2011 Season in Review

The Key West Ramblers enjoyed a banner season in 2011 as they became more than just a quality team. They rose to become one of the truly elite teams on the Eastern Iowa semi-pro circuit this season. The team's 35-13 record set a new franchise mark since re-joining the area baseball scene in 2004.

Key West took Eastern Iowa baseball by storm when it won 14 of its first 15 games of the season - the best 15-game run the team has seen under the guidance of coaches John Knabel and Paul Carty. The Ramblers grabbed championships in two the of season's first three tournaments, including wins at the EIHL preseason tournament and at Farley. The early-season success spurred the club on to playoff appearances in both the EIHL and the Prairie League for the fifth-consecutive season.

Ben Cottrell made sure Key West ended the season just as it started when he clubbed a dramatic walk-off grand slam to lift the Ramblers to a Prairie League championship over Farley on Aug. 26. Cottrell's blast is almost certainly the biggest hit in eight years of Ramblers baseball. His hit set off a joyous celebration around home plate as Cottrell crossed it for the game-winning run.

In between the red-hot start and amazing Prairie League title finish were a lot of one-run ballgames. The Ramblers played in 18 games decided by just one run, winning 12 of them. Seven of Key West's eight wins between June 28 and July 19 came by a single run.

The Ramblers found ways to win thanks to a great roster of old and new faces. The addition of pitcher Sean O'Connor proved especially important as he went on to lead the pitching staff in every major statistical category. O'Connor threw 80 innings, posted a 2.36 ERA, struck out 71 and won 10 games, tying a franchise record also held by Cottrell and Ned Schauff.

At the plate, some familiar faces wrecked havoc on opposing pitchers. Star shortstop Dan Spain missed only one game and batted .355 and led the team with 23 stolen bases. Spain also took on a much larger role on the mound, tossing 57 innings while putting up a 2.84 ERA.

Chris Briggs had another monster season after breaking numerous team records in 2010. He paced the team with a .372 batting average and 30 RBIs. Fellow All-Star Cory Davidson (.354, 4 HR, 27 RBIs) came through with his best season, tying for the team lead in homers. Tim Carty, a consistent force every year for Key West, notched a .319 batting average with four homers and 19 RBIs. Jared Munson, who joined Briggs and Davidson at the All-Star game, batted .298 with 19 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

These standouts allowed the Ramblers to state their case as one of the prominent teams in the league. Key West more than held its own against some of the other elite teams, going 7-1 against Farley and 4-1 against Cascade. Key West, Dubuque and Bellevue won all but one of the season's semi-pro tournaments.

While the Ramblers had their best season in the program's history, in-season losses to the pitching staff likely held the team back from winning even more tournaments. Cottrell, O'Connor and Andrew Redman all missed time due to injury or other reasons. Redman had dominated in 20.2 innings before shutting it down for the season.

Nonetheless, 2011 provided many memorable moments. Cottrell's walk-off smash in the Prairie League title ended the season in the most satisfying way possible. The Ramblers hope that momentum carries over in what promises to be a great 2012 season when Key West will aim to stay among the area's heavyweights.

2011 Statistical Leaders

Take a look at the Key West Ramblers' 2011 statistical leaders. Rate statistics for hitters require at least 100 plate appearances to qualify for the team lead. Rate statistics for pitchers require at least 40 innings pitched to qualify for the team lead. An asterisk (*) denotes a team record.

Hitting:

AVG: Chris Briggs - .372

OBP: Briggs - .453

SLG: Briggs - .526

HR: Tim Carty/Cory Davidson - 4

RBI: Briggs - 30

Hits: Dan Spain - 61*

Doubles: Briggs - 11

Walks: Briggs - 20

SB: Spain - 23*

Runs: Spain - 39*

PA: Spain - 190*

Games: Spain - 45*

Pitching:

ERA: Sean O'Connor - 2.36

Wins: O'Connor - 10*

Strikeouts: O'Connor - 71

WHIP: Cottrell/O'Connor - 1.24

IP: O'Connor - 80

CG: O'Connor - 8*

BAA: Cottrell - .186

Games: O'Connor/Spain - 15

GS: O'Connor - 11

Photo Finish

Above: The Ramblers pose after defeating Farley 6-5 in Friday's Prairie League Championship game at Farley Park.

Front row (left to right): Matt Knabel, Cam Stewart, John Knabel, Tanner Denlinger, Jared Munson.

Back row: Tim Carty, Justin Kuhle, Ben Cottrell, Chad Crabill, Dan Spain, Sean O'Connor, Paul Carty.

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"It was probably the craziest, most unreal way to finish the year. I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it, but I still can't believe it happened."

--Ben Cottrell (from the Telegraph Herald) on his walk-off grand slam in the Prairie League Championship.

Cottrell's epic slam gave the Ramblers a second-straight walk-off win at the Prairie league Championships after having beaten Epworth 2-1 in the semifinals when Dan Spain was hit by a pitch to force in the game-winning run. The Ramblers ended their season at 35-13 overall (.729 win percentage) - the best mark in team history.

Cottrell's dramatic grand slam lifts Ramblers to Prairie League title

With the bases loaded and the Ramblers down 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh and final inning of Friday's 2011 Prairie League championship, Ben Cottrell delivered with the most dramatic hit in the history of the Key West Ramblers' franchise. Cottrell's one-out grand slam broke the hearts of Farley and gave Key West (35-13) its second Prairie League championship in four years.

Cottrell, who came into the game 14-for-24 at the plate on the season, crushed the back-breaking homer off Farley pitcher Brian Miller, who took the loss. Cottrell's blast set off a celebratory mob at home plate. The improbable finish created a frenzied atmosphere that will no doubt live as the lasting image of the 2011 season.

With the Ramblers down 5-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Dan Spain started the inning with a single. Tim Carty was then hit by a pitch prior to Justin Kuhle grounding into a fielder's choice in which the shortstop made a great play to rob Kuhle. Tanner Denlinger followed by drawing a walk to load the bases with one out. Up to the plate stepped the red-hot Cottrell who smoked a line-drive to left-center that carried over the wall for a walk-off grand slam and a 6-5 championship victory.

Cottrell's heroics awoke a team that had not scored since the first inning when Carty cracked a two-run double. Cottrell's second home run of the season brought one side to a state of jubilation and the other to one of disgust.

Friday's win gave the Ramblers their third tournament championship this season after winning the EIHL preseason tournament and the Farley Tournament. Key West completed the 2011 season with a record of 8-0 at Farley Park and a 12-6 record in games decided by a single run.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Sean O'Connor threw all seven innings for the Ramblers and notched his 10th win of the season, good enough to tie a franchise record also held by Cottrell and Ned Schauff.

Spain finished the season the way he started it - by spraying hits everywhere. The Ramblers' star shortstop went 4-for-4 to cap another outstanding season. Outfielder Jared Munson went 2-for-4 on the night to bring his season average to just below .300.

Friday's classic marked the final game for the Ramblers in 2011. Check back in the coming weeks for more coverage of the 2011 season.

Key West, Farley set to face off in Prairie League championship

An exciting 2-1 victory over Epworth in Wednesday's Prairie League semifinal game, which ended when Dan Spain was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, vaulted the Ramblers (34-13) into Friday's 7 p.m. championship duel with Farley at Farley Park. A win over Farley would give the Ramblers their second Prairie League title in four years.

To reach Friday's championship, the Ramblers relied on a season-long strength - stellar pitching. Ben Cottrell had masterful stuff on Wednesday against Epworth. The right-hander worked around five walks in six innings, giving up just one run and one hit. He baffled Epworth hitters to the tune of 12 strikeouts.

