul by third base umpire Danny Hymel. Gary Perinar eventually struck out Delgado and then retired Josh Workman on a groundout to shortstop to end the game. Amarillo took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Pope drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on an error charged to Fitzgerald at second base. Tucker hit a flyball double to left field that scored Pope to make it 1-0. The Sox scored again in the third on a close play. With the bases loaded and one out, Tim Alberts narrowly beat Josh Horn's relay to first base on a potential double play. Josh Workman put the Wingnuts on the board in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Juan Richardson. The Wingnuts then scored five in the fifth to take the lead. Ryan Patterson hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Fitzgerald with the tying run. With two outs Juan Richardson hit a double to left-center field that gave Wichita a 3-2 advantage. Delgado followed with an RBI single up the middle. Workman capped off the rally with a two-run home run down the right field line. Overholt earned the win in relief, working three and one-third scoreless innings. Sherman took a no-decision, allowing six runs, five earned, in four and two-thirds. Sherman struck out five, walked five, and allowed six hits. Travis Lawler started for Amarillo and also took a no-decision, allowing six earned runs in four and two-thirds innings on nine hits and one walk. Lawler struck out three. Simon took the loss, allowing two earned runs in one and one-third. Sherman was signed prior to the game. Sherman finished his college career this season at the University of Texas-Tyler, going 8-2 with a 1.94 ERA. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday when they host the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1205.html#1337257706 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1205.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-4 to the Amarillo Sox at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Saturday night. Amarillo scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the second to build a 4-1 lead that they held through the end of the game. Van Pope hit a groundball double to deep center field that scored Cyle Hankerd from second base. Chris Nash followed with an RBI single down the left field line. Kevin Butler pinch ran for Nash, and after Tim Alberts drew a walk, Benji Johnson doubled down the left field line to score Butler and give Amarillo a 4-1 lead. The Sox tacked on an unearned run in the sixth against starter Ryan Hinson. Tim Alberts, who led off the inning with a double, scored on a two-out popfly that broke off of Josh Horn's glove in shallow center field. Hinson took the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, in six innings. Hinson struck out seven and walked three while allowing nine hits. Hankerd hit a solo home run leading off the bottom of the seventh against Brandon Mathes for Amarillo's sixth run. The Wingnuts rallied for a run in the eighth and two in the ninth before Gary Perinar relieved Austin Chambliss to earn the save. Perinar took over with a runner on first and no outs and struck out the side. An error by Pope at third base scored Brent Clevlen in the eighth inning. Clevlen reached second on a one-out double to left-center. An error by shortstop Jason White and an RBI double from Clevlen accounted for the Wingnuts' runs in the ninth inning. Colin Allen earned the win for Amarillo, allowing one earned run over seven innings. Allen allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out four. Michael Cotter worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth for the Wingnuts. The series finishes Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday when they host the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1204.html#1337257707 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1204.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts won 8-6 over the Amarillo Sox at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Friday night. Brent Clevlen hit a tie-breaking home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning that gave Wichita its fourth and final lead of the night. Jose Duran opened the inning with a double into the right field corner against Sox' reliever chad Povich. Duran was then sacrificed to third by Josh Horn. After Povich retired Ryan Patterson on a groundball to second with the infield in, Clevlen crushed his second home run in as many nights over the 30-foot fence in right-center. In the bottom of the ninth, Josh Dew struck out Adam De La Garza looking for the first out, but back-to-back singles from Cyle Hankerd and Lee Cruz put the tying runs on base. Van Pope pulled a line drive down the third base line that Juan Richardson lunged at and caught backhanded. With Hankerd off the bag, Richardson then scrambled to third and slammed his glove atop the base to end the ballgame. Wichita took an early 2-0 lead, scoring twice in the top of the second. With second and third and one out, Edwin Bellorin hit a popfly single to shallow right that broke off the glove of Tim Alberts and gave Wichita their first run. Mike Conroy beat out a potential double play groundball at first, allowing Josh Workman to score from third to make it 2-0. Amarillo took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Chris Nash hit a sacrifice fly to put the Sox on the board. With two outs and no one on base, Benji Johnson Singled and Jason White walked. Both came around on Fehlandt Lentini's two-run double to right-center. A three-run rally for the Wingnuts in the fourth moved Wichita back in front. Edwin Bellorin tied the game with an RBI single to center. Wichita re-gained the lead when Jose Duran beat out another potential double play groundball that brought in Workman. Horn drove in the Wingnuts' third run of the night with a two-out double off the left-center field fence. An RBI triple from De La Garza and a sacrifice fly from Hankerd tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth. Horn led off the top of the seventh with a home run that bounced off the top of the scoreboard in left field, but the Sox scored an unearned run in the bottom half to even the score again. Jared Simon earned the win in relief, working two and one-third innings without allowing an earned run. Twice in the game, Simon retired Lentini with two outs and the go-ahead run on second base. The save for Dew was his ninth of the season. Junior Guerra started and allowed five earned runs in five and two-thirds innings. Guerra struck out five, walked four, and allowed eight hits in a no-decision. Sox' starter Ryan Mitchell also took a no-decision. Mitchell allowed six earned runs on 12 hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. The series continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Ryan Hinson opposes right-hander Colin Allen. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, June 21st when they host the Fort Worth Cats for a three-game series. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1203.html#1337257708 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1203.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 17-10 to the Amarillo Sox at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Thursday night. The Sox scored at least one run in each of their first seven team at bats with all nine of their starters collecting at least one hit and scoring at least one run. Wichita had a 6-3 lead after three and a half innings, but Amarillo rallied for 11 unanswered runs, including eight in the bottom of the fifth, to move in front for the remainder of the night. Cyle Hankerd's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth cut the Wingnuts' lead to 6-4. Amarillo tied it later in the inning with back-to-back, two-out RBI singles from Van Pope and Tim Alberts. The Sox then sent 14 hitters to the plate in the fifth. Benji Johnson homered to left-center with one out to give Amarillo a 7-6 lead. Jason White singled through the right side against Wichita starter Justin Murray. After Murray was relieved by Brandon Mathes, Fehlandt Lentini doubled down the left field line to score White and make it 8-6. Hankerd added an RBI single that increased the Sox' lead to three runs. Tim Alberts broke the game open with a two-out, three-run double to right-center field that made it 12-6. Chris Nash and Johnson added RBI singles to round out the eight-run inning. Ryan Patterson hit a solo home run to left-center leading off the sixth, but Amarillo scored twice in the botom half on RBI hits from Pope and Alberts. The Wingnuts then rallied for three in the seventh, led by a two-run double from Patterson that made it 16-10. Amarillo responded with an unearned run in the bottom half on two-out, RBI single by Hankerd. Josh Dew worked a scoreless inning in the bottom of the eighth. Austin Chambliss did not allow a hit over the final two and two-thirds for the Sox to finish the game. Lentini hit a solo home run leading off the bottom of the first before the Wingnuts tied it in the second on an RBI single to center by Mike Conroy. After Amarillo took a 2-1 lead after the bottom of the second, Brent Clevlen ripped an opposite field home run to right to tie the game. Juan Richardson singled and then came around on a two-run shot to left by Jorge Delgado. Pope hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third to cut Wichita's lead to 4-3. The Wingnuts then plated two in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Clevlen and an error by shortstop Jason White. Murray took the loss, allowing eight earned runs in four and two-thirds innings. Murray struck out four, allowed 11 hits, and walked three. Justin Garcia earned the win, allowing six runs, four earned, in five innings. Garcia struck out seven, walked two, and allowed nine hits. The 17 runs and 23 hits allowed set new franchise-highs for the Wingnuts. The Wingnuts and Sox continue their series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra goes to the mound against right-hander Ryan Mitchell. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, June 21st when they host the Fort Worth Cats. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1202.html#1337257709 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1202.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-0 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Captains' starter Ryan DiPietro worked eight scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, and was supported by a pair of early rallies against Wingnuts' starter Jonathan Ellis. Mike Provencher opened the game with a line drive single to center. Robert Perry was next and tripled to right field to give the Captains a 1-0 lead. Brian Sabatella followed Perry with an RBI double down the right field line that made it 2-0. In the top of the second, Joe Urtuzuastegui and Brian Peterson worked out back-to-back walks to start the inning. Both scored when Alex Cowart tripled to right-center. Provencher made it 6-0 Captains with a sacrifice fly to left that plated Cowart. Ellis took the loss, allowing six earned runs on seven hits in six innings. Ellis walked four and struck out four. DiPietro earned the win, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out four in his eight innings. After back-to-back singles by Jorge Delgado and Josh Workman to start the bottom of the second, the Wingnuts did not have a hit until Workman singled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Shreveport tacked on two more runs in the seventh on a two-run home run to left from Bryan Frichter. Rookie right-hander Michael Cotter made his professional debut in the inning, notching his first career strikeout. Eric Gilliland and Brandon Mathes each worked a scoreless inning of relief. It was the first time this season the Wingnuts have been shutout. The Wingnuts travel to Amarillo for a four-game series against the Sox beginning Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Right-hander Justin Murray takes on Amarillo righty Justin Garcia. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, June 21st when they host the Fort Worth Cats. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1200.html#1337257710 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1200.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' right-handed pitcher Nick Singleton has signed with the Mexican League's Acereros de Monclova (Monclova Steelers). Singleton currently leads the American Association with an 8-0 record, ranks sixth with a 2.11 ERA, and leads the league with 47 strikeouts. The 28-year old righty has logged 47.0 innings over seven starts and two relief appearances, walking 13 and allowing only 35 hits. I think everyone knows my thoughts on Nick Singleton, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is not only the ace of our staff, but also a leader in our clubhouse, and I wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully this leads to an even better opportunity in affiliated ball because he deserves it. Singleton has led the American Association in ERA two out of the last three seasons. The Montgomery, AL native posted a 2.24 mark in 2008 for the Sioux City Explorers before pacing the league again last year at 2.36 in his first season with the Wingnuts. From May 29th into his last start on June 14th, Singleton rattled off 26 and two-thirds consecutive scoreless innings. The Wingnuts retain Singleton's reversionary rights. The Mexican League season ends in early August. The Wingnuts also released right-handed pitcher Jonathan Ellis. The Wingnuts' roster currently sits at 20 players. Wichita opens a four-game series tonight in Amarillo. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Justin Murray takes on right-hander Justin Garcia. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday for a three-game series versus the Fort Worth Cats. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1201.html#1337257711 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1201.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 6-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Nick Singleton improved to 8-0 on the season, allowing two earned runs on just five hits over seven innings. Singleton walked only one and struck out eight. The right-hander struck out the side in the top of the seventh. Wichita took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second against Captains' starter Aaron Cunningham. Jorge Delgado led off with a line drive single to left and came around on the next pitch when Josh Workman homered to right-center field. Mike Conroy singled up the middle leading off the bottom of the fifth, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Jose Duran followed with a flyball double to left-center that moved Conroy to third. After Cunningham retired Josh Horn, Ryan Patterson singled sharply through the middle to score two runs and give Wichita a 4-0 lead. The Captains scored their only runs in the top of the sixth on a two-out, two-run home run from Andres Rodriguez. The home run ended Singleton's scoreless inning streak at 26 and two-thirds. The streak stretched back four starts to the 29th of May at Lincoln. Singleton threw 110 pitches to earn the win and retired the leadoff hitter in six of seven innings. Singleton faced multiple baserunners only once the entire night. The Wingnuts added two more runs in the seventh against reliever Mark Haynes. Patterson opened the inning with a single to center and scored when Brent Clevlen tripled to the right-center field wall. Juan Richardson drove in Clevlen with an RBI single to left. Clevlen and Duran each went 4 for 4. Seven of the Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit. Kendy Batista and Jared Simon each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Singleton. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts signed right-hander Michael Cotter. Cotter saved 14 games this spring for Emporia State University. Wichita released right-hander Gary Lee. The series concludes on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Jonathan Ellis faces left-hander Ryan DiPietro. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1199.html#1337257712 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1199.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 13-7 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. Ryan Hinson worked into the eighth inning to earn his fourth win of the season, while the Wingnuts offense scored eight times in the bottom of the seventh to break the game open. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Ryan Patterson singled through the left side against Captains' starter Joel Kirsten to lead off the inning. On the next pitch, Brent Clevlen hit a towering home run to left field that gave Wichita a 3-2 lead. Juan Richardson followed Clevlen with another long home run, this one clipping the batter's eye in center field. After Wichita extended its lead to 5-2 on Jorge Delgado's two-out, RBI single to left in the bottom of the sixth, Shreveport pulled within one when Alex Cowart hit a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left-center to cut the Wingnuts lead to one. With two outs, Robert Perry reached on an infield single, but was thrown out at second by Edwin Bellorin trying to steal for the final out. Bellorin threw out two potential base stealers in the game. Wichita then erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the inning, sending 13 men to the plate. Josh Workman started the rally with a bloop single to shallow left field. Workman stole second base, and then after Bellorin was retired on a flyball down the right field line, Mike Conroy was hit by a pitch. With runners now on first and second, Jose Duran grounded a single through the right side to make it 6-4. Conroy and Duran each took an extra base when right fielder Bryan Sabatella's throw bounced off of Workman's foot at home plate. Kirsten was relieved by Justin Young who allowed a sacrifice fly to left field from Josh Horn. Duran stole third with Patterson at the plate. Patterson was then hit by a pitch, leading to a double steal of home and second to give Wichita a four-run lead. Young then walked Clevlen and Juan Richardson back-to-back to load the bases. Cody Railsback relieved Young and allowed a bases-clearing triple off the left-center field wall to Delgado. An error by Sabatella and an infield RBI single from Conroy capped off the eight-run inning. The hit extended Conroy's hitting streak to 15 straight games. Conroy has also now reached safely in 23 consecutive games. Shreveport managed three runs against Hinson in the top of the eighth, but could not get any closer. Brandon Mathes and Gary Lee combined for one and two-thirds scoreless innings to finish out the win. Hinson went seven and one-third, allowing seven runs, five earned, on 11 hits. Hinson struck out five and walked two. Kirsten was charged with eight earned runs on nine hits in the loss. Kirsten did not allow a walk nor record a strikeout. Shreveport had taken an early 2-0 lead against Hinson in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly by Andres Rodriguez. Uriak Marquez added a two-out, RBI single to left later in the inning. Patterson singled home Horn in the bottom half to put Wichita on the board. Eight of the Wingnuts nine starters had at least one hit and scored at least one run. The Wingnuts and Captains continue their series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes on left-hander Aaron Cunningham. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1198.html#1337257713 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1198.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 10-7 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. After facing deficits of five and six runs, the Wingnuts twice rallied to pull within two, but Explorers' reliever Eddie De La Cruz worked two scoreless innings over the seventh and the eighth to prevent Wichita from coming all the way back. Down 9-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Edwin Bellorin and Mike Conroy hit back-to-back opposite field doubles to cut the X's' lead to five runs. Jose Duran beat out a groundball to third for an infield single, and then Josh Horn reached on a throwing error by pitcher Matt Gibbs that scored Conroy from third base. After Thomas Fitzgerald worked out a walk to load the bases, Gibbs was relieved by De La Cruz. Ryan Patterson hit a sacrifice fly to right field against De La Cruz, and was followed by Brent Clevlen's RBI groundball single through the right side that pulled the Wingnuts within two. De La Cruz walked Delgado to re-load the bases, but recovered by inducing a groundball double play ball to second from Josh Workman that ended the inning. Mike Murphy drew a leadoff walk against Kendy Batista in the top of the eighth, took second on a hit-and-run groundball from Dustin Jones, third on a groundout to second by Derek Schermerhorn, and scored on a two-out, bunt single along the third base line from T.J. Bohn. After De La Cruz pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth, Andrew Snowden pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save. The Wingnuts trailed 5-0 after four innings before Conroy singled home Workman with two outs in the fifth to put Wichita on the board. Delgado hit a two-out, two-run double to right field in the sixth that sliced Sioux City's lead to 5-3. The Explorers increased their advantage with a four-run seventh. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ray Serrano hit a sacrifice fly to right that made it 6-3. Wally Backman Jr. hit a groundball single through the right side that brought in Sioux City's seventh run. An eighth scored when Patterson's throw to third base bounced over the sidewall in foul territory. Backman took third on the play and scored on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Goodro. Sioux City plated three in the opening inning against Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra. Jones and Schermerhorn hit consecutive singles to open the game. Jones scored on Bohn's groundout to third and Schermerhorn came in two batters later when Serrano singled to left field. Backman hit an RBI groundout to finish the X's first inning rally. Bohn led off the top of the third with a home run to left field. Kent Sakamoto followed with a double off the fence in left and took third on a single to left by Serrano. Sakamoto scored when Backman hit into a double play. Guerra took the loss, allowing five earned runs in five innings. Guerra struck out five and walked two while allowing nine hits. Taylor King, who was relieved by Gibbs in the sixth due to injury, earned the win. King allowed one earned run on four hits, striking out three and walking none. Jared Simon worked a perfect top of the ninth with two strikeouts. The Wingnuts have lost three consecutive series. The Wingnuts open a three-game series versus the Shreveport-Bossier Captains on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Lefty Ryan Hinson takes the mound. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1197.html#1337257714 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1197.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Sioux City Explorers 4-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Wingnuts' starter Justin Murray pitched eight-plus shutout innings to earn his second win of the season, scattering nine hits and never allowing a runner past second base. The Wingnuts broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. After Explorers' starter Nick Schumacher retired the first two hitters of the inning on two pitches, rookie catcher Matthew Powell singled to right field in his first career at bat. On the next pitch, Josh Horn doubled to left-center field to score Powell from first and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Thomas Fitzgerald followed with an RBI single to left-center that made it 2-0. Murray allowed a leadoff double to Dustin Jones in the first, but was helped out of the jam when Fitzgerald made a diving catch to his right against Kent Sakamoto that started an inning-ending double play. Murray retired nine hitters in a row from the second inning into the fourth. Powell threw out Wally Backman Jr. trying to steal second base in the top of the fifth inning, helping Murray put up another zero. Horn starred in the field as well, converting 11 chances and making a leaping catch on a line drive by Backman in the seventh. Mike Conroy was hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the seventh and advanced to third on a hit-and-run single to right-center from Jose Duran. Powell hit a chopper into the hole on the left side of the infield that scored Conroy with the Wingnuts' third run. Later in the inning, Duran scored with two outs on a wild pitch from Schumacher. Derek Schermerhorn and T.J. Bohn hit consecutive singles to start the ninth against Murray. Josh Dew relieved Murray and retired the next three hitters, striking out two of them, to earn his eighth save of the year. Murray walked one and struck out two in his eight-plus scoreless innings. Schumacher took the loss, allowing four earned runs on nine hits in seven innings. Schumacher walked one and struck out three. Conroy has now hit safely in 11 straight games, and has reached base in 21 consecutive games with a hit, walk, or hit by pitch. Jorge Cortes has reached base in 23 straight contests. It was the Wingnuts' second team shutout in three games and their third of the season. The Wingnuts and Explorers finish their series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Junior Guerra faces right-hander Taylor King. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1194.html#1337257715 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1194.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts re-signed former Major League outfielder Brent Clevlen on Sunday. Clevlen (pronounced KLEEVE-lehn) opened spring training on the Wingnuts' roster before signing with the Cincinnati Reds' organization. In 29 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Clevlen hit .247 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Since 2006, Clevlen has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues, including three with the Detroit Tigers where he was a teammate of both Wingnuts' owner Nate Robertson and Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Clevlen appeared in four games with the Atlanta Braves last season, while spending most of the year at Triple-A Gwinnett. Clevlen was originally drafted by the Tigers out of high school in the second round in 2002. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Clevlen started his career later that summer with the Tigers' Gulf Coast League affiliate, and hit .330 with 21 RBI in 28 games. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound outfielder hit 12 home runs the following season for the Midwest League's West Michigan Whitecaps. In 2005, Clevlen was named MVP of the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. That season, and at just 21-years old, Clevlen hit .302 with 18 home runs and 102 RBI for the Lakeland Tigers. The Austin, TX native has reached double digits in home runs in five different seasons, including a career-high 22 for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 2008. Now 27-years old, Clevlen made his Major League debut on July 30th, 2006 at Minnesota, going 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. Two days later, Clevlen cracked his first two Major League home runs during a win at Tampa Bay. Clevlen saw time with the Tigers in each of the next two seasons before resurfacing with the Braves in 2010. The Wingnuts finish their series versus Sioux City tonight at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1196.html#1337257716 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1196.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-5 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. The Explorers scored five unanswered runs from the third through the sixth innings to build a 7-2 lead that they would never relinquish. Tied 2-2 in the top of the third, Dustin Jones led off with a single to right, stole second, and took third on a throwing error from Edwin Bellorin. Jones scored to make it 3-2 Sioux City on Derek Schermerhorn's sacrifice fly to right. Joe Wendte, who pinch-hit after T.J. Bohn was ejected in the middle of his at bat, worked out a walk. Wendte stole second and advanced to third on another throwing error by Bellorin. Kent Sakamoto drove in Wendte with an RBI single that flared just inside the right field line. Sioux City scratched out another run in the top of the fourth on a two-out, RBI single from Jones. The Explorers loaded the bases with no outs against reliever Gary Lee in the top of the sixth and used an RBI groundout from Mike Murphy and a sacrifice fly from Jones to move in front 7-2. After collecting only two hits over the first seven innings, Wichita rallied for three runs against reliever Andrew Snowden in the eighth to pull within two. Edwin Bellorin and Mike Conroy hit back-to-back singles with one out and both scored on Jose Duran's triple to the fence in left-center. Eddie De La Cruz took over for Snowden and allowed a sacrifice fly to Josh Horn that made it 7-5, but De La Cruz finished the game without allowing any further runs to earn the save. Sioux City tacked on another run in the top of the ninth on a two-out single to right-center from Javier Brito. Wichita jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first. Horn doubled down the right field line and scored on Juan Richardson's sacrifice fly. After Sioux City scored twice in the second to take a 2-1 lead, Josh Workman and Duran engineered a double steal in a first and third situation that allowed Workman to score the tying run. Jonathan Ellis took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing five runs, four earned, in five innings. Ellis allowed six hits, walked five, and struck out four. David Trahan earned the win for Sioux City. Trahan went six and one-third innings, allowing two hits, eight walks, and striking out five. Brandon Mathes worked a perfect inning of relief for Wichita. The Wingnuts and Explorers continue their series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Justin Murray takes on right-hander Nick Schumacher. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1193.html#1337257717 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1193.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added three players to their roster on Friday, signing right-handed pitcher Kendy Batista, second baseman Jose Duran, and catcher Matthew Powell. Batista is 16-9 in his career with a 3.56 ERA, and has pitched as high as the Triple-A level. A native of Santa Barbara, Venezuela, Batista has averaged 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings over the course of 92 career appearances. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Batista last pitched in the US in 2009 for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. Duran appeared in three games for the Wingnuts in 2010 before signing on with the Fort Worth Cats where he hit .311 with one home run and 16 RBI in 28 contests. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Duran was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth round in 2008 out of Texas AM University. The Los Angeles, CA native hit .372 with six home runs and 68 RBI as a senior for the Aggies in 2008. Powell is a true rookie who last played spring baseball in 2009 for Southern Nazarene University. A native of Chula Vista, CA, Powell hit .451 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI as a senior in 2009, and became just the third player in school history to earn First Team All-American honors. Last summer, Powell earned a roster spot with the U.S. Military All-Stars, a team that promotes the awareness of all Americans in support of the honorable sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the tip of the spear. The Wingnuts released right-hander Cephas Howard, infielder Evan Button, and catcher Jeff Stevens. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight at home against the Sioux City Explorers. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1192.html#1337257718 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1192.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-3 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Wednesday night. Eight of the Wingnuts' nine starters had at least one hit, but Pheasants' starter Brandon Rapoza managed a complete game on 104 pitches to earn the win. Trevor Lawhorn homered to deep left field against Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson to lead off the bottom of the second and give Sioux Falls an early 1-0 lead. Gus Milner followed with a double down the left field line. Milner advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Henry Contreras' line drive single to left. After Hinson retired Joe Anthonsen on a groundout to second, Kevin Carby lifted a flyball into the wind that carried off the bottom of the fence in right field, scoring Contreras from second to make it 3-0. A Josh Horn single and Ryan Patterson double gave Wichita second and third with no outs in the top of the fourth, but Rapoza retired the next three hitters in a row to limit the Wingnuts to one run. Juan Richardson drove in Horn with a groundball to shortstop. In the bottom of the same inning, Milner led off with a home run to straightaway center. Sioux Falls then took advantage of two Wingnuts' errors that led to two unearned runs, increasing their lead to 6-1. Wichita scored one in the sixth on an RBI single from Richardson and another in the ninth on Jorge Delgado's RBI double to right-center. The Pheasants' final run came on a solo home run to center from Brandon Sing in the bottom of the seventh. Hinson took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, in seven complete innings. Hinson struck out five, walked two, and allowed nine hits. Rapoza allowed 11 hits, walked one, and struck out zero in the complete game victory. Gary Lee worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth for the Wingnuts. Wichita hit into four double plays in the game. The series concludes on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. 2008 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year Nick Singleton faces 2010 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year Ben Moore. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home for a six-game homestand beginning Friday night versus Sioux City at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1188.html#1337257719 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1188.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts invite all fans to their Tribute to the Miranda Rights Night on Monday, June 13th when they host the Shreveport-Bossier Captains. The Miranda rights (also referred to as the Miranda warning) came into law on June 13th, 1966 and state that any criminal suspect must be informed of his or her constitutional rights, specifically those regarding self-incrimination. A multitude of other countries and governments across the globe employ similar laws in an effort to protect due process. The Wingnuts pay homage to everyone's right to remain silent on Monday. Shortly before the first pitch, the Wingnuts' beloved mascot Spinner will be wrongly arrested for an on-field crime. All fans in attendance are encouraged to help Spinner and remain silent until justice is served. No music or sound effects, aside from the natural ambience of the game, will be played until Spinner is proved innocent. Segments of Spinner's interrogation and eventual fate will be displayed on the videoboard throughout the night. Caldwell Elementary will be presenting the Star Spangled Banner in sign language. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1189.html#1337257720 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1189.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts won 9-0 over the Sioux Falls Pheasants in a rain-shortened game at Sioux Falls Stadium on Thursday night. The loss snapped the Wingnuts four-game losing streak and was the team's second shutout of the season. Wichita jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Pheasants' starter Ben Moore. Josh Horn reached first to open the game when Brandon Sing made an errant throw to Moore covering the first base bag. After Moore struck out Jorge Cortes, Ryan Patterson walked to put runners on first and second. Juan Richardson, behind 0-2 in the count, tripled to the fence in right-center to score Horn and Patterson and give Wichita a 2-0 lead. Richardson came in to score on Jorge Delgado's RBI groundout to shortstop. The Wingnuts scored three more in the top of the second to take control of the game. Thomas Fitzgerald walked with one out, stole second base, and then scored on a pair of wild pitches thrown by Moore. After there were two outs and no one on base, Cortes drew a walk and scored from first when Patterson doubled to right-center. Richardson followed with a groundball single up the middle that plated Patterson with the Wingnuts' sixth run. Josh Workman led off the top of the third with a double and eventually scored on Mike Conroy's sacrifice fly to center field. Horn drove in Workman in the fifth inning with an infield RBI single that deflected off the body of shortstop Joe Anthonsen. Workman drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the sixth that made it 9-0 Wingnuts just before the game was called. On the other side of the ball, Nick Singleton ran his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 21.0. Singleton allowed just one hit and struck out two. Singleton walked one while throwing 83 pitches to earn the abbreviated complete game victory. Singleton lowered his ERA to 2.03 and is a league-best 7-0. Workman had three hits and reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Conroy laid down a bunt single in the top of the second that extended his hitting streak to nine games. Patterson reached base three times and scored three runs. The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Sioux City. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Jonathan Ellis faces right-hander David Trahan. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1191.html#1337257721 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1191.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-7 in 10 innings to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday night. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Trevor Lawhorn worked out a four-pitch walk against Josh Dew to force in the winning run. Joe Anthonsen opened the inning with a line drive single to center, advanced to second on asacrifice by Francisco Leandro, and took third on Reggie Abercrombie's flyout to right. Brandon Sing and Mark Shorey were then intentionally walked back-to-back to bring Lawhorn to the plate. The Wingnuts, who trailed 5-0 after the first, rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Trailing 7-4, Mike Conroy doubled to right-center and came around two batters later on Josh Horn's line drive single to right. With the Pheasants lead now at two runs, Ryan Patterson crushed a two-run home run to left field to tie the game. It was Patterson's second two-run homer of the night. Sioux Falls scored five runs on five consecutive hits with two outs in the bottom of the first against starter Junior Guerra. With runners on second and third, Shorey singled through the right side to put the Pheasants on the board. An error charged to Jorge Delgado at first base led to another run, while Kevin Carby capped off the inning with a two-run single to right. Carby was thrown out at second by Jorge Cortes for the final out of the inning. Former Wingnuts' right-hander Adam Cowart was perfect over the first three innings, but Wichita put four on the board in the fourth to climb back in the game. Horn led off with a single and came around on Patterson's first home run. Cortes followed with a single up the middle and scored when Juan Richardson homered to deep left-center. Wichtia went on to load the bases with one out, but Cowart escaped further trouble on a line drive double play. Sioux Falls tacked on two unearned runs on a groundball single from Will Richards in the bottom of the fifth. Guerra took a no-decision, allowing six runs, four earned, in four and two-thirds innings. Guerra allowed seven hits, six walks, and struck out four. Cowart also took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs in six innings on six hits and one walk. Cowart struck out four. Dan McDaniel earned the win in relief for Sioux Falls, working a perfect top of the 10th. Dew took the loss for the Wingnuts. Wingnuts pitchers combined for 10 unintentional walks in the game. The Wingnuts continue their series against the Pheasants on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson opposes right-hander Brandon Rapoza. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home for a six-game homestand beginning Friday night at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Sioux City Explorers. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1187.html#1337257722 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1187.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-6 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Dwayne White hit a tie-breaking solo home run against Cephas Howard to deep right-center field in the top of the eighth inning that proved to drive in the game's final run. The Wingnuts had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth, but T-Bones' closer Andy Shipman escaped the jam to record his second save in as many nights. After the T-Bones scored three runs on a Rico Washington triple in the top of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead, the Wingnuts rallied for three runs of their own to tie the game in the bottom half. Edwin Bellorin drew a one-out walk against starter Reid Santos and came around to score when Mike Conroy tripled off the fence in right field. Conroy scored on Thomas Fitzgerald's RBI groundout to second, cutting the lead to 6-5. Reliver Mike Rocco was brought in from the pen and allowed a double to center from Josh Horn that started another rally. Ryan Patterson followed with an RBI single to left field that knotted the game at 6-6. Kansas City took a 2-0 lead with two two-out runs in the top of the first. Ray Sadler doubled down the left field line against Wingnuts' starter Justin Murray to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Jonathan Jaspe followed with an RBI single to right field for the T-Bones' second run. Wichita got on the board against Santos in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to right from Josh Horn, and then took the lead with two runs in the fifth. Bellorin doubled to left-center leading off and scored on Conroy's groundball single through the right side. Conroy eventually scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch thrown by Santos. Kansas City tied the game in the top of the sixth when Washington led off with a triple to center field. Washington then scored on an RBI Single to left-center from Sadler. Murray took a no-decision and was charged with six runs, five earned, in six and one-third innings. Murray allowed eight hits, two walks, and struck out five. Santos also took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in six and two-thirds on nine hits and one walk. Santos struck out one. Howard was charged with the loss. Steven Stewart earned the win in relief for Kansas City, pitching one and one-third scorless innings over the seventh and eighth. The Wingnuts head to Sioux Falls for a three-game series beginning Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra will take the mound in the opener All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 10th when they host the Sioux City Explorers. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1186.html#1337257723 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1186.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. The T-Bones pushed across two unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie and ultimately held on for the win. After Ray Sadler drew a leadoff walk, Jonathan Jaspe dragged a sacrifice bunt attempt up the first base line. Jorge Delgado's throw hit Jaspe in the back, and although Thomas Fitzgerald was able to barehand the ball in mid-air with his foot on the bag, Jaspe was ruled safe. Jared Simon retired Brian Joynt for the first out of the inning and then was relieved by left-hander Eric Gilliland. Gilliland retired Dwayne White on a foul popup to third base, but walked Alberto Espinosa and Fernando Garcia back-to-back to force home the lead run. Aharon Eggleston singled to right to drive in Jaspe. On the same hit, Espinosa was thrown out at the plate by Jorge Cortes to end the inning. Reliever Kyle Dahman worked around a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth by Cortes to keep Kansas City in front by two runs. After the T-Bones added another run in the top of the ninth on a single down the left field line from Jaspe, Andy Shipman worked out of a jam in the bottom half to retire the side with tying run at the plate. Shipman earned his second save of the season. The T-Bones took an early 1-0 lead against starter Jonathan Ellis. Sadler's sacrifice fly to deep right field drove in Eggleston who led off the game with a walk. Wichita tied it in the bottom half on a two-out, RBI double to center field from Juan Richardson. Delgado hit a two-out, groundball single up the middle in the bottom of the third to give the Wingnuts a 2-1 lead. After the T-Bones scored twice in the top of the sixth against Ellis to move in front 3-2, Thomas Fitzgerald singled through the left side in the bottom of the seventh to re-tie the game. Ellis took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs in 6.2 innings. Ellis allowed six hits, two walks, and struck out four. T-Bones starter T.J. Large earned the win, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Large walked five and struck out two. Simon took the loss, allowing two unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning. All nine of the Wingnuts' starters reached base with either a hit or a walk. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts traded left-handed pitcher Trent Lare to Kansas City, in exchange for a player to be named later. Wichita also activated lefty Eric Gilliland from the 7-Day DL. The series concludes on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Justin Murray takes the hill against left-hander Reid Santos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1185.html#1337257724 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1185.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 5-0 over the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Nick Singleton improved to 6-0 with eight shutout innings. Singleton retired the leadoff hitter in every inning that he worked, and retired the first two hitters in seven of them. Singleton allowed just four hits, three walks, and struck out six. The T-Bones had multiple runners on base just once in the game, and had only two runners reach second. T-Bones' left-hander Devin Anderson escaped trouble over the first three innings, but the Wingnuts finally broke through in the fourth and went on to score a single run in each of their final five team at bats. With one out in the fourth, Josh Workman doubled to right field. Two batters later, Mike Conroy doubled to right as well, scoring Workman with the game's first run. In the fifth, Josh Horn doubled down the left field line with one out. After Ryan Patterson walked, Jorge Cortes ripped a single into right field that scored Horn and made it 2-0. Horn finished the night 4 for 4 with a double, a run scored, and a sacrifice fly which came in the eighth inning. The Wingnuts' third run came in the sixth. Edwin Bellorin doubled off the fence in center field with one out and advanced to third when Conroy singled to left. Thomas Fitzgerald was next and hit a groundball to second base. The T-Bones erased Conroy on the play, but Fitzgerald beat the relay to first allowing Bellorin to score. Juan Richardson made it 4-0 in the seventh with a long home run down the left field line. Bellorin drew a leadoff walk in the eighth and moved to second on a single through the right side by Conroy. Fitzgerald laid down a perfect bunt along the third base line, setting up Horn's sacrifice fly to deep left field. Brandon Mathes relieved Singleton, who threw 127 pitches over his eight scoreless innings, and worked a perfect top of the ninth to finish the win. Anderson took the loss, allowing four earned runs on 13 hits in seven full innings. Conroy had three hits in the game. It was Wichita's first team shutout since August 23, 2010 at Fort Worth. The Wingnuts and T-Bones continue their inaugural series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Jonathan Ellis goes to the mound against right-hander T.J. Large. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1184.html#1337257725 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1184.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are holding a giveaway for a 30-minute helicopter flight during the RiverFest's 40th anniversary fireworks show following their game against the Kansas City T-Bones on Friday, June 3rd, courtesy of Cherry Oaks Golf Course and Art's Mary's Tater Chips. The one-of-a-kind prize will include a prize package from the presenting sponsors, as well as a complimentary bottole of champagne. Fans can register to win at customer service over the next two nights. The drawing will take place on Friday at 7:30 p.m. during the game. Fans must be present to win. The Wingnuts play their series finale versus Fort Worth tonight at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1182.html#1337257726 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1182.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Fort Worth Cats 9-7 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. Wichita rallied for five runs, four of which were unearned, in the bottom of the first against Cats' starter Mike Bacsik. Ryan Patterson homered to left-center with one out to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. After Bacsik retired Jorge Cortes on a groundout to first, Juan Richardson reached on an infield single to short that went off the lower body of Cory Morales. On the next play, Morales made a wild throw to first on Jorge Delgado's groundball, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Josh Workman continued the rally with an RBI single to left-center that chased home Richardson. Now leading 2-0, Mike Conroy crushed a triple to the right-center field fence that increased the Wingnuts' lead to four runs. Morales then committed his second error of the inning with Jeff Stevens at the plate, bouncing his throw to first base and allowing Conroy to score Wichita's fifth run. Wichita scored two more runs in the second against reliever Griffin Bailey. Patterson doubled down the left field line and came around on a double into the right field corner by Cortes. Richardson lined a single to right-center that brought in Cortes and gave the Wingnuts a 7-0 lead. Fort Worth chipped away in the third, scoring two unearned runs against Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson. Marcos Rodriguez' sacrifice fly put the Cats on the board. John Allen followed with a two-out, RBI double that made it 7-2. Cory Morales lined a two-out, two-run double into the left field corner in the top of the fourth to bring the Cats within three, but Delgado's two-out single down the right field line in the bottom of the inning re-extended Wichita's lead. Fort Worth scratched out runs in the sixth and seventh to pull within two heading into the top of the eighth. With runners on second and third and two out, Rodriguez singled hard to center field. After Brian Fryer scored the Cats' seventh run, Ryan Patterson's throw from center beat Cory Morales to the plate where Jeff Stevens dropped the tag to end the inning and keep the Wingnuts in front by one. Patterson led off the bottom of the eighth with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Richardson to give Wichita an insurance run. Josh Dew worked a perfect top of the ninth to earn his seventh save. Hinson earned the win, allowing five runs, three earned, in six innings of work. Hinson struck out five and walked two while allowing six base hits. Bacsik took the loss, allowing five runs, one earned, in one inning. The Wingnuts open a three-game series against the Kansas City T-Bones on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes the mound against left-hander Devin Anderson. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1183.html#1337257727 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1183.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 4-3 in 12 innings over the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, and down to their final strike with two outs and no one on base, Josh Horn worked out a walk to keep the Wingnuts alive. Horn stole second and then advanced to third when first baseman Trent Lockwood misplayed Evan Button's groundball to first base. With runners on the corners, Ryan Patterson doubled down the left field line on the first pitch from Cats' closer Matthew Sartor to tie the game. Wingnuts' reliever Josh Dew stranded a runner on second base in three consecutive innings from the 10th through the 12th, setting up Wichita's game-winning rally. Facing left-hander Cody White, Juan Richardson and Jorge Delgado worked out back-to-back walks with one out. Josh Workman was next and ripped a line drive to the fence in right-center field that scored Richardson with the winning run. The Wingnuts trailed 3-0 heading into the seventh, but pulled themselved within one run thanks to an RBI single from Horn and an RBI double from Button. Fort Worth took the early lead in the second on a sacrifice fly from Cory Morales. John Allen and Brian Fryer hit leadoff home runs in the fourth and fifth innings respectively to give the Cats a 3-0 lead. Junior Guerra started for the Wingnuts, allowing three earned runs on six hits in 6.0 IP. Guerra struck out four and walked three in a no-decision. Dew earned the win with 2.1 scoreless relief innings. The Wingnuts bullpen combined for 6.0 shutout frames, with Trent Lare, Brandon Mathes, and Jared Simon combining for 3.2 innings. Dwayne Pollok started for Fort Worth and went six shutout innings on four hits. Pollok also took a no-decision, allowing one walk and striking out five. The Wingnuts are now 4-1 in extra innings this season. Fort Worth left 15 runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts and Cats conclude their series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces former Major Leaguer Mike Bacsik. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1181.html#1337257728 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1181.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fort Worth Cats 6-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. The Wingnuts used a pair of early three-run innings to open a 6-0 lead, giving plenty of support to Justin Murray who earned the win in his Wichita debut. With first and second and two outs in the bottom of the second, Mike Conroy ripped a line drive single to right that scored Jorge Delgado from second base with the game's first run. During the following at bat to Thomas Fitzgerald, Conroy took off for second base, stopped halfway, and stayed in a rundown long enough for Edwin Bellorin to score from third. Fitzgerald then singled Conroy to third base to keep the rally alive. Josh Horn capped the inning with a hit-and-run single through the right side that scored Conroy and gave Wichita a 3-0 lead. The Wingnuts scored three more in the third, highlighted by a monstroous two-run home run down the left field line from Delgado. The longball brought in Jorge Cortes from second who led off the inning with a ground rule double down the right field line. Later in the inning, and with two outs and no one on base, Bellorin doubled down the right field line and scored on Conroy's RBI double to right-center. Murray evaded trouble in the first, getting John Allen to hit into an inning-ending double play with first and second and no outs. Murray then kept the Cats scoreless until the fifth when Marcos Rodriguez hit a two-out, two-run double into the right field corner. Murray recovered and pitched a scoreless sixth, finishing the night having allowed just the two earned runs on eight hits. Murray walked three and struck out one. Tyler Seaman started for Fort Worth and took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 12 hits in 4.0+ innings. Brandon Mathes, Jared Simon, and Gary Lee each chipped in a scoreless inning to close out the win. Delgado had three hits, while Bellorin and Conroy each finished with two. The series continues Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Junior Guerra goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1180.html#1337257729 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1180.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-6 to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. The Wingnuts twice led by four runs, but the Cats scored over their final four at bats to tie the game and eventually take the lead on a Travis Metcalfsolo home run in the top of the ninth inning. With the Wingnuts leading 6-2 in the top of the seventh, Fort Worth scored two runs on a two-out, two-run double to left-center field by Marcos Rodriguez. Starting pitcher Jonathan Ellis was then relieved by Jared Simon who retired Metcalf to end the inning. The Cats loaded the bases with no outs against Simon to start the eighth inning. Trent Lockwood doubled to right-center. John Allen drew a walk and then Kelly Gulledge was hit by a pitch. Cephas Howard took over for Simon and retired Derek Kinzler on a sacrifice fly to center field that cut the lead to 6-5. Cory Morales grounded a hit-and-run single through the left side that scored Allen to tie the game. After a single by Cameron Monger that re-loaded the bases, Howard kept the game tied by inducing a double play ball off the bat of Brian Fryer. After the Wingnuts were held scoreless in the bottom of the eighth,Metcalf homered with one out in the top of the ninth to complete the Cats' comeback. On 2-1,Metcalf took a close pitch near the inside half of the plate that was ruled a ball by home plate umpire Ben Levin. Wingnuts' catcher Edwin Bellorin was ejected after arguing the pitch. After Metcalf's home run on the next pitch, Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper was ejected by Levin as well. Evan Button gave the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, hitting a two-out RBI single to shallow left field. Button capped off a three-run rally in the fourth with a two-run, opposite field home run that made it 4-0. It was Button's first home run of his professional career. Josh Workman hit an RBI double earlier in the inning to drive in the Wingnuts second run. After Fort Worth scored two against Ellis in the fifth, the Wingnuts scored twice more in the bottom half. Workman led off with a long home run, just to the left of center field. Later in the frame, Ryan Patterson knocked a two-out RBI single to left that increased Wichita's lead to 6-2. Ellis took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs in 6.2 IP. Ellis struck out one and walked one, allowing eight hits. Ellis did not allow a run over the first five innings. Wade Mackey started for the Wingnuts and also took a no-decision. Mackey allowed six earned runs on 11 hits, walked two, and struck out zero. Nick DeBarr earned the win, taking over in the eighth and pitching two scoreless frames. DeBarr worked a perfect ninth inning on three groundball outs to end the game. Button finished 3 for 3 with a walk and was a double shy of the cycle. Workman was a triple shy from completing the circuit. The Wingnuts and Cats continue their series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Justin Murray makes his Wingnuts' debut and takes on Cats' right-hander Tyler Seamon. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1179.html#1337257730 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1179.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts won 7-1 over the Lincoln Saltdogs in the rubber game of their series at Haymarket Park on Sunday evening. Nick Singleton improved to 5-0 with eight innings of one-run ball. Singleton retired 23 of the final 26 batters he faced, striking out eight, walking one, and scattering five hits. Singleton needed only 97 pitches to get through eight innings. Leading 2-1, the Wingnuts scored five times in the top of the ninth to break the game open. Edwin Bellorin led off with a walk and went to third on Mike Conroy's hit-and-run single through the right side. When Conroy took off for second on the first pitch to Thomas Fitzgerald, Lincoln catcher Pat Trettel's throw to second broke off the glove of shortstop Kevin Rios and into center field. Bellorin scored and Conroy went to third, giving the Wingnuts a 3-1 lead. Two batters later, Josh Horn singled through a drawn in Saltdogs' infield to make it 4-1. Ryan Patterson followed with a line drive home run over the left-center field wall to extend the lead to 6-1. Jorge Cortes homered in Wichita's next at bat, lining the ball over the right field wall on a full count. Brandon Mathes worked a scoreless ninth inning to finish up the win. Jorge Delgado hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the first to give Wichita an early lead against Lincoln starter Alessandro Maestri, but Blake Gailen led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to tie the game. Lincoln built a threat with first and second and one out, but Singleton retired Maikel Jova and Gavin Dickey to end the inning. From the second through the eighth innings, Singleton did not allow a runner past first base, and retired nine in a row from the fifth into the seventh. The eight innings were the most by a Wingnuts' starter this season. Wichita scratched out a run in the top of the sixth against Maestri to re-gain the lead. With first and third and one out, Bellorin hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Juan Richardson. The Wingnuts return home for a seven-game homestand beginning Monday night versus Fort Worth. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1176.html#1337257731 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1176.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' starting pitcher Nick Singleton has been named the Pointstreak American Association Pitcher of the Week for May 23rd-May 29th. Singleton went 2-0 in two starts last week, allowing just four earned runs in 14.1 innings while striking out 15. On Monday, Singleton allowed three earned runs in 6.1 innings in a series-opening victory at Gary SouthShore. Singleton fanned seven in the win. Yesterday evening, the Montgombery, AL native worked eight complete innings and allowed one earned run in a rubber match win at Lincoln. Singleton struck out a season-high eight, while allowing just one walk and five hits. The 28-year old right-hander retired 23 of the final 26 batters to face him. Singleton is now a league-best 5-0 on the season with a 3.00 ERA in four starts and two relief outings. The second-year Wingnuts pitcher is also leading the league with 31 strikeouts. This marks the 12th time a Wingnuts player has earned a league Player of the Week award, and the sixth time a pitcher has received the honor. The Wingnuts host the Fort Worth Cats tonight at 7:05 p.m., kicking off a seven-game homestand that runs through Sunday. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1178.html#1337257732 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1178.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Saturday night. Lincoln used a four-run fourth inning to break a scoreless tie and take control of the game. After Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson retired the first 10 batters to face him, Curt Smith hit a line drive home run that just cleared the left-center field fence to give Lincoln a 1-0 lead. Phil Hawke drew a four-pitch walk and then scored when Jon Nelson doubled to the fence in left-center. Maikel Jova hit another double to left-center field to make it 3-0 and scored two batters later on a double down the right field line from Robby Alcombrack. The Wingnuts cut into the lead in the next half inning. Thomas Fitzgerald singled with one out and moved to second when Josh Horn reached on an error by shortstop Kevin Rios. After a wild pitch advanced Fizgerald and Horn an extra 90 feet, Jorge Cortes hit a two-out, two-run double to right-center to bring the Wingnuts within two. Lincoln added another run in the sixth on an infield single from Gavin Dickey. Wichita had runners on in every inning from the second through the ninth, but left nine on base in the loss. Lincoln's P.J. Zocchi worked around a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth to earn the save. Hinson worked seven full innings in the loss, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Hinson struck out three and walked one. Tim Brown earned the win for Lincoln, allowing two unearned runs in 6.2 innings. Brown walked one and struck out three. Gary Lee worked a perfect eighth inning in his Wingnuts' debut. Cortes, Jorge Delgado, and Josh Workman each had two hits in the game. Prior to Friday night's game, the Wingnuts made two corresponding roster moves. Wichita signed right-handed pitchers Justin Murray and Lee. Murray is an alumnus of Kansas State and is expected to start for the Wingnuts next week at home. Lee opened the season with the Fort Worth Cats. Wichita placed left-hander Eric Gilliland on the 7-Day DL, retroactive to last Tuesday, and also released right-hander David Miller. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs finish their series on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes the mound against right-hander Alessandro Maestri. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts host the Fort Worth Cats on Monday, opening a seven-game homestand at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1175.html#1337257733 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1175.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts won 4-2 over the Lincoln Saltdogs in 10 innings at Haymarket Park on Friday night. Jorge Cortes hit a two-out, two-run home run to deep right-center field in the top of the 10th inning to give Wichita a 4-2 lead. Thomas Fitzgerald reached second base on an error by third baseman Brandon Jones to lead off the inning. Saltdogs' reliever Paul Koss nearly escaped the jam by retiring Josh Horn and Ryan Patterson back-to-back before allowing the home run to Cortes. In the last of the 10th, Josh Dew retired the side in order on just 10 pitches to earn his league-leading sixth save of the year. The 10th-inning rally followed clutch relief pitching by Cephas Howard in the bottom of the ninth. Howard came on with the bases loaded and one out with the game still tied 2-2, and went on to retire Jon Nelson and Maikel Jova, Lincoln's number four and five hitters respectively, to end Lincoln's rally. Wichita scratched out an unearned run in the top of the second against Lincoln starter Thomas Palica to take a 1-0 lead, and added another in the sixth on a solo home run to left by Patterson. Lincoln got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Jova hit a sacrifice fly to center, and then tied the game on a seventh-inning RBI double by Curt Smith. Junior Guerra turned in another strong start, allowing two earned runs in 6.1 IP with six strikeouts in a no-decision. Jared Simon contributed 2.0 scoreless relief innings, and struck out the side in order in the eighth. Palica also took a no-decision, allowing two runs, one earned, in six innings. The Wingnuts are now 3-1 in extra innings this season, including a 2-1 mark on the road. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs play game two of their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Lefty Ryan Hinson takes on Lincoln right-hander Tim Brown. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts host the Fort Worth Cats on Monday in the opener of a seven-game homestand. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 28 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1174.html#1337257734 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1174.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced their promotional schedule for the remainder of the 2011 season. A full description of the Wingnuts' 2011 promotions can be found at Headlining the Wingnuts' promotional schedule are four terrific guest appearances, beginning with Myron Noodleman on Friday June 11th. The hippest nerd in da biz returns to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium courtesy of Baker University and Wendy's. June 11th is also the conclusion of the Wichita Riverfest's 40th anniversary, so fans can stay for a fireworks spectacular following the 6:05 p.m. game versus Sioux City. The world famous ZOOperstars bring their wild-n-crazy entertainment show to Wichita on Friday, July 22nd when the Wingnuts host the El Paso Diablos. More information on the ZOOperstars and their sports-themed characters can be found at When the Wingnuts face the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Wednesday, July 27th, fans of all ages can meet the timeless storybook characters Curious Geroge and Clifford the Big Red Dog, courtesy of KPTS. Breakin' B-Boy McCoy and his dancing act visit Wichita for a second straight year on Friday, August 12th during Day 14 of the 77th annual National Baseball Congress World Series. The Wingnuts host Tribute to Armed Forces Night during their Memorial Day game on Monday, May 30th versus Fort Worth. The Wingnuts will wear camouflage jerseys while a special video presentation honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces will be shown after the game. On Friday, June 3rd, the Wingnuts play their inaugural regular season game against their in-state rivals, the Kansas City T-Bones. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Wingnuts pen schedule, courtesy of Emprise Bank. June 3rd is also the opening night of the 40th annual Riverfest. A post-game fireworks spectacular will follow the 6:05 p.m. game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts pay homage to Snoop Dog with Hip-Hop Night on Thursday, June 23rd. Goodwill Industries will also be hosting a clothing drive that night as the Wingnuts take on the Fort Worth Cats. Allegiant Air and the Wingnuts will be giving away free flights to Los Angeles, CA on Friday, July 1st versus the T-Bones. The following night, the Wingnuts host 'Salute to America's Heroes', honoring the local men and women of Wichita who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our great city. A fireworks show will follow the game between Wichita and Kansas City, courtesy of Kansas One Call and KAKE-TV. The Wingnuts host their third annual 'Bark in the Park' on Sunday, July 10th. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, courtesy of All Paws Center and Newman University. Fans can receive discounted tickets for the game with a dog food donation. Saturday, July 23rd is the Wingnuts' fourth annual 'Pack the Park' night, presented by the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus. A fireworks show will follow the 7:05 p.m. game between the Wingnuts and El Paso Diablos. Thursday, July 28th versus Kansas City is Cancer Awareness Night. The event is meant to help raise awareness of all forms of cancer. More details are to come involving LiveStrong and other local cancer programs. Local radio personality The Hitman will be immortalized in bobblehead form on Thursday, August 18th, courtesy of Power 93.9. The Wingnuts host the T-Bones that night, and will also be hosting their Back to School Bash College Fair. Fans can remember the 2011 Wingnuts by attending the Friday, August 19th contest versus the Gary SouthShore RailCats. Fans will receive a set of Wingnuts trading cards upon entering the stadium that night. Sunday, August 21st is Little League Night. The Wingnuts will be recognizing all of the Little League teams in the Wichita and surrounding areas before taking on the RailCats at 5:05 p.m. The Wingnuts' 2011 home schedule concludes on Friday, August 26th with Fan Appreciation Night. While the Wingnuts battle the Amarillo Sox in what could be a pivotal game in the pennant race, Allegiant Air will also be giving away free flights to Phoenix, AZ. The Wingnuts have once again partnered with several local businesses to offer five 'buy-in' nights where fans can visit each establishment and receive a complimentary general admission ticket. The vouchers may be upgraded into a Lower Box or Upper Box seat at a discount rate. 2011 Wichita Wingnuts Buy-In Nights Tuesday, May 31st - American Family Insurance Buy-In Night (7:05 p.m.) Sunday, June 12th - Credit Union of America Buy-In Night (5:05 p.m.) Wednesday, June 15th - Texas Roadhouse Buy-In Night (7:05 p.m.) Tuesday, June 21st - Arby's Buy-In Night (7:05 p.m.) Tuesday, June 28th - American Family Insurance Buy-In Night (7:05 p.m.) For individual, group, or season tickets to the 2011 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the team's official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1173.html#1337257735 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1173.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are offering fans the opportunity to contribute to a post-game slideshow for Tribute to Armed Forces Night on Monday, May 30th. The slideshow will honor America's heroes, past and present,following the Wingnuts' 7:05 p.m. game against the Fort Worth Cats. Please provide a picture of the veteran along with their full name, rank/position, and company/branch for inclusion in the slideshow. The Wingnuts will accept the first 50 submissions. All pictures must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27th. Those interested in contributing should contact Sarah Duffy at the Wingnuts' office at -Wingnuts- Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1171.html#1337257736 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1171.html GARY, IN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-4 to the Gary SouthShore RailCats at US Steel Yard on Wednesday afternoon. The RailCats scored five early runs to distance themselves from the Wingnuts and take two of three in the series. With first and third and one out in the bottom of the first, Cristian Guerrero singled on a soft groundball through the left side to give the RailCats a 1-0 lead. After Jeff Beauchum singled to load the bases, Kyle Haines hit a line drive single down the right field line that made it 2-0. The RailCats scored three more times in the second. Guerrero drew a bases loaded walk with one out and was followed by an RBI single through the left side from Beauchum. Kyle Haines made it 5-0 with a sacrifice fly to right. Gary scratched out an unearned run in the fifth and scored three more in the seventh on a bases clearing triple to right-center by Mike Rohde. Jorge Cortes doubled home two runs in the top of the seventh to get the Wingnuts on the board at 9-2, but the RailCats scored single runs in both the seventh and eighth frames. Juan Richardson hit a two-run home run for the Wingnuts in the top of the ninth for the game's final margin. Trent Lare took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing six runs, five earned, in 5.0 IP. Lare struck out three, walked three, and allowed 11 hits. Scott Shaw earned the win, throwing six shutout innings. Shaw struck out six and allowed five hits. The Wingnuts were charged with four errors in the game. The Wingnuts head to Lincoln for a three-game series at Haymarket Park beginning Friday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts host the Fort Worth Cats on Monday, May 30th to open a seven-game homestand. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1170.html#1337257737 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1170.html WICHITA, KS- New for the 2011 season, the Wichita Wingnuts are offering 'Dollar Days' for all five of their Monday home games, as well as one Monday during the National Baseball Congress World Series. General admission tickets (regularly priced at 5.00) for all six 'Dollar Days with the Wingnuts' will cost just 1.00. Select concession items, including hot dogs, soda, chips, candy, and ice cream sanwiches will be priced at 1.00 for each 'Dollar Day'. The Wingnuts' gift shop will have a variety of items available for 1.00 throughout the 'Dollar Day' season, beginning with mini bats of any color on Monday, May 30th versus Fort Worth. 2011 'Dollar Days With the Wingnuts' Dates (all events are scheduled for 7:05 p.m.) Monday, May 30th - Wichita Wingnuts vs. Fort Worth Cats Monday, June 13th - Wichita Wingnuts vs. Shreveport-Bossier Captains Monday, June 27th - Wichita Wingnuts vs. El Paso Diablos Monday, July 11th - Wichita Wingnuts vs. Shreveport-Bossier Captains Monday, July 25th - Wichita Wingnuts vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Monday, August 8th - National Baseball Congress World Series - Day 10 For tickets to any of the 'Dollar Days With the Wingnuts', or any other remaining home game for the 2011 season, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the team's official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1172.html#1337257738 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1172.html GARY, IN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 in 12 innings to the Gary SouthShore RailCats at US Steel Yard on Tuesday afternoon. The Wingnuts rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game, but Jeff Beaucham's RBI single in the bottom of the 12th allowed Gary to squeak out the win. Brad Boyer led off the bottom of the 12th with a triple to right field off of David Miller. After Cristian Guerrero walked, Beaucham singled through the left side to snap the Wingnuts' four-game winning streak. Trailing 3-0, and with two outs and no one on in the top of the ninth, Jorge Delgado was hit by a pitch to extend the game. Josh Workman reached on an infield single to put runners on first and second, and then Edwin Bellorin bounced a single through the right side that cut the RailCats' lead to 3-1. Mike Conroy doubled into the right field corner to score the tying runs and send the game to extra innings. Wichita had several chances to bring in the go-ahead run over the 10th, 11th, and 12th frames, but were unable to take their first lead of the game. Gary scratched out two runs against starting pitcher Jonathan Ellis in the bottom of the second. A hit batsman, single, and walk loaded the bases with no outs. Ellis then hit Adam Klein to force home the game's first run. Mike Massaro made it 2-0 on an infield single with a slow roller to the left of the mound. Ellis recovered and retired the next three hitters to prevent any further scoring. Ellis went six innings, allowing just the two earned runs on three hits. Ellis walked five and struck out two. In the bottom of the seventh, Gary scored again on a two-out, RBI single to center from Guerrero to make it 3-0. RailCats' starter Derek Gordon pitched seven scoreless innings and took a no-decision, allowing eight hits and two walks. Jared Simon pitched two scoreless relief innings for the Wingnuts. The Wingnuts and RailCats finish their series on Wednesday morning at 11:10 a.m. Trent Lare goes to the mound for Wichita against right-hander Scott Shaw. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1168.html#1337257739 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1168.html GARY, IN- The Wichita Wingnuts won their fourth game in a row on Monday night, beating the Gary SouthShore RailCats 6-5 at US Steel Yard. Jorge Cortes hit two home runs and drove in four, while Nick Singleton improved to 4-0 witheight strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Josh Dew recorded a four-out save to preserve the win, escaping jams in both the eighth and ninth innings. With the Wingnuts leading 6-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Dew came on with first and second and two outs. After Dew walked Toddric Johnson to load the bases, the Wingnuts' closer came back and retired Mike Rohde on a popup into short right that was caught by second baseman Evan Button. With one out in the ninth, Chris Carrara reached first on an infield single and moved to second when Adam Klein reached on an error charged to Jorge Delgado. Mike Massaro hit a groundball to short that Josh Horn used to start a force play at second. Evan Button's return throw to first went over the head of Delgado and allowed Carrara to score Gary SouthShore's fifth run. With the tying run on first and two outs, Dew struck out Kyle Haines to end the ballgame and earn his league-leading fifth save. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the second, the Wingnuts plated four runs to take their first lead of the night. Mike Conroy singled through the left side and advanced to third on Button's hit-and-run single through the right side. After Horn walked, Conroy scored on a shallow fly to right hit by Ryan Patterson that cut the lead to 2-1. Cortes was next and hit a towering, three-run home run just inside the right field foul pole to give Wichita a 4-2 lead. The Wingnuts added a run in the top of the fifth when Juan Richardson's double play ball with first and third and no outs scored Patterson. Cortes made it 6-2 Wichita with a line drive solo home run down the right field line in the seventh. Singleton retired 10 batters in a row after allowing an infield single to Cristian Guerrero in the first. Singleton allowed three earned runs in 6.1 IP, walking two and allowing just five hits. The RailCats chipped away at the Wingnuts lead scoring twice in the seventh on RBI from Rohde and Carrara. Gary scored twice in the first to take a 2-0 lead on an RBI triple from Massaro and a sacrifice fly by Haines. Nolan Nicholson took the loss for Gary, allowing five earned runs in five innings. The Wingnuts and RailCats continue their series Tuesday morning at 11:10 a.m. Jonathan Ellis opposes Gary left-hander Derrick Gordon. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open a seven-game homestand on Monday, May 30th against the Fort Worth Cats. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1167.html#1337257740 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1167.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts completed a three-game sweep of the El Paso Diablos, winning 19-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Wichita set a new team record for runs in a single game for the second time in nine days, and for a third time in 10 games this season, all nine of the Wingnuts starters collected at least one hit. The Wingnuts scored five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-0 lead and never looked back. Juan Richardson was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a walk to Jorge Delgado. Josh Workman singled home the first run of the game with a groundball through the right side. Michael Conroy followed with a line drive single to right that scored Delgado. With runners on first and second and still no outs, Jeff Stevens laid down a sacrifice attempt to the left side of the infield. Diablos' starter Wardell Starling barehanded the ball, but threw over the reach of third baseman Martin Parra. The errant throw allowed Workman to score and gave the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Evan Button followed Stevens' at bat in the second with a double off the right field fence that plated Conroy with the Wingnuts' fourth run. Josh Horn capped off the rally with an RBI single through the right side. Richardson homered well over the left-center field wall leading off the third, and then the Wingnuts added two more against Starling in the fourth on a Ryan Patterson RBI single and a wild pitch thrown by reliever Alfredo Caballero. Starling lasted 3.2 innings and was charged with the loss, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on seven hits. Wichita scored six more runs in the fifth, highlighted by two-run hits from Horn and Patterson. Jorge Cortes and Richardson added RBI in the frame as well. Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson threw six shutout innings to earn his second win in as many starts this season. Hinson scattered four hits and struck out eight while allowing just one walk. After El Paso scratched out a run in the seventh against David Miller, Thomas Fitzgerald doubled home a run in the bottom half to make it 15-1. Two batters later, Workman singled through the right side to drive in two more. The Diablos scored another run in the eighth, and again, the Wingnuts answered back with two in their half. Patterson and Cortes knocked in runs with outs to make it 19-2. Eric Gilliland pitched a scoreless ninth to finish the game. The Wingnuts head to Gary, IN for a three-game series against the RailCats beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton is scheduled to start against right-hander Nolan Nicholson. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home for a seven-game homestand on Monday, May 30th when they host the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1166.html#1337257741 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1166.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 8-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. In the Wingnuts' regularly scheduled game against El Paso, Junior Guerra led the Wingnuts with seven strong innings to earn his first win of the season. Guerra allowed just one earned run on three hits, walked one, and struck out three. Guerra retired the leadoff hitter in every inning, and retired the first two hitters in each of the first six. The right-hander needed only 93 pitches to get through seven full innings. After falling behind 1-0 on a Gerardo Avila home run in the top of the second, the Wingnuts rallied for six runs in the bottom of the inning against left-handed starter Josh Blanco. Josh Workman drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third when Edwin Bellorin doubled to the right-center field fence. Mike Conroy walked to load the bases, and after Blanco struck out Evan Button, Josh Horn singled through the left side to give Wichita a 2-1 lead. Blanco retired Ryan Patterson on a flyball to right field, but back-to-back two-out walks to Jorge Cortes and Juan Richardson forced in Wichita's third run. Jorge Delgado followed with a two-run single to left field that made it 5-1 Wingnuts. A bases loaded walk to Edwin Bellorin later in the inning increased the lead to 6-1. Delgado was hit by a pitch with two outs in the fourth, and after stealing second base, was driven home when Workman doubled into the right field corner. Patterson plated the Wingnuts' eighth run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly. El Paso scratched out two runs against David Miller in the eighth on a two-out, bouncing ball single to center from Chad Gabriel. Avila hit his second home run of the night leading off the ninth against Brandon Mathes. El Paso scored once more on a wild pitch, but Mathes recorded the final out on Stephen Douglas to lock down the win. Blanco took the loss, allowing six earned runs in two innings, walking six and allowing five hits. The series concludes Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with Ryan Hinson squaring off against right-hander Wardell Starling. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1165.html#1337257742 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1165.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the El Paso Diablos 9-8 in 15 innings in the completion of Friday night's suspended game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 15th, Jeff Stevens snapped an 8-8 tie with a drive to deep left-center field that landed past a drawn in Diablos' outfield. The Wingnuts entered the frame trailing 8-7, but Ryan Patterson led off with a home run to left field against El Paso righty Alfredo Caballero. Caballero issued walks to Jorge Cortes, Jorge Delgado, and Josh Workman to set up Stevens' game-winning hit. El Paso had taken the lead in the top of the 15th when Arnoldo Ponce was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded by Cephas Howard. The game was suspended after 14 complete innings last night due to the league's curfew rule. The 15th-inning comeback by Wichita was their third rally in which they entered facing their final three outs. The official game time finished at five hours and 22 minutes, breaking the American Association mark of 5:02 set by Shreveport-Bossier and Pensacola on May 31st of last year. Singleton earned the win in relief and is now 3-0 on the season. The Wingnuts also set an American Association single-game record with 22 total strikeouts. -Wingnuts- Sat, 21 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1164.html#1337257743 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1164.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts and El Paso Diablos had their game suspended after 14 innings due to the American Association's curfew rule at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. The score is tied at 7-7 and the game will resume in the top of the 15th inning at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the regularly scheduled game between Wichita and El Paso to follow. Twice, the Wingnuts rallied to tie the game while down to their final three outs. Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the 14th, Josh Workman drew a leadoff walk against Jorge Crespo who was working in his fourth inning. After Workman stole second base, Edwin Bellorin singled up the middle to tie the game. Reliever Alfredo Caballero was brought on after an error by shortstop Arnoldo Ponce and escaped further trouble when Josh Horn grounded into an inning-ending double play. El Paso had taken the lead in the top of the inning on a two-out, RBI single to left-center by Manny Mejia against Cephas Howard. Wichita trailed 6-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but rallied for three runs against Diablos' closer Scott Vander Weg. Thomas Fitzgerald opened the frame with a double and scored on Josh Horn's single to right. Ryan Patterson singled Horn to second and both advanced a base on a double steal. With second and third and one out, Juan Richardson and Jorge Delgado drew back-to-back walks, the latter of which cut the lead to 6-5. Vander Weg struck out Workman for the second out, but walked Bellorin with the bases loaded to force home the tying run. The Diablos led three batters into the game when Chad Gabriel hit a two-run home run to left against Wingnuts' starter Trent Lare. RBI hits from Richardson in the first and Delgado in the third tied the game, but Albenis Machado's two-run home run down the left field line gave the Diablos a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth. Kyle Nichols hit a solo home run to left-center in the fifth to increase the lead to three runs. After Workman drove in a run with a groundout in the sixth, Nichols hit a two-out, RBI single to left-center in the seventh to give El Paso its second three-run lead of the night. In the bottom of the third, Jorge Cortes doubled down the left field line for the 1,000th hit of his professional career. Trent Lare started for the Wingnuts and allowed five earned runs in six innings while striking out four. Cardoza Tucker will also take a no-decision in the game, allowing three earned runs in 5.1 innings. Josh Dew worked 2.2 hitless, scoreless relief innings over the 11th through 13th innings, notching six strikeouts. Jared Simon worked 2.1 scoreless frames from the ninth into the 11th. Through the first 14 innings, Wingnuts' pitchers have combined for an American Association record 21 strikeouts. The Wingnuts and Diablos continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Junior Guerra takes the ball against El Paso lefty Josh Blanco. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1162.html#1337257744 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1162.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-1 to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Wednesday afternoon. Cats' Right-hander Wade Mackey pitched a complete game two-hitter in his first professional start to earn the win. Mackey walked three and struck out one, and finished the game on 89 pitches. Fort Worth scored first for the first time in the series, plating two runs in the opening inning. Soft groundballs through the left side from Jeremy Sauceda and Marcos Rodriguez were followed by a bloop single to right by Travis Metcalf that loaded the bases. John Allen drove in a run, hitting into a double play that made it 1-0, and then Trent Lockwood scored Rodriguez with a two-out, infield single to shortstop. The Wingnuts scratched out a run in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to center from Jorge Delgado, but the Cats extended their lead with four in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Derek Kinzler reached on an infield single up the middle and moved to second when Cory Morales walked. Cameron Monger broke the game open with a three-run home run to left field to give the Cats a 5-1 lead. Metcalf added a two-out, RBI single later in the frame for the Cats' sixth run. Trent Lockwood hit a towering, wind-aided home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-1. Jonathan Ellis was charged with six earned runs in four innings and took the loss in his Wingnuts' debut. Ellis struck out three, walked two, and allowed 12 hits. David Miller worked a scoreless eighth for the Wingnuts. Ryan Patterson had a 12-game hitting streak snapped that dated back to last season. Cortes' hit was the 998th of his professional career. The Wingnuts finish their season-opening road trip 5-2, having each of their first two series. The Wingnuts now return home for their 2011 home opener versus the El Paso Diablos. Trent Lare is expected to start against Diablos' right-hander Cardoza Tucker. For tickets to Friday's game, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1161.html#1337257745 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1161.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts won 3-1 over the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Tuesday night. Nick Singleton tossed six shutout innings to earn the win, while Josh Dew notched his league-leading fourth save with a scoreless bottom of the ninth. With the game tied 0-0, Ryan Patterson opened the fourth inning with a single to center field against former Wingnuts' right-hander Derek Blacksher. Jorge Cortes and Juan Richardson followed with consecutive walks to load the bases with no outs. Jorge Delgado jumped on a first pitch and lined a two-run single to left field to break the scoreless tie. Later in the inning, Edwin Bellorin added an RBI single through the right side to make it 3-0. In the bottom half of the inning, two singles and a walk allowed the Cats to load the bases with no outs. Singleton recovered though, striking out Cory Morales and Jeremy Sauceda back-to-back, and then retiring Brian Fryer on a popup to first base to escape the inning unscathed. Singleton struck out six and scattered five hits en route to his second win of the season. Sauceda cut the lead to 3-1 with a leadoff home run in the seventh against Jared Simon, but Simon recovered and ended the inning without further damage. Cephas Howard bounced back from Sunday evening at Amrillo, working a perfect eighth that included a strikeout of Kelley Gulledge. The Cats loaded the bases against Dew in the ninth, but the Wingnuts' right-hander struck out former Major Leaguer Travis Metcalf on three pitches to strand the tying and winning runs on base. The Wingnuts and Cats conclude their series on Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Newly-signed righty John Ellis goes to the mound against Cats' left-hander Mike Bacsik. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1160.html#1337257746 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1160.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed right-handed pitcher Jonathan Ellis on Tuesday. Ellis is in his eighth season of professional baseball and owns a lifetime record of 31-26 with a 3.90 ERA in 395.0 innings of work. Ellis pitched in the Atlantic League last season, splitting time with Somerset and Camden. The 28-year old righty was a combined 4-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 24 games, 10 as a starter, and struck out 51 in 62.1 IP. A native of Charleston, SC, Ellis was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round in 2004 out of The Citadel. Ellis spent six years in the Padres' organization, four of which were spent at the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Mostly a reliever throughout his professional career, Ellis is expected to join the Wingnuts' rotation. Ellis was a starter during his college days at The Citadel, which included a 12-2 mark in his junior season in 2004. The 6-foot, 205-pound Ellis struck out 131 in 136.1 IP that spring with a 2.18 ERA. Ellis is scheduled to take the ball on Wednesday morning in the Wingnuts' series finale at Fort Worth. The Wingnuts recently placed Dan Grybash on the Inactive List after the right-hander left his start last Friday in the bottom of the first inning. American Association players must remain on the Inactive List for at least 30 days. The Wingnuts continue their series against the Fort Worth Cats tonight at 7:05 p.m. 2008 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year Nick Singleton faces 2009 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year Derek Blacksher. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1159.html#1337257747 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1159.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-7 to the Amarillo Sox at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Sunday evening. Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth, a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out for the Sox. Chris Nash hit a bloop single to left that made it 7-5. Tim Alberts followed with a game-ending three-run double to right-center field off of Cephas Howard that prevented the Wingnuts from completing a four-game sweep to start the season. The Wingnuts started quick on Sunday, scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the first. Josh Horn reached base in the game's first plate appearance for a fourth straight night, lining a single to left field. Ryan Patterson doubled into the left field corner to score Horn and give Wichita a 1-0 lead. After Patterson moved to third on Jorge Cortes' groundout to first, Juan Richardson scorched a base hit past third baseman Adam De La Garza to make it 2-0. Two batters later, Josh Workman tripled to the right-center field wall to score Richardson from first. Amarillo took the lead with a four-run fourth. With the bases loaded and one out, Fehlandt Lentini hit into a force play at second that scored Tim Alberts' with the Sox' first run. Matthew Tucker walked to re-load the bases, and then Cyle Hankerd doulbed off the bottom of the fence in right field to clear the bases and make it 4-3. The Wingnuts re-gained the lead in the top of the seventh. Horn singled off the glove of first baseman Chris Nash to start the rally and immediately scored on Patterson's hit and run triple down the left field line. Jorge Cortes drove in Patterson with the lead run, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field. Thomas Fitzgerald's two-out, RBI single in the top of the eighth gave Wichita a 6-4 lead. Richardson drove in the Wingnuts' seventh run with an RBI single that plated Patterson in the ninth. Patterson led off the inning with a triple to center field. Howard took the loss, allowing four earned runs in 0.2 IP. Brandon Mathes worked 2.2 outstanding relief innings, allowing no runs and striking out three. Junior Guerra started for the Wingnuts and allowed four earned runs in five innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision. Lee Henry earned the win in relief for the Sox, pitching the top of the ninth. The Wingnuts now travel to Fort Worth to open a three-game series against the Cats. Lefty Ryan Hinson takes the mound on Monday at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1157.html#1337257748 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1157.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts won 12-5 over the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Monday night. Juan Richardson nearly hit for the cycle, while left-hander Ryan Hinson became the first Wingnuts' starter this season to earn a victory. For a third time in five games, the Wingnuts pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning. Josh Horn reached base in the opening plate appearance for a fifth straight game, walking against Cats' starter Gary Lee. Jorge Cortes drew a one-out walk to put runners on first and second, which set up a two-run triple down the right field line for Juan Richardson that gave the Wingnuts a 2-0 lead. Jorge Delgado drove in Richardson with an RBI single through the right side. The Cats threatened in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 3-1 on an RBI single from John Allen. But Hinson limited the damage, and induced an inning-ending force play on Cory Morales to leave the bases loaded. Hinson worked around a leadoff double from Derek Kinzler in the second to keep the Wingnuts ahead by two. Wichita broke the game open in the third, scoring four times. Horn, Ryan Patterson, Cortes, and Richardson opened the inning with consecutive singles, with the latter two driving in runs. After the Wingnuts loaded the bases, Josh Workman and Edwin Bellorin hit back-to-back sacrifice flies that opened a 7-1 lead. Facing reliever Tyler Seamon in the fourth, Wichita extended its lead even further with a five-run frame. Richardson doubled home Patterson from first base with one out to make it 8-1. A bases loaded walk to Bellorin forced home the Wingnuts' ninth run, while Mike Conroy capped off the team's offensive attack with a three-run triple to the right-center field fence. Conroy made a spectacular play in the bottom of the third. After Travis Metcalf grounded a ball down the left field line and towards the Wingnuts' bullpen, Conroy crossed into foul territory, retrieved the ball, and made an off-balance, line drive throw to Thomas Fitzgerald at second base who tagged out Metcalf by several feet. In the top of the fifth, and with a triple, single, and double to his credit, Richardson crushed a line drive that hit off the upper part of the left field wall, narrowly missing the home run needed to complete the cycle. Hinson worked six full innings, allowing two earned runs on nine hits. Hinson struck out five and walked four. David Miller pitched the final three innings to earn the save, allowing three earned runs. Lee took the loss, allowing seven earned runs in 3.0 IP. Seamon worked five full innings in long relief. The Wingnuts and Cats continue their series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton makes his second start of the year and will be opposed by former Wingnuts' righty Derek Blacksher. