Best individual seasons in Key West history

10 best seasons by a Rambler hitter:

1. 2010 Chris Briggs:

Briggs basically rewrote the Key West record book in 2010. He set team single-season records for home runs (7), RBI (35), slugging percentage (.542) and total bases (78). He also batted .326 with a .385 on base percentage. His powerful bat was a huge reason for Key West's strong 2010 campaign.

2. 2010 Jared Munson:

In his first season with Key West, Munson nearly broke Dan Spain's team single-season batting average record of .411. Munson hit .404 and set a new Ramblers record with an incredible .507 on base percentage. He played in 31 games, providing stellar defense at several positions, including leftfield, centerfield and even catcher.

3. 2009 Dan Spain:

Spain continued his improvement in his third season as a Rambler. In 2007, he batted just .260 and struck out 37 times. Spain's average skyrocketed to a team record .411 in 2009. He also posted a team record of 15 doubles to go along with a solid 24 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .453 on base, while playing a great shortstop.

4. 2010 Spain:

It's tough to distinguish between Spain's seasons in 2010 and 2008--both were terrific seasons. But in 2010, Spain set a team record with 18 stolen bases. He also recorded the second best batting average of his semi-pro career with a .381 mark and added two homers, 28 RBI and 10 doubles.

5. 2008 Spain:

2008 was Spain's first breakthrough campaign with Key West. His average went from .260 in 2007 to .369 in 2008. Factor in his three homers, 29 RBI, 12 stolen bases, 10 doubles, .448 on base percentage and 66 total bases, and you've got quite a season. This was the year Spain arrived as a star.

6. 2009 Tim Carty:

While Carty doesn't make the top five all-time best Key West seasons, he's been a model of consistency as one of only four players that have stayed with the team since its rebirth in 2004. In 2009, Carty batted .337 with two homers, 26 RBI, 10 doubles and a .448 on base percentage. It was his best season as a fixture in the middle of the Key West lineup.

7. 2010 Carty:

2010 was Carty's best season in terms of hitting for power. He slugged a career-high .520 and clubbed a personal best five home runs. He also batted .314 with a healthy .449 on base percentage in 32 games.

8. 2006 Tyler Sincock:

Sincock has served as a force at the top of Key West's lineup and centerfielder for the past seven seasons. His breakout year came in 2006 when he batted .345 with a .455 on base percentage in 33 games. He led the team that season in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage (.412), stolen bases (7), doubles (5), runs (26), hits (41) and total bases (49).

9. 2008 Carty:

Carty's 2008 on base percentage of .467 set a team record until broken by Munson in 2010. Carty also registered his second best single season average at .324. He tied for the team lead with eight hit by pitches and cracked seven doubles in 37 games.

10. 2007 Sincock:

Sincock followed up 2006 with an almost equally impressive season. He hit .336 with a career-high two home runs. He led the team in batting average, home runs, stolen bases (10), runs (37), walks (22) and total bases (58).

5 best seasons (plus one) by a Rambler pitcher:

1. 2007 Ned Schauff:

Schauff burst onto the semi-pro scene with an outstanding first season with Key West. While he posted just a .500 record (5-5), his numbers suggested he deserved much better. His 2.29 ERA and seven complete games are still team records. His dominance was also evident in his 100 strikeouts and 1.03 WHIP in 74.2 innings pitched.

2. 2008 Schauff:

Schauff did not disappoint after a stellar 2007. In 2008, he hit triple-digits in strikeouts again with a team record 108 whiffs. He also won a team record 10 games (four losses) and registered a 3.00 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 81 innings of work.

3. 2010 Ben Cottrell:

Cottrell filled the void after Schauff's departure with an all-star season in 2010. He tied Schauff's team record of 10 wins, while recording a 3.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in a team-leading 73.1 innings pitched. He held opposing hitters to a .221 batting average.

4. 2009 Schauff:

Schauff's third and final season as a Rambler saw similar results, although he struggled with command at times. Schauff still managed a 6-5 record with a 2.98 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. His five complete games led the team.

5. 2009 Cole Boge:

Boge has been a reliable and durable pitcher in four seasons with Key West. 2009 marked his best season on the mound. Boge went 7-5 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in 80 innings and was selected as an all-star. Schauff and Boge were tough at the top of the Rambler rotation.

6. 2008 Boge:

In Boge's first full season with Key West, he posted a 6-6 record with a 3.65 ERA and 66 strikeouts. He led the team with 88.2 innings--second all-time to Matt Farrey's 91 innings in 2006. Boge was instrumental in the Ramblers' successful 31-18 season.