But Epworth starting pitcher Nick Schultz was up to the task. He held Key West scoreless all the way up until the fifth inning. That's when Cory Davidson led off with a double and scored three batters later when an error allowed Cody Leach to reach base. Davidson's run tied the score at 1-1.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. After Ryan Kelly flied out to begin the inning, Cottrell and Leach both singled and Jared Munson walked to bring up Spain, who was then nailed by a pitch to force home the game-winning run.

The walk-off victory made a winner out of Kelly, who relieved Cottrell in the seventh. Kelly continued his dominant work on the mound by retiring all three hitters he faced.

Munson and Tim Carty each went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles to lead Key West, which is now 11-6 in one-run games.

Wednesday's playoff game marked the fifth-straight year the Ramblers have advanced to the the Prairie League playoffs. Key West is the only team to have gone to the playoffs in both the Prairie League and the EIHL in each of the last five seasons.

Key West is 6-1 against Farley this season and 2-0 versus Farley in games played at Farley Park. Overall, The Ramblers are 7-0 at Farley Park in 2011, including the Farley Tournament, which the Ramblers won by trumping Epworth in the tournament title game.

Saeugling no-hits Ramblers at Peosta Tournament

After having an incredible run of success in one-run games in the first two weeks of July, the Ramblers' luck has run dry. Key West (33-13) has dropped three-straight one-run decisions, including Saturday's 1-0 loss to Dubuque in the first round of the Peosta Tournament. Dubuque standout Aaron Saeugling fired a eight-inning no-hitter and blasted a solo homer in the top of the eighth to lift the Blues.

After Key West starter Ryan Kelly delivered seven and two-thirds innings of shut out ball, Saeugling stepped up in extra innings and delivered the game-winning longball as he helped himself to a win on the mound. It was Dubuque's third-consecutive win over the Ramblers.

Key West managed only one baserunner the entire night. Cory Davidson reached first after being hit by Saeugling's pitch to lead off the bottom of the second. Saeugling struck out 14 hitters in perhaps the most impressive pitching display of the Eastern Iowa semi-pro baseball season.

Kelly threw a great game in defeat. The right-hander had given up only one hit until Saeugling's eighth-inning bomb. Kelly struck out seven in an eight-inning complete game of his own.

Saturday's loss came on the heels of an extra-inning loss to Bellevue in a road Prairie League game on Wednesday. The Ramblers blew a 4-2 sixth-inning lead before defensive gaffes allowed Chet Knake to score the walk-off run in the eighth. Chris Briggs (3-for-4), Tanner Denlinger (2-for-3), Cody Leach (2-for-4) and Kelly (2-for-5) all collected multiple hits in defeat.

The Ramblers will have their last chance to get back to their winning ways when the Prairie League playoffs begin Tuesday. Key West will take on Epworth at 8:30 p.m. at Farley in one semifinal match-up. The other semifinal game pits Dubuque against Farley at 7 p.m., also on Tuesday. The two winners will meet on Wednesday in the championship game.

Ramblers finish runner-up in EIHL for second-straight year

The Ramblers looked to avenge 2010's blowout loss to Dubuque in the EIHL championship game by reversing the outcome at the 2011 EIHL Championship on Sunday. Things looked good for Key West (33-11) when it jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two-and-a-half innings, but Dubuque battled back to grab the EIHL crown by a 3-2 score.

Dan Spain threw all six innings for Key West, turning in another solid performance on the mound. He allowed only one earned run to a hot-hitting Dubuque team which took advantage of a fourth-inning error that led off the inning. In that same inning, Brian Putnam delivered the game-winning bloop two-run single to cap all scoring.

Cam Stewart put the Ramblers in front, 1-0, in the top of the second with an RBI single to score Tanner Denlinger, who is set to play baseball at Clarke University. Key West made it 2-0 in the third after Tim Carty drove in Ryan Kelly with a sacrifice fly to center field. Jeff Hoerner cut Dubuque's deficit to a single run with an RBI single in the bottom of the third.

Dubuque starting pitcher Nick Kirk went five innings to pick up the win. Kirk and reliever Ryan Doty gave up only two hits combined.

The Ramblers advanced to the championship game with Dubuque by defeating Cascade in the semifinal game earlier on Sunday at Petrakis. Ryan Kelly starred for the Ramblers, tossing a seven-inning complete-game to notch the victory. Kelly struck out nine and limited Cascade to three hits on the afternoon. At the plate, Kelly was a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Stewart went 2-for-3, knocked in all three runs and stole a pair of bases. Carty also went 2-for-3 as the Ramblers returned to the EIHL championship for the second year in a row.

The Ramblers have completed play in the EIHL, but return to action Wednesday night for a 7:30 p.m. contest at Bellevue in what will be the team's final Prairie League regular season game of 2011. The Ramblers will get another shot at Dubuque on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Peosta Tournament.

Update from Petrakis

6:22 p.m. - Congrats to Dubuque - 2011 EIHL champions. Dubuque prevailed 3-2 over the Ramblers in Sunday's championship game.

3:36 p.m. - Dubuque has beaten Farley. The Ramblers are set to take on Dubuque at about 3:45 in the EIHL Championship.

2:08 p.m. - The Ramblers defeated Cascade 3-1 in Sunday's EIHL semifinal game with Ryan Kelly earning the win on the mound. The other semifinal between Dubuque and Farley has just gotten underway. Key West (33-10) will meet the winner of that match up at 4 p.m. today with the EIHL crown on the line. More coverage coming.

Ramblers will try to re-capture magic at Sunday's championships

Saturday afternoon's 15-2 loss at the hands of Bernard was a tough one to swallow for a Key West team that enters Sunday's EIHL championships as the No. 2 seed. The Ramblers will look to quickly forget that drubbing as postseason play gets started on Sunday. The No. 2-seeded Ramblers (32-10) take on No. 3 Cascade at 12 p.m at Petrakis Park.

Ryan Kelly will take the mound for Key West. The right-hander, who has played college ball at Clarke, has been near perfect in his appearances so far. The Ramblers will rely on Kelly to help get them back to the lofty status they enjoyed at the beginning of 2011. Key West won two of the first three semi-pro tournaments (EIHL Preseason and Farley), but have struggled in recent tournaments as the team's pitching depth has been depleted.

The Ramblers 14-1 start set the bar at a near unattainable level, making an 18-9 stretch and no tournament championships since June 18 feel like somewhat of a letdown. But being disappointed about the most successful season in team history makes little sense.

The Ramblers' 32-10 mark in 2011 has set a new team record for victories in a season, also good enough to break the franchise's best single-season win percentage. This year's edition of the Ramblers has also set a new team-high for home runs (18) and has seen Dan Spain (.374 BA), Chris Briggs (.384 BA) and Cory Davidson (.356 BA) post all-league-type seasons at the plate. Throw in the contributions of Tim Carty, Sean O'Connor, Jared Munson, Ben Cottrell, Matt Knabel and company, and you get one of the best teams in the area.

Now that nucleus has its sights on the franchise's first-ever EIHL Championship. Should the Ramblers prevail over Cascade in the semifinals, they will play in the championship on Sunday at approximately 4 p.m. versus the Dubuque/Farley winner.

Ramblers defeat Worthington, prepare for EIHL playoffs

The Key West Ramblers scored three runs in the final three innings to pull away from Worthington and grab a 7-4 road win on Thursday night. The win pushed Key West to 31-9, tying the 2010 Ramblers for the most victories in franchise history.

Cam Stewart made his first career start on the mound, narrowly missing out on his first career victory. Stewart was pulled from the game after facing three batters in the sixth-inning. He left with men on first and second, the latter scoring to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth.

Key West put up four runs through six innings by way of run-scoring RBI singles by Jared Munson and Cody Leach in the second before Leach's two-run single in the sixth gave the Ramblers a 4-3 lead.

Ryan Kelly notched an RBI single in the seventh, proving to be the game-winner. The Ramblers then added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth, keyed by a Matt Knabel double.

