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.