Season in review

Although the 2010 Ramblers failed to reach the team record of 31 wins, set back in 2008, they did break team records for league victories in both the EIHL and the Prairie League. They went 13-3 in the Prairie League and 11-5 in the EIHL.

Those records were good enough to send Key West back to the playoffs in both leagues for a fourth straight season, staking Key West's claim as one of the top semi-pro teams in the area. The Ramblers reached the championship of the EIHL playoffs by beating Cascade 10-6, before losing to Dubuque in the final game. In the Prairie League playoffs, Key West lost a heartbreaker to Bernard, 4-2.

Pitcher Ben Cottrell was a huge reason for Key West's success in 2010. He filled the void left by Ned Schauff, who pitched in only one game in 2010. Cottrell tied Schauff's team single-season wins record with 10. He also posted a 3.07 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 73.1 innings of work. Without Cottrell, the Ramblers may have struggled to get back to the playoffs.

Also providing a big boost were several Ramblers new to the team in 2010. Clarke University players Jared Munson, Chris Briggs, Cory Davidson and Chris Brewer all made significant contributions. Briggs set new team single-season records for home runs (7), RBI (35) and total bases (78). Meanwhile, Munson batted a team best .404 and broke the team single-season on base percentage record with a mark of .507.

In addition, several familiar faces enjoyed solid seasons. Tim Carty, in his seventh season with Key West, hit .314 with a career-high five homers. Dan Spain, a fourth-year Rambler, batted .381 with two home runs, 28 RBI and a team single-season record of 18 stolen bases.

Tyler Sincock registered a .380 on base percentage as Key West's leadoff man. Jeff Bushman caught fire at the end of the season and finished with a .282 batting average.

Loras College pitchers Cole Boge and Greg Farrey combined to throw 113.1 innings. Boge's 4.79 ERA was inflated by a couple of particularly bad outings. Farrey at times struggled with control, but gave the Ramblers many quality outings.

One area Key West improved upon greatly from the previous season, was in its play in tournament games. The Ramblers won six tournament games in 2010, including two at the Rickardsville Tournament (over Epworth and East Dubuque). The victory over Cascade in the EIHL playoffs marked the high-point of the season, as Cascade had been in the midst of three-straight tournament titles.

All in all, Key West had a season to remember in 2010. It renewed its key pipeline with Clarke University by bringing in talented college players. A lack of pitching depth led to defeats in big games down the stretch, such as in the EIHL and Prairie League Playoffs and the Peosta Tournament, and was all that kept the Ramblers from setting a new franchise record for wins.

In 2011, the Ramblers look to be as strong as ever. A full season of Andrew Redman, as well as another addition or two to the current roster, could put Key West on a level playing field with the top teams in Eastern Iowa.

Crusaders stay sharp in summer baseball league

By Jacob Knabel

From clarkecrusaders.com:

The Clarke baseball team wrapped up its 2010 season with a loss to William Penn University on May 7 at the MCC Tournament. But for most Crusaders, Clarke's 41-game schedule simply wasn't enough baseball.

"Some guys need time off," current Clarke assistant coach and former Clarke shortstop Dan Spain said. "If mentally you're drained, you need that. For me, I need to play more."

Numerous summer baseball leagues offer Spain and others this chance. This summer, several Crusaders gravitated to the Key West Ramblers, an eastern Iowa amateur team located just south of Dubuque that plays every year from May until August in wooden bat leagues. Nine current or former Clarke players donned a Key West uniform for at least one game over the summer.

"I definitely want them to play (over the summer)," Clarke head coach Chad Harris said. "They have to get better. They've got to work on things.

"We send some to leagues throughout the country, and some stay local. Key West seems to be a good fit for many of them."

Clarke leadoff man and centerfielder Jared Munson, who last season led the Crusaders in numerous categories, including batting average (.351), hits (54) and total bases (73), played his first season with the Ramblers this summer. He thrived, hitting a team-best .404 with a .507 on base percentage for Key West...

Read the rest

Final 2010 Statistics

Final Record: 30-19

Hitting:

Chris Briggs: .326 BA, .385 OBP, .542 SLG, 161 PA, 144 AB, 25 R, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 3 SB, 8 2B, 1 3B, 78 TB, 41 GP.

Justin Kuhle: .246 BA, .296 OBP, .268 SLG, 153 PA, 138 AB, 21 R, 0 HR, 26 RBI, 4 SB, 3 2B, 37 TB, 39 GP.