Kelly relieved Stewart in the sixth and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and earned his second win of the season. Dan Spain pitched the ninth and picked up his second save.

The Ramblers now look forward to Bernard on Saturday at 12 p.m. before the EIHL playoffs get under way on Sunday. Key West earned the No. 2 seed in the league and drew No. 3-seeded Cascade. In the other match-up, No. 1 Dubuque will take on No. 4 Farley. All games will be played at Petrakis Park - homefield of the top-seeded Dubuque Blues.

Key West will battle Cascade at 12 p.m. with Dubuque and Farley set to follow. The two semifinal winners will meet in the championship game at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Ramblers fall to Dubuque once again

Lack of control from starting pitcher Ben Cottrell and a sloppy defensive effort gave the Ramblers little chance of competing with red-hot Dubuque in Wednesday night's quarterfinal match-up at the Dyersville Tournament. Dubuque beat Key West for the third time in five meetings this season, this time coming by a 9-2 score to advance Dubuque to the semifinals.

Cottrell looked sharp in a 1-2-3 first inning that included strikeouts of Ben Tressel and Aaron Saeugling, but struggled in the bottom of the second. Two of the first three Blues' hitters walked in the inning, leading to both runs after Matt Asche cracked a two-run single for the first runs of the game.

After a Kevin Carkeek RBI single in the third, the Ramblers (30-9) chipped a run off the lead in the fourth when Jared Munson scored Chris Briggs with a single. But Dubuque put up four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to make it 9-1. Both rallies began with an error on the shortstop. The Blues took advantage and scored six unearned runs to put the game out of reach.

Munson's second run-scoring single, which occurred in the sixth was far too little, too late as Dubuque pitcher Ryan Doty earned another victory. Cottrell went 4.1 innings for Key West, allowing four hits, six walks and three earned runs, along with five strikeouts.

Munson and Briggs both went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles to lead Key West, who will return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. at Worthington.

Ramblers grab win No. 30 at Dyersville Tournament

The Ramblers continued to make themselves at home at Dyersville's Jenk Field on Sunday night as they notched a 4-1 win over Farley in the first round of the Dyersville Tournament and improved to 30-8 on the season.

Few places have been friendlier to Key West this season than Dyersville - the site of the team's EIHL preseason championship back in May. It was May 21 when the Ramblers defeated Farley 7-1 in the championship game and took home the season's first tournament crown.

In a battle of top-area hurlers on Sunday, the Ramblers' Sean O'Connor got the best of Farley's Andy Seabrooke. O'Connor allowed five hits and only one run, while striking out six in a seven-inning complete game. With the victory, O'Connor moved to 9-1 on the season, placing him just one win shy of the team's single-season record (held by both Ben Cottrell and Ned Schauff).

At the plate, the Ramblers managed just four hits on the night, but made all of them count. Key West drew first blood immediately with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Dan Spain's RBI double scored Tanner Denlinger, who led off the game with a walk. Chris Briggs then connected on an RBI double of his own to plate Spain.

Key West added a tally in the third when Cory Davidson stole second and Spain swiped home on the throw to second. The Rambler lead held at 3-0 until Farley got its lone run in the fourth inning.

Denlinger followed that up with a solo shot to lead off the top of the fifth to make it 4-1. It was Denlinger's first career semi-pro home run.

Farley attempted to mount a rally in the bottom of the fifth as it put runners at second and third with only one away. O'Connor struck out Seabrooke before intentionally walking Chris Kerper to load the bases with two outs. Farley's Scott Harris then hit a dribbler in front of the plate. Catcher Matt Knabel pounced and beat the runner from third to the plate to get the force out and end the inning.

The Ramblers now advance to Wednesday's 8:30 p.m. quarterfinal game in Dyersville as they renew their rivalry with Dubuque. The two teams have split the first four games in the season series with three of those contests decided by a single run. Ben Cottrell and Ryan Doty are the expected starting pitchers for Wednesday night's duel.

Carty, Spain go deep in 7-4 win at Rickardsville

Tim Carty got the Ramblers on the board with a first inning solo homer and they never looked back on the way to a 7-4 road win over Rickardsville on Friday night. Dan Spain also popped a home run, giving him his first longball of the season.

Even more impressive was Spain's effort on the mound. He turned in his best pitching peformance of 2011, going seven innings and giving up only two hits and one unearned run. He tallied six strikeouts on the night.

After Carty's first-inning blast, Key West (29-8) continued to tack onto the lead against Rickardsville starter Ryan Mabe. The Ramblers got two in the second inning, highlighted by a Chad Crabill RBI single. Spain's two-run homer in the sixth made the score 5-0. Rickardsville got its first run in the bottom half of the sixth but the Ramblers added two more in the seventh on a two-run Cory Davidson single.

Jared Munson relieved Spain in the eighth inning. Munson's wildness and an error aided Rickardsville's three-run eighth as the scored tightened to 7-4. After the Ramblers failed to score in the ninth, Rickardsville made it interesting by loading the bases with three singles. But Munson coaxed a strikeout and a fly out to end the game and put Key West within two victories of the team record, set back in 2008.

Four Ramblers collected at least two hits in Friday's affair. Ben Cottrell remains the team's hottest hitter as he went 3-for-4. Spain also posted three hits and two RBIs. Carty and Davidson both went 2-for-5. Tim Felderman paced Rickardsville with a 2-for-4 night.

Saturday's scheduled game with East Dubuque was postponed, meaning the Ramblers next game is Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Dyersville Tournament against Farley.

Ramblers split pair of home games

The Ramblers split a pair of EIHL home games in Peosta this week, falling to Cascade 7-4 on Tuesday before rebounding with a 4-1 win over Dyersville on Wednesday. Key West (28-8) got stellar pitching performances from its starters on both nights.

Curt Dixon, making his last start of the season for the Ramblers, went six strong against Cascade and departed with a 2-1 lead. He gave up just five hits and one walk before turning it over to Dan Spain, who threw the last three innings in relief.

Spain would allow six runs but was let down by his defense. Two Key West errors in the seventh helped Cascade put up two unearned runs to take a 3-2 lead. The Ramblers would regain the lead in the bottom of the eighth after a Ben Cottrell RBI single and a passed ball that scored Chris Briggs made it 4-3.

But the Ramblers again struggled defensively in the ninth inning. Regan Tekas led off with a walk and was followed by a Tom Andrews double. Andrews should have been retired earlier in the at-bat, but his foul pop up was dropped and gave him a second life. After back-to-back walks issued by Spain, Nate McQuillen's sacrifice fly gave Cascade a 5-4 lead before the Reds tacked on two more. Pat Weber earned the win in relief for Cascade.

Cottrell continued his hot-hitting, going 3-for-4, making him the only Rambler with two or more hits. Tuesday's loss was the first of the season versus Cascade. Key West is now 3-1 against Cascade.

The Ramblers got back to action Wednesday and defeated Dyersville 4-1 on the strength of a seven-inning, complete game performance by Cottrell on the mound. The right-hander struck out five and gave up six hits and one walk. He improved his mark to 4-1 on the season.

Dyersville led 1-0 after the second inning and held that lead until the bottom of the sixth when the Ramblers got all four of their runs. Tyler Sincock led off with a walk, Spain reached on an error and both moved up after a wild pitch. Jared Munson then came through with a two-run single and was followed by an RBI double by Briggs and a run-scoring single by Matt Knabel.

Briggs and Spain each went 2-for-3 to lead Key West.

The Ramblers now look forward to Friday's 7 p.m. EIHL match up at Rickardsville. Key West lost the only meeting between the two teams this season back on June 21.