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1158.html#1337257749 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1158.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Amarillo Sox 17-16 at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Saturday night. For a second straight night, all nine of the Wingnuts' starter had at least one hit. The 17 runs scored set a new franchise record for a single game. First baseman Jorge Delgado made a game-saving catch in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, preventing the Sox from completing a comeback from six runs down after seven and a half innings. With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Josh Dew faced Matthew Tucker who scorched a low line drive towards the right side of the infield. Delgado made a headlong dive to his right and reached across his body to make the catch. Amarillo trailed 17-11 heading into the bottom of the eighth when Thomas Fitzgerald was moved from left field to pitcher to help rest a tired Wingnuts' bullpen. The Sox scratched out two runs against Fitzgerald in the eighth to make it 17-13. After Fitzgerald retired the first two hitters in the ninth, two infield singles and a walk loaded the bases. Closer Josh Dew entered his third consecutive game and allowed an RBI single to Jason White and a two-run bloop double down the left field line to Fehlandt Lentini before retiring Tucker to end the game. Relief pitcher Brandon Mathes played left field over the final two innings after Fitzgerald came into pitch. The Wingnuts themselves trailed twice by four runs, and trailed 11-9 heading into the top of the eighth. Wichita rallied for eight runs in the inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Edwin Bellorin that gave Wichita a 13-9 lead. A throwing error from catcher Kevin Butler, along with RBI from Josh Horn, Ryan Patterson, and Delgado helped round out the eight-run outburst. The Sox scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a two-out, RBI single from Lee Cruz. After the Wingnuts tied it in the second on Evan Button's two-out RBI hit, Lentini singled through the right side with two outs to make it 2-1 Amarillo. Jorge Delgado hit a two-run home run in the top of the third that gave Wichita a 3-2 lead, and the Wingnuts added an unearned run in the fourth on an error charged to second baseman Matthew Tucker. Amarillo moved back in front with a six-run fourth against Wingnuts' starter Trent Lare. The big hit came from Cruz, who hit a three-run double to left-center field. After the teams traded runs in the fifth, the Wingnuts scored four times in the top of the sixth to tie it at 9-9. Patterson and Mike Conroy hit sacrifice flies, while Josh Workman singled home two runs to contribute to the rally. Wingnuts' starting pitcher Nick Singleton worked the top of the seventh, and allowed two earned runs that gave the Sox an 11-9 advantage. Singleton earned the win after the Wingnuts' rally in the eighth. Lare took a no-decision, allowing eight runs, seven earned, in four innings. Lare struck out the final two batters to face him in the fourth to strand the bases loaded and keep Wichita within four runs. Colin Allen started for the Sox and also took a no-decision, allowing five runs, four earned, in five innings. Brian Oliver suffered the loss, allowing all eight runs in the top of the eighth. Wichita and Amarillo complete their season-opening series on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Junior Guerra goes to the mound against Sox' righty Ryan Mitchell. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1156.html#1337257750 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1156.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Amarillo Sox 12-11 at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Friday night. The Wingnuts used seven pitchers, totaled 19 hits, and overcame two four-run deficits to pull out the win. 10 Wingnuts' position players had at least one hit in the game. With the game tied 10-10 in the top of the eighth, Josh Workman led off with a single through the middle. Workman advanced to second on Edwin Bellorin's hit-and-run groundout, and scored when Mike Conroy tripled to the fence in center field. Conry came home with an insurance run on Evan Button's second sacrifice fly of the night. Cephas Howard worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, helped by a huge defensive play by Juan Richardson. With the tying runs in scoring position and two out, Richardson snared Cyle Hankerd's sharp one-hopper to the left side of the infield, before throwing to first to end the inning. Kevin Butler hit an RBI single against Josh Dew in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to 12-11, but Dew retired Adam De La Garza on a flyout to left field that ended the four-hour and 15-minute ballgame. The Sox scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first, helped by three errors charged to the Wingnuts' infield. With one out, Matthew Tucker reached when Button's throw to first went into the Wingnuts dugout. Hankerd followed and reached first when Jorge Delgado dropped Richardson's throw from third base on a ground ball. After Lee Cruz flied out to left, Chris Nash loaded the bases, reaching on an error charged to Richardson. Tim Alberts and Butler then drew back-to-back walks to force home two runs. Following the walk to Butler, Wingnuts' starter Dan Grybash was removed from the game due to an apparent injury. In the top of the second, Delgado led off with a double down the left field line and scored on a bloop single into short left from Workman. Amarillo scored three more runs in their half of the second. Jason White, Fehlandt Lentini, and Tucker drew consecutive walks to open the inning. After Brandon Mathes retired Hankerd on a line drive to second, Cruz worked out another bases loaded walk to make it 3-1. David Miller relieved Mathes and faced Chris Nash, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right that extended the Sox' lead to 4-1. Amarillo made it 5-1 when Tim Alberts' infield single plated Tucker. Two-out, RBI singles in the third inning from Delgado and Workman cut the lead to 5-3, but Amarillo pushed across two more in their half on another bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. The Wingnuts made it a one-run ballgame with a three-run fourth. Button singled through the left side with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Horn drove in Button with a single to center field. After a double by Ryan Patterson that moved Horn to third, Thomas Fitzgerald, who subbed into the game for Jorge Cortes, singled home Horn. Richardson added a sacrifice fly to make it 7-6. Cortes left early in the game after an apparent injury on a first-inning pickoff attempt. Button hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game in the top of the fifth, but consecutive, two-out RBI doubles from Hankerd and Cruz in the bottom half put Amarillo back in front 9-7. The Wingnuts finally took their first lead of the night in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs. Fitzgerald, Richardson, and Delgado hit three straight long doubles to knot the game at 9-9. Bellorin hit a two-out single up the middle later in the inning for the lead run. Amarillo re-tied it in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out, RBI single from Jason White. Jared Simon earned the win, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings and collecting four strikeouts. Simon fanned Butler with the bases loaded in the seventh to end the inning and keep the game tied. Tyler Pearson took the loss, allowing the two earned runs in the top of the eighth. The Wingnuts combined for 10 walks allowed and committed four errors on defense in the win. Horn, Patterson, Fitzgerald, Delgado, Workman, and Bellorin all had multi-hit nights. The Wingnuts and Sox play game three of their four-game series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Trent Lare takes the ball for Wichita and will face right-hander Colin Allen. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1155.html#1337257751 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1155.html AMARILLO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts won 5-3 in 10 innings over the Amarillo Sox at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium on Thursday night. Five Wingnuts relievers combined for five shutout innings helping set up a 10th inning rally that decided the game. Tied at 3-3, Josh Horn worked out a leadoff walk against Sox' reliever Tyler Pearson. Ryan Patterson laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt toward third that Cristobal Santana threw wild down the right field line. After the ball was ruled out of play, Horn was awarded third and Patterson second. Jorge Cortes worked ahead in the count 2-0 and was eventually intentionally walked. Juan Richardson then singled to right-center, plating Horn and Patterson. Josh Dew worked the bottom of the 10th, retiring the side in order on eight pitches. The Wingnuts manufactured three runs in the top of the first. Horn drew a leadoff walk and was singled to second by Ryan Patterson. After Sox' starter Matt Elliott struck out Cortes, Horn and Patterson executed a double steal. Richardson walked to load the bases, and then Jorge Delgado hit a tapper towards third base that Cristobal Santana threw down the right field line. Horn and Patterson scored to give Wichita a 2-0 lead. Josh Workman added an RBI groundout later in the inning to make it 3-0. Cortes made a key defensive play in the bottom of the first when leadoff hitter Fehlandt Lentini tried stretching a double into a triple. Lentini's pop fly fell inside the right field line and off the glove of second baseman Evan Button. With a hustling Lentini rounding second, Cortes backed up the play and fired to third to nab Lentini by a healthy margin. Amarillo cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third, collecting RBI singles from Lentini and Matthew Tucker. Nick Singleton recovered to strike out Cyle Henkerd and Lee Cruz back-to-back to end the inning and strand the tying run on third base. In the bottom of the fourth, Adam De La Garza doubled to deep right field to score Chris Nash with the tying run. Singleton struck out seven and allowed three earned runs in five innings in his first start since July 29th of last season. Singleton took a no-decision. Brandon Mathes, Jared Simon, Eric Gilliland, Cephas Howard, and Dew all combined to shut down the Sox' offense through the late innings. Pearson took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, in 1.0+ innings. Matt Elliott started for Amarillo and allowed one earned run in six frames. The Wingnuts and Sox continue their series Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Dan Grybash makes his Wingnuts' debut and opposes right-hander Justin Garcia. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1154.html#1337257752 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1154.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux City Explorers 5-2 in their final exhibition game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Junior Guerra pitched five shutout innings to earn the win while Josh Workman and Juan Richardson each homered to support the offense. Wichita took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Josh Horn chopped a single up the middle to lead off the frame and scored one batter later when Ryan Patterson doubled to the fence in left-center. Patterson advanced to third on a grounout and came home on an RBI groundout by Richardson. Workman hit a monstrous home run leading off the second to make it 3-0. Workman's shot went to dead center field and struck the top of the batter's eye. The X's cut into the lead in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run from Ray Serrano. With the Wingnuts still leading 3-2 in the eighth, Jorge Cortes drew a two-out walk. Richardson followed with a long home run to left-center to give Wichita some breathing room. Guerra struck out four and walked none while scattering six hits. Guerra finishes the spring with eight shutout innings. Matthew Rossignol started for the Explorers and took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 4.0 innings. David Miller, Cephas Howard, and Josh Dew each threw a scoreless relief inning, with Dew earning the save. The teams agreed to play the bottom of the ninth inning where the Wingnuts added another run on a Workman RBI double. The Wingnuts finish their exhibition schedule 2-1-1 The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Individual tickets, season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1153.html#1337257753 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1153.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' outfielder Brent Clevlen has been purchased by the Cincinnati Reds' organization. Clevlen, who spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues, signed with the Wingnuts in late-April. The 27-year old Clevlen hit two home runsin four Spring Training games, and is expected to report to Triple-A Louisville. Clevlen is now the ninth Wingnuts player purchased by a Major League organization, and the fifth in 2011. All-Time Wingnuts Signed by Major League Organizations 2008 - OF Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies 2010 - RHP Will Savage, Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 - RHP Ben Graham, Washington Nationals 2010 - LHP Justin Dowdy, Tampa Bay Rays 2011 - OF Ryan Patterson, Arizona Diamondbacks 2011 - LHP Dustin Pease, San Diego Padres 2011 - RHP Cephas Howard, Texas Rangers 2011 - OF Kenny Gilbert, Chicago White Sox 2011 - OF Brent Clevlen, Cincinnati Reds The Wingnuts also trimmed their roster to 21 players after Saturday's practice session. The team released infielder Jason Diaz, catcher Ben Harty, as well as pitchers John Holdzkom, David Miller, and Anthony Shawler. The Wingnuts may add up to 23 players in time for their season opener on Thursday. American Association rosters must be cut down to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. The Wingnuts complete their exhibition schedule on Tuesday when they host the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are just 7.00 general admission and may be purchased at the Wingnuts' office, or at the gate the night of the event. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Individual tickets, season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sun, 08 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1152.html#1337257754 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1152.html KANSAS CITY, MO- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-4 to the Kansas City T-Bones in an exhibition game at Community America Ballpark on Friday night. The T-Bones took an early lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. Keanon Simon led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a single to center from Jimmy Mojica. Rico Washington then singled to right, bringing home Simon with the game's first run. After Ray Sadler walked to load the bases, Wingnuts' starter Anthony Shawler got Dwayne White to hit into a double play that scored Mojica from third base. Later in the inning, Brian Joynt bounced a single through the left side to make it 3-0. The T-Bones fourth run came on an error charged to third baseman Juan Richardson. Richardson doubled leading off the second, moved to third on a flyball, and then scored on Jorge Delgado's sacrifice fly to left. In the bottom of the second, and with a runner on third and two outs, center fielder Brent Clevlen saved a run by diving toward the outfield fence and robbing Ray Sadler of an extra base hit. White led off the bottom of the third with a home run to straightaway center to make it 5-1 Kansas City. Trailing 5-1 in the top of the eighth, Josh Horn doubled and took third on a wild pitch. After Ryan Patterson drew a walk, Clevlen crushed a three-run home run to right-center field to bring the Wingnuts within one. Kansas City re-extended its lead in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to RBI hits from White and Joynt. The T-Bones eighth run of the night came on a wild pitch thrown by Reyes Dorado. Shawler allowed five runs, four earned, in three innings of work, while taking the loss. Shawler walked two and struck out none. Reid Santos started for the T-Bones, allowing one earned run in three innings. Cole Akins worked two strong innings in relief of Shawler, striking out two and not allowing a run. Brandon Mathes and David Miller each threw a scoreless relief inning. The teams agreed to complete the bottom of the ninth. Cephas Howard saw his first game action of the spring and struck out the side. The Wingnuts are now 2-1-1 during the pre-season. Wichita's exhibition schedule wraps up on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. versus Sioux City. Tickets for the game are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at either the Wingnuts' office or at the gate the night of the game. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1151.html#1337257755 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1151.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts would like to remind everyone about their inaugural Open House on Saturday, May 7th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Fans of all ages are invited to attend the free event, which will feature Wingnuts' players, coaches, and front office staff. The Open House offers everyone a sneak peak at the various renovation projects that have taken place at the ballpark. Since late 2010, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium has undergone several exciting changes, including the installation of state-of-the-art field turf on both the infield and outfield, repairing of chairbacks in the lower box seating bowl, painting and replacement of outfield and foul territory wall pads, expansion and restructuring of dugouts, and installation of a new lighting system. Sports Radio 1410 KGSO will be hosting a live remote during the Open House from 2:00-4:00 p.m. May 7th also marks the first day that single game tickets for the 2011 season go on sale to the public. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Open House. The Wingnuts continue their 2011 exhibition schedule tonight when they face the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark. Pre-season action concludes Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when the Wingnuts host the Sioux City Explorers. Tickets for the exhibition are just 7.00 general admission, and can be purchased at the Wingnuts' front office or at the gate the night of the game. The Wingnuts open the 2011 regular season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1150.html#1337257756 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1150.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 8-1 in an exhibition game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday afternoon. With the game scoreless after three innings, the Wingnuts erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. Juan Richardson led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on Jorge Cortes' single to right-center. After Jorge Delgado was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Josh Workman lifted a sacrifice fly to left that plated Richardson with the game's first run. Jeff Stevens singled to re-load the bases which set up a walk to Evan Button that made it 3-0. Later in the inning, and with the bases again loaded, Brent Clevlen reached first on an infield single that scored the Wingnuts' fourth run of the inning. Juan Richardson broke things open with a long double to left-center that scored Josh Horn, Ryan Patterson, and Clevlen. Cortes tripled off the right field wall leading off the bottom of the fifth and came home on Workman's RBI groundout to first base. Kansas City scratched out its lone run in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from Gabriel Suarez. Junior Guerra continued the positive trend of Wingnuts' starters this spring, blanking the T-Bones for three innings and allowing just one hit. Guerra struck out two and walked one. Ryan Hinson relieved Guerra and earned the win, pitching three shutout frames. Josh Dew closed out the win with a scoreless ninth. Stewart took the loss, allowing all eight runs in 2.0 innings. Mike Rocco worked three scoreless innings in his start for Kansas City. Cortes, Richardson, and Stevens each had two hits. The Wingnuts continue their exhibition schedule tomorrow night when they play the T-Bones in Kansas City at Community America Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Wichita's final spring match is on Tuesday, May 10th versus the Sioux City Explorers. Tickets for the 7:05 p.m. game are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased both at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium or at the game the night of the event. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1149.html#1337257757 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1149.html EMPORIA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 10-8 over Emporia State University in an exhibition game at Glennen Field on Tuesday night. Josh Horn and Jorge Delgado each collected three hits and combined for three RBI, while Josh Workman continued his hot start to the spring by going 2 for 2. Already leading 1-0, the Wingnuts broke the game open with three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Evan Button, Horn, and Ryan Patterson each drove in a run during the Wingnuts' fourth inning rally, while Delgado, Edwin Bellorin, and Jason Diaz knocked in runs in the fifth to open a 6-1 lead. The Hornets plated four in the bottom of the seventh to make it 7-5, with Andy Cotton, Dill Hazlett, and Rudy Weiser each driving in runs. Wichita re-extended its lead with a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth, before staving off another Emporia State Rally in the bottom of the final frame. Thomas Fitzgerald singled home Diaz in the eighth to make it 8-5. Jeff Stevens and Horn chipped in one RBI each in the top of the ninth. Hazlett hit an RBI single in the bottom half to trim the lead to 10-6. Karsten Strelliof hit a two-run double later in the inning to make it 10-8, but Wingnuts' reliever Reyes Dorado retired the next three hitters to preserve the win. Dan Grybash earned the win in a designated split, tossing three scoreless innings in the start. Grybash struck out two and walked one. Derek Brooks took the loss, also in a designated split, yielding one earned run in three innings. Trent Lare allowed one unearned run in three relief innings, taking over for Grybash in the fourth. Eric Gilliland worked one scoreless relief inning for Wichita. Delgado and Jorge Cortes each scored two runs. Horn stole two bases. Button and Diaz each had one stolen base. The Wingnuts are now 1-0-1 on the spring. The Wingnuts spring training schedule continues on Thursday afternoon when they host the Kansas City T-Bones at 12:05 p.m. Tickets for the game are just 7.00 general admission and may be purchased at the gate the day of the game, or in advance at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1148.html#1337257758 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1148.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed former Wichita State University outfielder Josh Workman on Monday. Workman returns after a brief stint with the Wingnuts last season that was cut short due to injury. Workman is a career .271 hitter with a .368 on-base percentage during three years of professional baseball. An Atchison native and Derby resident, Workman has spent most of the past three seasons in the Detroit Tigers' organization, including a 2009 campaign that saw him bat .297 in 55 games in the High-A Florida State League. We are real excited to get Josh back in a Wingnuts uniform, said manager Kevin Hooper. Unfortunately his season was cut short last year due to injury. He seems to be fully healthy now and, as of today, will open the season as our DH. He is very versatile being able to play multiple positions. Josh is also another local guy that played his college ball at WSU. I am excited for what he can bring to the team, not only on the field but in the clubhouse also. The 6-foot, 220-pound Workman played three seasons at Wichita State, hitting a combined .308 with 12 home runs, 102 RBI, 157 runs scored, and 63 stolen bases in 187 games played. The Tigers selected Workman in the 38th round of the 2008 amateur draft. Now 25-years old, Workman began his career later that summer in the Gulf Coast Rookie League where he scored 17 runs in just 18 games. To make room for Workman, the Wingnuts traded infielder D.J Dixon to the Golden League's Yuma Scorpions. The Wingnuts begin their 2011 exhibition schedule tonight when they take on the Newman University Jets at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field, located on the campus of Wichita State University. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the game are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the gate. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1146.html#1337257759 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1146.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts drew an 8-8 tie against the Newman University Jets in their 2011 spring opener at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field on Monday night. Thomas Fitzgerald doubled down the left field line to score Josh Horn as the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. After an intentional walk to Brent Clevlen, Newman reliever Gage Daniels retired Juan Ricahrdson and Jorge Cortes to end the inning. The teams agreed to end the game following the ninth. Trailing 3-0 in the top of the sixth, the Jets rallied for eight runs to take the lead. With the bases loaded and one out, Corey Cowan singled home two runs to cut the Wingnuts' lead to 3-2. Newman then managed four consecutive walks against John Holdzkom, the last three of which came with the bases loaded. With the Jets now leading 5-3, John Bonebrake singled through the right side to drive in two more runs. Bonebrake took third base on a throwing error and eventually scored on a groundout to second by David Longmore. Wichita cut the deficit to 8-7 with three runs in their half of the sixth. With first and second and two out, Ben Harty singled through the middle to plate Juan Richardson and make it an 8-3 contest. Josh Workman walked to load the bases, setting up a two-run single to right from pinch-hitter Evan Button. Horn capped the rally with a single down the right field line to bring the Wingnuts back within one. The Wingnuts scored the first run of the night in the bottom of the third. Workman doubled to right-center field with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jason Diaz plated Workman on a chopper up the middle that was ruled an error on shortstop Brett Delcombe. Clevlen increased the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run to straightaway center field to lead off the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth, Harty tripled to deep center field and scored on a sharp single up the middle by Workman. Nick Singleton started for the Wingnuts, tossing three scoreless innings. Singleton struck out seven, including the final six batters to face him. Logan Clewes started for Newman and allowed one earned run in three innings. Eric Gilliland, Jared Simon, Brandon Mathes, and Josh Dew combined for 4.2 scoreless relief innings with seven strikeouts. Daniels allowed one earned run in three relief innings. Workman finished the night with a double, triple, and three runs scored. Wichita's exhibition schedule continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when the Wingnuts travel north to battle Emporia State University at Glennen Field. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1147.html#1337257760 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1147.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts' fourth annual media day is scheduled for Monday, May 9th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 1:45 p.m. The 2011 Wichita Wingnuts will be dressed in uniform and available for pictures and interviews on-field. All television, radio, and print media are encouraged to attend. Formal spring training begins Saturday, April 30th at 9:00 a.m. at a location to be determined. The media will be informed when the location is finalized and is invited to attend spring training. Interviews may be conducted at the conclusion of each practice session. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1145.html#1337257761 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1145.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts will host their first annual Open House on Saturday, May 7th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Fans of all ages are invited to attend the free event, which will feature Wingnuts' players, coaches, and staff. This will be the public's first opportunity to see the various renovation projects that have taken place at the ballpark. Since late 2010, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium has undergone several exciting changes, including the installation of state-of-the-art field turf on both the infield and outfield, repairing of lower box seats, replacement of outfield wall pads, expansion of dugouts, and installation of a new lighting system. Sports Radio 1410 KGSO will be hosting a live remote during the Open House from 2:00-4:00 p.m. May 7th also marks the first day that single game tickets for the 2011 season go on sale to the public. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Open House. The Wingnuts continue their inaugural caravan on Thursday, visiting Heartspring at 8700 E. 29th St. North from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and then Heroes Sports Bar and Grill on Mosley St. in Old Town at 12:00 p.m. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1144.html#1337257762 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1144.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts are holding their inaugural team caravan Wednesday, April 27th and Thursday, April 28th. The caravan plans to visit two hospitals on Wednesday, beginning with Wesley Medical Center at Central and Hillside. The team will then visit Via Christi St. Francis Pediatric Unit, located at 929 North St. Francis from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Day two of the caravan begins at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at Heartspring, located at 8700 E. 29th St. North near the intersection of 29th St. and Webb Rd. The event culminates with a meet and greet at Heroes Sporst Bar and Grill on Mosley St. in Old Town. Wingnuts players will be leading the caravan appearances, including Cole Akins, Edwin Bellorin, Jorge Delgado, Josh Horn, Ryan Patterson, Nick Singleton, and manager Kevin Hooper. Wichita Wingnuts 2011 Caravan Schedule: Wednesday, April 27th Wesley Medical Center: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Via Christi St. Francis Pediatric Unit: 11:00-12:00 p.m. Thursday, April 28th Heartspring: 10:00-11:30 a.m. Heroes Sports Bar and Grill: 12:00 p.m. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1143.html#1337257763 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1143.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2011 exhibition schedule on Tuesday. The five-game schedule begins Monday, May 2nd when the Wingnuts take on Newman University at 7:05 p.m. The game will be played at Wichita State University's Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field. Tickets for the event are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the gate the night of the event. On Tuesday, May 3rd, the Wingnuts travel north to take on Emporia State University. First pitch at Glennen Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts get their first look at newly renovated Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday, May 5th when they host the rival Kansas City T-Bones at 12:05 p.m. The Wingnuts and T-Bones battle again the following night at 7:05 p.m. at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City. Pre-season action finishes Tuesday, May 10th when the Wingnuts host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the games at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on May 5th and May 10th are 7.00 general admission at the gate. Fans can also purchase tickets to those contests, as well as the May 2nd match at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field, at the Wingnuts' main office located at 300 S. Sycamore St. 2011 Wichita Wingnuts Exhibition Schedule Monday, May 2nd vs. Newman University - Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field, 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 3rd at Emporia State University - Glennen Field, 7:05 p.m. Thursday, May 5th vs. Kansas City T-Bones - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 12:05 p.m. Friday, May 6th at Kansas City T-Bones - Community America Ballpark, 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 10th vs. Sioux City Explorers - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1142.html#1337257764 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1142.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made a significant, late addition to their roster on Monday, signing former Major League outfielder Brent Clevlen. Since 2006, Clevlen has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues, including three with the Detroit Tigers where he was a teammate of both Wingnuts' owner Nate Robertson and Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Clevlen appeared in four games with the Atlanta Braves last season, while spending most of the year at Triple-A Gwinnett. Now entering his 10th season of professional baseball, Clevlen has totaled 103 home runs and 909 base hits in 993 career games, while averaging 83 RBI for every 162 contests. Brent was a teammate of mine in Detroit and has some big time tools, said Hooper. He will play centerfield more than likely and will hit right in the heart of our order. He has a plus arm in the outfield and some serious power at the plate. Brent will be a guy I really rely on to be a leader, not only on the field, but also in the clubhouse as one of our veterans. Clevlen was originally drafted by the Tigers out of high school in the second round in 2002. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Clevlen started his career later that summer with the Tigers' Gulf Coast League affiliate, and hit .330 with 21 RBI in 28 games. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound outfielder hit 12 home runs the following season for the Midwest League's West Michigan Whitecaps. In 2005, Clevlen was named MVP of the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. That season, and at just 21-years old, Clevlen hit .302 with 18 home runs and 102 RBI for the Lakeland Tigers. The Austin, TX native has reached double digits in home runs in five different seasons, including a career-high 22 for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 2008. Now 27-years old, Clevlen made his Major League debut on July 30th, 2006 at Minnesota, going 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. Two days later, Clevlen cracked his first two Major League home runs during a win at Tampa Bay. Clevlen saw time with the Tigers in each of the next two seasons before resurfacing with the Braves in 2010. The Wingnuts' now have 28 players on their 2011 roster. American Association rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day on May 12th, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button OF Brent Clevlen OF Jorge Cortes 1B Jorge Delgado RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Dan Grybash C Ben Harty LHP Ryan Hinson RHP John Holdzkom SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller OF Ryan Patterson 3B Juan Richardson RHP Anthony Shawler RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1141.html#1337257765 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1141.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two more players to their roster on Friday, re-signing outfielder Jorge Cortes and signing right-handed pitcher John Holdzkom. Cortes was one of the steadiest bats in the Wingnuts' lineup during the second half of 2010. After joining Wichita in early-July, Cortes hit .320 with five home runs and 46 RBI in just 51 games played. The veteran outfielder displayed great patience at the plate, posting a .402 on-base percentage, and drawing 31 walks against 21 strikeouts. The 30-year old Cortes hit safely in 43 of 51 games with the Wingnuts, and was especially dangerous at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where he hit .373. In 59 at bats with runners in scoring position, Cortes hit .424. Jorge was a huge piece of the puzzle last year and I'm expecting more of the same for 2011, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is one of our veterans and will be a leader on and off the field for us. He is a great defender and gives himself a great chance at the plate by putting the ball in play as much as he does. He is a true run producer. Cortes enters his 13th season of professional baseball with a lifetime .286 batting average and .377 on-base percentage. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Cortes is just eight hits shy of 1,000 for his career, and has amassed 992 base hits in 1,015 professional games. A native of Baranquilla, Colombia, Cortes was originally signed as an international free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1997. Cortes has seen time with three different Major League organizations, and reached the Triple-A level in both 2007 (Cubs) and 2008 (Pirates). Cortes was the Low-A South Atlantic League's MVP in 2003 where he hit .325 with eight home runs and 66 RBI in 98 games for the Hickory Crawdads. Cortes has hit .288 or better in eight of 12 pro seasons. Holdzkom also adds a wealth of affiliated experience having pitched four seasons in the New York Mets' organization. The Pasadena, CA native battled injury in 2010, but still dominated when on the mound, striking out 10 in just 5.0 innings of work. Holdzkom's best work came in 2008 where he split time between the Rookie Appalachian and Low-A South Atlantic leagues. Holdzkom recorded a career-high 86.2 IP that season with 100 strikeouts, seeing time in both the rotation and the bullpen. John will come to camp battling for a spot in our rotation, said Hooper. He has a big frame at 6-foot-9, which comes with a live fastball. John wants a chance to start to see what he can do, and hopefully he can pound the zone and get back to affiliated ball sooner than later. I'm excited to see his electric stuff in action. An imposing figure on the mound, Holdzkom stands at 6-foot-9, 250-pounds. During his four-year career, Holdzkom has racked up 143 strikeouts in 126.0 IP with an 8-10 record and three saves. Holdzkom has made 57 professional appearances, 14 as a starting pitcher. The 23-year old righty was drafted by the Mets in the fourth round in 2006 out of Salt Lake City Community College. The Wingnuts also traded right-handed pitcher Sean Teague to the Frontier League's Southern Illinois Miners. The Wingnuts now have 28 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button OF Jorge Cortes 1B Jorge Delgado RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Dan Grybash RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty LHP Ryan Hinson RHP John Holdzkom SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller OF Ryan Patterson 3B Juan Richardson RHP Anthony Shawler RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1140.html#1337257766 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1140.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two pitchers to their roster on Tuesday, signing right-hander Anthony Shawler and left-hander Ryan Hinson. Shawler pitched for two affiliates in the Detroit Tigers' organization last year, including significant time at the Double-A level. The 23-year old opened the season with Lakeland in the High-A Florida State League, pitching to a 0.96 ERA in 11 relief outings. In 18.2 IP for the Flying Tigers, Shawler struck out 15 and walked just one. The Chesapeake, VA native was promoted to Double-A Erie in mid-May where he served in a dual role as a starter and reliever. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound righty appeared in 28 games for the SeaWolves, 12 of them as a starting pitcher. Shawler logged 102.1 innings in Double-A, striking out 83 and walking 22. Anthony will come into camp competing for a spot in our rotation, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He has great career numbers throughout his time in the minor leagues so far. Anthony is young with some good experience on his resume and hopefully has a bright future still ahead of him. Shawler is 15-12 with a 3.57 ERA in his three years of professional baseball, all spent with the Tigers. A former ninth round pick in 2008, Shawler has 250 strikeouts against 72 walks in 279.2 career IP. Shawler was drafted out of Old Dominion University where he starred as a pitcher and outfielder for three seasons. During his sophomore campaign in 2007, Shawler was 11-2 with a 2.20 ERA, and earned All-American honors from Louisville Slugger, the American Baseball Coaches Association, and Baseball America. Over his final two seasons at Old Dominion, Shawler also hit .310 with a combined 75 RBI in 96 games. Hinson enters his third season of professional baseball, having spent each of the first two in the San Diego Padres' organization. The lefty was limited to 13 games in 2010 due to injury, but still averaged more than a strikeout per inning for a second straight season. The Rock Hill, SC native fanned 12 in 11.1 IP, sharing time at the Rookie and Short Season-A levels. Ryan is another guy who will have a shot to crack our rotation, said Hooper. He also has spent quite a bit of time in the bullpen which is very valuable. He gives you a lot of options and has a good arm from the left side. Hinson reached High-A with Lake Elsinore during his pro debut in 2009. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Hinson appeared in 22 games, striking out 48 over 44.0 IP. The Padres selected Hinson in the 10th round in 2009 out of Clemson University. The 23-year old pitched four years for the Tigers and left with a 3.69 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 219.1 career innings. The Wingnuts now have 27 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button 1B Jorge Delgado RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Dan Grybash RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty LHP Ryan Hinson SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller OF Ryan Patterson 3B Juan Richardson RHP Anthony Shawler RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1139.html#1337257767 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1139.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two major pieces to their 2011 roster on Thursday, re-signing first baseman Jorge Delgado, and signing right-handed starter Dan Grybash. Delgado made his presence felt during his short time with the Wingnuts last season, hitting .391 with three home runs and 26 RBI in 31 games played . A right-handed hitter and fielder, Delgado hit safely in 27 of 31 contests, and compiled a 19-game hitting streak from July 31st-August 21st (34 for 67, .507). A native of Acarigua, Venezuela, Delgado hit .397 in 63 at bats with men on base, and .391 in 46 tries with runners in scoring position. Jorge will be our opening day First Baseman this year, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He will be a huge part of any success we have and will hit in the middle of our lineup. Jorge has a lot of experience under his belt and I can't wait to have him for a full season. The 30-year old Delgado spent most of 2010 in the Liga Norte de Mexico where he won his third consecutive batting title. Delgado posted averages of .480, .464, and .456 with a combined 29 home runs and 209 RBI in 182 games from 2008-2010. The 6-foot, 240-pound Delgado originally signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent in 1997, and made his stateside debut two years later in the Arizona Rookie League. Delgado hit .301 in 176 games over four years in affiliated ball, three with Arizona and one with Colorado. Grybash (pronounced GRIH-bish) returns to professional baseball after missing the 2010 season due to injury. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander last pitched in 2009 for the Fort Worth Cats where he was 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA in eight starts and two relief outings. From 2006-2008, the Chicago, IL native worked at least 92 innings while keeping his ERA under 4.00. In 2007, Grybash notched a career-high nine wins and 100 strikeouts for the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers. The following season, Grybash was an American Association All-Star for the Cats, finishing the season eighth in ERA (3.18) and fourth in strikeouts (100). Dan is a guy we are real excited to have signed and added to our rotation, said Hooper. He is a quality starter with proven success in our league. Dan is coming off of shoulder surgery and is anxious to get back on the mound. He is a bulldog type and will be a great leader for us. During his seven-year professional career, Grybash is a combined 41-25 with a 3.78 ERA and has averaged 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Grybash was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round in 2003, and reached High-A Brevard County in 2005. Grybash pitched collegiately at Carthage College in Wisconsin. Outfielder Eric Williams has been traded to the Frontier League's River City Rascals in exchange for a player to be named later. The rights to left-handed pitcher Kevin Angelle have been sold to the Atlantic League's York Revolution. The Wingnuts also learned that outfielder Ryan Patterson and right-handed pitcher Cephas Howard will be re-joining the team for 2011. The Wingnuts now have 26 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins RHP Kendy Batista C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button 1B Jorge Delgado RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Dan Grybash RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller OF Ryan Patterson 3B Juan Richardson RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1138.html#1337257768 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1138.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced a two-year partnership with Savor...catering by SMG as Lawrence-Dumont Stadium's new food and beverage provider. Since 1983, Savor has been providing food and beverage services to well over 100 public facilities across the globe, including Wichita's own INTRUST Bank Arena. We've signed Savor to a two-year contract, said Wingnuts' President and General Manager Josh Robertson. We are thoroughly excited to have them come on board. Savor brings a lot to the table and has a wide-range of resources at their discretion. Greg Read, Director of Food and Beverage at INTRUST Bank Arena, has also assumed the role of Wingnuts' General Manager of Concession Operations. Greg Read offers a ton of experience, especially in the baseball world, said Robertson. We had a chance to work together for four years with the Wranglers, and we both share the same vision. He knows our stadium inside and out, and will help ensure that our fans always have a positive experience. Savor is looking forward to bringing its years of experience to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and providing a first-class food and beverage operation, said Read. The Wingnuts' concession operations had been managed by Game Time Food and Beverage since their inaugural season in 2008. Wingnuts' ownership bought out the final two years of their five-year agreement with Game Time, leading to their current partnership with Savor. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1137.html#1337257769 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1137.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two players to their roster on Tuesday, signing infielders Evan Button and Tommy Fitzgerald. Button has spent each of the last two seasons playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Short Season-A affiliate in Yakima, totaling 34 games. In 76 at bats during his two seasons with the Bears, Button collected 12 hits and five doubles with seven RBI. The St. Louis, MO native was originally drafted by Arizona as a 22nd rounder in 2009 out of the University of Mississippi. The 24-year old Button spent four years at 'Ole Miss', hitting .325 as a senior in 2009 in 50 games played. Button hits left-handed while throwing right-handed. Evan is a very athletic individual, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He has a great arm and is able to play all the infield and outfield positions. He will come to spring training battling for a roster spot as our utility guy. You can tell he has a lot of passion for the game and will work hard to get better each and every day. Fitzgerald played in 86 games as a rookie last season for the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers. A native of Olathe, KS, Fitzgerald hit .239 over 280 at bats with 10 doubles, 16 RBI, and 27 runs scored. Also a left-handed hitter, but right-handed thrower, Fitzgerald played two years in his home state at Fort Scott Community College. The 24-year old then played two seasons at Bradley University from 2008-2009. During his senior season at Bradley, Fitzgerald hit .324 with four home runs and 31 RBI in 48 games. Tommy is another Kansas guy added to the roster, said Hooper. He has a year of indy ball under his belt and will also battle it out for a roster spot this spring. Tommy can play all the infield and outfield positions and has great hands on the infield. He is a hard worker and will do whatever is needed to get better and help the team any way he can. The Wingnuts now have 23 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins RHP Kendy Batista C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller 3B Juan Richardson RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1136.html#1337257770 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1136.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts bolstered their roster on Friday, trading for veteran third baseman Juan Richardson, and signing left-handed pitcher Trent Lare. Richardson excelled both offensively and defensively in 2010 while playing for the division-rival Lincoln Saltdogs. In 90 games for Lincoln, Richardson hit .313 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI. The 30-year old Richardson hit 17 doubles, drew 51 walks, and scored 61 runs, while compiling a .408 on-base percentage and .488 slugging percentage. On the other side of the ball, Richardson led all American Association third basemen in fielding percentage (.931) and double plays (20). The Wingnuts acquired Richardson from the newly-formed NABL's Chico Outlaws in exchange for cash considerations. Juan is a guy we have always had interest in if he ever became available, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He has a lot of experience and is a very good all-around player. He will play third base for us and hit in the middle of our lineup. I'm excited to add yet another quality veteran to our team. Richardson brings with him vast experience in affiliated ball, including six seasons at the Double-A level. A native of Bani in the Dominican Republic, Richardson was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1998 as an international free agent. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Richardson has averaged 22 home runs and 92 RBI per 162 games throughout his 1,131-game career. Richardson has hit at least 14 home runs in eight of his last nine full seasons, including 16 for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2008. Lare is an independent baseball success story, having been signed by the New York Yankees' organization in 2009 after pitching two-plus seasons for the Frontier League's Kalamazoo Kings. The 26-year old lefty reached the Yankees' high-A affiliate in Tampa last year, producing a 4.00 ERA in 74.1 IP with 73 strikeouts against only 19 walks. Lare appeared in 42 games for Tampa, starting one and finishing 15. Trent will be a great addition to our starting rotation, said Hooper. He is left-handed and is also another Kansas boy that we get to add to the roster. He has had great success so far in his career, and I'm excited to see what he can do for us. A native of Lyndon, KS, Lare pitched at nearby Coffeyville Community College before spending one season at Oklahoma State University in 2006. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Lare began his professional career in 2007 with Kalamazoo. Lare was 15-12 for the Kings from 2007-2009 with a 3.51 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 228.2 IP. In four years of professional baseball, Lare has struck out 324 batters while walking just 101 in 381.0 innings. The additions give the Wingnuts 21 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins RHP Kendy Batista C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller 3B Juan Richardson RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1135.html#1337257771 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1135.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts strengthened their pitching staff on Thursday, re-signing Nick Singleton and acquiring former Wichita State University right-hander Jared Simon. Singleton has been one of the top pitchers in the American Association since first joining the league in 2008. The right-hander went 7-3 for the Wingnuts last season, and led the league with a 2.36 ERA. In 87.2 innings of work, The 6-foot, 180-pound Singleton struck out 73 while allowing just 73 hits and 39 walks. The 2.36 ERA paced the American Association by more than seven tenths of a run, and marked the second time in three years Singleton captured the league's ERA title. The Montgomery, AL native allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 15 starts. Singleton, who will be 28 on opening night, started the American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium last July. In his next start at Pensacola, Singleton suffered a hand injury while fielding a comebacker that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Nick is a true ace of a pitching staff in many ways, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is a great pitcher on the mound and also a great leader for our younger guys in the clubhouse. We are ready to give him the ball on May 12th at Amarillo as our opening night starter. Luke (Robertson) and I had wanted to get him for a long time, and we are glad that he is on our side for a second year. Singleton is 34-26 in his career with a 3.17 ERA in 565.2 innings. Prior to joining the Wingnuts via trade last season, Singleton spent two years with the Sioux City Explorers. Singleton was 14-11 for Sioux City with a combined 3.21 ERA that included a league leading mark of 2.24 in 2008. At the end of the 2008 season, Singleton was named the American Association's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. Following his college career at Auburn University-Montgomery, Singleton joined the professional ranks in 2005 with the Pensacola Pelicans, then members of the Central League. After one season in Pensacola, Singleton pitched two seasons for the Golden League's Chico Outlaws, finishing second in the league in ERA in 2006 at 2.77. Simon was acquired from the Frontier League's Evansville Otters in exchange for infielder Joseph Spiers. Simon had a dominant 2010 season, notching seven saves with a 1.90 ERA in 37 relief outings. Simon struck out 34 against 14 walks, and allowed just 29 hits in 38.0 IP. The 26-year old sidearmer yielded only one home run the entire season, and held right-handers to a .177 batting average. We acquired Jared in trade and he is going to add to our bullpen depth, said Hooper. He is a three-quarter/sidearm guy who is real tough on right-handed hitters. Jared will add some local flavor as a WSU guy who also lives in Wichita. I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table. Simon is entering his fifth season of professional baseball. After finishing a four-year career at Wichita State in 2007, Simon latched on with Slippery Rock in the Frontier League and posted a 1.46 ERA in 37.0 IP. The following season, Simon was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies organization and ranked third in the low-A South Atlantic League with 30 saves while pitching for the Lakewood BlueClaws. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Simon spent one more year with the Phillies before joining Evansville last summer. Singleton and Simon give the Wingnuts 19 players under contract for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins RHP Kendy Batista C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1134.html#1337257772 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1134.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts outfielder Kenny Gilbert has been purchased by the Chicago White Sox organization. Gilbert was signed by the Wingnuts on January 20th and returns to the organization that originally drafted him in 2007. The 22-year old Gilbert was selected by Chicago in the ninth round out of DeSoto High School in DeSoto, TX. It has been a great month or so for our organization with the guys we have had signed, and getting a chance to make an affiliated club, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Kenny is a five-tool type guy that will get another chance with the team that drafted him. We were all excited when we signed him as a free agent about the possibility of him being in our outfield. Our entire organization wishes Kenny the very best as he continues his baseball journey. Gilbert played for the United League's Laredo Bronco's last season, hitting .363 with four home runs, 16 doubles, and 55 RBI in just 55 games played. The fifth-year professional spent three seasons in the White Sox organization, splitting time in the Appalachian and Pioneer Rookie-level leagues. Gilbert also played 25 games for the Frontier League's Evansville Otters in 2009, before joining Laredo last season. The Dallas, TX native has 104 RBI in 161 career games. All-Time Wingnuts Signed by Major League Organizations 2008 - OF Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies 2010 - RHP Will Savage, Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 - RHP Ben Graham, Washington Nationals 2010 - LHP Justin Dowdy, Tampa Bay Rays 2011 - OF Ryan Patterson, Arizona Diamondbacks 2011 - LHP Dustin Pease, San Diego Padres 2011 - RHP Cephas Howard, Texas Rangers 2011 - OF Kenny Gilbert, Chicago White Sox The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1133.html#1337257773 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1133.html If youre dynamic, well spoken, and talented with the drive and dedication it takes to be part of this great organization, then fill out an application to be a 2011 Wichita Wingnuts Diamond Doll! The Diamond Dolls will continue their fourth year with the Wichita Wingnuts as a promotional team to serve as liaisons between the organization and the great Nuts fans and community. The Diamond Dolls help with on-field promotions, games and fan giveaways at all Wingnuts home games. These women work very hard and spend countless hours not only supporting the Wichita Wingnuts but also attending and supporting charity and community events. The Wichita Wingnuts will begin their season this May; mark your calendars for the 1st home game of the 2011 season: Friday May 20th, 2011! * Applications are DUE to the Wichita Wingnuts office during the open call interviews (March 21st and March 22nd, 2011) or may be submitted to (applicants must still attend one of the interview dates). * Interviews will take place March 21st and March 22nd from 5:30-7:00pm at the Wingnuts main office: 300 South Sycamore, Wichita, KS 67213. Applicants are welcome to come to EITHER interview day. * For questions, please email Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1132.html#1337257774 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1132.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned Thursday that right-handed pitcher Cephas Howard has been purchased by the Texas Rangers. Howard was 3-3 with a 4.17 ERA in 36.2 IP in 2010, serving as the Wingnuts' primary setup man. Howard notched four saves over 35 appearances, and struck out 39 batters against only 13 walks. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound righty yielded just two home runs all season and limited opponents to a microscopic .185 batting average. A native of Augusta, GA, Howard was nearly unhittable in the second half of the season, pitching to a 1.90 ERA over 23.2 innings from June 30th-August 22nd. Cephas has electric stuff and hopefully will have a chance to stick with Texas for a long time, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Yet another phenomenal pitcher added to the list of Wingnuts getting a chance in affiliated ball. This keeps getting better and better as a manager with the number of our guys getting picked up. Obviously as a manager it is going to be hard to replace a guy like Cephas in our bullpen, but as I have said before, this is what it is all about. I speak for all of our coaching staff, as well as our entire organization in wishing Cephas Howard nothing but the best in his journey! This will be Howard's second opportunity in affiliated baseball. The 26-year old was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 37th round in 2007. After spending parts of three seasons in the Angels' organization, Howard latched on with the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers in mid-2009. While with Schaumburg, Howard managed a 1.71 ERA in 42.0 IP with 47 strikeouts. Howard's work in 2009 earned him the Northern League's Rookie Pitcher of the Year award, as well as a third place ranking on Baseball America's list of top prospects in independent baseball. Howard is the third player from the Wingnuts' 2010 team to sign with a Major League organization this winter. All-Time Wingnuts Signed by Major League Organizations 2008 - OF Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies 2010 - RHP Will Savage, Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 - RHP Ben Graham, Washington Nationals 2010 - LHP Justin Dowdy, Tampa Bay Rays 2011 - OF Ryan Patterson, Arizona Diamondbacks 2011 - LHP Dustin Pease, San Diego Padres 2011 - RHP Cephas Howard, Texas Rangers The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1131.html#1337257775 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1131.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts, in conjunction with the City of Wichita, will hold a press conference at home plate at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday, March 1st at 2:00 p.m. All television, radio, and print media are invited to attend and may enter the the field on the third base side of the stadium. City of Wichita Interim Director of Public Works Utilities Joe Pajor as well as Wingnuts' President/General Manager Josh Robertson will speak on behalf of the city and the team. The press conference will discuss details on the stadium's improvements, including, but not limited to, new turf on infield and outfield, dugout expansion, new Lawrence-Dumont Stadium LED sign, repairing of lower box seats, new wind screen for batting cage, replacement of infield and outfield wall pads, plan to install new roofing, and inground artwork placed near the ticket windows and down the third base concourse. I've been an employee of the professional baseball teams in this city since 2000, and have been a part of multiple projects at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, said Robertson. By far, these are some of the most exciting things to happen out here in 20 years. These improvements are going to be eye-opening and enjoyable for our fans as well as our team, while helping make our organization and the City of Wichita more efficient. We're excited for all of the projects to be completed and for the 2011 season to get underway. We thank the City of Wichita and our fans for all of their support in making this happen. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1130.html#1337257776 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1130.html WICHITA, KS- Former Wichita Wingnuts left-handed pitcher Dustin Pease has been signed by the San Diego Padres organization. Pease was one of the top relief pitchers in the American Association in 2010, setting a league record with 54 appearances, while posting a 6-1 record with a 2.46 ERA. Pease struck out 64 batters in 55.0 IP, and held opponents to a .222 batting average. Over his final 30 games, the Baltimore, MD native pitched to a 0.98 ERA. This is what it is all about and is why I do what I do, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. I can't describe the feeling as a manager when one of our former guys gets a chance to play affiliated ball for the first time. The sidearming-lefty proved durable throughout the year. In addition to leading the league in appearances, Pease pitched in four or more consecutive games on five separate occassions. From July 4th-20th, Pease compiled 11 consecutive scoreless innings over 11 games. Pease was named the Wingnuts' Pitcher of the Year at the end of the season. This is a well deserved promotion for a guy that was a huge piece of our success last season, said Hooper. I really hope Dustin gets a fair chance with the Padres this Spring Training. Dustin wanted the ball every night and we pretty much gave it to him as often as we could. I am awful proud of him, and our whole organization wishes him nothing but the best. He will definitely be missed this year here in Wichita! Pease has spent each of his first four professional seasons in independent baseball. Prior to joining the Wingnuts, Pease ranked third in the Frontier League with 12 wins in 2009, serving as both a starter and reliever for the Windy City Thunderbolts. The 25-year old spent two years in the Northern League with the Winnipeg Goldeyes, pitching to a 3.19 ERA. Following his season with the Wingnuts, Pease was traded to the Atlantic League's York Revolution. Pease tossed a scoreless inning in the clinching game of the Atlantic League Championship Series, which York won in three games over Bridgeport. Pease is expected to report to Double-A camp at the Padres' Spring Training complex in Arizona next week. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1129.html#1337257777 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1129.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have introduced their online merchandise store, Spinner's Dugout, which is now available at their official website The direct link to the online store can be found here: Fans can also access the store by clicking the merchandise button atop the navigation bar on the team's homepage. A variety of men's, women's, and children's apparel is currently available, with feature items such as jerseys and hats coming in April. The user-friendly interface allows fans to sort through items by name, price, and newness. Basic and advanced search options are also available to assist fans in finding particular items. The online store accepts all major credit cards. Returning customers can register for their own personal account to make future purchases quicker and easier. Each item has a feedback section, providing fans the opportunity to comment on their transactions. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1128.html#1337257778 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1128.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made three additions to their 2011 roster, signing pitchers Kendy Batista and Junior Guerra, and catcher Jeff Stevens. Batista has six years of affiliated experience, splitting time with five different organizations from 2000-2009. Batista has a lifetime record of 20-15 with nine saves and a 3.59 ERA in 111 games, 44 as a starter. The 29-year old right-hander has struck out 328 hitters against 101 walks in 316.0 career innings. Batista has allowed just 14 home runs during his pro career. Batista most recently worked this winter in the Venezuelan Professional League for the Tiburones de La Guaira, working a 3.98 ERA in 21 relief outings. We have plans for Kendy to be in our starting rotation, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Kendy is another guy that classifies as an LS-2, but has a lot of experience throwing out of the bullpen and starting. He has great career numbers and I'm expecting big things out of him for the upcoming season. He is going to be a big key to our success. A native of Santa Barbara, Venezuela, Batista pitched in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization for Double-A Chattanooga in 2009, posting a 2.17 ERA in 58.0 IP with 56 strikeouts. Batista was signed by the Oakland Athletics as an international free agent in 1998, and made his professional debut two years later in the Dominican Summer League. Batista reached Double-A for the first time in 2007 while pitching in the Texas Rangers' organization, and earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2008. Guerra pitched for Sant Boi of the Spanish Elite League last season, helping his team to a 33-3 regular season record and an eventual league championship. Guerra was 11-1 with a 0.89 ERA over 12 starts and five relief appearances. In 91.0 IP, Guerra allowed just 47 hits while striking out 122. In his final start of the postseason, the 26-year old Guerra fanned 13 in nine innings in which he did not allow an earned run. Junior will be another guy that we plan to have in our starting rotation in 2011. He is classified as a rookie pitcher but has some experience being 26 years old. Junior will be another big piece to the puzzle towards us being successful. Guerra has played professionally since 2002, but holds rookie status as a pitcher after serving as a catcher the first four years of his career. Originally signed by the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2001, Guerra shifted to the mound in 2006. Guerra's arm strength was apparent behind the plate, throwing out 36% of potential base stealers from 2003-2006. Guerra has a 4.16 ERA in two seasons as a pitcher in affiliated ball, with 59 strikeouts in 62.2 IP. The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native had a 2.12 ERA in the New York Mets' organization in 2008, striking out 41 in 34.0 innings. Stevens, who will be 27 on opening night, enters his fifth overall season in professional baseball, and first since 2009. Stevens is a career .251 hitter in 275 at bats over 99 games, including 11 with the Wingnuts late in the 2008 season. A native of Danville, VA, Stevens most recently played for the CanAm League's Brockton Rox and the Northern League's Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, appearing in 34 games in 2009. Defensively, Stevens has gunned down 29% of potential base stealers since the 2008 season. Jeff will come into camp competing for one of our catching spots. He is a rookie that has a lot of experience under his belt. I played with Jeff in 2008 and he is not only a quality player, but a wonderful individual to be around. He is a baseball smart guy that is going to end up being a great coach in the future. Stevens signed with the Atlanta Braves as a non-drafted free agent in 2006, and reached High-A with Myrtle Beach the following year. The right-handed hitting Stevens played two seasons of college baseball at the University of Pittsburgh. During his junior season in 2005, Stevens drove in 31 runs in 46 games played. Stevens most recently served as a volunteer assistant coach at East Carolina University. Stevens also has professional coaching experience under his belt, having served as bench coach for the Appalachian League's Danville Braves in 2008 before signing with the Wingnuts. The trio now gives the Wingnuts 19 players signed for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins RHP Kendy Batista C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado OF Kenny Gilbert LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1127.html#1337257779 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1127.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added four players to their 2011 roster on Tuesday, acquiring infielder D.J. Dixon and pitchers Reyes Dorado, Josh Dew, and Josh Berry. Dixon spent most of 2010 with the United League's Laredo Bronco's where he hit .395 with five home runs and 49 RBIs in just 56 games played. Dixon, who split time at first base and catcher with Laredo, hit safely in 46 of 59 games and compiled a 16-game hitting streak from July 31st-August 16th. The Acaponeta, Mexico native opened the season with the Golden League's St. George RoadRunners, hitting .316 in 10 games played. D.J. is what we like to call a 'professional hitter', said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's a left-handed bat that will more than likely be our DH on opening day. D.J. is also a valuable commodity because he can catch, in addition to playing first and third base. He's an exceptional hitter and an even better individual. I'm excited for what he can bring to the table on and off the field. Dixon enters his eighth season of professional baseball with a lifetime batting average of .327 in 1,005 career at bats. The 28-year old played college baseball at Cal State-San Bernadino before signing with the San Francisco Giants as a non-drafted free agent in 2004. The left-handed hitting Dixon has hit .297 or better in five of his first seven seasons as a professional. Dorado was a teammate of Dixon with Laredo last season, earning eight saves with a 2.87 ERA in 14 games. The 25-year old right-hander struck out 21 hitters while walking just two in 15.2 innings of work. The Los Angeles, CA native pitched scoreless baseball in 11 of 14 outings, and contributed to a Broncos' victory in 13 of them. From August 5th-13th, Dorado retired 15 consecutive hitters over five games. Reyes is another guy that will add depth to our bullpen in the late innings. A powerful arm with a great slider makes him very effective. Reyes had a stellar year in Laredo and expects to just get better and better. Another great individual that we are expecting big things from in 2011. Dorado was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 14th round in 2008 out of Arizona State University. Dorado struck out 52 in 35.1 IP during his senior season with the Sun Devils where he was a teammate of current Major Leaguers Mike Leake, Ike Davis, and Brett Wallace. Dorado, who also played two years at Riverside Community College, struck out 57 in 43.1 innings during his two years in the Angels' organization. Dixon and Dorado were both acquired from Laredo in exchange for cash considerations. Dew was acquired from the Golden League's Chico Outlaws in exchange for third baseman Michael Bell. Dew appeared in 36 games, posting a 4-1 record with one save and a 2.68 ERA. In 47.0 IP, Dew allowed 37 hits and 11 walks while striking out 49, and helped Chico to the Golden League championship. The Montgomery, AL native allowed one earned run in 4.1 postseason innings and had three scoreless appearances in the Championship Series against Maui. We have had our eyes on Josh the last couple of years and are ecstatic to have him in our bullpen. He will be a late inning guy who, coming into camp, will be the front runner to be our closer. He has great career numbers and is a guy that wants the ball as often as possible. Dew was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round out of Troy University in 2007. The 26-year old righty reached Double-A with Springfield in 2008, striking out 54 in 50.0 IP. Over his first three professional seasons, Dew has struck out 168 in 148.0 IP with a 2.98 career ERA and 23 saves. Dew was a two-way star for Troy, hitting .321 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI in 110 games, while combining for a 12-3 record and 2.69 ERA during his junior and senior seasons. Berry last pitched professionally in 2005 for the Frontier League's Ohio Valley Redcoats. The 29-year old left-hander worked 5.2 IP in five appearances with one save and a 3.18 ERA. Berry most recently pitched with the Seattle Studs during the 2010 NBC World Series. The Everett, WA native went 7-1 with a 1.40 ERA for Seattle, helping the Studs reach the World Series championship game. Berry was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round in 1999 out of Lake Stevens High School in Washington. Josh is a guy I am excited to see in camp. He is left-handed which is always a bonus, and will fight for a spot in our rotation or bullpen. Josh is a 29-year old rookie that is trying to put his name back on the map and give the game of baseball one more good run to see what happens. He is a good story and a guy who is easy to pull for! The Wingnuts also completed a deal with the Fort Worth Cats, trading right-hander Adam Cowart in exchange for cash. Cowart was 15-12 for the Wingnuts over the last two seasons with a 3.51 ERA. Bell joined the Wingnuts midway through 2010 in a deal with the CanAm League's Quebec Capitales, and hit .337 in 43 games for the Wingnuts. The four additions give the Wingnuts 16 players under contract for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado OF Kenny Gilbert LHP Eric Gilliland C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th against the Amarillo Sox. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1126.html#1337257780 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1126.html The National Baseball Congresswould like to express itscondolences to the friends and family of Dick Chief Twyman who passed away early Friday morning in Wichita, KS. Chief was the long time Owner and Manager of the Havasuand Haysville Heat who won the NBC National Championship in 2007. He was a great friend and a huge ambassador of the NBC for many years. He will be tremendously missed by all at the Wichita Wingnuts and NBC! When information about the memorial service comes available we will pass it along. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1125.html#1337257781 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1125.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts owner Nate Robertson has signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners. Robertson opened last season in the Florida Marlins' starting rotation, posting a 6-8 record in 18 starts and one relief outing. The veteran lefty spent time with the Cardinals' and Phillies' organizations at the end of the year, making two appearances for Philadelphia in September. The Wichita native is 57-77 with a 5.01 ERA in nine Major League seasons, playing for the Marlins, Tigers, and Phillies. Robertson made three postseason starts for the Tigers during their run to the 2006 World Series, including a victory in Game One of the ALCS. Robertson hurled five shutout innings at Oakland, setting the tone for an eventual four-game sweep of the Athletics. Robertson ranks seventh all-time in Tigers' history in starts by a left-handed pitcher with 168. The 33-year old Robertson had a standout career at Maize High School before spending four seasons at Wichita State, and was a member of the Shockers' 1996 team that reached the College World Series. Robertson is 3-2 with a lifetime 2.75 ERA at Safeco Field and is expected to compete for a rotation spot during Spring Training. Robertson has been a part of the Wingnuts' local ownership group since the franchise started in 2007. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 13th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1124.html#1337257782 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1124.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned Friday that the Arizona Diamondbacks have purchased the contract of outfielder Ryan Patterson. Patterson enjoyed an MVP-caliber season for the Wingnuts in 2011, hitting .296 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs. Patterson slugged 24 doubles, collected eight stolen bases, and scored 63 runs. The Dallas, TX native drew 28 walks while striking out just 41 times in 406 at bats. Patterson finished the season 11th in the American Association in home runs and ninth in RBIs. Today is a great day for Ryan Patterson and the Wichita Wingnuts organization, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Although we will all miss him in our lineup and in the clubhouse, he deserves every bit of this promotion. As a manager, I want to see this happen as often as possible for our guys. 'Patty' is a great all around baseball player who has a very high baseball IQ. I wish him nothing but the best in his journey. The 27-year old Patterson proved both durable and versatile last season. The right-handed hitting Patterson became the first Wingnuts player to appear in all 96 games, hitting safely in 72 of them. The seventh year pro started 49 games in right field and 47 in center. Patterson also started at least 20 games in each of the first three spots in the Wingnuts' batting order. A former standout at Louisiana State University, Patterson totaled 32 multi-hit contests and had two hitting streaks of 14 or more games. On August 28th versus El Paso, Patterson hit the 100th home run of his professional career. At the end of the season, Patterson was named the Wingnuts' 2011 Most Valuable Player. Patterson was drafted out of LSU by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round in 2005, making him the highest drafted player to ever wear a Wingnuts' uniform. Patterson spent four years in the Blue Jays' organization, reaching Double-A in three of them, and had another all-star worthy year in 2009 with the Fort Worth Cats. Patterson has reached double digits in home runs in each of his first six professional seasons. In 632 professional games, Patterson has averaged 27 home runs and 106 RBIs per 162 games played. Patterson becomes the fifth player in the Wingnuts' four-year history to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization. Wingnuts Signed by Major League Organizations 2008 - OF Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies 2010 - RHP Will Savage, Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 - RHP Ben Graham, Washington Nationals 2010 - LHP Justin Dowdy, Tampa Bay Rays 2011 -OFRyan Patterson, Arizona Diamondbacks The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 16th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1123.html#1337257783 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1123.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two players to their 2011 roster on Thursday, re-signing shortstop Josh Horn and signing outfielder Kenny Gilbert. An all-star in each of his first four professional seasons, Horn ranked 13th in the American Association with a career-high .331 batting average for the Wingnuts last summer. Horn hit three home runs with 27 RBIs and 44 runs scored in 78 games played. The Shelbyville, TN native drew 37 walks while striking out only 45 times in 287 at bats, and posted a .417 on-base percentage. I can't say enough good things about Josh, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's a huge piece of our puzzle who is an all-star both offensively and defensively at a premium position. We're excited to have him back for a third year and expect even bigger things from him in 2011. Horn set a Wingnuts' team record on June 5th, hitting safely in 20 consecutive games. When Horn was caught stealing on May 25th at Lincoln, it broke a streak dating back to August of 2008 in which he was never thrown out by an opposing catcher on a steal attempt. Horn is 50 for 62 (81%) in stolen base attempts for his career. Horn missed the 2010 All-Star Game due to injury, but returned in mid-August and homered in his first at bat after sitting out for nearly three weeks. When the Wingnuts' season ended, Horn was loaned to the Atlantic League's Camden Riversharks for 12 games. Horn, who will be 27 on opening night, has a lifetime .305 batting average, and has hit .290 or better in all four of his professional seasons. Prior to joining the Wingnuts, Horn helped the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts to consecutive championships in 2007 and 2008. Horn did not begin playing his current position full-time until midway through 2009, but transitioned quickly and finished the year second in fielding percentage among American Association shortstops. The right-handed hitter played two seasons of college baseball at Middle Tennessee State University, hitting .330 as a senior in 2006. Gilbert is coming off a stellar season with the United League's Laredo Broncos, where he hit .363 with four home runs, 16 doubles, and 55 RBIs in 55 games. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Gilbert scored 43 runs, drew 23 walks, and fanned only 33 times in 212 AB. The Dallas, TX native finished 2011 with a .424 on-base percentage and a .524 slugging percentage. Entering his fifth season of professional baseball, Gilbert is a former ninth round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2007 out of DeSoto High School in Texas. Kenny is a potential five-tool guy who can play all three outfield positions. He looks to be a run producer who had 55 RBIs in just 55 games last season. I'm excited for him to come in and compete for a spot in our outfield. Gilbert spent three seasons in the White Sox Organization, splitting time with the Appalachian League's Bristol White Sox and the Pioneer League's Great Falls Voyagers. Gilbert, who will be just 22 on opening night, also played in 25 games for the Frontier League's Evansville Otters in 2009. Gilbert has driven in 104 runs in 161 career games. Horn and Gilbert give the Wingnuts 12 players under contract for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin 2B Jason Diaz OF Kenny Gilbert LHP Eric Gilliland C Ben Harty SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th with a four-game series against the Amarillo Sox. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1122.html#1337257784 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1122.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two players to their 2011 roster, signing pitcher Cephas Howard, and outfielder Eric Williams. Howard served as the Wingnuts' primary setup man last season, working 36.2 innings over 35 games. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander went 3-3 with four saves, and a 4.17 ERA. Howard averaged more than a strikeout per inning, fanning 39 while walking 13, and allowed only two home runs all year. The 26-year old Howard yielded just 23 hits, holding opponents to a miniscule .185 batting average. The Augusta, GA native had a dominant second half of the season, managing a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 IP from June 30th-August 22nd. Cephas played a huge roll in our bullpen and I'm expecting even bigger things from him this year, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He has a great presence on the mound, and will definitely be a late inning guy for us. Cephas is a great guy and works hard everyday to get better. Howard was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 37th round in 2007. The fourth-year professional spent three years in the Angels' organization before joining the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers in 2009. With Schaumburg, Howard pitched to a 1.71 ERA in 42.0 IP and earned the Northern League's Rookie Pitcher of the Year award. A converted catcher, Howard did not start pitching until he reached the professional ranks. Baseball America rated Howard as the third best independent baseball prospect in 2009. Williams, who spent most of 2010 in Wichita, was re-acquired from the Sioux City Explorers at the end of the regular season. The Carmel, NY native hit a combined .275 in 72 games last season with 43 runs scored and 15 RBIs. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Williams ranked eighth in the American Association with 61 walks while striking out just 22 times in 233 at bats. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Williams' finished 10th in the league with a .439 on-base percentage and stole 19 bases in 24 attempts. The 26-year old was unfazed by left-handed pitching, hitting .373 (19 for 81). Williams delivered one of the Wingnuts' most memorable hits of the season on July 9th versus Grand Prairie. With two outs and a two-strike count in the ninth inning, Williams singled home the tying runs in an eventual extra-inning victory that contributed to a seven-game winning streak. He has a knack for getting on base, said Hooper. His eye at the plate is second to none. His walk to strikeout numbers last year were unheard of in this day and age. He's getting better and better defensively with more experience. 'E' is always looking to learn and improve his game anyway he can. Last year followed a 2009 rookie campaign that saw Williams hit .365 for the Continental League's Big Bend Cowboys. In addition to winning the batting title, Williams also paced the Continental League in walks (73), on-base percentage (.547), and runs (63). Williams played three seasons of college baseball at Wake Forest University, and also played one year at Arizona State. The signings give the Wingnuts 10 players under contract for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin 2B Jason Diaz LHP Eric Gilliland C Ben Harty RHP Cephas Howard RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller RHP Sean Teague OF Eric Williams The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1121.html#1337257785 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1121.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added four players to their roster on Tuesday, signing pitchers Brandon Mathes, Sean Teague, and Cole Akins, as well as catcher Ben Harty. Mathes returns for a second year in Wichita where he posted a 3-3 record with a 4.35 ERA in 51.2 IP last summer. After earning a rotation spot out of spring training, Mathes was released in late-May and then re-signed in June where he thrived out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season. In 31 relief appearances, the 24-year old righty had a 3.56 ERA in 42.2 IP, striking out 39 and allowing just 33 hits. I'm very excited to have Brandon back for 2011, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's very versatile out of the bullpen and he competes. He's that bulldog-type pitcher that I love, and wants the ball all the time. A native of Oklahoma City, OK, Mathes played two seasons of college baseball at Kansas Wesleyan University, where he was 8-1 as a senior in 2009 with a 1.38 ERA. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Mathes also hit .360 during his two seasons with the Coyotes, and earned KCAC Player of the Year honors in both 2008 and 2009. Teague also returns for a second season in a Wingnuts uniform. The right-handed sinkerballer joined Wichita in a mid-June trade with the Northern League's Joliet Jackahmmers. Teague made 13 starts and one relief appearance for the Wingnuts in 2010, going 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 66.2 IP. Sean's an intriguing guy for us, being able to start or throw out of the pen, which has not yet been decided. We're expecting big things out of him no matter what his role is. He has great overall stuff, and lives off of his fastball which creates a lot of groundballs for our defense. A Corona, CA native, Teague allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 13 starts. The 6-foot, 195-pound Teague was especially tough at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where he owned a 2.49 ERA in 25.1 IP over five starts. Teague, who will be 25 on opening night, was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 25th round out of Southern Polythechnic University in 2009. Teague went 8-3 as a senior, which included a perfect game, and was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. In his pro debut, Teague combined for a 2.33 ERA in 27.0 IP at three levels in the Marlins' organization. Akins was in training camp with the Wingnuts last season before suffering a season-ending injury. The rookie right-hander played four years of college baseball at the University of the Pacific from 2006-2009 where he was 6-11 in 176.0 IP over 69 games. The Olympia, WA native struck out 105 while walking only 44 and also notched five career saves for the Tigers. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Akins was named to the All-Washington State Team as a high school senior in 2005 for Eastside Catholic High in Bellevue. Cole unfortunately didn't get a chance with us last year because of his injury. We're very excited to see him now that he's healthy. He had a chance to be in our rotation last year, and hopefully he will do the same again this spring. Harty is a true rookie out of New Mexico State University. The 23-year old backstop launched 12 home runs while hitting .408 during his senior season with the Aggies in 2010. Harty towers at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and drove in 45 runs in just 34 games played last spring. The Bellevue, WA native was equally impressive as a junior, clouting 17 home runs with 58 RBI in 52 games during the 2009 season. Harty also spent two seasons at Skagit Valley College and most recently played for the Haysville Heat in the 2010 NBC World Series. Ben is big and strong, and he is going to come in and compete for a job. He played at a good baseball program at New Mexico State. With his size and strength, he can hit with power to all fields. The signings give the Wingnuts eight players under contract for the 2011 season. 2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin 2B Jason Diaz LHP Eric Gilliland C Ben Harty RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller RHP Sean Teague The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or by visiting -Wingnuts- Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1120.html#1337257786 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1120.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed former Major League catcher Edwin Bellorin on Monday. Bellorin (pronounced BELL-uh-reen) enters his 13th season of professional baseball, all of which have been spent in the affiliated ranks. A native of Edo Bolivar, Venezuela, Bellorin appeared in eight games with the Colorado Rockies over three seasons from 2007-2009. The right-handed hitting Bellorin collected his first Major League hit on September 24th, 2008 against San Francisco Giants' righty Billy Sadler at ATT Park. Obviously the catching position is very important, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. Edwin gives us over 10 years of experience in affiliated ball which is something you can't teach. To bring in a Major Leaguer at any position is a huge plus, so it's a great find for the organization to sign a catcher of Edwin's stature. Bellorin, who will be 29 on opening night, split last season with the Texas Rangers' and Kansas City Royals' organizations, playing in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League for Round Rock and Omaha respectively. Bellorin totaled 74 games played in 2010, throwing out 29% of the opposition's stolen base attempts. Originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent in 1998, Bellorin started his career the following summer with the Dodgers' Dominican Summer League affiliate. Bellorin reached Double-A Jacksonville at just 21 years old in 2003, and has spent the last five seasons in either Triple-A or the Major Leagues. Bellorin is a lifetime .263 hitter in 829 minor league games with 35 home runs and 381 RBI. Defensively, Bellorin has a 32% career caught stealing percentage, including a 38% mark in 2008 with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Over the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Bellorin combined to hit .306 with 14 home runs and 110 RBIs in 146 games for the Sky Sox. Bellorin joins second baseman Jason Diaz and relievers Eric Gilliland and David Miller to give the Wingnuts four players under contract for the 2011 season. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1119.html#1337257787 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1119.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their first acquisitions for the 2011 season on Wednesday, purchasing the contract of infielder Jason Diaz and trading for relief pitchers Eric Gilliland and David Miller. I'm very excited to have acquired these three young men in trades over the last week, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. I believe all three will be able to help us compete in their own way. I'm looking forward to them being quality contributors on and off the field. Diaz' contract was purchased from the United League's Laredo Broncos where he hit .326 last season with 82 runs scored in 88 games. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Diaz stole a career-high 40 bases, while chipping in 18 doubles and 31 RBI. The Fort Worth, TX native posted a .437 on-base percentage, drawing 65 walks against 37 strikeouts in 347 at bats. Jason is going to be an exciting player for the fans to watch because of his speed. He swiped 40 bags last year and has a knack for getting on base. I'm looking for him to be our everyday second baseman. He could be a leadoff-type guy for us in 2011. Diaz enters his fifth season of professional baseball with a .308 career batting average in 211 games. The alumnus of Texas Wesleyan University has drawn 133 career walks while striking out just 93 times. Diaz is also 95 for 127 (75%) lifetime in stolen base attempts. Diaz hit .370 in nine games for the Pensacola Pelicans during their run to the 2009 American Association Championship Series and went on to hit .333 with four runs scored in five playoff contests. Gilliland appeared in 33 games last season for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies, going 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 52.0 IP. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound lefty struck out 52 while issuing just 19 walks, and limited opponents to a .209 batting average. 32 of Gilliland's 33 appearances came out of the bullpen where he worked more than one inning 19 times. The sidearmer was equally tough on lefties and righties, holding them to averages of .231 and .197 respectively. We needed some left-handed help in the bullpen and I hope we found a guy in Eric that can provide that. He works with a three-quarter/sidearm arm slot that should be good against both lefties and righties. He's a great kid who is from Kansas, which will add some local flavor. Gilliland is originally from Concordia, KS and played his college ball at Fort Hays State where he currently serves as an assistant coach. Gilliland earned All-MIAA honors as a pitcher in both 2008 and 2009, and also played two seasons at Cloud Community College. Entering his third season of professional baseball, Gilliland will be 24 on opening night. Miller, a 6-foot-10, 210-pound right-hander, went 1-2 with a 2.92 ERA last season as a teammate of Gilliland's in Gateway. The 26-year old struck out 35 hitters in 37.0 IP, allowing 28 hits and 22 walks. The Fort Worth, TX native notched four saves during his 35 appearances, all of which came in relief. David has a chance to be a late-inning guy for us, and at 6-foot-10 is a very intimidating presence on the mound! He has a good fastball to go along with a real good split-finger and slider. He's also working on a cut fastball right now while playing winter ball in Austrailia. Miller was originally drafted in the 32nd round by the Houston Astros out of Stephen F. Austin University in 2007. The fifth-year professional has also seen time in the Marlins and Blue Jays organizations. Miller has allowed just six home runs in 129.0 career innings. Gilliland and Miller were acquired from Gateway in exchange for right-hander J.R. Boling and future considerations. Boling's rights were re-acquired from the United League's Amarillo Dillas where he had been traded in early-August. The Wingnuts also sent right-hander Jae Hun Jung to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in exchange for future considerations. Jung made his second consecutive American Association all-star appearance in 2010, and was 6-7 with a 4.25 ERA between Wichita and Sioux City. Jung was acquired from the Explorers in August in exchange for Steve Pearson. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is on Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1118.html#1337257788 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1118.