Dan Spain: .381 BA, .459 OBP, .540 SLG, 146 PA, 126 AB, 34 R, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 18 SB, 10 2B, 2 3B, 68 TB, 35 GP.

Jared Munson: .404 BA, .507 OBP, .505 SLG, 134 PA, 109 AB, 31 R, 0 HR, 18 RBI, 15 SB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 55 TB, 31 GP.

Tim Carty: .314 BA, .449 OBP, .520 SLG, 129 PA, 102 AB, 19 R, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 2 SB, 6 2B, 53 TB, 32 GP.

Tyler Sincock: .244 BA, .380 OBP, .278 SLG, 108 PA, 90 AB, 23 R, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 3 SB, 3 2B, 25 TB, 25 GP.

Cole Boge: .244 BA, .360 OBP, .317 SLG, 101 PA, 82 AB, 10 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 3 2B, 26 TB, 35 GP.

Jeff Bushman: .282 BA, .388 OBP, .324 SLG, 89 PA, 71 AB, 15 R, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 6 SB, 3 2B, 23 TB, 26 GP.

Matt Knabel: .272 BA, .315 OBP, .321 SLG, 89 PA, 81 AB, 11 R, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, 4 2B, 24 GP.

Cam Stewart: .236 BA, .364 OBP, .264 SLG, 88 PA, 72 AB, 12 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 11 SB, 2 2B, 19 TB, 27 GP.

Cory Davidson: .296 BA, .424 OBP, .370 SLG, 66 PA, 54 AB, 11 R, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB, 1 2B, 20 TB, 22 GP.

Brandon Bauer: .167 BA, .250 OBP, .185 SLG, 64 PA, 54 AB, 5 R, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 1 2B, 10 TB, 22 GP.

Chris Brewer: .242 BA, .395 OBP, .273 SLG, 43 PA, 33 AB, 8 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 1 2B, 16 GP.

Roberto Rivera: .318 BA, .423 OBP, .364 SLG, 26 PA, 22 AB, 5 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5 SB, 1 2B, 8 TB, 8 GP.

Andrew Redman: .300 BA, .417 OBP, .400 SLG, 12 PA, 10 AB, 4 R, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 1 2B, 4 TB, 4 GP.

TEAM: .286 BA, .381 OBP, .378 SLG, 1543 PA, 1303 AB, 249 R, 16 HR, 207 RBI, 79 SB, 60 2B, 6 3B, 493 TB, 49 GP.

Pitching:

Ben Cottrell: 10-2 W-L, 3.07 ERA, 73.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 69 K, 58 H, 27 BB, 3 CG, .221 BAA.

Greg Farrey: 3-4 W-L, 4.56 ERA, 55.2 IP, 1.58 WHIP, 42 K, 61 H, 27 BB, 2 CG, 2 SV, .274 BAA.

Cole Boge: 4-5 W-L, 4.79 ERA, 67.2 IP, 1.55 WHIP, 54 K, 82 H, 23 BB, 4 CG, 3 SV, .288 BAA.

Dan Spain: 3-2 W-L, 2.79 ERA, 38.2 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 40 K, 25 H, 29 BB, 2 CG, 1 SV, .184 BAA.

Chris Brewer: 2-2 W-L, 5.24 ERA, 22.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 25 K, 13 H, 13 BB, 1 SV, .167 BAA.

Cory Davidson: 3-1 W-L, 1.78 ERA, 25.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 20 K, 19 H, 12 BB, 1 CG, .207 BAA.

TEAM: 30-19 W-L, 4.34 ERA, 325.2 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 286 K, 318 H, 160 BB, 13 CG, .252 BAA.

Season ends in Prairie League semifinal

With a spot in the Prairie League championship game on the line, Key West could not come up with the big hit in a 4-2, nine-inning loss to Bernard Sunday afternoon in Bellevue.

The Ramblers had a prime opportunity to win it in the bottom of the eighth when Dan Spain led off with a double to right center. Tim Carty's ground out to short moved Spain to third with only one out. But Bernard starting pitcher Max Hoffman wiggled out of the jam by striking out Justin Kuhle and getting Chris Briggs to hit a slow roller back to the mound.

Key West got its runs in the third inning. One out singles by Jeff Bushman and Tyler Sincock put runners at first and second. After a wild pitch moved both runners up a base, Spain grounded a base hit into right field to score both runners and put Key West ahead 2-1.