Young outfield highlights 10-3 win over Placid

An all-high school outfield contributed heavily to a 17-hit, 10-3 victory over Placid Sunday afternoon at Table Mound Field in Key West. Deon Ploessl (2-for-5), Chad Crabill (2-for-4) and Kenny Capesius (1-for-3) comprised the Rambler outfield on Sunday, representing all three local high schools while combining for five of the team's 17 hits.

Ploessl led off the game with a bloop double and scored on a Dan Spain RBI single. Ben Cottrell then singled and knocked home Spain after he stole second as the Rambler hit parade got started early. Ploessl cracked an RBI single in the second and Cottrell guided a two-run double to right field to make the score 5-0 in the middle of the second.

Placid's Travis McDermott got the Pirates on the board with a two-run homer in the bottom half of the second. But Placid would get no closer than three runs the rest of the game as the Ramblers continued to tack onto the lead with one run each in the third- and fourth-innings and three in the sixth.

Spain (3-for-5), Cottrell (2-for-3), Chris Briggs (2-for-4), Matt Knabel (2-for-4) and Justin Kuhle (2-f0r-4) added to the Key West attack to give the Ramblers seven hitters with at least two hits on the day. With the victory, the Ramblers moved to 27-7 overall, marking the first time in team history that Key West has been 20 games over .500.

Sean O'Connor made his ninth start of the season and improved his record to 8-1. O'Connor went all seven innings and struck out nine hitters. He allowed seven hits and four walks.

Up next for Key West is Cascade at Peosta in a 7 p.m. EIHL contest.

Spain, bats bust loose

After struggling to score runs over the past two weeks, the Ramblers finally busted out with a scoring outburst in Tuesday night's 11-1, 10-run rule home victory over Monticello. Dan Spain reverted back to the form he showed early in the season, recording three hits and a pair of runs.

But Spain was far from the only contributor to the onslaught. Key West (25-7) exploded for six runs in the third, virtually putting the game away right there. Matt Knabel smacked a two-run single and Ben Cottrell (bases-loaded walk) and Kenny Capesius (RBI single) each posted an RBI in the frame. The Ramblers led 7-0 at the end of the inning.

A three-run fourth added even more cushion. After Tanner Denlinger walked and Spain singled to lead-off the fourth, Chris Briggs cracked a two-run triple. Two batters later, Briggs crossed home-plate after a Cody Leach groundout to short. Denlinger pushed the tally to 11-1 in the fifth with an RBI single.

Cottrell was brilliant on the mound again for the Ramblers. He tossed six innings, allowing just four hits and one run. He also struck out five and did not issue a single walk as he improved to 3-1. Cam Stewart made his first appearance on the mound as he relieved Cottrell in the seventh. Stewart recorded a 1-2-3 inning to put the wraps on the team's 25th win of the season.

Spain (3-for-4), Denlinger (2-for-3) and Leach (2-for-3) posted multiple hits for Key West. Eight of the Ramblers' nine starters collected at least one hit as part of the Ramblers' 12-hit attack.

The Ramblers get back to action Sunday when they play rival Dubuque in a 1:30 p.m. Prairie League game at Table Mound Field in Key West.

Bellevue hands O'Connor his first loss

The Ramblers continued to struggle at the plate as they fell, 5-1, to Bellevue in the first round of the Cascade Tournament on Monday night. Bellevue starting pitcher Justin Eissens held Key West (24-7) to only five hits on his way to earning the victory.

Sean O'Connor, making his eighth start on the mound for Key West, took his first loss of the season after winning his first seven decisions. O'Connor lacked sharpness as he walked five and hit a batter in a six-inning, complete-game effort. He gave up seven hits and struck out two.

Bellevue got its first run in the second-inning by way of an error. Eissens knocked home a pair of runs with a two-run single in the third to make it 3-0. After a balk by O'Connor plated the fourth run, Brett Boeckenstadt capped Bellevue's scoring with an RBI single.

Matt Knabel's groundball to first, which was misplayed, allowed Tim Carty to score the only Key West run in the sixth. Carty had reached with a double to begin the inning. It would be the Ramblers' only extra base-hit on the night.

The Ramblers are back in action Tuesday at 7 p.m. when they take on Monticello in an EIHL game in Peosta.

Pair of make-up dates announced

Two Rambler make-up dates were announced Thursday. The team will play this Sunday at Bernard at 2 p.m. in Prairie League action. They will also take the field Aug. 9 at Dubuque (Petrakis) at 7 p.m. in an EIHL contest. The complete schedule can be found by clicking the "2011 Team Schedule" link at the top-right.

Ramblers struggle to 5-4 win over Worthington

Worthington nearly took advantage of the Ramblers' current stretch of cold hitting on Tuesday night, but came up just short in the steamy, 5-4 seven-inning EIHL battle in Peosta. A late sixth-inning run edged the Ramblers back in front and allowed the team to improve to 24-6 overall.

While many Key West hitters have gone cold of late, catcher Matt Knabel continues to heat up just like the Eastern Iowa weather. Knabel's two-run single in the first capped a four-run first inning for Key West. The Ramblers led 4-0 after the first frame and appeared to be on their way to an easy victory with Sean O'Connor on the mound.

But Worthington had other ideas. O'Connor, who came in holding opposing batters to a .172 average, was tagged with a season-high 10 hits. He also gave up three runs (two earned), but did strike out seven against only two walks.

Worthington chipped off the lead by getting one run each in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings to complete its comeback from a 4-0 deficit. Worthington pushed across the tying run in the sixth after a third strike alluded Knabel and allowed J.J. Connolly to score. The Ramblers responded quickly by regaining the lead when Cam Stewart drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases still loaded and only one out, Tyler Sincock flew out and Dan Spain grounded out to end the threat.

Curt Dixon, who threw the final two innings in relief, made the one run stand up and pushed his own mark to 4-0. Dixon flashed dominating stuff as he struck out six Worthington hitters.

Knabel and Cory Davidson were the only Ramblers to manage multiple hits. Knabel went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Davidson cracked two hits in three at-bats and collected an RBI and a run. Nate Ramler played his first game as a Rambler and went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

The Ramblers are off until Saturday when they will challenge Bellevue in the first round of the Cascade Tournament at 5 p.m.

Knabel keys comeback win over Balltown

Exactly two weeks ago the Ramblers, led by Matt Knabel's go-ahead two-run single, put together a miraculous seventh-inning rally to erase a late four-run deficit at Balltown and win, 8-7. Sunday's 6-5 home victory over Balltown at Table Mound followed a similar plot-line. However, in this contest Key West (23-6) took the lead an inning earlier.

Cory Davidson's sixth-inning sacrifice fly brought home Tyler Sincock to give Key West a 6-5 lead after trailing 5-0 as late as the bottom of the fifth. But it was Knabel's big hit once again that turned the game around. His bases-loaded triple in the fifth got the Ramblers within one run and facilitated yet another nail-biting win in what was a seven-inning game.

Sean O'Connor, making his first appearance on the mound since June 25, relieved starter Greg Farrey in the sixth inning and moved to 7-0 on the season. O'Connor retired all six batters he faced in his two innings of work, showing off nasty stuff opposing Eastern Iowa hitters have become accustomed to this season.

Farrey tossed five innings, again struggling with wildness in the first inning before settling in. He gave up all five Balltown runs, but just two of them were earned. Farrey allowed four hits and struck out three.

Down 5-0 at the start of the bottom of the fifth, the Ramblers' patient approach paid off. Alex Miklo, Chris Briggs and Cory Davidson (bases-loaded walk) all walked and Tim Carty sandwiched in a single as Key West got on the board with the score at 5-1. After Justin Kuhle popped out, Knabel smacked a three-run triple. Knabel was then thrown out at the plate attempting to score on Kenny Capesius' fly ball to right.

Key West again loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth after Cam Stewart singled, Tyler Sincock reached on catcher's interference and Miklo singled again. Chris Briggs came through with an RBI single and Davidson poked the game-winning sacrifice fly to right field.