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2011 regular season schedule on Monday. To view the Wingnuts' 2011 schedule with home start times, click ! The American Association now features a 100-game continuous schedule and a total of 14 teams with the recent addition of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Kansas City T-Bones, and Winnipeg Goldeyes. Last week, the league also announced Pensacola will transfer operations to Amarillo, TX in time for 2011. Nine different teams make the trip to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this summer, including four that Wingnuts' fans have never seen. Wichita has at least one road series scheduled against each of the league's 13 other clubs. Season four of Wingnuts baseball kicks off on Thursday, May 12th with a four-game road series at Amarillo. 13 of the Wingnuts' first 16 games are on the road, including the team's first trip to Gary, IN on May 23rd. The Wingnuts' 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m. Wichita enjoys five homestands of six or more games during June and July. On Friday, June 3rd, the Wingnuts play their inaugural series against the Kansas City T-Bones. The three-game set is the first of 14 head-to-head meetings against Wichita's newest rival. The battle for in-state bragging rights also takes place in Wichita on the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 28th of July, as well as August 16th-18th. The Wingnuts visit Community America Ballpark, home of the T-Bones, July 3rd, 4th, 29th, and 30th. The defending champion Shreveport-Bossier Captains are in town June 13th-15th and July 10th-13th. Longtime division rivals Sioux City (June 10th-12th) and Lincoln (July 7th-9th) each make one trip to Wichita. Fargo-Moorhead and Gary visit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium for the first time this summer. The RedHawks are in town July 25th-27th while the RailCats visit August 19th-21st. The Wingnuts also travel to Fargo in early-August. Wichita's lone series against Winnipeg takes place at Canwest Park in Manitoba in mid-August. The road series against the RedHawks and Goldeyes take place during the Wingnuts' five-city, 15-game road trip from July 29th-August 14th while the 77th annual NBC World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita returns home from the long trip for a 10-game homestand, culminating with the team's final regular season home game on Friday, August 26th versus Amarillo. The Wingnuts then play four games at El Paso from August 27th-30th, marking the first time in their history that the regular season ends on the road. Game times at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium remain constant for 2011 (7:05 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 5:05 p.m. on Sundays) with three exceptions: Friday, June 3rd versus Kansas City - 6:05 p.m. Saturday, June 11th versus Sioux City - 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 29th versus El Paso - 12:05 p.m. Season tickets and packages for the 2011 season of Wingnuts baseball are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1117.html#1337257789 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1117.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' shortstop Josh Horn has been named to Baseball America's 2011 Independent League Top Prospects list as an honorable mention. Horn hit .331 in 2010 with three home runs and 27 RBI in 78 games played, all at shortstop. Horn scored 44 runs and drew 37 walks while striking out just 45 times. The Shelbyville, TN native has made the all-star team in all four years of his professional career. The 26-year old Horn set a new franchise record with a 20-game hitting streak that ran from August 29th, 2009-June 5th, 2010 (30-82, .366). In two seasons with the Wingnuts, Horn has hit safely in 126 of 173 games played with a composite batting average of .320. Former Wingnuts outfielder Blake Gailen ranked eighth on the list after hitting .387 last season for the Golden League's Chico Outlaws. The Wingnuts begin the 2011 season in mid-May. Season ticket and package deposite are being accepted now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1116.html#1337257790 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1116.html WICHITA, KS- The American Association of Independent Baseball announced Monday that the Wichita Wingnuts have been voted the 2010 Organization of the Year. I'm very excited for the organization, said Wingnuts' majority owner Steve Ruud. I can't really put it into words. I think it goes to show what a group of great people can do when they all have one common goal. The award encompasses all facets of an organization and was determined by the league's field managers and media representatives, as well as surveys turned in throughout the year. The official announcement came late last week during the league's annual ownership meetings. Obviously our staff is thrilled to receive this honor in only our third year, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. I've always said that we are blessed with great owners, a great staff, and great fans who continue to support our team. There are many teams in the league with long histories, so it makes it even more special for us knowing they were the ones who chose us for the award. On the field, the Wingnuts rebounded from a slow first half and posted an overall record of 50-46. The Wingnuts went 30-18 (.625) in the second half and fell one game shy of both the division title and wild card. It was the second-highest win total for a team that missed the postseason in the five-year history of the American Association. At the box office, the Wingnuts finished fourth in the league in attendance, averaging 2,994 fans per game. The organization has ranked in the top half of the league in average attendance every year since its inaugural season in 2008. The Wingnuts' front office also set team records in corporate partnerships. On July 27th, the Wingnuts hosted the 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. 4,012 fans were in attendance while the South Division beat the North Division 12-3. The event was broadcast live on Kansas 22. The Lawrence-Dumont Stadium clubhouses and postgame meals placed first on league-wide survey's filled out by visiting managers, athletic trainers, and broadcasters during each of their trips to Wichita. The stadium press box ranked second. Throughout the season, the team made numerous appearances in the Wichita community and surrounding areas. Highlights included the Make-a-Wish Foundation's 25th anniversary, a baseball clinic at the Camp Hyde YMCA, and Goddard Explorer Elementary's Father's Day Breakfast where Field Manager Kevin Hooper spoke to an audience of more than 500 people. The City of Wichita helped the Wingnuts greatly enhance their fan experience with two major improvements to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium last summer. A brand new high-definition video screen, nearly twice the size of its predecessor, was installed just prior to opening night. The city also doubled the size of the stadium's concession stands which helped reduce the amount of time fans spent waiting in line. More improvements are expected for the 2011 season, most notably the installation of state-of-the-art field turf. Just recently, the Wingnuts were voted Best Local Sports Team in the Wichita Eagle's first ever Reader's Choice survey. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season in mid-May with a full schedule due out by the end of November. Deposits for 2011 season tickets and packages are being accepted. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1115.html#1337257791 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1115.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts, in conjunction with the American Association, announced a plan for realignment in 2011. The most significant change will be the addition of four new franchises. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Kansas City T-Bones, and Winnipeg Goldeyes (all formerly of the Northern League) join the existing 10 American Association clubs to create a 14-team league for next season. The four new teams all have histories of at least nine years and have combined for six Northern League championships. This is an exciting change for the American Association as well as the Wingnuts, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. Adding four great organizations has strengthened our league considerably, and gives our fans a chance to see some new teams and players throughout the season. We are also very excited about building a geographic rivalry with the T-Bones. The league now features three divisions with the Wingnuts joining Gary, Kansas City, Lincoln, and Sioux City in the American Association Central. The North Division includes Fargo-Moorhead, St. Paul, Sioux Falls, and Winnipeg. The South Division remains intact and is comprised of El Paso, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Pensacola, and Shreveport-Bossier. The length of the regular season increases from 96 games to 100. The American Association is currently finalizing schedule dates for 2011 as well as a playoff system. Season ticket and ticket package deposits are available now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1114.html#1337257792 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1114.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts recently won Best Local Sports Team honors in the Wichita Eagle's inaugural Readers' Choice survey. The survey covered over 130 categories throughout the Wichita area, including food, shopping, and services. Over 4,000 votes were submitted during an 11-day period from late-July into early-August. The official results were made public on September 24th. This is a great honor for our organization, especially with so many other first-class sports entities in the Wichita area, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. We've been blessed with great fan support from day one, and thank the community for this recognition. Since the Wingnuts began play in 2008, the franchise has averaged 3,301 fans per game whlie compiling a 153-134 (.533) record. The Wingnuts have finished in either first or second place in four of six half-seasons during this period. The Wichita Eagle was founded in 1872 and is currently distributed to over 80,000 households. You can also find the Eagle online at The Wingnuts open the 2011 season in mid-May and will announce their official schedule in the coming months. For information on 2011 season tickets and packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the team's official website at -Wingnuts- Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1113.html#1337257793 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1113.html WICHITA, KS- Three former Wichita Wingnuts experienced success in affiliated baseball during the 2010 season. In a span of seven months, former Wingnuts' pitchers Will Savage, Ben Graham, and Justin Dowdy all had their contracts purchased by Major League organizations. Having three guys picked up by affiliated teams within seven months has been pretty special, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. As an organization, we want to get as many players into, or back into, affiliated baseball. I am so proud to say I had the chance to manage Will Savage, Ben Graham and Justin Dowdy. All three of these gentlemen helped us win some ballgames along the way, and I wish them nothing but the best as they continue their baseball careers. Savage, who was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers in February, earned two promotions within the organization before finishing the year in Double-A. Despite battling a case of appendicitis just prior to spring training, Savage went 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 13 starts in the Midwest League (class Low-A) with Great Lakes. The West Hills, CA native made the all-star team and was named the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week on May 24th after tossing a complete game shutout. Savage continued his success in the hitter-friendly California League (class High-A), winning four of six decisions with a 4.70 ERA in eight starts for the Inland Empire 66ers. The right-hander was called up to Double-A Chattanooga in August where he made four starts. Overall, Savage was 10-5 with a 4.32 ERA and set career-bests in starts (25) and innings pitched (152.0). Savage struck out 102 and walked only 29. Will dominated for us in 2009 and was dearly missed last year, said Hooper. He got a chance this offseason to sign with the Dodgers and it didn't take him long to move up three different levels. He has the makeup and confidence to pitch at a high level, hopefully for a long time. Savage was a major component of the Wingnuts' 2009 pitching staff that led the American Association with a 3.52 ERA. Savage, who had never made a start during his first three professional seasons, finished fourth in the league with a 2.94 ERA and fifth in both starts (19) and innings pitched (125.1). Savage hurled the second no-hitter in league history on June 23rd at Sioux City in a 1-0 win. The 26-year old was the winning pitcher when the Wingnuts clinched the North Division's first half title on June 28th versus St. Paul and in the team's first ever postseason game on September 1st at Lincoln. Graham excelled as a reliever in the Washington Nationals organization after having his contract purchased in mid-June. The Holden, MO native initially reported to the New York-Penn League's Vermont Lake Monsters (Short Season-A) where he rattled off 8.0 scoreless innings in just four games. Graham was soon promoted to the Low-A South Atlantic League's Hagerstown Suns where he logged another 32.2 innings over 17 appearances with a 4.13 ERA. The 22-year old registered an incredible strikeout-to-walk ratio, fanning 26 while issuing only five free passes. We didn't have Ben for long in 2010, said Hooper, but during the time we did, he pitched great for us. I knew after seeing him that it wouldn't be long before he got a chance in affiliated ball. Graham made his professional debut with the Wingnuts on June 3rd at Sioux Falls, allowing three earned runs in 5.2 innings during a no-decision before picking up his first career victory five days later. The rookie right-hander signed with Wichita after a stellar senior year at Emporia State University where he was 8-3 as a starter with a 2.45 ERA. Dowdy was purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays in early-August and assigned to Double-A Montgomery. The left-hander worked 17.2 innings over 11 relief appearances and posted a 2.04 ERA while notching one save. Dowdy struck out 17 against only six walks and did not allow a run in nine of his 11 outings. The 27-year old also proved durable, working more than one full inning nine different times. Justin was as dominant a closer as I have seen in my three years in independent baseball, said Hooper. He just got better and better during the time he was with us. When we had a lead in the ninth, it was 'game over!' He went straight to Double-A and didn't disappoint one bit. He wants the ball at all times and is such a competitor when on the mound. Dowdy's purchase followed an all-star campaign in which he saved 17 games with a 1.08 ERA in 25.0 IP. Despite missing the final month of American Association play, the 17 saves still ranked fifth at the end of the season. Dowdy accumulated 40 strikeouts for the Wingnuts and struck out the side on five separate occasions. Overall, the Wingnuts have had four players signed by Major League clubs in their first three years of existence. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season in mid-May. For information on season tickets and packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the team's official website at -Wingnuts- Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1112.html#1337257794 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1112.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced Thursday that Field Manager Kevin Hooper will return for the 2011 season. Hooper enters his third year as the Wingnuts' skipper with a record of 108-84 (.563) that includes the franchise's first postseason appearance in 2009. The Wingnuts organization, from the owners, to myself, and to the rest of the front office, is extremely happy that Kevin will be returning next year, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. I know he was offered a great opportunity to manage in the Detroit Tigers' organization, so it means a lot to everyone involved with our team that he has chosen to stay and finish our unfinished business. The 33-year old Hooper led a remarkable turnaround this past season that saw the Wingnuts rebound from a fifth-place finish in the first half to go 30-18 in the second half where the team ultimately fell one game shy of the playoffs. I am happy to announce that I will be returning as the Wingnuts' manager in 2011, said Hooper. It was a tough decision because of my relationship with the great people in the Detroit Tigers' organization. I have so much respect for them and thank them for even thinking of me for the position they offered. Wichita is home for me now, and my family is the most important thing in my life. At this point in my managing career, being home with my family is priceless. The Wingnuts have taken care of myself and my family from day one and I can't thank them enough for the opportunity to manage for a first class organization. I can't wait to take the field in 2011 and give it my all again to try and bring home a championship to the great city of Wichita. As a rookie manager in 2009, Hooper piloted the Wingnuts to the American Association's best record at 58-38 (.604) which included the North Division's first half title. Seven Wingnuts were selected as midseason all-stars, while five were named to the league's postseason all-star team, including 2009 Player of the Year Greg Porter. Hooper was honored as the American Association's 2009 Manager of the Year. Hooper played professionally for 10 years, including two in the Major Leagues with the Tigers in 2005 and 2006. The Lawrence, KS native finished his career as the Wingnuts' shortstop in 2008, winning the league batting title at .373. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season in mid-May. For information on season tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1111.html#1337257795 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1111.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts right-hander Adam Cowart was named the American Association's Pitcher of the Week for August 23rd-29th. Cowart went 2-0 in two starts and allowed just one earned run in 14.0 IP. The 27-year old worked seven-plus shutout innings on Monday at Fort Worth, helping the Wingnuts to their league-best ninth shutout of the season. Last night, Cowart allowed one earned run in seven innings in a win versus El Paso, striking out five and walking none. Cowart finished the regular season ninth in the league in ERA at 3.93. It marks the second straight week and third time this season that a Wingnuts' pitcher has won the award. The Wingnuts open the 2011 season in May. For information regarding season tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1110.html#1337257796 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1110.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 4-2 over the El Paso Diablos at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Although the Wingnuts finished the regular season on a high note, by virtue of Sioux Falls' victory over the St. Paul Saints, Wichita falls one game short of first place in the second half while also finishing one game back of Lincoln who heads to the postseason via the wild card. Adam Cowart led the Wingnuts with seven strong innings to earn the win and finish the season 7-7. Cowart allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits while striking out five and walking none. The Diablos rallied in the top of the second, putting runners on first and third with no outs, but Cowart struck out J.D. Reininger and Jeff Hulett back-to-back. Cowart then retired Adam Deleo on a groundout to third to keep the game scoreless. Ryan Patterson drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the third and advanced to second on a hit-and-run groundball from Cesar Suarez. Jorge Cortes pulled a singled to deep right field that scored Patterson to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. Patterson became the first Wingnuts player to appear in 96 gmes in a season. After the Diablos tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the fourth, Michael Bell hit a lined drive, two-run home run in the bottom of the inning to give the Wingnuts the lead for good. The Diablos sliced the lead again on an RBI single from Jeff Vincent in the top of the fifth, but Patterson scored on a sacrifice fly by Cortes in the bottom half for the final run of the game. Dustin Pease set a new league record with his 54th appearance, recording the final two outs in the eighth to strand the tying runs on base. Dustin Cameron worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 19th save. -Wingnuts- Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1109.html#1337257797 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1109.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 16-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Coupled with Sioux Falls' loss to St. Paul, the Wingnuts remain alive in the second half division race. The Wingnuts are one game out of first place with one game remaining in 2010. The Wingnuts tied a club record with 16 runs scored, while pounding out 22 hits in the win. Carlos Rivera tied a club record with five hits, including two home runs and five RBI. The Wingnuts scored five runs in the bottom of the first to take early control of the game. Ryan Patterson led off with a four-pitch walk from Diablos' starter Dustin Birosak. Patterson went to third on a hit-and-run single by Cesar Suarez. On the next pitch, Jorge Cortes crushed a three-run home run to right field to give the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Carlos Rivera followed with an opposite-field solo blast that hit off the upper part of the scoreboard in left-center. Raul Gonzalez doubled to left-center and went to third on a groundball single from Jorge Delgado. William Buzhardt relieved Birosak, who did not retire a batter, and issued a walk to Michael Bell. Jeff Christy singled through the middle to score Gonzalez and make it 5-0. Birosak took the loss, and was charged with five earned runs on five hits. Kevin Angelle earned the win, giving up two earned runs on just three hits in 5.2 IP. Angelle struck out eight and walked two, winning his third consecutive start. Angelle retired 10 batters in a row from the third inning into the sixth, and struck out the side in order in the fifth. After Rico Santana hit a solo home run in the top of the second, the Wingnuts plated three more runs in their half. Suarez was hit by a pitch leading, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundball to first by Cortes. Rivera singled to left-center field to make it 6-1. A Gonzalez single and another walk to Bell loaded the bases, setting up a two-run single to center by Christy that opened an 8-1 lead. Rivera added another RBI single in the third. With a runner on first and two outs in the fourth, Ryan Patterson homered to deep left field to increase the Wingnuts lead to 11-1. It was the 100th home run of Patterson's career. Suarez singled and scored on a double to left-center from Cortes. River collected his fourth RBI of the night when he chased home Cortes with a line drive single to center. Leading 13-2 in the seventh, Rivera led off with another home run to left-center for his fifth hit of the night. Joseph Spiers pinch-hit for Gonzalez and doubled down the left field line. Spiers went to third on an infield single from Delgado and scored on a sacrifice fly from Bell. Delgado scored the Wingnuts' 16th run of the night on Josh Horn's RBI double. Jacob Wiley relieved Angelle in the sixth and worked 1.2 scoreless frames. Dustin Pease worked a scoreless eighth and tied an American Association record with his 53rd appearance of the season. Dustin Cameron pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the win. The regular season ends Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with Adam Cowart going to the mound against right-hander Amad Stephens. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1107.html#1337257798 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1107.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 10-4 to the El Paso Diablos at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. The loss eliminated the Wingnuts from the wild card race, and with Sioux Falls' win versus St. Paul, the Wingnuts head into Saturday facing elimination. In order to reach the postseason, the Wingnuts need to win their final two games against the Diablos and need Sioux Falls to lose their final two to the Saints. Behind in the count 1-2, Jeff Vincent led off the game with a solo home run to left-center field against Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague that set the tone for the night. Carlos Rivera brifly tied the game with a solo shot to right in the bottom of the second, but after the Wingnuts left the bases loaded, El Paso scored three times in the top of the third to take the lead for good. Jonathan Reynoso led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a walk to Vincent. Arnoldo Ponce tripled down the right field line and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch from Teague. Vincent added a two-out, RBI single in the top of the fourth to make it 5-1. The Diablos extended their lead in the seventh on back-to-back run scoring hits with two outs from Rico Santana and J.D. Reininger. Jorge Cortes and Rivera sliced the lead to 7-3 with consecutive two-out hits in the bottom of the inning. The Wingnuts then had two on with two out in the eighth when Ryan Patterson hit a deep flyball down the left field line that was ruled foul by home plate umpire Troy Solsaa. Patterson was denied a home run in the first inning as well, this time with third base umpire Bryan Childe making the call on the flyball that was hit over the foul poul during the point in which it crossed over the fence. Reininger put the game away with a three-run home run to left in the ninth against Cephas Howard before the Wingnuts scored an unearned run against Barry Fowler in the bottom half. Fowler earned the save with 1.1 IP of work. Teague took the loss, allowing five earned runs in 4.2 IP. Teague struck out three and walked three while allowing five hits. Shaun Ellis earned the win, allowing three earned runs in 6.2 IP. The series continues tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Kevin Angelle goes up against left-hander Dustin Birosak. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1106.html#1337257799 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1106.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fort Worth Cats 8-5 at LaGrave Field on Wednesday night. Cesar Suarez lifted a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh to break a 5-5 tie. Jeff Christy and Josh Horn opened the inning with back-to-back singles and advanced 90 feet after a sacrifice bunt from Ryan Patterson. Michael Bell ripped a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the eighth to give the Wingnuts a three-run cushion. After Luke Massetti and Dustin Pease combined for a perfect eighth inning, Dustin Cameron recorded a scoreless ninth against his former team to pick up his 18th save of the year. For a second straight night, the Wingnuts jumped out to a big lead in the first. Patterson led off the game with a single and took second on a hit-and-run groundout by Suarez. After Jorge Cortes walked, Carlos Rivera lined a single to left-center that scored Patterson with the first run of the game. Raul Gonzalez, Jorge Delgado, and Bell all added RBI. Fort Worth scratched out two runs in the bottom of the second against Gabe Medina. Nick McCoola drove in a run on an error charged to Carlos Rivera. Kennard Bibbs added a sacrifice fly to cut the Wingnuts' lead in half. Cortes singled home a run with two outs in the fifth, but Kelley Gulledge hit a game-tying, two-out, three-run home run that bounced off the top of the right-center field fence before landing on the opposite side. Medina earned the win, allowing five runs, four earned, in 6.2 IP. Medina struck out seven and walked four while allowing nine hits. Jason Fernandez took the loss for the Cats, allowing six earned runs in seven full innings. The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1105.html#1337257800 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1105.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-7 to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Tuesday night. Wichita scored five runs before the Cats ever came to the plate, but Fort Worth scored eight unanswered runs to build an 8-5 lead before a Wingnuts' rally fell short in the top of the ninth. The Cats began chipping away in the bottom of the first. With one out, Kelley Gulledge hit a grand slam to right field that cut the Wingnuts' lead to 5-4. Brian Fryer tied the game with a two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the second. Jose Duran hit a solo home run leading off the fourth against Wingnuts' starter Bubba O'Donnell to give Fort Worth its first lead of the night. O'Donnell was relieved by Jae Jung who retired the side in the fourth. Jung allowed back-to-back home runs to John Allen and Gulledge in the fifth to make it 8-5 Cats. O'Donnell took the loss, allowing six earned runs in three-plus innings. O'Donnell struck out two, walked one, and allowed eight hits. Dwayne Pollok earned the win for the Cats, allowing five runs, four earned, with eight strikeouts in eight innings. The Wingnuts scored twice in the ninth to pull within one. After three walks from reliever Robert Romero, Cesar Suarez hit a two-out, line drive single to center off of Justin Vaclavik that made it a one run game. Vaclavic recovered and got Jorge Cortes to ground out to first for the final out to notch the save. Ryan Patterson led off the game with a single to center and moved to second when Suarez was hit by a pitch. Cortes hit a broken bat single to left that scored Patterson with the first run of the night. Three batters later, Jorge Delgado hit an opposite field grand slam to open a 5-0 lead. Brandon Mathes worked three scoreless innings in relief of Jung. Dustin Pease pitched a perfect eighth. The Wingnuts and Cats finish their series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina takes the ball against right-hander Jason Fernandez. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1104.html#1337257801 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1104.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' left-hander Kevin Angelle was named the American Association's Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon. Angelle (pronounced ann-JELL) won both of his starts last week while pitching 12.1 scoreless innings. The 22-year old's first win came on Tuesday in the nightcap of a double header versus Sioux City in which he struck out five and allowed only three hits in 5.1 IP. Last night, Angelle led the Wingnuts to a 1-0 win at El Paso in the rubber match of a three-game series. The Bridge City, TX native fired seven more scoreless frames while notching four strikeouts. Angelle was signed by the Wingnuts on August 11th. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight against the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on left-hander Joel Kirsten. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home to finish the regular season on Friday, August 27th when they host the El Paso Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1102.html#1337257802 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1102.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts blanked the Fort Worth Cats 5-0 at LaGrave Field on Monday night. Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart picked up where Kevin Angelle left off on Sunday, tossing seven-plus scoreless innings to earn his sixth win of the year. Cowart struck out two and walked one while allowing only five hits. Cowart escaped a first inning jam, stranding a runner on third. Jeremy Sauceda tripled to center with one out, but Cowart retired Kevin Thompson on a comebacker and John Allen on a flyball to right. Wichita broke the game open early, scoring four times in the top of the second. Facing starter Joel Kirsten, Carlos Rivera led off with a long double that landed just fair inside the right field line. Rivera moved to third on a single through the left side by Raul Gonzalez. After Jorge Delgado was hit by a pitch, Michael Bell slugged a triple to center field that cleared the bases and gave Wichita a 3-0 lead. Jeff Christy followed with a sacrifice fly that made it 4-0. Delgado hit a towering home run off of Kirsten leading off the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 5-0. Cowart cruised after being handed the big lead, allowing multiple runners just once and allowing only one runner past second. From the fourth through the seventh, Cowart retired 12 batters in a row. Dustin Pease and Luke Massetti finished the game for the Wingnuts, working two scoreless innings. Kirsten took a complete game loss, allowing all five earned runs while striking out eight. The win pulls the Wingnuts into a first place tie with Sioux Falls and withing a half game of Lincoln for the second-best overall record in the North Division. The series continues Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1103.html#1337257803 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1103.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the El Paso Diablos 1-0 at Cohen Stadium on Sunday evening. Kevin Angelle won for a second consecutive start, firing seven-plus shutout innings. Angelle struck out four, walked three, and scattered six hits. The Wingnuts scored the only run of the night in the top of the fourth. Jorge Cortes led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch from Diablos' starter Shaun Ellis. Carlos Rivera moved Cortes to third with a groundout to second base. Raul Gonzalez grounded a single through the middle of a drawn in El Paso infield to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. The run came half an inning after Rivera made a heads up play to keep El Paso off the board. With Jeff Vincent on second and two outs, Bryon Smith hit a slow groundball up the third base line that was gloved by Michael Bell. Smith beat out Bell's throw to first, but with Vincent digging for the plate, Rivera fired a strike to Jeff Christy who tagged Vincent out to end the inning. After the Wingnuts took the lead, Angelle worked around a one-out double from J.D. Reininger in the bottom of the fourth. Angelle retired Jonathan Reynoso on a foul popup and then struck out Jeff Hulett. The Diablos had the tying run on second with only one out in the fifth and sixth innings as well, but Angelle worked out of both jams. Adam Deleo singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but was picked off by Angelle who ended the inning with a strikeout of Vincent. Angelle issued a leadoff walk to Arnoldo Ponce in the bottom of the eighth and was lifted for Cephas Howard. Rico Santana swung through a hit-and-run attempt allowing Jeff Christy to throw Ponce out at second. Howard eventually struck out Santana and left mid-count against Bryon Smith. Dustin Cameron came in to relieve Howard, and walked Smith before allowing a single to Kyle Nichols. Cameron stranded the tying and go-ahead runners on base when he got Reininger to fly out to right. Cameron hit Reynoso leading off the ninth, but struck out Jeff Hulett on a bunt attempt. When Deleo swung through another El Paso hit-and-run chance, Christy fired a strike to second to nail his second baserunner in as many innings. Cameron finished the four-out save opportunity when Deleo grounded out to Cameron who made a barehand snag before tossing to Rivera at first. Ellis took the loss for the Diablos, allowing one earned run on six hits in a complete game. Cortes, Rivera, and Gonzalez accounted for all of the Wingnuts' hits. Jorge Delgado's hitting streak came to and end at 19 games. The Wingnuts head to Fort Worth for a three-game series beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1101.html#1337257804 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1101.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 5-1 at Cohen Stadium on Friday night. Jorge Delgado had three hits and drove in four of the Wingnuts' five runs to support Gabe Medina who went eight strong innings without allowing an earned run. Wichita struck early, scoring twice in the top of the first. Ryan Patterson reached first base with an infield single to lead off the game. Cesar Suarez pulled a single to left that moved Patterson to second. Patterson and Suarez executed a double steal. After Carlos Riveral reached on catcher's interference to load the bases with one out, Raul Gonzalez fouled off three two-strike pitches before lifting a flyball to right-center that scored Patterson. Delgado was next and hit a smash to first that went off the glove Bryon Smith. The infield single scored Suarez to make it 2-0 and extended Delgado's hitting streak to 18 games. The Diablos threatened against Medina in the fourth with runners on second and third and one out. Medina retired Adam Deleo on a foul popup down the left field line caught by Josh Horn. Eric Gomez then hit a soft line drive over the second base bag that Suarez ran down on one hop. From the edge of the outfield grass, Suarez made a leaping throw to first to get Gomez and save the tying runs. The Wingnuts capitalized on the momentum from the defensive play in the next inning. Rivera lined a single to center with one out and moved to second when Gonzalez grounded a single through the left side. With a full count, Delgado ripped a double over the head of Jonathan Reynoso that scored two runs and made it 4-0. Delgado added another RBI in the top of the seventh with a single to center that scored Jorge Cortes. In addition to Suarez' great play in the fourth, Medina came up with clutch outs in the third. After a one-out triple from Rico Santana in the third, Medina came back and struck out Arnoldo Ponce and Kyle Nichols back-to-back to end the inning. Medina helped strand nine runners on base. Medina allowed one unearned run, which came in the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander struck out six and walked one while scattering 10 hits for the win. Former Wingnut Amad Stephens took the loss, allowing five earned runs in 6.1 IP. Luke Massetti pitched a perfect ninth to finish the game. The Wingnuts and Diablos continue their series on Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. CST. Sean Teague goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1099.html#1337257805 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1099.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-5 to the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium on Saturday night. Tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Hulett singled to left off of Dustin Cameron to drive in Arnoldo Ponce with the winning run. Ponce singled to left against Cephas Howard leading off the inning, who retired the next two hitters before Cameron was summoned from the bullpen. The Wingnuts left 14 runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts mounted a ninth inning comeback to tie the game. Trailing 5-3, Carlos Rivera and Raul Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles with one out. After Joseph Spiers pinch-ran for Gonzalez, Jorge Delgado doubled off the fence in right field to score rivera and cut the lead to 5-4. El Paso intentionally walked Michael Bell to load the bases. Jesse Estraded then walked Jeff Christy to force in the tying run. Estrada escaped further trouble, retiring Josh Horn on a popped up bunt and Ryan Patterson on a groundout to second. The Wingnuts scored first for a second straight game on a first inning sacrifice fly from Jorge Cortes, but El Paso plated four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-1 lead. Rico Santana tied the game with an RBI single, setting up a three-run home run to left from Bryon Smith. After the teams traded runs in the sixth inning, a single by Delgado and two El Paso errors led to an unearned run for the Wingnuts in the top of the seventh. The single extended Delgado's hitting streak to 19 games, one shy of the Wingnuts' club record. Sean Teague started for Wichita and took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in 5.1 IP. Teague struck out one and walked one while allowing six hits. Dustin Birosak started for the Diablos and also took a no-decision. Birosak allowed two earned runs in 5.1 IP. Howard was charged with the loss, allowing one earned run in 1.2 IP. Estrada earned the win for El Paso. Raul Gonzalez had four hits for the Wingnuts. The series concludes Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. CST. Kevin Angelle takes on right-hander Shaun Ellis. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 27th when they host El Paso. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1100.html#1337257806 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1100.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts completed a deadline deal acquiring all-star closer Dustin Cameron from the Fort Worth Cats on Friday afternoon. Cameron currently ranks fifth in the league with 16 saves while pitching to a 3.35 ERA in 40 appearances. The sidearming right-hander has struck out 36 hitters in 40.1 IP this season. The Joplin, MO native is in his fifth professional season and entered 2010 with a career ERA of 3.13 and 165 strikeouts in 195.2 IP. Cameron saved 14 games for the Pensacola Pelicans in 2008 and notched 14 more last season for the Cats. Cameron was a teammate of Michael Bell, Ryan Patterson, and Jae Jung while with the Cats in 2009. Cameron is expected to joine the Wingnuts on Saturday for the second game of their series at El Paso. The Wingnuts acquired Cameron in exchange for the reversionary rights to former closer Justin Dowdy, whom the Wingnuts acquired at last year's trade deadline from Shreveport-Bossier. Dowdy was purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays organization earlier this month. The Wingnuts open a three-game series at El Paso tonight at 8:05 p.m. CST. The Wingnuts next play at home on Friday, August 27th against the Diablos. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1098.html#1337257807 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1098.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 15-3 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The X's used a six-run top of the fourth to break the game open in which six consecutive hitters all reached base and scored. Jacob Cruz started the rally with a one-out single down the right field line. Singles from Kent Sakamoto and Ray Serrano loaded the bases. Steve Pearson hit a groundball to second that was thrown into foul territory behind home plate by Cesar Suarez allowing two runs to score. With a 3-1 lead, Derek Schermerhorn and Darrick Hale hit back-to-back RBI singles. Dustin Jones finished off the inning with a two-out, two-run single to center. After the Wingnuts picked up a run back on an RBI single from Josh Horn, Pearson hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth to open a 10-2 lead. Horn hit a solo home run down the left field line in the sixth inning. The X's added two in the top of the sixth on a wild pitch and a double play groundball. Horn crushed a solo home run down the left field line in the bottom half for the Wingnuts' final run. Sioux City tacked on three more in the eighth on two RBI groundouts and an RBI single from Hale. Sioux City scored the first run of the day when T.J. Bohn cracked a two-out, solo home run in the opening inning off of starter Bubba O'Donnell. Ryan Patterson returned the favor against X's starter David Welch in the bottom half with a deep shot to left-center. Jorge Delgado doubled leading off the home fourth to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. O'Donnell took the loss, allowing 12 runs, nine earned, in five-plus innings. O'Donnell allowed 12 hits, walked two, and struck out one. Welch allowed three earned runs on nine hits in six innings to pick up the win. The Wingnuts head to El Paso for a three-game series against the Diablos beginning Friday at 8:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at Wichita returns home to finish the regular season on Friday, August 27th when the Diablos visit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1097.html#1337257808 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1097.html WICHITA, KS- Liberal Bee Jays manager and former Emporia State University catcher John Martin returned to the Wichita Wingnuts' lineup on Tuesday in the nightcap of Wichita's double header versus Sioux City. Five days ago, Martin managed the Bee Jays to a championship at the BaseballSavings.com 76th Annual National Baseball Congress World Series with a 9-6 win over the Seattle Studs. It was Liberal's 12th appearance in the championship game and their fifth title all-time. The Bee Jays finished the tournament 7-1 with Martin being voted Best Manager. Martin was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round out of Emporia State in 2006 where he was a teammate of Wingnuts' starter Gabe Medina. The Shawnee, KS native played for the Wingnuts in the final weeks of 2009 when backup catcher Michael Sharp, a fellow ESU alumnus, went down with a season-ending thumb injury. In addition to his work with Liberal, Martin also serves as Emporia State's Pitching Coach. The Wingnuts continue their series with Sioux City tonight at 7:05 p.m. The series finale is Thursday at 12:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1095.html#1337257809 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1095.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-3 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Sioux City hit two-run home runs in consecutive innings to build a 5-1 lead that Wichita could not overcome. The Wingnuts committed five errors and allowed four unearned runs. With the game tied 1-1, Eric Williams was hit by a pitch leading off the top of the third and scored on the next pitch when Dustin Jones hit a line drive home run to left off of Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart. Ray Serrano doubled down the left field line to lead off the fourth against Cowart. After Steve Pearson flied out to shallow right field, Derek Schermerhorn hit a two-run homer to left on a high flyball that just cleared the wall to make it 5-1 Sioux City. Wichita rallied in the bottom of the seventh against starter Mikael Ryder. Carlos Rivera led off the inning with a solo home run down the right field line that landed beyond the reach of a leaping Tim Alberts. It was Rivera's second home run of the game. The first baseman hit a solo shot leading off the second against Ryder that tied the game after Darrick Hale drove in an unearned run in the top of the inning to give Sioux City a 1-0 lead. Ryder retired Raul Gonzalez on a groundout to second before Jorge Delgado lined a single to center, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Michael Bell was hit by a pitch and Ryder was taken out in favor of Eddie Delacruz. Jeff Christy grounded a single through the right side to cut the lead to 5-3, but Delacruz got Josh Horn to hit into an inning-ending double play to escape further trouble in the seventh. Ryder earned the win, allowing three earned runs in 6.1 IP on five hits. The Explorers took advantage of three Wingnuts' errors in the top of the eighth to break the game open. With Jacob Wiley on the mound, Schermerhorn led off with a groundball to third that Bell threw down the right field line, allowing Schermerhorn to reach second. Darrick Hale laid down a bunt to the right side that rolled all the way to the outfield and allowed Schermerhorn to score. Alberts singled on a line drive to center before Bell picked up a bunt from Jones along the third base line. Bell threw high to first, pulling Cesar Suarez off the bag to load the bases with no outs. Wiley recorded the first out of the inning on a force play at home on a groundball to second from T.J. Bohn. Dustin Pease came in for Wiley and allowed a run to score on an error charged to Horn at shortstop. Kent Sakamoto drove in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to center. Cowart took the loss, going 3.2 IP and allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits. Cowart walked one and struck out three. Luke Massetti pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in long relief. The Wingnuts bullpen combined for 5.1 innings without allowing an earned run. The series concludes Thursday at 12:05 p.m. Bubba O'Donnell goes to the mound against lefty David Welch. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1096.html#1337257810 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1096.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts swept a double header from the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night, winning 7-0 and 2-0. Jae Jung pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout in the opener. Jung walked one, struck out one, and did not allow a runner past first base at any point in the game. Sioux City also failed to have multiple runners on in any inning. Jung had not pitched since July 23rd when he was a member of the X's. The shutout was the fourth in the last two seasons for Jung who threw just 74 pitches in the win. The Wingnuts gave Jung plenty of support with a five-run fifth against starter Ty Marotz. Jeff Christy drew a bases loaded walk with one out that gave the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Josh Horn followed with a two-run single through the left side. Ryan Patterson broke the game open with a long, two-run double to right-center. Carlos Rivera led off the third with a double to left-center, his second double of the night. Two batters later, Jorge Delgado singled hard up the middle to score Rivera and give the Wingnuts a 6-0 lead. Jorge Cortes delivered a two-out, RBI single to right in the fourth to extend the lead to 7-0. Marotz took the loss, allowing all seven runs in six innings of work. Kevin Angelle pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in the nightcap, helping the Wingnuts earn the double header sweep. Angelle pitched out of several jams as the Explorers stranded seven runners in their first six innings. Angelle left runners on first and third in the opening inning when he retired Kent Sakamoto on a flyball to right. Angelle worked around a leadoff walk in the second, striking out Tim Alberts and Matt Kramer back-to-back and then getting Javier Brown on another fly to right. The Wingnuts left-hander was most clutch in the top of the third when Sioux City put runners on the corners with one out for cleanup hitter Jacob Cruz. Angelle worked ahead in the count 0-2 before getting Cruz to hit into an inning-ending double play to keep the game scoreless. The Wingnuts took the lead in the bottom of the third. Ryan Patterson hit a groundball to second that Derek Schermerhorn threw wildly into the Explorers' dugout, allowing Patterson reach second base. Cesar Suarez hit a comebacker to X's starter John Leonard who caught Patterson between second and third. Patterson however, was able to slide under a tag from Kent Sakamoto during the rundown and scrambled to third while Suarez took second. After Cortes flied out to left, the X's intentionally walked Rivera to load the bases. Raul Gonzalez connected on a flyball to right field that scored Patterson and gave the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Delgado extended his hitting streak to 15 games in a row with a line drive single to left. In the top of the fifth, Jones walked with one out and stole second base. Schermerhorn drove a ball to right that went off the glove of Cortes. Jones, who initially stopped in case the ball was caught, came hard around third. Cortes fired to Suarez, who nailed Jones at the plate with a perfect relay throw that kept Sioux City off the board. With Schermerhorn on third, Angelle struck out T.J. Bohn to end the inning. Angelle struck out five in the win while walking five and allowing only three hits. Angelle was lifted in the top of the sixth after issuing a one-out walk to Sakamoto. Luke Massetti came in from the bullpen and struck out Ray Serrano. When the Explorers pinch-hit with left-hand batting Steve Pearson, Kevin Hooper brought in reliever Dustin Pease who got Pearson to ground out to second to end the inning. Cephas Howard closed out the double header with a perfect top of the seventh to earn his fourth save of the season. With the two wins, the Wingnuts took sole possession of first place by a half game over Sioux Falls. Wichita is also just one and a half games back of Lincoln for the second-best overall record in the North. The series continues Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on right-hander Mikael Ryder. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1094.html#1337257811 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1094.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 9-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. With the win, the Wingnuts move into a first place tie with Sioux Falls for the second half division title. Eight Wingnuts hitters had at least one hit while all nine starters reached base at least once. The team pounded out 16 total hits and pushed Wichita's season record above .500 for the first time in 2010 at 42-41. After starter Sean Teague escaped a jam in the top of the first when he induced an inning-ending double play off the bat of Beau Torbert, the Winguts' offense handed the right-hander an early lead. Ryan Patterson led off with a double to left-center and moved to third when Cesar Suarez hit a short single down the right field line. Jorge Cortes pulled a groundball single through the right side to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Jorge Delgado extended his hitting streak to 13 games in a row with a two-out, RBI single through the left. Teague worked out of jams in the second and third, stranding five runners to keep the Wingnuts in front. Michael Bell hit a three-run home run on a towering flyball down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth to increase the lead to 5-0. The Pheasants got on the board in the fifth, helped by a throwing error from Teague that allowed Tim Hutting to reach second base leading off. Two batters later, Beau Torbert singled Hutting to third with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Teague was charged with a balk that scored Hutting and made it 5-1. Trevor Lawhorn added a sacrifice fly to cut the Wingnuts' lead to three. Patterson, who finished the night 4 for 5 with two RBI and three runs, hit a line drive solo home run to left field with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to give the Wingnuts a 6-2 lead. Sioux Falls rallied against Jacob Wiley, who worked a scoreless sixth, loading the bases with no outs in the seventh. Dustin Pease came in from the bullpen and retired the side, limiting the Pheasants to two runs. After Brandon Mathes tossed the Wingnuts' first 1-2-3 inning of the night in the top of the eighth, the Wingnuts put the game away with three runs in the bottom half. Patterson, Suarez, and Cortes all drove in runs. Mathes allowed one run in the top of the ninth before finishing the game to earn his first career save. Teague picked up the win, pitching five innings and allowing just the two unearned runs. Teague struck out two and walked six. Pheasants' starter Ben Moore took the loss, allowing six earned runs in six innings. Moore struck out four batters, tying an American Association single-season record set by Fort Worth's Cory Walters in 2006. The three-game winning streak is the second for the Wingnuts' this season. The game also marked the first time this year that Sioux Falls has lost four in a row. The Wingnuts gained a split of the season series with the Pheasants at 10-10. Wichita had 10 or more base hits for a seventh straight game. The Wingnuts open a four-game series against the Sioux City Explorers, beginning with a double header on Tuesday night at 5:05 p.m. Jae Jung makes his Wingnuts' debut in the opener against right-hander Ty Marotz. Kevin Angelles is slated for the nightcap against righty John Leonard. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1092.html#1337257812 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1092.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 6-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. The Wingnuts overcame a 4-1 deficit and scored all of their runs with two outs for a second consecutive night. Down 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Josh Horn doubled to deep left-center field against reliever Ryan Grant. Ryan Patterson walked and both Horn and Patterson moved up 90 feet when Grant threw a wild pitch with Cesar Suarez at the plate. After Suarez popped out to first base, Jorge Cortes pulled a double to right-center that scored the tying and go-ahead runs. The Wingnuts added a key insurance run in the eighth on a two-out, RBI single from Horn. Cephas Howard, who recorded the final out in the top of the inning, issued a leadoff walk to Reggie Abercrombie in the ninth. Abercrombie stole second, but Howard came back with consecutive strikeouts of Beau Torbert and Brandon Sing. Trevor Lawhorn hit a bloop single to right field that cut the Wingnuts' lead to 6-5, but Howard came back and struck out Hunter Jobes to end the ballgame. Dustin Pease earned the win in relief, in large part due to clutch pitching in the top of the seventh. With the Wingnuts still down 4-3, Pease struck out Jobes and Gus Milner back-to-back to strand runners on second third. The Wingnuts scored first on a two-out, RBI single by Carlos Rivera in the bottom of the first. The Pheasants went ahead in the third on an RBI single from Abercrombie and a bases loaded walk to Lawhorn. Sioux Falls extended their lead in the fourth beginning with a leadoff double from Milner. Eddy Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice bunt to third that was thrown by Michael Bell into foul ground, allowing Milner to score. Rodriguez took third on a sacrifice bunt from Joe Anthonsen and scored on Tim Hutting's RBI single to right. The Wingnuts pulled back within one run in the bottom of the fourth. Cortes led off with a walk and eventually scored on a two-out single by Jorge Delgado. Michael Bell singled to right-center, setting up a two-out, RBI single from Jeff Christy. Howard earned the save, protecting the lead over the final 1.1 innings. Gabe Medina started for the Wingnuts, allowing four runs, three earned, in 5.1 IP in a no-decision. Medina struck out eight. Wingnuts' pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts. Grant took the loss for the Pheasants. Ryan Rodriguez started for Sioux Falls and took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs in six innings. The Wingnuts finish their series with Sioux Falls tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teague takes on right-hander Ben Moore. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1091.html#1337257813 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1091.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 9-4 in a rain-shortened game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Steady rains throughout the night eventually forced the game to be called after the end of the sixth. All nine of the Wingnuts runs were scored with two outs with seven of Wichita's nine starters collecting at least one hit. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the second, Michael Bell singled up the middle with two outs and no one on base. After Jeff Christy walked, Josh Horn singled up the middle to score Bell with the tying run. Ryan Patterson hit a slow groundball to third that resulted in Trevor Lawhorn's throw bouncing into the outfield. The infield single and error allowed Christy to score the go-ahead run and put runners on second and third. Cesar Suarez ripped a line drive single to left that scored Horn and Patterson and made it 4-1 Wichita. Jorge Cortes capped off the inning with an RBI double to right that traveled all the way to the fence. The Wingnuts added an unearned run in the third when Pheasants' shortstop Tim Hutting dropped Jeff Christy's groundball with two outs, allowing Raul Gonzalez to score the Wingnuts' sixth run. The Pheasants pulled within 6-4, scoring two in the fourth and one in the fifth, but Patterson launched a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 9-4. Jorge Delgado extended his hitting streak to 11 games in a row. Bubba O'Donnell improved to 3-0 in three starts with the Wingnuts, allowing two earned runs in 5.1 IP. O'Donnell struck out four, walked five, and allowed four hits. Jacob Wiley worked the final two outs in the top of the sixth. Ryan Shaver took his first loss of the season, allowing all nine runs, eight of which were earned in five innings. The series continues Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Gabe Medina takes the ball against Sioux Falls' lefty Ryan Rodriguez. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1090.html#1337257814 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1090.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-3 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Wednesday night. Lincoln hit three home runs in the game, beginning with a two-run shot from Brandon Jones to left field bottom of the second to give the Saltdogs a 2-1 lead. Juan Camacho hit a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 4-1. Cesar Suarez lined a two-out single to left-center in the top of the fourth to score Carlos Rivera from second to pull the Wingnuts within two, but Juan Richardson hit a two-run home run to left in the bottom of the third to make it 6-2 in favor of Lincoln. The Wingnuts added a run in the sixth on an RBI groundout from Jorge Delgado. Lincoln tacked on their final run in the eighth on a solo home run from Camacho. Kevin Angelle took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 IP. Angelle was signed before the game after the Wingnuts traded J.R. Boling to the United League. Delgado had two hits and has hit safely in 10 straight games. Sean Teague worked 3.1 strong innings of long relief, allowing just the home run to Camacho. Wichita left nine runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts return home on Saturday for the first time since July 25th when they open a three-game series against the division-leading Sioux Falls Pheasants. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Bubba O'Donnell goes to the mound for Wichita. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1089.html#1337257815 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1089.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 9-4 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. Lincoln plated five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-1 lead. Wingnuts' starter Gabe Medina issued consecutive walks to Rafael Alvarez, Juan Richardson, and Argelis Nunez. Juan Camacho doubled off the bottom of the left field fence to score Alvarez and Richardson to give Lincoln their first lead of the series at 3-1. Roberto Alvarez broke the game open with a three-run home run to left field that signaled the end of the night for Medina. Medina took the loss, allowing six earned runs in five-plus innings, striking out four and walking eight. Jim Paduch earned the win for the Saltdogs, allowing one earned run in six innings. Wichita rallied in the top of the eighth. Cesar Suarez lined a two-out, two-run single to left field to cut the Saltdogs' lead to 6-3. Two batters later, Josh Horn grounded a single through the left side to make it 6-4. Lincoln's Adam Daniels relieved Brendon Smith and struck out Ryan Patterson to end the threat. Lincoln re-extended the lead in the bottom of the inning against Luke Massetti. With two outs and no one on base, Vance Albitz and Albenis Machado hit back-to-back singles. Pat Trettel was next and hit the Saltdogs' second three-run homer of the night, this one also to left-center field. The Wingnuts scored the first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Jorge Delgado in the top of the third. Lincoln tied it in the fourth when Rafael Alvarez scored on a wild pitch from Medina. Jacob Wiley pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Medina. Carlos Rivera collected three hits. Patterson's hitting streak came to an end at 16 games. The series concludes Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1088.html#1337257816 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1088.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 11-7 at Haymarket Park on Monday night. The Wingnuts collected 15 hits and scored in six different innings. Josh Horn homered and scored three runs while going 3 for 5 in his first game since July 18th. Tied at 5-5 in the top of the seventh, the Wingnuts used a four-run rally to take their third and final lead of the night. Horn opened the inning with a single to right field and went to third when Ryan Patterson pulled a double down the left field. Horn came in on Jorge Cortes' sacrifice fly to center. Patterson took third on the same play and then scored when Saltdogs' starter Jacob Marceaux balked. Leading 7-5, Raul Gonzalez singled to left to chase out Marceaux. Carlos Rivera lined a single to center and was followed by a walk to Michael Bell that loaded the bases. Jorge Delgado singled to right to make it 8-5 and a sacrifice fly into foul territory down the left field line by Cesar Suarez drove in the Wingnuts' ninth run of the ballgame. The Wingnuts added two more in the eighth on another sacrifice fly from Cortes and a two-out, RBI double down the left field line from Bell. Lincoln battled back twice earlier in the game. Juan Richardson hit a two-out, two-run home run off of Wingnuts' starter Bubba O'Donnell to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth. It was Richardson's second home run of the game. O'Donnell worked six innings, allowing five runs on five hits to earn his second win in as many starts with Wichita. O'Donnell struck out five and walked two. Rivera hit a two-out, RBI double down the left field line in the top of the first to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Horn hit a line drive home run to left field in the second to make it 2-0. After a solo home run from Albenis Machado in the bottom of the second, Bell singled home Gonzalez with a two-out hit to left in the top of the third. Gavin Dickey and Juan Richardson hit solo home runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 3-3. The Wingnuts re-gained the lead in the top of the fourth beginning with a leadoff walk to Jorge Delgado. Cesar Suarez executed a hit-and-run single through the right side that put runners on the corners. Jeff Christy hit a sacrifice fly to right that put Wichita in front 4-3. Patterson hit a two-out, RBI single to center later in the inning to make it 5-3, extending his hitting streak to 16 games in a row. Lincoln added two runs, one unearned, in the bottom of the eighth against the Wingnuts bullpen. Luke Massetti worked the final 1.2 innings in relief. Brandon Mathes and Dustin Pease each worked 0.2 IP. Game two of the three-game set is Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes up against right-hander Jim Paduch. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1087.html#1337257817 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1087.html SIOUX CITY, IA- Sunday evening's game between Wichita and Sioux City has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a double header on Tuesday, August 17th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The August 17th twinbill begins at 5:05 p.m. with each game scheduled for seven innings. The Explorers will serve as the home team in the opening game. The Wingnuts head to Lincoln for a three-game series on Monday at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1086.html#1337257818 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1086.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux City Explorers 10-0 at Lewis and Clark Park on Saturday night. The Wingnuts scored four runs before Adam Cowart ever took the mound, who tossed six shutout innings to earn the win. Jorge Cortes doubled down the left field line with one out in the top of the first and advanced to third on a single to right-center by Raul Gonzalez. Carlos Rivera crushed a double to the warning track in right-center that scored Cortes and Gonzalez to give Wichita an early 2-0 lead. After Michael Bell grounded out to third base, Jorge Delgado reached on an error by shortstop Darrick Hale. Cesar Suarez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting up a two-run single by Jeff Christy through the right side to make it 4-0. The Wingnuts scored four more times in the second. Ryan Patterson singled to left field leading off, and extended hit hitting streak to 15 games. Cortes picked up his second double of the night, pulling a line drive down the right field line. Gonzalez hit a groundball to third that went under the glove of third baseman Derek Schermerhorn, scoring Patterson and Cortes to put the Wingnuts up 6-0. After singles from Rivera and Bell re-loaded the bases, Suarez singled through the left to drive in the Wingnuts' seventh and eight runs of the game. Patterson hit a towering home run to left-center leading off the third to extend the lead, while Christy drove in the Wingnuts' 10th run with an RBI groundout in the top of the fourth. Cowart scattered five hits during his six scoreless innings, throwing only 88 pitches. Cowart struck out three and walked one. Wingnuts' pitching retired the final 11 Explorers' hitters in a row and did not allow a hit after the bottom of the third. J.R. Boling, Luke Massetti, and Cephas Howard all threw a perfect inning of relief. The series concludes Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Jae Jung makes his Wingnuts' debut against right-hander Chad Povich. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1085.html#1337257819 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1085.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-3 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night. The Wingnuts committed three errors, leading to six unearned runs in the defeat while leaving 12 runners on base. Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Explorers scored five unearned runs to put the game away. Tim Alberts drew a leadoff walk against Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague, but was forced out at second on a sacrifice attempt by Derek Schermerhorn. Javier Brown dribbled a single through the left side of the infield to move Schermerhorn to third. Dustin Pease relieved Teague and induced a comebacker to the mound from Eric Williams. Pease caught Schermerhorn in a rundown between third and home and tossed to third baseman Michael Bell. Bell ran Schermerhorn towards the plate but made a high throw to Jeff Christy that went off his glove and allowed the go-ahead run to score. Pease struck out Darrick Hale for the second out of the seventh and then issued an intentional walk to T.J. Bohn that loaded the bases. Jacob Wiley relieved Pease and faced Kent Sakamoto who reached on an error at third by Bell that scored Brown and made it 4-2. Wiley hit Ray Serrano with the bases full to force in the X's fifth run. Steve Pearson finished off the inning with a two-run single through the left side that opened a 7-2 Sioux City advantage. The Wingnuts had first and second with no outs in the top of the seventh, but were unable to score. Serrano hit a solo home run leading off the second on a towering flyball to left-center to drive in the first run of the game. The Wingnuts tied it in the fourth on a two-out, RBI single to center from Jorge Delgado. Raul Gonzalez scored the tying run after leading off the inning with a double in his first official Wingnuts' at bat. Teague made a throwing error trying to pickoff Brown at first base in the bottom of the fifth that sent him to third. Brown scored one batter later when Eric Williams slapped a single to left field to give the X's a 2-1 lead. The Wingnuts tied the game for a second time in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Christy. Cesar Suarez beat Pearson's throw to the plate from right field. The Wingnuts final run came in the top of the eighth on an RBI groundout from Jorge Cortes. Teague took the loss, allowing four runs, one earned, in 6.1 IP, his longest professional outing. Teague struck out five and walked two. Mike Bille earned the win in relief with a scoreless seventh. X's starter Ty Marotz took a no-decision, allowing two runs, one earned in six innings. The Wingnuts had the leadoff hitter on six times. Patterson extended his hitting streak to 14 games. The Wingnuts and Explorers continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on right-hander Mikael Ryder. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1084.html#1337257820 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1084.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts owner Nate Robertson earned the win in his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization on Thursday night. A part-owner of the Wingnuts since their inception in late 2007, Robertson signed with St. Louis earlier this week after opening the season with the Florida Marlins. The 32-year old lefty went six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out two at Las Vegas. Robertson was traded from Detroit to Florida late in spring training and went 6-8 during 18 starts and one relief appearance for the Marlins this season. The former Shocker is 57-77 in his nine-year Major League career with a 5.47 ERA and 773 strikeouts in 1,151.1 innings. Robertson helped the Tigers win the American League pennant in 2006, going 13-13 with a 3.84 ERA. The native Wichitan started one game in all three rounds of the playoffs that year, including five innings of shutout ball to earn the win in Game One of the American League Championship Series at Oakland. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight at Sioux City with Sean Teague facing righty Ty Marotz at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1083.html#1337257821 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1083.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced two player moves on Friday, signing former Major League outfielder Raul Gonzalez and acquiring all-star right-hander Jae Jung from the Sioux City Explorers. Gonzalez recently finished a tour in the Mexican League where he hit a combined .329 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 68 games split between Nuevo Laredo and Campeche. From 2007-2009, Gonzalez hit .323 in the Mexican League with 19 home runs and 126 RBI in 205 games. The Santurce, Puerto Rico native played 168 games in the Major Leagues from 2000-2004 with the Cubs, Reds, Mets, and Indians. The 36-year old veteran has collected 2,228 hits during his 20-year professional career which began in 1991 when he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round. Gonzalez played for the Wichita Wranglers from 1995-1998. Jung has been an American Association All-Star each of the past two seasons and is currently 5-7 during 13 starts with a 4.44 ERA in 2010. The Seoul, South Korea native pitched a complete game three-hit shutout over the Wingnuts on June 13th at Lewis and Clark Park. The 28-year old finished second in the league with a 2.59 ERA in 2009 while pitching for the Fort Worth Cats. In exchange for Jung, the Wingnuts sent first baseman/left fielder Steve Pearson to Sioux City. The last remaining member from the Wingnuts' inaugural 2008 squad, Pearson was hitting .304 with three home runs and 33 RBI in 74 games. Pearson leaves the Wingnuts as their all-time leader in games played (253) and hits (259) while batting .291 with 11 home runs and 120 RBI. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight at Sioux City. Sean Teague opposed right-hander Ty Marotz. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1082.html#1337257822 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1082.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 9-7 at Fairgrounds Field on Wednesday night. Down 7-6 in the top of the ninth, Ryan Patterson led off with a single against former Major Leaguer Hector Carrasco. Second baseman Joe Urtuzuastegui grabbed a groundball from Carlos Rivera on a potential double play ball, but his throw was dropped at the second base bag by shortstop Jeff Hulett. With the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Michael Bell laid down a bunt towards the mound that Carrasco fielded cleanly. Third baseman Glenn Wilson however, could not handle Carrasco's throw which went into foul territory and scored Patterson with the tying run. Cesar Suarez dropped down another bunt which moved runners to second and third with one out. Jorge Delgado pulled the first pitch he saw from Carrasco through the left side of a drawn in infield to plate two more runs and give the Wingnuts a 9-7 lead. Cephas Howard allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth but retired the next three hitters to finish off the win. Howard allowed a two-out, two-run single to Jovanny Rosario in the bottom of the eighth that gave the Captains a brief 7-6 lead. The Wingnuts scored early and often against all-star righty Osvaldo Rodriguez. Bell hit a two-run single with the bases loaded to put Wichita on the board at 2-0. Delgado added a two-run hit of his own with the bases full, while Steve Pearson capped off the inning with a two-out, RBI single. The Captains tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, taking advantage of three Wingnuts errors. Rosario drove in the tying runs with a base hit through the left side against Wingnuts' starter Gabe Medina. The Wingnuts took their second lead of the night in the top of the sixth when Jorge Cortes doubled home Pearson to make it 6-5. Medina took a no-decision, allowing one earned run in six innings. Medina tied a Wingnuts' single-game record with 10 strikeouts while walking one. Rodriguez also took a no-decision, allowing six runs, four earned, in 5.1 IP. Carrasco took the loss, while Howard earned the win for the Wingnuts. Delgado finished the night 3 for 5 with four RBI. Patterson's ninth inning single extended his hitting streak to 13 games in a row. The comeback marked the fourth time in the second half the Wingnuts have won when trailing after eight innings. The Wingnuts have Thursday off and then continue their 13-game road trip on Friday when they open a three-game series at Sioux City. First pitch at Lewis and Clark Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1081.html#1337257823 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1081.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Shreveport-Bossier Captains 6-3 at Fairgrounds Field on Tuesday night. Bubba O'Donnell worked seven strong innings in his Wingnuts debut, allowing three earned runs on just five hits for the win. O'Donnell struck out seven and walked none. From the end of the first inning through the sixth, O'Donnell retired 16 of 17 hitters. Jorge Cortes hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to open a 6-3 lead for the Wingnuts. The high drive over the right field wall followed up a two-run home run in the seventh from Captain's shortstop Uriak Marquez that pulled Shreveport-Bossier within one run. O'Donnell retired the next three hitters after Marquez' home run to finish off his night. Trailing 1-0 in the second, Michael Bell and Cesar Suarez opened the frame with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt from Jorge Delgado, Jeff Christy reached on an infield single to third that scored Bell to tie the game. Steve Pearson drove in the go-ahead run with a fielder's choice on a high chopper to second base. With two outs and no one on base in the fourth, Christy lined a double that was just fair down the right field line. Pearson followed with a double in the same direction that scored Christy and gave Wichita a 3-1 lead. Cortes drew a bases loaed walk with two outs in the top of the sixth to make it 4-1. Christopher Garcia hit a two-out, solo home run on a high flyball to left field in the bottom of the first against O'Donnell to drive in the first run of the game. Christy went 4 for 5 with a run and an RBI. Cephas Howard worked a perfect ninth for his second save of the year. Brandon Mathes set up Howard with a perfect eighth inning that included two strikeouts. Captain's lefty Ryan DiPietro took the loss, his first at home in five starts this season, allowing all six of the Wingnuts runs in 7.2 IP. The series ends Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina squares off against righty Osvaldo Rodriguez. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1079.html#1337257824 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1079.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fairgrounds Field on Monday night. The Captains scored three runs before recording their first out in the bottom of the first inning against Luke Massetti and managed to hold the lead through the end of the night. Jovanny Rosario led off the bottom of the first with a double to left-center and moved to third on a bunt single by Bryan Sabatella. Christopher Garcia doubled down the left field line to score Rosario with the game's first run. Palmer Karr Jr. followed with a two-run double off the left field fence that opened a 3-0 Captains lead. Massetti settled in after the first, retiring seven straight hitters following Karr's double. After a lead off single in the fourth by Brian Peterson, Massetti retired nine in a row. Massetti struck out eight and walked none in seven-plus innings while taking the loss. Massetti was charged with four earned runs. Cesar Suarez homered over the left field fence off of Captains' starter Cardoza Tucker leading off the fifth. The Wingnuts went on to put the tying runs on base with two outs before Garcia robbed Jorge Cortes of a game-tying double, stabbing his hard, one-hop groundball inside the first base line. Steve Pearson hit a two-out RBI double to center field in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 3-2, but the Captains scored an insurance run in the eighth on a groundball single up the middle from Karr. Hector Carrasco earned the save with a scoreless ninth, getting Jorge Delgado to hit into a game-ending double play. Tucker picked up the win, allowing two runs, one earned, in seven innings. Ryan Patterson extended his hitting streak to 11 games in a row, while Jorge Cortes' hitting streak ended at 10. Cortes also had an on-base streak end at 26 games. Game two of the series is set for Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Newly signed right-hander Bubba O'Donnell takes on left-hander Ryan DiPietro. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1076.html#1337257825 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1076.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired right-handed pitcher Bubba O'Donnell from the Atlantic League's Newark Bears on Tuesday. An Atlantic Leauge All-Star in 2010, O'Donnell was 4-5 for the Bears with a 4.36 ERA in 10 starts and 10 relief appearances. The 24-year old righty struck out 48 in 76.1 IP while allowing 82 hits and 28 walks. A native of Vineland, NJ, O'Donnell was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 34th round in 2008 out of High Point University in North Carolina. O'Donnell joins the Wingnuts in exchange for a player to be named later and is expected to take Nick Singleton's spot in the rotation tonight at Shreveport-Bossier. Singleton was placed on the Inactive List retroactive to July 30th after suffering an injury to his pitching hand while fielding a groundball last Thursday at Pensacola. Singleton currently leads the American Association with a 2.36 ERA and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 12 of his 14 starts. The Wingnuts also signed switch-hitting catcher Kent Wright who was with the team earlier this year in Spring Training. Wright takes over for Michael Sharp who injured his glove hand on Saturday at Pensacola on a foul tip. The Wingnuts continue their series tonight at Shreveport-Bossier at 7:05 p.m. The newly signed O'Donnell faces Captains' left-hander Ryan DiPietro. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1077.html#1337257826 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1077.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts all-star closer Justin Dowdy has been purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Dowdy ranks third in the American Association with 17 saves and has struck out 40 hitters in 25.0 IP. The San Diego, CA native is in his 10th season of professional baseball. The 26-year old lefty has struck out the side five different times this season and is eight strikeouts shy of 600 for his career. Dowdy is expected to report to Double-A Montgomery. Tampa Bay becomes Dowdy's fifth stop in affiliated ball. The veteran lefty has also spent time with the White Sox, Mariners, Angels, and Athletics. Dowdy becomes the third player in Wingnuts' history to have their contract purchased by a Major League organization, joining outfielder Dustan Mohr (Rockies, 2008) and right-handed pitcher Will Savage (Dodgers, 2010). The Wingnuts play game two of a three-game series tonight at Shreveport-Bossier at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1078.html#1337257827 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1078.html PENSACOLA, FL- The Wichita Wingnuts won 12-5 over the Pensacola Pelicans at Pelican Park on Sunday evening. Ryan Patterson hit a pair of three-run home runs and tied a Wingnuts' single-game record with seven RBI. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the fourth, Jorge Delgado and Jeff Christy opened the inning with consecutive singles that put runners on the corners. Pelicans' starter David Nathanson retired Steve Pearson on a lineout at third base, but allowed a groundball single to Joseph Spiers that scored Delgado to tie the game. Jorge Cortes followed with a single to right-center that scored Christy to give the Wingnuts a 4-3 lead. Nathanson was relieved in favor of right-hander Lee Henry who promptly allowed a three-run home run to Patterson that traveled well past the left field wall. Staked to a 7-3 lead, Adam Cowart worked his way through 5.1 IP allowing just one earned run with five strikeouts to earn the win. Pensacola scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Wingnuts answered back with a two-out RBI single from Carlos Rivera in the top of the sixth to re-extend the lead to four runs at 8-4. Lou Palmisano represented the tying run in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded and two outs, but Jacob Wiley induced a short flyout to right from the Pelicans' catcher to end Pensacola's last real threat of the night. Wichita broke the game open completely in the next half inning when Delgado led off with a solo home run to left field. After Spiers singled and Cortes walked, Patterson crushed his second three-run homer of the night, again hitting it to left field. Patterson drove in Cortes with an RBI single in the fourth, accounting for his seventh RBI. Blake Gailen drove in seven runs on July 25th, 2008 at St. Paul. Steve Pearson's two-out, RBI single in the top of the second put the Wingnuts in front 1-0 before the Pelicans scored three runs, two unearned, in the bottom half to take their only lead of the night. Nathanson took the loss, allowing six earned runs in 3.1 IP. After not winning a road series during the entire first half, the Wingnuts have won three of four road series in the second half. The Wingnuts head to Shreveport, LA for a three-game series against the Captains. Monday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti takes the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game of the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1075.html#1337257828 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1075.html PENSACOLA, FL- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Pensacola Pelicans 6-4 at Pelican Park on Saturday night. Trailing 4-3 in the top of the ninth, the Wingnuts stunned Pensacola with a three-run rally against All-Star closer Ron Hill. Behind in the count 1-2, Jorge Cortes lined an opposite field single down the left field line and advanced to second on a single to short center from Ryan Patterson. After Carlos Rivera walked to load the bases, Hill came back to strike out Michael Bell. With a 1-2 count on Cesar Suarez, the Wingnuts' second baseman hit a slow bouncer to the left side of the infield that Hill threw down the right field line. Cortes and Patterson scored the tying and go-ahead runs to give the Wingnuts their first lead since the third inning. Jeff Christy added an RBI single to right that scored Rivera to give Wichita an insurance run. Justin Dowdy worked a perfect ninth to earn his 17th save of the season, capping off a terrific night for the Wingnuts bullpen which combined for 3.2 perfect innings that included eight strikeouts. With Pensacola leading 4-1, Brandon Mathes relieved Wingnuts' starter Sean Teauge in the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and third and one out. Mathes got Adolfo Gonzalez to popout to first and then struck out Lou Palmisano to end the inning. Mathes retired the first two hitters in the seventh, giving way to Dustin Pease who struck out all four batters he faced over the seventh and eighth. Pease earned the win in relief, his second in three nights in the series. The Wingnuts inched closer in the sixth on an RBI single by Jorge Delgado. With two outs and no one on base in the eighth, Delgado singled up the middle and scored from first on a double to left-center by Jeff Christy that made it a one-run game. The Wingnuts got off to a quick start when Joseph Spiers homered on the third pitch of the game from Pelicans' starter Dane DeValk. Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the third on a throwing error by Michael Bell and an RBI single from Javier Brito. Brito clubbed a two-run home run against Teague in the fifth that opened a 4-1 lead. Teague took a no-decision, allowing four runs, two earned, in 5.1 IP. Teague struck out five and walked four. DeValk also took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in six innings with four strikeouts and one walk. Hill was charged with the loss in relief. Cortes made two key plays on defense, throwing out Adolfo Gonzalez at the plate to end the third on Brito's RBI single. Cortes also made a diving catch on Gonzalez with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth to prevent the Pelicans from breaking the game open. The series concludes Sunday evening night at 6:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on right-hander Austin Quinn. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1074.html#1337257829 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1074.html PENSACOLA, FL- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-6 to the Pensacola Pelicans at Pelican Park on Friday night. Gabe Medina locked into a pitchers duel with right-hander Jared Gothreaux for the first five and a half innings before a lead off home run from Adolfo Gonzalez in the bottom of the sixth broke a scoreless tie. Medina went 6.2 strong innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs on nine base hits. Medina allowed a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back singles from Francisco Leandro and Adolfo Gonzalez. The Pelicans broke the game open with an eight-run eighth inning against relievers Jacob Wiley and J.R. Boling. Kyle Brown, Francisco Leandro, and Javier Brito all had extra-base hits that drove in two. Wichita rallied against Gothreaux in the top of the ninth, breaking up his bid for a complete game shutout. Steve Pearson singled to right with the bases loaded and two outs to put Wichita on the board. Joseph Spiers singled to right against reliever Jason Franzblau to make it 11-2. Jorge Cortes lined a grand slam over the right field wall to bring the Wingnuts within five, but Franzblau retired Ryan Patterson on a popout to first to end the game. Gothreaux went 8.2 IP, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in the win. Medina took the loss for the Wingnuts. Game three of the four-game set is Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. Sean Teague takes on right-hander David Nathonson. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1073.html#1337257830 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1073.html PENSACOLA, FL- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Pensacola Pelicans 7-4 at Pelican Park on Thursday night. Tied 3-3 in the top of the eigth, the Wingnuts scored four times to re-gain control of the game. Cesar Suarez reached first on an infield single to open the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch by reliever Seth Overbey. Jorge Delgado drove a double to right field that scored Suarez and gave the Wingnuts a 4-3 lead. Jeff Christy laid down a bunt to the left side of the infield that was thrown wild down the right field line by catcher Lou Palmisano. Delgado scored the Wingnuts' fifth run on the play and it allowed Christy to take second. Christy scored on Steve Pearson's RBI single up the middle. Pearson stole third and took third when Palmisano's throw went into center field. Two batters later, Jorge Cortes hit a sacrifice fly to center against new reliever Jason Franzblau that scored Pearson and made it 7-3. The Wingnuts got off to a quick start when Joseph Spiers opened the game with a double to right-center against starter Bryan Rembisz. Cortes followed by ripping a double to straight-away center to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Cortes was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Marcos Rodriguez when he tried to score on Ryan Patterson's groundball single, but Michael Bell delivered a two-out single to left that scored Patterson who had moved to second on a wild pitch. Carlos Rivera hit a line drive, opposite field home run to left in the top of the third to extend the lead to 3-0. Nick Singleton cruised through the first four innings before allowing two in the fifth on a bases loaded hit batsman to Carlos Leon and an RBI single by Francisco Leandro. With the bases loaded and nursing a one-run lead, Singleton induced a home-to-first double play from Javier Brito that ended the Pelicans' rally. Lou Palmisano homered to left off of Jacob Wiley in the sixth to tie the game. Singleton took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in five innings while striking out five. Singleton allowed four hits and walked three. Rembisz worked six, also taking a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Dustin Pease earned the win in relief, throwing a scoreless seventh that included a pickoff of Leandro to end the inning. Overbey was charged with the loss. The series continues Friday night at 6:45 p.m. The Wingnuts send Gabe Medina to the mound. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1072.html#1337257831 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1072.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced two major player acquisitions on Thursday, signing former Major League first baseman Carlos Rivera and trading for veteran infielder Cesar Suarez. Rivera played 85 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003 and 2004 and is currently in his 14th season of professional baseball. The 32-year old hit .373 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI in 104 games this summer for the Mexican League's Petroleros de Minatitlan. A native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Rivera has hit a combined .380 with 52 home runs and 234 RBI in 300 games during three seasons in the Mexican League since 2007. The left-handed hitting slugger also spent four years of his career playing in Triple-A for the Pirates, Astros, and Rockies. The Pirates originally drafted Rivera in the 10th round in 1996. Suarez arrives from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for infielder Jose Duran. Suarez hit .273 in 19 games for the Cats after opening the season in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. Now in his ninth year of professional baseball, Suarez entered 2010 with more hits (668) than games played (651) in his career. The Maracaibo, VZ native reached Double-A last season with the Tampa Bay Rays' organization. Suarez is expected to play second base for the Wingnuts. To make room on the roster, the Wingnuts traded outfielder Eric Williams to the Sioux City Explorers for a player to be named later. Wichita also released designated hitter Mario Delgado. Rivera and Suarez are expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Wingnuts open a four-game series at Pensacola. Nick Singleton and right-hander Bryan Rembisz go to the mound tonight at 6:45 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1071.html#1337257832 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1071.html WICHITA, KS- The American Association announced its starting pitchers for the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game on Tuesday night, as well as the contestants for the annual Home Run Derby. Brandon Sing (23), Reggie Abercrombie (18), and Beau Torbert (16), all of Sioux Falls, participate in the derby for the North Division. Grand Prairie's Greg Porter (12), and Shreveport-Bossier's Christopher Garcia (10) and Palmer Karr Jr. (10) represent the South. The event consists of three rounds with players receiving five outs per round. Any swing that is not a home run is considered an out. Any ties result in a 'blast off' where the participants alternate one swing at a time until one has hit a home run and the other has recorded an out. The Home Run Derby caps off the skills competitions which also include a relay throw race and catcher's accuracy contest. The events begin at 5:30 p.m. Wichita Wingnuts' right-hander Nick Singleton takes the mound in his home ballpark for the North. Singleton is 7-3 and leads the American Association with a 2.29 ERA. Shreveport-Bossier righty Osvaldo Rodriguez starts for the South. Rodriguez leads the league with 10 wins against only one loss and is seventh with a 3.71 ERA. A 7:10 p.m. first pitch is scheduled at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game will be televised live on Kansas 22, courtesy of COX Communications. The radio broadcast will be on Oldies 93.5 KWME. Internet audio can be found at For tickets and more information regarding the festivities, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1069.html#1337257833 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1069.html WICHITA, KS- The South Division defeated the North Division 12-3 in the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Designated hitter Christopher Garcia (Shreveport-Bossier) won MVP honors, going 3 for 5 with four RBI, including a two-run, opposite field home run to left-center just two batters into the game. The South put the game away with a seven-run top of the sixth, highlighted by a grand slam from right fielder John Allen (Fort Worth). Adolfo Gonzalez (Pensacola), Robert Perry (Grand Prairie), and David Espinosa (Grand Prairie) opened the inning with consecutive singles to load the bases. Garcia lifted a deep flyball to left that scored Gonzalez that opened a 6-0 lead. John Alonso (Pensacola) lined a single to left that plated Perry and Espinosa to make it 8-0. After Palmer Karr Jr. (Shreveport-Bossier) bounced a single through the right side of the infield, Benji Johnson (El Paso) walked to re-load the bases, setting up Allen's blast that clanked off the bottom of the video board in left-center. The grand slam came on the first pitch from reliever Jacob Schmidt (St. Paul). The South built on Garcia's first-inning home run in the third when Lou Palmisano (Pensacola) drove in Greg Porter (Grand Prairie) with a fielder's choice. Espinosa and Garcia hit back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in the top of the fourth to make it 5-0. The North finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run to left by Reggie Abercrombie (Sioux Falls). Jason Cooper (St. Paul) hit a solo blast to dead center in the seventh to cut the lead to 12-2. Trevor Lawhorn helped the North scratch out a run in the ninth with an RBI groundout. Ryan DiPietro (Shreveport-Bossier) earned the win, pitching a scoreless third. Nick Singleton (Wichita) took the loss, allowing two runs in the first. Cooper finished a triple shy of the cycle, with a double and single in addition to his home run. Espinosa collected four hits, scored three runs, and drove in one. Beau Torbert (Sioux Falls) won the home run derby, edging Garcia. Torbert was down to his final swing in the final round and tied it with a home run to left. Torbert connected on his first attempt in the 'blast off' with Garcia to clinch the tournament. The South has won three of the last four All-Star Games. The Wingnuts return to action on Thursday, July 29th when they open a four-game series at Pensacola as well as a 13-game road trip. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1070.html#1337257834 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1070.