O'Connor dominated the top of the seventh and the Ramblers celebrated their ninth one-run win of the season. Six of the team's last seven wins have come by a single run. Overall, the Ramblers have won four straight.

Knabel (2-for-2, triple, double, walk) and Miklo (2-for-3) each picked up two hits for Key West. Balltown managed only four hits as a team.

Next up for the Ramblers is a double-dose of Worthington. The two teams will meet Tuesday for a 7 p.m. duel in Peosta and on Thursday for a 7 p.m. match up at Worthington.

Ramblers eek out two more one-run victories

The Ramblers began the 2011 campaign by clubbing their first four opponents by a combined score of 52-4. But since then, stiff competition has made one-run ballgames the norm. With Wednesday's 3-2 win over East Dubuque and Thursday's 2-1 victory over Farley, Key West (22-6) moved to 8-3 this season in games decided by a single run. Incredibly, five of the Ramblers' last six wins have come by one run.

Ben Cottrell and Justin Kuhle starred in Wednesday's affair. Cottrell threw seven exceptional innings, allowing just four hits and two runs (both earned) to nab his second win of 2011. Cottrell was even more impressive at the plate, where he went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in the top of the second. Kuhle paced the Ramblers with three hits, including a double and one RBI.

Key West put its first run on the board in the first on a double-steal as Dan Spain plucked second base, allowing Tyler Sincock to trot home from third. Kuhle's RBI single in the third gave the Ramblers a 3-0 lead, proving to be just enough for Cottrell to hold on for the win over East Dubuque.

The Ramblers got another great pitching performance on Thursday as Spain pitched a seven-inning complete game, surrendering only four hits and one run (earned) in the 2-1 win over Farley. Steve McDonough, who filled in with numerous Rambler regulars absent Thursday, had a hand in both Key West runs. His RBI single in the top of the second gave the Ramblers a 1-0 lead. McDonough then reached on an error by the shortstop in the fourth inning, which allowed Cory Davidson to score and put the Ramblers back in front, 2-1.

Matt Knabel was the only Rambler to record multiple hits on the night. Knabel's double in the second and single in the fourth aided both Rambler runs. He also added a stolen base. Key West is now 5-1 versus Farley this season.

The Ramblers return to action on Sunday for a 1:30 p.m. Prairie League battle with Balltown at Table Mound Field in Key West.

Tuesday's game postponed

Tuesday's scheduled 7 p.m. contest with Dubuque has been postponed due to inclement weather. A make-up date is to be determined.

Ramblers record 20th win in wild victory

Nothing has been easy lately for the Ramblers, and Sunday's Prairie League contest at Zwingle was no different. Key West (20-6) overcame a rash of hit-batters that highlighted a five-run Zwingle fifth inning to pull out a wild, 11-9, victory.

Dan Spain, who relieved Key West starting pitcher Greg Farrey, took over with two men on and no outs in the bottom of the fifth as the Ramblers clung to a 5-4 lead. Spain promptly hit the first four batters he faced before getting a groundout to third and a double play to bring the inning to an end. Zwingle led 9-5.

After going down quietly in the sixth, the Ramblers brought 12 men to the plate as part of a six-run seventh inning. Cory Davidson's RBI double knocked home the first run of the inning, facilitating the game-deciding rally. Key West needed just three hits in the frame as it took advantage of six walks in the inning. Travis Lyons, who relieved Chris Winner after the first two men reached in the seventh, was tagged with the loss.

Farrey settled in after a shaky first inning and gave the Ramblers solid work in the second, third and fourth innings. But he appeared to be tiring in the fifth and was lifted for Spain. In total, Key West pitchers allowed only four hits, but surrendered four walks and five hit-batsmen. However, Spain pitched effectively in the sixth and seventh innings in nabbing his fourth win.

While Key West pitchers struggled at times, its hitters responded with a big offensive day. Chris Briggs (3-for-5), Cory Davidson (2-for-4) and Dan Spain (2-for-5) collected multiple hits, contributing to a 10-hit Rambler output. Six of those hits were doubles. Briggs, Kenny Capesius, Tim Carty, Davidson, Jared Munson and Spain each tallied one double.

The Ramblers begin a three games in three days stretch on Tuesday when they play Dubuque at Petrakis in a 7 p.m. tussle. Briggs, Davidson and Munson will be in action tonight in the semi-pro all-star game at Dyersville. The all-star game starts at 5 p.m.

Ramblers stifled by Doty again

Dubuque hurler Ryan Doty continues to assert himself as one of the area's top pitchers as he shut down the Ramblers again in a seven-inning complete game Friday night. Doty's brilliance allowed Dubuque to take a 5-1 decision over Key West in the first round of the Rickardsville Tournament.

Doty's performance was eerily similar to his May 28 victory over the Ramblers when he also gave up just one run in seven innings at the Bellevue Tournament. On Friday, Doty recorded nine strikeouts and held Key West to just four hits on the night.

The Ramblers (19-6) got on the board first in the top of the opening inning when Chris Briggs' fielder's choice grounder knocked in Dan Spain, who had singled with one out. But Dubuque responded in the bottom half of the first with three runs off of Key West starter Ben Cottrell. Five singles and a walk led to the big first inning for Dubuque.

B.J. Juergens then added a two-run homer in the bottom of the second to make it 5-1, the eventual final score. The two teams could manage only five hits combined in the final five innings as Doty got tougher and Cottrell settled in for Key West.

Dubuque's Aaron Saeugling was the only player on either team to notch multiple hits. Saeugling went 3-for-4 to lead the Blues.

Key West will be back in action on Sunday when it plays Zwingle in a 12 p.m. road game. At 5 p.m. Sunday, Chris Briggs, Cory Davidson and Jared Munson will take the field in Dyersville as all-star representatives for the Ramblers.

Capesius delivers game-winning hit in extra-inning win

Kenny Capesius continues to surprise for a Key West Ramblers team that has shown considerable depth this season. Capesius' RBI single put Key West up 3-2 in the eighth inning (scheduled for seven innings) and proved to be the game-winner in a 4-3 road victory over Dyersville on Wednesday night.

Both teams were held scoreless until Dyersville finally broke through with a single run in the fifth inning off of Rambler starter Dan Spain. Key West (19-5) answered right back with a Chris Briggs solo blast in the top of the sixth to tie the score, 1-1.

Matt Knabel then gave the Ramblers a 2-1 lead with a RBI fielder's choice that scored Cam Stewart. Stewart (single), Jared Munson (single) and Spain (walk) had loaded the bases with one out prior to Knabel's RBI grounder. But Dyersville matched that run in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to an eighth inning.

That's when Capesius shined brightest. Davidson led off the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third on Justin Kuhle's sacrifice bunt. Capesius then followed with his sixth RBI of the season. Cottrell added what turned out to be a crucial insurance run with a RBI double to score Capesius and give Key West a 4-2 lead.

After a Dustin Jaque double to begin the bottom of the eighth, Spain was lifted for Cottrell, who began the game at first base. Cottrell allowed Jaque to score, but struck out Beau Ellison with two on and two outs to end the rally.

Spain pitched seven strong innings, giving up three earned runs while striking out six in grabbing the win. Cottrell, who had a pair of doubles at the plate, was credited with his first save of the season after closing the door in the eighth.

The Ramblers open up play in the Rickardsville Tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. against Dubuque. It will mark the third time this season Key West will take on Dubuque in the first round of a tournament.

2011 Rickardsville Tournament Bracket

The 2011 Rickardsville Tournament gets underway Tuesday at 7 p.m. as Worthington and Placid square off. The Ramblers begin play at Rickardsville on Friday against rival Dubuque at 7 p.m. Key West is 2-1 this season versus Dubuque, with all three games having been decided by one run. The complete bracket is above. Click on the image to enlarge.

Meet the 2011 All-Stars

Three Key West Ramblers were selected to play in this season's semi-pro all-star game, the Telegraph Herald announced on Wednesday. The Ramblers' three selections are the most in team history.

Cory Davidson, who holds or is tied for the team-lead in batting average (.397), home runs (4), RBIs (20) and slugging percentage (.616), will start in left field for the EIHL. Chris Briggs (.397, 1 HR, 20 RBI), will serve as the DH, while Jared Munson (.301, 13 RBI, 14 SB) was chosen as a reserve outfielder.

The game will take place on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Dyersville's Jenk Field. Complete all-star rosters are listed below.

EIHL:

Coach: Jeff Hoerner, Dubuque

Starting Pitcher: Matt Sharp, Dubuque

C: Austin Brown, Dyersville

1B: Roamn Hummel, Cascade

2B: Ryan Doty, Dubuque

3B: Aaron Saeugling, Dubuque

SS: Evan Felton, Monticello

LF: Cory Davidson, Key West

CF: Marty Sutherland, Cascade

RF: Andy Seabrooke, Farley

DH: Chris Briggs, Key West

Reserves: OF Tim Andrews (Cascade), OF Mike Canavello (Dyersville), OF Dustin Jacque (Dyersville), 1B Chris Kerper (Farley), 3B Bill Schmitt (Farley), OF Jared Munson (Key West), P/SS Tim Felderman (Rickardsville), OF Ryan Mabe (Rickardsville), C Ben Ogden (Worthington).

Prairie League:

Coach: Dan Melloy, Bernard

Starting Pitcher: Justin Eissens, Bellevue

C: Ron Manthe, Zwingle

1B: Brett Featherston, Epworth

2B: Cole Lyons, Zwingle

3B: Chet Knake, Bellevue

SS: Mike Griebel, Bellevue

LF: Eric Osweiler, Bernard

CF: Bill Albee, East Dubuque

RF: Kyle Behnke, Balltown

DH: Nate Ramler, Peosta

Reserves: 2B Ben Urbain (Balltown), SS Brennan Melloy (Bernard), SS Alex Larson (East Dubuque), P Nick Schulz (Epworth), SS J.J. Connolly (Epworth), C Mitch Gotto (Peosta), C Zach Althaus (Peosta), 3B Matt Moore (Placid), 2B Craig Lyons (Zwingle).

Four-run seventh keys dramatic holiday victory

Down to their final out in the top of the seventh with a runner at second base and trailing 7-4, a third straight loss for the Ramblers appeared inevitable. But an improbable four-run rally, highlighted by Matt Knabel's two-run rocket shot, game-tying single, carried Key West (18-5) to an 8-7 road victory over Balltown in Sunday afternoon's Prairie League duel.

Cam Stewart got the seventh inning started with a line-drive base hit to right field. Jared Munson and Dan Spain were promptly retired with Stewart standing at second base with two outs. Three consecutive walks surrendered by Balltown starting pitcher Jordan Bahls to Tim Carty, Chris Briggs and Cory Davidson forced home a run, making it a 7-5 ballgame. Knabel then followed with a single to left field to chase home Carty and Briggs. Back-to-back walks by Roberto Rivero and Kenny Capesius pushed across the go-ahead tally.

The near-miraculous two-out rally made a winner of Key West starter Curt Dixon (3-0), who battled through seven complete innings. Dixon scattered 12 hits, which included several ground balls through the infield, and gave up four earned runs to go with six strikeouts. Dixon recorded the final out of the game with runners at second and third when Davidson charged in to make a basket catch of Brady Breitbach's blooper to right field.

The Ramblers got out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings. Carty's RBI double and Briggs' sacrifice fly, both in the first, made it 2-0. Stewart singled in Rivero in the second to grow the lead to 3-0 before Balltown scored seven unanswered runs to go up 7-3 after five innings. Brigg's RBI single in the sixth chopped the deficit to 7-4 to set up the game-winning outburst in the final inning.

Stewart finished 3-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base. Carty stayed red-hot with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Knabel also recorded two hits for Key West. Kyle Behnke led Balltown with three singles of his own.

Up next for the Ramblers is Wednesday's 7 p.m. EIHL battle at Dyersville.

Farley tops Ramblers in thriller

Tim Carty's monstrous sixth-inning solo home run staked Key West to a 7-6 lead as the Ramblers came back from a 6-0 deficit in Saturday afternoon's battle with Farley. But the Farley Hawks responded with four runs in the top of the seventh and came away with a 10-7 victory at Table Mound Field in Key West.

Carty crushed a high fastball from Farley reliever Andy Seabrooke with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Ramblers the momentum in a game they trailed by six runs after two innings. Unfortunately, Key West reliever Jared Munson, who pitched a near-perfect fourth, fifth and sixth in spelling starter Cory Davidson, tired in the seventh and was tagged with the loss.

Farley's Jesse Lawler poked a two-run homer just over the left-field fence in the top of the seventh to put the Hawks back in the lead at 8-7. Later in the inning, Craig Kerper cracked a two-run single to give Farely a three-run cushion.

The Ramblers (17-5) put runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh, but Seabrooke coaxed a double-play grounder to grab the win and end the ballgame.

Justin Kuhle led Key West with three hits (all singles), while also driving in three runs. Kuhle's two-run single in the fourth put the Ramblers within three runs and sparked a four-run fourth inning. Kuhle later added a RBI single to tie the game in the fifth. Munson (2-for-3 with a double) and Carty (2-for-4) also collected multiple hits.

Key West starting pitcher Cory Davidson made it just three innings as he struggled with control in his first start on the mound this season. Munson made his first appearance on the bump in 2011 and pitched well until the final inning.

The Ramblers travel to play Balltown at noon on Sunday in a Prairie League contest. Curt Dixon will get the ball for Key West.

Make-up dates

Please note the following additions to the schedule:

Wed. July 6 vs. Dyersville (@Dyersville) 7 p.m.

Tue. July 26 vs. Monticello (@Peosta) 7 p.m.

Wed. Aug. 3 vs. Dyersville (@Peosta) 7 p.m.

To view the complete 2011 schedule, click HERE.

Ramblers eliminated from Worthington

The Ramblers failed on Wednesday night in their attempt to win back-to-back extra inning games as Bellevue's Justin Eissens brought the overtime battle to an abrupt end with a lead-off, walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With Bellevue's win, it advances to play in the semifinals of the Worthington Tournament on Friday.

Key West (17-4) wasted an outstanding start by Ben Cottrell, who made just his second appearance of the season as a Rambler due to a stint with the Waterloo Bucks. Cottrell gave way to Dan Spain after pitching seven fantastic innings. Spain took the loss after serving up the homer to Eissens.

Bellevue starting pitcher Dakota Bacus matched Cottrell's effort and got a no-decision. The Ramblers succeeded in cracking Bacus in the fourth inning only. Tim Carty led off and was hit by a pitch and was forced to second after Chris Briggs walked. Justin Kuhle followed with a sacrifice bunt that set up a two-run single by Jared Munson that put Key West up 2-1.

Bellevue took advantage of Cottrell's sixth-inning wildness and tied the game up, 2-2, in the sixth inning. The Ramblers went down silent in the seventh and eighth to pave the way for a Bellevue walk-off win in the eighth, courtesy of Eissens, who also got the win in relief.

The Ramblers now look forward to Saturday's 1 p.m. Prairie League game versus Farley at Table Mound Field in Key West.

Ramblers outlast Dubuque in 12-inning affair

The clash between Eastern Iowa semi-pro titans did not disappoint as Tuesday's rivalry game between Key West and Dubuque was decided by a single run once again. The Ramblers came away victorious, 4-3, in a 12-inning contest at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta.