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the St. Paul Saints 8-0 on Sunday evening at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Five Wingnuts pitchers combined for a six-hit shutout, while eight of the nine Wingnuts' starters had at least one base hit. The Wingnuts jumped on Saints' starter Kyle Foster in the first, collecting three hits before Foster ever recorded an out. Joseph Spiers led off with a single through the hole on the left, and moved to third on a hit-and-run single up the middle by Ryan Patterson. Jorge Cortes pulled a single through the right side to score Spiers and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Foster escaped further trouble in the first, but the Wingnuts scored three more times in the second to increase their lead to 4-0. Steve Pearson and Michael Sharp hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. After Foster struck out Jake Bradshaw on a bunt attempt, Spiers singled through the right side to score Pearson and advance Sharp to third. Spiers then stole second base with catcher Gerard Haran's throw bouncing off of Brandon Carter's glove and into the outfield. The throw scored Sharp and allowed Spiers to go to third. Patterson capped off the inning with an RBI single to left. The Wingnuts extended their lead again in the fourth. With first and second and one out, Michael Bell drove an opposite field double to right-center field to score two runs. Bell appeared to have been caught in a rundown between second and third, attempting to advance on Carter's relay to the plate. Haran's throw to third however, went wild into left field and allowed Bell to score the Wingnuts' seventh run of the game. Gabe Medina pitched 4.1 scoreless innings before leaving with an injury suffered while covering first base. Brandon Mathes relieved Medina with 1.2 scoreless innings and was credited with the win. Cephas Howard, Dustin Pease, and J.R. Boling all contributed a scoreless inning in the victory. Foster took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, in four innings. The Wingnuts added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded walk to Michael Bell. It was announced Sunday that Nick Singleton will start Tuesday's All-Star Game for the North Division. The Wingnuts next play on Thursday, July 29th, opening a four-game series at Pensacola. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. The Wingnuts host the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 27th. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 93.5 FM KWME and worldwide at The game will also be televised live on Kansas 22. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1068.html#1337257835 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1068.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the St. Paul Saints at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Brent Krause hit a two-out, two-run, bases loaded single in the top of the ninth, breaking a 2-2 tie. Ole Sheldon led off the inning with a single to right-center. Brandon Carter sacrificed Sheldon to second. Jason Cooper was intentionally walked before Gerard Haran drew a walk to load the bases for Krause. Matt Meyer pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for the save. The Saints scored a two-out run in both the second and third innings. Krause singled with one out in the second, stole second, and came around on Josh Petersen's RBI double down the left field line. With two outs and no one on in the third, Chad Gabriel reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart. Cooper grounded a single through the right side to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. Wichita tied the game with two in the fourth. Ryan Patterson tripled over the head of Alley in center field to leading off the inning. Jorge Cortes immediately drove Patterson home with an RBI single down the right field line. After Michael Bell walked, Cortes scored from second on a line drive single to center from Mario Delgado. Cowart went five-plus innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, striking out six and walking three in a no-decision. Ryan Morse took a no-decision for the Saints, allowing two earned in 5.2 IP. Facing first and third and no outs in the sixth, Brandon Mathes and Dustin Pease teamed to retire the side without allowing the go-ahead run. After two Wingnuts' errors led to first and second with no outs for the Saints in the seventh, Pease combined with Jacob wiley to once again keep the game tied. Wiley worked around a leadoff single in the top of the eighth before allowing Krause's single in the ninth to take the loss. Jonathan Plefka earned the win in relief for the Saints with a scoreless eighth. The Wingnuts and Saints finish their series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes to the mound against right-hander Kyle Foster. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1067.html#1337257836 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1067.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the St. Paul Saints 6-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Wingnuts scored six unanswered runs led by a 4 for 4 performance from shortstop Joseph Spiers. Spiers opened the bottom of the first with a single to left-center and was followed by Ryan Patterson's long, two-run home run to left off of starter Jacob Schmidt to give the Wingnuts a 2-1 lead. Steve Pearson drew a leadoff walk in the second and was doubled to third base by Jeff Christy. Two batters later, Spiers grounded a single through the Saints' drawn in infield to score both runners and make it 4-1. Spiers singled to center with one out in the fourth. After a two-out walk to Jorge Cortes put runners on first and second, Michael Bell ripped a double down the left field line that broke the game open at 6-1. Nick Singleton earned the win, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing one earned run on five hits. Singleton struck out six and walked one. Josh Alley and Brandon Carter hit back-to-back doubles on Singleton's first two pitches of the game to give the Saints a 1-0 lead, but that was all Wingnuts' pitching allowed until an unearned run in the top of the eighth. Schmidt took the loss, allowing all six runs on 10 hits. Dustin Pease worked a scoreless frame, while J.R. Boling closed out the final five outs without allowing an earned run. The Wingnuts signed first baseman Jorge Delgado before the game who went 1 for 4 in his Wichita debut. Spiers set a Wingnuts' single-game record with four stolen bases. The Wingnuts and Saints continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on left-hander Ryan Morse. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1066.html#1337257837 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1066.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts won 5-4 over the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Thursday night. The Wingnuts scored the winning run in the top of the ninth to take their third lead of the game and win the rubber game of their series with Lincoln. Tied at four in the ninth, Eric Williams was hit in the back with a pitch from reliever Adam Daniels. Williams advanced to second on a hit-and-run groundball from Ryan Patterson. Daniels walked Jorge Cortes and Michael Bell back-to-back to load the bases. Daniels' first pitch to Mario Delgado sailed over his back and allowed Williams to score the go-ahead run. Justin Dowdy slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn his 15th save of the year. Dowdy struck out Rafael Alvarez, who homered off of Dowdy on Tuesday to tie the game, for the first out of the frame. Phil Hawke flew out to deep center for the second out, and then Dowdy fanned Argelis Nunez on a 96-mph fastball to nail down the win. Nunez gave Lincoln hope in the bottom of the seventh, hitting a two-run home run to deep left-center off of Dustin Pease to tie the game at 4-4. The Wingnuts had scored three times in the top of the sixth to go in front 4-2. Cortes led off with a line drive home run to right-center against Saltdogs' starter Jacob Marceaux to tie the game at 2-2. After Bell lined a single to right-center, Delgado flew out to deep center, signaling the end of the night for Marceaux. Facing reliever Brendon Smith, Jeff Christy doubled to the fence in left-center field to score Bell with the go-ahead run. Steve Pearson followed with a long double to right-center that played Christy and put the Wingnuts up 4-2. The Wingnuts scored the first run of the night on a ground rule double down the left field line by Delgado in the top of the fourth. Lincoln scored two unearned runs against Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Teague went 4.1 IP, allowing two unearned runs in a no-decision. Teague struck out four and walked four. Marceaux allowed three earned runs on seven hits in 5.1 IP, striking out five and walking one, also taking a no-decision. Cephas Howard earned the win, working 1.2 scoreless innings. Jacob Wiley also chipped in 1.2 innings of scoreless ball. The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series heading into the All-Star Break versus St. Paul. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton goes to the mound against Saints' righty Jacob Schmidt. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1065.html#1337257838 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1065.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 8-1 to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday night at Haymarket Park. Lincoln scored four times with two outs in the bottom of the first against starter Luke Massetti, which proved plenty of offense for Jim Paduch who pitched seven shutout innings for the win. Rafael Alvarez singled to left with one out in the bottom of the first. After Massetti retired Phil Hawke on a flyball to left, Argelis Nunez punched a single through the right side to keep the inning alive. Juan Camacho then hit a broken bat, pop fly single down the left field line that scored Alvarez and put the Saltdogs on the board. Juan Richardson capped off inning with a three-run home run to left field. With Lincoln leading 5-0 In the bottom of the fifth, Alvarez singled with one out, stole second and took third on a throwing error by Jeff Christy. Hawke drew a walk to put runners on the corners, setting up a three-run home run to left by Nunez. Nunez hit a sacrifice fly in the third after Hawke led off the inning with a triple accounting for the Saltdogs fifth run. The Wingnuts scratched out their only run of the night in the top of the ninth on a throwing error by Brandon Jones. Massetti took a complete game loss, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits in eight innings. Massetti struck out seven and walked one. Paduch struck out five and walked three during his seven scoreless frames. The series finishes Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teauge goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1064.html#1337257839 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1064.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 10-9 in 10 innings at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. The Wingnuts overcame a two-run deficit in the ninth and a seven-run deficit overall for the win. Trailing 8-6 in the top of the ninth, Joseph Spiers and Jake Bradshaw hit back-to-back singles against Lincoln closer Chris Thompson. Eric Williams laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out. Ryan Patterson was next and hit a three-run home run to left field that put the Wingnuts in front for the first time in the game. Lincoln tied it at 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth when Rafael Alvarez hit a solo home run to right-center off of Wingnuts' closer Justin Dowdy. Dowdy however, retired the next three hitters in order to keep the game tied, setting up a Wingnuts' rally in the 10th. Steve Pearson ripped a double off the glove of first baseman Juan Camacho to lead off the top of the 10th against reliever Tycen PoVey. Spiers sacrificed Pearson to third and then Jake Bradshaw drove a sacrifice fly to center to give the Wingnuts a 10-9 lead. Dowdy issued a four-pitch walk to Juan Richardson leading off the bottom of the 10th, but struck out Pat Trettel and Albenis Machado before getting Brandon Jones on a comebacker to the mound to secure the victory. Lincoln jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. Gavin Dickey homered to right-center on the second pitch from starter Gabe Medina in the bottom of the first inning. Later in the frame, Argelis Nunez hit a solo home run to left-center to make it 2-0. A five-run second appeared to break the game open for the Saltdogs. Gavin Dickey drew a bases loaded walk to force in Lincoln's third run. The inning was capped off by a two-out, grand slam by Phil Hawke on a line drive that just cleared the right-center field fence. The Wingnuts started coming back in the top of the third. Pearson led off with a single against starter Chris Cullen and scored two batters later on an RBI double to right-center from Jake Bradshaw. After Williams grounded out to second base, Patterson hit a two-out, RBI double to right-center that cut the lead to 7-2. Michael Bell doubled to left-center to lead off the fourth. Mario Delgado's groundout to second moved Bell to third while Jeff Christy's groundball up the middle scored Bell to make it 7-3 Lincoln. Jorge Cortes singled to left against Cullen to lead off the top of the sixth and went to third on Bell's second double of the night, this one down the right field line. Delado crushed a three-run home run into the right field bullpen to bring the Wingnuts within 7-6. Lincoln added a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from Brandon Jones. Medina allowed eight earned runs in 5.1 IP and struck out seven in a no-decision. Cullen also took a no-decision, allowing six runs in six innings. Dowdy earned the win while PoVey took the loss. The series continues tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. with Luke Massetti taking on right-hander Jim Paduch. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1063.html#1337257840 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1063.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-4 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Monday night. The Wingnuts held leads of 2-0 and 4-1, but the Pheasants came from behind for a second time in three nights to take three of four in the series. With the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Joe Anthonsen singled through the right side and was sacrificed to second by Tim Hutting. Reggie Abercrombie singled to right field to drive in Anthonsen and give the Pheasants their first lead of the night. In the top of the inning, the Wingnuts had first and third and one out, but Sioux Falls' starter Ryan Rodriguez got Jorge Cortes to hit into an inning-ending double play. With the Wingnuts leading 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Reggie Abercrombie drew a two-out walk from Adam Cowart with no one on base. Abercrombie stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw by Jeff Christy. Beau Torbert singled home Abercrombie to tie the game with a line drive to left field. The Wingnuts jumped on Rodriguez early, scoring twice after there were two outs and no one on base. Cortes was hit by a pitch and moved to second on an infield single to shortstop by Michael Bell. Mario Delgado hit an infield single toward the middle of the diamond that went off of Anthonsen's glove and allowed Cortes to score. Christy was next and hit a groundball back to the mound that Rodriguez batted into right field to score Bell. The Pheasants got a run back in the bottom of the first against Cowart, but Steve Pearson hit a line drive two-run home run to open a 4-1 lead. The Pheasants began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single up the middle by Gus Milner. Cowart took a no-decision, allowing four runs, three earned, in 5.1 IP. Cowart struck out three and walked four while allowing seven hits. Rodriguez earned the win allowing four earned runs on eight hits in seven innings. Brandon Mathes took the loss in relief, allowing two runs, one earned in one inning. Cortes had his hitting streak end at 15 games. The Wingnuts hit into four groundball double plays in the game. Wichita re-signed infielder Jake Bradshaw before the game. Jackson Melian left the team and returned home to Venezuela, making room for Bradshaw. The Wingnuts open a three-game series at Lincoln on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1062.html#1337257841 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1062.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 9-3 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday evening. The Wingnuts offense scored five runs in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie while Nick Singleton worked six strong innings to help Wichita break a four-game losing streak. Michael Bell led off with a double to left-center against Pheasants' starter Travis Kane. Bell advanced to third on Mario Delgado's groundout to second base and scored the go-ahead run on Eric Williams' RBI single off of second baseman Hunter Jobes who was playing in. Steve Pearson kept the rally going with a hit-and-run single through the right side that send Williams to third base. Jeff Christy made it 4-2 Wingnuts with a line drive single to left-center. With runners on first and second, Joseph Spiers grounded a single through the left side that scored Pearson from second and increased the lead to 5-2. Ryan Patterson drew a four-pitch walk that loaded the bases and signaled the end of the night for Kane. Right-hander Andrew Pluta came in from the bullpen and struck out Michael Sharp for the second out of the inning, but Jorge Cortes pulled a groundball single through the right side that scored two more runs and extended his hitting streak to 15 games in a row. The Pheasants took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Joe Anthonsen hit a short flyball down the right field line that Cortes caught. Hunter Jobes drew a throw from Cortes that appeared to come in on line, but hit Anthonsen's bat and veered toward the Wingnuts' dugout. Jobes broke for the plate and scored the game's first run. After an infield single from Tim Hutting that re-loaded the bases, Singleton struck out Reggie Abercrombie on a 3-2 breaking ball to end the inning and keep it a one-run game. The Wingnuts scored two unearned runs in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the night. An error by Hutting led off the inning, allowing Bell to reach first. Delgado lifted a flyball to deep right that advanced Bell to second. After Jackson Melian was hit by a pitch, Pearson ripped a single down the right field line that tied the game. With a full count on Jeff Christy, Pearson took off for second and helped the Wingnuts stay out of a double play when Christy grounded out to Hutting, driving in Melian from third with the lead run. Hutting tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run leading off the bottom of the fifth. Singleton came back and retired the next two hitters. Singleton also stranded the go-ahead run on second to end the sixth, setting up the Wingnuts' seventh inning rally. Singleton went six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in the win. Kane took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, in 6.1 IP. Cortes and Bell added RBI hits in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 9-2. The Pheasants scratched out an unearned run against Justin Dowdy in the bottom of the ninth on an error by Bell, who moved from third base to shortstop in the bottom of the third after an injury to Josh Horn. Dowdy struck out Brandon Sing for the final out and struck out the side for a fifth time this season. The series concludes Monday at 7:05 p.m. with Adam Cowart taking on left-hander Ryan Rodriguez. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1061.html#1337257842 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1061.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 9-8 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday night. The Wingnuts held a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, but a series of four errors led to a four-run inning that put Sioux Falls back in the game and allowed them to come back. Tied at 8-8 in the bottom of the eighth, Will Richards drew a lead off walk against Cephas Howard. Richards advanced to second on a sacrifice from Joe Anthonsen and went to third on a wild pitch. With the infield in, Tim Hutting lined a single to left-center field to give the Pheasants their first lead of the night at 9-8. Sioux Falls trailed 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Brandon Mathes, who relieved starter Sean Teague in the sixth, allowed an infield single to Beau Torbert with one out. Brandon Sing was next and hit a two-run home run over to left field, his second of the game, to tie things at 8-8. The Pheasants began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Trailing 7-0, Sing led off with a solo shot against Teague to left field on a high flyball. Trevor Lawhorn reached on an error charged to Josh Horn. After Kevin Carby lined out to shortstop, Gus Milner hit into a fielder's choice that left him on first with two outs. Eddy Rodriguez hit a slow groundball up the third base line that Michael Bell snared on a nice backhand play. Bell was charged with an error when his throw to first pulled Steve Pearson away from the bag. With runners on first and second, Anthonsen pulled a single through the right side that scored Milner and chased Rodriguez to third base. Anthonsen took second on a throwing error to the plate by right fielder Jorge Cortes. Tim Hutting hit a sharp groundball to first that glanced off the body of Pearson. Pearson recovered, but his throw to first with Teague covering went into foul ground and allowed Rodriguez and Anthonsen to score, cutting the Wingnuts' lead to 7-4. Wichita jumped out to a 4-0 lead with four runs in the top of the fourth. Horn and Cortes opened the inning with singles to right field. A wild pitch by Sioux Falls' starter Ryan Shaver put runners on second and third for Mario Delgado who hit into an RBI fielder's choice at first. Michael Bell hit a bloop single to right that scored Cortes to make it 2-0. With Delgado on second and Bell on first, Ryan Patterson hit a groundball to the right side that Anthonsen flipped to Hutting for a force at second. Hutting dropped the ball and was charged with an error that loaded the bases. After Shaver struck out Jackson Melian, Michael Sharp singled to center to increase the lead to 3-0. Steve Pearson drove in Bell from third with an RBI groundout to first. Ryan Patterson cracked a two-out, three run home run in the top of the fifth to make it 7-0 Wichita before the Pheasants' rally in the bottom of the inning. New second baseman Joseph Spiers hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 8-4, but Sioux Falls scored twice in the bottom half on a solo home run from Torbert and an RBI single from Milner. Teague took a no-decision, allowing six runs, three earned, in 5.1 IP. Shaver allowed eight runs, seven earned in six innings, also in a no-decision. Brandon Rapoza earned the win with a scoreless top of the eighth. Aaron Cotter picked up the save with a scoreless ninth. Jorge Cortes extended his hitting streak to 14 games. The Wingnuts and Pheasants continue their series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes on right-hander Travis Kane. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1060.html#1337257843 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1060.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 11-5 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Friday night. The Pheasants utilized a pair of four-run innings to open a commanding 8-0 lead by the end of the fourth. Sioux Falls scored four times in the bottom of the first inning against Wingnuts' starter Luke Massetti. Joe Anthonsen led off with a line drive single to center. Anthonsen stole second when Kevin Carby struck out and then took third on a throwing error by Jeff Christy. Reggie Abercrombie singled Anthonsen home on a groundball up the middle. Abercrombie stole second and took third when Christy's throw bounced out of Josh Horn's glove and rolled toward the right side of the infield. Beau Torbert's groundball single through the right side brought in Abercrombie to make it 2-0. After Brandon Sing blooped a single down the right field line, Trevor Lawhorn hit a two-run double to straight away center field to open a 4-0 lead. Sioux Falls broke the game open with another four-spot in the bottom of the fourth. Hunter Jobes drew a four-pitch walk leading off and advanced to second on Gus Milner's single through the left side. Will Richards slapped a double down the left field line that scored Jobes and Milner to make it 6-0 Sioux Falls. Anthonsen singled through the left side, advancing Richards to third. Kevin Carby hit into an RBI fielder's choice at second that scored Richards and moved Anthonsen to second. After Abercrombie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, Torbert grounded a single through the left to extend the lead to 8-0. The Wingnuts finally got on the board in the fifth. Pheasants' starter Chris Salberg allowed an infield single to Jeff Christy and issued a walk to Steve Pearson. Michael Bell drove in both with a double to left-center field. Shortstop Kevin Carby's errant relay throw to the plate allowed Bell to take third. Bell then scored on Michael Sharp's RBI groundout to third base, cutting the lead to 8-3. The Pheasants got two of the runs back in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back RBI singles from Carby and Abercrombie. Bell doubled home another run in the top of the sixth, to pull with Wingnuts within six runs. Sioux Falls got the run back on an RBI fielder's choice from Anthonsen in the bottom of the seventh. Ryan Patterson collected an RBI single in the top of the ninth for the Wingnuts' last run. Massetti went five innings in the loss, allowing 10 earned runs on 13 hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Salberg earned the win and gave up four earned runs on five hits in six innings, striking out four and walking five. Jorge Cortes doubled in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. The series continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teague faces right-hander Ryan Shaver. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1059.html#1337257844 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1059.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. Gabe Medina took a no-hitter into the top of the eighth, but Lincoln scored twice to take away a 2-1 Wingnuts' lead. Behind in the count 0-1, Roberto Alvarez broke up the no-hit bid with a soft line drive off the end of his bat that took a big hop over the glove of a diving Steve Pearson by the first base line for a double. Pat Trettel followed with a two-run home run that was just fair inside the left field pole to give Lincoln a 3-2 lead. The Wingnuts had captured the lead in the previous half-inning. Down 1-0, Jorge Cortes extended his hitting to 12 games with a lead off single against starter Chris Cullen. After Jackson Melian moved Cortes to second with a walk, Mario Delgado hit a groundball off of home plate to advance the runners. Jeff Christy was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting up a first-pitch single to center by Steve Pearson that scored Cortes and Melian. Medina carried his no-hit bid for most of the night trailing 1-0 after the Saltdogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an error by Josh Horn that scored Albenis Machado from second with two outs. Medina struck out a season-high eight batters, including three alone in the top of the fifth. From the fourth through the seventh, Medina retired 10 batters in a row. Cullen earned the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits in seven innings. Chris Thompson earned the save with a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Dustin Pease worked a scoreless ninth to keep the game close. The Wingnuts head to Sioux Falls for a four-game series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti takes on left-hander Chris Salberg. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 23rd when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1058.html#1337257845 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1058.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts had their seven-game winning streak come to an end in an 8-5 loss to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Leading 4-2 in the top of the seventh, Rafael Alvarez hit a two-out, three-run home run off of Brandon Mathes to break the game open. Mathes opened the inning with a walk to Pat Trettle. After Albenis Machado hit into a double play, Vance Albitz hit a soft line drive to second that went off the glove of Rene Ruiz on one hop. Ruiz was charged with an error and Gavin Dickey followed with a single through the right side that set up Alvarez' home run. The three runs in the inning were unearned. After Lincoln took an 8-2 lead on a bases loaded walk in the top of the eighth against left-hander David Jensen, the Wingnuts rallied for three in the bottom half to pull within three runs. Ryan Patterson and Jorge Cortes drew one-out walks against starter Tim Brown. Both scored on a two-run double down the left field line by Jackson Melian. After Mario Delgado flied out to deep center, Jeff Christy doubled to right-center to drive in Melian with the Wingnuts' third run of the inning. Steve Pearson drew a walk against reliever Brendon Smith to bring the tying run to the plate, but after a line drive down the right field line that just missed being fair, Michael Bell grounded out to second to end the frame. Chris Thompson closed out the game in the ninth for the save, striking out the side. Brown earned the win, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 7.2 IP. Lincoln opened the scoring on a two-run home run in the top of the second from catcher Pat Trettel off of Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart. The Saltdogs took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI double from Alvarez. Cowart escaped further trouble in the inning when Alvarez was thrown out at home plate by center fielder Ryan Patterson on Argelis Nunez' single. Steve Pearson's two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the fourth put Wichita on the board at 3-1. The teams traded runs again in the fifth with Lincoln taking a 4-1 lead on an RBI single by Phil Hawke. Michael Bell doubled to lead off the bottom half and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from Josh Horn. Cowart took the loss, allowing four earned runs in six innings with four strikeouts. Cortes extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the sixth. The series concludes Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina takes on right-hander Chris Cullen. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1057.html#1337257846 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1057.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 8-7 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Wichita overcame an early 4-0 deficit, erased three separate Saltdogs' leads, and scored two in the bottom of the eighth to win their seventh consecutive game. Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth, Michael Bell singled to center off of left-hander Adam Daniels with one out. After a walk to Rene Ruiz, Josh Horn hit a groundball up the first base line that advanced Bell to third and Ruiz to second. Lincoln intentionally walked Ryan Patterson to load the bases. Jorge Cortes then drew a four-pitch walk from Daniels to tie the game. With Jackson Melian at the plate, Daniels threw a wild pitch on a 2-2 count that scored Ruiz from third to give the Wingnuts an 8-7 lead. With Justin Dowdy unavailable, Cephas Howard took over in the ninth and worked around an error to lock down his first save of the year. Howard retired Juan Richardson on a groundout to shortstop to strand the tying run on second. Lincoln captured the lead in the top of the eighth when Argelis Nunez ripped a two-run home run over the left-center field wall against right-hander J.R. Boling. Boling was making his professional debut. It was Nunez' second home run of the game. The Wingnuts trailed 4-0 after an inning and a half. Lincoln plated two in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly from Richardson and the first home run of the night from Nunez. Phil Hawke homered down the right field line against Nick Singleton in the top of the second to make it 3-0. After a Jeremy Gillan triple to center, Albenis Machado hit a sacrifice fly that put Lincoln up by four runs. The Wingnuts wiped out the lead in one frame, scoring four times in their half of the second. Jeff Christy led off with a bloop single to center field. After Saltdogs' starter John James retired the next two hitters, Ruiz punched a single through the right side that sent Christy to third. Rafael Alvarez' throw from right field bounced into foul ground allowing Christy to score and Ruiz to advance to second. Horn drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate, setting up a three-run home run from Ryan Patterson to tie the game. The Saltdogs loaded the bases with no one out in the third on a walk, an error, and an infield single, but Singleton limited the damage when he got Juan Camacho to hit into a run-scoring double play to give Lincoln a 5-4 lead. Steve Pearson led off the bottom of the fourth with a double off the wall down the right field line. Michael Bell immediately drove him in with a hard single through the left side of the infield to tie the game at 5-5. Singleton perservered through five innings of work, allowing five runs, two earned, on six hits. Singleton walked three and struck out four in a no-decision. Brandon Mathes worked a perfect sixth inning and allowed the Wingnuts to take their first lead of the night. Pearson singled off of reliever Nolan Chestnut to left with one out, and advanced to second on a wild pitch that struck out Bell. Pearson stole third and came home when Gillan's pickoff attempt went wild down the left field line. Mathes worked two scoreless innings, not allowing a hit. Dustin Pease earned the win, recording the final two outs in the eighth. James took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in five innings. The Wingnuts picked off two runners, one by Singleton and one by Christy. Christy also threw out two runners trying to steal. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Right-handers Adam Cowart and Tim Brown take the hill. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1056.html#1337257847 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1056.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts finished a four-game sweep of the Grand Prairie AirHogs and won their sixth game in a row with a 3-1 win at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. Four Wingnuts pitchers combined to allow one earned run, with Sean Teague battling through 5.1 scoreless to earn the win. Ryan Patterson's solo home run in the bottom of the first set the tone for the game as the Wingnuts never trailed at any point in the game. Greg Porter led off the second with a single and advanced to second when Michael Hollimon reached on an error by shortstop Josh Horn. Teague induced a double play off the bat of Robert Perry and then stranded the tying run on first by striking out Chris Brown. Teague was helped by another defensive play in the third when Jeff Christy ended the inning by throwing out Thomas Incaviglia trying to steal third base. Patterson came up big on defense in the fourth. With the Wingnuts still leading 1-0, David Espinosa doubled to left-center against Teague. Porter singled to center and Patterson threw Espinosa out at the plate as the tying run. Teague retired Hollimon on a groundball to end the inning. The AirHogs loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth before Teague got Aaron Garza to line out to left field. Dustin Pease relieved Teauge in the top of the sixth with a runner on first and one out. Pease hit Hollimon to put the go-ahead runner on base, but came back to strike out Perry for the second out. A double steal by Porter and Hollimon moved the tying and lead runs into scoring position when Pease retired Brown on a flyout to center to end the inning. Michael Bell's hit and run single in the bottom of the sixth advanced Steve Pearson to third with one out. Rene Ruiz hit a comebacker to reliever Ben Paxton who threw to second for the force on Bell. David Espinosa's relay back to first to try and complete the potential double play went wild into foul territory and allowed Pearson to score the Wingnuts' second run. An infield single and an error by Ruiz in the top of the seventh put the tying runs on base with one out, but Pease ended the inning on a groundball double play ball hit by Garza. The AirHogs finally got on the board in the eighth when Greg Porter hit a solo home run off of Cephas Howard. The Wingnuts returned the favor in the bottom half when Mario Delgado crushed a home run just inside the right field foul poul off of Rod Scurry Jr. Delgado was nearly hit in the face with the previous pitch. Justin Dowdy, working for the fifth time in six games, pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 14th save of the year. Teague earned the win, allowing five hits in 5.1 IP with four strikeouts and four walks. Patrick Stanley took the loss for the AirHogs, allowing one earned run in three innings. Jorge Cortes extended his hitting streak to nine games in a row. The Wingnuts open a three-game series on Tuesday versus Lincoln. Nick Singleton opposes Saltdogs' right-hander John James. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1055.html#1337257848 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1055.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Grand Prairie AirHogs 8-5 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Luke Massetti did not allow an earned run in 6.1 innings to earn the win, while seven Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit. Tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the Wingnuts scored three times with two outs to take a permanent lead. Rene Ruiz opened the inning with a single up the middle and was sacrificed to second by Josh Horn. After AirHogs' starter Luke Prihoda retired Ryan Patterson on a flyball to center, Jorge Cortes lined a single to center field to put Wichita in front 3-2. Jackson Melian followed with a long triple to right-center that scored Cortes. Melian came home on an error by shortstop Joseph Spiers. Wichita added two in the sixth on RBI singles from Horn and Cortes to take a 7-2 lead. Grand Prairie threatened in the seventh. Michael Hollimon led off with a single and scored on a throwing error from Ruiz on a groundball hit by Robert Perry. Massetti got Chris Brown on a groundout to third but allowed an RBI single to Ben Petralli to cut the lead to 7-4. Massetti walked Joseph Spiers to bring the tying run to the plate and was relieved by Brandon Mathes. Mathes fell behind Nook Logan 2-0 before getting him to hit into an inning-ending double play to put out the fire. The Wingnuts added an eighth run in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch from reliever Santo Maertz. Grand Prairie plated their fifth and final run of the night in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from Porter. Justin Dowdy threw a perfect ninth inning to notch his 13th save of the year. The Wingnuts scored two in the bottom of the second to take an early lead. Steve Pearson led off with a single and advanced to second on a hit-and-run groundout to shortstop from Michael Sharp. Pearson stole third and then came home when catcher Ben Petralli's throw to third went down the left field line. With the bases empty, Michael Bell singled up the middle. Ruiz's groundball to second moved Bell into scoring position. Bell scored when Horn singled through the left side to make it 2-0. The AirHogs tied the game in the top of the fourth. Massetti had retired the first 11 batters to face him until a two-out walk to David Espinosa. Greg Porter singled to center to put runners on first and third. Michael Hollimon lifted a flyball to left that Melian dropped, allowing the tying runs to score. Massetti struck out six and walked two while allowing just four hits in the win. Prihoda took the loss, allowing seven runs, four earned, in 6.0 IP. Dustin Pease worked a scoreless inning in the eighth. Cortes extended his hitting streak to eight games in a row and has driven in a run in five straight. -Wingnuts- Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1054.html#1337257849 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1054.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Grand Prairie AirHogs 11-3 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Gabe Medina tossed the first nine-inning complete game of his career to earn the win, while the Wingnuts' offense scored in six of eight innings to provide Medina plenty of support. Tied at 1-1 in the second, Rene Ruiz drove in the go-ahead run with a fielder's choice to first base. Ryan Patterson singled home Ruiz with two outs later in the inning to increase the lead to 3-1. The AirHogs made it a one-run game in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Nook Logan. The Wingnuts responded with two in the bottom half thanks to three walks. Jorge Cortes, Jackson Melian, and Mario Delgado all earned free passes to open the inning, the last of which came against reliever Wade Morrison. Jeff Christy and Steve Pearson followed with consecutive RBI singles through the right side to make it 5-3 Wichita. The AirHogs scored their final run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from Greg Porter. The Wingnuts again answered back with a multi-run inning to break the game open. Josh Horn led off the inning with a walk and scored from first on Patterson's triple down the left field line. Cortes drove in Patterson with a groundball single up the middle. Cortes moved to second on a groundball by Melian and to third on a passed ball by catcher Chris Caves. Christy's infled single to shortstop scored Cortes and opened an 8-3 advantage. Medina cruised over the final three innings, allowing just one hit. Medina finished the night with seven strikeouts while walking only one. Medina scattered seven hits and threw 122 pitches in the win. Patterson drove in his fourth run of the night in the seventh on a long double to left field, again scoring Horn from first. Michael Bell hit a two-run double to left-center with the bases loaded in the eighth to cap of the night for Wichita. Patterson had four hits in addition to his four RBI, while Horn scored three runs. All nine Wingnuts' starters reached base at least once, while eight had at least one hit. AirHogs' starter Wade Morrison took the loss, allowing five earned runs in four-plus innings. The series continues Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Luke Massetti takes on all-star right-hander Luke Prihoda. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1053.html#1337257850 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1053.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Grand Prairie AirHogs 8-7 in 11 innings at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Down to their final out in the ninth, the Wingnuts rallied for three runs to tie it, completeing a comeback from an early six-run deficit. The Wingnuts won the game in the 11th on Michael Sharp's two-out RBI single to short right field. Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Christy drew a two out walk against right-hander Mike Bille. After Steve Pearson singled up the middle, Michael Thompson drilled a double to left-center that scored Christy and put the tying runs in scoring position. Eric Williams pinch-hit for Rene Ruiz and worked a full count before hitting a line drive single to center that scored Pearson and Thompson to tie the game. Pearson, Thompson, and Williams all faced two-strike counts in the inning. Facing right-hander Rod Scurry in the 11th, Christy doubled down the left field line with one out to put the winning run on base. Scurry intentionally walked Pearson and then got Thompson to line out to third base. Sharp fouled off three consecutive two-strike pitches before blooping a single in front of right fielder Robert Perry to score Christy from second as the winning run. The AirHogs built a 6-0 lead after three and a half innings against starter Adam Cowart. Aaron Garza doubled home Nook Logan in the top of the first to give the AirHogs a 1-0 lead. Garza repeated himself in the top of the third, again scoring Logan, to make it 2-0. Greg Porter and Perry added two-out RBI singles to extend the lead to 4-0. Garza singled home two more runs in the top of the fourth to give the AirHogs a 6-0 lead. The Wingnuts scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI fielder's choice by Steve Pearson. Jorge Cortes's RBI single in the fifth trimmed the lead to 6-2, but Grand Prairie scored again in the sixth on a two-out single from David Espinosa. With two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the seventh, Jackson Melian hit a groundball to second that Espinosa misplayed to keep the inning alive. Mario Delgado then doubled just over the head of Logan in center field to bring the Wingnuts within four. Ryan Patterson hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth to make it a three-run game, setting the stage for the Wingnuts ninth-inning rally. Justin Dowdy earned the win in relief, stranding the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th in a scoreless inning. Scurry took the loss. Adam Cowart took a no-decision, allowing seven earned runs in 5.2 IP. AirHogs' starter Ryne Tacker also took a no-decision, allowing four runs, three earned, in seven-plus innings. The game marked the first time this season that the Wingnuts have won three straight games as well as the first time they have won in extra innings. It was also the Wingnuts largest ninth-inning comeback in their history. The series continues tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. with Gabe Medina taking on right-hander Greg Krause. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1051.html#1337257851 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1051.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced sevreal roster moves on Saturday, including the acquisition of third baseman Michael Bell from the CanAm League's Quebec Capitales. Bell hit .214 with one home run and 11 RBI in 37 games this season for the Fort Worth Cats before being traded to Quebec earler in the month. Bell finished fourth in the American Association last year with a .489 slugging percentage and hit 12 home runs for the Cats. The Santa Rosa, CA native has reached double digits in home runs each of the last four seasons. In exchange for Bell, the Wingnuts sent third baseman Michael Thompson to Quebec. Thompson hit .298 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 52 games for the Wingnuts this season. Wichita's second trade of the day sent right-hander Doug Hurn to the Fort Worth Cats, completing the off-season deal that brought the Wingnuts Ryan Patterson. Hurn posted a 5.70 ERA in 19 games this season over 30.0 IP. The Wingnuts also released right-hander Clint McKeever who was 0-0 with a 2.35 ERA in four games. Wichita added two rookie relievers to their bullpen, signing left-hander David Jensen and right-hander J.R. Boling. Jensen pitched in 16 games this season as a senior at Northwestern University, striking out 27 in 46.1 IP. Boling served as the closer for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, saving eight games with a 4.38 ERA in 22 appearances. Bell, Jensen, and Boling are all available for Saturday's game versus Grand Prairie. The Wingnuts continue their four-game series versus Grand Prairie tonight at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1052.html#1337257852 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1052.html WICHITA, KS- The American Association announced Thursday that shortstop Josh Horn and pitchers Nick Singleton and Justin Dowdy have been voted to the North Division All-Star Team. Horn enters Thursday eighth in the league in the batting race at .366 and will be the North's starting shortstop for a second straight year. Horn has hit safely in 41 of 48 games and has not had consecutive games without a hit at any point this season. The Shelbyville, TN native set a Wingnuts' club record in May with a 20-game hitting streak that dated back to the end of 2009. Horn is third among shortstops with a .966 fielding percentage and has now made an All-Star team in all four of his professional seasons. Singleton currently leads the American Association with a 2.29 ERA. Singleton is 4-3 on the year in 11 games, 10 of them as a starter. The Montgomery, AL native has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his 10 starts and has started three games in which he has thrown 5.2 or more shutout innings. Singleton was the league's 2008 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year when he finished the season first in ERA at 2.24 with Sioux City. Dowdy also earns his second straight American Association All-Star nod. The left-handed closer ranks second in the league with 11 saves and has pitched to a 1.17 ERA in 15.1 IP. Dowdy has 26 strikeouts this season and has fanned two or more in each of his last six outings. The San Diego, CA native has struck out the side four times this season. Dowdy was an all-star last year with Shreveport-Bossier before joining the Wingnuts in a late-August trade. The University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 27th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. For more information on tickets and pre-game events, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1048.html#1337257853 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1048.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Thursday night. The Wingnuts took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and held the lead through the end of the game thanks to great pitching from Nick Singleton and three relievers. Ryan Patterson bunted for a single with one out in the first and advanced to second on Josh Petersen's throwing error on the same play. Patterson moved to third on a single to left by Jorge Cortes. Jackson Melian hit a sacrifice fly to right that scored Patterson to give the Wingnuts an early lead for a second straight night. The Wingnuts scored twice in the top of the fifth after there were two outs and no one on base. Josh Horn singled down the right field line. Patterson followed with an RBI double to right-center field that scored Horn. Patterson came around when Cortes singled down the right field line, extending the lead to 3-0. Flint Wipke led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left field. After Josh Petersen fouled out to first, Steve Mays hit a groundball to third that took a bad hop on Michael Thompson, who recovered and threw to first. Mays was initially called out, but the umpires reversed the decision saying that first baseman Steve Pearson came off the bag fielding Thompson's throw. With Wipke on third and Mays on first, Josh Alley hit a line drive to left that was dropped by Jackson Melian. Wipke scored to make it 3-1, but Melian recovered in time to get the force on Mays at second base. The teams traded runs in the sixth inning. Rene Ruiz singled home Jeff Christy with second and third and one out to give the Wingnuts a 4-1 lead. Brent Krause scored on a wild pitch with by Nick Singleton with two outs in the bottom of the inning to pull the Saints back within two. Singleton went 6.1 strong innings for the win, allowing two earned runs on just three hits. Singleton struck out a season-high nine batters while walking five. Dustin Pease struck out Jason Cooper with the tying runs on base to end the bottom of the seventh. Cephas Howard worked around a leadoff single in the eighth to strike out two and set it up for Justin Dowdy who earned his 12th save of the season with a scoreless inning. Saints starter Kyle Foster allowed four runs, three earned in six innings while taking the loss. It marked the first time this season the Wingnuts won consecutive games on the road as well as the first time the team has taken the rubber game of a series. The Wingnuts return home for a four-game series versus Grand Prairie on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes the mound in the series opener for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1050.html#1337257854 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1050.html WICHITA, KS- Wingnuts' catcher Jeff Christy has been added to the North Division All-Star team. Christy is currently hitting .302 with one home run and 15 RBI in 41 games. The Lincoln, NE native amassed a career-best 15-game hitting streak from May 29th through June 18th in which he was 24 for 48 (.500). Christy joins Josh Horn, Nick Singleton, and Justin Dowdy to give the Wingnuts four all-stars. Starting catcher Shawn McGill of the Lincoln Saltdogs was signed by the Atlanta Braves' organization earlier today, opening a spot for Christy. The University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game is on Tuesday, July 27th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1049.html#1337257855 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1049.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the St. Paul Saints 7-6 at Midway Stadium on Wednesday night. Four Wichita relievers combined to yield just one run over the final 7.2 innings, allowing the Wingnuts a chance to come from three runs down. Tied at 6-6 in the top of the seventh, Saints' right-hander Joe D'Alessandro intentionally walked Jorge Cortes with second and third and two outs to load the bases for Jackson Melian. D'Alessandro fell behind Melian 3-1 before issuing a bases loaded walk that forced in the go-ahead run. Wichita used RBI's from Melian and Mario Delgado in the top of the first to take a quick 2-0 lead, but the Saints immediately came back in the bottom half. Brandon Carter's RBI double to right-center drove in Josh Alley who led off the inning with a single through the left side. Carter was driven in two batters later on a flyball double by Jason Cooper that dropped on top of the left field foul line. Brent Krause singled home Cooper to give the Saints a 3-2 lead. St. Paul extended the lead in the second. Steve Mays led off with a double down the left field line and came home on Alley's single down the right field line. Carter connected for his second double of the game, this one down the left field line, to score Alley and make it 5-3. Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague was helped when Carter was caught stealing for the first out of the inning, but walked Ole Sheldon and Cooper back-to-back. Brandon Mathes was called from the bullpen, and after issuing a walk to Krause to load the bases, Mathes turned a flyball to right from Chad Gabriel into an inning-ending double play when Ole Sheldon was thrown out at the plate by Jorge Cortes. Jeff Christy's RBI single in the top of the third pulled the Wingnuts within two, but the Saints got the run right back in the bottom half on an RBI single from Josh Petersen. The Wingnuts chipped away again in the fourth when Josh Horn tripled to left field with one out. Horn scored when Ryan Patterson tripled on a ball lost by center fielder Josh Alley. Cortes drove in Patterson with a sacrifice fly to center to cut the lead to 6-5. The Wingnuts tied the game in the sixth. Cortes doubled down the left field line with one out and scored two batters later when Delgado singled up the middle. Dustin Pease earned the win in relief, striking out four in two scoreless innings. Cephas Howard worked a perfect eighth. Gerard Haran, pinch-hitting for Carter to lead off the bottom of the ninth, hit a deep flyball to the warning track off of Justin Dowdy that Melian caught for the first out. Dowdy then struck out Sheldon and Cooper to finish a perfect ninth and record his 11th save of the year. Joe D'Alessandro took the loss in relief for St. Paul. Mathes pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one run to give the Wingnuts a chance to come back. Teague took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in 1.1 IP. Ryan Morse also took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs in 5.0 IP. Delgado extended his hitting streak to 12 games in a row, going 3 for 5. Cortes was 2 for 2 with two walks, a sacrifice fly, and three runs. Melian reached base five times with two hits and three walks. Wingnuts' pitchers allowed one hit over the final six innings and retired 16 of the final 17 hitters to face them. The Wingnuts and Saints play a rubber game on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton opposes right-hander Kyle Foster. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 9th when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1047.html#1337257856 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1047.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Tuesday night. St. Paul used a five-run first, with all of the runs scored with two outs, to take a commanding lead that the Wingnuts could not overcome. With Brandon Carter on second and two outs, Jason Cooper hit a home run to right-center field to drive in the first runs of the game. Brent Krause followed with a triple to right field and scored on Chad Gabriel's single to left. Flint Wipke singled Gabriel to second, and both scored on Josh Petersen's double down the right field line. The Wingnuts got on the board in the fifth. With two outs and no one on base, Josh Horn hit a long double to center field. Ryan Patterson drove him in with a single to short center. Wichita scored twice against the Saints' bullpen in the eighth to pull within two runs. Jackson Melian singled through the left side and scored two pitches later on Mario Delgado's double off the bottom of the fence in right-center. Jeff Christy singled to third, chasing out right-hander Jonathan Plefka. Matt Meyer came on and allowed an RBI single through the right side to Steve Pearson, cutting the Saints' lead to 5-3. Michael Thompson popped out to catcher Flint Wipke on a sacrifice attempt for the first out. Meyer picked up a strikeout of Rene Ruiz for the second out when first base umpire Ryan Simmons said Ruiz went around on a check swing. After Josh Horn walked to load the bases, Ryan Patterson hit a hard line drive to left that was caught by Chad Gabriel to end the inning. The Saints re-extended the lead in the bottom of the inning when Flint Wipke led off with a home run to left field. Meyer went out for a second inning in the top of the ninth and struck out the side to earn a six-out save. Luke Massetti took the loss, allowing five earned runs in seven innings. Massetti settled down after the five-run first and finished the night with six strikeouts and one walk. Jacob Schmidt earned the win for St. Paul, allowing one earned run in six innings on five hits. Mario Delgado went 2 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 11 games in a row. The series continues on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. with Sean Teague taking on left-hander Ryan Morse. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 9th when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1046.html#1337257857 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1046.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 9-0 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Sunday night. The Saints jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Brandon Carter drew a one-out walk against Gabe Medina. Ole Sheldon singled to center, moving Carter to second. Carter scored on Jason Cooper's double down the right field line. Brent Krause grounded a single up the middle to plate both Sheldon and Cooper. With two outs and no one on, Carter doubled down the right field line in the bottom of the second. Sheldon followed with an RBI single to left to make it 4-0 St. Paul Carter hit his second double of the game with one out in the fourth and came home on another RBI single by Sheldon. Jason Cooper followed with a two-run home run on a high, fly ball to right-center that opened a 7-0 Saints lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Carter and Sheldon hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and werr driven in by Krause two batters later on a double to deep right field. Gabe Medina allowed a season-high nine earned runs in 5.1 IP and took the loss. Medina allowed 11 hits, walked four and struck out four. Brandon Mathes, Dustin Pease, and Cephas Howard combined for 2.2 scoreless relief innings. Zach Peterson threw 6.2 shutout innings before leaving in the top of the seventh with an injury. Peterson allowed four hits, no walks, and struck out five while not allowing a runner past first base while earning the win. The Wingnuts and Saints open the second half head-to-head on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti goes to the mound against right-hander Jacob Schmidt. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 9th when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1045.html#1337257858 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1045.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts will still hold their 4th of July Celebration Fireworks tonight. Gates to Lawrence Dumont Stadium will open at 6pm. The NBC Exhibition Game between the Haysville Heat and the Denver Cougars has been canceled, however we will show the movie Cars on the Video Board beginning at 6:30pm. Following the movie, there will be a parade of flags presented by Alefs Harley Davidson followed by the National Anthem and concluding with our spectacular 4th of July Fireworks Show. The 4th of July Celebration Fireworks are scheduled to begin shortly after 9pm. Tickets for tonights event will be available for 5 at the gate. If you have already purchased tickets for the NBC Exhibition game, they will be good for tonights fireworks AND also you will be able to trade them in for a regular season Wingnuts game or NBC World Series Session. For more information, please contact the Wingnuts office at 264-NUTS. Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1044.html#1337257859 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1044.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the St. Paul Saints 9-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Adam Cowart worked seven strong innings to earn his third win of the year, while Mario Delgado hit a pair of opposite field home runs to power a Wingnuts offense that scored in each of their first five at bats. Josh Horn singled through the right side leading off the bottom of the first and advanced to second when Ryan Patterson singled through the left. Horn and Patterson executed a double steal and both scored on Jackson Melian's line drive double to left. Steve Pearson and Michael Thompson opened the second with back-to-back singles. Newly signed second baseman Rene Ruiz sacrificed them to second and third. Josh Horn followed with a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Pearson to give the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. Ryan Patterson was next and delivered a two-out, RBI single to short left to make it 4-0. Jackson Melian led off the third with a single and came around on a two-run home run to left-center from Mario Delgado. Jeff Christy walked and moved to second two batters later on a single to left by Thompson. Ruiz lined a single to center to score Christy and open a 7-0 lead. St. Paul finally got on the board in the top of the fourth on a solo home run by Gerard Haran. The Wingnuts got the run back in the bottom half when Delgado slugged his second home run of the night, this one to left field. Singles from Ruiz and Horn in the fifth set up an RBI single through the right side by Jorge Cortes to extend the lead to 9-1. St. Paul added a run in the sixth on an RBI double by Jason Cooper. Adam Cowart allowed two earned runs on seven hits in the win, striking out four and walking three. Saints' starter Ashton Dorris, making his professional debut, allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits in three innings of work and took the loss. Nick Singleton made his first relief appearance since July 28, 2008, when he worked against the Wingnuts while pitching for Sioux City, and pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game, striking out five. Ruiz went 3 for 3 with an RBI and run scored in his Wingnuts' debut. The Wingnuts finish the first half tomorrow night at St. Paul sending Gabe Medina to the mound against right-hander Zach Peterson at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, July 9th when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1042.html#1337257860 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1042.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have partnered with the Carl Hall Family Benefit Fund to assist former Wichita State University baseball player Carl Hall. Carl Hall Benefit Night takes place on Saturday, July 24th during the Wingnuts' contest versus St. Paul. A Carl Hall Special is currently being offered for the game where fans can purchase Lower Box seats for 10 (usually 12) and Upper Chairback seats for 8 (usually 9). 2 from every ticket sold to the game will be donated to the Carl Hall Family Benefit Fund. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The Wingnuts are also offering ticket packages which include tickets to both the July 24th game as well as the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game on July 27th. Packages range from 10-200 tickets and include opportunities to throw out the first pitch at the July 24th Wingnuts game as well as signed Wingnuts memorabilia. Hall was seriously injured in a car accident near Kingman, KS on Saturday, June 26th. Hall is currently at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital. Five other passangers were involved in the accident, including Hall's wife and three children, all of whom went uninjured. His condition has been upgraded from critical to stable and has shown positive signs of improvement. Donations to the Carl Hall Family Benefit Fund can be made at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium or any INTRUST Bank location. Donations can be mailed to: The Carl Hall Family Benefit Fund c/o INTRUST Bank 105 N. Main Street Wichita, KS 67202 Information regarding Hall's progress can be found by searching Hallsoffame at or on facebook by searching Carl Hall Recovery Fan Club For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1041.html#1337257861 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1041.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints 9-3 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. The Wingnuts broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth to take a lead they would never give up. Jake Bradshaw singled down the left field line and took third on Josh Horn's double in the same direction. Saints' starter Jason Godin struck out Ryan Patterson, but newcomer Jorge Cortes lined a sacrifice fly to center field to score Bradshaw and give the Wingnuts a 3-2 lead. Jackson Melian walked and Mario Delgado followed with an RBI single through the right side of the infield that scored Horn. Melian came around on Jeff Christy's line drive single to right-center to make it 5-2. The Saints erased a 2-1 Wingnuts lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI single to left-center by Ole Sheldon off of reliever Clint McKeever. McKeever got Jason Cooper on a flyout to center that left runners on first and second with two outs when Doug Hurn came in from the bullpen. Hurn walked Brent Krause to load the bases but came back to strike out Gerard Haran to end the inning, setting up the Wingnuts' go-ahead rally. McKeever took over for Wingnuts' starter Nick Singleton in the top of the second after Singleton was ejected by home plate umpire Ryan Simmons for throwing consecutive pitches behind Haran. McKeever went 3.1 innings, allowing two earned runs. Hurn earned the win in relief, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings and striking out six of the seven outs that he recorded. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, catcher Flint Wipke dropped a popup that allowed Melian to reach first to lead off the frame. On the very next pitch, Delgado ripped a two-run home run over the right field wall to put the Wingnuts in front. Wichita broked the game open with a three-run seventh against reliever Jon Plefka. Melian singled up the middle leading off the inning and advanced to third with no outs on a throwing error by catcher Flint Wipke. Plefka retired the next two hitters, but Steve Pearson drove in Melian with a single up the middle. Michael Thompson followed with a base hit through the left side. With Jake Bradshaw at the plate, a series of two wild pitches and a passed ball allowed Pearson and Thompson to score the Wingnuts seventh and eighth runs. The Wingnuts added a run in the eighth on an RBI double down the line by Melian that scored Ryan Patterson from first. Facing Justin Dowdy in the ninth, the Saints plated a single run on a two-out, RBI single by Josh Petersen. Dowdy struck out the side in the inning to end the game. The Wingnuts finish the home portion of their series against the Saints on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart goes to the mound against rookie right-hander Ashton Dorris. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1040.html#1337257862 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1040.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 13-5 to the St. Paul Saints at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. St. Paul erased a two-run Wingnuts lead with three unearned runs in the top of the fourth. An error by Michael Thompson and a double by Saints' catcher Gerard Haran put runners on second and third and no out. Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague almost worked out of the jam, striking out the next two hitters, but Brandon Carter slapped an RBI single to left to cut the lead to 2-1. After Josh Alley walked, Josh Petersen singled to left-center to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. The Saints extended their lead in the fifth on a two-run home run to left by Haran, and then broke the game open with three runs in the top of the sixth. Ole Sheldon led off with a double and advanced to third on a single by Jason Cooper. Brent Krause hit an RBI single down the right field line to make it 6-2. Flint Wipke and Brandon Carter added RBI singles to build an 8-2 lead. The Wingnuts got to Saints' starter Ryan Morse early, stringing together four hits in the first before Morse ever recorded an out. Josh Horn singled and scored on Ryan Patterson's double off the fence in left-center. Patterson moved to third on Jackson Melian's single to left and came in when Mario Delgado lined a single to left-center. Morse settled down afterward, retiring the final three batters in the first and then allowing just one hit from the second through the sixth. Leading 8-2 in the seventh, the Saints added three more runs on a bases clearing double from Haran who finished the night with five RBIs. The Wingnuts scored three times in the seventh, highlighted by a two-run home run down the left field line by Jake Bradshaw, the first of his professional career. Patterson added an RBI single in the inning to cut the lead to 11-5. The Saints scored twice more in the eighth on an opposite field solo home run by Brandon Carter and a two-out double down the right field line by Jason Cooper. Teague allowed five runs, two earned, in 4.1 IP while taking the loss. Teague struck out a career-high eight hitters. Four Wingnuts pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts. Morse earned the win, allowing five runs in eight innings of work. Delgado has hit safely in seven games in a row. The Wingnuts and Saints continue their series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton goes to the mound against right-hander Jason Godin. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1039.html#1337257863 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1039.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Dustin Jones set the tone for the game hitting a two-out, three-run home run of of Doug Hurn in the top of the first inning. The Wingnuts answered back with one run in the bottom half. Josh Horn doubled off the glove of right fielder Jon Owings with two outs and scored on an RBI single to center by Mario Delgado. Kent Sakamoto hit a solo home run off of Hurn in the top of the fourth to extend the lead to 4-1. Explorers starter Mikael Ryder allowed just two runners past first base after Delgado's first inning single. Down 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth, the Wingnuts rallied to put the tying and winning runs on base. Delgado grounded a single up the middle against right-hander Eddie Delacruz to open the inning. After striking out Jackson Melian and Chad Rothford, Delacruz walked Jeff Christy and allowed a single through the left side to Michael Thompson. Jake Bradhaw was hit by a pitch forcing in a run, but Delacruz came back to strike out Steve Pearson to end the game. Hurn took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two. Brandon Mathes pitched two perfect innings of relief, while Clint McKeever worked a scoreless eighth in his professional debut. Ryder earned the win for Sioux City, allowing one run on six hits in eight innings. Ryder is now 3-0 this season against the Wingnuts in three starts. Delacruz was credited with the save. The Wingnuts begin a three-game home series against St. Paul on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teague goes to the mound for the Wingnuts against left-hander Ryan Morse. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1038.html#1337257864 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1038.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 4-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. For a second straight game, the Wingnuts received a stellar effort from their starting pitcher. Luke Massetti pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits to earn his third win of the season. Massetti struck out two and walked none and retired 16 of 17 hitters from the third inning into the eighth. Massetti allowed a two-out, solo home run in the top of the first to T.J Bohn, but the Wingnuts came right back and tied the game in the bottom half. Eric Williams led off the inning with a walk. After X's starter Michael Phelps retired the next two hitters, Williams stole second and came home on a groundball single to center by Mario Delgado. The Wingnuts manufactured a run in the second to take the lead. Chad Rothford boomed a double to left-center to lead off the inning and moved to second on Steve Pearson's groundball to second base. Michael Thompson lifted a deep fly ball to left field that scored Rothford and made it 2-1, a lead the Wingnuts never gave back. With first and second and one out in the fourth, Thompson hit a short line drive to center that bounced past a diving Dustin Jones to score Rothford from second, giving the Wingnuts a 3-1 lead. Sioux City inched closer in the top of the eighth. Dustin Jones snapped a streak of 10 batters retired in a row by Massetti with a long solo home run to left field, but the Wingnuts answered back again in the bottom of the frame. Delgado led off with a single and was pinch-run for by reliever Brandon Mathes. Two hitters later, Rothford hit a potential inning-ending double play ball to second that was booted by Derek Schermerhorn. Steve Pearson was hit by a pitch and then Thompson beat out another double play attempt by the Explorers to bring in Mathes with the Wingnuts' fourth run. Justin Dowdy worked a scoreless ninth for his 10th save of the year, including two strikeouts. Thompson finished the night with three RBIs. Phelps took the loss, allowing three earned runs in four innings. The series conlcudes on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. Doug Hurn makes a spot start for the Wingnuts against right-hander Mikael Ryder. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1037.html#1337257865 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1037.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux City Explorers 5-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. For a second consecutive start, Gabe Medina pitched eight terrific innings to pick up a victory. Medina allowed two earned runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three. The Wingnuts supported Medina early with two runs in the bottom of the first. Ryan Patterson singled with one out and came home when Josh Horn tripled down the left field line. Mario Delgado drove in Horn with a groundout to second base to make it 2-0. Medina faced a bases loaded, no out jam in the top of the second, but induced a double play ball by Brett Mieras kept Sioux City to just one run scored. Leading 2-1 in the fifth, the Wingnuts opened the inning with singles from Chad Rothford and Steve Pearson. A hit-and-run groundball from Michael Sharp advanced the runners an extra base. Newly acquired second baseman Jake Bradshaw doubled down the left field line to score two more runs and open a 4-1 lead. It was Bradshaw's first professional hit. The X's threatened in the sixth with first and second and no outs, but Medina once again limited them to one run on an RBI groundout by Kent Sakamoto. Medina walked the tying runs on base in the top of the seventh, but came back from a 3-0 count to strikeout Dustin Jones to end the inning. Medina worked around a leadoff walk in the eighth by getting Sakamoto to hit into an inning-ending double play. Rothford led off the bottom of the eight with a double to left-center and advanced to third on a single to right by Pearson. Michael Sharp hit a sacrifice fly to right that extended the Wingnuts' lead to 5-2. Justin Dowdy took over in the top of the ninth and struck out two to lock down his ninth save of the year. Jayson Miller took the loss for the Explorers, allowing four earned runs in six innings. The series continues Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. with Luke Massetti taking on right-hander Michael Phelps. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1036.html#1337257866 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1036.html ST. PAUL, MN- The St. Paul Saints swept a double header from the Wichita Wingnuts on Sunday afternoon at Midway Stadium, winning 5-4 and 6-0. Four Saints pitchers combined for a seven-hit shutout in the nightcap. The Wingnuts had the leadoff man on in their final six innings and twice had the bases loaded with no outs, but could not score. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the seven-inning contest. The Saints scored three times in the bottom of the second and never looked back. Jason Cooper and Brent Krause opened the bottom of the second with singles. After a sacrifice bunt by Flint Wipke, Andrew Schmiesing hit a groundball to second that scored Cooper from third to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. Steve Mays singled home Krause with the second run of the inning. Mays eventually scored on an RBI single to right field by Brandon Carter. St. Paul added a run in the fifth on a two-out RBI single by Josh Petersen and plated two more in the bottom of the sixth on RBIs from Schmiesing and Carter. Adam Cowart pitched a complete game in the loss, allowing six runs, four earned, on nine hits in six innings of work. Cowart walked one and struck out five. Zach Peterson earned the win for the Saints throwing five-plus shutout innings. The Saints took the opener of the double header 5-4 in a back-and-forth contest. Tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth, Ole Sheldon drove in the go-ahead run with a single to left field. Josh Petersen scored the run after doubling to right-center with two outs and no one on base. The Wingnuts rallied from a 4-2 deficit to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. With first and second and one out, Michael Thompson hit a bloop single to left that scored Jeff Christy from second base. Michael Sharp followed and hit a groundball to shortstop that was misplayed by Steve Butler and led to the tying run coming across home plate. The Saints scored three times in the bottom of the second to erase a 2-1 Wingnuts lead. All three runs scored after there were two outs and no one on base. Brandon Carter and Josh Alley each hit singles and were driven in on a two-run double down the right field line by Josh Petersen. Ole Sheldon hit an RBI single through the right side to extend the lead to 4-2. The Wingnuts had overcome an early 1-0 Saints advantage with two runs in the top of the second. Chad Rothford hit an RBI single to right field to tie the game and went ahead on an RBI groundout by Michael Sharp. Nick Singleton took the loss, throwing a complete game. Singleton allowed five runs in six innings while striking out four. Jason Godin earned the win for the Saints while Kyle Foster worked a five-out save. Seven of the Saints' 11 runs in the double header were scored with two outs. The Wingnuts return home Monday to host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina is expected to take the mound for Wichita against left-hander Jayson Miller. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1035.html#1337257867 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1035.html ST. PAUL, MN- Game two of the Wingnuts' Saturday double header against the St. Paul Saints has been postponed. The game will be made up as part of another double header on Sunday beginning at 1:05 p.m. As per league rules, each game is scheduled for seven innings. In the lone game played on Saturday, the Wingnuts came from behind to beat the Saints 3-1. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the seventh, Chad Rothford hit a three-run home run off of Joe D'Alessandro to give the Wingnuts a 3-1 lead. Michael Thompson opened the inning with a single and advanced to second when Steve Pearson was hit by a pitch. After Michael Sharp bunted into a force play, Rothford homered to deep right-center with an 0-2 count. The Saints scored their lone run on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth from Gerard Haran. Brent Krause had doubled down the right field line with two outs and moved to third on a wild pitch before Haran drove him in. Sean Teague turned in another good start for the Wingnuts, allowing one run on four hits and striking out four in five innings in a no-decision. Brandon Mathes earned the win with a perfect sixth to keep the Wingnuts close. Justin Dowdy dominated in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the side to earn his eighth save of the year. Ryan Morse started for the Saints, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision. Nick Singleton takes on Jason Godin in Sunday's opener with Adam Cowart going to the hill in the back end for Wichita. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday to host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1034.html#1337257868 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1034.html ST. PAUL, MN- Friday's game between the Wingnuts and Saints at Midway Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather. The teams will make up the contest as part of a double header on Saturday, June 26th at 6:05 p.m. As per league rules, each game is scheduled for seven innings. Sean Teague and Ryan Morse are the expected starters for game one. Nick Singleton and Jason Godin are slated for the nightcap. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday to host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1033.html#1337257869 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1033.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-1 in 10 innings to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. John Allen hit a tie-breaking home run off of Doug Hurn in the top of the 10th to put Fort Worth in front. Brian Fryer opened the inning with a double down the right field line and advanced to third when Hurn was charged with a balk. Allen homered on the next pitch to give the Cats their first lead since the fifth inning. Justin Holloway drove in the first run of the night with an RBI groundout to short in the top of the fourth against Luke Massetti. Massetti battled through seven innings, allowing just one run on eight hits and stranded nine runners on base. The Wingnuts tied it in the bottom of the fifth after there were two outs and no runners on. Eric Williams singled through the left side, stole second, and came home on Ryan Patterson's RBI single to left-center. The Wingnuts however, had only two baserunners the rest of the night, both of which were erased on double plays by the next hitter. Colin Allen pitched eight innings for the Cats, allowing one run on five hits. Dustin Pease pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Massetti. Hurn was charged with the loss for the Wingnuts while Justin Vaclavik earned the win. Dustin Cameron pitched a scoreless 10th to pick up the save. The Wingnuts hit the road for a three-game series in St. Paul beginning Friday at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teague goes to the mound against Saints' lefty Ryan Morse. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday to host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1032.html#1337257870 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1032.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fort Worth Cats 4-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Gabe Medina pitched eight strong innings to earn his first win of the season. Medina allowed one run on five hits while striking out five. Medina walked six and threw 117 pitches in the victory. With the Wingnuts leading 2-1 in the top of the seventh, the Cats loaded the bases with one out. Medina pitched out of the jam, striking out Jeremy Sauceda and retiring Brian Fryer on a force play. Medina walked John Allen to begin the eighth inning but induced a double play ball from Gerardo Avila on the very next pitch. Medina struck out Michael Bell to end the inning. The Wingnuts scratched across two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. With first and third and one out, newcomer Jose Duran hit a groundball to third base. Michael Bell attempted to come home to throw out Jeff Christy. Cats' catcher Kelley Gulledge couldn't handle the throw which allowed the run to score. Michael Thompson scored later in the inning on a passed ball. Justin Dowdy was dominant in the ninth, striking out two in a perfect inning to earn his seventh save of the season. The Wingnuts got off to a quick start on offense, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run by Steve Pearson in the bottom of the second. Medina kept the Cats scoreless until the sixth when Allen singled home Sauceda to cut the lead in half. Jason Fernandez allowed two earned runs in 6.2 IP in the loss for the Cats. The Wingnuts and Cats finish their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti opposes left-hander Tim Bitten. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1030.html#1337257871 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1030.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed former Wichita State University Shocker Clint McKeever on Thursday afternoon. McKeever just finished a four-year career at Wichita State in which he served as both a first baseman and pitcher. A native of Oklahoma City, OK, McKeever hit a combined .314 for the Shockers from 2007-10 with 13 home runs, and 102 RBI in 156 games played. As a pitcher, McKeever posted a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 IP with 23 strikeouts and one save. McKeever is the seventh former Shocker to play for the Wingnuts. In a corresponding move, the Wingnuts also released right-handed pitcher Matt Petty. The Wingnuts finish their series tonight with Fort Worth with Luke Massetti taking the ball in the rubber game against left-hander Tim Bittner. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1031.html#1337257872 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1031.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 10-4 to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Trailing 5-4 in the top of the ninth, the Cats broke the game open with five runs, all scored with two outs. With the bases loaded, Nick McCoola hit a ground ball up the first base line that umpire Todd Waters ruled fair before it rolled into foul territory for a three-run triple. Kevin Hooper came onto the field and was forced by Waters to make a pitching change, despite his intentions to argue the decision on the triple. Brandon Mathes, who had not been warming up, came in for Cephas Howard and allowed two more runs on a wild pitch and a single from Brian Fryer. The Wingnuts battled back three times to make it a one-run game. Down 2-0 in the third, Mario Delgado drove in a run with an RBI groundout that scored Ryan Patterson. With the Cats leading 4-1 in the fifth, Steve Pearson also plated a run with an RBI groundout to cut the lead to 4-2. Eric Williams hit a two-out, RBI double to left-center to pull Wichita within one. The Cats scored a run on a stolen base and throwing error by Jeff Christy in the top of the eighth, but Michael Thompson hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom half to cut the score to 5-4 before the Cats ninth-inning rally. Adam Cowart battled through six innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on 11 hits. Cowart threw 111 pitches, striking out four and walking none. Dwayne Pollok earned the win, allowing three earned runs in 6.2 IP. The Wingnuts committed a season-high four errors, leading to three unearned runs. Josh Horn had three base hits for the Wingnuts. The Wingnuts and Cats continue their series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina takes the mound against Cats' righty Jason Fernandez. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1029.html#1337257873 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1029.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts today announced the University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus as the presenting sponsor for the 2010 American Association All-Star Game. The University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The game matches up the best players from the North and South Divisions, with all 10 teams sending at least one representative. The Wingnuts have sent a combined 13 players to the All-Star Game in each of their first two seasons. University of Phoenix Wichita campus is excited to sponsor the 2010 American Association All-Star game, said Carrie Morris-Smith, University of Phoenix Wichita Campus Director. The best baseball players in the league are participating, making this game one of the most competitive and entertaining in the nation. As fans of the Wichita Wingnuts, our employees, students and faculty members are thrilled to celebrate these players and baseball as a sport. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts will host several skills competitions, highlighted by the annual Home Run Derby. Events leading up to the 27th include a banquet, pre-game picnic, and golf with the players and league executives. Passes for these events will be available for purchase to Wingnuts' season ticket holders. This is another major step in making sure the All-Star Game is presented first class, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. The University of Phoenix is well-known across the country and we are very proud to have both of our names attached to one of the biggest events Wichita will see this year. University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals in the Wichita area earn their associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees for seven years. The University currently has two convenient campus and student resource center locations at 3020 North Cypress Street and 2441 N. Maize Road in NewMarket Square. For more information about University of Phoenix, please visit and or call (316) 630-8121. The game will also be televised live on Kansas 22 with the capability of being carried in all of the league's markets. Tickets for The University of Phoenix - Wichita Campus 2010 American Association All-Star Game are currently available for Season Ticket Holders. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 12th at 9:00 a.m. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of February 28, 2010, 458,600 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit -Wingnuts- Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1028.html#1337257874 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1028.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-3 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Kent Sakamoto hit a two-run, game-tying home run in the top of the seventh off of Nick Singleton to knot the game at 2-2. The Explorers went on to score three times in the top of the eighth to take the lead. Dustin Jones doubled to deep left-center leading off the eighth and beat relief pitcher Brandon Mathes's throw to third on Darrick Hale's bunt attempt. Jones then beat Josh Horn's throw to the plate to give Sioux City the lead on T.J. Bohn's groundball to shortstop. Two batters later, Ray Serrano hit a two-run double to left field to give the X's a 5-2 advantage. Ryan Patterson hit a line drive home run to left in the eighth to cut the X's lead to 5-3 for the Wingnuts' final run of the game. The Wingnuts took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out, RBI single by Steve Pearson. Patterson doubled home Eric Williams from first base in the bottom of the fifth to make it 2-0. Singleton cruised through the first six innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Singleton finished the night with six strikeouts and allowing just the two earned runs in seven innings of work. Mikael Ryder earned the win, allowing three earned runs in 7.1 IP. Brett Reid pitched a scoreless ninth for the save. The Wingnuts have Monday off and then open a three-game series against the Fort Worth Cats on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Adam Cowart is scheduled to pitch for Wichita. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1027.html#1337257875 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1027.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Sioux City Explorers 8-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Sean Teague earned his first career win as a starting pitcher while Mario Delgado drove in four with a home run and a double to lead the offense. Teague pitched six scoreless innings, striking out three and walking three. Teague allowed just one runner past second base during his start, and improved to 1-1. Teague has allowed one run in 11.0 IP in two starts with the Wingnuts. Leading 1-0 in the third, Delgado crushed a two-run home run that clipped the batter's eye in dead center field to open a 3-0 advantage. Ryan Patterson extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run single to center field with the bases loaded. Patterson finished the night 3 for 5 and scored two runs. The Wingnuts took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly to left by Chad Rothford. Rothford collected two hits in the game and is 3 for 10 in three games with the Wingnuts. Dustin Pease pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Teague. Justin Dowdy worked a scoreless ninth to finish the shutout. David Trahan took the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, in four innings. Jeff Christy's hitting streak came to and end at 15 games in which he was 24 for 48 (.500) The series wraps up Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. American Association ERA leader Nick Singleton takes the mound aginst right-hander Mikael Ryder. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1026.html#1337257876 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1026.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts split a double header with the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, dropping game one 5-0 and winning the finale 6-3. Steve Pearson had three hits in the night cap, while Brandon Mathes pitched two scoreless relief innings to earn his first professional win. The Wingnuts broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run bottom of the fourth. Steve Pearson legged out a double to right-center, just beating Jon Owings' relay throw to second base. Michael Thompson laid down a bunt single to the right side. With home plate vacated, Pearson scored all the way from second to give the Wingnuts a 3-2 lead. Two batters latter, Tony Mansolino used a hit-and-run single to move Thompson to second. Eric Williams singled on a hit-and-run on the very next pitch to score Thompson and make it 4-2. Mansolino scored from third on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Patterson while Josh Horn capped off the inning with a two-out, RBI double down the left field line. T.J. Bohn gave the X's a quick 2-0 lead with a two-run home run to center field in the top of the first. Sioux City went on to load the bases against Doug Hurn with only one out, but Hurn limited the damage, getting Derek Schermerhorn on a foul popout and striking out Jared Keel. Wichita scratched out unearned runs in both the first and second to tie the game. Josh Horn brought in a run with a double play ball in the first, while Tony Mansolino's sacrifice fly in the second. Mathes relieved Hurn with second and third and two out in the fourth and induced a groundout by Darrick Hale to end the inning and set up the Wingnuts' go-ahead rally in the bottom half. The Wingnuts lost the opener 5-0, marking the third time in five games the Wingnuts were held scoreless. A bases loaded walk to Kent Sakamoto helped the Explorers open a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Jon Owings made it 2-0 with a long solo home run to center field in the top of the fourth. Sioux City tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth. After Massetti struck out the first two hitters, T.J. Bohn doubled off the bottom of the fence in left-center field. Kent Sakamoto drove him in with a single to right and then scored from first on Ray Serrano's RBI double down the left field line. Brett Mieras hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 5-0. Luke Massetti went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, in the loss. Ty Marotz pitched three scoreless innings in the start, but had to leave after being struck on his pitching arm by a Mario Delgado line drive that ended the bottom of the third. Wichita left six runners on base. Jeff Christy extended his hitting streak to 15 games in a row. The Wingnuts and Explorers play game three of their series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Sean Teague squares off against right-hander David Trahan. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1024.html#1337257877 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1024.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts and Cox Communications have partnered to air the 2010 American Association All-Star Game on Kansas 22. The American Association All-Star Game matches up the best players from the North and South Divisions, with all 10 teams sending at least one representative. The game will potentially be carried in all 10 of the league's markets. Kansas 22 is excited to provide Cox customers in 85 Kansas communities this unique and exclusive live programming opportunity. Baseball enthusiasts across the state will be able to enjoy the talent of players in the American Association of Independent Baseball League exclusively on Cox Cable channel 22, said Janet Barnard, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cox Kansas/Arkansas. Prior to the All-Star Game, the Wingnuts plan to host several competitions including the annual Home Run Derby. A banquet hosting all of the players and league executives takes place the night before with passes made available to the public for purchase in the near future. Our organization is extremely proud to be hosting the 2010 All-Star Game, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. The All-Star game is a cherished event at any level of baseball, and partnering with Cox Communications and Kansas 22 to televise it helps to ensure that our city and league are both seen as first class. Kansas 22 is the premier television station for Kansas programming, continually airing events with statewide interest. The American Associatin All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1022.html#1337257878 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1022.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-0 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. With the game scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, the Pheasants scored three runs with two outs to take the lead. Hunter Jobes hit a groundball off the mound that deflected towards second base and resulted in an infield hit that scored Beau Torbert from third to make it 1-0. Two batters later, Kevin Carby doubled inside the first base bag off the glove of Mario Delgado to score Jobes. Joe Anthonsen followed with another infield hit that banked off the mound to extend the lead to 3-0. Gabe Medina took another tough loss, falling to 0-3, and was charged with three earned runs in six innings allowing six hits. Medina struck out two and walked three. Ryan Shaver pitched six shutout innings to earn the win. Brandon Mathes pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Medina. Aaron Cotter pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the series. Jeff Christy singled in the top of the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 14 games in a row. Ryan Patterson's hitting streak came to an end at 14 straight games. The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th for a double header versus Sioux City at 5:05 p.m. Luke Massetti and Doug Hurn are expected to start for the Wingnuts. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1021.html#1337257879 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1021.