After splitting a pair of one-run games with Dubuque earlier this season, the Ramblers (17-3) expected another close battle on Tuesday. A three-run seventh-inning by Key West erased a 3-0 deficit and catapulted the game into extra innings, giving second baseman Cam Stewart the chance to play the part of hero.

Stewart's line drive base-hit up the middle off the glove of a diving Chris Johnson scored Cory Davidson from second in the bottom of the 12th and the Ramblers walked off with an EIHL victory. Davidson started the bottom of the 12th with a single and stole second with no outs. After a Jared Munson strikeout and a Matt Knabel groundout, Stewart came through with the game-winner.

Davidson's tally made a winner out of relief pitcher Dan Spain, who threw the final five innings and did not allow a run. Curt Dixon started for Key West. He tossed seven innings, striking out a season-high nine while allowing seven hits, two walks and three runs (one earned). Spain gave up just two hits and struck out five.

Held scoreless by Dubuque starting pitcher Chris Johnson through six innings, the Ramblers came up big in the seventh. Stewart got things started with a one-out single, followed by a Tyler Sincock walk. Spain's RBI single finally got Key West on the board before Tim Carty's clutch two-run double plated Sincock and Spain to tie the score.

Key West nearly won the game in the bottom of the ninth when Chris Briggs' double sent Spain, who began the play at first, headed toward the plate. But the relay to the plate cut Spain down and sent the game to extras.

The Ramblers put a runner on third base in both the 10th and 11th innings, but failed to break through, just as Dubuque had in the top of the 11th when it loaded the bases with two outs. Finally the classic match up came to an end with Stewart's single in the 12th.

Carty (2-for-4), Briggs (2-for-5), Davidson (2-for-5), Knabel (2-for-6) and Stewart (2-for-6) all belted two or more hits in Tuesday's win.

The Ramblers resume play at the Worthington Tournament Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus Bellevue. In the only meeting this season between the two teams, Key West defeated Bellevue on June 14 by a 6-1 score in an eight-inning game at the Farley Tournament.

Davidson powers Ramblers in thrashing of Bankston

For the second time this season, the Ramblers defeated struggling Bankston by a 15-run margin. Key West (16-3) pounded out 19 hits in a 16-1, six-inning victory over Bankston in New Vienna on Sunday.

Cory Davidson had his most impressive statistical game as a Rambler. Davidson went 3-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He now leads the team in both home runs (4) and RBIs (19).

But Davidson was not the lone offensive star in Sunday's blowout. Four other Ramblers clubbed multiple hits, including Matt Knabel (4-for-5), Justin Kuhle (3-for-4), Dan Spain (3-for-5) and Tim Carty (2-for-3). Kenny Capesius added a single and three runs driven in, while Toby Decker and Cam Stewart each recorded run-scoring doubles.

On the mound, right-hander Ethan Carlson made his third start of the season. He went all six innings, allowing four hits and three walks to go along with seven strikeouts as he picked up his first career semi-pro victory.

Davidson gave Key West all it needed in the first inning when he smacked his first home run of the afternoon, giving the Ramblers their first three runs of the game. The Ramblers went on to put up one run in the second, six in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and three in the sixth. Bankston got its only run in the fourth on a Tyler Ernzen RBI single.

The Ramblers are back in action Tuesday when they take on Dubuque at 7 p.m. at A.J. Spiegel Park. Key West resumes play at the Worthington Tournament on Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus Bellevue in a quarterfinal match up.

Tournament magic continues

Despite consistently tough first round draws in this season's early tournaments, the Ramblers have thrived in tournament play. That success continued on Saturday night in the first round of the Worthington Tournament as Key West used a monster fifth inning in the process of shutting out Farley, 5-0.

Sean O'Connor threw a shutout, allowing just five hits and a walk in a seven-inning complete game. O'Connor is now 6-0 with a paltry 1.57 ERA in 46 innings of work, filling the role of Key West's workhorse in 2011.

Farley starting pitcher Ted Rowe matched zeroes with O'Connor until the fifth inning when the Ramblers (15-3) exploded for five runs. Toby Decker (lead-off walk) and Roberto Rivero (single) set the table for Dan Spain, who provided the first two runs of the game with a two-run single. Two batters later, Cory Davidson drove home two more runs with a single of his own. Matt Knabel later added a two-out RBI infield single to score Davidson and finalize the game's scoring.

Spain finished 2-for-4. Jared Munson added a single and a walk. The Ramblers notched only six hits as a team, four of which coming in the fifth.

The Ramblers now advance to play in the quarterfinals of the Worthington Tournament on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Key West returns to Prairie League action tomorrow with a 1 p.m. date at Bankston.

Worthington Tournament schedule

This year's Worthington Tournament gets underway Thursday as the host takes on Placid. The Ramblers enter first round play Saturday at 6 p.m. against Farley. The entire tournament schedule is listed below.

First Round

Thursday:

Worthington vs. Placid, 7 p.m.

Peosta vs. Monticello, 8:30 p.m.

Friday:

Epworth vs. Dyersville, 7 p.m.

Bernard vs. Rickardsville, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday:

Key West vs. Farley, 6 p.m.

Bellevue vs. East Dubuque, 8 p.m.

Sunday:

Cascade vs. Zwingle, 5:30 p.m.

Balltown vs. Dubuque, 7:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, June 28:

Worthington/Placid vs. Peosta/Monticello, 7 p.m.

Epworth/Dyersville vs. Bernard/Rickardsville, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 29:

Key West/Farley vs. Bellevue/East Dubuque, 7 p.m.

Cascade/Zwingle vs. Balltown/Dubuque, 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Friday, July 1:

Quarterfinal winners, 7 p.m.

Quarterfinal winners, 8:30 p.m.

Consolation

Saturday, July 2:

Semifinal losers, 6 p.m.

Championship

Saturday, July 3:

Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.

Ramblers lose second straight for first time in 2011

Two straight losses have brought the Ramblers down from the high they enjoyed after winning Saturday's Farley Tournament. Rickardsville handed Key West (14-3) its latest defeat by a 4-2 score Tuesday night in Peosta.

Rickardsville starting pitcher Jeff Lehman had his way with Key West batsman, allowing only one Rambler run in the opening five innings. And for the first time in 17 games this season, the Ramblers never led at any point. Rickardsville jumped out to a 4-1 lead after five-and-one-half innings and Key West could draw no closer than two runs in Tuesday's EIHL duel.

Tim Carty and Tyler Sincock recorded multiple hits for Key West. Both went 2-for-4. Chris Briggs and Jared Munson each had a double. Dan Spain took the loss, his first of the season.

Tim Felderman (3-for-5), Mike Liebfried (2-for-3), Tony Potts (2-for-4), Eric DeSousa (2-for-5) and Nathan Hall (2-for-6) all notched multiple hits as part of Rickardsville's 13-hit attack.

The Ramblers look to end their two-game skid when they travel to the Worthington Tournament for a 6 p.m. Saturday date with Farley. Key West is 3-0 against Farley this season, including a tournament victory.

Epworth ends Key West's bid for season-high win streak

For the second time this season the Ramblers attempt at an eighth straight victory fell one run short as Epworth rallied for an 8-7 win on Sunday afternoon in Epworth. Key West (14-2) also won seven in a row to begin this season before a 3-2 loss to Dubuque on May 28.

With several players missing Sunday's contest, Kyle Vanderlee made his first start this season (left field) and Kenny Capesius made his second start (right field) for Key West. These lineup tweaks did not prevent the Ramblers from having a solid offensive day, however.

Vanderlee added a pair of singles and a run scored, but it was Cam Stewart (making his first appearance as an infielder this season) who stole the show offensively. After a Cory Davidson walk, a Vanderlee single and a Capesius walk to begin the top of the fifth, Stewart connected on a grand slam to give the Ramblers a 5-1 lead. It was Stewart's first career home run.