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts split a double header with the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday, winning the opener 4-3, and dropping the nightcap 4-2. In game one, Josh Workman hit two home runs and scored three runs, while Nick Singlton battled through six innings to earn his fourth win of the year. Workman opened game one with a bang, hitting a home run to right-center field on just the second pitch from starting pitcher Ben Moore. Workman homered again with one out in the top of the third, this time on a deep fly ball to right that completely left Sioux Falls Stadium. The Pheasants used two solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Brandon Sing hit his 11th of the year to deep left-center to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Hunter Jobes reached the short porch in right to tie it with his second of 2010. The Wingnuts answered right back in the top of the fifth. With a runner on first and one out, Workman bunted for a hit which eventually put runners on second and third when catcher Eddy Rodriguez threw wild into the stands. Ryan Patterson hit an RBI single down the left field line to put Wichita back in front. Josh Horn beat out a potential double play ball that scored the Wingnuts' fourth run of the game. The Pheasants threatened in the bottom of the inning, but Singleton pitched out of a jam to keep the Wingnuts in front. With first and third and one out, Beau Torbert singled to deep center field to cut the lead to 4-3. Singleton walked Brandon Sing to load the bases, but then got Trevor Lawhorn to hit into an inning-ending double play to keep the Wingnuts in front. Justin Dowdy took over in the bottom of the seventh and worked around a lead off single by Tim Hutting to earn his sixth save of the year. Singleton allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings to improve to 4-2. Moore took the loss, allowing four earned runs in 5.1 IP. The win snapped the Wingnuts' five-game losing streak. Ryan Patterson and Jeff Christy each extended their hitting streaks to 13 games in a row. The Pheasants won the second game 4-2 to gain a split of the double header, helped by two RBIs from Reggie Abercrombie. Abercrombie hit a solo home run to left field in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie and proved to be the winning run. Left fielder Kevin Carby drove in an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth against Dustin Pease. Abercrombie singled home Joe Anthonsen with the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Abercrombie stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Michael Sharp. A wild pitch thrown by Adam Cowart scored Abercrombie from third to make it 2-0. Mario Delgado ripped a home run on a line drive over the right-center field wall leading off the top of the second to cut the lead in half. With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fourth, Michael Sharp drove in the tying run with an infield single to the left side. Mario Delgado, running from second to third, screened third baseman Trevor Lawhorn from the ball until the last second, resulting in the hit. The Wingnuts threatened with two outs in the top of the seventh against closer Aaron Cotter, but the right-hander stranded the tying runs on base to earn his seventh save. Adam Cowart allowed three earned runs on eight hits in five innings while taking the loss. Cowart walked two and struck out none. Chris Salberg earned the win, allowing two earned runs in six innings. The Wingnuts and Pheasants wrap up their series on Wednesday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Gabe Medina takes on right-hander Ryan Shaver. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th for a double header versus Sioux City at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1020.html#1337257880 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1020.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts series opener against the Sioux Falls Pheasants has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up on Tuesday as part of a double header beginning at 5:05 p.m. As per American Association rules, each is scheduled for seven innings. Right-handers Nick Singleton and Ben Moore are expected to pitch in the opener while Adam Cowart and left-hander Chris Salberg are slated for the nightcap. All of Tuesday's action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday when they host Sioux City for a double header beginning at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1019.html#1337257881 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1019.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 2-0 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday evening. Explorers' starter Jae Jung threw a complete game, three-hit shutout on 94 pitches to earn the win. Jung struck out one and walked three. The Wingnuts had only one runner past second base in the game. T.J. Bohn hit a solo home run to left field with two outs off of Wingnuts' starter Sean Teague in the bottom of the fourth inning to drive in the first run of the game. Facing trouble in the bottom of the fifth, Teague was helped out when Eric Williams gunned down Derek Schermerhorn at home plate for the final out of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Ray Serrano hit a double that fell in right-center field with one out. Serrano scored on a broken bat base hit to left by Bohn to make it 2-0. For a second straight inning, the Wingnuts cut down a run at the plate for the final out. Brett Mieras attempted to score from first on Jared Keel's double down the left field line, but Williams fired to cutoff man Josh Horn who launched a one-hop strike to Jeff Christy who withstood a collision at the plate to hold the ball for the out. Sean Teauge allowed just one run on five hits in five innings in his first professional start, using only 66 pitches. Teague struck out one and walked three, throwing just 66 pitches in the loss. Cephas Howard, returning from injury and working for the first time in seven days, pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth. Teague was signed by the Wingnuts earlier in the morning to fill the 22nd spot on their roster. Teague was previously with the Northern League's Joliet Jackhammers, appearing in seven games this season. The 24-year old was drafted by the Florida Marlins last year in the 25th round out of Southern Polytechnic State University in Georgia. The Wingnuts head to Sioux Falls and open a three-game series against the Pheasants on Monday at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton takes on right-hander Ben Moore. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 FM KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th when they play a double header against the Sioux City Explorers. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1018.html#1337257882 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1018.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park on Saturday night. Dustin Jones and Darrick Hale singled off of Luke Massetti in the bottom of the first to lead off the inning. Massetti struck out Jon Owings, but after a double steal, Ray Serrano singled to center to drive in both runners. The Wingnuts cut the Explorers lead in half in the top of the fourth. With second and third and one out, Jeff Christy singled to short center to score Michael Thompson from third base. Sioux City extended its lead in the bottom of the inning, led by a one-out solo home run to left-center by Jared Keel, his second homer in as many nights. Derek Schermerhorn singled two batters later and scored from second on a two-out, RBI double by Dustin Jones down the left field line. Tony Mansolino hit an infield single with the bases loaded in the sixth to pull the Wingnuts back within two runs to cut the lead to 4-2, but that would be the final run the Wingnuts scored in the game. Luke Massetti pitched eight strong innings to keep the Wingnuts in the game. Massetti allowed four runs on 11 scattered hits, striking out eight and walking none in a complete game loss. Ty Marotz allowed two earned runs in seven innings for the win. Brett Reid struck out two in the ninth to earn the save. Wichita left 11 runners on base in the loss. Ryan Patterson and Jeff Christy each extended their hitting streaks to 11 games. The teams finish their three-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. The Wingnuts have not announced a starting pitcher for the game. Sioux City goes with right-hander Jae Jung. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th when they host a double header against the Explorers beginning at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1016.html#1337257883 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1016.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 to the Sioux City Explorersin 14 innings at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 14th inning, Jared Keel scored the winning run from third base on a wild pitch thrown by Justin Dowdy. Trailing 3-2, Josh Horn singled with one out in the eighth to put the tying run on base. After several pickoff attempts on Horn, relief pitcher Michael Gardner threw wild down the right field line allowing Horn to move to third. With two outs and Horn on third, Michael Thompson singled up the middle on an 0-2 count to tie the game at 3-3. Wichita had an opportunity to move in front in the 13th with the bases loaded and one out, but Chad Povich, who earned the win in relief, induced a home-to-first double play ball off the bat of Chris Colton. Brandon Mathes pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of Gabe Medina from the eighth into the 12th to keep the game tied. Mathes struck out six, allowed two hits, and did not allow a baserunner over his first 3.1 innings. Mathes faced his only game in the 11th, allowing a one-out triple to Jon Owings. Tony Mansolino's relay throw to third hit Owings in the back and appeared headed toward the Explorers' dugout, but Mathes backed up the play and prevented the winning from automatically scoring. After an intentional walk to Kent Sakamoto, Mathes struck out Ray Serrano and later got Brett Mieras to flyout to deep center with the bases loaded to end the inning. Michael Thompson doubled to left-center leading off the top of the second and advanced to third on a base hit through the left side by Chris Colton. With Colton in motion, Steve Pearson pulled a groundball single through the vacated hole on the right to score Thompson and put the Wingnuts in front 1-0. Michael Sharp with a sacrifice fly on a line drive to left that brought in Colton. With the Wingnuts leading 2-0 in the seventh, Jared Keel hit a three-run home run off of Gabe Medina to turn the game in the X's favor. Ray Serrano doubled to lead off the inning. After T.J. Bohn grounded out to third, Brett Mieras blooped a single into short right-center to put runners on the corners, setting up the home run from Keel. Medina turned in another strong effort for the Wingnuts in a no-decision, allowing three earned runs in seven innings. Medina struck out seven, all swinging, and walked just one. David Welch started for Sioux City and also took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Dustin Pease took the loss in relief. The Wingnuts left nine runners on and dropped to 0-4 in extra innings. Earlier in the day, the Wingnuts signed former Wichita State University outfielder Josh Workman. The Wingnuts and Explorers continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti takes on right-hander Ty Marotz. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th for a double hearder versus Sioux City at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1015.html#1337257884 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1015.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed former Wichita State University outfielder Josh Workman on Friday. Workman played three seasons for the Shockers from 2006-08, hitting a combined .308 with 12 home runs and 102 RBI in 187 games played. Workman also went 63 for 74 (85%) in stolen base attempts. Following his senior season, Workman was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round and hit .291 over his first two professional seasons with a .384 on-base percentage. Workman hit .297 last season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League in 55 games. The 24-year old outfielder opened the 2010 back in Lakeland before being signed as a free agent this morning. Workman will lead off tonight and play left field in the Wingnuts' series opener at Sioux City. Workman becomes the sixth former Shocker to play for the Wingnuts, joining Derek Schermerhorn, Kevin Hooper, Nick Blasi, Joe Muich, and Ronnie Morales. The Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight at Sioux City at 7:05 p.m. Wichita returns home Friday, June 18th when they play a 5:05 p.m. double header against the Explorers. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1014.html#1337257885 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1014.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night. With two outs in the top of the ninth, Hunter Jobes hit a three-run double to left field that broke open the game at 6-1. The Wingnuts scratched across two runs in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI double from Mario Delgado and an error committed by shortstop Tim Hutting, but could not get any closer. Trevor Lawhorn led off the top of the third with a single to shallow center and was sacrificed to second by Will Richards. Gus Milner singled on a ground ball up the middle to score Lawhorn and give the Pheasants an early 1-0 lead. Beau Torbert hit a two-run home run over the left-center field fence in the fourth inning to make it 3-0. It was Torbert's 10th career home run against the Wingnuts. Chris Colton hit a long solo home run to left-center in the sixth to get Wichita on the board. Adam Cowart battled through seven innings in the loss, allowing three runs on 10 hits. Chris Salberg worked out of trouble all night to earn the win, giving up one run in six innings. Brandon Rapoza earned the save pitching both the eighth and ninth. The Wingnuts left 12 runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts hit the road for a six-game road trip, beginning Sioux City tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes up against left-hander David Welch. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th when they host Sioux City. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1013.html#1337257886 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1013.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 2-1 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants in 10 innings at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Tied at 1-1 in the top of the 10th inning, Beau Torbert singled home the go-ahead run with two outs on a single to center off of Justin Dowdy. With Joe Anthonsen on second and two outs in the eighth, Torbert hit a short popfly that fell inside the left field line to tie the game at 1-1. Chris Colton made a spectacular catch against the next hitter, Brandon Sing, to keep the game tied. Sing drove the ball to the fence in center field that Colton caught with a crashing leap at the top of the fence. The catch came half an inning after Reggie Abercrombie robbed Steve Pearson of a two-run, extra-base hit in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Singleton fired seven one-hit, shutout innings in a no-decision and did not allow a base hit until Joe Anthonsen's single to right in the top of the sixth with one out. Singleton pitched out of a jam in the seventh to keep the Wingnuts in front. After walking Beau Torbert and Brandon Sing to lead off the inning, Trevor Lawhorn laid down a sacrifice bunt. The Wingnuts intentionally walked Hunter Jobes to load the bases. Singleton then struck out Gus Milner and Eddy Rodriguez back-to-back to end the inning. The Wingnuts scored the first run of the game on Mario Delgado's double play ball in the bottom of the fourth that brought in Ryan Patterson. Ben Moore earned the win, allowing one run in nine innings. The Wingnuts and Pheasants finish their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart goes to the mound against left-hander Chris Salberg. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1011.html#1337257887 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1011.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won 5-3 over the Sioux Falls Pheasants in a rain-shortened game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. After the Pheasants took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, the Wingnuts came right back in the bottom of the inning to move in front. Steve Pearson led off with a single and advanced to second when Jeff Christy walked. Tony Mansolino sacrificed the runners into scoring position before a throwing error by catcher Eddy Rodriguez scored Pearson from third. Eric Williams singled to right to score Christy and give the Wingnuts a 2-1 lead. Ryan Patterson was next and crushed a two-run home run over the left field wall. The Pheasants inched closer in the fourth. Hunter Jobes dropped an RBI double inside the left field line while Gus Milner's RBI groundout made it 4-3. The Wingnuts re-extended their lead in the bottom of the inning. Michael Thompson reached on an infield single to lead off the frame. After Chris Colton walked, Steve Pearson laid down the Wingnuts' second sacrifice bunt of the night. Jeff Christy then blooped a single into short center to give the Wingnuts a 5-3 lead. The Pheasants scored the first run of the game on a two-out, RBI single by Reggie Abercrombie in the top of the third. Ben Graham was credited with his first professional win, allowing three earned runs in 5.0 innings. Graham struck out one and walked one. Ryan Rodriguez took the loss, allowing five earned runs in 4.2 IP. In addition to the abbreviated finish, the game also started over 90 minutes late due to rain. The Wingnuts and Pheasants continue their series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton faces right-hander Ryan Shaver. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1010.html#1337257888 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1010.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 11-3 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. Luke Massetti pitched into the ninth inning to earn his second win of the season while Ryan Patterson collected four hits and five RBIs in the win. The Wingnuts opened a 3-0 lead in the third. Tony Mansolino and Eric Williams hit back-to-back one-out singles. Ryan Patterson drove in the first run with an RBI single down the left field line. Mario Delgado and Michael Thompson added RBIs in the inning. Reggie Abercrombie was hit by a pitch leading off the fourth. Abercrombie stole second and third base before scoring on a sacrifice fly in foul ground to right field. Sioux Falls cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth on a two-out, RBI single from Gus Milner. Patterson led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run over the left field wall, his first home run of the season. Josh Horn walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a long single down the right field line from Mario Delgado. With the bases loaded in the sixth, Patterson cleared the bases with a double down the left field line that one-hopped the fence. Josh Horn followed with an RBI single to center that scored Patterson and gave the Wingnuts a 9-2 lead. Jeff Christy launched a two-run home run with two outs in the seventh to make it 11-2. It was Christy's first home run since 2006. Massetti pitched 8.1, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while throwing 111 pitches. Massetti struck out four and walked none. Kyle Frets, signed earlier in the day, recorded the final two outs. The Wingnuts and Pheasants play game two of their series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Ben Graham goes up against left-hander Ryan Rodriguez. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1009.html#1337257889 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1009.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 13-8 to the Lincoln Saltdogs in 10 innings at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Trailing 8-4 in the ninth, the Saltdogs rallied for four runs to tie the game before scoring five times in the 10th to take the lead. RBIs from Juan Richardson and Albenis Machado helped narrow the Wingnuts' lead in the ninth. With first and second and two out, and the Saltdogs down to their final strike, Rafael Alvarez singled up the middle off of Justin Dowdy to tie the game at 8-8. Lincoln took the lead in the 10th on an RBI single by Shawn McGill. Machado hit a two-run double to extend the lead, while Brandon Jones and Alvarez also contributed RBIs. The loss overshadowed another great effort by Gabe Medina who took a no-decision. Medina worked seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on just five hits. Medina struck out four and walked none. With second and third and two outs in the fourth, and leading 1-0, Lincoln intentionally walked Steve Pearson to load the bases. Jeff Christy drew an unintentional walk to force in the tying run. Tony Mansolino followed with a two-run single up the middle to put the Wingnuts in front 3-1. Back-to-back one-out doubles by Argelis Nunez and Juan Richardson in the seventh cut the Wingnuts' lead to 3-2, but Gabe Medina induced a popout off the bat of Shawn McGill. Tony Mansolino then threw to second to double off Richardson and end the Saltdogs' rally. Wichita scored three more times in the bottom of the seventh, led by an RBI single from Mario Delgado off of left-hander Adam Daniels to make it 4-2. A bases loaded walk to Steve Pearson forced in the Wingnuts' fifth run. Jeff Christy was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give the Wingnuts a 6-2 lead. Lincoln scored two more in the eighth before the Wingnuts added two in their half, including Delgado's second RBI single of the game against a left-handed pitcher. The Wingnuts welcome the Sioux Falls Pheasants for four games beginning on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti takes the mound against Pheasants' lefty Brian Flores. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1006.html#1337257890 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1006.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Lincoln Saltdogs 4-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Steve Pearson led off the bottom of the third with a long solo home run to right-center which proved enough offense for Wichita. Adam Cowart tossed 6.1 shutout innings to earn his second win of the season, stirking out a season-high seven and walking one. Cowart scattered four hits in the victory. Cowart was relieved by Dustin Pease with the tying run on first and one out in the seventh. Pease walked Rafael Alvarez, but retired Juan Richardson on a groundball to short. Cephas Howard came in and struck out Shawn McGill to strand the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. The Wingnuts broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth. Chris Colton led off the inning with a single to left-center. On a hit-and-run, Steve Pearson's groundball to second was booted by Brandon Jones to put men on first and second. Jeff Christy beat out a sacrifice attempt to load the bases. Colton scored on Tony Mansolino's sacrifice fly to center. Later in the inning, Josh Horn singled home two runs to make it 4-0. The hit extended Horn's hitting streak to 20 games in a row, a new Wingnuts' club record. Justin Dowdy struck out the side in the ninth inning to lock down the win. Howard worked 1.1 scoreless innings in relief. Ryan Patterson collected two hits and is now 10 for his last 19. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs finish their series Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes up against right-hander Jim Paduch. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1005.html#1337257891 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1005.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 14-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. Steve Pearson and Jeff Christy each had four hits, while Ryan Patterson drove in four runs. Nick Singleton worked seven strong innings to pick up the win. The Wingnuts used singles in the first from Eric Williams, Josh Horn, and Mario Delgado to set up a two-out, bases loaded walk to Chris Colton to give them the first run of the game. Horn's single extended his hitting streak to 19 in a row dating back to last year, tying the Wingnuts' club record. In the bottom of the second, Jeff Christy singled to center and advanced to second when Patrick Brooks was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Ryan Patterson doubled to left-center to drive in both and extend the lead to 3-0. With two outs and no one on in the third, Steve Pearson tripled down the right field line and scored on an RBI single through the left side by Christy. Brooks doubled to the left-center field wall to plate Christy from first, making it 5-0. After Lincoln scored their lone run in the top of the fourth, the Wingnuts broke the game open with six runs in the bottom half. Josh Horn drew a one-out walk, stole second and then scored Mario Delgado's single to right-center. Lefty Donald Furrow relieved starting pitcher Billy Weitzman and issued back-to-back walks to Michael Thompson and Chris Colton to load the bases. Pearson lined a single to left to drive in two runs and open a 8-1 lead. With first and third and one out, Jeff Christy beat out a safety squeeze bunt that increased the lead to 9-1. The Wingnuts re-loaded the bases when Ryan Patterson, the 10th man up in the inning, blooped a single into short center to score two more runs. Pearson tripled home Chris Colton in the bottom of the fifth to make it 12-1. Tempers flared in the top of the sixth when Singleton threw behind Argelis Nunez. The benches and bullpens cleared, but no punches were thrown. Pearson and Christy each picked up their fourth hits of the night in the bottom of the seventh to help the Wingnuts to a 14-1 advantage. Nick Singleton allowed one run on six hits in seven innings. Singleton struck out six and walked two to improve to 3-2. Weitzman took the loss, dropping to 2-3. Matt Petty and Dustin Pease pitched scoreless baseball over the final two innings to finish the win. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart opposes right-hander Angel Castro. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1004.html#1337257892 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1004.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 16-4 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Thursday night. The Pheasants scored first for the first time in the series on Joe Anthonsen's RBI single through the middle in the bottom of the third Michael Thompson tied it with a long home run left-center field, his second of the year, in the top of the fourth. The Wingnuts strung together five consecutive two-out singles in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Ryan Patterson, Mario Delgado, and Michael Thompson all collected RBIs. The Pheasants scored five times in the sixth to move back in front. Reggie Abercrombie doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth to score Gus Milner from first to cut the Wingnuts lead to 4-2. After Doug Hurn relieved Ben Graham, the Pheasants collected four consecutive RBI hits with two outs to take a 6-4 lead. Sioux Falls broke the game open in the seventh, plating six more runs. Beau Torbert hit a three-run double while Trevor Lawhorn added a two-run home run later in the inning. Brandon Sing hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the eighth to make it 16-4. In his professional debut, Ben Graham allowed three earned runs in 5.2 IP. Graham struck out three and walked two in a no-decision and retired nine in a row from the third into the sixth. Ryan Rodriguez earned the win for Sioux Falls. The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Lincoln on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton goes to the mound against right-hander Billy Weitzman. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1003.html#1337257893 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1003.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux Falls Pheasants 8-7 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Wednesday night. The Wingnuts scored three times before the Pheasants ever came to the plate. Eric Williams was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Williams stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch by Pheasants' starter Brian Flores. Williams scored on Ryan Patterson's double to right-center field. Josh Horn drove in Patterson with a double off the bottom of the center field wall. After stealing third, Horn came in on Mario Delgado's RBI groundout. Sioux Falls loaded the bases with no outs in the second and brought in two runs on a sacrifice fly by Eddy Rodriguez and an RBI single by Tim Hutting. With two outs and no one on in the third, Horn doubled to right-center. Delgado singled on a line drive to left-center to plate Horn and re-extend the Wingnuts' lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Brandon Sing led off with a single to center. Trevor Lawhorn followed with a two-run home run to center field to tie the game. Singles from Eric Williams and Josh Horn set the stage for a three-run home run to left by Delgado in the top of the fifth to put the Wingnuts in front 7-4. Lawhorn and Hunter Jobes hit back-to-back home runs off of Will Morgan in the bottom of the sixth to slice the lead to 7-6. Eddy Rodriguez followed with a double to put the tying run on second. Dustin Pease came in from the bullpen and worked out of the jam, stranding the tying run on third base. Steve Pearson doubled home Chris Colton from second with a drive to center field in the top of the eighth to give the Wingnuts their third lead of the night. Cephas Howard bounced back from Tuesday night to pitch a scoreless bottom of the eighth and pinned the tying run on second to end the inning. Justin Dowdy was dominant in the ninth, striking out the side, to earn his fourth save of the year. Luke Massetti started for the Wingnuts and allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings while taking a no-decision. Dustin Pease earned the win relief. Travis Kane took the loss for the Pheasants. The Wingnuts and Pheasants finish their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Ben Graham makes his professional debut while the Pheasants go with lefty Ryan Rodriguez. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open a three-game series at home versus Lincoln on Friday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1002.html#1337257894 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1002.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed former Emporia State University Hornet Ben Graham on Tuesday. Graham went 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA for the Hornets this spring during his senior season. The six-foot, four right-hander struck out 57 and walked just 13 in 84.1 IP while making 13 starts. A native of Holden, MO, Graham was named Emporia State's Outstanding Male Student-Athlete for 2009. Graham led the MIAA in ERA, ranked second in fewest walks allowed, and third in opponent batting average (.238). Graham earned First-Team All-Region honors from Daktronics and Second-Team honors from the ABCA. Graham also played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. Graham becomes the sixth former Hornet signed by the Wingnuts, joining Gabe Medina, Michael Sharp, Diego Soto, John Martin, and Matt Petty. To make room for Graham, the Wingnuts released right-hander Brandon Mathes. The Wingnuts open a three-game series at Sioux Falls tonight at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 4th to host the Lincoln Saltdogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1000.html#1337257895 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1000.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-2 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday night. Down 2-1, the Pheasants rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth off of Cephas Howard. Tim Hutting led off with a walk and advanced to second when Joe Anthonsen was hit by a pitch trying to sacrifice. Gus Milner beat out another sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases. Reggie Abercrombie reached on an infield single to shortstop that scored Hutting and tied the game. Beau Torbert gave the Pheasants their first lead of the night, chopping a single up the middle through a drawn in infield to plate two runs. After Doug Hurn relieved Howard, Hunter Jobes added another infield single that drove in a run to make it 5-2. The Wingnuts led most of the night, scoring an early run in the second. Chris Colton reached on an infield singled with one out. Colton stole second, advanced to third on a base hit to center from Michael Thompson, and came home on Jeff Christy's RBI single down the right field line to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Mario Delgado pulled a long, line drive home run to right-center with one out in the third to make it 2-0 Wichita. Tim Hutting homered to left-center in the bottom of the inning to get Sioux Falls on the board. Gabe Medina pitched seven stellar innings for a second consecutive start. Medina allowed one earned run on just two hits, while striking out six and walking two on 98 pitches. Medina retired the leadoff hitter in every inning that he worked. With the tying run on second and one out in the sixth, Medina fired back-to-back strikeouts of Milner and Abercrombie to retire the side. Doug Hurn worked a scoreless inning in relief. The Wingnuts left 12 runners on base in the loss. The Wingnuts and Pheasants play game two of their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti goes up against left-hander Brian Flores. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday to host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1001.html#1337257896 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article1001.html WICHITA, KS- Sunday evening's game between the Wichita Wingnuts and Sioux City Explorers has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a double header on Friday, June 18th at 5:05 p.m. The Wingnuts head to Sioux Falls to open a three-game series against the Pheasants on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article998.html#1337257897 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article998.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 6-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Kent Sakamoto hit a two-out, RBI double to straight away center field in the top of the first to give the Explorers a 1-0 lead. Wichita took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. After a one-out single to right from Ryan Patterson, Chris Colton doubled to the wall in left-center field to score Patterson and tie the game. Michael Thompson and Jeff Christy singled to load the bases. Patrick Brooks was next and singled to center field to plate two runs and make it 3-1. Colton reached on an infield single in the bottom of the fourth and scored on Thompson's RBI double down the left field line. Thompson advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home when Patrick Brooks doubled to the fence in left. Sioux City inched closer on a solo home run to left-center by Kent Sakamoto in the top of the seventh, his second home run in as many nights. Adam Cowart pitched 6.2 great innings to earn the win, allowing two earned runs on six hits. From the second through the sixth, Cowart retired 13 hitters in a row. Cowart struck out four and walked none. Doug Hurn faced a first and second, no out jam in the top of the eighth, but retired the side without allowing a run to score. Hurn froze Sakamoto on a called third stirke to end the inning with runners on the corners. Josh Horn doubled off the left field wall leading off the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 15 in a row, tying Dustan Mohr for the second longest streak in club history. Mario Delgado followed with an RBI double to left-center to extend the Wingnuts' lead to 6-2. The Wingnuts finish their series with Sioux City Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes to the mound against Jae Jung. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 30 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article997.html#1337257898 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article997.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-1 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night. With first and third and one out in the second, Nick Singleton made an errant pickoff throw to first that allowed Kent Sakamoto to score the game's first run. Dustin Jones led off the third with an infield single to second base and scored when Steve Pearson's throw on Darrick Hale's bunt went down the right field line in foul territory. Hale came in on Jon Owings' RBI groundout to make it 3-0 Sioux City. Kent Sakamoto gave the Explorers a 4-0 lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run to the left of center field. The Wingnuts scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh on an error by third baseman Jared Keel. Wichita then rallied to load the bases against closer Brett Reid in the ninth, but Reid retired Josh Horn and Mario Delgado to pick up the save. Singleton worked six innings in the loss, allowing four runs, two earned. Singleton struck out three and walked three while allowing five hits. Mikael Ryder pitched 7.1 for the win and allowed one unearned run on nine hits. Dustin Pease, Matt Petty, and Cephas Howard combined for three shutout relief innings for the Wingnuts. Wichita left 12 runners on base. The Wingnuts continue their series with Sioux City on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart goes up against right-hander Chris Jones. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 29 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article995.html#1337257899 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article995.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday night at Haymarket Park. Steve Pearson flared a single into short left field with two outs in the top of the third to score Ryan Patterson from second base and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Phil Hawke doubled home three runs in the bottom of the fifth to put Lincoln in front 3-1. Singles from Gavin Dickey, Tycen PoVey, and Albenis Machado loaded the bases with one out. Brandon Mathes almost escaped the jam, getting Chris Brown to hit into a force play at home plate before Hawke found the right-center field gap with his double. Rafael Alvarez and Argelis Nunez hit back-to-back doubles off of Doug Hurn in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 4-1. Pearson drove in his second run of the night with a long RBI single down the right field line in the eighth to cut Lincoln's lead to 4-2. Mathes pitched five innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Mathes struck out four and walked one while taking the loss. Lincoln starter Jim Paduch allowed one run in six innings while striking out six in the win and is now 6-0 lifetime against the Wingnuts including the postseason. Chris Thompson earned the save with a scoreless ninth. Wichita left nine runners on base. The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Sioux City on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Nick Singleton makes his first start against his former team. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article994.html#1337257900 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article994.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 7-4 at Haymarket Park on Wednesday morning. For a second straight game, Chris Colton gave the Wingnuts a lead in the second inning. The Wingnuts' center fielder crushed a solo home run to lead off the inning that traveled to the deepest part of Haymarket Park. Steve Pearson followed with a line drive single to left-center that was kicked to the warning track by Gavin Dickey and allowed Pearson to advance to second. Pearson stole third base and then scored on Michael Thompson's sacrifice fly to deep left field to give the Wingnuts a 2-0 advantage. Colton led off the fourth with a walk, advanced to second on a groundout and stole third base with two outs. Michael Sharp singled to left field to drive in Colton. After a single to center by Patrick Brooks, Josh Horn singled through the hole on the right side to bring in Sharp who slid head first around the tag of catcher Tycen PoVey. Michael Thompson made it 5-0 in the top of the sixth, homering over the left field fence on a line drive. Lincoln scored three times in the seventh to get on the board. Argelis Nunez opened the inning with a single and came around on errors by Michael Thompson and Eric Williams during the same at bat to Roberto Alvarez. Alvarez scored from third on an RBI single by Gavin Dickey. Tycen PoVey doubled to right-center, scoring Dickey, and cutting the lead to 5-3. Dustin Pease was called from the bullpen and put out the fire, not allowing any further runs to score, and striking out cleanup hitter Juan Richardson to end the inning with the tying runs on base. The Wingnuts tacked on two more in the top of the eighth. Michael Thompson singled home Chris Colton from third. Later in the inning, Patrick Brooks doubled down the right field line with two outs to bring in Thompson and make it 7-3. The Saltdogs rallied again in the ninth, plating a run on an RBI single from Chris Brown. Lincoln loaded the bases and brought the winning run to the plate, but Justin Dowdy struck out Rafael Alvarez to end the game and earn his third save of the season. Luke Massetti pitched six shutout innings for the win, striking out five and walking one. Massetti allowed just four hits and retired the final eight batters to face him. Lincoln starter Billy Weitzman took the loss, allowing four earned runs in four innings. The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday with Brandon Mathes taking the mound against right-hander Jim Paduch. All the action can be heard locally on 93.5 FM KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts open a three-game series at home on Friday versus Sioux City at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article993.html#1337257901 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article993.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 2-1 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. Chris Colton's infield single up the third base line in the top of the second brought in Mario Delgado from third to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Argelis Nunez hit an opposite field home run to right in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Nunez drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth to give Lincoln a 2-1 lead. Juan Richardson doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a Rafael Alvarez groundout before scoring on Nunez' flyball to left. Gabe Medina pitched seven-plus innings, allowing two runs on just five hits. Medina struck out six, all swinging, and walked just one while throwing 91 pitches. Tim Brown earned the win, allowing one earned run in seven innings. The Wingnuts did not have a hit after the second. Chris Thompson pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save. Josh Horn was thrown out trying to steal second base in the top of the first, marking the first time an opposing catcher has thrown him out since August 26, 2008, snapping a streak of 22 straight steals without being gunned down by a catcher. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs play the middle game of their series Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Haymarket Park. All the action can be heard locally on 93.5 FM KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article992.html#1337257902 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article992.html WICHITA, KS- Wingnuts starting pitcher Nick Singleton was named the American Association's Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon. Singleton won both of his starts last week, combining for 11.2 shutout innings in victories over Sioux Falls and St. Paul. Singleton struck out five and walked three while scattering 11 hits during his two starts. It is the first weekly award given to a Wingnuts player in 2010. Singleton was named the league's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year in 2008 when he led the American Association with a 2.24 ERA for Sioux City. The Wingnuts finish their series with St. Paul tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article990.html#1337257903 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article990.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-4 to the St. Paul Saints at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. Ole Sheldon hit a three-run home run to left field off of Adam Cowart in the top of the third to give the Saints a 3-0 lead. After a two-out single from Brent Krause, Gerard Haran reached on a throwing error by Michael Thompson. Hector Estrella followed with a line drive single to center that scored Krause and made it 4-0. Wichita tacked on two runs in the bottom half. Josh Horn doubled home Patrick Brooks from first with a drive that one-hopped the left field fence. Eric Williams reached on an infield single. Hector Estrella's throw on the play bounced wide into foul territory and allowed Horn to score from second. St. Paul re-extened their lead in the top of the fourth. Sheldon doubled with two outs and no one on base and came around on a single to left by Jason Cooper. Haran added an RBI single off of Doug Hurn to make it 6-2. After an eighth inning sacrifice fly by Sheldon gave the Saints a 7-2 lead, Mario Delgado hit a two-run home run inside the right field line off of Kyle Foster to bring the Wingnuts within three. Hunter Davis pitched a perfect ninth to pick up the save. Adam Cowart started on three days of rest and allowed six runs, five earned, in 3.2 innings. Cowart struck out three and walked one. Todd Mathison picked up the win, allowing one earned run in seven innings. Doug Hurn pitched 3.1 strong relief innings, allowing no runs on two hits and throwing just 33 pitches. The Wingnuts head to Lincoln and face the Saltdogs Tuesday night for the first time since the 2009 Division Series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Sioux City on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnunts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article991.html#1337257904 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article991.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the St. Paul Saints 5-0 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. For a second straight game, the Wingnuts were powered by a big second inning. Michael Thompson and Steve Pearson singled with one out to put runners on first and second. Chris Colton doubled to the left-center field wall to score both runners and give the Wingnuts a 2-0 lead. With first and second and two out, Josh Horn capped off the inning with a long three-run home run over the left field wall to make it 5-0. Nick Singleton and the Wingnuts pitching made the offense stand with Singleton tossing 5.2 scoreless innings for the win. The right-hander struck out three and walked two while allowing seven hits. Singleton has thrown 11.2 scoreless innings in his last two starts. Dustin Pease worked 1.1 shutout frames in relief of Singleton, including two strikeouts. Matt Petty closed out the game with two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth. Horn's home run extended his hitting streak to nine games dating back to last year. The shutout was the first for the Wingnuts in 2010. The Wingnuts and Saints end their series Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart pitches on three days of rest against the Saints' Todd Mathison. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article989.html#1337257905 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article989.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints 10-9 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Down 9-7 in the bottom of the eighth, the Wingnuts rallied for three runs to take the lead. After back-to-back walks to Eric williams and Ryan Patterson to open the inning, Mario Delgado ripped a two-run double to right-center off of lefty Payton Tweddale to tie the game. Later in the inning, Chris Colton singled to left-center to drive in Delgado. Justin Dowdy was dominant in the ninth, retiring the side in order to earn his second save of the year. Cephas Howard pitched a perfect eighth to earn the win. The Wingnuts appeared to break the game open in the second, scoring seven runs. A throwing error by Hector Estrella on a potential double play ball gave the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Jeff Christy added an RBI single to make it 2-0. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ryan Patterson hit a flyball to center that was dropped by Coby Smith, allowing three runs to score. Delgado followed with the Wingnuts' first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field wall on a line drive. St. Paul began chipping away against Wingnuts' starter Brandon Mathes in the third on a two-run home run from Ole Sheldon. The Saints added four more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-out, two-run double from Jason Cooper that sliced the lead to 7-6. Sacrifice flies from Steve Mays and Coby Smith in the top of the fifth against Will Morgan gave the Saints an improbably 8-7 lead. Josh Alley dragged a two-out bunt single in the seventh to score an insurance run before the Wingnuts' comeback in the eighth. Delgado went 3 for 5 with three extra base hits and four RBI. Eric Williams reached base four of five plate appearances and has reached in 13 of his last 15. Colton, Jeff Christy, and Jonathan Dziomba each had multi-hit nights. Mathes took a no-decision, charged with six earned runs in 3.2 IP. Saints' starter Ryan Morse allowed seven runs, two earned, in 4.2 IP, also a no-decision. The Wingnuts and Saints play game three of their four-game series Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Nick Singleton makes his third start of the season and is opposed by right-hander Joe Woerman. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 23 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article988.html#1337257906 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article988.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts fell 5-4 to the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. With Patrick Brooks representing the tying run on second with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Mario Delgado singled through the right side. Brooks came around third and was ruled out on a close play at home plate following Brent Krause's throw from right field. The play kept the Saints in front by one run before Hunter Davis worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save. Eric Williams scored on a sacrifice fly by Michael Thompson in the bottom of the first to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. The Wingnuts added a run in the third on an RBI groundout by Mario Delgado. The Saints rallied for four runs against Luke Massetti in the top of the fourth. Brent Krause tied the game with a two-run home run to left-center field. Back-to-back two-out, RBI singles from Steve Butler and Steve Mays gave St. Paul a 4-2 lead. Wichita scratched out another run in the fourth on an RBI fielder's choice from Ryan Patterson. The teams then traded runs in the fifth. Brent Krause delivered a two-out RBI single to score Jason cooper from second base. A throwing error by Butler at third base in the bottom half of the inning scored Chris Colton from second. Colton reached on a walk and moved into scoring position on a stolen base. Massetti worked five innings while taking the loss, allowing five earned runs on nine hits. Massetti struck out two and did not allow a walk. Saints' starter Jason Godin picked up the win. Godin allowed four runs, two earned in five innings, allowing five hits and walking five with two strikeouts. Doug Hurn, Dustin Pease, and Matt Petty combined for four shutout innings out of the Wingnuts' bullpen. Eric Williams drew three walks and connected for a double in the sixth, reaching base in eight consecutive plate appearances before being retired in the eighth. Wichita left 12 runners on bse. The Wingnuts and Saints continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Brandon Mathes makes his first start of the season against Saints' lefty Ryan Morse. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 22 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article987.html#1337257907 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article987.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts split a double header with the Sioux Falls Pheasants on Thursday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, winning game one 4-3 and dropping the night cap 5-3. The Wingnuts took game 4-3, scoring the winning run on Josh Horn's RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Colton led off the inning with a double to center field Wichita led for the most of the night, thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Ryan Patterson. Patterson singled home the first run of the night in the bottom of the first, scoring Horn from third base. Michael Thompson added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 2-0. Patterson singled to center field in the third to drive in Eric Williams to give the Wingnuts a 3-0 lead. The Pheasants fought back against Adam Cowart in the fifth. Hunter Jobes hit a two-run double down the right field line to cut the lead to 3-2 and scored the tying run on Joe Anthonsen's sacrifice fly to right field. Cowart took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs in six innings of work. Cowart struck out five and allowed just four hits. Doug Hurn earned the win in relief pitching a scoreless top of the seventh. Pheasants' starter Chris Salberg allowed two earned runs in six innings, also taking a no-decision. Matt Zachary took the loss, allowing one run on three hits in the bottom of the seventh. The Pheasants scored three times in the top of the first and never trailed during the nightcap. Reggie Abercrombie homered to center field off of Gabe Medina two batters into the game to give the Pheasants a 1-0 lead. Trevor Lawhorn and Hunter Jobes added RBIs in the inning. Mario Delgado singled home the Wingnuts' first run in the bottom of the first, but had a rally short circuited by a double play. Wichita hit into four double plays on the night. A throwing error by Medina allowed two more runs to score in the top of the second. Medina took the loss, allowing five runs, two earned, in five innings. Medina struck out four and walked one. Down 5-2 in the fifth, Delgado drove in his second run of the night with an RBI single. Later in the inning, the slugger stole his first base of the season. Will Morgan pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Medina. Pheasants' reliever Andrew Pluta was credited with the win. Aaron Cotter worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save for Sioux Falls. Eric Williams went 3 for 3 in the nightcap, while Josh Horn extended his hitting streak to six games to begin the season. Horn has hit safely in eight in a row dating back to the end of 2009. The Wingnuts open a four-game series at home against the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Luke Massetti opposes Saints' right-hander Jason Godin. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article986.html#1337257908 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article986.html WICHITA, KS- Wednesday night's scheduled game versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a double header on Thursday, May 20th at 5:05 p.m. As per American Association rules, each game will be scheduled for seven innings. Tickets for Wednesday night's game may be exchanged for any future 2010 Wingnuts' game. Right-handers Adam Cowart and Gabe Medina will start for the Wingnuts in Thursday's twinbill. Following Thursday's games, the Wingnuts open a four-game set with the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article985.html#1337257909 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article985.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Pheasants 2-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Wingnuts' starter Nick Singleton fired six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out three to earn his first win of the year. The Wingnuts broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth. Josh Horn and Eric Williams opened the inning with groundball singles. With one out, Mario Delgado singled down the left field line to score Horn. Two batter later, and with two away, Steve Pearson singled on a line drive to center off the body of Reggie Abercrombie to give the Wingnuts a 2-0 lead. Matt Petty retired Joe Anthonsen on a foul popup in the seventh to strand the tying runs on base. Cephas Howard limited damage in the eighth. After allowing an RBI single to Beau Torbert that cut the Wingnuts' lead in half, the right-hander picked Torbert off in a rundown to secure the first out of the inning. Howard retired the next two hitters to keep Wichita in front. Justin Dowdy pitched a perfect ninth, including two strikeouts, to finish off the win and earn his first save of the season. The Wingnuts and Pheasants continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Adam Cowart opposes LHP Chris Salberg. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article984.html#1337257910 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article984.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts introduced their 2010 promotional schedule on Monday. A link to the Wingnuts' complete promotional schedule can be found here: Festivities at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium begin Tuesday night during the Wingnuts' home opener versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. The first 5,000 fans at the ballpark receive a free 2010 Wingnuts magnet schedule, courtesy of Great Clips and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. The first of six postgame fireworks shows at the ballpark will take place after the game. On Friday, May 21st versus St. Pau, the first 5,000 fans at the game receive a commemorative 2010 Wingnuts schedule poster, courtesy of Dignity Memorial and COX Communications. Multicultural Night, presented by the Midwest Transplant Network and Entercom Radio, returns for a second straight year on June 6th. A selection of performances will take place before, during, and after the game, highlighting diversity in Wichita. A fireworks show tops of the night. The Wingnuts pay tribute to last July's hail storm by giving souvenir batting helmets to the first 1,000 fans at the park on July 2nd, courtesy of American Family Insurance. The Wingnuts hold their second bobblehead promotion in as many seasons on July 10th. The first 1,000 fans at the park receive a Spinner the Squirrel, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. July 25th is the Wingnuts' first ever Youth Jersey Night. The first 1,000 fans 12 and under receive a replica Wingnuts' jersey, courtesy of Papa John's and Genghis Grill. Four special appearances by world renowned acts are on tap for May 29th (Myron Noodleman), June 19th (B-Boy McCoy), July 9th (Rally), and August 27th (Cameron the Super Fan). The Wingnuts host several Buy-In nights throughout the season, the first of which is presented by Top's China Buffet and New China Buffet on Monday, May 24th. Fans can head to either location to receive a complimentary general admission voucher for the contest. Other Buy-In dates are courtesy of Credit Union of America (June 6th), American Family Insurance (June 9th), Arby's (June 22nd), QuikTrip (June 23rd and August 17th), Texas Roadhouse (June 29th), Great Clips (July 13th), and TECU (July 14th). Fans can take advantage of two weekly drink specials at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Shiner Bock Beer-for-a-buck returns for every Tuesday home game, courtesy of Standard Beverage. Each Thursday, the Wingnuts host a Thirsty Thursday special featuring 12oz domestic drafts for just 2.00 Wienie Wednesday returns for each Wednesday home game. Fans can enjoy 100% all-beef hot dogs for just 2.00 every Wednesday night. Sundays are Family Fun Days presented by Hiland Dairy, who will pass out free ice cream to fans as they leave the ballpark. The Wingnuts open the 2010 home season Tuesday night versus Sioux Falls at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article983.html#1337257911 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article983.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 in 10 innings to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Saturday night. With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th, Josh Alley singled home Steve Mays from second base with the winning run. The Wingnuts missed a chance in the top of the inning to move ahead in which they had first and second and one out, and bases loaded and one out. The Wingnuts scored first for the first time in the series, plating two runs in the top of the third. With second and third and one out, Ryan Patterson single on a line drive to short center field to bring in Patrick Brooks from third base. Mario Delgado was next and drove in Steve Pearson with an RBI groundout to first base. In his first start of the season, Gabe Medina fired five-plus innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits. The righty struck out five and walked three. Medina struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth, his final inning of work. The Saints put runners on first and third with no outs in the sixth, but Dustin Pease induced a double play ball off the bat of Kevin Millar to limit the damage to just one run. The Saints tied it in the bottom of the seventh for a second straight night. Ole Sheldon led off with a double off the left field fence and came around on an RBI double by Gerard Haran off of Matt Petty. Saints' starter Jason Godin took a no-decision, allowing two runs and striking out eight in 6.2 IP. Jon Plefka earned the win, wiggling out of the 10th inning jam. Doug Hurn took the loss for the Wingnuts. Cephas Howard and Justin Dowdy worked 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. The Wingnuts left 13 runners on base. The Wingnuts head home for their 2010 opener at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article982.html#1337257912 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article982.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-5 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Friday night. The Saints inched their way to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Coby Smith reached on an infield single and advanced to second when Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart was charged with a balk. An infield single from Josh Alley moved Smith to third. Cowart threw a wild pitch that scored Smith. The Wingnuts tied it in the next half inning after there were two outs and no one on base. Jeff Christy chopped a single up the middle and then scored from first on an RBI double to right-center from Patrick Brooks. Wichita used more clutch hitting to break the game open in the top of the fifth. After Todd Mathison retired the first two hitters, Mario Delgado walked and moved to second on a single off the third base bag by Chris Colton. Josh Horn singled to right to score Delgado and give the Wingnuts their first lead of the series. Michael Thompson followed with an RBI single to left to plate Colton from second. Jeff Christy capped off the inning with a long double to right field that scored Horn and Thompson. The Saints chipped away in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 5-3. With the bases loaded and one out, Jason Cooper hit a popfly single that went off the glove of left fielder Jonathan Dziomba. An RBI groundout from Ole Sheldon scored the Saints' third run of the game. St. Paul tied the game in the seventh on a two-out, two-run home run to center fielder by Ole Sheldon off Dustin Pease. The Saints regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With Gerard Haran on second and one out, Steve Mays singled to right field. Haran scrambled for home when Ryan Patterson's throw bounced into foul territory. Will Morgan flipped the ball to Jeff Christy covering the plate, but was knocked down by Haran causing the ball to come free and give the Saints a 6-5 lead. Josh Alley added a two-out RBI double made it 7-5. Saints' closer Hunter Davis retired the Wingnuts in order in the ninth. Jacob Schmidt threw 3.1 perfect innings in relief of Todd Mathison for the win. Morgan took the loss for the Wingnuts. Kennard Bibbs left the game in the fifth inning, while Christy was removed after the collision in the eighth. Christy collected three hits in the game. Cowart went five innings, allowing two earned runs in a no-decision. The Wingnuts wrap up their series with the Saints Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Wichita sends Gabe Medina to the mound against the Saints' Jason Godin. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts play their home opener on Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article981.html#1337257913 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article981.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-1 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Thursday night. The Saints took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Josh Alley drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on an infield single by Kevin Millar. After a balk allowed the runners to advance, Jason Cooper hit a slow roller up the middle that scored Alley from third. Alley cracked a solo home run in the bottom of the third to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. Jason Cooper and Ole Sheldon hit back-to-back shots in the fourth to make it 4-0. Steve Mays hit an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh for the Saints' final run. Mario Delgado doubled home Ryan Patterson for the Wingnuts' only run in the top of the eighth. Nick Singleton allowed four earned runs in five innings while taking the loss. Joe Woerman earned the win with 5.2 shutout innings. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base. Wichita continues its series with St. Paul Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Righty Adam Cowart takes on right-hander Todd Mathison. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts play their home opener on Tuesday versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article980.html#1337257914 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article980.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2010 season Thursday night against the St. Paul Saints in the first of a three-game series at Midway Stadium. Right-hander Nick Singleton takes the ball for the Wingnuts and will be opposed by Saints' righty Joe Woerman. All 96 Wingnuts contests, as well as the 2010 American Associatin All-Star Game can be heard on Oldies 93.5 FM KWME. Live streaming of each game can be heard at and You can also follow the Wingnuts all season on Facebook and Twitter by logging on and searching 'Wichita Wingnuts'. For the first time in the history of the American Association, live scoring can be found during each game at the league's official statistician, Games will be updated on a play-by-play basis. The Wingnuts play their first home game on Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article979.html#1337257915 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article979.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 5-4 in their spring training finale at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday evening. Wichita took their first lead of the series in the bottom of the first. Kennard Bibbs lead off the inning with a single to left, stole second base, and scored on a two-out RBI single from Mario Delgado. The Wingnuts extended their lead in the third, utilizing more clutch hitting. With first and second and one out, Delgado picked up his second RBI of the game with a single through the middle of the diamond that scored Steve Pearson. Later in the frame, Josh Horn and Michael Thompson hit consecutive two-out, RBI singles to give the Wingnuts a 4-0 advantage. The T-Bones cracked into the lead in the sixth on a solo home run from Jake Blackwood. Jim Fasano hit a solo home run to right field in the seventh to make it 4-2. Wichita answered back in their half of the seventh. Kennard Bibbs drew a lead off walk and advanced to third on a single by Kent Wright. Steve Pearson was next and singled down the left field line to extend the Wingnuts' lead to 5-2. The T-Bones pulled within one run in the eighth. Jimmy Mojica lead off with a solo home run to left field. Dwayne White added an RBI double later in the inning. Wingnuts' starter Adam Cowart tossed three shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. Luke Massetti earned the win, pitching three strong innings in relief of Cowart. Massetti allowed one run on three hits. Cephas Howard struck out Jake Bradshaw with the tying and go-ahead runs on base to end the game and earn the save. The Wingnuts finish the spring 1-2. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on the road with a three-game series at St. Paul beginning Thursday, May 13th at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at The Wingnuts' home opener is set for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article978.html#1337257916 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article978.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-1 to the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday night. Kansas City took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on an unearned run and never trailed afterward. Jimmy Mojica lead off the inning with a single and advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw by Steve Pearson. Michael Thompson's throw on a bunt attempt by Keanon Simon collided with Simon's foot, eventually allowing Mojica to score from second. The T-Bones used an RBI single from Jim Fasano to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Fasano drove in Ray Sadler who doubled to deep center field leading off the inning. The Wingnuts finally got on the board in the seventh. Patrick Brooks lined a single to left-center. Two batter later, and with Brooks in motion, Steve Pearson doubled off the warning track in deep right field to plate Brooks all the way from first and cut the lead in half. The T-Bones added an insurance run in the top of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Eladio Rodriguez. Wichita turned four double plays in the game. Nick Singleton started for Wichita and took the loss, but did not allow an earned run in three innings of work. Will Morgan, Dustin Pease, Matt Petty, and Justin Dowdy all turned in scoreless relief innings, combining for five strikeouts. Brett Davis earned the win in relief of starter Cody McAllister. Davis pitched two perfect innings in the fourth and fifth. The Wingnuts end their exhibition schedule on Sunday when they host the T-Bones at 5:05 p.m. The 2010 season begins on May 13th at St. Paul with the Wingnuts' home opener scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article977.html#1337257917 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article977.html WICHITA, KS- Individual tickets for the 2010 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball officially go on sale to the public at 12:00 p.m. this afternoon. Lower Box seats are only 12.00 while Upper Chairback seats are only 9.00. 1.00 discounts are available for seniors, military, and youth ages 12 and under. General admission tickets for the Lawrence-Dumont Stadium bleachers cost just 6.00. Children two and under may enter the ballpark for free. Fans can purchase tickets through the ticket windows located on the west side of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, or by calling the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. By the end of the week, tickets will also be available on the internet, via Tickets for the 2010 American Association All-Star Game on July 27th will be available later in the summer. The Wingnuts continue their exhibition schedule this Saturday when they host the Kansas City T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. The 2010 season opener is May 13th at St. Paul. The Wingnuts play their home opener on Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article975.html#1337257918 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article975.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts and Pepsi Cola announced a five-year partnership on Thursday afternoon. Pepsi is a brand that's known worldwide and we are delighted to be working with them for the next five seasons, said Wingnuts' President Josh Robertson. We've had a great relationship with Coca Cola over the last six years, but this was a great opportunity to gain tremendous exposure for our organization. The partnership takes place immediately and makes Pepsi Cola the official soft drink provider at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. As part of the deal, the Wingnuts will have their logo on 250,000 Pepsi cans throughout the state of Kansas. We are very excited to be working with the Wingnuts, said Pepsi Cola's New Business Sales Manager Steve King. They have offered a great product for fans of all ages over the last two years and we are proud to now be a part of that. Wichita hosts the Kansas City T-Bones in an exhibition match on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. Wichita's 2010 home opener is set for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article976.html#1337257919 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article976.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-4 to Emporia State University in their preseason opener at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. Emporia State grabbed an early 1-0 lead, helped by a leadoff triple from left fielder Jeremy Francis to start the game. After Wingnuts' starter Brandon Mathes got Dorian Williams to line out to first, Kenny Burkhead drove in Francis with a groundout to second base. The Wingnuts answered back in the bottom of the inning, plating two runs. Kennard Bibbs and Steve Pearson drew back-to-back walks against Hornets' starter Justin Maxson to start the frame. With Bibbs and Pearson in motion, catcher David Albritton's throw to third sailed high into left field, allowing Bibbs to score the tying run and Pearson to advance to third. Mario Delgado used a groundout to first base to drive in Pearson with the go-ahead run. ESU rallied for four runs off of Mathes in the top of the second. With second and third and one out, Kevin Wempe tied the game at 2-2 with a groundout to third base. Andy Cotton followed with an RBI double down the left field line to move the Hornets back in front. After a single and stolen base from Jeremy Francis, Dorian Williams singled home two more runs to make it 5-1. The Wingnuts tacked on a run in the bottom of the second on a double play ball from Jeff Christy that plated Josh Horn. Travis Whipple re-extended the Emporia lead with a leadoff solo home run to right field in the third. A bases loaded walk to Chris Colton in the bottom half cut the lead to 6-4. Dustin Pease helped stabilize the game for the Wingnuts, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in the fifth and sixth. The Hornets added a seventh run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Travis Whipple. Cephas Howard and Will Morgan pitched scoreless relief innings in the eighth and ninth respectively. Overall, Wingnuts pitchers did not allow an earned run over their final six innings. Hornets' closer Drew Smith worked around two walks in the bottom of the ninth to lock down the save. Brett Mize earned the win with three relief innings, allowing one earned run. The Wingnuts continue their exhibition schedule on Saturday when they host the Northern League's Kansas City T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. All seats are just 7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the gate. The Wingnuts 2010 home opener is Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article974.html#1337257920 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article974.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2010 exhibition schedule on Friday. The Wingnuts have three preseason games planned, all at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, beginning with a matchup against Emporia State University on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:05 p.m. The nationally ranked Hornets reached the NCAA Division-II championship game last season. Several Wingnuts players spent their collegiate years at Emporia State, including right-hander Gabe Medina. Later in the week, the Wingnuts welcome the Northern League's Kansas City T-Bones on Saturday, May 8th at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, May 9th at 5:05 p.m. Wichita and Kansas City met during the Wingnuts' inaugural Spring Training in 2008 at Community America Ballpark. The T-Bones won the 2008 Northern League championship. Tickets for all three exhibition contests are general admission and can be purchased for just 7.00 at the gate one hour prior to the scheduled first pitch. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. The 2010 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article973.html#1337257921 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article973.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added five key pieces to their roster on Monday, signing first baseman Mario Delgado, outfielder Kennard Bibbs, pitcher Will Morgan, and trading for outfielder Ryan Patterson and pitcher Nick Singleton. Delgado has played professionally since 2001 when he was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round out of Oklahoma City University. The 30-year old slugger hit .333 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI for the division-rival Lincoln Saltdogs in 2008. The San Diego, CA native has 118 home runs in 740 career games, an average of 26 for every 162. The left-handed hitting Delgado played in Double-A as recently as 2006 for in Baltimore Orioles organization. Delgado owns a .495 career slugging percentage. Mario was in Lincoln in 2008 and I have kept my eye on him since, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is a great hitter that will be in the middle of our lineup as a run producer. Mario, being a veteran, will play a key role in for us day in and day out whether it be at first base or as our designated hitter. I'm excited to sign a guy like this to add some punch to our lineup. Bibbs finished seventh in the league in batting average last year at .323 while playing for the El Paso Diablos. The eighth-year professional was also third in runs scored (75), fifth in stolen bases (32), and was the toughest player in the league to strikeout, fanning once every 14.58 plate appearances. Bibbs, who bats and throws left-handed, has 204 stolen bases during his career and has collected more hits (706) than games played (684). The Houston, TX native was drafted by the Brewers in the 14th round in 2002 out of Oklahoma City University where he was a college teammate of Delgado's. Bibbs served as the main catalyst for the Sioux Falls Canaries' 2008 championship team. Kennard is a prototypical leadoff hitter. He knows his game and plays to his strenghts. He can run, put the ball in play and is a great defender. His experience at the top of the order will be a great addition and therefore lead to being a great tablesetter for us. I'm excited to see him play up to his potential day in and day out. Morgan was selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round in 2007 out of Lewis and Clark State College. The right-hander reached High-A in both 2008 and 2009 and has a career ERA of 1.91 in 47.0 career innings. More impressively, Morgan has struck out 53 while walking only nine during that same stretch. Originally from Poway, CA, Morgan played at Santa Rosa Junior College alongside current Wingnuts Steve Pearson, Patrick Brooks, and Jeff Giacomini. Will is a guy who played JUCO ball with Pearson, Brooks and Giacomini and was very highly regarded. I'm excited to see what he can add to our already deep bullpen. He has put up some very impressive numbers in affiliated ball and is getting back to full strength after coming off of Tommy John surgery. Patterson helped the Fort Worth Cats to the Southern Division's first half title last year, hitting .284 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI. A native of Dallas, TX, Patterson was a fourth round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays out of LSU in 2005 and spent three seasons at the Double-A level. The right-handed hitter has crushed at least 12 home runs in each of his first five professional seasons. In 2006, Patterson led the pitcher-friendly Florida State League with 19 home runs before hitting 18 and 17 respectively each of the next two years in Double-A. Patterson's rights were acquired from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for future considerations. Ryan had a good year in Fort Worth last year and when he became available I couldn't pass on him. He will add some power depth to the lineup and is a great defensive outfielder. This is a guy that comes to play night in and night out and will be a huge addition to our club. I'm excited for some of our younger guys to watch him play everyday and feed off of his intensity. Singleton led the American Association with a 2.24 ERA in 2008 while pitching for Sioux City, another division-rival. The right-hander was all over the leader boards again last year, his second with the Explorers, finishing first in starts (21), second in innings pitched (129.1), and third in strikeouts (97). Singleton is 14-11 over the last two years, with a 3.19 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 242.0 innings. The Montgomery, AL native played college baseball at Auburn University and has a lifetime ERA of 3.31 in five professional seasons. Singleton came to the Wingnuts during the winter in exchange for the rights to Greg Porter. Nick is a guy I have tried to acquire for the last two years now and I'm glad to say he is on our side. He has been a dominant starter in this league for numerous years now and I'm excited to hand him the ball on opening day. With his experience he is only going to help our younger pitchers develop. Spring training begins May 1st with the 2010 season opener set for May 13th at St. Paul. The Wingnuts' home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article966.html#1337257922 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article966.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced three transactions on Monday, signing right-handed pitchers Cephas Howard and Matt Petty as well as catcher Jeff Christy. Howard dominated the Northern League last season with the Schaumburg Flyers, going 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA and 47 strikeouts in just 42.0 innings of work. The Augusta, GA native was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 37th round in 2007 out of the University of South Carolina at Aiken. Howard spent parts of three seasons in the Angels organization, reaching High-A early last Spring. Howard has 102 strikeouts in 89.0 career innings. Howard's rights were acquired over the Winter when Wichita traded Kelly Hunt to Schaumburg. When we traded Kelly Hunt, we knew we had to get some value in return and I think we received that with Cephas, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's going to be our setup man to start the season and that's a role he's comfortable in. He could make Justin Dowdy's stuff look even better in the ninth inning and has a chance to do some special things in our bullpen. Petty served much of 2009 as a bridge to Wingnuts' closer Justin Dowdy while the two were teammates with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains. The 25-year old went 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 51.0 innings pitched. A native of Kansas City, KS, Petty proved durable, finishing second in the American Association with 47 appearances, working more than one inning 14 times. Petty spent two seasons with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts where he won back-to-back Frontier League championships alongside Wingnuts' shortstop Josh Horn. Petty finished first (26) and second (15) respectively in the Frontier League in 2007 and 2008. The Wingnuts acquired Petty's rights earlier in the offseason in a deal that sent Brenan Herrera to Fort Worth and Justin Young to Shreveport-Bossier. Matt's a local guy from Kansas City I've had my eye on for a while. He pitched at Emporia State and I've heard nothing but good things about him not only as a player, but as a person as well. He could be our seventh inning guy depending on matchups and could fill in on the back end if needed with his closing experience. Christy enters his fifth season of professional baseball, all of which were spent in the Minnesota Twins organization. The 25-year old backstop was ranked as the best defensive catcher in the Twins' farm system in 2009 and has thrown out 31% of potential base stealers over the last two seasons. The Lincoln, NE native has played at either AA or AAA over the first four seasons of his career. The Twins selected Christy in the 6th round in 2006 out of the University of Nebraska where hit .284 with eight home runs as a senior for the Huskers. Jeff is another local guy who lives just outside of Great Bend. Joe Muich was going to be tough to replace, but I think we've found a guy in Jeff who can do that. He's very good defensively and has the experience I want from the catching position to run our staff. You don't play four years at Double- and Triple-A without having ability. I also think he has the chance to do well offensively now that he will be given the opportunity to play everyday. The Wingnuts have 19 players under contract for 2010 and can carry up to 27 players during spring training which begins on May 1st. Wichita opens the season on May 13th at St. Paul and plays its home opener on Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season, group, and picnic packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article965.html#1337257923 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article965.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts returned four integral members of their 2009 squad, re-signing shortstop Josh Horn, third baseman Michael Thompson, and pitchers Adam Cowart and Justin Dowdy. Horn opened last season as the Wingnuts' starting second baseman before taking over full-time at shortstop in early June. The 26-year old was the starting shortstop for the North Division in the All-Star Game and was also named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star Team at the end of the year. Horn hit .310 with three home runs and 43 RBI while stealing 19 bases without ever being thrown out by an opposing catcher. The Shelbyville, TN native has been an all-star in each of his first three seasons of professional baseball. Despite playing shortstop for the first time in his career, Horn's .962 fielding percentage ranked second in the league at the position. I am ecstatic to have Josh back for 2010 as our starting shortstop, said Wingnuts' Manager Kevin Hooper. He made his home for our ballclub at shortstop and was our table setter at the top of the order last year. Josh is a true gamer in every sense of the word. Thompson finished second in the league with 32 doubles, including 20 in his final 40 games. The Covina, CA native led the American Association in doubles during the 2008 campaign during which he was an all-star. Thompson shook off a slow start and shined with the bat in the second half of the season, hitting .308 with 26 RBI over his last 48 games. Also 26-years old, Thompson led the league in fielding percentage among third baseman at .967. Mike will be vital, as he always has, in us being successful. 'Mikey' is one of, if not the best defensive players in our entire league. He takes a lot of pride in what he does on the field and I'm excited for even bigger and better things from him for the upcoming season. Cowart returns for his second season in Wichita after ranking fifth in the league with a 3.05 ERA. The right-hander went 8-5 in 17 appearances, improving his lifetime won-loss record to a remarkable 42-22 in four professional seasons. Originally from Houston, TX, Cowart walked just 19 in 100.1 innings pitched last year, and has averaged just 1.57 walks per nine innings throughout his career. The 26-year old finished first in the league with three complete games. On June 27th, Cowart tossed the first nine-inning complete game shutout of his career, limiting St. Paul to three hits the night before the Wingnuts clinched the North Division's first half. Adam is another huge piece of the puzzle in our club being successful. He is a grinder that competes to his fullest when he is on the mound. He pitches to contact to induce a lot of ground balls and lets our good defense play behind him. He will once again be somewhere at the top of our rotation fulfilling the role of being one of our aces along with being a great leader for all of our pitchers. Dowdy enters his 10th season of professional baseball after joining the Wingnuts in a deadline deal last August. Dowdy made the South Division All-Star team with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains and finished fourth in the league with 17 saves and a composite 2.25 ERA. The 26-year old lefty reached AAA in 2008 with the Oakland Athletics organization. A native of San Diego, CA, Dowdy has more strikeouts (552) than innings pitched (546.0) in his career. Justin will be our closer again this year and as a veteran on our team, he will be another great leader for our staff. He brings lots of experience and knowledge that will only help us in being successful. I am excited as can be to spend a full season with him as our ninth-inning guy. Justin has a chance to do a lot of special things in a Wingnut uniform. The Wingnuts also announced that left-handed pitcher Brad Davis will start the season on the inactive list as he recovers from offseason surgery to his pitching shoulder. Wichita now has 17 players under contract for 2010. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. Wichita's home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article963.html#1337257924 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article963.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' part-owner and Major League pitcher Nate Robertson was traded to the Florida Marlins on Tuesday afternoon. Robertson, who spent the previous seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers, returns to the team that originally drafted him out of Wichita State University in 1999. The left-hander owns a career record of 51-69 in eight Major League seasons with a 4.92 ERA. A Wichita native, Robertson made three postseason starts during the Tigers' run to the World Series in 2006, including a victory in the ALCS over the Oakland Athletics. Robertson leaves the Tigers, an original American League franchise, ranking seventh in all-time starts by a left-hander with 168. The 32-year old had a standout career at Maize High School before spending four seasons at Wichita State and was a member of the Shockers' 1996 team that reached the College World Series. Interestingly, Robertson was a teammate of Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper with the Shockers, Marlins, and Tigers at various points in his career. The Marlins sent left-handed pitching prospect Jay Voss to Detroit to complete the trade. Robertson is part of the local ownership group that purchased the majority share of the Wingnuts last October from Wichita Thunder owner Horn Chen. The Wingnuts open the season at St. Paul on May 13th. The 2010 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article962.html#1337257925 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article962.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added four pitchers to their roster on Monday, re-signing Gabe Medina and Doug Hurn, trading for right-hander Luke Demko, and signing rookie right-hander Kyle Frets. An All-Star in 2009, Medina enters his fifth season of professional baseball and his second with the Wingnuts. The 26-year old went 8-5 last season with a 4.37 ERA and ranked fifth in the American Association with 19 starts. Medina fanned 82 hitters and allowed only 115 hits in 119.1 innings pitched. Given the chance to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career, the Maracaibo, Venezuela native earned a reputation as a workhorse, pitching six or more innings in 15 of his final 18 starts. During a six-start stretch from late May into early July, Medina went 4-0 and allowed five or fewer base hits and three or fewer earned runs in each outing. The former Yankees' farm hand finished the year on a high note, tossing nine full innings of one-run ball in game four of the North Division Series versus Lincoln in a no-decision. Gabe was one of our horses in the rotation last year, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. There is no way we have the success we did without him on our staff. He threw a lot of innings for us and did a phenomenal job, and I'm expecting big things out of him this year. Gabe is still pretty young, but he has a good presence about him and he is a good leader. Hurn developed into a multi-threat relief option for the Wingnuts last year, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.56 ERA. After starting the season as the team's long-reliever and spot starter, Hurn eventually settled in as the Wingnuts' primary setup man. The 24-year old struck out 44 hitters in 56.1 innings while walking only 17. Over his final 23.1 innings of the year, spanning 22 appearances from July through late August, Hurn allowed only three earned runs (1.16) while collecting three wins and two saves. A native of Reno, NV, Hurn pitched 2.2 innings in the postseason without allowing an earned run. Valuable. That's the best word I can use to describe Doug. He's so flexible in what he can do. He can start, he can relieve, and I even had him close a couple of times for us last year. The options he provides us make him very valuable to our club. He's an absolute bulldog on the mound and the kind of guy I want on the team. Demko comes to the Wingnuts from the Atlantic League's Newark Bears in exchange for right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher. Demko was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 29th round last June out of the University of Rhode Island where he served as the Rams' closer. Demko struck out 44 hitters in just 33.0 innings as a senior with a 3.27 ERA and 11 saves in 25 appearances. The imposing right-hander (6'7, 275) made 14 appearances for Newark later in the summer, striking out 25 in 31.1 innings. The 23-year old Demkos final outing was his first professional start in which he allowed one earned run in 5.0 innings to earn the win. Luke's a guy that came from the Atlantic League where there are a lot of former major leaguers. The things he learned over there last year could make him very valuable out of our pen. Luke Robertson is very excited about giving him an opportunity to thrive in a much bigger role than he might have had in the Atlantic League. Derek Blacksher did a tremendous job for us last year and I'm thankful for the time he spent with us. I've always been about the players and want everyone who comes here to be able to move onto bigger and better things and this trade gives him the chance to do that. Frets made his professional debut last season for the Sioux City Explorers, making 12 relief appearances in July and August. Frets had a 4.02 ERA over his first nine outings. On August 19th, the 23-year old worked 3.1 innings at Wichita without allowing an earned run. Prior to turning pro, Frets played college baseball at the University of Texas-Permian Basin. Kyle is a guy who has experience in our league. He's a local guy from Kansas City, so this is a place he wants to be. He'll battle it out for one of our bullpen spots. He came to our tryout camp last week and he has great movement and some velocity on his pitches. The Wingnuts now have 12 players under contract for 2010 with more signings expected to be announced soon. Wichita's 2010 season opener is on Thursday, May 13th at St. Paul. The Wingnuts' first home game is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and group packages are now on sale. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-6887. -Wingnuts- Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article961.html#1337257926 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article961.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts and National Baseball Congress World Series officially announced their separation from the Wichita Thunder and Wichita Pro Sports on Tuesday. The separation follows the October purchase of Horn Chen's majority share of the third-year baseball franchise by Steve Ruud and the rest of the current Wingnuts' local owners. The Wingnuts and National Baseball Congress World Series continue to be overseen by President and General Manager Josh Robertson. The former Wichita Pro Sports front office staff has been divided amongst the two organizations. Operations for the Thunder have moved across the street from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to the Wichita Ice Center at 505 W. Maple St. With the Wingnuts now under local ownership, we felt that it was in the best interests of both organizations to separate the staffs and allow everyone to focus on one sport, said Robertson. This is not a divorce by any means. Both teams will continue to work together in their efforts to make the Wingnuts and Thunder the best professional sports entertainment that Wichita has to offer. In addition to the split, longtime NBC Tournament Director Jerry Taylor has moved into a part-time role within the organization to pursue other interests. Taylor, who served as Tournament Director from 2000-09 and as a full-time staff member from 2005-09, maintains his roles as NBC World Series Tournament Director and Wichita Wingnuts' Official Scorer. Former Wichita State University Shocker Casey Walkup assumes the role of Operations Manager for the NBC World Series. A graduate of Valley Center High School, Walkup played in the NBC 11 times, including being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Local Player in 2001 while playing for fourth place Athletes in Action. Walkup also served as a player-coach for the Community Bank Cowboys in 2004 and again from 2006-08. In 2005, Walkup managed the Park City Cowboys to one of the most improbable runs in NBC history and was named the tournament's Manager of the Year. Walkup recently worked as a sports anchor for local KSN Channel 3, and has also broadcast NBC games on both television and radio. Casey brings a wealth of baseball experience to our organization, said Robertson. His ties to the community as a high school, college, and tournament player are a perfect fit, and we feel he is an ideal candidate to eventually take over as Tournament Director when Jerry is ready to retire. Also joining the Wingnuts' staff is North High graduate and former Major League Baseball player Brian Holman. A first round draft pick by the Montreal Expos in 1983, Holman links with the Wingnuts in a part time role as Special Assistant to the General Manager. Holman was part of the 1989 trade that sent Randy Johnson from the Expos to the Seattle Mariners. The Aurora, CO native is perhaps most well known for coming within one out of a perfect game in April of 1990. Holman won 33 games and averaged over 30 appearances per season from 1989-1991 before his career was cut short at the age of 26 due to an arm injury. Holman currently serves as the Managing Director for Wichita's Ronald Blue and Co. affiliate, a financial planning and investment firm. Brian's experience in both baseball and business will be invaluable to our organization in helping the Wingnuts continue to grow. His connections within the game can aid in accessing greater talent bases when recruiting players, while his business acumen will be useful in helping to ensure financial stability. Terry Elliot joins the Wingnuts' staff as the Director of Radio Sales. Elliot served 13 years as Wichita State's primary color analyst. The former Shocker baseball player was a key figure in forging the Wingnuts' new radio partnership with 95.3 FM KWME. Terry has great connections in the Wichita radio community. His track record speaks for itself and he will be vital in helping us find new radio partners. The Wingnuts also officially announced their new phone number. Wingnuts and NBC front office staff can now be reached for ticket orders and general information at (316) 264-NUTS (6887). The 2010 season opens at St. Paul on May 13th. Wichita's 2010 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus Sioux Falls. Deposits for season tickets and packages are being accepted now. -Wingnuts- Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article960.html#1337257927 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article960.