A sixth-inning Key West run made the score 6-2, seemingly a comfortable lead for starting pitcher Ethan Carlson. But the bullpen unraveled late and Epworth ignited for four runs in the eighth and two in the ninth for a walk-off victory a day after the Ramblers defeated Epworth in the Farley Tournament Championship game.

Nick Elsinger got the win for Epworth, while Davidson took the loss. Epworth's Lincoln Gibbs led all players with three hits. Jared Munson (2-for-4), Dan Spain (2-for-5), Stewart (2-for-4) and Vanderlee (2-for-4) collected multiple hits for Key West.

Up next for the Ramblers is Rickardsville on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. EIHL battle at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta.

Worthington Tournament Update: The Ramblers will take the field for first round action at the Worthington Tournament on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Farley.

Briggs leads the way to title

Above: The Ramblers pose for cameras after Saturday's tournament championship.

First row (standing, from left to right): Justin Kuhle, Tim Carty, Tyler Sincock, John Knabel, Sean O'Connor, Paul Carty, Curt Dixon, Dan Spain, Matt Knabel, Cory Davidson.

Second row: Ethan Carlson, Jared Munson, Michael Jimenez, Cam Stewart, Chris Briggs.

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No team faced a more difficult road to the Farley Tournament championship than the Key West Ramblers, who cut through Dubuque, Bellevue, Cascade and Epworth to capture their first ever Farley Tournament title. Saturday's 10-2 victory over Epworth in the championship capped off a banner week in which the Ramblers laid an early claim as the area's top team.

Chris Briggs, whose batting average currently hovers near .500 and has yet to cool off this season, was tabbed the Leon Kramer Tournament MVP after another stellar effort on Saturday. Briggs went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in the victory over Epworth. Curt Dixon, making his third start on the mound this season, tossed a seven-inning complete game, striking out nine to go with just six hits and one earned run allowed.

The Ramblers (14-1) got on the board first in the top of the second when Cory Davidson blasted a solo home run with one out. After Epworth answered with a run in the bottom of the second, Key West regained the lead with a two-run single by Briggs to make the score 3-1.

Epworth later got its final run in the fifth inning to make it a 3-2 game. But a run-scoring single by Justin Kuhle and a two-run single by Cam Stewart in the sixth pushed the margin to 6-2, more than enough support for Dixon.

The seventh inning saw Key West explode for four more runs to end all doubt. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Tim Carty and Briggs made it 8-2. Two batters later Davidson added an RBI single and the final tally was aided by an error.

The victory left the Ramblers buzzing about their incredible start to the season. Tim Carty had this to say in today's Telegraph Herald article:

"It feels so good. Eight years ago we even got scheduled to play against the host team," Carty said. "We'd always go out in the first round and come back and watch the later rounds. Now to be out there playing in the championship game is great. We added some great players along the way.

"It means a lot when you get the same guys every night. You really build such a great chemistry with the same group of guys. Sometimes I think that means a little more than talent. Especially in baseball."

To read the entire TH story, click HERE (subscription required).

The Ramblers are back in action Sunday at Epworth at 1 p.m. in a Prairie League contest.

Farley Tournament Champs!

(Above) The Ramblers chat before last Saturday's first round Farley Tournament victory over Dubuque. Key West won its second tournament this season with Saturday's 10-2 win over Epworth.

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The Key West Ramblers added another tournament title to their growing list of 2011 accomplishments with a 10-2 victory over Epworth on Saturday night. The win marks the team's second tournament championship this season. The Ramblers also won the EIHL championship. Chris Briggs was named the tournament's MVP, while Curt Dixon was the championship's winning pitcher. Check back tomorrow for a detailed review of Saturday's big win.

Ramblers advance to tonight's Farley Tournament championship

Sean O'Connor (above) improved his record to 5-0 this season with Friday's win over Cascade.

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A loaded Cascade roster with the likes of Aaron Saeugling could not stop the Ramblers from advancing to their second tournament championship appearance this season. Key West came from behind to take a 6-4 decision over Cascade Friday night in the semifinals of the Farley Tournament.

Starting pitcher Sean O'Connor shook off a rough first inning in which he allowed three runs to improve his record to 5-0 and Tim Carty starred at the plate with two hits, including his second home run of the season. Chris Briggs stayed hot, cracking two hits.

Matt Knabel and Jared Munson both recorded doubles, while Saeugling homered for the Reds. Cascade pitcher Mitch Mueller took the loss.

Key West (13-1) will now play Epworth Saturday at 5:30 p.m with the Farley Tournament title on the line. Epworth defeated Peosta 4-2 to advance to Saturday's championship tilt.

Ramblers fend off Bellevue in extras

In what has become a regularity in Key West-Bellevue match ups, Bellevue star Chet Knake tagged yet another Rambler pitcher for a home run -- the latest one coming on Tuesday night in the quarterfinal round of the Farley Tournament. His seventh-inning solo blast tied the score, 1-1, and extended the game to an eighth inning.

But the Ramblers gave starting pitcher Andrew Redman more than enough support in a five-run top of the eighth that put the game out of reach. Redman struck out the side in the bottom half, sandwiching in a single, to close the door and eliminate Bellevue by a 6-1 score.

Tyler Sincock got the Key West (12-1) eighth started with a lead off single. After back-to-back walks by Dan Spain and Tim Carty, Michael Jimenez smoked a ground ball to third that looked like a potential 5-2-3 double play. But the third baseman's throw went to the backstop and allowed Sincock and Spain to trot home to give the Ramblers a 3-1 advantage. Chris Briggs added the icing on the cake with a two-run triple to give the Ramblers a comfy 5-1 lead. Cory Davidson added the final tally with a RBI ground out.

Redman, whose ERA now sits at a microscopic 0.87, was his usual dominant self on Tuesday. The righty gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Bellevue did not record its first hit until the fifth inning. Opposing batters are now hitting only .134 against Redman this season.

The Ramblers got their first run on a RBI double by Matt Knabel. Briggs was Key West's star at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs.

Key West now advances to the semifinals of the Farley Tournament where it will face Cascade on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Cascade defeated Balltown and East Dubuque to reach Friday's semifinal. Key West is 2-0 versus Cascade this season.

Timely hits, strong pitching key win over Dubuque

Sean O'Connor kept his unbeaten streak alive as the Ramblers avenged a May 28 loss to Dubuque by trumping the Blues, 3-2, on Saturday night in the first round of the Farley Tournament.

O'Connor pitched a complete game (seven innings) to improve his mark to 4-0. He gave up two runs (one earned), five hits and two walks and struck out four. At, the plate, third baseman Michael Jimenez cracked the game-winning hit in the fifth inning that capped the scoring in Saturday's affair.

Key West (11-1) fell behind early on when sloppy defense helped Dubuque put up an unearned run in the top of the first inning. The Blue's Ben Tressel led off with a single and advanced to second on an errant pick off throw to first. Back-to-back ground outs plated Tressel to make the score 1-0.

Dubuque then made it 2-0 on Matt Asche's RBI double in the second. Mike Hoerner was plunked to begin the inning. Hoerner then moved to second on Seth Hoerner's sacrifice bunt.

But Dubuque's lead would be short-lived. The Ramblers came back with two runs in the bottom of the second. With one out, Justin Kuhle walked and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Cam Stewart drove Kuhle in with a double to the right-center gap. Two batters later, designated hitter Kenny Capesius' single to center knocked in Stewart with two outs to tie the game.

The game remained tied until Jimenez's double to right field chased Andrew Redman to the plate for the deciding run off of Dubuque starting pitcher Mark Hennessy.

Stewart finished the game 2-for-3, as did shortstop Dan Spain, who singled twice.

The Ramblers return to action on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the second round of the Farley Tournament. Key West will take on Bellevue, who defeated Dyersville 4-0 on Saturday.