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added five more players to their 2010 roster on Monday, signing right-handed pitchers Brandon Mathes, Brock Piper, and Cole Akins, outfielder Eric Williams, and second baseman Jonathan Dziomba. Mathes made his professional debut last season with the Northern League's Joliet Jackhammers, making one start in mid-August. The 23-year old fanned six and walked two in four innings of work. A native of Oklahoma City, OK, Mathes played two seasons at Kansas Wesleyan University from 2008-2009. The former Coyote had a brilliant senior season, going 8-1 with a 1.38 ERA and three complete game shutouts. Mathes struck out 70 hitters in just 65.1 innings of work. In addition to his work on the mound, Mathes hit .360 over two seasons as the Coyotes primary leadoff hitter. Mathes earned KCAC Player of the Year honors in both 2008 and 2009. Brandon is a guy that will fight for a spot in the starting rotation in spring training, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He is small in stature, but has a live arm. I could tell right away watching him tryout that he had confidence on the mound, which I loved seeing. He was a two time conference player of the year at Kansas Wesleyan and I am thrilled to be bringing him to camp as a rookie with a lot of upside. Piper made his professional debut last season with the Texas Rangers' Arizona League rookie affiliate. The resident Wichitan worked 11.0 innings pitched over nine relief appearances, striking out 13 while allowing just seven hits and four walks. Piper played his senior season of college in 2009 at Auburn University at Montgomery, posting a 3.15 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 71.1 innings pitched. Brock is a local guy that has a year of affiliated experience under his belt and will compete for a job in our bullpen. He is a bulldog on the mound and wants the ball in his hand at all times. He has a lot of confidence in his ability and I am excited to see what he can bring to the table. Akins is a true rookie who pitched four seasons as both a starter and reliever at the University of the Pacific. Originally from Seattle, WA, Akins showed good command, averaging just 2.25 walks in 176.0 career innings. The 23-year old hurler also averaged more than six strikeouts per nine innings during his junior and senior seasons for the Tigers. Cole is a first class individual who is working hard this offseason to refine his skills as a pitcher to try and make our ballclub. He is very versatile being able to start or work out of the pen. Being a rookie, he is only going to get better and better with experience. Williams spent 2009 with theContinental League's Big Bend Cowboys. The Carmel, NY native hit .365 to win the league batting crown and had an even more astonishing .547 on-base percentage. Williams scored 63 runs and drew 73 walks, also league-highs, in just 58 games played. The left-handed hitting outfielder ranked fourth with 22 stolen bases while getting caught just six times. Now 25-years old, Williams brings a strong collegiate pedigree having played one season at Arizona State University and three more at Wake Forest University. Eric is coming off of a wonderful first year as a professional. He is my type of guy in all aspects of the game. He has a great baseball mind and is one of those guys who has a knack for getting on base. Eric will come into spring training trying to win a spot in the outfield. He has great speed, plays good defense, and has a great eye at the plate. If he can translate anywhere close to the numbers he put up as a rookie into our league, he has a bright future ahead of him. Dziomba is a left-handed hitting second baseman who also made his professional debut in 2009. The Buffalo, NY native hit .274 in 117 at bats for the Grand Prairie AirHogs with 18 runs scored. At just 21-years of age, Dziomba collected 32 hits in 33 games last summer. Dziomba's rights were acquired from the AirHogs to complete a previous deal. Jonathan is very versatile, being able to play anywhere on the field. He is going to come to spring training and battle it out for the second base job. I have heard nothing but great things about him as a person and a player. He is willing to do whatever it takes to improve his game and help our team win. The quintet of players joins Chris Colton, Jeff Giacomini, and Kent Wright to give the Wingnuts eight players currently under contract for 2010. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players in spring training camp which is set to begin on May 1st. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. Wichita's home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article956.html#1337257928 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article956.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced two new player additions on Wednesday, signing rookie catchers Jeff Giacomini and Kent Wright. Giacomini finished his college career at Sacramento State University in 2007, appearing in 12 games for the Hornets. The native of Ukiah, CA was also a junior college teammate of returning Wingnuts Steve Pearson and Patrick Brooks at Santa Rosa Junior College, where the trio helped the Bear Cubs to a 2005 California State championship. Jeff is a guy with a prototypical catchers body, said Wingnuts' Manager Kevin Hooper. He has broad shoulders with a good frame and a plus arm. He flew in to tryout and we signed him on the spot. Offensively, Jeff will only get better and better with experience. He is hungry to learn and is excited to have a chance to win a spot on our ballclub. Wright, a switch-hitting backstop, played college baseball at West Texas AM University, hitting .269 in 30 games as a senior in 2008. He then joined the Buffaloes coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2009 after attending training camp with the Fort Worth Cats. A native of Yakima, WA, Wright played two seasons at Walla Walla Junior College before transferring to West Texas AM in 2007. Kent is a baseball guy, always wanting to learn and be around the game to contribute any way he can. He is smart, which is a must at the catcher position. Kent being a switch hitter is a big plus for him offensively. He is one of the hardest workers you will be around, improving on his game anyway he can day in and day out. Giacomini and Wright join Chris Colton as players under contract for the 2010 season. Several more player annoucements are expected soon. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. The 2010 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus Sioux Falls at 7:05 p.m. Season ticket and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article952.html#1337257929 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article952.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced dates for their 2010 tryout camps on Wednesday. Tryout camps will be held at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday, March 20th and Saturday, April 10th at 9:00 a.m. All players are welcome to attend. A detailed schedule of what prospective players can expect during camp, as well as a registration form can be found on the Wingnuts' website at the following link: A 50.00 tryout fee is required. Checks can be made out to Wichita Wingnuts. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul. Wichita's home opener is Tuesday, May 18th versus Sioux Falls. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' at their new number (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article933.html#1337257930 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article933.html WICHITA, KS- Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Wichita Wingnuts promotional team, The Diamond Dolls! If youre dynamic, well spoken, and talented with the drive and dedication it takes to be part of this great organization, then fill out an application to be a 2010 Wichita Wingnuts Diamond Doll! The Diamond Dolls will continue their third year with the Wichita Wingnuts as a promotional team to serve as liaisons between the organization and the great Nuts fans and community. The Diamond Dolls help with on-field promotions, games and fan giveaways at all Wingnuts home games. These women work very hard and spend countless hours not only supporting the Wichita Wingnuts but also attending and supporting charity and community events. The Wichita Wingnuts will begin their third season this May; mark your calendars for the 1st home game of the 2010 season: May 18th, 2010 with first pitch at 7:05pm! * Applications are DUE via email to by March 14th, 2010 - OR - to the Wichita Wingnuts office during the open call interviews (March 15-17th, 2010). NOTE: If your application is emailed in ahead of time, you will be able to schedule a set interview time for your convenience! * Interviews will take place March 15th, 16th and 17th from 5:30-7:00pm at the Wichita Wingnuts main office: 300 South Sycamore, Wichita, KS 67213 *Applications submitted by email MUST include a recent head shot and full body photo (suggested attire is shorts and a crop top or form fitting attire). -Wingnuts- Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article926.html#1337257931 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article926.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2010 radio partnership with 93.5 FM KWME on Wednesday. Based out of Wellington, KS, 93.5 KWME features Oldies music from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. The Wingnuts' new radio home is a division of Johnson Enterprises which also owns ESPN affiliates based in Wellington and Winfield. Their FM signal extends well into Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley, and Harper counties, as well as portions of Northern, OK. We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Johnson Enterprises, said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. This is a great opportunity for us to reach out to a larger fan base by improving our coverage area and increasing exposure for our business partners. All 96 of the Wingnuts' regular season games, as well as any potential postseason games, will be broadcast on KWME. In addition to the Wingnuts' broadcasts, KWME will carry the 2010 American Association All-Star Game on July 27th and at least one game each day during the 76th annual NBC World Series in August. All games will also be available over the internet. Terry Elliot and Steve Schuster return for another season of play-by-play for the NBC World Series and the Wingnuts respectively. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season at St. Paul on May 13th. Wichita's home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus Sioux Falls at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' at their new number, (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article918.html#1337257932 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article918.html WICHITA, KS- Former Wichita Wingnuts' right-handed pitcher Will Savage had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization on Wednesday. Savage was a key component of the Wingnuts' league leading pitching staff, finishing with the fourth best ERA in the American Association at 2.94. The 25-year old also ranked fifth in the league in both innings pitched (125.1) and starts (19). Savage never missed a turn in the rotation after pitching exclusively in relief during the first three years of his career. On June 23rd, Savage pitched his way into the record books by tossing a no-hitter over the Sioux City Explorers. The former Oklahoma Sooner fanned seven during the gem, including four over the final two innings, in what was just the second no-hitter in league history. Most noteworthy was the fact that Savage accomplished the feat in a 1-0 win. The West Hills, CA native worked into the sixth inning in 17 of his 19 starts and allowed three or fewer earned runs in 15 of them. In addition to the no-hitter, Savage also earned key victories in the Wingnuts' first half championship clincher on June 28th versus St. Paul and Game One of the Division Series on September 1st versus Lincoln. Savage was originally drafted by the Phillies in the 26th round in 2006 out of Oklahoma and reached Double-A with Reading in 2008. Savage quarterbacked his junior college football team to a championship in 2003 and was part of two championship teams in the Phillies' organization in 2006 and 2007. Savage, who resides in Oklahoma City, becomes the second player in Wingnuts' history to be picked up by a Major League organization. Dustan Mohr was purchased by the Colorado Rockies in May of 2008. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on the road, taking on the St. Paul Saints May 13th-15th at Midway Stadium. Wichita's home opener is May 18th versus Sioux Falls. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article912.html#1337257933 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article912.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced Monday that Jose Amado will take over as Hitting Coach for the 2010 season. A .308 hitter in over 4,500 career at bats, Amado (pronounced uh-MAH-doh) brings 14 years of professional baseball experience to the Wingnuts, including three in the Mexican League and two at the Double-A level. The San Cristobal, Venezuela native demonstrated terrific plate discipline throughout his career, drawing 421 walks while striking out just 281 times with a career on-base percentage of .373. Amado batted .290 or better in nine of his 14 professional seasons, and finished at .333 or better in four of them. His best season came in 2006 when he split time with the Northern League's Joliet Jackhammers and the Mexican League's Cordoba Cafeteros where he hit .355 with 23 home runs and 99 RBIs, all career-bests. Amado totaled more base hits (1,387) than games played (1,220) in his career. The 34-year old Amado owns the distinction of playing for two different teams in Wichita, helping the Wranglers to the 1999 Texas League Championship and then playing for the Wingnuts during their inaugural season in 2008. The Wingnuts expect to announce several player new signings for the 2010 season in the coming weeks. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on the road, taking on the St. Paul Saints May 13th-15th at Midway Stadium. Wichita's home opener is May 18th versus Sioux Falls. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. -Wingnuts- Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article910.html#1337257934 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article910.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their first player move for the 2010 season, signing veteran center fielder Chris Colton. Colton set career-highs in 2010 with 18 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases, while batting .249 for the Frontier League's River City Rascals. The ninth-year veteran also drew a career-best 60 walks which paced the Frontier League. The Newnan, GA native anchored center field for the Wingnuts' inaugural team in 2008, hitting .260 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs. The 27-year old has delivered 10 or more outfield assists in each of the last two seasons. In the Wingnuts' first ever game on May 8th, 2008, Colton picked up the first base hit and RBI in team history. Colton was one of only two players who appeared in all 95 of Wichita's games in 2008. Colton was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round in 2001, spending six seasons in the organization and reaching High-A in three different seasons. The Wingnuts are coming off their first playoff berth in team history, posting a league-best regular season record of 58-38. In late September, the Wingnuts resigned Kevin Hooper, the American Association's 2009 Manager of the Year, to a two-year contract extension. The following month, Steve Ruud purchased the majority share of the team, effectively making the Wingnuts 100 percent locally owned. Colton's signing sparks the first of several player announcements expected in the coming weeks. The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on the road, taking on the St. Paul Saints on May 13th. Wichita's home opener is set for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article881.html#1337257935 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article881.html The Wichita Wingnuts have are seeking an experienced Hitting Coach for the 2010 season.Prospective coachescan apply by e-mailing their resume to General Manager Josh Robertson at or by calling the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article873.html#1337257936 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article873.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2010 schedule on Thursday. The 96-game schedule features eight Friday and nine Saturday home dates, more than the Wingnuts have had in either of their first two years. Official start times for the games will be announced soon. A link to the schedule can be found . For the first time in their history, the Wingnuts begin the season on the road, heading to rival St. Paul for a three-game series on May 13th. Wichita's home opener is set for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls, which kicks off a seven-game homestand. Wichita enjoys 29 home games in the first half. Nearly every game in the first half will have a direct impact on the pennant race, as 45 of the Wingnuts' 48 contests are against division opponents. Wichita has 20 scheduled games without a day off from July 6th-25th, their longest such stretch of the year. While the 76th annual NBC World Series takes place in Wichita, the Wingnuts will play 13 road games in a 14-day span from July 29th-August 11th. In addition to facing its rivals from the North, the Wingnuts welcome the Fort Worth Cats and El Paso Diablos to Wichita for the first time since 2008. Pensacola and Shreveport-Bossier are the only teams who do not visit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this season, while the Wingnuts travel everywhere in the league with the exception of Grand Prairie. Wichita's first meeting with Lincoln, the team that edged the Wingnuts in five games in the North Division Series, is on May 25th at Haymarket Park. The Saltdogs' first trip to Wichita is the following weekend, beginning on June 4th. The Wingnuts also formally announced the date for the 2010 American Association All-Star Game. The mid-summer classic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. In 2009, the Wingnuts sent a league-high seven players to the All-Star game in Grand Prairie. Festivities will take place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium leading up to the game which features the North Division's best versus the South's. The annual All-Star banquet will be held in Wichita the night before. In 2009, Wichita won the North Division's first half by nine games, going 32-16 and had the league's best overall record in the regular season at 58-38. The Wingnuts featured seven mid-season all-stars, five postseason all-stars, the league's Most Valuable Player in Greg Porter, as well as the Manager of the Year Kevin Hooper. Hooper signed a two-year extension to stay with the Wingnuts shortly after the season ended. The Wingnuts expect to announce their first wave of player signings for 2010 within the next month. The Wingnuts are accepting deposits for season tickets and packages for the 2010 season. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article856.html#1337257937 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article856.html WICHITA, KS- The awards keep coming for Wingnuts' left fielder Greg Porter who was named the American Association's Star of Stars by PA-Sports Ticker on Thursday. The Star of Stars is awarded annually to the player in each professional minor league who has had the best statistical season. PA-Sports Ticker compiles all statistical packages for the minor leagues during the year. The announcement comes one day after Porter was named the 2009 Independent Player of the Year by Baseball America. Porter nearly won the league's triple crown, ranking first in batting average (.372), tying for first in home runs (21), and finishing second in RBIs (86). Porter also ranked first in hits (140), on-base percentage (.453), slugging percentage (.617), and extra-base hits (48). A Look at Greg Porter's 2009 accomplishments: - 2009 Independent Player of the Year (Baseball America) - 2009 American Association Star of Stars (PA-Sports Ticker) - 2009 American Association Player of the Year - 2009 Wichita Wingnuts Most Valuable Player - American Association Batter of the Month (June) - American Association Batter of the Week (four times) The Wingnuts plan to open the 2010 season in mid-May with the league schedule set to be announced in the coming months. Wichita also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in late-July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article830.html#1337257938 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article830.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts left fielder Greg Porter has been named the 2009 Independent Baseball Player of the Year by Baseball America. Porter earned the American Association's Most Valuable Player award, leading the league with a .372 batting average, tying for the league lead with 21 home runs, and finishing second with 86 RBIs. Porter also paced the league in hits (140), on-base percentage (.453), slugging percentage (.617), and extra-base hits (48). The West Point, TX native led the Wingnuts with 56 walks, while striking out just 39 times the entire season. Porter struck out once in a 47-at bat span from June 1st-June 13th. Now 29-years old, Porter set a Wingnuts' club record hitting safely in 19 consecutive games from June 10th-June 30th. Porter's 43 multi-hit games also set a new club mark. A former two-sport star at Texas AM University, Porter won the league's Batter of the Week award a stunning four times, and was also named the American Association Batter of the Month for June. On August 8th, Porter collected the 900th base hit of his professional career. Porter hit .401 over his final 78 games. Baseball America is the nation's pre-eminent source for information regarding the minor leagues. The Wingnuts plan to open the 2010 season in mid-May with the league schedule set to be announced in the coming months. Wichita also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in late-July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article828.html#1337257939 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article828.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced at a Monday press conference that current local owner Steve Ruud has purchased majority ownership of the franchise from Horn Chen. The change in ownership signifies that the Wingnuts are now completely owned and operated by local investors. Ruud is the owner of R.A. Ruud and Son, Inc., a 48-year old concrete company in Wichita. We're all excited about this, said Ruud. I think we have a great ownership group that really cares and is involved in the well-being of the team. The opportunity arose for me to get more involved and I jumped on it. I'm there at the ballpark every night, and I will continue to be there to support the team. The rest of the Wingnuts' local ownership remains intact, including Gary Austerman of Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman, and Zuercher, L.L.C., Nick Easter of National Catastrophe Restoration, Inc., Dan Waller of Conco Construction, Detroit Tigers' pitcher Nate Robertson, and Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. This is a great day for our organization and our fans, said General Manager Josh Robertson. Very few minor league teams are 100 percent locally owned, and I know that all of us are fully committed to bringing this town the championship that it deserves. Another priority for us is to improve our facilities, and those projects are already underway, beginning with the rennovation of our concession stands. I've seen the changes over the years, and one thing that hasn't been changed is the concessions, said Ruud. We've outgrown them each year and I think it will make a world of difference when the rennovations are finished. The Wingnuts have enjoyed great success at the box office, averaging nearly 3,500 fans per game during their first two years of existence, more than double what the Wichita Wranglers averaged in their final seasons. In 2009, Wichita went a league-best 58-38 during the regular season and made the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Wingnuts recently re-signed Kevin Hooper, the American Association's 2009 Manager of the Year, to a two-year contract extension. Prior to the announcement, Horn Chen, who is the sole owner of the Wichita Thunder hockey team, had owned 55 percent of the Wingnuts since the team's inception in the fall of 2007. Chen will continue his ownership of the Thunder. Wichita opens the 2010 season sometime in mid-May and also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game in July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article827.html#1337257940 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article827.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts will make a major announcement regarding the franchise's future on Monday, October 5th. For convenience, the announcement will be made at a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the Wichita Ice Center, preceding the Wichita Thunder hockey team's annual media day. The Wingnuts, who finished with a league-best record of 58-38 in 2009, recently signed American Association Manager of the Year Kevin Hooper to a two-year contract extension. Wichita opens the 2010 season sometime in mid-May and also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game in July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article826.html#1337257941 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article826.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts field manager Kevin Hooper has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the team. The agreement ensures that Hooper, the 2009 American Association Manager of the Year, will remain as the Wingnuts skipper through the 2011 season. I'm thoroughly excited that Kevin and I came to an agreement on a two-year extension, said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. He's a great manager and you couldn't even tell that he was in his first season. I know some affiliated teams had called him about his services, so it means that much more to us that he chose to stay in Wichita. In just his first season as a professional manager, Hooper guided the Wingnuts to a league-best regular season record of 58-38 that included the franchise's first trip to the postseason. The Wingnuts dominated in the first half, posting a mark of 32-16 and winning the division title by nine games. The Wingnuts ultimately lost to the Lincoln Saltdogs in the North Division Series in a winner-take-all fifth game. It's a good situation for me and it secures me at home for two more years, said Hooper. I'm a family guy and they're number one on the list. Like I've always said, time with my family is time that I can't get back. This is a special city for me having played college ball here, and I can't wait for these next two years to come. Under Hooper's leadership, the Wingnuts finished second in the American Association in batting (.288) and first in home runs (86). Wichita's pitching staff led the league with a 3.52 ERA, more than half a run better than any other team. Wingnuts' pitchers also issued the fewest walks and fewest home runs. Defensively, Wichita led the league with a .980 team fielding percentage. Seven Wingnuts were voted into the All-Star Game in July, four of whom started in the North's 6-2 win over the South. Five more were named Postseason All-Stars at the end of the year, including left fielder Greg Porter who also won the league's Most Valuable Player award. Porter hit .372 to win the league batting title, one season after Hooper paced the league by hitting .373. It was a great year, especially being my first as a manager, said Hooper. I know it didn't end the way we had wanted it to, but in baseball the best team doesn't always win. I'm a positive guy though, and we're going to continue those positive thoughts heading into next year and find the bits and pieces to make it work. Hooper was honored as the league's Manager of the Year during the regular season's final weekend, an award that was voted on by the other managers in the league. Hooper played the final season of his 10-year career in a Wingnuts' uniform in 2008. Hooper's .373 batting average not only led the league, but was also 40 points better than anyone else. The Lawrence,KS native was named the Wingnuts' second field manager on November 5th, 2008. A four-year star at Wichita State University in which he hit .358, Hooper still ranks in the top-10 in Shocker history in many offensive categories. Hooper was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round in 1999 and eventually made it to the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and 2006. Hooper spent six years of his playing career at the AAA level, including back-to-back championships with the International League's Toledo Mud Hens in 2005 and 2006. The Wingnuts plan to open the 2010 season in mid-May with the league schedule set to be announced in the coming months. Wichita also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in late-July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article823.html#1337257942 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article823.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts fell to the Lincoln Saltdogs 6-1 in game five of the North Division Finals on Sunday at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, putting an end to a great season. Lincoln got on the board early with a solo home run by Phil Hawke in the first inning and added two more in the third on RBI singles by Shea McFeely and Brandon Jones. The Saltdogs put the game away with a three-run home run by Shawn McGill in the seventh to go up 6-0. The Wingnuts scored their lone run on a solo shot by Michael Thompson in the eighth and then left the bases loaded in the ninth to end the game. Jarrett Gardner picked up the win for Lincoln going six strong innings, while four relievers combined to finish things up. The Saltdogs will face the Pensacola Pelicans for the American Association Championship. Wingnuts starter Will Savage suffered the defeat, throwing 7 and 2/3 innings. The Wingnuts tremendous season - in which they went a league-best 58-38 - comes to an end one win shy of a trip to the American Association Finals. The Wichita Thunder are up next, dropping the puck on their 18th season on Friday, October 16th versus the Amarillo Gorillas. For tickets call the Wichita Pro Sports office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article957.html#1337257943 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article957.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts were outdueled by the Lincoln Saltdogs, falling 3-1 in 11 innings in game four of the North Division Finals on Saturday at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita starter Gabe Medina threw nine strong innings, allowing just one run, but Lincoln starter Justin Knoff was equally impressive, also allowing just one run in nine innings. Neither starter factored in the outcome. Wichita scored their lone run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Greg Porter, while Lincoln tied things up in the sixth on an RBI single by Albenis Machado. Wichita had a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth after Michael Thompson hit a leadoff double. Thompson, though, was left stranded. Wichita left a man on second base in the 10th as well. In the 11th, Lincoln got two-out RBI singles from Phil Hawke and Argelis Nunez to take the lead. Lincoln closer Chris Thompson retired the Wingnuts in order to end the game. The best-of-five series is now tied 2-2 with the deciding game on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. The winner will face the Pensacola Pelicans in the American Association Championship Series. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article816.html#1337257944 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article816.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts got a stellar pitching performance from Derek Blacksher, en route to a 5-1 win on Friday Night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Game 3 of the North Division Finals. Blacksher - who led the league with 11 regular season wins - scattered four hits over 7 and 2/3 innings and walked just one batter while striking out three. The Wingnuts took a 1-0 lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Josh Horn, and then added two more runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Joe Muich and an RBI single by Michael Thompson. The Wingnuts increased the lead to 5-0 in the fifth on an RBI single by Stephen Pearson. Two runs scored on the play after an error by left fielder Gavin Dickey. Lincoln added an unearned run with two outs in the ninth on an RBI double by Rafael Alvarez. Pearson and Kelly Hunt led the Wingnuts with three hits each. The Wingnuts now lead the best-of-five series 2-1. Wichita will host Lincoln in game four on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Gabe Medina will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article814.html#1337257945 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article814.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-1 to the Lincoln Saltdogs in Game Two of the North Division Series at Haymarket Park on Wednesday night. Lincoln manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Josh Burrus led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Albenis Machado. With the middle infield playing back, Phil Hawke hit a groundball to shortstop that scored Burrus. Wichita tied it in the third. Joe Muich lef off with a double to right-center field and was sacrificed to thrid by Michael Thompson. Brenan Herrera followed with an RBI single through the left side to make it 1-1. Wichita went on to load the bases in the inning, but Jim Paduch did not allow another run the rest of the night. Paduch went eight innings, allowing just the one run on four hits, striking out 10 and walking two. Paduch faced the minimum in seven of his eight innings of work. The Saltdogs moved back in front, scoring three times in the sixth. Gavin Dickey and Shea McFeely opened the inning with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice by Brandon Jones put runners on second and third with one out. Josh Burrus hit an infield single to the right of the mound that scored Dickey from third. After Burrus stole second, Albenis Machado singled down the left field line to score two runs and put Lincoln in front 4-1. Adam Cowart started for Wichita, allowing four runs on five hits in six innings. Cowart walked only one and struck out four. Closer Chris Thompson pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first postseason save. Joe D'Alessandro worked two scoreless innings in relief of Adam Cowart, including three strikeouts. The series now shifts to Wichita for Game Three. Derek Blacksher (11-2, 3.38) goes for the Wingnuts. Lincoln has not announced its starting pitcher. First pitch at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Game Three can be heard over the internet at or at . Tickets for Game Three are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article812.html#1337257946 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article812.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 6-2 in Game One of the North Division Series at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. Will Savage allowed two runs on just four base hits, while Kelly Hunt and Greg Porter each collected four hits. Wichita now leads the best-of-five series 1-0. Kelly Hunt got the Wingnuts off to a quick start, delivering a two-out RBI single to center field that scored Nick Blasi from third base. With the bases loaded in the top of the third, Hunt singled to left-center, plating Josh Horn from third. After left fielder Gavin Dickey misplayed Hunt's single, Greg Porter was able to score the Wingnuts' third run of the game. Gavin Dickey led off the bottom of the third with a solo home run to center field, one of only four hits off of Savage in his seven innings of work. Wichita answered back when Hunt collected his third hit of the game, an RBI double down the left field line, in the top of the fifth. The Wingnuts extended their lead in the seventh. After there were two outs and no one on base, Hunt, Steve Pearson, and Joe Muich all hit two-out singles, with Muich's driving in the Wingnuts' fifth run. In the eighth, with two on and one out, Lincoln went to lefty Adam Daniels to face Greg Porter. The 2009 league MVP went after the first pitch and hit a chopper that went off the tip of the glove of first baseman Phil Hawke for an RBI single to make it 6-2. Savage yielded just the four hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out five. The righty earned the win, his first in seven starts against Lincoln this season and allowed multiple runners on base in just one inning. Doug Hurn pitched a perfect eighth, while Justin Dowdy slammed the door in the ninth inning to lock down the win. Overall, Wingnuts' pitchers retired the final 12 batters to face them. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs play game two of the Division Series on Wednesday night at Haymarket Park. Adam Cowart (8-5, 3.05) goes for the Wingnuts against Saltdogs right-hander Jim Paduch (7-5, 4.79) who will be working on three days of rest. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at . The Wingnuts return home for game three of the series on Friday, September 4th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article810.html#1337257947 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article810.html 2009 North Division Series: Wichita Wingnuts (58-38) vs. Lincoln Saltdogs (49-47) Time: First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. How to catch it: Tonight's game can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at ALL-TIME AGAINST THE SALTDOGS: The Wingnuts are 19-15 all-time against the Saltdogs, including a 12-8 mark in 2009. After losing opening night to Lincoln, the Wingnuts won six straight games over Lincoln, all at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. In the second half, the Saltdogs won seven of 10 from the Wingnuts at Haymarket Park before Wichita swept Lincoln in a three-game series back in Wichita at the end of the season. Overall, the Wingnuts have won nine consecutive games against the Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Saltdogs are managed by Marty Scott who is in his first year in Lincoln. Scott managed back-to-back Northern League championships with the St. Paul Saints in 1995 and 1996. After missing the postseason last year for the first time since 2004, the Saltdogs rallied to clinch the Norths second half on the final day of the regular season with an 8-1 win at Sioux Falls. TONIGHTS STARTERS: The Wingnuts open the playoffs with right-hander Will Savage, who went 5-7 in the regular season and finished with the fourth-best ERA in the league at 2.94. Savage made his final start of the year last Tuesday vs. Lincoln, pitching nine full innings and allowing just one unearned run. Savage made seven starts on the road during the regular season with a record of 1-5 and a 3.47 ERA. Savage was 0-3 against Lincoln this year, despite an ERA of 3.20, with all three of the losses coming at Haymarket Park. On June 23rd at Sioux City, Savage pitched the first no-hitter in team history, and the second in league history. After Sundays season finale, Savage was honored as the teams 2009 Unsung Hero. Savage allowed three or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 19 starts and worked into the sixth inning in 16 of them. Savage was hurt by low run support this season, with the Wingnuts averaging 2.11 runs while Savage was in the game and 3.58 total runs in his starts. Wichita averaged 5.71 runs in their other 77 games. Savage and Derek Blacksher were the only Wingnuts starters who began the year with the team and did not miss a start. The Saltdogs send right-handed ace Jarrett Gardner to the mound who was 10-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 20 regular season appearances, 19 of them starts. Gardner last worked on Wednesday, taking a no-decision against the Wingnuts in which he allowed four runs in 6.2 IP. Gardner tossed a no-hitter vs. El Paso just two nights after Will Savage threw his, and matches up against Savage to open the playoffs. Gardner won his final four regular season decisions and six of his last seven. The 28-year old was 6-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 10 appearances at Haymarket Park. Gardner is the Saltdogs all-time leader in wins and has won double digit games three years in a row. In a career that started in 2003, Gardner has walked more than two hitters just four times in 157 appearances, 126 of them starts. Gardner was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA against Wichita, including his lone relief appearance on July 3rd. Lifetime, Gardner is 2-1 against the Wingnuts in six outings with a 3.03 ERA in 38.2 IP. WINGNUTS BEGIN FIRST EVER POSTSEASON: Tonight marks the first playoff game in Wingnuts franchise history. After going 45-50 in their inaugural season, Wichita posted a 32-16 record in the first half in 2009. The Wingnuts won the first half by nine games over the St. Paul Saints. After losing their season opener to Lincoln on May 14th, and then suffering a rainout the following night, the Wingnuts swept a double header from the Saltdogs on May 16th that vaulted them from last place into first. Wichita never relinquished their hold on first place again. The Wingnuts began the second half 5-10, before winning 21 of their final 33 games to finish one game out of first. The Wingnuts 58-38 overall record was five games better than anyone else in the league. The Wichita Wranglers are the last professional sports team to win a championship in Wichita, when they captured the Texas League title in 1999. PAST AMERICAN ASSOCIATION WINNERS: The current American Association formed in 2006. The Fort Worth Cats won the league title in both 2006 and 2007, beating the St. Paul Saints in five games each year. Last season, the Sioux Falls Canaries beat the Grand Prairie AirHogs in four games to win the league championship. IN THE SOUTH: The Fort Worth Cats and Pensacola Pelicans begin the South Division Series tonight at LaGrave Field in Texas. Fort Worth won the Souths first half title by an eight-game margin, while the Pelicans took down the second half title, clinching on Friday. Both teams went an identical 53-43 in the regular season. The Pelicans won 9 of 15 games against the Cats head-to-head. Games three, four, and five will be played at Pelican Park. The Cats are the only team in league history to have made the playoffs in all four years. PORTER NAMED LEAGUE MVP: Wingnuts left fielder has been named the 2009 American Association Player of the Year. Porter won the league batting title, hitting .372, tied for first with 21 home runs, and finished second with 86 RBIs. Porter also led the league in hits (140), on-base percentage (.453), slugging percentage (.617), and extra-base hits (48). Porter won the American Association Batter of the Week four times, was named the Batter of the Month for June, and was also named the Wingnuts team MVP after their regular season finale on Sunday. HOOPER NAMED MANAGER OF THE YEAR: The American Association announced today that Kevin Hooper has been voted the 2009 Manager of the Year. Hooper led the Wingnuts to a near wire-to-wire win in the first half and a nine-game margin of victory with a league-best 32-16 record. The Wingnuts send seven players to the All-Star Game in July and had five more named to the Postseason All-Star Team on Friday. Hooper is in his first year of managing after finishing a 10-year playing career with the Wingnuts last season. Hooper led the league in batting at .373 last year, 40 points better than anyone else. Hooper was drafted by the Marlins in 1999 after a four-year career at Wichita State University and reached the Major Leagues in both 2005 and 2006. FIVE WINGNUTS SELECTED TO POSTSEASON ALL-STAR TEAM: The Wingnuts had five players voted to the leagues Postseason All-Star Team, which encompasses players from the entire league. Greg Porter (outfield), Josh Horn (shortstop), Joe Muich (catcher), Derek Blacksher (Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year), and Brad Davis (Left-Handed Pitcher of the Year) all made the squad. The Wingnuts had two players make the postseason team last year when Kevin Hooper and Brenan Herrera were named. PORTER WINS BATTING TITLE: For the second straight year, a Wingnuts player has won the league batting title. Greg Porter finishes the 2009 season at .372, 11 points in front of Shreveport-Bossiers Christopher Garcia who hit .361. Kevin Hooper won the league batting crown in 2008, hitting .373, 40 points better than anyone else. OTHER FINAL LEADERS: Kelly Hunt finished tied for first in the league with 21 home runs and finished fifth with 43 extra-base hits. Dustan Mohr finished fifth with 73 RBIs. Michael Thompsons 32 doubles ranked second. On the pitching side, Will Savage (2.94), Adam Cowart (3.05), Brad Davis (3.35), and Derek Blacksher (3.38) finished 4th-7th in the league in ERA, with Davis tops among lefties. Blacksher led the league with 11 wins. Justin Dowdys 17 saves ranked tied for fourth, while his 43 appearances also ranked fourth. Adam Cowart tied for the league lead with three complete games, while Will Savage tied for fifth with two of them. Cowart, Savage, and Brad Davis all pitched a complete game shutout, tied for second in the league. Savage ranked fifth with 125.1 IP. TEAM AWARDS ANNOUNCED: The Wingnuts announced their annual awards following Sundays season finale. Greg Porter was named Team MVP, Derek Blacksher as Pitcher of the Year, and Will Savage as Unsung Hero. Kevin Hooper, Richard Salazar, and Blake Gailen won the same awards last season. HOME COOKING: The Wingnuts dominated at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this season, going a league best 34-14 at home. The Wingnuts lost back-to-back home games just twice all year, and lost a series at home only three times. ROAD SCHEDULE FINISHED: After the Wingnuts 9-6 win at Sioux Falls on Sunday, the Wingnuts finished their 2009 road scheduled with a record of 24-24. The Wingnuts were 21-28 on the road last season. The Wingnuts won 10 of their final 16 road games after dropping 10 of 12 road contests to start the second half. DIVISION DOMINANCE: The Wingnuts went 51-27 within the North Division this season, and had a winning record against all four opponents. The Wingnuts clinched the first half by nine games over St. Paul. WINGNUTS FINISH STRONG: Despite losing their final two games of the season, the Wingnuts won 21 of their final 33 in the second half after a 5-10 start. The hot stretch brought Wichita within one game of winning the second half title. RUBBER GAME NOTES: After their loss to Grand Prairie on Sunday, the Wingnuts are 9-3 this season in the rubber match of a three-game series. THOMPSON HAS ALL-STAR SECOND HALF: Michael Thompson finished very strong after a slow first half. The Wingnuts third baseman went 56 for 182 (.308) with 26 RBIs in his last 48 games, all in the second half. Thompson also hit 20 doubles in his final 40 games. HERRERA HOT: Wingnuts second baseman Brenan Herrera went 37 for 118 (.314) over his final 34 games with 18 runs and 13 RBIs. BLASI FINISHES STRONG: Wingnuts center fielder Nick Blasi finished the season 43 for 142 (.303) with 19 runs and 18 RBI over his last 34 games. PORTER SETS NEW CLUB RECORD: Greg Porter went 3 for 5 on August 26th, including the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 10th. It was Porters 42nd multi-hit game of the year, breaking Kevin Hoopers record of 41 set in 2008. Porter finished the season with 43 multi-hit games. Porter ended the season 122 for 303 (.403) over his last 77 games and won the league batting title at .372. WINGNUTS MUSCLED UP, SHATTERED TEAM RECORD: The Wingnuts hit 86 home runs in 96 games in 2009 to lead the league. Wichita hit 56 home runs in 95 games in 2008. The Wingnuts hit 39 home runs in their final 33 games after going eight straight games without a home run from 7/11-7/18. LONGBALL DISPARITY: The Wingnuts clubbed 86 home runs this year after hitting just 56 all of last season. Meanwhile, Wingnuts pitchers allowed only 37 natural home runs all season, easily the lowest figure in the league. MIDDLE COOKING: The Wingnuts middle of the lineup (Greg Porter, Dustan Mohr, and Kelly Hunt) finished with a combined 94 RBIs in the teams last 34 games. CLUTCH PITCHING: Wingnuts pitchers got the clutch out when needed during the regular season. Opponents hit just .241 against the Wingnuts with runners in scoring position, and only .216 with two outs and runners in scoring position. Both were easily the lowest figures in the league. CLOSE MARGINS: Of the Wingnuts 38 losses this season, 30 of them have been decided by three or fewer runs. WINGNUTS LEADING THE LEAGUE: Wichita finished second in the league with a .288 team batting average. The Wingnuts pitching staff finished first with a 3.52 ERA and walked 319 batters, fewest in the league. Wichitas .980 team fielding percentage also ranks first. STARTING LENGTH: After pitch counts held Wingnuts starters to four innings each over their first four games, the Wingnuts received at least five innings from their starting pitcher in 86 of their last 92 games, while getting at least six innings from their starter 70 times and at least seven innings 38 times during that same stretch. FIELDING LEADERS: The Wingnuts led the league with a .980 team fielding percentage and have several players leading their position. Steve Pearson led all first basemen at .997 and Michael Thompson led all third basemen at .967. Joe Muich ranked third among catchers at .987 while Josh Horn finished second among shortstops at .962. RED LIGHT MUICH: Wingnuts catcher Joe Muich finished third among catchers with a .987 fielding percentage and ranked first in caught stealing percentage going 24 for 72 (33%). The Wingnuts return home for game three of the series on Friday, September 4th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article809.html#1337257948 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article809.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts fell to the the Grand Prairie AirHogs 5-3 on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium, finishing the regular season with a league-best record of 58-38. Grand Prairie touched Wingnuts starter Brad Davis for three runs before he departed after three innings of work. Five Wingnuts relievers combined to throw the final six innings, with the AirHogs picking up two more runs off Joe D'Allesandro in the seventh. Trailing 5-0, Wichita scored a pair of runs on an RBI single by Josh Horn in the bottom of the inning and one more in the eighth on an RBI single by John Martin. Cesar Nicholas led Grand Prairie with two hits and three RBI, While Drew Holder chipped in three hits and two runs, helping pitcher Cody Crowell record his ninth win of the season. Kelly Hunt and Dustan Mohr led the Wingnuts with two hits each. The playoff bound Wingnuts will now travel to Lincoln to face the Saltdogs in the best-of-five North Division Finals on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wichita will host Lincoln in game three on Friday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article807.html#1337257949 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article807.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned Sunday afternoon that left fielder Greg Porter has been named the 2009 American Association Player of the Year. Porter enters the final day of the regular season as the league's leading hitter at .375. Porter's 21 home runs tie him with teammate Kelly Hunt for the league lead, while his 86 RBIs rank second. Porter also leads the league in hits (140), on-base percentage (.456), slugging percentage (.622), and extra-base hits (48). The West Point, TX native has been named the American Association Batter of the Week a remarkable four times this season and was also the league's Batter of the Month for June. Porter set a new Wingnuts' record with a 19-game hitting streak from June 10th-June 30th in which he went 33 for 68 (.485). The streak surpassed Kevin Hooper's club record of 13 set last year. Porter has collected 43 multi-hit games in 2009, which surpass Hooper's mark of 41. Over his last 77 games, Porter is hitting .405. The 29-year old has drawn 56 walks while striking out just 39 times. From June 1st-June 13th, Porter struck out just one time during a span of 47 at bats. On August 8th at Sioux City, Porter collected the 900th base hit of his career. Porter is now in his ninth season of professional baseball and was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2001 after finishing up a two-sport career at Texas AM which also saw him star for the Aggies' football team. Porter spent the last two seasons in AAA before coming to the Wingnuts and currently has a career batting average of .302. The Wingnuts conclude the regular season tonight at 5:05 p.m. when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. Wichita begins postseason play on Tuesday night, at either Lincoln or St. Paul. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article806.html#1337257950 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article806.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts fell to the the Grand Prairie AirHogs 5-4 on Saturday in front of 4,595 fans at Lawrence Dumont Stadium, ending their five-game winning streak. Wingnuts starter Derek Blacksher cruised for six innings with a 2-0 lead, but was unable to survive the seventh, allowing four runs on four hits. The Wingnuts re-tied the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Greg Porter and a Kelly Hunt RBI single. The AirHogs though reclaimed the lead in the eighth on an RBI double by Derek Nicholson. The Wingnuts put two men on base in the ninth with one out put left the tying run on third to end the game. Greg Krause picked up the win, while James Morrison notched his 19th save of the season. Porter went 1-4 with two RBI for Wichita, while four AirHogs notched two hits. The playoff bound Wingnuts will host Grand Prairie on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. in their regular season finale. Brad Davis will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article805.html#1337257951 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article805.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned on Saturday that Kevin Hooper has been named the 2009 American Association Manager of the Year. In just his first season as a professional manager, Hooper guided the Wingnuts to a virtual wire-to-wire victory in the first half. Wichita went a league-best 32-16, clinching the first half title with six games left to play and winning with an eventual margin of nine games ahead of the second place team. In the second half, Hooper has led the Wingnuts on a late charge that has seen the Wingnuts win 21 of its last 31 games, overtaking sole possession of first place for the first time in the second half with a win over Grand Prairie on Friday night. This is very well-deserving for Kevin, said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. Kevin is a first class person on and off the field. To put a team like this together in his first year, it goes to show he is just as impressive as a manager as he was as a player. I'm very proud to have him as our manager. At 32-years old, Hooper saw seven of his players appear in the 2009 All-Star Game at Grand Prairie, four of which started for the North Division in a 6-2 win. Friday afternoon, five more of Hooper's players were named to the Postseason All-Star Team, which encompassed players from the entire league. Offensively, the Wingnuts rank second in batting average (.288), first in home runs (86), and tied for third in runs scored (501). The Wingnuts lead the league in pitching with a 3.51 ERA, more than half a run better than second place. Wichita's pitching staff has also issued the fewest walks (314) and home runs (38) this season. Entering this week, the Wingnuts' .981 team fielding percentage also paced the American Association. At 58-36, the Wingnuts have already clinched the best overall record in the league this year. Hooper starred for the Wingnuts last season, leading the American Association in hitting at .373, 40 points better than anyone else. The Lawrence, KS native capped off a 10-year playing career by being voted to both the mid-season and postseason all-star teams and was named the Wingnuts' field manager on November 5th, 2008. A four-year star at Wichita State University in which he hit .358, Hooper still ranks in the top-10 in Shocker history in many offensive categories. Hooper was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round in 1999 and eventually made it to the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and 2006. Hooper spent six years of his playing career at the AAA level, including back-to-back championships with the International League's Toledo Mud Hens in 2005 and 2006. The first place Wingnuts continue a three-game series tonight with the Grand Prairie AirHogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, playoff tickets are now on sale for September 4th, 5th, and 6th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article803.html#1337257952 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article803.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned Friday that five of their players have been named to the 2009 American Association All-Star Team. Catcher Joe Muich, shortstop Josh Horn, left fielder Greg Porter, and pitchers Derek Blacksher and Brad Davis all made the squad. Muich, the North Division's starter in the All-Star Game in July, is hitting .265 with seven home runs, and 30 RBI. Muich has been a model of consistency on defense, ranking fourth among catchers in fielding percentage and leading the league in caught stealing percentage at 35%. Muich has 19 multi-hit games this season. Back on May 20th, Muich ended what at the time was the longest game in team history with a 13th-inning home run. Horn, another starter in the mid-summer classic, is batting .313 with three home runs and 41 RBI. Horn leads the team with 66 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. As was the case with Kevin Hooper last season, Horn has not been thrown out by an opposing catcher at any point on a steal attempt. Horn has been an all-star in each of his first three professional seasons. After beginning the year as the team's second baseman, Horn took over as Wichita's shortstop in early June and currently ranks second at the position in fielding percentage. Porter has had an MVP-caliber season, and currently leads the league in batting at .374. Like the previous three, Porter was another starter in the All-Star Game in Grand Prairie. Porter is second with 20 home runs, including a game-ending home run in Wednesday's win over Lincoln, and third with 82 RBIs. Porter also leads the league with 137 hits, a .454 on-base percentage, a .617 slugging percentage, and 47 extra-base hits. Porter has been named the American Association Batter of the Week a stunning four times and was also the league's Batter of the Month for June. Porter is hitting .404 over his last 75 games. Earlier in the year, Porter set a new club record with a 19-game hitting streak. Blacksher, who earned the win in the 2009 All-Star Game, was named the 2009 American Association Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. Blacksher leads the league with 11 wins, ranks seventh with a 3.35 ERA, and fifth with 90 strikeouts. The 24-year old carried a streak of 111.1 innings pitched from the beginning of the year through late August without allowing a single home run, the longest such streak for any pitcher this year. Blacksher has won six consecutive decisions and nine of his last 10 and has worked at least five innings in 18 consecutive starts. On May 22nd at Sioux City, Blacksher became the first Wingnuts' pitcher to strike out 10 batters in one start. Davis has been named the 2009 American Association Left-Handed Pitcher of the Year, and currently sports an 8-6 record with a 3.28 ERA that ranks tied for fifth in the league and first among lefties. Davis, the Winguts' all-time career wins leader with 16, won four consecutive starts from July 16th through August 10th. On July 16th, the 26-year old lefty pitched the first complete game shutout of his career, allowing just two hits in a victory over Sioux Falls. In two seasons with the Wingnuts, Davis has missed just one turn through the rotation. The Postseason All-Star Team incorporated both the North and South divisions and were voted on by the league's managers and media representatives. The Wingnuts open their final regular season series tonight against the Grand Prairie AirHogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article801.html#1337257953 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article801.html Wichita, KS- Adam Cowart pitched seven strong innings and Greg Porter hit his 21st home run of the season, giving the Wingnuts a 3-0 win over the Grand Prairie Air Hogs on Friday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Porter's blast tied him with teammate Kelly Hunt for the league-lead and put Wichita up 2-0 in the first inning. The next batter, Dustan Mohr lined a single off the leg of Airhogs starter Matthew Green, who had to leave the game. Stephen MacFarland replaced Green and pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing just one run. Wichita scored their final run on a bases loaded walk to Joe Muich in the third and that was all Cowart would need. Cowart allowed seven singles, struck out three and walked none to pick up his eighth victory of the season. Doug Hurn and Justin Dowdy eached turned in a scoreless inning to close out the game. The Airhogs had two runners on base only three times all night and never advanced a baserunner past second. Porter and Mohr led the wingnuts, going 2-3 with a walk each. The first place Wingnuts - winners of five straight - will host Grand Prairie again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher - a league-best 11-2 - will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article802.html#1337257954 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article802.html Wichita, KS- Greg Porter hit his 20th home run of the season with one out in the bottom of the 10th, giving the Wingnuts a 5-4 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium - their third straight extra inning win. Wichita jumped on Lincoln starter Jarrett Gardner, scoring three runs with two outs in the first inning. Stephen Pearson had the big hit, knocking in two runs with a triple. Lincoln got one back in the second and tied the game in the third on a two-run home run by Phil Hawke. The Saltdogs took their first lead in the fifth, scoring an unearned run, before the Wingnuts re-tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh on an RBI single by Brenan Herrera. Starter Gabe Medina pitched seven innings for the Wingnuts, followed by two scoreless innings from Diego Soto and a scoreless 10th by Doug Hurn, who earned the victory. Porter led the Wingnuts, going 3-5 with two runs. After sweeping the series, wichita now trails Lincoln by just a half game for first place in the North Division. The Wingnuts will wrap up the regular season this weekend with three games versus the Grand Prairie Air Hogs. First pitch on Friday is 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article800.html#1337257955 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article800.html Wichita, KS- Michael Thompson led off the 12th inning with a double and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Wingnuts a 3-2 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Tuesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium - their second straight extra inning win. Wichita starter Will Savage had another tremendous start, but found himself trailing 1-0 in the eighth inning. Meanwhile Lincoln starter Justin Knoff - making just his third start - threw a gem for 7 2/3 innings, but left with a 1-0 lead and the tying run on third. Reliever Adam Daniels though came in and allowed a game-tying single to Nick Blasi on his very first pitch. Savage pitched a scoreless ninth to give himself a chance at the win, but Wichita failed to score in the bottom of the inning, forcing extra innings. In the 10th, Lincoln put together a walk and two hits, but Blasi threw out Phil Hawke at the plate after a Shawn Mcgill single to preserve the tie and record the second out of the inning. Wingnuts reliever Joe D'Allesandro, however; uncorked a wild pitch while trying to intentionally walk Gavin Dickey, allowing Rafael Alvarez to score the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the inning, the Wingnuts put three hits together off Lincoln closer Chris Thompson - who leads the league with 30 saves - and then re-tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Greg Porter. Justin Young pitched a scoreless 12th to earn the victory. Thompson had three hits for the Wingnuts and scored all three runs, while Porter went 2-4 with an RBI. Adam Cowart will get the start as Wichita hosts Lincoln again on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in the season finale. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article798.html#1337257956 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article798.html Wichita, KS- Josh Horn homered to center field in the bottom of the 11th inning giving the Wingnuts a wild 9-8 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Monday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium - Wichita's 100th all-time win. The Wingnuts took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Brenan Herrera in the third, but Lincoln went ahead in the top of the fourth with four runs. Rafael Alvarez had the big hit of the inning, knocking a three-run opposite field blast over the left field wall. In the fourth, Wichita scored six runs, all with two men out. Patrick Brooks, Herrera and Nick Blasi each had two RBI in the inning. After a rough fourth inning, wingnuts starter Derek Blacksher cruised, leaving the game with a 7-4 lead that the Wingnuts bullpen couldn't hold. Lincoln went ahead in the eighth, scoring four runs on three hits, two wild pitches and a pair of very costly errors. Wichita was able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning though, thanks to a two-out RBI single by Joe Muich. Diego Soto earned his first professional victory, allowing no hits and just a pair of walks in three strong innings of work. Lincoln reliever Adam Daniels suffered the loss. Will Savage will get the start as Wichita hosts Lincoln again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article796.html#1337257957 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article796.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' left fielder Greg Porter has been named the American Association Batter of the Week for August 17th-23rd. It marks the fourth time this season Porter has won Batter of the Week honors. Porter went 8 for 23 (.348) with two home runs, 11 RBIs, five runs scored, and eight walks. From August 19th-21st, Porter had three consecutive nights with three RBIs. Porter's week included a pair of three-run home runs, both off of left-hand pitching. On Friday at Sioux Falls, Porter's two-out, three-run double in the top of the 10th proved the difference in the Wingnuts' 10-7 victory. Porter, who is hitting .375, has led the league's batting race since late June. Porter also ranks second with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs. The All-Star is also first in the league in hits (132), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.619), and extra-base hits (46). In addition to being named Batter of the Week four times, Porter was also the American Association Batter of the Month for June. The former Angels' farmhand is within reach of setting a new league record for batting average in a single season. Lincoln's Pichi Balet hit .378 in 2006. Porter has 40 multi-hit games this season, one shy of Kevin Hooper's club record of 41 set last season. The Wingnuts begin a six-game homestand tonight to close out the regular season. First pitch against the Lincoln Saltdogs is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article795.html#1337257958 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article795.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 9-6 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Wingnuts jumped out to an 8-0 lead after four and a half innings and held on after the Canaries rallied for three runs in both the fifth and sixth. After a bases loaded walk to Greg Porter in the third gave Wichita a 1-0 lead, Dustan Mohr slugged a bases clearing double off of starter Pat Mahomes to right-center to make it 4-0. Patrick Brooks hit a two-out, RBI double to left field in the top of the fourth against Mahomes that scored Brenan Herrera to increase the lead to 5-0. Wichita extended its lead further in the fifth thanks to two home runs. Kelly Hunt led off the inning with his league leading 21st of the year. With six games remaining in the regular season, Hunt is now just one shy of the American Association's single-season record of 22. After Steve Pearson singled, Michael Thompson drilled a home run over the left field fence to make it 8-0. The Canaries rallied for three runs in the fifth on a two-run double from Cody Haerther and an RBI single from Trevor Lawhorn. Sioux Falls scored three more times in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-6, but Joe D'Alessandro struck out Lawhorn looking to end the inning and strand the tying runs on base. Greg Porter grounded an RBI single to right in the top of the eighth to close out the scoring at 9-6. Adam Cowart earned the win, improving to 7-5, and allowing six runs on 11 hits in 5.1 IP. Doug Hurn worked a scoreless eighth before Justin Dowdy notched his 16th save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning. The Wingnuts won two of three from the Canaries over the weekend, marking the first time in two seasons that the Wingnuts had won a series at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Wingnuts finish their 2009 road schedule 24-24. The Wingnuts return home on Monday, August 24th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article793.html#1337257959 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article793.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-4 to the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday night. In another back and forth affair, the Wingnuts were undone by a four-run bottom of the sixth. With the Wingnuts leading 3-2 in the sixth, Beau Torbert hit a two-run home run off of Brad Davis to right-center field to give Sioux Falls a 4-3 lead. After Trevor Lawhorn singled, J.D. Reininger hit a groundball to the left side that was fielded by Brenan Herrera who threw wide of second to try and get the force, allowing Lawhorn to score. Kyle Eveland hit a two-out RBI single later in the inning that plated Reininger. Tim Hutting hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first to give the Canaries a 1-0 lead. Kelly Hunt hit his league leading 20th home run of the year in the top of the second to tie it. It marked the fifth time in Hunt's career that he has hit at least 20 home runs in a season. Hunt is also two shy of the league's single season record of 22 with seven games left in the regular season. The Canaries scratched out another unearned run in the fourth when Josh Horn's relay on a potential double play went out of the reach of Steve Pearson, allowing Hutting to score his second run of the game. Wichita rallied in the top of the sixth to take the lead on a two-out, two-run home run from Joe Muich to right-center. Muich was playing for the first time since suffering a head injury on Tuesday. Brad Davis took the loss, allowing six runs,four earned, in seven innings. Wichita committed three errors leading to two unearned runs. Ben Moore struck out 10 and worked eight innings to pick up the win. Aaron Cotter notched the save, allowing a run in the ninth on an RBI groundout from Nick Blasi. Diego Soto pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth for Wichita. The Wingnuts and Canaries finish their series tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Wichita sends Adam Cowart to the mound against veteran Pat Mahomes. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, August 24th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article792.html#1337257960 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article792.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Sioux Falls Canaries 10-7 in 10 innings at Sioux Falls Stadium on Friday night. Greg Porter crushed a three-run double to center field with two outs in the top of the 10th to cap off a Wingnuts comeback that began in the sixth inning. Wichita took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Nick Blasi tripled home Josh Horn and then scored himself on a wild pitch from starter Ryan Ford. The Canaries went on to score five unanswered runs against Wichita starter Gabe Medina to take a 5-2 lead. In the sixth, Kelly Hunt, after a nine-pitch at bat, hit his 19th home run of the season, a long shot over the left field fence to make it 5-3. Michael Thompson followed with a double to right and advanced to third on a fly ball to right by Steve Pearson. Patrick Brooks manufactured Wichita's fourth run with an RBI groundout to second that scored Thompson. Horn led off the top of the eighth with a double down the left field line and was singled home by Nick Blasi to tie the game at 5-5. Sioux Falls regained the lead when Patrick Reilly hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the inning. However, the Wingnuts rallied again in the eighth. With two outs, Brenan Herrera drove in Patrick Brooks from first base on a hit-and-run double down the third base line and then scored to tie the game when Horn singled to right field. Blasi and Horn each had three hits. Blasi is now 7 for 19 since returning from his injury. Justin Dowdy pitched a scoreless 10th to earn his second Wingnuts save and his 15th of the year. Doug Hurn picked up the win in relief with a scoreless ninth. The Wingnuts and Canaries play game two of their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Wichita sends lefty Brad Davis to the mound against right-hander Ben Moore. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, August 24th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article791.html#1337257961 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article791.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed catcher John Martin on Thursday afternoon. Martin has three seasons of professional experience, most recently with the Kansas City T-Bones in 2008. Martin hit .257 for Kansas City last year, with three home runs and 27 RBIs in 55 games. Martin was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round in 2006 after finishing at Emporia State University. Martin spent the next two seasons in the Dodgers organization. The Overland Park, KS native is currently the pitching coach for Emporia State and coached Wingnuts' players Michael Sharp and Diego Soto this past season when the Hornets reached the Division-II National Championship game. Martin's signing comes after Sharp suffered a season-ending thumb injury in Wednesday's game versus Sioux City. The rookie catcher was hitting .333 over his first 14 professional games, including an RBI single before his injury last night. Sharp has been placed on the Inactive List. Wingnuts' starting catcher Joe Muich, who suffered a head injury in a collision at home plate on Tuesday night, remains day-to-day. The Wingnuts play the rubber game of a three-game series tonight against Sioux City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article789.html#1337257962 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article789.html Wichita, KS- Greg Porter clubbed his league-leading 19th home run of the season, leading the Wingnuts to a 5-3 victory over the Sioux City Explorers on Thursday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Porter's blast came in the third inning and put Wichita ahead 3-0, but the Explorers scratched across a run in the fourth and two in the sixth to tie things up off Wichita starter Will Savage. Wichita retook the lead 5-3, thanks to a pair of Sioux city errors in the seventh and a sacrifice fly by Nick Blasi. New catcher John Martin had a good night for the 'Nuts, reaching base twice and scoring a pair of runs. Joe D'Allesandro earned his second victory with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, while new closer Justin Dowdy picked up his first save in a Wingnuts uniform. Wichita hits the road for three games at the Sioux Falls Canaries this weekend before returning home on Monday to host the Licoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article790.html#1337257963 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article790.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning and never looked back, en route to a 16-3 victory over the Sioux City Explorers on Wednesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Wichita got on the board in the second inning, picking up a run on a Michael Sharp RBI single. In the fourth, Brenan Herrera knocked in two runs to put Wichita up 3-0. After an RBI single by Nick Blasi, Dustan Mohr blasted a grand slam off the scoreboard in left center to put the Wingnuts up 8-0. Things got interesting in the fifth when Wichita starter Derek Blacksher brushed back Derek Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn walked towards the mound causing the benches to clear. Order was restored after about five minutes and two batters later Boomer Berry launched a three-run home run to put the Explorers on the board. The Wingnuts added two runs in the fifth and then piled on six more in the eighth, thanks in part to Greg Porter's 18th home run of the season - a three-run shot - which tied him with teammate Kelly Hunt for the league lead. Blacksher pitched five innings to move his record to a league-best 11-2. Every Wingnuts starter recorded at least one hit and one run. Nick Blasi led the 'Nuts with three hits. After the game players gathered together again down the third base line, but cooler heads prevailed. Wichita and Sioux City will conclude their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article788.html#1337257964 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article788.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts returned home after a 16-game road trip and were edged in the late innings by the Sioux City Explorers, 5-4, on Monday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Dustin Jones put Sioux City on the board with a two-run home run in the top of the second, but Michael Thompson responded with a three-run shot in the bottom of the inning. Wichita added a run in the third on an RBI single in the third. Wichita starter Adam Cowart left with a 4-2 lead after seven innings, but Joe D'Allesandro allowed a two-run single to Alex Llanos to tie the game in the eighth. In the top of the ninth Derek Schermerhorn knocked in the go ahead run with an RBI groundout off new Wingnuts pitcher Justin Dowdy. David Trahan recorded the final six outs to record the win. Wichita and Sioux City will battle again on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article786.html#1337257965 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article786.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired All-Star closer Justin Dowdy in a trade with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains on Monday. The left-handed Dowdy, who picked up 13 saves and held a 2.19 ERA in 36 games for the Captains this season, comes to Wichita in exchange for left-handed pitcher Richard Salazar and a player-to-be-named-later. Dowdy was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 18th round in 2001 and has reached the AAA level over his nine-year professional career. Dowdy made the American Association All-Star team for the South Division this summer and notched two saves head-to-head against the Wingnuts in mid-July. Dowdy began the 2009 season with the Texas League's Midland RockHounds, Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, before joining the Captains. The San Diego, CA native has more career strikeouts (544) than innings pitched (539.0), and entered the 2009 season with a 3.89 career ERA in 255 games. The 26-year old had his most dominant season in 2007 as a member of the United League's Alexandria Aces. His 24 saves paced all closers that year. Dowdy struck out 102 hitters while walking just 22 and allowed only 21 hits in 52.2 IP. Even more impressive, Dowdy struck out the side 15 different times in his 48 appearances. Dowdy reached AAA in 2008, posting a 3.75 ERA in 12.0 IP for the Sacramento Rivercats and has experience with four Major League organizations, including the White Sox, Mariners, Angels, and Athletics. Dowdy will be available from the bullpen when the Wingnuts open a three-game series versus Sioux City on Tuesday. The Wingnuts have allowed 45 runs in the ninth inning, second-most in the league and have lost four games this season when leading after eight innings, also the second-highest total. Meanwhile, Shreveport-Bossier allowed only 21 ninth inning runs with Dowdy anchoring their bullpen, second fewest in the league. Richard Salazar was 3-0 with three saves and a 3.44 ERA in 29 appearances, three as a starter. In almost two full seasons with the Wingnuts, Salazar went 8-7 with a 3.53 ERA in 140.1 IP over 57 appearances. Salazar is expected to join the Captains' starting rotation. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article784.html#1337257966 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article784.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Fort Worth Cats 2-1 at LaGrave Field on Sunday evening. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the ninth, Dustan Mohr singled home Greg Porter to tie the game and then scored on a wild pitch later in the inning to give Wichita the lead. The Cats took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a two-out, RBI single from Patrick O'Sullivan. It would prove to be the only run and only Cats' hit of the game until the ninth inning. Gabe Medina was brilliant for seven innings, allowing one run on just one base hit in a no-decision. Medina struck out eight and retired the final 13 batters to face him. Wichita was shutout by Cats' starter Jae Hun Jung, who worked seven scoreless innings before giving way to Gary Lee in the eighth who did not allow a run. After Joe D'Alessandro pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth to keep Wichita within one run, Greg Porter doubled off the glove of left fielder Kevin Thompson. Dustan Mohr came up next and singled into short center field, with Porter beating center fielder Brian Fryer's throw to tie the game. An error and a fielder's choice advanced Mohr to third before Scott Vander Weg unloaded a wild pitch that bounced up the third base line and allowed Mohr to score the go-ahead run. Doug Hurn took over in the bottom of the ninth and worked around a lead off single, and finished the game by striking out Michael Bell, who homered off of Hurn in the ninth inning on Saturday night, with the tying run on third. It makred the first time this season that the Wingnuts won a game when trailing after eight innings. The Wingnuts conclude their 16-game road trip with a winning record of 9-7 and move back to .500 in the second half at 18-18. The Wingnuts now return home for the first time since July 29th, opening a three-game series against the Sioux City Explorers on Tuesday, August 18th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Adam Cowart is expected to make the start. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article783.html#1337257967 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article783.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts fell 3-2 to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Friday night. Cats' third baseman Michael Bell hit a two-run home run with two out in the bottom of the ninth to steal the win from the Wingnuts. For the third straight night, the Wingnuts were locked in a pitcher's duel for most of the game. Brad Davis turned in another strong outing, allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of work. Davis retired the first eight hitters to face him before a two-out single by Kevin Thompson in the third. Veteran lefty Joel Kirsten matched Davis, allowing one run in seven innings on just three hits. Both starters took no-decisions. Wichita scored first for the second straight game when Michael Thompson doubled home Steve Pearson in the top of the fifth. Thompson finished the night with three hits, two of them doubles and has hit safely in nine straight games. Thompson also made a spectacular defensive catch on a foul popup in the seventh, leaning over the stands with his feet off of the ground. After the Cats tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth on a solo home run from Patrick O'Sullivan, Thompson led off the top of the eighth with his second double of the game, this one into left-center field. Brenan Herrera sacrificed Thompson to third base. Josh Horn followed with an RBI single up the middle through the Cats' drawn in infield, moving the Wingnuts back in front at 2-1. Joe D'Alessandro pitched a perfect eighth inning, including back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Doug Hurn took over in the ninth and retired the first two hitters. John Allen singled through the left side to keep the game alive for Fort Worth. Bell was next and worked a full count before homering over the left field wall to win the game. Greg Porter, who turned 29 on Saturday, went 2 for 4 with two doubles. The Wingnuts and Cats finish their series on Sunday evening at 6:05 p.m. Gabe Medina and Jae Hun Jung are the starting pitchers. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at . The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article782.html#1337257968 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article782.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Fort Worth Cats 4-2 at LaGrave Field on Friday night. Derek Blacksher became the American Association's first 10-game winner of the season, tossing seven strong innings in the victory. Blacksher allowed one run on just five hits while walking two and striking out two. Blacksher has won five straight decisions and eight of his last nine. The righty increased his streak to 107.1 innings this season without allowing a home run, the longest in the league. Wichita took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth. Brenan Herrera drew a lead off walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Kelley Gulledge. Josh Horn singled Herrera home from third for the game's first run. After the Cats tied it on a Brian Fryer RBI single in the bottom of the inning, Steve Pearson and Josh Horn connected on a relay throw to home on Patrick O'Sullivan's double to right that cut down Fryer as the potential lead run. The Wingnuts rode the defensive momentum into the seventh when Michael Thompson ripped a double down the left field line to score two runs and give the Wingnuts a 3-1 lead. Brenan Herrera eventually plated Thompson on a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 4-1. Nat Harris took a no-decision for the Cats, allowing one run on two hits in six innings. The Wingnuts scoredthree times off of righty Dan Grybash. Justin Young worked the eighth inning in relief of Blacksher while Doug Hurn pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the season. Thompson has hit safely in eight games in a row. The Wingnuts and Cats continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Lefties Brad Davis and Joel Kirsten are the starting pitchers. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at after the completion of the evening game of the 75th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article781.html#1337257969 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article781.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts fell 1-0 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Thursday night. Will Savage allowed one run on just five hits in eight innings, but a sacrifice fly from Phil Hawke in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the game's only run. The Wingnuts appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. With first and third and no outs, Patrick Brooks lifted a flyball to medium center field that was caught by Josh Burrus. Steve Pearson tagged from third base and headed home, beating Burrus's throw by a wide margin, in what looked to be a sacrifice fly. However, home plate umpire Ron Teague upheld Lincoln's appeal at third saying that Pearson had left the bag early. Video replay was inconclusive. Savage allowed three or fewer earned runs for the 13th time in 17 starts this season but drops to 5-7. Lincoln starter Jim Paduch tossed eight shutout innings, striking out 11 to pick up the win. The Wingnuts went down in order against Chris Thompson in the top of the ninth, who earned his 27th save of the year. The Wingnuts begin the final leg of their 16-game road trip on Friday night when they travel to Fort Worth and begin a three-game series against the First Half South Division champion Cats. Right-handers Derek Blacksher and Nat Harris take the mound. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at after the completion of the evening game of the 75th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article780.html#1337257970 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article780.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 9-1 at Haymarket Park on Wednesday night. Richard Salazar fired five shutout innings in his first start since May 26th kept Lincoln's offense at bay, while Wichita scored four in the first and five in the eighth to support the left-hander. For the second straight game, Greg Porter drove in the first run of the game, this time an RBI single to left after back-to-back hits from Josh Horn and Patrick Brooks. Later in the inning, Kelly Hunt hit a ground rule double over the left field wall to make it 2-0. With second and third and two down, Steve Pearson hit a groundball to shortstop that was misplayed by Albenis Machado and then thrown into the stands allowing two more runs to score. Starting in place of Adam Cowart, Salazar allowed just one base hit, striking out five and walking three to earn his third win of the season. Salazar struck out the side in the bottom of the third. Leading 4-1 in the eighth, six consecutive Wingnuts collected base hits, including a two-run home run from Kelly Hunt, his league leading 18th of the year. With 16 games left in the season, Hunt is four shy of tying the single-season league mark of 22 set in 2008. Michael Thompson and Brenan Herrera also had run scoring hits in the inning, while Josh Horn drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Right-hander Ryan Ashner made his Wingnuts debut, allowing one run in two innings in the win. Joe D'Alessandro worked a perfect eighth, while Doug Hurn, pitching on his 24th birthday, retired the side in the ninth to finish the win. The Wingnuts wrap up their series against Lincoln tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Right-handers Will Savage and Jim Paduch take the mound. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article779.html#1337257971 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article779.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-3 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. Wichita led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Saltdogs scored five unanswered runs over their final three at bats. Wichita out-hit Lincoln 11 to 6, but left 10 runners on base in the loss. Greg Porter hit a line drive home run to right field in the top of the first to give the Wingnuts the lead. It was Porter's 17th of the year, tying him with Kelly Hunt for the league lead. In the second, Michael Sharp reached on a passed ball after striking out. Brenan Herrera singled Sharp to third and then Josh Horn lined a single to right field that scored Sharp and made it 2-0. The Wingnuts scratched across another run in the fourth inning. After loading the bases with two outs, Patrick Brooks hit a slow roller up the third base line that resulted in an infield single to move the Wingnuts ahead 3-0. Gabe Medina threw shutout ball over the first five innings before a wild pitch and an RBI single from Phil Hawke in the sixth inning cut the lead to 3-2. The Saltdogs took the lead for good in the seventh when Brandon Jones dumped a two-run single into short center, scoring runners from second and third base. Gavin Dickey drove in an insurance run in the eighth inning on a bloop single to right field. Wichita brough the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth against Lincoln closer Chris Thompson before the right-hander locked down his league leading 26th save. Medina took the loss, allowing four runs on just four hits in six-plus innings. Adam Daniels earned the win in relief retiring all four batters to face him. Steve Pearson went 0 for 4, ending his consecutive on-base streak at 35 games in a row, a new Wingnuts' club record. The Wingnuts continue their series against Lincoln tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Richard Salazar makes the start for the Wingnuts against lefty Zac Cline. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article777.html#1337257972 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article777.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 12-2 at Haymarket Park on Monday night. Greg Porter, named the American Association Batter of the Week earlier this afternoon, went 4 for 5 with three RBIs, while Wichita hit three home runs and pounded out 15 hits. Eight of Wichita's starters had at least one hit and scored at least one run. Trailing 1-0 heading into the top of the fifth, Wichita exploded for eight runs to take the lead for the rest of the night. Brenan Herrer opened the inning hitting a line drive home run over the left field fence to tie the game. After walks to Josh Horn and Patrick Brooks, Greg Porter doubled both of them home against reliever Darryl Arreola. Dustan Mohr came up next and clocked a two-run home run to deep left-center field to make it 5-1. The inning continued with the Wingnuts loading the bases with two out before Josh Horn doubled into right-center field to clear the bases. Horn was thrown at third trying to stretch it into a triple, but the Wingnuts left the inning with an 8-1 lead. In the seventh, Porter singled home Patrick Brooks, who led off the inning with a double, to make it 9-1. Kelly Hunt crushed a two-run home run to right field in the top of the eighth to extend the Wingnuts' lead to 11-1. It was Hunt's league leading 17th home run of the season. After Lincoln scored in the bottom of the eighth, Mohr singled home Wichita's 12th run on a ground ball up the middle. Brad Davis allowed one run on six hits in five innings to earn the win and improve to 8-5. Davis has won four consecutive starts. Diego Soto worked two scorless innings in the sixth and seventh, while Joe D'Alessandro finished off the win, allowing one run over the final two frames. The win evens the Wingnuts' second half record at 15-15 and moves them within 2.5 games of first place Lincoln. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Righty Gabe Medina goes to the mound against Lincoln right-hander Tim Brown. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article776.html#1337257973 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article776.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 4-3 at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday evening. The Explorers scored first for a second straight game when Jason Colson flared a single into short left field in the bottom of the fourth to score Alex Llanos. Colson drove Llanos in for a second time in the sixth when he singled into center field. Wichita got on the board in the top of the seventh. Steve Pearson doubled to left field with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Michael Thompson lifted a fly ball to left to drive in Pearson and cut the lead to 2-1. In the top of the eighth, Brenan Herrera and Josh Horn hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. Greg Porter, who subbed in for Nick Blasi in the bottom of the fifth, followed with a three-run home run over the right-center field fence to turn the game around at 4-2. It was Porter's 16th home run of the season, tying him with Kelly Hunt for the league lead. Derek Blacksher fired seven strong innings, allowing two runs on eight hits. Blacksher struck out four and did not issue a walk for a second consecutive start. The right-hander has now worked at least seven innings in four straight starts. Blasi was struck in the helmet with a pitch in the top of the first and remained in the game until the bottom of the fifth. Justin Young pitched a scoreless eighth inning. The X's loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth against Joe D'Alessandro, but a key double play turned by Michael Thompson and Steve Pearson helped stabilize the inning. With the tying run on second and two outs, D'Alessandro got Dustin Jones to ground out to second base to end the game. The Wingnuts travel south to Lincoln where they open a four-game series against the Saltdogs on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Lefty Brad Davis opposes right-hander Brian Campbell. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article773.html#1337257974 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article773.html WICHITA, KS- Wingnuts left fielder Greg Porter has been named the American Association Batter of the Week for August 3rd through August 9th. Already having won two other Batter of the Week Awards as well as Batter of the Month honors for June, Porter hit .440 in six games last week with three home runs, seven RBIs, and seven runs scored. After setting a new Wingnuts' club record with a 19-game hitting streak in June, Porter recently finished a 14-game hitting streak that carried into last week. The Kelly, TX resident has hit six home runs in his last 15 games, including a game-changing three-run home run on Sunday that gave the Wingnuts a 4-2 lead in an eventual 4-3 rubber match win over Sioux City. Porter's power streak ties him with teammate Kelly Hunt for the league lead. Porter leads the league in batting at .380 and ranks fourth with 64 RBI. Porter also leads the league in hits (113), on-base percentage (.464), and slugging percentage (.613). Over his last 59 games, dating back to early June, Porter is 96 for 228 (.421). On Saturday night at Sioux City, Porter singled in the top of the first for his 900th career base hit. It marks the sixth time this season a Wingnuts player has earned league honors. Dustan Mohr also won Batter of the Week in June, while Derek Blacksher was last week's Pitcher of the Week. The Wingnuts open a four-game series tonight against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Brad Davis will be on the mound against Lincoln's Brian Campbell. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article774.html#1337257975 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article774.html WICHITA, KS- The Wingnuts signed right-handed pitcher Ryan Ashner on Monday afternoon. A native of Overland Park, KS, Ashner appeared in nine games this season for the Frontier League's River City Rascals, going 4-0 in 12 relief outings. The 25-year old had a 3.57 ERA with 15 strikeouts and only four walks in 17.2 IP. Ashner began his career in 2008, going 1-0 with one save for River City. Ashner had a 2.11 ERA last season, striking out 18 and walking four in 21.1 IP. To make room for Ashner, the Wingnuts released right-hander Tyler Rhoden. Rhoden was 2-3 with a 5.10 ERA in 29 appearances. Ashner will be in uniform and available for tonight's series opener at Lincoln. Meanwhile, the Wingnuts sent center fielder Nick Blasi back to Wichita Monday afternoon for further evaluation of his left cheek. Blasi was struck in the face with a pitch in the top of the first inning on Sunday at Sioux City. Blasi remained in the game until the bottom of the fifth. The former Shocker is hitting .330 with 14 runs and 10 RBI over his last 23 games. Blasi has fielded the fifth most chances amongst American Association outfielders, committing just two errors and is 16 for 20 in stolen base attempts. Blasi's status for the rest of the season is uncertain. The Wingnuts open a four-game series tonight against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Brad Davis will be on the mound against Lincoln's Brian Campbell. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article775.html#1337257976 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article775.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-1 to the Sioux City Explorers on Saturday night at Lewis and Clark Park. Will Savage had a strong start, pitching into the eighth inning, but Wichita left 15 runners on base in their loss. The X's led 2-0 into the eighth before breaking the game open. Jason Colson hit a two-out three run home run to make it 6-0. Colson finished the night with four RBIs. Savage worked seven-plus innings, and was charged with four runs. Savage allowed just five hits. Wichita's lone run came on an RBI single from Steve Pearson in the top of the ninth. Greg Porter singled in the top of the first for the 900th hit of his professional career. Trevor Fox earned the win for Sioux City, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings despite walking six. The loss snapped a 10-game Wingnuts winning streak at Lewis and Clark Park that dated back to last season. The Wingnuts and Explorers finish their series tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher and Ty Marotz are the scheduled starters. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article772.html#1337257977 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article772.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 7-2 at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night. Wichita, who entered the game 9-1 against the Explorers this season, grabbed an early run on an RBI single from Greg Porter. A key rundown play in the bottom of the second inning, executed by Steve Pearson, Joe Muich, Michael Thompson, and Josh Horn prevented the tying run from scoring. After a leadoff single by Michael Thompson in the fourth, Joe Muich doubled into the left field corner to score Thompson from first and give the Wingnuts a 2-0 lead. Patrick Brooks drew a walk against starter Ryan Harris to put runners on first and second. Brenan Herrera then hit another double down the left field line to score Muich. Harris threw a wild pitch that brought in Brooks and moved Herrera to third. Josh Horn plated Herrera on a sacrifice fly to left-center to make it 5-0. Greg Porter and Dustan Mohr hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the seventh inning. Porter finished the night with four base hits, marking his 34th multi-hit game of the season. The offensive support was plenty for Adam Cowart who threw seven shutout innings allowing just two hits. Cowart struck out three and walked one and needed just 77 pitches for the win. The Wingnuts have won 10 straight road games against Sioux City dating back to last year and are 8-0 at Lewis and Clark Park in 2009. The Wingnuts and Explorers continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Will Savage takes the Sioux City mound for the first time since his no-hitter over the X's on June 23rd. The Explorers go with lefty Trevor Fox. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article770.html#1337257978 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article770.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 2-0 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Thursday night. Rookie right-hander Todd Mathison, who was making his first professional start, kept the Wingnuts to just one hit in 7.2 shutout innings. Mathison struck out six and walked one while earning the win. The Saints took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single from left fielder Josh Alley down the right field line. St. Paul added the game's final run on a sacrifice fly by Jason Cooper in the bottom of the seventh. Gabe Medina pitched well but took the loss. Medina allowed one run on four hits in six innings and fell to 8-4 on the season. Greg Porter had his hitting streak snapped at 14 games going 0 for 4. Wichita had the tying runs on base in both the eighth and ninth innings, but reliever Mike Bille recorded the final five outs to earn the save. The Wingnuts now travel to Sioux City for a three-game weekend series against the Explorers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Friday. Adam Cowart will be on the mound for Wichita. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article769.html#1337257979 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article769.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the St. Paul Saints 10-7 at Midway Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. With the bases loaded and one out in the second, Brenan Herrera singled to left field to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Josh Horn was next and hit a groundball that was thrown away by third baseman Brent Krause allowing two more runs to score. After the Saints tied the game on a three-run home run from Anthony Norman in the bottom of the second, the Wingnuts regained the lead for good in the third. Wichita scored three more times, needing only one base hit. Wichita was helped by two bases loaded walks and a sacrifice fly from catcher Michael Sharp. In the fourth, Kelly Hunt blasted his league leading 16th home run of the season to extend the lead to 7-3. Greg Porter, who extended his hitting streak to 14 in a row with a single in the third, hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the eighth to make it 9-3. After the Saints scored two in the eighth, Michael Sharp hit an RBI double in the ninth to make it 10-5. St. Paul scored twice more in the bottom of the inning before Diego Soto retired the side to preserve the 10-7 win. Brad Davis returned to the rotation and earned the win, allowing three runs in five innings. Davis struck out a season-high six batters while walking four and is now 7-5 on the season. Doug Hurn worked two scoreless innings of relief. The Wingnuts and Saints finish their series Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina goes for the Wingnuts while the Saints have yet to name their starter. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article768.html#1337257980 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article768.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints 3-2 at Midway Stadium on Tuesday night. Trailing 2-0 in the seventh, Greg Porter singled through the left side to open the inning. Dustan Mohr doubled down the left field line, advancing Porter to third. A wild pitch thrown by starter Mitch Wylie scored Porter and moved Mohr to third base. After Kelly Hunt struck out, Joe Muich grounded a single through the Saints' drawn in infield to tie the game. Tied at 2-2 in the eighth, singles by Josh Horn and Nick Blasi, and an intentional walk to Greg Porter loaded the bases with one out for Dustan Mohr. New reliever Mike Bille hit Mohr with a pitch to force in the go-ahead run and give the Wingnuts their first lead of the night. Derek Blacksher pitched a season-high 7.2 IP, allowing two earned runs for his eighth win of the season. Blacksher struck out seven and walked none, throwing 112 pitches. Blacksher exited with the tying run on base in the bottom of the eighth, giving way to Justin Young. Young allowed the tying run to reach second on a wild pitch, but came back to stirke out Brent Krause to end the inning. Joe D'Alessandro slammed the door on the win in the ninth, pitching a perfect inning, including back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. Porter's single extended his hitting streak to 13 games in a row. Mohr was credited with his 60th RBI of the season. The Wingnuts and Saints continue their series Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. sending Brad Davis to the mound against right-hander Tom Buske. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article767.html#1337257981 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article767.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher has been named the American Association Pitcher of the Week for July 26th through August 2nd. On July 29th, Blacksher fired seven shutout innings over the Pensacola Pelicans in the rubber match of a three-game series at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and earned his seventh win of the season. Blacksher yielded just three hits, two of which were infield hits, while walking one and striking out five. Blacksher is 7-2 for the season in 14 starts and his 3.36 ERA ranks ninth in the American Association. In 85.2 IP this season, Blacksher has yet to allow a home run, the longest such streak of any pitcher in the league. A current resident of Lake Charles, LA, Blacksher earned the win in the 2009 American Association All-Star Game, in the North's 6-2 victory over the South. Blacksher is in his third season of professional baseball and first with the Wingnuts. The McNeese State University product won 10 games for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies last season and was named the team's Pitcher of the Year. He joins Greg Porter (twice) and Dustan Mohr as Wingnuts players who have earned Batter/Pitcher of the Week honors in 2009. The first half champion Wichita Wingnuts open a three-game series at St. Paul on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return from their 16-game road trip on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers. Meanwhile the 75th annual NBC World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium through August 15th. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article766.html#1337257982 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article766.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-3 to the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Sioux Falls rallied for three runs off of Joe D'Alessandro. J.D. Reininger and Joe Dempsey opened the inning with back-to-back walks. Joe Anthonsen hit a groundball up the middle that was thrown away by shortstop Josh Horn, allowing Reininger to score and moving the tying and winning runs into scoring position. Tim Hutting capped off the inning with a bloop single to right center that scored both runs and handed the Wingnuts a stunning loss. Wichita had led for most of the game. With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the third, Dustan Mohr singled into left field on a 3-0 pitch from Jino Gonzalez to give the Wingnuts a 2-0 advantage. Beau Torbert homered to left field in the fourth off of Will Savage, cutting the Wingnuts' lead in half. Neither team would score until the top of the eighth, when Greg Porter doubled down the right field line and then scored on another RBI single by Mohr. This one came on a hit and run with Porter breaking for third. Mohr grounded it through the left side with Trevor Lawhorn retreating towards third base. Savage tossed six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking one and striking out two in a no-decision. Justin Young, Richard Salazar, and Doug Hurn combined for two scoreless innings. Porter's double extended his hitting streak to 12 games in a row. The Wingnuts head to St. Paul and open a three-game series againt the Saints on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher will be on the mound against righty Mitch Wylie. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers. Meanwhile, the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article765.html#1337257983 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article765.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-4 to the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday night. The Canaries jumped on the board first. Trevor Lawhorn led off the bottom of the second with a double to left-center field. After Adam Cowart retired the next two hitters, Joe Dempsey singled to left field to give the Canaries a 1-0 lead. The Canaries broke the game open in the fourth. Patrick Reilly tripled to right field with one out which was followed by a two-run home run by J.D. Reininger. After an error by Josh Horn that allowed Joe Dempsey to reach first, Joe Anthonsen singled up the middle to mvoe Dempsey to third base. Tim Hutting came up next and hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in Dempsey and make it 4-0. Cody Haerther singled Anthonsen to the plate for the final run of the inning. The Wingnuts finally cracked Canaries' starter Noel Baca in the sixth when Michael Thompson homered to left field to start the inning. After putting runners on first and third, Dustan Mohr hit a deep drive to center field that was run down by Beau Torbert to end the inning. In the seventh, Joe Muich hit the Wingnuts' second home run of the night, a two-run shot to left off of Pat Mahomes to make it 5-3 Sioux Falls. The Wingnuts pulled within one run in the top of the eighth. Greg Porter singled with one out and advanced to second on a groundout by Dustan Mohr. Kelly Hunt followed with a groundball single through the left side that scored Porter and made it a 5-4 game. Aaron Cotter worked the final out in the eighth with the tying and go-ahead runs on before throwing a perfect ninth to earn the save. Adam Cowart took the loss for Wichita, allowing five runs, three earned, in six innings of work. Greg Porter extended his hitting streak to 11 games in a row. The Wingnuts and Canaries finish their series Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. with Will Savage matching up against lefty Jino Gonzalez. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers. Meanwhile, the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series continues at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article764.html#1337257984 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article764.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 11-8 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Friday night. For the second straight game, every Wingnuts starter collected at least one base hit, while Greg Porter drove in four runs for a second consecutive game. The Wingnuts manufactured a run in the top of the first. After reaching on an infield single, Josh Horn advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches from Sioux Falls' Starter Travis Kane. Greg Porter drove in Horn with an RBI groundout to second base. The Wingnuts executed again in the second. Kelly Hunt doubled to right-center to lead off the inning. Steve Pearson sacrificed him to third before Joe Muich singled to left field to give Wichita a 2-0 lead. The Wingnuts took a commanding lead in the fourth. With two on and one out, Michael Thompson singled to center field to plate Steve Pearson for a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning, Josh Horn singled home a run with two outs. Greg Porter capped off the frame with a two-out, three-run double that put the Wingnuts in front 7-0. Starting in place of Brad Davis, Gabe Medina went 5.2 innings. The Canaries rallied for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to get within one run, but Medina got out of further trouble to earn the win. Michael Thompson doubled home a run in the top of the fourth to re-extend the Wingnuts' lead to 8-6. In the top of the fifth, Dustan Mohr doubled to right-center field to make it 10-6. An error by second baseman Joe Anthonsen in the eighth inning led to the Wingnuts' 11th run. Cody Haerther singled home two in the bottom half against Richard Salazar, but Salazar came back to get Cory Harris to hit into an inning ending double play as the tying run at the plate. Joe Muich finished the night with three hits, while Nick Blasi scored three runs. Porter went 1 for 3 with four RBIs and has now hit safely in 10 games in a row. Justin Young worked 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while Joe D'Alessandro pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth Wingnuts save. The Wingnuts and Canaries continue their series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. with Adam Cowart matching up against Noel Baca. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 18th when they host the Sioux City Explorers. Meanwhile, the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series kicks off on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article763.html#1337257985 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article763.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts pounded the Pensacola Pelicans for the second straight day, taking the series finale 12-4 on Wednesday afternoon at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Wichita scored early and often, piling up nine runs over the first three innings. The Wingnuts scored five times in the first inning on seven hits, with Patrick Brooks and Michael Sharp each knocking in two runs in the frame. Wichita added three in the second on a three-run home run by Kelly Hunt, his league-leading fifth of the season. Greg Porter, who leads the league in hitting, went 2-5, with a home run and four RBI. The Wingnuts rapped out 20 hits, including at least two hits in every inning but the sixth. Seven different wingnuts had at least two hits and scored at least one run. Josh Horn led Wichita with four hits and four runs, while Nick Blasi and Michael Thompson each recorded three hits. Wingnuts starter Derek Blacksher was stellar, allowing just three hits and no runs in seven innings, to move his record to 7-2. The Pelicans scored four unearned runs in the eighth, thanks to a pair of Wichita errors. Wichita now hits the road for 16 straight games, starting Friday at Sioux Falls. While the Wingnuts are gone, Lawrence Dumont Stadium will host the 75th Anniversary NBC World Series, which starts Saturday and runs through August 15. The Wingnuts will finally return home on Tuesday, Auguts 18 to host the Sioux City Explorers. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article762.html#1337257986 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article762.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts used the long ball to pound the Pensacola Pelicans 8-3 on Tuesday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. After going down 1-2-3 in the first three innings, the Wingnuts bats came alive in the fourth inning, capped off by a Dustan Mohr grand slam which put Wichita up 4-2. After Pensacola cut the lead to 4-3, the Wingnuts added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Greg Porter. Kelly Hunt hit his league-leading 14th home run in the sixth and Mohr added his second home run of the game in the seventh to put Wichita up 8-3. Wingnuts starter Will Savage settled down after giving up a couple ofearly runs to throw seven strong innings and earn his fifth win of the season. Mohr led the 'Nuts with five RBI, while Porter - the league's top hitter - finished 2-5. Marcos Rodriguez led the Pelicans, going 3-4 with three RBI and a stolen base. The loss snapped Pensacola's eight-game winning streak. The Wingnuts will host the Pelicans in the series finale on Wednesday with a special Noon start time. Derek Blacksher will take the mound for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article757.html#1337257987 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article757.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed Emporia State right-hander Diego Soto on Tuesday. Soto made his professional debut during the Wingnuts' 8-3 win over the Pensacola Pelicans. After walking the first two hitters he faced, Soto picked up a strikeout and then escaped the jam by inducing a double play groundball. The 22-year old led the Hornets this Spring with 12 saves, helping Emporia State reach the Division-II National Championship game. Originally from Tucson, AZ, Soto fanned 48 hitters in 42.1 innings during his senior season. Soto played two seasons at Cochise Community College before joining the Hornets in 2008. Soto was a college teammate of Wingnuts' catcher Michael Sharp. Including pitcher Gabe Medina, the Wingnuts now have three Emporia State alumni on their roster. To make room for Soto, the Wingnuts released left-hander Julio Torres. The Wingnuts finish their series with Pensacola this afternoon at 12:05 p.m. Beginning Friday, Wichita heads out on a 16-game road trip over 17 days when the 75th annual NBC World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article758.html#1337257988 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article758.html Wichita, KS-The Wingnuts had plenty of chances but couldn't get the clutch hit, falling 5-4 to the Pensacola Pelicans on Monday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts got a quick run in the first on an RBI single by Greg Porter after Josh Horn singled and stole second and third. Pensacola went ahead 2-1 in the fourth, before Porter hit a two-run bomb to straight away center in the fifth to put Wichita back up 3-2. The Pelicans re-took the lead in the seventh thanks to a pair of Wingnuts errors and Antoin Gray added an insurance run with a solo home run to put Pensacola up 5-3. The Wingnuts had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the inning, putting two men on with nobody out, but reliever Ron Hill recorded three straight outs to get out of the jam. In the ninth, the Wingnuts got to closer Hunter Davis, who had been nearly unhittable all season. Nick Blasi led off the inning with a home run. Porter followed with a single and Mohr reached on a fielding error by Davis, setting up second and third with no out. After Kelly Hunt lined out to first, Stephen Pearson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Joe Muich grounded one to third, forcing out Porter at home. With two outs, Michael Thompson grounded out to end the game. The Wingnuts ended up leaving 13 runners on base. The Wingnuts will host the Pensacola Pelicans again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Will Savage will take the mound for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article755.html#1337257989 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article755.html Wichita, KS- Kelly Hunt homered twice and drove in five runs as the Wingnuts outlasted the the Sioux Falls Canaries 10-9 on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. The Canaries erupted for six runs and seven hits off starter Gabe Medina before Wichita even came to the plate. Patrick Reilly and Joe Anthonsen each knocked in two runs. The Wingnuts got two back in the bottom of the inning and then added five more in the second. The big blow came from Hunt, who hit a three-run home run, one pitch after Reilly booted a potential inning-ending grounder. Sioux Falls went back ahead with two runs in the third on a two-run single by Beau Torbert, before Wichita tied things at 9-9 on a solo home run to straight-away center in the fourth by Dustan Mohr. After Sioux Falls reclaimed the lead in the sixth, Wichita went ahead to stay on Hunt's second home run of the game - a two-run shot. In the eighth, Wingnuts relievers Richard Salazar and Justin Young got in - and out of a jam without a blemish. After loading the bases with no outs, Salazar started a 1-2-3 double play before Young came in to get Torbert to line out to third to end the inning. The Wingnuts picked up a hit in every inning, while five relievers combined to allow just one run in five innings. Doug Hurn earned the win, while Joe D'Allesandro pitched a scoreless ninth to record his fifth save of the season. The Wingnuts will host the Pensacola Pelicans on Monday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart will take the mound for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article753.html#1337257990 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article753.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced they will host the 2010 American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The current American Association formed in 2006, with the Wingnuts joining as an expansion team in 2008. The game matches All-Stars from the North Division versus the South Division in mid-July. Over the past two seasons, the two teams participating in the American Association Championship Series have determined the All-Star Game's managers the following year. This past Tuesday, the North defeated the South 6-2, with Wingnuts' right-hander Derek Blacksher earning the win. Wichita sent a total of seven players to the game, more than any other team in the league. Several pre-game events and festivities will lead up to the game, including the annual home run derby. Ticket and sponsorship information for the All-Star Game will be available within the next few weeks. The first half champion Wingnuts open a three-game series tonight against the Pensacola Pelicans at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts host Credit Union of America Buy-In Night, as well as their weekly Military Monday promotion. It is also Reggae Night, presented by Red Stripe and 104.5 The Fox. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article754.html#1337257991 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article754.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts scored early and often and four pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout, as Wichita defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 7-0 on Saturday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in front of 5,081 fans. Wichita took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Dustan Mohr and added three more in the third inning. Josh Horn had an RBI groundout followed by a two-run home run by Nick Blasi. The Wingnuts finished their scoring in the fourth on a two-run double by Greg Porter and another RBI single by Mohr. Wingnuts starter Brad Davis pitched five strong innings, allowing just six hits. Julio Torres, Tyler Rhoden and Joe D'Allesandro combined to allow just two hits and no runs over the final four innings. Blasi, Mohr and Michael Thompson each had two hits for the Wingnuts. Tim Hutting reached base in all five at bats for Sioux Falls, with two singles and three walks. The Wingnuts will host Sioux Falls again on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Gabe Medina will take the mound for Wichita against Travis Kane. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article752.html#1337257992 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article752.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts fell to the Sioux Falls Canaries, 4-2 in 10 innings, on Friday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. trailing 1-0 in the third, Wichita tied the game on Stpehen Pearson's third home run of the season and took a 2-1 lead on Greg Porter's 11th home run in the fourth. Sioux Falls tied the game in the fifth on an RBI single by Beau Torbert. Other than the two homers, Wichita had two-men on base only one time in the game - the eighth - but Nick Blasi struck out to end the threat. In the 10th inning Trevor Lawhorn hit a two-run shot off Justin Young for the victory. Andrew Pluta recorded the win for Sioux Falls with Aaron Cotter recording his third save. Wichita starter Derek Blacksher pitched seven solid innings, while Sioux Falls starter Ben Moore threw eight strong. Neither factored in the decision. The Wingnuts will host Sioux Falls again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Brad Davis, who one-hit the Canaries in his last start, will take the mound for wichita against Ryan Ford. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article749.html#1337257993 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article749.html Grand Prairie, TX- Two members of the Sioux Falls Canaries paced the North Divisions offense and helped the visitors claim a 6-2 win over the South Division in the American Associations All-Star Game on Tuesday. RF Cory Harris tripled in the first inning to give the North a 2-0 lead before 3B Trevor Lawhorn snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run single in the top of the sixth. Lawhorn finished 2-for-4 and was named the Meyvn Baseball Company Player of the Game. The South was only able to muster four hits against the Norths steady parade of quality pitchers. The North used all eight hurlers on their roster with only starter Brandon Kintzler working more than one inning. The South hitters generated just one base runner in their final 16 at bats in the contest. Wichitas Derek Blacksher pitched the fifth inning, struck out two, and was the winner. The top of the sixth inning was decisive as the North used five hits to score four times off Grand Prairies Kieran Mattison, who took the loss. -AA- Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article958.html#1337257994 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article958.html WICHITA, KS- Network Foundation Technologies (NiFty) and the American Association announced that the All-Star Game scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st will be broadcast on the internet. Live coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. CT. The annual home run derby starts at 5:30 p.m., while the game itself is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game can be viewed for free at the Shreveport-Bossier Captains website, , or directly from NiFty at . The Wingnuts have seven players on the North Division All-Star Team. Catcher Joe Muich, shortstop Josh Horn, left fielder Greg Porter, and designated hitter Kelly Hunt were voted in as starters and will be joined by pitchers Derek Blacksher, Adam Cowart, and Gabe Medina. Hunt and Porter will participate in the home run derby. The Wingnutsreturn home on Friday to hostthe Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article740.html#1337257995 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article740.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 6-3 to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Sunday evening at Haymarket Park. The Wingnuts scored first for the third time in the series when Patrick Brooks singled home a run in the top of the second. Later in the inning, Josh Horn drove in a run on an RBI groundball. After Lincoln cut the Wingnuts' lead in half in the fifth, Kelly Hunt lead off the top of the sixth with a long home run to left center field, his 11th of the season to set a new Wingnuts' single season record. Lincoln came back though with three runs in their half of the sixth, highlighted by a two run home run from Brandon Jones. Lincoln scored twice more against Wichita starter Will Savage in the bottom of the seventh. Savage allowed six runs on eight hits in seven innings of work while taking the loss. The Wingnuts brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth against closer Chris Thompson before the right-hander earned his 19th save of the season. The loss was the Wingnuts' sixth straight on the road. Wichita has dropped eight of its last nine road games. Wichita now sends a league-high seven All-Stars to the American Association All-Star Game on Tuesday night at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX. Catcher Joe Muich, shortstop Josh Horn, left fielder Greg Porter, and designated hitter Kelly Hunt will start for the North Division. The four hitters are joined by starting pitchers Derek Blacksher, Adam Cowart, and Gabe Medina on the North's roster. The Wingnuts return from a four-day break from regular season action on Friday, July 24th when they open a three-game series against the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. Super Fan will be on hand at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, courtesy of Hajoca, 360 Wichita, and KFDI. Fans can also receive autographs from their favorite Wingnuts players after the game. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article744.html#1337257996 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article744.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Saturday night. In the top of the third, Greg Porter singled through the left side with two outs. Kelly Hunt came up next and doubled to right-center field to drive in Porter and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Pichi Balet singled to center field to tie the game. Two batters later, Steve Alexander dropped a single into center field to score Balet as the go-ahead run. The Saltdogs extended their lead in the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Balet singled into short left against Richard Salazar to score two more runs and make it 4-1 Lincoln. Adam Cowart started for the Wingnuts, allowing four runs in 6.2 IP while suffering his third loss of the season. Steve Pearson doubled home a run in the top of the eighth to bring the Wingnuts back within two runs, but Wichita went down in order against closer Chris Thompson in the ninth inning who earned the save. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs finish their series tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Will Savage starts for Wichita against Lincoln's Zac Cline. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return from the All-Star break on Friday, July 24th when they host the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article743.html#1337257997 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article743.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-6 in 16 innings to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park on Friday night. Deacon Burns leadoff the bottom of the 16th with a solo home run off of Tyler Rhoden to win the marathon which is now the longest game in Wingnuts' history in terms of both innings and time (4:47). In the top of the second, Kelly Hunt and Joe Muich hit back-to-back one-out singles. Steve Pearson doubled down the right field line to score Hunt and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. Michael Thompson followed with a two-run double to left-center field to extend the lead to 3-0. The Wingnuts added two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Josh Horn and Nick Blasi each had two-out RBI singles, giving the Wingnuts a 5-0 lead. Lincoln made it a one-run game when Steve Alexander hit a grand slam off of Medina in the bottom of the sixth. Gabe Medina pitched seven strong innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, and striking out six in a no-decision. Doug Hurn pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Wichita. In the top of the ninth, Dustan Mohr lifted a sacrifice fly to score Nick Blasi from third to make it 6-4. Blasi finished the night with five hits and two stolen bases. The five hits tie a club record. Albenis Machado singled home two runs off of Joe D'Alessandro in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. With the winning run on third and one out, Richard Salazar struck out slugger Phil Hawke. Justin Young then came in and got Pichi Balet to ground out to third to send the game to extra innings. Yougn went on to pitch 4.1 scoreless innings, but the Wingnuts were held scoreless the rest of the way. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart starts for Wichita against Lincoln's Tim Brown. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return from the All-Star break on Friday, July 24th when they host the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article742.html#1337257998 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article742.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts swept a doubleheader from the Sioux Falls Canaries in front of a sold out crowd of 7,134 fans on Thursday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Sioux Falls opened the scoring in the first inning of game one on a sacrifice fly by Cory Harris, but left the bases loaded. Wichita responded with a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Greg Porter and took the lead for good on a two-run double by Nick Blasi in the second. Trailing 3-2 in the last inning, Cody Haerther singled, but Joe Anthonsen was thrown out at home by right fielder Stephen Pearson to preserve the victory for starter Derek Blacksher. Blacksher pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits, to move his record to 6-2. Joe D'Allesandro recorded his fourth save of the season. In the nightcap it was all Brad Davis, who pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout. Davis allowed just one walk, struck out five and faced the minimum in five of seven innings pitched. The Wingnuts scored a single run in the second inning and then blew it open with a five-run fifth. Wichita batted around in the inning, getting an RBI single from Nick Blasi, an RBI walk by Pearson and a two-run double by Michael Thompson. Thompson knocked in three runs in game two, while Josh Horn went 3-4. The Wingnuts - who swept the four-game series - travel to Lincoln on Friday where they will play the Saltdogs. Wichita will return home next Friday to open another series with Sioux Falls. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article741.html#1337257999 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article741.html WICHITA, KS- Wednesday's game between the Wichita Wingnuts and Sioux Falls Canaries has been postopned due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a double header on Thursday evening beginning at 5:05 p.m. Both games will be seven-inning contests. The probable starters for game one are Derek Blacksher and Ben Moore. Brad Davis and Noel Baca are expected to pitch in the nightcap. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article739.html#1337258000 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article739.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 9-7 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night. The Wingnuts jumped in front in the bottom of the second. After Canaries' starter Jino Gonzalez retired the first two hitters, Patrick Brooks singled and Brenan Herrera walked. Josh Horn followed with an RBI single to center field to put the Wingnuts on the board. Nick Blasi and Dustan Mohr followed with RBI singles and then executed a double steal. Kelly Hunt followed with a single through the left side to open a 5-0 advantage. Sioux Falls scored a run in the top of the third on an RBI double down the left field line from Cody Haerther. Heavy rains began falling while the Wingnuts were at bat in the bottom of the fourth, leading to a one-hour and 23-minute rain delay. Leading 6-3 into the bottom of the eighth, the Wingnuts plated three more runs, including RBIs from Michael Thompson, Brenan Herrera, and Josh Horn. Will Savage earned the win, allowing two runs in five innings of work. Joe D'Alessandro earned his third save of the season, retiring the final batter of the game. The Wingnuts continue their series against the Canaries tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. All-Star Derek Blacksher matches up against right-hander Ben Moore. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article737.html#1337258001 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article737.html Wichita, KS- All-Star Adam Cowart threw a gem, helping the Wingnuts snap a five-game skid in a 3-0 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Monday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Cowart pitched seven strong innings, allowing just six hits, no walks and struck out four, moving his record to 5-2. Four 'Nuts relievers combined in the last two innings, with Joe D'Allesandro throwing a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second save. The Wingnuts got on the board in the second when Dustan Mohr singled and went to third on a fielding error by center fielder Cory Harris. Mohr scored on a wild pitch. In the sixth, Greg Porter singled, stole second and scored on a Mohr single. The Wingnuts added a run in the eighth when Nick Blasi singled with two out and was tripled home by Porter. The Wingnuts will host Sioux Falls again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Will Savage will get the start for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article736.html#1337258002 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article736.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 3-2 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field on Saturday night. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the second, Joe Muich singled to leadoff the inning and was followed by a double down the left field line from Steve Pearson. Two batters later Brenan Herrera drove in Muich with an RBI groundout. Josh Horn then came up and laid down a two-out bunt single that scored Pearson to tie the game. The Captains moved back in front on Dan Williams' RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, finishing the scoring for the night. Gabe Medina kept the Wingnuts in the game, allowing three runs in six innings. Medina walked one and struck out five. The loss snapped Medina's five-game winning streak. Richard Salazar pitched two scoreless innings of relief to keep the Wingnuts within one run. Josh Horn finished with three hits. The loss was the fifth straight for Wichita, marking their first five-game losing streak in team history. The Wingnuts return home on Monday, opening a four-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart will be on the mound, opposed by Sioux Falls' Travis Kane. The Wingnuts host McDonald's Buy-In Night, as well as their weekly Military Monday's promotion, courtesy of Kissin' Country and B98 FM. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article734.html#1337258003 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article734.html WICHITA, KS- Three more Wingnuts players are headed to the American Association All-Star Game on July 21st with the addition of starting pitchers Gabe Medina, Adam Cowart, and Derek Blacksher. Medina, 7-2, is tied for the league lead in wins, and also ranks ninth with a 3.09 ERA. In his first professional season as a full-time starting pitcher, Medina has pitched at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts and has won his last five decisions. Medina has allowed six or fewer base hits in seven consecutive starts. Cowart joined the Wingnuts in late May from the San Francisco Giants organization and is currently 4-2 with the sixth best ERA in the league at 2.66. On June 27th, Cowart tossed the first complete game shutout of his career, throwing a three-hitter over the St. Paul Saints to bring the Wingnuts within one win of the first half division title. Cowart is tied for the league lead with three complete games this season and has thrown at least six innings in six of his last seven starts. Blacksher is 5-2 with a 3.80 ERA. Prior to Friday night, Blacksher had won three consecutive starts. Another innings eater, Blacksher has worked at least six innings in 10 consecutive starts and ranks third in the league with 54 strikeouts. Blacksher set a Wingnuts single-game record on May 22nd at Sioux City, striking out 10 hitters. The trio of arms join Joe Muich, Josh Horn, Greg Porter, and Kelly Hunt to give the first half champion Wingnuts seven all-stars. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX, home of the Grand Prairie AirHogs. The Wingnuts continue their series with Shreveport-Bossier tonight. Brad Davis matches up against Ronald Lowe at 7:05 p.m. You can catch all the action locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday when they open a four-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article732.html#1337258004 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article732.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-0 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field on Saturday night. Richard Paz hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second that bounced off the very top of the left field fence to give Shreveport a 2-0 lead. The Captains added a run on a two-out RBI triple from Jose Torres in the bottom of the sixth. Brad Davis pitched 5.2 IP, allowing three runs on six hits. Davis walked one and struck out three while taking his fifth loss of the season. Ronald Lowe limited the Wingnuts to just four hits in seven innings, not allowing a run. Wichita had the bases loaded and no one out in the top of the seventh, but could not score. Patrick Brooks lined into a double play at second base and then Brenan Herrera was struck out by Lowe to end the inning. The Captains scratched out another run in the bottom of the eight. Christopher Garcia leadoff with a double and was singled home by Andres Rodriguez, giving the Captains a 4-0 lead. Jakob Cunningham kept the Wingnuts scoreless over the eighth and ninth to earn the save. The Wingnuts wrap up their series with the Captains tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Gabe Medina and Logan Williamson, both named All-Stars earlier today, will be on the mound. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, opening a four-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts host McDonald's Buy-In Night, as well as their weekly Military Monday's promotion, courtesy of Kissin' Country and B98 FM. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article733.html#1337258005 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article733.html SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-4 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field on Friday night. Michael Thompson homered in the ninth, while Greg Porter had two RBIs, but Wichita fell a run short in the opener of their series with the Captains. Greg Porter gave the Wingnuts an early 1-0 lead, hitting an opposite field home run to left-center with two out in the top of the first. Shreveport rallied for two against Derek Blacksher in the bottom of the inning. Blacksher retired the first two hitters, but the Captains loaded the bases. Jose Torres singled to left field to score two runs to make it 2-1. After the Captains had taken a 3-1 lead, the Wingnuts rallied for two runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Josh Horn scored on a passed ball, and then Greg Porter plated Nick Blasi to knot the game at 3-3. In the bottom of the sixth, Dan Williams hit a two-run single to right field off of Blacksher to put the Captains in front for good. Thompson hit his fourth home run of the year in the ninth off of closer Justin Dowdy, but the Wingnuts were unable to push the tying run across home plate. Blacksher took the loss, dropping to 5-2, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Blacksher walked three and struck out five while throwing 107 pitches. The loss was the Wingnuts third in a row. First baseman Steve Pearson had his hitting streak end at 12 games. The Wingnuts and Captains continue their series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Brad Davis squares off against lefty Ronald Lowe. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday when they open a four-game series against the Sioux Falls Canaries. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article731.html#1337258006 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article731.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned today that four of their players have been voted as starters in the 2009 American Association All-Star Game in Grand Prairie, TX. Catcher Joe Muich, Shortstop Josh Horn, Left Fielder Greg Porter, and Designated Hitter Kelly Hunt were chosen as starters for the North Division, as selected by the North's field managers and media representatives. A four-year letterman at Wichita State University, Muich is hitting .286 with five home runs and 22 RBI. On May 20th versus Sioux Falls, Muich hit a game-ending home run that capped off a 13-inning, four hour and eight minute affair that went down as the longest game in Wingnuts' history. Muich leads all catchers with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and is first with a 40% caught stealing percentage, more than 12 percentage points better than the second place catcher. Horn will be making his third all-star appearance in as many seasons in his professional career, having been an all-star at third base in 2007 and 2008 with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts. Horn ranks 10th in the league in batting at .335 and third among shortstops with a .964 fielding percentage. Over his last 40 games, Horn is 55 for 150 (.367). Horn also leads the Wingnuts with 13 stolen bases and has only been caught one time. Horn has walked more times (26) than he has struck out (19). Porter leads the league in hitting at .381, 21 points better than anyone else. Now in his ninth season of professional baseball, Porter shattered the Wingnuts' club record hitting streak, hitting safely in 19 straight from June 10th through June 30th. Porter hit .485 during the 19 games. His hot June not only earned him two Batter of the Week honors, but also the league's Batter of the Month award. Porter hit .481 in June with six home runs and 21 RBI in 27 games while striking out just seven times the entire month. An MVP candidate the last two seasons, Hunt is tied for third in the league with 10 home runs. During a stretch in late May, Hunt went 17 for 43 (.395) with four home runs and 11 RBIs in a 10-game stretch. Hunt is batting .290 with runners in scoring position, and has driven in 40 runs in 51 games. Hunt and Porter are the only two Wingnuts to have started in every game this season. The four starters beats the Wingnuts' total from last season when Kevin Hooper, Michael Thompson, and Brenan Herrera started at shortstop, third base, and second base respectively. The 2009 All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX, home of the Grand Prairie AirHogs. Several skills competitions, including a home run derby,are scheduled to take place prior to the game. Pitchers and reserves for both squads will be announced within the next several days. Sioux Falls Canaries' manager Steve Shirley will make those selections for the North. The Wichita Wingnuts, 2009 North Division champions, conclude a four-game series tonight with the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article729.html#1337258007 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article729.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts bullpen spoiled another great start by Will Savage, allowing five runs over the last two innings, in a 7-5 loss to the St. Paul Saints on Thursday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. The real fireworks occurred before the game even started, as Wingnuts manager Kevin Hooper continued his argument with the umpire crew from last night, and was ejected. Hooper was angry that Wingnuts slugger Dustan Mohr was ejected last night and subsequently suspended for tonight's game. When the game started, Savage and St. Paul starter Mitch Wylie put on a pitchers' duel for six innings - a game that was tied at 1-1. After St. Paul went ahead 2-1 in the seventh, the Wingnuts were gifted two runs on a two-out wild pitch by Michael Bille to go up 3-2. St. Paul went up 5-3 in the eighth on a three-run home run by Jason Cooper, but Wichita quickly tied it in the bottom of the eighth on a two-out double by Michael Thompson. In the ninth, St. Paul rallied for two runs with two outs to go up 7-5, with Cooper picking up another RBI. The Wingnuts left two men on base in the ninth - the story of the night - as Wichita stranded 11 men on base. Bille earned the win, while Justin Young suffered the loss for Wichita. The Wingnuts have struggled early in the second half, falling to a record of 1-3. The Wingnuts now head to Shreveport where they will start a three-game set with the Captains on Friday. The Wingnuts will return home on Monday to host the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article730.html#1337258008 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article730.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts fell 2-1 to the St. Paul Saints on Wednesday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in a game shortened by a massive hail storm. With the Wingnuts coming to bat in the bottom of the seventh, ominous skies suddenly appeared, giving way to rain and then hail. Hail fell steadily for nearly 30 minutes, ranging between golf and baseball size, causing widespread damage to cars in the parking lot. Tom Buske earned his first pro win, while Adam Cowart suffered the defeat. The Wingnuts and Saints will conclude their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Will Savage will get the start for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article728.html#1337258009 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article728.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts picked up their first win of the second half, hanging on for an 8-7 decision over the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. St. Paul got on the board in the first with two runs on RBI singles by Alex Fonseca and Brent Krause. Wichita got one back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Greg Porter. The Wingnuts exploded in the third for four runs, sending 10 men to the plate. Dustan Mohr walked with the bases loaded, followed by a two-run single by Kelly Hunt. Stephen Pearson knocked in the final run of the inning on an RBI groundout. In the sixth, St. Paul got a lead-off home run from Jacon Butler and an RBI double by Scott Knazek to cut the lead to 6-4. The Wingnuts tacked on a run in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by Nick Blasi. St. Paul added runs in the seventh, Wichita countered with one in the bottom of the inning and St. Paul cut the lead to 8-7 with a run in the eighth. In the ninth, however; new closer Joe D'Allesandro got a leadoff groundout and struck out the last two Saints on six pitches to pick up his first save and give starter Gabe Medina his league-leading seventh win of the season. Josh Horn led the Wingnuts with three hits and three runs. The Wingnuts and Saints will do battle again on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart will get the start for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article726.html#1337258010 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article726.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts opened the second half of the season with a 4-1 loss to the St. Paul Saints on Monday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. St. Paul took a 2-0 lead in the second on a solo home run by Brent Krause and added a run thanks to a Wichita error. The Wingnuts got one back in the second when Michael Thompson singled home Stephen Pearson. Thompson and Greg Porter finished the night 3-4 for Wichita. St. Paul added two more runs in the seventh with RBI going to Jeff Eure and Andrew Schmiesing. Eure reached base in all four plate appearances. Brandon Kintzler earned the win for St. Paul, going seven strong innings, while Kerry Ligtenberg recorded his 10th save of the season. The Wingnuts and Saints will do battle again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina will get the start for Wichita. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article725.html#1337258011 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article725.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 4-0 at Haymarket Park on Sunday night. The Wingnuts finally broke through in the top of the seventh. With two outs and Michael Thompson on third base, Nick Blasi hit a groundball into the hole at shortstop and beat out the relay to first to drive in the game's first run. Derek Blacksher fired six shutout innings, allowing five hits, walking three, and striking out five. It marked the ninth consecutive start that Blacksher worked at least six innings. Blacksher improved to 5-1 with the win. The Wingnuts took a 4-1 lead in the top of the eighth. Dustan Mohr leadoff with a double into the left field corner. On the next pitch, Kelly Hunt singled up the middle to plate Mohr. Two batters later, Steve Pearson tripled to right-center, scoring Hunt from first. Pearson then scored on Michael Thompson's sacrifice fly to deep center. Tyler Rhoden pitched scoreless baseball in the seventh and eighth innings. Justin Young pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the Wingnuts' third team shutout win of the season. Mohr's sixth inning double extended his hitting streak to 13 games in a row, tying him with Kevin Hooper for the second-longest in franchise history. Pearson's triple extended his streak to eight consecutive games. Wichita returns home Monday night to open four-game series with the St. Paul Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article723.html#1337258012 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article723.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts purchased the contract of right-hander Joe D'Alessandro on Monday afternoon. A native of Woodbury, NJ, D'Alessandro was purchased from the Frontier League's Washington Wild Things. The righty began the 2009 season in the Atlantic League with the Lancaster Barnstormers where he was 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 appearances, striking out 15 batters. Pitching in his first tour with the Wild Things in late 2008, D'Alessandro earned four saves while posting a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings. He struck out 26 while walking only 12. D'Alessandro was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 23rd round in 2005, reaching full-season Low-A ball with the Savannah Sand Gnats in 2007. Entering the 2009 season, D'Alessandro had struck out 71 hitters in 76.0 career innings pitched. To make room for D'Alessandro, the Wingnuts released left-handed pitcher Ronnie Morales. The Wingnuts open a four-game series tonight against the St. Paul Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article724.html#1337258013 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article724.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts dropped the first two games of their three-game series against the Lincoln Saltdogs, falling 8-3 in the completion of Friday's suspended game and 7-3 in the nightcap of a Saturday double header. With the game tied at 1-1, the teams resumed in the bottom of the third after Friday's game was suspended due to rain. The Saltdogs went ahead on an RBI single by Steve Alexander in the bottom of the fourth off of Doug Hurn. Greg Porter homered in the top of the fifth to tie the game, but Josh Burruss hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning to put Lincoln in front for good. Leading 4-3 in the eighth, the Saltdogs plated four more runs, including a two-run homer from Deacon Burns. In the second game, the Wingnuts again took an early lead on a hit by Greg Porter, this time a long home run to right-center field. Lincoln scored twice in the second to take the lead, but RBIs from Brenan Herrera and Porter in the third gave the Wingnuts a 3-2 advantage. Lincoln scored twice in the fifth to move in front 4-3, and once again broke it open late, scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth in the seven-inning game. Dustan Mohr had hits in both games to extend his hitting streak to 12. Josh Horn singled in game one, before having his hitting streak stopped at nine in the nightcap. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs finish their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, July 6th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article720.html#1337258014 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article720.html LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts game on Friday at Lincoln has been suspended and will resume Saturday at 4:35 p.m. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs are currently tied at 1-1 with Lincoln scheduled to bat in the bottom of the third. Friday's game will be completed as a nine-inning game at 4:35 p.m. Saturday's originally scheduled game for 6:05 p.m. will now be played as a seven-inning contest and will begin shortly after the completion of Friday's game. The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Will Savage is scheduled to pitch against Jim Paduch. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Monday, July 6th when they open a four-game series against the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article719.html#1337258015 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article719.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts resumed their winning ways with a 4-3 comeback win over the Sioux City Explorers on Thursday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Trailing 3-1 in the seventh Wichita exploded for three runs on six hits, sending eight men to the plate. Michael Thompson knocked in the first run with a double, but Patrick Brooks was thrown out at home for the second out of the inning. Sioux City pulled starter Nick Singleton, but reliever Ty Marotz had trouble getting the final out. Brenan Herrera singled home Thompson, and after a Josh Horn single, Nick Blasi doubled home the go-ahead run. Thompson, Herrera, Horn and Joe Muich each had two hits for the 'Nuts. Starter Gabe Medina earned the win, pitching seven innings. Newcomer Julio Torres had an easy eighth in his pro debut, before Doug Hurn and Richard Salazar combined to get the final three outs, stranding the tying run on third. Wichita finished the first half of the season 9-1 versus Sioux City. The Wingnuts, now 31-14, will finish the first half of the season with a three-game set at the Lincoln Saltdogs starting tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts will start the second half of the season on Monday when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article717.html#1337258016 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article717.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' left fielder Greg Porter was named the American Association's Batter of the Month for June. The honor marks the first time that a Wingnuts player has received a Player of the Month award from the league. Porter hit .481 in 27 games in June, going 50 for 104 with six home runs and 21 RBIs. Porter drew 22 walks while striking out a mere seven times. The West Point, TX native scored 23 runs and collected 11 doubles. Twice during the month, Porter earned Player of the Week accolades. The hot stretch by Porter, which includes an active franchise-best 19-game hitting streak, vaulted Porter atop the league batting race. Porter is currently hitting .391, 26 points better than the next best hitter. Porter ranks first in slugging percentage (.598) and hits (66). He also ranks second in on-base percentage (.488) and is tied for fourth in extra-base hits (20). Porter spent each of the last two seasons at the AAA level, playing in the Angels, Yankees, and Nationals organizations. Porter was a two-sport athlete at Texas AM University. In addition to his baseball resume, which includes a trip to the 1999 College World Series, Porter was a wide receiver for the Aggies football team. Porter's lifetime batting average is now at .298 in nine seasons of professional baseball. The left-handed hitting slugger has more hits (854) than games played (792) in his career. The North Division champion Wingnuts continue a three-game series tonight against the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Hot Dogs cost just 1.25, courtesy of Indian Hills Meat and Poultry and 100.5 The Wolf. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article715.html#1337258017 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article715.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts winning streak ended at a franchise-best nine games in a 6-1 loss to the Sioux City Explorers on Wednesday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Sioux City, who ended their own eight-game losing streak, got their offense from an unlikely source as pitcher Tyler Meigs went 3-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Meigs, who was the starting ptcher and batted ninth last night, was playing DH due to Sioux City's depleted roster. The Explorers went up 3-0 before Wichita got their lone run in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Greg Porter. Porter went 0-4 on the night, however; ending his franchise-record hitting streak at 19 games. Stephen Pearson was the only Wingnuts player with multiple hits, going 2-4. The win was Sioux City's first over Wichita this season in nine meetings. Wichita and Sioux City will finish their three-game series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina will get the start for the Wingnuts. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article716.html#1337258018 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article716.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts celebrated pitching coach Luke Robertson's 30th birthday with their 30th win of the season, a 4-2 decision over the Sioux City Explorers on Tuesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Sioux City did all their damage in the top of the first, getting an RBI single from Landon Camp and an RBI double from Justin Nelson. After that is was all Wingnuts, led by Derek Blacksher who went seven strong innings. The Wingnuts quickly tied the game in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout by Greg Porter, followed by a solo home run by Dustan Mohr, his seventh of the season. In the third, Josh Horn walked with two outs and stole second. Porter singled him home to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. Porter knocked in another run with a single in the fifth to finish 2-3, with a walk and three RBI. Doug Hurn pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Richard Salazar had an easy ninth to pick up his second save. The Wingnuts, who have already clinched the North Division first half title, are a perfect 8-0 against Sioux City this season and have now won a franchise-best nine games in a row. Wichita returns to action on Wednesday to host Sioux City at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article714.html#1337258019 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article714.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' right fielder Dustan Mohr has been named the American Association Batter of the Week for June 22nd-28th. Mohr hit safely in all seven games, posting a .406 batting average (13-32) with 10 RBIs. On Saturday, Mohr hit a three-run double to break open what was eventually a 7-0 victory that closed the Wingnuts within one game of the division title. Mohr currently ranks second in the league with 39 RBIs, and is riding an eight-game hitting streak. The seven-year Major League veteran has hit safely in 32 of 40 games this season. The award marks the third time this season that a Wingnuts' player has captured Player of the Week Honors. Greg Porter has been named Batter of the Week twice already this year. The Wingnuts, 2009 North Division Champions, return to action Tuesday night when they host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The North Division Series, which will pit the Wingnuts against the North Division's second half winner, is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 1st at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Information regarding playoff tickets will be available shortly. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article712.html#1337258020 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article712.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed left-hander Julio Torres on Tuesday afternoon. Torres recently finished his career at Odessa College in Texas where he posted a 12-5 record. Starting in Odessa's final regular season game this past May, Torres allowed just one run while pitching a complete game and clinching a playoff berth for the Wranglers. As a freshman in 2008, Torres went 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 64.0 IP. The 21-year old will be available for the Wingnuts' series opener against Sioux City on Tuesday night. To make room for Torres, the Wingnuts released right-hander Amad Stephens. The Wichita Wingnuts, 2009 North Division champions, open a three-game series against the Sioux City Explorers on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts host Mardis Gras in June, and also feature Shiner Bock Beer-for-a-Buck, courtesy of Standard Beverage. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article713.html#1337258021 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article713.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts edged the St. Paul Saints 2-1 on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium to clinch the Northern Division first half title. Will Savage, fresh off a no-hitter, tossed seven innings, allowing just one run to move to 3-3 on the season. Trailing 1-0, Wichita tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Joe Muich in the third inning and went ahead for good on an RBI single from Stephen Pearson in the fifth. Pearson went 2-3 with a walk and Greg Porter went 3-4 to extend his hitting streak to 18 games. In the ninth, St. Paul had a runner on third with two out, but Richard Salazar struck out Steve Butler to nail it down. Wichita led the north Division from the third day of the season and has now won a franchise-best eight games in a row. Their are still six games left in the first half and Wichita returns to action on Tuesday to host the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article711.html#1337258022 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article711.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts blew out the St. Paul Saints 7-0 on Saturday Night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium, dropping their magic number to just one game to clinch the Northern Division first half title. After stranding men in scoring position in three of the first four innings, Wichita exploded in the fifth sending ten men to the plate. With Michael Thompson on first and one out, the next six Wingnuts batters reached base via hits. Greg Porter, who extended his hitting-streak to 17 games with a first inning single, knocked in the first run with a bases loaded single. Dustan Mohr followed with a bases-clearing double and was knocked in by Kelly Hunt. Joe Muich doubled in Hunt for the final run of the inning. The Wingnuts added a run in the seventh on another single by Porter. The Wingnuts, who have received tremendous starting ptching efforts during their current seven-game winning streak, got another phenomenal one tonight from Adam Cowart. Cowart tossed a 91-pitch complete game shutout, allowing just three hits, two walks and struck out three. Wichita, who now has a seven-and-a-half game lead over St. Paul with seven games remaining in the first half, can clinch the North Division with a win over the Saints on Sunday. Game time is 5:05 p.m. and a large crowd is expected. Will Savage, who threw a no-hitter on Tuesday at Sioux City, gets the start for the 'Nuts. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article710.html#1337258023 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article710.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts bullpen struggled in the late innings with a 5-2 lead, fell behind in the 12th, but ultimately came back for a 13-inning win over the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Trailing 1-0, Wichita scored four runs in the third inning, sending nine men to the plate. Josh Horn, Kelly Hunt, Joe Muich and Stephen Pearson knocked in the runs. Wichita missed a golden chance to blow the game open, failing to score with the bases loaded and no one out in the fourth. St. Paul cut the lead in half before Brenan Herrera homered in the sixth to put Wichita up 5-2. In the eighth Ronnie Morales faced four batters - all of whom reached base - and ended up allowing three runs. Anthony Norman had the game-tying single with two outs off reliever Tyler Rhoden. In the bottom of the inning Dustan Mohr singled with two outs. Greg Porter, who was on first, tried to score, but in a massive collision at home plate Scott Knazek held on to the ball for the final out. In the 12th, St. Paul scored two runs on a double by Todd Self and a sacrifice fly by Norman. In the bottom of the 12th Wichita tied the game on an RBI single by Herrera and a two-out single by Nick Blasi. In the 13th Dustan Mohr reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on two wild pitches. With two out Pearson ripped a ball off the center field wall to give Wichita an amazing victory. Pearson finished the night 5-7. Wichita got a tremendous start from Gabe Medina, who allowed just three hits and two runs in seven strong innings of work. Doug Hurn earned the victory in relief. Greg Porter extended his hitting-streak to 16 games. Wichita, who now has a six-and-a-game half lead over St. Paul with eight games remaining in the first half, hosts the Saints on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart gets the start for the 'Nuts. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article709.html#1337258024 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article709.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 2-1 on Thursday night at Lewis and Clark Park. Wichita finished off a four-game sweep and won their fifth game in a row, while improving to 7-0 against the Explorers this season. The Wingnuts took a first inning lead for the second straight night. Nick Blasi and Josh Horn drew four-pitch walks to open the game. Two batters later, Dustan Mohr singled through the left side to score Blasi and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. The Explorers tied it in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Walter Young. The Wingnuts however took regained the lead in the next half inning. Josh Horn singled with one out. After Greg Porter flew out to right field, Horn advanced to second on a wild pitch. Dustan Mohr was then intentionally walked. With Kelly Hunt at the plate with two on and two out, X's starter Trevor Fox uncorked two more wild pitches, the last of which allowed Horn to score the go-ahead run. Brad Davis turned in a terrific start, allowing one run on five hits in eight innings of work. The left-hander walked two and struck out one, needing just 96 pitches in his eight frames. Doug Hurn, Richard Salazar, and Justin Young combined to work a scoreless ninth inning and preserve the win. Young got former Wingnut Derek Schermerhorn to hit into a forceplay to end the game with the tying and winning runs on base. Greg Porter extended his hitting streak to 15 games in a row with a seventh inning double. With the St. Paul Saints' loss to Sioux Falls, the Wingnuts' magic number to clinch the American Association North is down to five with nine games remaining in the first half. The Wingnuts return home tomorrow night when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m Wichita sends right-hander Gabe Medina to the mound against Saints' righty Reed Dickert. The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article708.html#1337258025 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article708.html Click to see footage of Will Savage's no-hitter, courtesy of KAKE.com! Wingnuts starter Will Savage no-hit the Sioux City Explorers 1-0 on Tuesday Night at Lewis and Clark Park, the first no-hitter in Wingnuts history. The Wingnuts return to action tonight at Sioux City for the series finale. Brad Davis gets the start for Wichita. The Wingnuts lead the St. Paul Saints by 4.5 games with 10 games remaining in the first half of the American Association season. Wichita hosts St. Paul starting Friday in a three-game series at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. For tickets call the Wingnuts at (316) 264-4625. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article959.html#1337258026 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article959.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 12-8 on Wednesday night at Lewis and Clark Park. Nick Blasi and Steve Pearson each had four base hits, while Joe Muich drove in four. Greg Porter singled in his first at bat to extend his hitting streak to 14 games in a row. All nine Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit and one run scored. The Wingnuts offense exploded early, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Nick Blasi leadoff the game with a double down the right field line. Two batters later, Greg Porter singled to center field to put runners on the corners. The hit set a new Wingnuts' club record, extending Porter's hitting streak to 14 straight games. Dustan Mohr lined an RBI single to left field to put Wichita on the board. With Porter in motion off of second, Kelly Hunt grounded a single through the vacated left side of the infield to make it 2-0. Joe Muich was next and hit a three-run home run over the left field fence on an 0-2 pitch. Wichita pounded out five more runs in the second inning. Hits by Brenan Herrera, Nick Blasi, and Josh Horn opened up a 6-0 lead. Greg Porter walked to load the bases and was followed by an RBI groundout from Dustan Mohr. A walk to Kelly Hunt reloaded the bases, which setup an RBI single by Joe Muich. With the bases still full, Steve Pearson singled to center to drive in two more runs and give the Wingnuts an early 10-0 lead. Leading 10-2 in the fifth, Michael Thompson homered on a line drive over the left field wall to extend the lead to 12-2. Derek Blacksher started for Wichita, allowing four runs, three earned, in six innings of work. Blacksher struck out three and walked four to earn his third win of the season. Amad Stephens and Ronnie Morales pitched scoreless ball in the seventh and eighth. The Explorers rallied for four runs against Justin Young before the righty struck out Brent Dean to end the game. The Wingnuts conclude their series with Sioux City tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Brad Daivs matches up against lefty Trevor Fox. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article706.html#1337258027 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article706.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts shutout the Sioux City Explorers 1-0 on Tuesday night at Lewis and Clark Park. Wingnuts' starter Will Savage pitched a no-hitter while the Wingnuts improved to five games ahead of Sioux City in the North Division. Savage threw 124 pitches while striking out seven to earn his second win of the year. Along the way, the right-hander walked four and hit a batter, and never allowed a runner past second base. In the bottom of the sixth, Savage issued a one-out walk to leadoff hitter Dustin Jones. With Jones running, Nick McCoola slapped a one-hopper down the third base line that Michael Thompson snared to throw out McCoola, prevent a game-tying double, and preserve the no-hitter. Four of Savage's seven strikeouts came in his final two innings of work, including the last two batters that he faced. Savage struck out Justin Nelson for the third time in the game to finish the masterpiece. Greg Porter hit a two-out solo home run on a deep flyball to left-center field in the top of the third to give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. In his first at bat, Porter singled to right-center to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, tying Kevin Hooper's club record set last year. The no-hitter is the second in the four-year history of the Ameican Association and the first since August of 2006. Prior to Tuesday's game, no Wingnuts' starter had ever reached six full innings without allowing a hit. The Wingnuts continue their series with Sioux City tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.Derek Blackshermatches up against lefty Michael Campbell. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article705.html#1337258028 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article705.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 11-1 on Monday night at Lewis and Clark Park. Wichita pounded out 11 runs for a second straight game and dropped the Explorers four games back of first place with 12 games left to play in the first half. The Wingnuts grabbed an early lead, scoring two runs just three batters into the game. Nick Blasi and Josh Horn opened the contest with singles. Both came around to score when Greg Porter doubled to right-center field. The extra-base hit extended Porter's hitting streak to 12 straight games, one shy of Kevin Hooper's club record. Porter was also named American Association Batter of the Week earlier on Monday afternoon. Wichita plated three more runs in the fourth. Dustan Mohr leadoff the inning and reached on an error by third baseman Landon Camp. Two batters later, Joe Muich reached on an infield single. Steve Pearson hit a ground rule double into the right field corner to score Mohr. Brenan Herrera helped break the game open with a two-out, two-run single down the left field line to make it 5-0 Wichita. Leading 5-1 in the seventh, a double by Michael Thompson and walks to Brenan Herrera and Josh Horn setup a bases loaded, two-run single to center field by Porter to extend the Wingnuts' lead to six runs. Dustan Mohr followed with an RBI single through the left side to make it 8-1. Adam Cowart turned in his second consecutive strong start, allowing one run on just five hits in six innings of work. Cowart struck out two and did not allow a walk. The right-hander needed only 82 pitches to get through his six innings and earn his third win of the season. Wichita scored three more in the top of the ninth. After Josh Horn walked and Greg Porter singled, Dustan Mohr hit a three-run home run over the left field fence to give the Wingnuts a 10-run lead. Richard Salazar, Doug Hurn, and Tyler Rhoden each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Cowart to close out the win. The Wingnuts continue their series with Sioux City tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Will Savage goes to the mound for the Wingnuts and will be opposed by right-hander Ty Marotz. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article703.html#1337258029 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article703.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' left fielder Greg Porter has been named the American Association Batter of the Week for June 15th-21st. It is the second time this month that the Wingnuts' slugger has received Batter of the Week honors. Porter went 10 for 19 (.526) with two home runs, five RBIs, and five runs scored in six games last week. On Tuesday night, the West Point, NY native hit a game-ending double in the bottom of the seventh in a 2-1 win versus Sioux Falls. Sunday afternoon at St. Paul, Porter cracked two home runs in the Wingnuts 11-10 victory over the Saints. Porter is currently on an 11-game hitting streak in which he is 17-34 (.500) and is two games shy of tying Kevin Hooper's club record hitting streak of 13 straight games. In his last 18 games, Porter is 33 for 65 (.508) with 18 runs scored, 14 extra-base hits, 11 RBI , and 18 walks. Entering tonight's action, Porter is leading the league in hitting at .373. The Wingnuts open a four-game series against the Sioux City Explorers tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Park. The Wingnuts have a 3.0 game lead over Sioux City with 13 games left in the first half. Adam Cowart starts for the Wingnuts and will be opposed by right-hander Steve Spurgeon. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article702.html#1337258030 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article702.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the St. Paul Saints 11-10 at Midway Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Wingnuts almost allowed an 11-1 lead to slip away, with the Saints scoring two in the eighth and seven in the ninth to get within one, but Ronnie Morales struck out the side in the ninth with the tying and winning runs on base to close out the game. Wichita jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Greg Porter hit a two-run home run over the left field fence. The home run extended Porter's hitting streak to 11 consecutive games, leaving him two shy of Kevin Hooper's club record. The Wingnuts scored four times in the second to break the game open. With the bases loaded and one out, Nick Blasi reached base on an error that scored Joe Muich. Josh Horn followed with a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Steve Pearson. After a two-out walk to Porter, Dustan Mohr singled sharply off the glove of third baseman Jeff Eure to bring in two more runs and give the Wingnuts a 6-0 lead. Wichita went on to score in each of their first six at bats, hitting three more home runs to tie a club record. Joe Muich homered to center field leading off the top of the third inning. Greg Porter hit his second of the game in the top of the fourth, which was followed two batters later by a home run from Kelly Hunt. After building an 11-1 lead, the Saints scored two in the eighth on a two-run home run by Jeff Eure, and then scores seven in the ninth against Amad Stephens and Ronnie Morales before Morales struck out Andrew Bennett to end the game. After missing his last start, Gabe Medina returned to the rotation and earned the win. Medina allowed one run on three hits while striking out four in five innings of work. Justin Young and Richard Salazar each tossed scoreless innings. The Wingnuts travel to Sioux City and open a four-game series with the Explorers beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. You can hear the game locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article701.html#1337258031 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article701.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-4 to the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on Saturday night. Wichita led 4-2 heading into the sixth, but the Saints rallied from behind to take their second straight over the Wingnuts. The Wingnuts left 12 men on base over the first seven innings, before going down in order in both the eighth and ninth. After falling behind 2-0, the Wingnuts rallied in the top of the third to take the lead. Nick Blasi hit an infield single, Josh Horn was hit by a pitch, and Greg Porter walked to load the bases with no one out. Dustan Mohr knocked in the first run with an RBI groundout to second base, scoring Blasi and cutting the lead to 2-1. Kelly Hunt singled home Horn on a line drive to left field. Joe Muich followed with another RBI single to left to put the Wingnuts in front. Wichita extended its lead in the fifth. Kelly Hunt doubled down the left field line to start the inning and advanced to third on a deep flyout to left by Joe Muich. Steve Pearson came up and singled to right field to drive in Hunt. The Saints tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on first and third and two outs, Chris Herbert singled off the glove of Josh Horn to score a run and trim the lead to 4-3. Steve Butler drew a walk, which was followed by an infield single off the bat of Andrew Schmiesing. The Saints took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Eure off of Ronnie Morales. Brad Davis went six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking three in a no-decision. Ronnie Morales was charged with the loss, allowing an unearned run. Doug Hurn pitched the final 1.2 IP for Wichita, not allowing a run. Reed Dickert earned the win in relief, pitching 1.2 IP of scoreless ball. Mike Bille worked a perfect eighth, while Kerry Ligtenberg retired the side in order to earn the save. The Wingnuts end their series at St. Paul tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Gabe Medina returns to the mound for Wichita after missing his last start. The Saints are expected to throw right-hander Reed Dickert. The game can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 26th when they host the Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article700.html#1337258032 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article700.html ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-0 to the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at Midway Stadium. Derek Blacksher kept the Wingnuts in the game for six innings, but Wichita left 11 runners on base while suffering their third shutout loss of the season. The Saints got off to a fast start, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. With runners on first and third, and after a brief rain delay, Todd Self lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored Andrew Schmiesing and gave the Saints a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Jeff Eure doubled inside the third base line to score two more runs. The Saints took a 4-0 lead when Andrew Schmiesing doubled to right-center on a hit-and-run in the fourth inning that scored Steve Butler from first. Derek Blacksher worked six innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Blacksher struck out five and walked four. Saints' starter Brandon Kintzler pitched seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out four. Justin Young and Doug Hurn combined for two scoreless innings of relief for Wichita. The Wingnuts and Saints continue their series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Brad Davis opposes Saints' righty Charlie Ruud. The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 26th when they host the Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article699.html#1337258033 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article699.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts bullpen struggled in the eighth inning as the Sioux Falls Canaries beat Wichita 7-5 on Wednesday afternoon at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Wichita fought back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to tie the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Josh Horn, who finished the game 3-3 with a walk and two RBI. In the eighth Tyler Rhoden gave up a single and two walks, before being pulled for Justin Young. Young walked the first three batters he faced and allowed four runners to score before finally retiring the side. Wichita pulled to within 7-5 in the bottom of the inning and had two men on with one out, but were unable to get the equalizer. Kris Regas, who recorded the final two outs in the eighth, retired the Wingnuts in order in the ninth to record his 12th save of the season. Sioux Falls took two out of three games in the series, the first series Wichita has lost at home this season. Wichita returns to action on Friday at the St. Paul Saints for the start of a seven-game road trip. The Wingnuts will return home next Friday to host St. Paul. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article697.html#1337258034 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article697.html WICHITA, KS- The Wingnuts made up for a last inning game one loss, with a last inning game two victory, earning a split with the Sioux Falls Canaries in front of 5,393 fans on Tuesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. In the completion of Monday's suspended game, the Wingnuts blew an 8-5 lead in the ninth, falling 10-8 to Sioux Falls in 11 innings. Kelly Hunt hit a three-run home run and Stephen Pearson knocked in three runs to help stake Wichita to leads of 6-1 and 8-4, but Wichita's bullpen could not hold the leads. In the ninth closer Amad Stephens allowed a walk, a single and a walk to start the inning. After striking out Patrick Reilly, JD Reininger singled home a run, sending Stephens to the shower. Ronnie Morales came in and struck out Jared Lemieux but the pitch went to the backstop, allowing another run to score. Ken Lup then singled home the tying run with two outs. The Wingnuts had the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, But Pearson hit into an inning-ending double play. In the 11th, Trevor Lawhorn led off with a double. Patrick Reilly sacrificed, but Morales threw the ball into right field to score Lawhorn. Reilly scored on a suicide squeeze by Lemieux. In the bottom of the inning, Wichita put men on first and second, but Sioux Falls closer Kris Regas struck out Joe Muich to record his 11th save of the season. Unlike game one, game two was a pitching clinic. After scoring just one first inning run, despite the bases loaded and one out, Sioux Falls starter Ben Moore retired all 15 batters he faced in innings two thru six. Wichita starter Adam Cowart was just as good, allowing a single run in the fourth on a double by Lawhorn. Cowart went on to retire the next 11 hitters. In the seventh, Kelly Hunt led off with a single. Patrick Brooks pinch ran and scored on Greg Porter's double to give Wichita a 2-1 win. Wichita and Sioux Falls will wrap up their series on Wednesday at Noon. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article696.html#1337258035 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article696.html Wichita, KS- After awaiting a two-hour rain delay, Monday's Wingnuts game versus Sioux Falls has been suspended due to unplayable field conditions. The game will resume in the top of the fourth inning on Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. with the Wingnuts leading 1-0. The game will be nine innings; however the regularly scheduled game for Tuesday will follow and be a seven-inning affair. Fans with tickets from Monday's game can redeem their tickets for Tuesday or for Wednesday's 12:05 p.m. game. For tickets or more information call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article695.html#1337258036 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article695.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts pounded 18 hits but had to hang on in the end, edging the St. Paul Saints 9-8 on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. For the third straight game, St. Paul took a quick 2-0 lead in the second, in part to a home run by Ole Sheldon. The Wingnuts exploded in the bottom of the inning, rapping six hits and scoring three runs. Dustan Mohr had a two-run single in the inning. Josh Horn put Wichita up 4-2 with an RBI in the third, Mike Thompson doubled home a run in the fourth and Patrick Brooks hit a solo home run in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-2. St. Paul plated three in the sixth to cut the lead to one, but the Wingnuts scratched across a run in the bottom of the inning and plated two more in the seventh, thanks to Brooks second home run of the game. Nick Blasi, who went 5-5, scored the final run on a wild pitch after he tripled. Things got hectic in the ninth as St. Paul cut the lead to 9-8 and had runners on second and third, but Amad Stephens got Jacob Butler to ground out to second to end the game. Butler went 3-5 for the Saints including a home run. Josh Horn and Brooks, who scored four runs, had three hits each for Wichita. The Wingnuts are 5-1 versus St. Paul this season and now lead the Saints by five games in the Northern Division. The 'Nuts will host the Sioux Falls Canaries on Monday at 7:05 p.m. in the start of a three-game series. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article694.html#1337258037 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article694.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts staged an impressive late-inning comeback, defeating the St. Paul Saints 5-4 on Saturday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. St. Paul took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Todd Self and a two-out Wingnuts error. St. Paul added a run in the second on an RBI single by Self to go up 3-0. Wichita got on the board with a run in the second, but could have done more damage as they had bases loaded and no one out. The Wingnuts run scored on a double play ground out by Patrick Brooks. St. Paul went up 4-1 in the sixth before the 'Nuts bats took over. Wichita cut the lead to 4-3 on a two-run homer by Dustan Mohr in the bottom of the inning, his fifth of the season. Wichita got a huge break in the seventh when an inning-ending ground ball by Josh Horn was booted by Saints second baseman Andrew Bennett, allowing Brooks to score the tying run. In the eighth, Michael Thompson singled home the winning run with two outs. Wichita starter Derek Blacksher recorded eight strikeouts in seven innings. Justin Young pitched a quick eighth to record the win and Amad Stephens notched his seventh save, picking up two strikeouts in the ninth. Horn, Thompson and Mohr led the Wingnuts with two hits each. The Wingnuts now lead St. Paul by four games in the Northern Division with the final game of the series Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Brad Davis will get the start for Wichita, going up against Charlie Ruud. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article693.html#1337258038 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article693.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts had trouble scoring runs, despite numerous chances, falling 7-1 to the St. Paul Saints in front of a sellout crowd of 6,162 fans on Friday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. St. Paul took a quick lead on a first inning solo home run by Todd Self. The Saints went up 2-0 on a sacrifice fly by Self in the third. In the fifth, a two-out error by Brenan Herrera led to a third run, thanks to a two-out single by Ole Sheldon. Wichita left runners on base in the second, third and fourth before cutting the lead to 3-1 on an RBI double by Kelly Hunt in the bottom of the inning. Unfortunately Wichita left the bases loaded. St. Paul blew the game open with three runs in the ninth to make a winner out of starter Mitch Wylie. Todd Self finished the night with two hits a stolen base, three RBI and three runs for the Saints. Greg Porter reached base in all four at bats for the Wingnuts, with a single and three walks. The Wingnuts left 10 runners on base in the game. The Wingnuts now lead St. Paul by three games in the Northern Division with game two of the series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher will get the start for Wichita, going up against Brandon Kintzler. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article692.html#1337258039 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article692.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-5 to the Sioux Falls Canaries on Thursday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. Wichita set a new club record with four home runs, but a grand slam by Cory Harris in the bottom of the seventh polished off a five-run Canaries rally. For the second straight night, Steve Pearson homered to right-center field. After a one-out single by Greg Porter in the top of the second, Pearson left the yard hitting a high fly ball that cleared the back fence and gave Wichita an early 2-0 lead. Sioux Falls rallied against Adam Cowart in the bottom of the inning. The Canaries loaded the bases with one out and scratched out runs on an RBI groundout by Ryan Grant and a two-out infield single by Joe Anthonsen. Michael Thompson crushed a home run to leadoff the top of the fifth putting the Wingnuts back in front at 3-2. Adam Cowart walked Canaries' leadoff man Joe Anthonsen to open the bottom of the fifth, but promptly picked him off first base. Cowart then retired the next two hitters to preserve the 3-2 advantage. The Wingnuts extended their lead in the very next frame. This time Joe Muich, who was behind 0-2, ripped a fly ball over the left field wall to make it 4-2. On the next pitch, Greg porter hit a line drive over the wall in right for his fourth home run of the season and his third in the series against the Canaries. Adam Cowart retired the side in order in the sixth, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Three straight singles loaded the bases with one out against Cowart who was relieved by Tyler Rhoden. Tim Hutting drew a walk from Rhoden to force home a run and cut the lead to 5-3. Cory Harris followed with a grand slam home run that just cleared the fence in right-center field to put the Canaries in front at 7-5. Cowart took a no-decision, allowing five runs on seven hits in 6.1 IP. Cowart did not allow a base hit from the third through the sixth innings. The game marked the first time that the Wingnuts lost when leading after five innings. Wichita had previously been 13-0 in that situation. The Wingnuts return home on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the Wingnuts sending Will Savage to the mound against Saints' right-hander Mitch Wylie. It's QuikTrip Buy-In Night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium as well as the first birthday celebration for Wingnuts' mascot Spinner. The Wingnuts will also sign autographs following the game, courtesy of The Wolf and BOB FM. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article691.html#1337258040 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article691.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 7-3 on Wednesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. In the top of the second, Greg Porter drew a one-out walk against Canaries' emergency starter Chris Weast. After Weast struck out Steve Pearson, Michael Thompson doubled to straight-away center field to drive in Porter from first base with two outs, giving Wichita a 1-0 lead. Brenan Herrera drew a walk to put runners on first and second base. Nick Blasi came up next and hit a groundball that deflected off of the chest of second baseman Joe Anthonsen to score Thompson from second. The error put Wichita in front 2-0. Steve Pearson homered over the right field fence on the first pitch of the top of the fourth inning, his first of the year. The longball sparked a rally for the Wingnuts. Hits by Thompson and Blasi helped put two on for Josh Horn who singled to short right field on an 0 and two pitch to score Brenan Herrera with the Wingnuts' fourth run of the game. Dustan Mohr was next and jumped on the first pitch, doubling to left-center field to score two more runs. The Wingnuts went on to load the bases, giving Pearson another at bat in the inning. The first baseman hit a high flyball to left-center that was eventually caught. The Canaries got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, getting a two-out two-run home run from Reggie Taylor for a second straight game. Gabe Medina tossed seven strong innings, allowing just the two earned runs on five hits. Medina struck out three and did not walk a batter. Medina has now won four of his last five starts. The Wingnuts added to their lead in the top of the seventh. Greg Porter leadoff and drilled a home run on a high line drive that cleared a 16-foot fence in the deepest part of Sioux Falls Stadium more than 410 feet away. The Canaries scored a run off of Ronnie Morales in the eighth inning on a two-out, RBI single from Cory Harris. Doug Hurn came on in relief with two on and two out and got Fraser Holmes to fly out to center field to retire the side. Hurn pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two, and earned his second save of the season. The Wingnuts finish their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Adam Cowart goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. Sioux Falls counters with righty Ben Moore. Wichita returns home on Friday, June 12th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article690.html#1337258041 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article690.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts had their six-game winning streak snapped in a 3-2 loss to the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. After allowing the opposition to score first in their previous four games, the Wingnuts pushed across two runs in the top of the first against Canaries' starter Travis Kane. Nick Blasi leadoff the game with an infield base hit up the middle. Two batters later, Dustan Mohr doubled off of the fence in left field. Left fielder Beau Torbert misplayed the ball, allowing Blasi to score from first base. Catcher Ken Lup was charged with a passed ball that allowed Mohr to reach third base. Then with two outs, Joe Muich singled through the hole on the left to make it 2-0. Sioux Falls answered back in the bottom of the inning against Brad Davis. Tim Hutting singled with one out. Cory Harris was next and doubled off the top of the wall in left. Hutting scored on Beau Torbert's RBI groundout to cut the lead in half. The Canaries took their first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the third. After Michael Thompson and Patrick Brooks helped turn a double play, Torbert reached on an error by Thompson with two outs and no one on base. Reggie Taylor came up next and hit a line drive home run just over the short porch in right-center field making it 3-2 Canaries. Davis went 6.2 IP allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, and did not walk a batter for a second consecutive start. Justin Young took over for Davis with two on and two out in the seventh, striking out Cory Harris to keep Wichita within one run. Davis is now 2-2 after the loss. Facing setup man Patrick Lawler in the eighth, Brenan Herrera doubled with two outs to move the tying run into scoring position. Closer Kris Regas was called on by Sioux Falls and got Dustan Mohr to ground out back to the mound. Wichita had hope in the ninth when shortstop Tim Hutting committed an error that allowed Kelly Hunt to reach first to leadoff the inning. Regas came back to strike out Joe Muich for the first out. Greg Porter came up next and hit a long drive to center field, but it was run down by Reggie Taylor for the second out. Porter had his hitting streak snapped at eight games. Josh Horn pinch hit for Steve Pearson and was struck out by Regas on a full count to end the game. The Wingnuts play game three of their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Gabe Medina goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. Sioux Falls is expected to throw righty Chris Weast. Wichita returns home on Friday, June 12th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article689.html#1337258042 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article689.html SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts won their sixth game in a row on Monday night, defeating the Sioux Falls Canaries 6-4 at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Wingnuts blasted three home runs, while Derek Blacksher worked six innings without allowing no earned runs. The six-game winning streak ties Wichita's team record set earlier this season. Trailing 1-0 in the third, Nick Blasi homered over the left field fence, his second of the season, to tie the game. In the fourth, the Wingnuts took their first lead of the game. Kelly Hunt and Greg Porter hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. After Michael Thompson sacrificed both runners into scoring position, Steve Pearson drove in Hunt with an infield base hit past Canaries' starter Ryan Ford. After cranking three home runs over the weekend, Hunt launched his league-leading eighth home run of the year on the first pitch from Ford in the top of the sixth to extend Wichita's lead to 3-1. Derek Blacksher allowed no earned runs in six strong innings. The right-hander yielded just four hits while striking out three and walking three en route to his second win of the year. Richard Salazar took over in the seventh inning for the Wingnuts and retired the side in order. With two out in the top of the eighth, Greg Porter smashed his second home run of the season over the left-center field wall. Tyler Rhoden worked the eighth inning, allowing a run, but escaped further trouble by getting Patrick Reilly to hit into an inning-ending double play started by second baseman Patrick Brooks. The Wingnuts extended their lead again in the ninth, beginning with a one-out single by Patrick Brooks that fell just out of the reach of a sliding J.D. Reininger in right field. Nick Blasi dropped a bunt to the left side for a hit on the next pitch from reliever Matthew Reilly. Brenan Herrera followed with a bunt of his own which Reilly threw wild down the right field line to score Brooks and advance Blasi to third. Dustan Mohr was next and singled on the first pitch, putting the fourth consecutive pitch in play, and driving in Blasi to make it 6-2. The Canaries rallied for two runs off of Amad Stephens in the bottom of the ninth, but Stephens coaxed Wingnuts' nemesis Beau Torbert to groundout to shortstop to end the game at 6-4. Greg Porter, who was named American Association Batter of the Week earlier in the afternoon, finished with three hits. Nick Blasi also contributed three base hits. The Wingnuts play game two of their series with the Canaries tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 12th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article688.html#1337258043 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article688.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts completed their third sweep of the season and extended their winning-streak to five games, beating the Lincoln Saltdogs and torrential rain in amazing comeback fashion on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium, 5-1. Lincoln finally scratched a run across in the fifth to break a scoreless tie thanks to a balk and two Wingnuts errors and it looked like that might hold up. Heavy wind and rain took over after six innings, causing a rain delay of 96 minutes. When the rain delay started at 6:50 p.m. there were 6,011 fans in attendance. After the rain, lightning and pitch black skies subsided, play finally resumed at 8:26 p.m. with a skeleton crowd of around 611 fans. In the eighth, with heavy rain and lightning again approaching, the Wingnuts erupted for five runs and batted around. Nick Blasi doubled home the tying run, followed by an RBI single by Dustan Mohr. With two outs, Greg Porter singled home a run and then Brenan Herrera added two more with a double down the right field line. The rain and lightning picked up again in the top of the ninth, but Amad Stephens made quick work of the Saltdogs to seal the victory and earn his sixth save of the season. Wingnuts starter Will Savage was phenomenal again, allowing just one run. Doug Hurn pitched a scoreless seventh and Tyler Rhoden a scoreless eighth to record the victory. The Wingnuts now hit the road for four games, starting tomorrow night at the Sioux Falls Canaries. Wichita will return home on Friday to host the St. Paul Saints for a three-game set. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article686.html#1337258044 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article686.html WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' left fielder Greg Porter has been named the American Association Batter of the Week for June 1st-7th. Porter hit safely in all six games last week, going 14-27 (.519) with seven doubles. The former two-sports star at Texas AM is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak. Entering tonight's game at Sioux Falls, Porter is hitting .326 on the season with eight doubles and 14 RBIs. Porter becomes the third Wingnuts' player to garner Player of the Week honors, with outfielder Blake Gailen and pitcher Gustavo Mata earning the distinction last year. The Wingnuts open a four-game series tonight at Sioux Falls. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Derek Blacksher matches up against lefty Ryan Ford. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and wordlwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 12th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article687.html#1337258045 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article687.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 16-3 on Saturday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts scored 16 runs, tying a club record, for the second time in three games. Kelly Hunt finished the game with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs. Trailing 1-0 in the second, the Wingnuts were supported by two-out base hits to take the lead. Nick Blasi singled to right field with the bases full and two down to tie the game. Josh Horn followed with a two-run single, also to right field, making it 3-1. The Wingnuts never trailed again, and pounded out six more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dustan Mohr drew a bases loaded walk to force across the Wingnuts' fourth run of the game. Kelly Hunt was next and drilled a grand slam home run to right-center field to break the game open at 8-1. After a walk to Joe Muich, Greg Porter doubled off of new reliever Zac Cline to left-center, driving in Muich with Wichita's ninth run of the game. Still leading 9-1, the Wingnuts scored six more times in the sixth inning. Hunt blasted his second homer of the game, this one over the video board in left-center. Muich followed Hunt with another walk and was doubled to third by Greg Porter. Brenan Herrera lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Muich. The Wingnuts went on to load the bases, and scratched out another run when Josh Horn's groundball was misplayed by Lincoln third baseman Shea McFeely with two outs to score another run. Dustan Mohr followed and singled home two more runs. Already with a home run in the inning, Hunt came up and doubled off the base of the fence in left field to make it 15-1. The Saltdogs managed two more runs off of Wichita starter Adam Cowart, both in the seventh inning. Cowart earned his first Wingnuts' victory, allowing three runs in six-plus innings of work. Ronnie Morales threw two scoreless innings, while Justin Young finished the game with a scoreless ninth. Josh Horn leadoff the bottom of the eighth with his second home run of the season, giving him four hits in the game. Nick Blasi and Greg porter each had three base hits. All three of Porter's hits were doubles. The series concludes tomorrow night at 5:05 p.m. with the Wingnuts sending Will Savage to the mound. Lincoln counters with lefty Jonathan Figueroa. It is Credit Union of America Buy-In Night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article685.html#1337258046 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article685.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts won their third straight game on Friday night, beating the Lincoln Saltdogs 6-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Gabe Medina allowed two runs on just three hits in seven innings of work while striking out six to earn his third win in his last four starts. The right hander allowed two runs in the first inning and shut the Saltdogs down from the second through the seventh innings. Trailing 2-0 in the first, the Wingnuts took advantage of a pair of walks from Lincoln starter Vince Davis. With two on and two out, Joe Muich crushed a three-run home run off the scoreboard in left field to put the Wingnuts in front 3-2 on just one swing. In the third, Wichita broke the game open. Nick Blasi leadoff with a double to right center, and then scored on an RBI single by Josh Horn. Two batters later, Kelly Hunt hit a towering home run over the upper fence in left field to make it 6-2 Wichita. Medina's strong start kept the Wingnuts in front the rest of the night. Richard Salazar came out of the bullpen and pitched scoreless baseball in the eighth and ninth to finish off the win. Game two of the series takes place tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Adam Cowart goes for the Wingnuts against Lincoln righty Brian Campbell. The Wingnuts host their first Multi-Cultural Night, presented by the Midwest Transplant Network. Fireworks will follow Saturday night's game, presented by Journal Broadcast Group. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article684.html#1337258047 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article684.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the El Paso Diablos 16-5 on Wednesday night at Cohen Stadium. The 16 runs tied a franchise-best, while the Wingnuts set new single-game records with 23 base hits, 11 doubles, and 13 extra-bae hits. Every starter in the Wingnuts lineup had at least one extra-base hit and at least one run scored. Greg Porter went 4-6, while Kelly Hunt drove in four with two doubles and a triple. The Wingnuts hit in the clutch in the top of the first, plating three runs. Diablos' starter Mark Michael retired the first two hitters to face him, but allowed a single to Dustan Mohr with two outs. Kelly Hunt, Joe Muich, and Greg Porter all followed with long RBI doubles to move Wichita in front 3-0. The barrage continued in the second inning. With one out, Brenan Herrera hit his second home run of the season on a high fly ball that just cleared the fence in left field. Two batters later, Josh Horn doubled off the wall in right field. After Horn advanced to third on a wild pitch, Dustan Mohr doubled off the very top of the left-center field wall to bring in Horn and make it 5-0 Wingnuts. Joe Muich walked to leadoff the top of the third and advanced to third on Porter's second double of the game. Steve Pearson lined into a double play, started by relief pitcher Garvis Romero. Michael Thompson then doubled down the left field line to cash in Muich and extend Wichita's lead to 6-0. Wichita blew the doors off completely in the top of the fifth, driving in eight runs and sending 11 hitters to the plate. The inning began with singles from Joe Muich and Greg Porter. After both runners advanced on a groundball by Steve Pearson, Michael Thompson doubled off the top of the fence in left-center field to drive in two and give Wichita an 8-0 lead. Brenan Herrera singled down the left field line to score Thompson and make it 9-0. Nick blasi doubled to left-center field and Josh Horn followed with a walk to load the bases. Dustan Mohr walked with the bases loaded to force home a run and the Wingnuts lead 10-0. Kelly Hunt came up next and tripled to center field, clearing the bases and making it 13-0. Joe Muich followed with an RBI single to cap off the eight-run frame. The Wingnuts went on to score single runs in the sixth and ninth innings. El Paso scored a pair of runs in both the fifth and eighth innings, and a single run in the ninth. Mohr, Hunt, Porter, Muich, and Thompson all had three hits or more, while eight Wingnuts had multi-hit games. Brad Davis earned the win, pitching eight innings and allowing four runs on 10 hits. The lefty walked none and struck out five to improve to 2-1 on the season. Doug Hurn worked the ninth inning allowing a run before closing out the win. The Wingnuts have Thursday off before returning home to host the Lincoln Saltdogs on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts send Gabe Medina to the mound, who struck out nine his last time out. Reknowned entertainer Rally will be on hand at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts also host their annual Girl Scout Night promotion. Fans can also catch autographs of their favorite Wingnuts players following the game, courtesy of the Wichita Eagle and BOB FM. For tickets and more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article683.html#1337258048 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article683.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts snapped their four-game losing streak with a 7-6, 11-inning win over the El Paso Diablos on Tuesday night at Cohen Stadium. With the game tied 5-5 in the top of the 11th, Joe Muich leadoff with a single to center that bounced by Kennard Bibbs and allowed Muich to take third. Muich then scored when Arnoldo Ponce's relay into third base bounced into the stands to give the Wingnuts a 6-5 lead. The Wingnuts went on to load the bases and scratched out an insurance run when Brenan Herrera hit into a double play. The insurance run proved large as the Diablos scored two hitters into the bottom of the 11th on an RBI single by Gerardo Verastegui off of Tyler Rhoden. Verastegui was then doubled off of first base when Hector Bernal lined out to Josh Horn at second base. Rhoden then got leadoff hitter Kennard Bibbs to fly out to right field to end the game, earn his first save of the season, and preserve the Wingnuts' 7-6 victory. Amad Stephens earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings in the ninth and 10th. The Diablos scored early for the second straight game, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. Jorge Alvarez and Roberto Mejia had RBI singles, while Adam Hale knocked in a run with an RBI groundout. Wichita rallied to tie the game in the top of the third inning. After hits by Steve Pearson and Brenan Herrera, Josh Horn singled to right field with two outs to score Pearson and cut the lead to 3-1. Dustan Mohr came up next and hit a sharp groundball that got by shortstop Arnoldo Ponce into short left field. Herrera scored, followed by Horn who scored all the way from first as left fielder Tyler Johnson had to chase down the ball from deep left field. The two-run double by Mohr tied the game at 3-3. Eddy Rodriguez hit a two-out double down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth to score Adam Hale, giving El Paso its second lead of the night at 4-3. Michael Thompson answered back in the top of the fifth, leading off the frame with his first home run of the season. The long blast over the left field wall re-tied the game at 4-4. The Wingnuts kept through the sixth thanks to two great defensive plays. In the fifth, Joe Muich threw out leadoff man Kennard Bibbs trying to steal second base for the first out of the inning. In the sixth, Adam Hale tried to stretch a double into a triple and was gunned down on a perfect relay throw to third by Horn. The defense paid off the next inning when Greg Porter opened the frame with a double to right-center field. Steve Pearson sacrificed Porter to third. Thompson then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Porter and give the Wingnuts their first lead of the night at 5-4. Derek Blacksher started for Wichita and took a no-decision. After giving up the three runs in the first, Blacksher kept Wichita in the game, giving them the chance to comeback. The right-hander tossed 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two. After Blacksher recorded the first out in the home seventh, Hector Bernal singled off of new pitcher Ronnie Morales. Kennard Bibbs was next and slapped a groundball down the third base line that appeared fourl, but was ruled fair and resulted in a single. Justin Young came out of the bullpen and struck out Ponce on three pitches for the second out. Jorge Alvarez was next and singled on the ground into right field on Young's first pitch to knot the game at 5-5. The series resumes tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. Wichita sends Brad Davis to the mound against the Diablos' Mark Michael. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and wordlwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article682.html#1337258049 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article682.html EL PASO, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 1-0 to the El Paso Diablos on Monday night at Cohen Stadium. Will Savage started for Wichita and allowed one run on just four hits, but took the loss. Savage recorded 10 groundball outs and at one point retired 11 hitters in a row. The right-hander struck out three and walked three. After Savage retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the first, Jorge Alvarez worked out a walk. Juan Camacho came up next and hit a chopper to the right side that went off the glove of a leaping Steve Pearson and down the right field line to score Alvarez all the way from first. The Wingnuts missed a chance in the top of the third, loading the bases with no one out on hits by Joe Muich, Michael Thompson, and Patrick Brooks. However, Diablos' starter Nick Martin struck out Nick Blasi and then got Pearson to hit into an inning-ending double play. Martin pitched 6.1 shutout innings, helping himself out with two double plays and two pickoffs of runners trying to steal second. In the top of the seventh, with the tying run on first and no one out, Joe Muich hit a line drive toward the gap in left center field that was caught by a diving Tyler Johnson to prevent Greg Porter from scoring from first base. Tyler Rhoden worked a scoreless eighth inning, while Diablos' closer pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his seventh save of the season. The series resumes tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. Wichita sends Derek Blacksher to the mound against the Diablos' Dane De La Rosa. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and wordlwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article681.html#1337258050 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article681.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-2 to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Sunday evening. The Wingnuts scored first for the first time in the series with a run in the top of the first. Nick Blasi doubled to leadoff the game and extended his hitting streak to seven straight games. After Brenan Herrera advanced Blasi to third on a ground ball to the right side of the infield, Greg Porter hit an opposite field single to left-center to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. The Cats came back in the bottom of the second against Wichita starting pitcher Adam Cowart, scoring three runs to take the lead. John Allen opened the inning with a single to left. Michael Bell reached base on a groundball hit to the hole on the left side that was ruled an error on shortstop Brenan Herrera. Kelley Gulledge followed with a ground rule double to center field that tied the game at 1-1. Aljay Davis then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Cats a 2-1 lead. After a single through the left side by Brian Fryer, Isa Garcia hit another sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. The Cats extended their lead in the third. Michael Bell followed a one-out single by John Allen with a double off the wall down the left field line. Allen scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Gulledge. Cowart finished the night allowing four runs, two earned, in four innings of work. The right-hander walked two and struck out two. Fort Worth extended their lead to 5-1 on a two-out, RBI single by Davis in the fifth off of Wingnuts' reliever Richard Salazar. In the top of the seventh, Brenan Herrera cut the lead to 5-2, driving in Josh Horn with an RBI groundout to second base. Salazar allowed one run in three innings of long relief, while Ronnie Morales worked a scoreless eighth to extend his scoreless inning streak to 9.1 innings. Wichita travels to El Paso, TX for a three-game series against the Diablos beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts send right-hander Will Savage to the mound against Diablos' lefty Nick Martin. Coverage can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article680.html#1337258051 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article680.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts flel 2-1 to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Saturday night. Gabe Medina and Joel Kirsten hooked up in a starting pitching duel that carried a scoreless tie into the sixth inning. Medina pitched eight innings, the longest outing of the year by a Wingnuts' starter, allowing two runs on just four hits and striking outnine in the complete game loss. The Cats broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth, cashing in a leadoff walk to Cameron Blair. Medina retired Brian Fryer and Isa Garcia on fly balls to center field, but with two outs, Blair stole second and scored on an RBI single by Ryan Patterson to give Fort Worth a 1-0 lead. After a stolen base by Patterson, Pat O'Sullivan singled to right field to drive home the Cats' second run. The Wingnuts cut the lead in half in the top of the seventh inning. Dustan Mohr ripped an off-speed pitch from Kirsten that landed just over the wall and just inside the left field foul pole for his fourth home run of the season and his second of the series. In the top of the eighth, the Wingnuts got a leadoff single by Zach Goldberg to put the tying run on base. Josh Horn came up next and deadened a popup bunt in fair territory. However, as Horn was running to first base, he collided with Cats' reliever Alex Morales and was then called out on interference. Morales stayed in the game after a lengthy delay and allowed an infield single to Nick Blasi to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Morales came back to strike out Brenan Herrera and then left-handed reliever Taylor Parker came into the game and got Greg Porter on a groundball to first base. Dustin Cameron worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save for the second straight night. Mohr had three hits in the game, including the home run, and is now five for six since returning to the lineup after missing two games due to an injury. The Wingnuts finish their series against the Cats tomorrow night, sending right-hander Adam Cowart to the mound. The Cats throw lefty Ryan Riddle for the 6:05 p.m. game that can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article679.html#1337258052 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article679.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts saw their winning streak snapped in a 5-4 loss to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Friday night. The Cats took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, snapping a streak of 47 consecutive innings in which the Wingnuts had not trailed. Ryan Patterson singled with two outs off of Brad Davis. Pat O'Sullivan came up next and lifted a deep fly ball to right field that went off the glove of Dustan Mohr, allowing Patterson to score. The Wingnuts came back in the top of the fourth, scoring the first runs of the season against Cats' starter Aaron Crow. Mohr and Kelly Hunt opened the inning with singles. Michael Thompson followed by laying down his second sacrifice bunt of the game. Steve Pearson came up next and doubled just inside the third base bag and down the left field line to give the Wingnuts a 2-1 lead. Fort Worth stormed back in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Bell lead off with a double down the left field line and was then singled to third by Kelley Gulledge. Brad Davis came back to strike out Aljay Davis for the first out of the inning, but Cameron Blair re-tied the game with an RBI single to left field. Brian Fryer came up next and hit a groundball to shortstop that went off the glove of Brenan Herrera, allowing Gulledge to score the lead run. Isa Garcia followed with an RBI single to center field to give the Cats a 4-2 advantage. Davis allowed four runs, two earned, in four innings of work, walking one and striking out five. Doug Hurn came out of the bullpen in the fifth inning for Wichita, and kept the Wingnuts in the game, allowing one run on four hits in 3.2 innings of work. In the top of the seventh, Brenan Herrera got the Wingnuts one run closer, crushing a home run well over the left field fence. It was Herrera's first home run of the season. Pat O'Sullivan homered off of Hurn in the bottom of the inning to re-extend the Cats' lead. In the top of the eighth, Dustan Mohr blasted another long home run to left, his third of the year, and pulled the Wingnuts back within one run. Cats' closer Dustin Cameron worked a perfect ninth to earn the save. The Wingnuts continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Gabe Medina will try and win his third consecutive start, while the Cats counter with veteran Joel Kirsten. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 5th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article678.html#1337258053 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article678.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts completed their second straight sweep and extended their winning-streak to six games, knocking off the St. Paul Saints 5-2 on Thursday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in front of 3,632 fans. Wichita jumped on the board early again, scoring three runs in the second. Michael Thompson knocked in the first run before Josh Horn singled home two more with a two-out single. Wichita added a run in the third on an RBI single from Stephen Pearson, who finished the night 2-4. St. Paul cut the lead to 4-2 on a two-run double by Ole Sheldon in the sixth, before the 'Nuts added a run in the bottom of the inning. Nick Blasi singled home the last run, again with two outs. Derek Blacksher picked up the win, going six innings. Justin Young, Adam Cowart and Amad Stephens each chipped in a scoreless inning of relief. Josh Horn and Kelly Hunt each went 3-4 for the Wingnuts, who now lead St. Paul by five games in the Northern Division with a record of 11-2. Wichita outscored St. Paul 21-7 and never trailed in the three-game series. The Wingnuts now hit the road for six games, starting tomorrow night at the Fort Worth Cats. Wichita will return home next Friday to host the Lincoln Saltdogs in a three-game set. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article677.html#1337258054 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article677.html Wichita, KS- Kelly Hunt hit a pair of two-run homers as the Wingnuts extended their winning streak to five in a row, pounding the St. Paul Saints 11-2 on Wednesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. With several MLB scouts in attendance to watch St. Paul starter Tanner Scheppers, the Wingnuts first three batters reached base, as the 'Nuts went up 2-0. Scheppers is expected to be a first round pick in the June MLB Draft. Wichita added three more off Scheppers in the third, thanks to Hunt's first home run of the game, an opposite field shot. St. Paul cut the lead to 5-2 before Wichita exploded for six runs in the eighth, sending 10 batters to the plate. Every Wingnut player had at least one hit and everyone but Stephen Pearson scored a run. The Wingnuts first five hitters each had two hits. Starter Will Savage recorded his first win of the season, going 6 1/3 innings. Wichita now leads St. Paul by four games in the Northern Division with a record of 10-2. The Wingnuts will close out their series with St. Paul tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. and Derek Blacksher will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article676.html#1337258055 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article676.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made their first in-season roster move of 2009, signing right-handed pitcher Adam Cowart. A former 35th round draft pick of the Giants in 2005, Cowart joins the Wingnuts with a career record of 34-17 and a 2.80 ERA. After finishing at Kansas State University in 2006, Cowart won his first 10 decisions in pro ball, en route to a 10-1 record and a 1.08 ERA, best in the Northwest League. The Houston, TX native earned a promotion to the South Atlantic A-ball League in 2007, and went 14-7 with a 2.39 ERA that ranked third. Cowart reached AA for the first time in 2008, going 8-7 for the Connecticut Defenders in the Eastern League. After a slow start in the rotation, the sidearmer was moved to the bullpen where he thrived in his new role. Cowart, pitching in relief for the first time in his pro career, posted a 1.37 ERA in nine relief outings, spanning 19.2 innings and bringing his season ERA down to 3.76. Cowart has been a control artist throughout his career, having struck out 231 hitters while walking only 70 in 408.1 innings pitched. Cowart has walked two or fewer batters in 82 of his 84 career outings, and in 64 of 66 starts. To make room for Cowart, the Wingnuts released rookie left-hander Nathan Parker who appeared in four games. The Wingnuts continue their series tonight against the St. Paul Saints at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Wichita will be facing the Saints' Tanner Scheppers, the 48th overall pick in the 2008 draft and an expected first round pick next month. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article675.html#1337258056 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article675.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts extended their winning streak to four with a 5-3 win over the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Wichita took a 1-0 lead in the third on a two-out single by Brenan Herrera. The 'Nuts extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth when St. Paul right fielder Daron Roberts dropped an inning-ending pop up by Stephen Pearson two score a pair. St. Paul made it 3-1 in the fifth, then cut the lead to 3-2 in the eighth when Dustan Mohr dove for and missed a ball that rolled to the wall for an inside-the-park home run by Brent Krause. Mohr left the game injured. The Wingnuts extended the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth on RBI singles by Michael Thompson and Joe Muich. St. Paul added a run on an error in the ninth before closer Amad Stephens closed the door for his fourth save of the season. Richard Salazar (2-0) picked up the win for Wichita. Wichita now leads St. Paul by three games in the Northern Division with a record of 9-2. The Wingnuts will face St. Paul's Tanner Scheppers tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Scheppers was picked 48th in the MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates last season and is expected to be a top pick inthe JuneMLB Draft. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article674.html#1337258057 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article674.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts finished a three-game road sweep of the Sioux City Explorers with an 11-3 win at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday night. Eight Wingnuts hitters collected at least one base hit, while eight Wingnuts also scored at least on run as Wichita tallied 16 hits as a team. Josh Horn and Nick Blasi each had three hits. The Wingnuts struck early and often in the top of the first inning. Nick Blasi singled to right field to leadoff the game, which was followed by Brenan Herrera's double just inside the third base bag to put runners on second and third with no outs. Two batters later, Dustan Mohr singled home Blasi on a line drive to short center field, giving the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. With Herrera on third base, Kelly Hunt lifted a deep fly ball to right field to score the Wingnuts' shortstop and make it 2-0. It was the second straight game that Hunt had a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Michael Thompson came up next and ripped a double to deep center, over the head of Anthony Webster, and drove in the third run of the inning. The Explorers scratched out single runs in the first and fourth innings against Wichita starter Gabe Medina, but the Wingnuts found more clutch offense in the top of the fifth. With two on and two out in the inning, Steve Pearson singled to center field to drive in Kelly Hunt from second base to make it 4-0. The hit signaled the end of the night for X's starter Tim Layden. Jeff Jamnik was brought in from the bullpen and was greeted by Josh Horn who doubled into the left field corner to score Michael Thompson and Pearson and give the Wingnuts a 6-2 lead. Medina delivered six strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked two while earning his second win in his last two starts. Medina also recorded seven of his 18 outs on ground balls. In the top of the sixth, Brenan Herrera was hit by a pitch followed by a walk to Greg Porter. Dustan Mohr sacrificed both runners into scoring position, setting up a two-run single on a line drive to center by Kelly Hunt to extend his hitting streak to eight games and give the Wingnuts an 8-2 lead. In the seventh, Josh Horn belted his first home run of the season, a high fly ball over the left field fence to make it 9-2. Nick Blasi drilled his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 11-3. Nathan Parker and Ronnie Morales combined to pitch the final three innings to finish up the win. Parker allowed one run in two innings, while Morales pitched a scoreless ninth. The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday to face the St. Paul Saints in the opener of a three-game series at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita sends Richard Salazar to the mound against Saints' left-hander Adam Cox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday is Taco Tico Buy-In Night. Shiner Bock Beers will be on sale for just 1.00, courtesy of STandard Beverage. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article673.html#1337258058 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article673.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 5-2 at Lewis and Clark Park on Saturday night. With two runners on and two outs in the seventh inning, Greg Porter chopped a single up the middle to score Josh Horn from second base and break a 1-1 tie. Looking for insurance, the Wingnuts rallied for a second straight night in the ninth inning after starting with two outs and no one on base. Nick Blasi worked out a walk and then stole second base, his third steal of the year. Brenan Herrera and Greg Porter followed with walks to load the bases. Dustan Mohr, who scored the Wingnuts' insurance run in the ninth inning on Friday, dropped a single just inside the right field line that scored Blasi and Herrera. Porter came around to score on a throwing error by X's outfielder Dustin Jones to make it 5-1 Wingnuts. Wichita scored first for the second straight game when Kelly Hunt hit a sacrifice fly to right field in the top of the first, giving the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead. The Explorers drew even on Nick McCoola's RBI single to right field. Sioux City went on to load the bases, but Wingnuts' starter Brad Davis worked out of the jam without further damage. Davis worked six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out five to earn hisfirst win of the year. Davis was helped by two phenomenal defensive plays on consecutive hitters by second baseman Josh Horn in the bottom of the fifth inning. Horn ran down a ground ball off the bat of Nick McCoola in short right field before making a spinning throw to first base for the out. Anthony Webster came up next and hit a sharp grounder up the middle that Horn ran down and picked on the back hand before making another moving throw. Ronnie Morales and Tyler Rhoden pitched scoreless baseball in the seventh and eighth innings. Neither pitcher has allowed an earned run this season. Kelly Hunt's single in the fourth inning extended his hitting streak to seven games, and is the longest hitting streak of the year for a Wingnuts' player. The Wingnuts finish their series tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Wichita sends right-hander Gabe Medina to the mound to make his third start of the year. Sioux City counters with lefty Tim Layden. All the action can be heard on Sports Radio 1410AM KGSO. Wichita returns to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article672.html#1337258059 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article672.html SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 7-5 in their road opener at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night. The Wingnuts scored three runs in the top of the eighth after there were two outs and no one on base to take the lead for good. Kelly Hunt hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall in the top of the second inning to give Wichita a 1-0 lead. After the Explorers took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the second, the Wingnuts regained the lead in the third. Zach Goldberg, who ended the home second with the back end of a strike him out-throw him out double play, led off with a double to left center. Two batters later, Nick Blasi evaded a tag on a wide throw from third base to put two men on. Brenan Herrera reached on an infield base hit to load the bases. Greg Porter then singled up the middle to drive home Goldberg and Blasi to give Wichita a 3-2 lead. The Explorers grabbed the lead back scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Derek Blacksher struck out the first two hitters of the inning, which gave him five consecutive strikeouts on just 17 pitches. However, back-to-back two-out singles by Nick McCoola and Anthony Webster setup an RBI single to left by Walter Young to tie the game. Webster came around to score the lead run on a throwing error by Greg Porter. In the top of the eighth inning, Michael Thompson drew a two-out walk and was singled to third base by Steve Pearson. Zach Goldberg collected his third hit of the game with an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Josh Horn worked out the second walk of the inning to load the bases, and then Nick Blasi singled home two runs on a line drive to left field, giving the Wingnuts a 6-4 advantage. After the Explorers scratched out a run in the bottom of the eighth, the Wingnuts scored another insurance run on Kelly Hunt's two-out, RBI double to left. Blacksher took a no-decision, striking out nine in six innings of work. Goldberg and Hunt each collected three hits. Doug Hurn, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning, earned his first win of the season. Amad Stephens needed just seven pitches to pitch a perfect ninth and earn his third save. The Wingnuts play game two of their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard on Sports Radio 1410AM KGSO. Wichita returns to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 23 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article671.html#1337258060 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article671.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts continued to hit the ball, but failed to come up with a single clutch hit, falling 4-0 to Sioux Falls on Thursday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Wichita pounded nine hits, but left runners on base in every inning but the first and the last (12 total), and seven in scoring position. The Canaries, meanwhile, got all they needed with a three-run, two-out rally in the third inning. Trevor Lawhorn had the clutch hit, knocking in a pair with a double. The Canaries added an insurance run in the sixth to make a winner out of starter Jino Gonzalex. William Savage went seven innings but suffered the loss for Wichita. Despite the loss, Wichita remains two games up in the Northern Division with a record of 5-2. The Wingnuts will travel to Sioux City tomorrow for a three-game set with the Explorers, before returning home on Tuesday to start a three-game series with their hated rivals, the St. Paul Saints. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article670.html#1337258061 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article670.html Wichita, KS- Joe Muich hit his first home run of the season, a walk-off shot in the 13th, leading the Wingnuts to a 4-3 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Wednesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Trailing 1-0, Sioux Falls got on the board with a three-run double by Trevor Lawhorn in the fifth inning, before Wichita scored single runs in the sixth and seventh. Wichita's tying run came on a wild pitch by Patrick Lawler. After that the bullpen took over, as five Wingnuts relievers combined to pitch eighth scoreless innings. Sioux Falls had a golden opportunity to score, putting a man on third in the 11th with no outs, but Ronald Morales and Tyler Rhoden retired the next three batters to end the threat. Rhoden pitched the final 2 1/3 innings to earn the win, while Kyle Zaleski faced just one batter - Muich - to take the loss. Wichita, 5-1 andtwo games up in the Northern Division, will host the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday in the season finale. Will Savage will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article669.html#1337258062 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article669.html Wichita, KS- Kelly Hunt hit his first home run of the season and Joe Muich went 3-4, leading the Wingnuts to a 6-4 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Tuesday in front of 6,175 fans at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Sioux Falls got on the board in the third, scoring two runs on a two-run single by Beau Torbert. The Wingnuts notched one in the bottom of the inning then went ahead with three in the third, sending eight runners to the plate. Josh Horn and Brenan Herrera had RBI in the inning. Sioux Falls tied the game in the fifth, before Wichita went ahead to stay on an RBI single from Stephen Pearson in the bottom of the inning. Pearson knocked in an insurance run in the seventh. Gabe Medina notched the win going seven strong innings, with Tyler Rhoden and Amad Stephens closed things out with an inning of work each. Wichita will host the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. again on Wednesday. Will Savage will get the start. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article668.html#1337258063 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article668.html Wichita, KS- Greg Porter went 4-5 with a homerun and three RBI, leading the Wingnuts to an 11-4 victory over Lincoln on Sunday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Trailing 1-0 in the third, Wichita exploded for five runs, thanks in part to a pair of Lincoln errors. Kelly Hunt had the big hit in the inning with a two-run double. Wichita picked up two more in the fourth and three in the fifth. Every Wichita player reached base and all but one Wichita starter scored a run. Nick Blasi and Joe Muich each recorded two hits. The Wingnuts were aided by four Lincoln errors and despite the 11 runs, also left a total of 13 men on base. Richard Salazar picked up the win in relief, while Doug Hurn pitched the final three innings to record a save. Wichita returns to action on Tuesday when they will host the Sious Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article667.html#1337258064 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article667.html Wichita, KS- Dustan Mohr went 3-6 with 5 RBI, including a walk-off home run in game two, leading the Wingnuts to a doubleheader sweep of the Lincoln Saltdogs on Saturday night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Mohr hit a two-run home run and knocked in an insurance run with a sacrifice fly, leading the Wingnuts to a 3-1 victory in game one.Tyler Rhodenearned the win, while Amad Stephens struck out the side in the seventh to earn the save. In the nightcap, the Wingnuts led 6-4 with two outs in the last inning, thanks to four Saltdogs errors. Lincoln rallied though for two runs off Amad Stephens, setting up Mohr's heroics. Michael Thompson and Patrick Brooks each had two hits in game two. Wichita and Lincoln will wrap up their series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. and fans can get free admission with their Riverfest Button. For tickets or more information call the Wignuts at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article666.html#1337258065 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article666.html Wichita, KS- The Wingnuts dropped their season opener 5-3 on Thursday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to the Lincoln Saltdogs. Lincoln led 2-0 before the Wingnuts tied it with a pair of runs in the third thanks to a two-run double by Brenan Herrera. Lincoln took the lead for good with two runs in the fourth. Both starters lasted only four innings each, turning the game into a bullpen battle. Lincoln went up 5-2 with a run in the seventh thanks to a walk and two stolen bases by Josh Burrus. Wichita scored a run in the bottom of the seventh but left two runners on and a total of 10 for the game. Jim Paduch got the win in relief while Carlos Guevara notched the save. Wichita starter Gabe Medina suffered the loss. The two teams will battle again on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and admission is free with a Riverfest Button. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article663.html#1337258066 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article663.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have postponed Friday night's game versus Lincoln and rescheduled it as part of a double header on Saturday evening. Saturday, May 16th will consist of two seven-inning contests beginning at 4:00 p.m. Riverfest Button Night, which had been scheduled for Friday, will now take place during Sunday's game at 5:05 p.m. Fans showing their Riverfest button can receive a free general admission to Sunday's contest versus Lincoln. For ticket information for this weekend's games, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article665.html#1337258067 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article665.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2009 radio partnership with Sports Radio 1410 KGSO. For the second straight year, the Wingnuts home and road broadcasts will be carried on 1410AM KGSO, Wichita's only all sports radio station, and Wichita's only locally-owned radio station. The Wingnuts hit the airwaves beginning with tonight's season opener versus Lincoln. Each broadcast includes a 20-minute pregame show as well as a postgame show featuring that games's highlights. KGSO will broadcast at least 80 Wingnuts regular season and potential postseason contests. The Wingnuts can also be heard worldwide at A link to KGSO's internet audio can be found at the Wingnuts' website The Wingnuts open the 2009 season tonight at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Tickets are on sale now for all Wingnuts' home games. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article662.html#1337258068 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article662.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts will be on hand at the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant and Tavern on Monday, May 18th. Wingnuts players and coaches will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The Rowdy Beaver is located at Kellogg and West St. The Wingnuts open their second season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale to the public and can be purchased via phone or at the Wingnuts' office. For more information, call (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article661.html#1337258069 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article661.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their 2009 promotional schedule on Tuesday. A full link to the Wingnuts' 2009 promotional schedule can be found here: Weekly promotions once again run six nights a week, beginning with Military Mondays, where fans can receive one free General Admission ticket with the presentation of a Military I.D. Shiner Bock Beer-for-a-Buck returns for every Tuesday night, with Shiner Bock beers available for just one dollar, courtesy of Standard Beverage. Weenie Wednesdays, another fan favorite from last season, returns as a mid-week promotion. Hot dogs will cost just 1.25 throughout the entire game, courtesy of Indian Hills Meat and Poultry. Thirsty Thursdays return for the following night, with all domestic draft beer and soda available for just one dollar all night. Each Thursday, with the exception of opening night, will also see the return of the Wingnuts' Home Run Derby. Fans have the opportunity to actually step onto the field after the game and prove to their friends whether or not they can hit one out of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Basham's Rent to Own gives Wingnuts' fans another opportunity to take swings on the field with their Bash'em With the Big Boys Promotion. Fans can enter at any of Basham's three locations to win a round of live batting practice with Wingnuts players. Two fans will be selected each month. Postgame autograph sessions with the Wingnuts return following every Friday home game. Fridays also feature special events, appearances, and giveaway items. Another Wichita tradition continues following every Saturday home game, as fans will be treated to a first class fireworks extravaganza. The fun begins on May 14th when the Wingnuts open the season. The first 5,000 fans through the gates receive a 2009 Wingnuts Magnet Schedule with a postgame fireworks show right after the Wingnuts' match versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. In addition to the weekly promotions, the Wingnuts have a number of great one-time events lined up throughout the year. The Wingnuts offer their first ever bobblehead promotion when Big Fish Bail Bonds presents Kevin Hooper Bobblehead Night on June 26th. The Wingnuts will attempt to break their all-time attendance record of 8,225 when Baker University presents Pack the Park Night on June 27th. On July 24th, the world famous Super Fan will be on hand for in-game entertainment. The Wingnuts host their first Bark in the Park event on July 26th, presented by Newman University. August 20th features a Wings and Nuts pre-game party, hosted by Channel 963 and 107.3 The Road. The Wingnuts host their second annual Baseball Card Giveaway on August 28th. On May 27th, the Wingnuts host Guaranteed Rainout Night. If there is no rain, everyone in attendance receives a free ticket to the Wingnuts game on May 28th. On June 5th, Rally, a reknowned mascot, brings his act to Wichita. The following night, Multi-Cultural Night returns to Wichita, presented by Midwest Transplant Network. Multicultural Night celebrates the diverse cultures of the Wichita community. Pre and post game activities will take place, along with a multitude of cultural booths, performances, and special guest appearances. The decrease in gas prices allows fans to win at the ballpark as well. On July 28th, the Wingnuts host Gas Prices = Ticket Prices where the price of one gallon of gas gets you into the ballpark. Awful Night makes its long awaited return on July 9th, presented by Brand Plumbing. Two day games are scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th and Wednesday, July 29th. Both contests begin at 12:05 p.m. and are great for both a business luncheon or day camp event. Throughout the season, fans will also have the chance to snag some free tickets with several Buy-In Nights on the schedule, hosted at various local businesses. Though the Wingnuts will be out of town for Independence Day, an NBC contest will take place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on July 4th with a fireworks show afterward. The Wingnuts open their second season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season, group, and picnic packages are also on sale. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article659.html#1337258070 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article659.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts finalized their 22-man opening night roster on Monday, releasing seven players and signing infielder Patrick Brooks. Brooks, who is expected to fill a utility role for Wichita, is entering his third season of professional baseball. The Vallejo, CA native spent the end of last season with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts, where he was a teammate of Wingnuts' second baseman Josh Horn. The Thunderbolts went on to win their second straight Frontier League championship. Brooks played collegiately at the University of Texas-Pan American, before signing with the Chicago Cubs' organization as a non-drafted free agent in 2007. The Wingnuts released seven players from their training camp roster, including pitchers Jeff Reekers and Lance Odom, catcher Scott Daniels, infielders Louie Curcio, Dustin Smith, and Derek Jennings, and outfielder Bill Duffy. Wichita now has 22 players on their roster including returning players Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Richard Salazar, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, Amad Stephens, and Steve Pearson. The Wingnuts' 13 new players includes Brooks, Horn, Kelly Hunt, Zach Goldberg, Greg Porter, Nick Blasi, Joe Muich, Nathan Parker, Tyler Rhoden, Derek Blacksher, Will Savage, Gabe Medina, and Ronnie Morales. The Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they hose the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale for all Wingnuts' home games. Season, group, and picnic packages are also available. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article658.html#1337258071 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article658.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-2 in an exhibition match against the Fort Worth Cats on Saturday night at LaGrave Field. Cats' starter Aaron Crow threw four scoreless innings, while Brian Fryer contributed two RBI. The Cats broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Ryan Patterson's sacrifice fly scored Brian Fryer for a 1-0 Cats' lead. They added another run in the sixth inning as Fryer's sacrifice fly scored Aljay Davis, who had been hit by a pitch to start off the frame. The Cats made it 5-0 with a three-run eighth that included an RBI double by Michael Bell, a run-scoring single by Charles Carter and another sacrifice fly by Fryer. Fryer was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Catcher Zach Goldberg drove in both runs for Wichita with a two-run single in the ninth inning. The Wingnuts finish their preseason schedule with a record of 1-2 and will now prepare for their season opener on Thursday. The Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article657.html#1337258072 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article657.html FORT WORTH, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts dropped a 5-2 exhibition decision to the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field on Friday night. Kelley Gulledge's three-run homer in the ninth inning Friday night gave the Cats a 5-2 win over Wichita at LaGrave Field. The Wingnuts are now 1-1 in the preseason. The Cats took an early lead in the game as Ryan Patterson scampered home from third on a wild pitch. The Wingnuts took a 2-1 advantage in the fourth when Kelly Hunt hit a two-run shot to left. Wingnuts' pitchers held the Cats to just three hits through the first eight innings. The Wingnuts play the Cats in Fort Worth again on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in their last exhibition game of the season. The Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are on sale for all 48 home games. Season, group, and picnic packages are available as well. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article656.html#1337258073 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article656.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts earned their first win of their exhibition season, defeating the Newman University Jets 5-1 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Wednesday night. Wichita grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly from Greg Porter that scored Nick Blasi. In the second, Joe Muich scored on a throwing error from Jets' shortstop John Bonebrake. The Wingnuts pushed across another run on a bases loaded walk to Brenan Herrera to make it 3-0. Derek Blacksher started for Wichita, striking out seven in three shutout innings. Blacksher walked one and did not allow a base hit. Jeff Reekers pitched the middle three innings for the Wingnuts, allowing one run on three hits to pick up the win. Ronnie Morales, Tyler Rhoden, and Amad Stephens combined to allow two hits in three scoreless innings to close out the final three innings. Wingnuts pitchers struck out 12 hitters on the night. The Jets scratched out their lone run on an RBI fielder's choice from John Beavers in the top of the fifth. The Wingnuts padded their lead with a pair of sacrifice flies from Josh Horn in the sixth and eighth innings. The Wingnuts open their second season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are now on sale to the public, as well as group, picnic, and season packages. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article655.html#1337258074 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article655.html WICHITA, KS- Tuesday's exhibition game between the Wichita Wingnuts and the Newman University Jets has been postponed due to inclement weather. The contest will be made up Wednesday, May 6th at its originally scheduled time of 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. All tickets can be purchased for just 7.00 at the gate beginning one hour before game time. The Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale for all Wingnuts' home games. Season, group, and picnic packages are available as well. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article654.html#1337258075 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article654.html WICHITA, KS- Individual tickets are now on sale to the public for all 2009 Wichita Wingnuts home games. The Wingnuts are entering their second season in the American Association, and open the season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Tickets start as low as 6.00 for general admission, and can be purchased via phone or at the Lawrence-Dumont Stadium front office. Season tickets, group packages, and picnic outings are still on sale as well. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article653.html#1337258076 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article653.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their exhibition schedule today, headlined by a match against Newman University on Tuesday, May 5th. The contest versus Newman University begins at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. All seats will be considered General Admission, and can be purchased for just 7.00. It will be the first time this season that the Wingnuts take the field in uniform under new manager Kevin Hooper. The Wingnuts are coming off of a 45-50 record in their inaugural season, which included a second place finish in the first half of 2008. The Newman University Jets compete in the Heartland Conference at the NCAA Division-II level. Newman hitters will be allowed to use aluminum bats, while Newman pitchers will use NCAA-sanctioned baseballs. The Wingnuts will use wood bats and standard American Association balls. Later in the week, the Wingnuts travel south for two more exhibition games. On Friday, May 8th, the Wingnuts head to LaGrave Field to play the Fort Worth Cats. The following night, Wichita heads across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area to QuikTrip Park, where the Wingnuts will battle the Southern Division champion Grand Prairie AirHogs. Both games commence at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts will hold their second annual media day on Monday, May 4th at 1:30 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. All Wingnuts players, as well as manager Kevin Hooper will be available for interviews and photographs. All print, radio, and television media are invited. For more information on media day, contact Steve Schuster at (316) 264-4625, or Also on May 4th, Wichita Wingnuts tickets will officially go on sale to the public. Individual ticket prices range from 6.00-12.00, with discounts available for seniors, military, and youth 12 and under. Children ages two and under can receive free admission. The Wichita Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article652.html#1337258077 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article652.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced two major player additions, signing former Wichita State University Shockers Nick Blasi and Joe Muich. Blasi (pronounced BLAY-zee) will be entering his sixth year of professional baseball, and has more career hits (547) than games played (530). A lifetime .277 hitter, Blasi has played at the AAA level each of the last two seasons, most recently for the Charlotte Knights, AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. A Wichita native and resident, Blasi was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 12th Round in 2004, following a standout college career at Wichita State. Blasi started his college ball at Butler Community College, before joining the Shockers in 2003 when he hit .321 in 69 games. The following season, Blasi ranked third on the Shockers with a .366 average, tied for second with 10 home runs, and fourth with 51 RBI. Blasi's finest professional season came at the AAA level in 2007 with the Sacramento River Cats. That season Blasi hit a career-high .316 in 89 games, scoring 55 runs and driving in 41 more. Blasi was a teammate of Wingnuts' left-handed pitchers Brad Davis and Leonard Landeros at various levels of the Oakland Athletics organization in 2006 and 2007. The 27-year old Blasi is expected to take over center field duties for the Wingnuts. Muich (pronounced MYOO-itch) is heading into his fourth professional season, and was a teammate of Blasi at Wichita State in 2003 and 2004. The Fenton, MO native has played at the AA level in the New York Yankees' organization the past two seasons. A standout defensive catcher, Muich was selected by the Yankees in the 12th Round of the 2005 draft and began his professional career the following season, hitting .276 with four home runs and 24 RBI in Low-A for the Charleston RiverDogs. In 2007, Muich cranked a career-high six home runs in 47 games for Charleston and earned his first promotion to AA. Muich enjoyed a four-year career at Wichita State from 2002-2005. As a junior in 2004, Muich hit .293 with four home runs and 42 RBI. During his senior season in 2005, the 26-year old hit .297, led the Shockers with nine home runs, and collected 42 RBI for a second consecutive year. Muich also handled a pitching staff in 2005 that went 51-24 and included eventual Major Leaguer Mike Pelfrey. Blasi and Muich join returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, Amad Stephens, and Leonard Landeros, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, Derek Blacksher, Kelly Hunt, Greg Porter, Josh Horn, Louis Curcio, Ronnie Morales, and Lance Odom to round out the Wingnuts' spring training roster at the maximum 28 players. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article651.html#1337258078 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article651.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts made two more additions to their roster, signing left-handed pitcher and former Wichita State University Shocker Ronnie Morales as well as right-handed pitcher Lance Odom. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 45th round in 2007, Morales is entering his third professional season. The southpaw has appeared in 51 pro games, all in relief, notching five wins, five saves, and 69 strikeouts in 79.2 career innings. Morales posted a 3.67 ERA in two seasons pitching for the White Sox' rookie level affiliate in the Pioneer League. The Austin, TX native appeared in seven games for the Shockers in 2007, striking out four in 3.1 IP. Prior to his time at Wichita State, Morales pitched at the University of Texas-Pan American. Odom is a sidearming right hander from Winter Park, FL. The 29-year old's career began in the Minnesota Twins' farm system in 1999 when he pitched for the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate. Odom earned a promotion to the Midwest League in 2000 before injuries slowed his career. Odom has played with several independent teams since 2004, most recently pitching for the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League last season. Odom has appeared in 43 professional games, all of them in relief. The Wingnuts also cleared a roster spot by trading outfielder Chris Colton to the Flornce Freedom of the Frontier League in exchange for a player to be named later. In the Wingnuts inaugural game on May 8th of last year, Colton collected the first hit and RBI in team history. The two additions join returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, Amad Stephens, and Leonard Landeros, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, Derek Blacksher, Kelly Hunt, Greg Porter, Josh Horn, and Louis Curcio to give Wichita 26 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training. The Wingnuts' final two roster spots will be announced soon. The Wingnuts also announced that they will host another job fair on April 11th for those who could not attend the fair this past weekend due to inclement weather. The April 11th job fair will take place from Noon to 3:00 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article648.html#1337258079 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article648.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have made three more additions to their roster, re-signing pitcher Leonard Landeros, purchasing the contract of infielder Josh Horn from the Frontier League, and trading for utility player Louie Curcio from the Golden League. Landeros was a steady presence in the Wingnuts' rotation last year, going 7-5 with a 4.11 ERA while making a career-high 17 starts. Landeros finished second on the Wingnuts' staff with 96.1 IP and allowed just six home runs. A former 29th round pick of the Athletics in 2001, Landeros is 20-17 in eight professional seasons and reached the AAA level in 2007 with Oakland. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Landeros and fellow Wingnuts' left hander Brad Davis were teammates at various levels in the Athletics' organization. The Exeter, CA native's best work last season came down the stretch. In five starts from July 17th through August 15th, Landeros posted a 1.39 ERA and allowed just 28 hits in 39.1 IP. Horn is a two-time Frontier League All-Star with the Windy City Thunderbolts. Playing mostly third base each of the last two seasons, Horn hit a combined .295 with 36 doubles, 14 home runs, and 96 RBI in 184 games played. The Shelbyville, TN native played college baseball at Columbia State Community College, before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University. As a senior for the Blue Raiders in 2006, Horn hit .330 in 55 games while playing second base, which is the position he is expected to fill for the Wingnuts. Curcio comes to the Wingnuts from the Golden League's Yuma Scorpions in exchange for outfielder Blake Gailen. A true utility man, Curcio can play infield, outfield, and catcher. The Brooklyn, NY native played at Seminole Community College in 2004 and 2005, before turning pro on an international level. Curcio played in Italy for the Grosseto Orioles in 2006. Gailen hit .266 for the Wingnuts in 88 games while also making 13 appearances as a pitcher. Gailen was named the team's inaugural Unsung Hero prior to the final game of 2008. Landeros, Horn, and Curcio join returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, Derek Blacksher, Kelly Hunt, and Greg Porter to give Wichita 24 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder returns home this weekend for two games, beginning with a contest versus Texas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article641.html#1337258080 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article641.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have made another significant addition for the 2009 season, signing veteran outfielder Greg Porter. Drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 45th round in 2001, Porter has spent the last four seasons in the high minors. A left handed hitter, Porter is a .292 career hitter, with more base hits (788) than games played (749). In eight years of professional baseball, all of them in the affiliated minor leagues, Porter has hit .286 or better six times, while eclipsing the .300 mark four times. Porter spent the first seven years of his career in the Angels' organization, before splitting time with the Washington Nationals' and New York Yankees' AAA affiliates in 2008. Last season, Porter hit .255 in a combined 92 games with Scranton-Wilkes Barre and Columbus, both members of the AAA International League. Porter reached AAA for the first time in 2007, hitting .345 in 56 games with seven home runs and 33 RBI for the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League. Prior to reaching AAA, the West Point, NY native was one of the top hitters in the AA Texas League, playing with the Arkansas Travelers for three seasons. Porter hit .286, .298, and .294 respectively from 2005-2007, which included a career-high 20 home runs and 71 RBI in 2006. Porter is a lifetime .317 hitter with 16 runs scored and 19 RBI in 31 games at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Porter, who stands at six feet four inches, 225 pounds, began his career in the Rookie level Pioneer League in 2001, hitting .331 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in just 39 games. After a rough season in 2001 in which he hit .229, Porter rebounded in 2003 and hit .305. The 76-point improvement earned him a promotion to the High-A California League where he hit .318 in 2004 with Rancho Cucamonga. Porter played three seasons of college baseball at Texas AM University from 1999-2001. The 28-year old has played most of his professional career in the outfield, while also possessing experience at first and third base. Porter's left handed bat will help balance the Wingnuts' lineup. He is expected to play left field for the Wingnuts in 2009. Porter joins returning Wingnuts players Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, Derek Blacksher, and Kelly Hunt to give Wichita 22 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder returns home this weekend for two games, beginning with a contest versus Texas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article639.html#1337258081 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article639.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced the latest addition to their roster with the signing of slugging infielder Kelly Hunt. A 29th round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2003, Hunt comes to the Wingnuts after playing for the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League in 2008. With Florence, Hunt produced an MVP-caliber season, hitting .308 with 26 home runs and 73 RBI in 75 games. Hunt's 26 long balls, .614 slugging percentage, and ratio of one home run for every 11.35 at bats all topped the Frontier League. Now in his seventh year of professional baseball, Hunt has hit at least 18 home runs in each of the last five seasons. During that span, Hunt has totaled 114 home runs and 390 RBI in 536 games played, for an average of 35 home runs and 118 RBI per 162 games. Hunt, who will be 28 years old at the start of the season, has played in the independent ranks since 2007, splitting time with the South Coast League's Aiken Foxhounds and the Atlantic League's York Revolution two seasons ago. Hunt dominated in the SCL in 78 games with Aiken, finishing third in batting average (.337), fifth in doubles (20), first in home runs (24), fourth in RBI (68), and first in slugging percentage (.694). When Aiken's season ended, Hunt went on to hit three homeruns in 12 games with York. The right handed batting Hunt reached AA in 2006 with the Erie SeaWolves, bashing 22 home runs which ranked third in the Eastern League. On July 1st of that season, Hunt cranked three home runs while knocking in seven, both career-bests. In 2005 while playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the pitcher-dominated Florida State League, Hunt finished fourth with 86 RBI while hitting 18 home runs. Hunt played for the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest league in his first full professional season in 2004, hitting .275 with the fourth most home runs (21) and the third most RBI (102). Hunt played collegiately at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he hit .439 as a senior in 2003 before Detroit selected him in the draft. His professional career began shortly thereafter when he hit .257 in 47 games for the Oneonta Tigers of the New York-Penn League. The Toledo, OH native has split time at first and third base each of the last two years, and is expected see time at both positions as well as designated hitter with the Wingnuts. Hunt, who stands at six feet four inches, 245 pounds, was recruited by Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper, who spent three years of his own career in the Tigers' organization. Hunt joins returning Wingnuts players Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, and Derek Blacksher to give Wichita 21 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training. The Wingnuts expect to make two more high-profile player announcements, including one with local ties, in the next week. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder returns home this weekend for two games, beginning with a contest versus Texas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article634.html#1337258082 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article634.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced another addition to their 2009 roster with the acquisition of pitcher Derek Blacksher from the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. A 33rd round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2007, Blacksher spent the 2008 season with Gateway, posting a 10-8 record with a 4.57 ERA. The 10 wins ranked fifth in the Frontier league. Blacksher struck out 110 hitters in 128.0 innings, while walking 49. The 24-year old right hander soaked up innings for Gateway, pitching into the seventh inning in 13 of his 19 starts, and pitching into the eighth inning in seven of them. On August 8th, Blacksher struck out a career-high 14 hitters in 8.0 innings of work in a win over Kalamazoo. The Orange, TX native struck out five or more hitters in 13 of his 19 starts. Blacksher comes to the Wingnuts via trade, with Gateway receiving future considerations from Wichita. Blacksher played his college ball at McNeese State University where he struck out 87 hitters in 104.2 IP as a senior in 2007 before getting drafted by Florida. The right hander started his professional career shortly after the draft, latching on with the Marlins' Gulf Coast Rookie affiliate. While in the GCL, Blacksher went 3-1 with nine saves and a 0.49 ERA in 18.1 IP, while striking out 25 and walking seven. The nine saves ranked third in the Gulf Coast League. In between his time in rookie ball, Blacksher earned a callup to the New-York Penn League (Short Season A-Ball) striking out eight in 7.1 IP and notching two more saves. Blacksher joins returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, and Drew Holder to give Wichita 21 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training. Beginning Wednesday, the Wingnuts expect to make three high-profile player announcements. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder return home this weekend for two games, beginning with a contest versus Texas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article632.html#1337258083 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article632.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced two more player acquisitions, with the signing of pitchers Tyler Rhoden and Nathan Parker. Rhoden, a 22nd Round draft pick by Cincinatti in 2007, spent each of the last two seasons in the Reds' organization. The 24-year old right hander reached High-A with Sarasota in 2008. In 37 career appearances, 36 of them out of the bullpen, Rhoden has posted a 5-1 record with a 4.82 ERA. The Jacksonville, FL native has struck out 47 hitters in 71.0 professional innings. Prior to being drafted, Rhoden played collegiately at Vanderbilt University, where he was teammates with several recent high-profile draft picks, including Tampa Bay's David Price and Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez. Rhoden helped the Commodores to the 2007 NCAA Super Regionals and a #1 national ranking for virtually the entire season. Parker, a 23-year old left hander, will be in his first professional season. The Tulsa, OK native played his college ball at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Over the last two seasons, Parker has struck out 72 hitters in 82 innings pitched. Parker appeared in 35 games, 13 of them starts, during his final two years with the Trojans. The Wingnuts also announced their first trade of the offseason, sending right handed pitcher Gustavo Mata to the Grand Prairie AirHogs in exchange for outfielder Drew Holder. Mata was 4-7 in 18 appearances, 17 of them starts, with a 3.69 ERA. Holder hit .283 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI for the AirHogs last season, helping them reach the American Association Championship Series. Rhoden, Parker, and Holder join newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, and Dustin Smith, as well as 2008 returnees Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, giving the Wingnuts 20 players officially signed for 2009. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training, which will begin in early May. The Wingnuts expect to announce several more player signings in the coming days, including several high-profile signings. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article627.html#1337258084 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article627.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced three more signings, including the return of Amad Stephens and the addition of right handed pitcher Gabe Medina, and second baseman Dustin Smith. Stephens, one of the top eighth inning setup men in the American Association last season, is expected to move into the closer's role for 2009. A former New York Yankees farm hand, Stephens posted a 1.87 ERA in 50.0 innings last season, while striking out 41. The San Diego, CA native proved durable with 18 of his 37 outings lasting more than one inning. Stephens started 2008 with the Lincoln Saltdogs before signing with the Wingnuts as a free agent and did not allow a hit in his first nine innings with Wichita. Medina, another former Yankees prospect, is expected to join the Wingnuts' starting rotation. A local product, Medina played his college ball at Emporia State University, and resides in Emporia, KS. Medina has a career record of 5-3 with a 4.01 ERA in 56 appearances. In 139.0 career innings, Medina has struck out 123 batters while walking just 37. Drafted by New York in the 15th round in 2006, Medina spent three seasons in the Yankees' organization. Smith, a true rookie from Chesnee, SC, finished his college career at Southern Wesleyan University last Spring. Smith hit .256 for the Warriors in 2008 and led the squad with 22 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. Smith is expected to compete for the Wingnuts' starting job at second base. The three players join 2008 returnees Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Doug Hurn, and Justin Young, as well as newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, and Jeff Reekers, giving the Wingnuts 17 players signed for 2009. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training, which will begin in early May. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder hosts the Tulsa Oilers on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. Hot dogs are just 1.00 during the entire game. For more information, call the Wingnuts' and Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article621.html#1337258085 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article621.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced the signing of four more players for the 2009 season, with the return of Steve Pearson, Blake Gailen, Justin Young, and Doug Hurn. Pearson hit .261 with five homeruns last season, while tying for the team lead in RBIs with 51. The 25-year old Petaluma, CA native primarily played first base, where he excelled defensively. Pearson led all American Association first basemen with a .995 fielding percentage, committing just three errors and helping turn 71 double plays. On May 9th, Pearson hit the first homerun in Wingnuts history, a shot over the right-center field fence that bounced from MacLean Blvd. into the nearby Arkansas River. Pearson carried the Wingnuts' offense during the middle of the season, hitting a torrid .383 from May 27th through July 6th, a stretch that also included 31 RBI in 30 games. Steve showed signs last year of what he is capable of doing, said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. He's a solid first baseman and can also play the outfield, making him very valuable. He's going to be very valuable again this year as one of our few left handed bats who will play first, outfield, and designated hitter. Gailen, who was named the Wingnuts' Unsung Hero prior to the final game of the season, hit .266 with three homeruns and 41 RBI. The West Hills, CA native also worked in 13 games on the mound, starting two, and posting a 4.66 ERA in 36.2 IP. On July 25th at St. Paul, Gailen nearly hit for the cycle, collecting a homerun, two doubles, and a single, before getting thrown out at third in his final at-bat, trying to stretch a double into a triple. Gailen led all American Association outfielders with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Blake was another very valuable member of our team last year, not only being able to play the outfield, but also take the mound at times, said Hooper. A two-way guy that always gives you options. A left handed bat in the lineup with some speed that can put pressure on a defense, will also show signs of some good pop for a guy with a little frame. Young, a 25-year old right handed pitcher, began the season in the Wingnuts' rotation, carrying a 3.26 ERA into late June. The Colorado Springs, CO native experienced a rough patch in the second half, but still finished fifth on the team with 85.1 IP. Young's best moment came on May 19th when he pitched eight innings allowing one run on four hits and striking out six over then-defending champion Fort Worth. Justin is a guy that could either start or come out of the pen, said Hooper. He struggled with the strike zone at times, but he is a bulldog out on the mound. I am expecting big things out of him this year whether it be as a starter or a reliever. Hurn, a true rookie in 2008, made 21 appearances with a 5.45 ERA in 38.0 IP. Used primarily as a reliever, Hurn showed durability, with 11 of his 21 outings lasting for more than one inning. In just his second professional outing, Hurn pitched 5.2 IP of long relief allowing just one run on May 31st versus Sioux City. Doug is a rookie with alot of promise, said Hooper. He wants the ball in his hands all the time and is a good ground ball guy when he keeps the ball down, which is very valuable on the turf. The quartet of signings join other 2008 returnees Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Brenan Herrera, Richard Salazar, and Brad Davis, as well as newcomers Jeff Reekers, Bill Duffy, Scott Daniels, Zach Goldberg, and Derek Jennings as players under contract for 2009. Several more signings are expected in the next two weeks, including several more returning players and a high-profile signing. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder returns to the Kansas Coliseum on Wednesday, February 25th when they host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article615.html#1337258086 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article615.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have signed three more players for the 2009 season, announcing the return of pitchers Brad Davis and Richard Salazar, and infielder Brenan Herrera. Davis, a 26-year old lefthanded pitcher, led the Wingnuts last season in starts (18), innings pitched (111.0), wins (8), and strikeouts (70). Davis started and won the inaugural game in Wingnuts' history on May 8th of last year. On May 29th, Davis pitched the first nine-inning complete game in the team's history, allowing one run on three hits in a win over Sioux Falls. The Frankfort, KY native did not miss a start during the course of the season. Salazar, a 28-year old lefthanded pitcher, began last season in the bullpen, posting a 3.06 ERA in 16 appearances. The Caracas, Venezuela native made a permanent transition to the starting rotation in late June. While in the rotation, Salazar went 5-5 in 12 starts with an ERA of 3.70 after not having started a game since August of 2006. Salazar was named the Wingnuts' inaugural Pitcher of the Year prior to the season's final game. Herrera, a 26-year old right handed hitting infielder, was both a midseason and postseason All-Star last year. The Lawton, OK native finished tied for eighth in the batting race, hitting .317 with five homeruns. Herrera's 51 RBI tied him for the team lead, and his 27 doubles ranked second in the American Association behind teammate Michael Thompson. Herrera started at second base at the All-Star Game in St. Paul and collected two hits. Herrera had a 10-game hitting streak from July 9th-19th and finished third in fielding percentage among second baseman at .973. Both Davis and Salazar are expected to rejoin Wichita's starting rotation, while Herrera is slated to take over at shortstop after Kevin Hooper assumed the team's managerial duties. The trio joins fellow returnees Michael Thompson and Dustan Mohr, and newcomers Jeff Reekers, Bill Duffy, Scott Daniels, Derek Jennings, and Zach Goldberg as Wingnuts who are currently under contract for 2009. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through the end of Spring Training, which will commence the first week of May. Several more signings, including a handful of returning players and a high-profile signing will be announced in the coming weeks. The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets and partial plans are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article611.html#1337258087 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article611.html WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have announced the re-signing of veteran outfielder Dustan Mohr. A seven-year Major League veteran, Mohr played with the Wingnuts during their inaugural season in 2008, collecting 41 RBI in 53 games played. Mohr earned a midseason pickup with the Colorado Rockies' AAA affiliate in Colorado Springs, before returning to the Wingnuts in July. The Hattiesburg, MO native hit .283 with men on base for Wichita last year. Mohr had a pair of two-homerun games, including a performance on July 11th versus Lincoln in which he connected for a double, two homeruns, and a season-high six RBI. Mohr spent seven seasons in the Major Leagues, most notably with the Rockies and the Minnesota Twins. Mohr is a lifetime .500 hitter in the MLB playoffs, going 7 for 14 in the 2002 American League Division Series and Championship Series. Mohr was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 9th round in 1997 after finishing his college career at the University of Alabama. He has 49 career Major League homeruns, including a career-best 17 with the Rockies in 2005. 2009 will be Mohr's 13th year in professional baseball. Mohr joins returning third baseman Michael Thompson, as well as newcomers Zach Goldberg, Derek Jennings, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, and Jeff Reekers as players under contract for the upcoming season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through training camp, before reducing their rosters to 22 during the regular season. The Wingnuts open their second season at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on May 14th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625. -Wingnuts- Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article585.html#1337258088 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article585.html WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts announced three more signings on Friday, with the additions of Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, and Jeff Reekers. Daniels, a catcher, played collegiate ball at both Hiwassee College and Milligan College, both located in Daniels's home state of Tennessee. Reekers, a right handed pitcher, made his professional debut in the American Association with the Lincoln Saltdogs in 2008. A native of Moraga, CA, Reekers made two appearances for Lincoln, working 3.1 innings and allowing one earned run. Reekers played at the University of California-Davis, where he went 9-7 as a starting pitcher from 2007-2008. He struck out 47 hitters while walking 29 in 121.1 IP during that stretch. Duffy, a left handed outfielder, played four seasons of collegiate ball at Lewis University from 2004-2008. The Clarendon Hills, IL native hit .289 as a senior in 2008, stealing six bases in seven attempts, and scoring 31 runs in 46 games. Duffy led the Flyers in batting average in 2007, hitting .337 in 55 games. As a freshman in 2005, Duffy finished second on the team in average at .311. The newly signed trio joins returning All-Star third baseman Michael Thompson, as well as catcher Zach Goldberg, and shortstop Derek Jennings, giving the Wingnuts six players under contract for the 2009 season. The Wingnuts open their second season against the Lincoln Saltdogs on May 14th, 2009 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. First pitch is now scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-GOAL. -WINGNUTS- Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article567.html#1337258089 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article567.html If you've ever been to a Buzz event (or if you've been in Wichita for ANY length of time), then you know Brad. Brad Horning is our Promotions Director here at the station. Tallboy and I call him The Reason, because HE is the reason anything happens in our building. Brad is the creative mastermind behind promotions like Big Boys' Toy Show and the Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff. He's also an AVID Wichita Wingnuts fan. On any given day, at any given time, you can hear the GO NUTS battle cry being yelled from his office and down the halls. So, when there was an opportunity to show his Nuts spirit (in December) he jumped at it! Check out the story and pictures . Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article556.html#1337258090 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article556.html WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have announced two more signings for the 2009 season, with the addition of catcher Zach Goldberg and shortstop Derek Jennings. A Wichita native, Goldberg joins the Wingnuts after spending most of 2008 with the division-rival St. Paul Saints. Goldberg began training camp with the Wingnuts, before making his way to Evansville in the Frontier League, and eventually the Saints, where he appeared in 23 games. He hit safely in nine of his first 13 games, and three of his six RBI came against Wichita. Goldberg split time with the Sioux City Explorers and the Frontier League's Kalamazoo Kings in his rookie season in 2007, hitting .281 in 13 games with two homeruns. Jennings was a standout for the Seattle Studs, hitting .276 with 26 RBI in 49 games. The Renton, Washington native was named to the 2008 NBC World Series All-American Team at shortstop, helping the Studs reach the tournament's championship game. Jennings had stints in the Frontier League with River City and Fargo-Moorhead before joining the Studs. Goldberg and Jennings join returning All-Star third baseman Michael Thompson as Wichita's current players under contract for 2009. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training, which will take place May 2nd-May 13th. Wichita opens the 2009 season on May 14th against the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wichita Thunder also return to action this weekend, hosting the Texas Brahmas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For Wingnuts and Thunder ticket information, contact the Wichita Pro Sports office at 264-4625. -WINGNUTS- Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article542.html#1337258091 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article542.html WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have announced their first player signing for the 2009 season with the return of third baseman Michael Thompson. Thompson hit .305 while leading the team in homeruns (10), slugging percentage (.488), and finishing third with 48 RBI. The Covina, CA native was selected as a reserve for the 2008 All-Star Game in St. Paul. After an injury to the starting DH, Thompson was given the chance to start in the game and collected a hit. Thompson also won the annual homerun derby prior to the game. Thompson was the only Wingnut to appear in all 95 games in 2008, starting in 93 of them. He reached base in each of Wichita's first 30 games with either a hit or a walk, and also started the season with a 12-game hitting streak. Thompson led the American Association with 29 doubles, and helped start 28 double plays, the most by any third baseman. Thompson had 28 multi-hit games, while hitting safely in 71 of 95 games. Originally drafted by the Astros in the 26th round in 2005, Thompson made his way to the Royals organization where he was also an All-Star with the class-A Burlington Bees of the Midwest League in 2007. Thompson finished fourth in the Midwest League in 2007 with 19 homeruns. Thompson's signing comes one day after Kevin Hooper was introduced as Wichita's field manager for 2009. The Wingnuts have also announced their 2009 schedule. Wichita opens their season with a four-game series against the division rival Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday May 14th. The schedule includes six Fridays and six Saturdays. The Wingnuts will play on the road from July 31st-August 16th while the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder are back in action this Friday at the Kansas Coliseum when they take on the New Mexico Scorpions. Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wichita Pro Sports office at 264-4625. -WINGNUTS- Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article532.html#1337258092 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article532.html WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have announced that former shortstop Kevin Hooper will be their field manager for the 2009 season. Hooper ends a 10-year playing career that included two seasons in the Major Leagues, four in AAA, and one as a member of the Wingnuts. In 2008, Hooper won the American Association batting title by 40 points, hitting .373. Hooper went 34 for 35 in stolen bases, and was never actually thrown out by an opposing catcher on a steal attempt. The Lawrence, KS native started in the American Association All-Star Game in July, collecting two hits, and was also named to the league's postseason All-Star team. He was named the Wingnuts' team MVP prior to the final game of the season. Hooper ended the season on a nine-game hitting streak, going 21 for his last 39 (.538) to pull ahead even further in the batting race. On May 28th vs. Sioux Falls, Hooper collected his 1,000th career hit with an infield single. Defensively, Hooper led all shortstops with a .973 fielding percentage, and helped lead an infield defense that turned a league-best 109 double plays, and committed the league's fewest errors (92). Hooper had a stellar four-year career with the Wichita State Shockers from 1996-1999, leaving the program with a lifetime .358 batting average. Almost 10 years later, he still ranks in the top 10 in Shocker history in runs (5th, 287), hits (7th, 315), doubles (7th, 58), and triples (9th, 17). In 1998, he had the third highest fielding percentage for a second baseman in Shockey history at .978. Originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 49th round in 1998, Hooper remained at Wichita State for his senior season and was then drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 8th round in 1999. Hooper made it to AAA by 2002, and went on to win back-to-back International League (AAA) Championships with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2005 and 2006. While playing with the Calgary Vipers in 2002, Hooper assembled a 31-game hitting streak (48-127, .378). In 2005 while with Toledo, Hooper had the distinction of playing one inning at every position on the final day of the season, including earning the save on the mound with a perfect ninth inning. Hooper made it to the Major Leagues in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers, and earned his first career Major League hit on July 21st with a single off of Minnesota Twins' veteran pitcher Terry Mulholland. Hooper earned another callup with the Tigers in 2006. Pitching coach Luke Robertson and hitting coach Chris Mileham will remain with the club under Hooper. Wichita also announced their 2009 schedule, which begins on Thursday May 14th vs. Lincoln. The American Association playoff format remains intact, with the first and second half winners from each division playing each other in a best-of-five series. The winners of each divisional series advance to the best-of-five championship series. The Wingnuts feature 25 home dates in the first half, and 23 home dates in the second half. The home schedule also includes six Friday and six Saturday home games. The Wingnuts will play on the road from July 31st-August 16 while the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts went 45-50 in their inaugural season, which included a 26-21 second-place finish in the first half. For information regarding season ticket packages and group outings, call the Wingnuts office at 264-4625. -WINGNUTS- Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article531.html#1337258093 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article531.html BY FERNANDO SALAZAR, The Wichita Eagle- Check out the Wichita Eagle's photo spread of the Wingnuts opening night . The Wingnuts won their first ever game, 7-4,on Thursday night over the Sioux City Explorers. The near capacity crowd of 5,874 was just short of a sellout! The Wingnuts will play a doubleheader with Sioux City today beginning at 5:00 p.m. Admission for both games is free with your Wichita Riverfest Button. Due to Riverfest fans can only enter the Stadium tonight via the Sycamore Street Entrance! Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article284.html#1337258094 http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/news/article284.html