Hoffman tied the score in the top of the sixth with an RBI bloop single to center. Bernard put up the final tallies of the ballgame in the ninth, keyed by four straight singles. The first two Key West hitters in the ninth reached--Jared Munson doubled and Roberto Rivera reached on an error--but Cory Davidson grounded into a double play and Sincock chopped out to second to end the game.

Davidson went 6.1 innings on the mound for Key West, getting a no decision. He allowed two runs (both unearned), four hits and three walks to go along with five strikeouts. Spain pitched the last 2.2 innings, giving up two earned runs and took the loss.

Bernard advanced to play Farley in the championship of the Prairie League. For Key West, the 2010 season is now over. The Ramblers finished with an overall record of 30-19. They posted league records of 13-3 in the Prairie League and 11-5 in the EIHL, good enough to make the playoffs in each league for the fourth straight season.

Cascade gets revenge

Two days after losing 10-6 to Key West in an EIHL semifinal game, Cascade got revenge in beating the Ramblers 8-1 Friday in the quarterfinals of the Peosta Tournament.

Cascade lefthanded pitcher Luke Franzenburg dazzled on the mound, not cracking until allowing four out of five hitters to reach in the fifth inning before Jeff Bushman was thrown out at the plate to end the game. Cascade won by the seven-run rule after five innings.

Ryan Kelly drove in the Ramblers only run in that fifth inning with an RBI single. Key West could muster only four hits against Franzenburg, who routinely fooled hitters with his nasty changeup. He ended up with eight strikeouts.

Dan Spain needed 93 pitches to get through four innings of work for Key West. He held Cascade scoreless through the first three frames, but Cascade struck for eight runs in the fourth with plenty of help from a shaky defensive effort. Cascade had only three hits in the eight run-inning, but three walks, a hit batter and four errors allowed it to run away with the game.

Spain struck out four and gave up five hits, four walks and eight runs (only three earned) in four innings.

The Ramblers will suit up for the final time this season on Sunday. They play Bernard in a Prairie League semifinal playoff game. The winner will play in the championship, also on Sunday.

Key West rebounds, wins by seven-run rule

After taking a drubbing at the hands of Dubuque in the EIHL championship game Wednesday night, Thursday night's 7-0 victory over Balltown at the Peosta Tournament provided sweet relief. The Ramblers delivered at the plate and Clarke shortstop/pitcher Ryan Kelly threw five shut out innings on the mound.

Key West jumped on top early with two runs in the bottom half of the first. It started with consecutive walks by Tyler Sincock and Roberto Rivera. Dan Spain's ground out moved the runners to second and third before Justin Kuhle followed with an RBI grounder and Chris Briggs singled home a run.

The Ramblers added a run in the third with Rivera's RBI single to make it 3-0. A big fifth inning resulted in a seven-run rule victory. Spain started it with a lead off walk and Kuhle and Briggs both singled to load the bases. Andrew Redman forced home a run with a walk, Alex McKinlay chopped a two-run single over first base and Jeff Bushman lined a single to left center to end the game.

Kelly pitched masterfully on the mound. He got credit for a five-inning complete game, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out four.

Key West now sits at 30-17 overall, one win shy of the team's single-season record of 31, set in 2008. Thursday's win over Balltown also counted as a Prairie League win. The Ramblers finished 13-3 in the Prairie League.

The Ramblers now advance to the quarterfinals of the Peosta Tournament. They play Friday at 8:30 p.m. versus Cascade, a re-match of Wednesday's 10-6 Key West win in the EIHL semifinal playoff game.

Ramblers upset Cascade, fall hard to Dubuque

Wednesday night's EIHL playoff games at Farley Park dealt the Ramblers (28-17) both ultimate highs and ultimate lows. Key West first defeated Cascade 10-6 to reach the EIHL championship game, pummeling starting pitcher Pat Weber to the tune of 14 hits. The Ramblers were then stunned by Dubuque in the final game by a ridiculous 22-0 score.

Dan Spain led Key West's victory over Cascade with three hits, including a two-run double in the top of the seventh that gave Key West its final runs and a four-run cushion. Also starring for the Ramblers were Cory Davidson (3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI) and Chris Briggs, Tim Carty and Andrew Redman, who each had two-out two-run singles.

Ben Cottrell tied a Key West single season record by picking up his 10th win of the season. He gave up six runs and eight hits in six innings of work. Spain retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to put Key West into the title game, where it clearly had little left.

Nothing went right as Dubuque squared up every mistake at the plate and piled on against the Ramblers' mop up relievers.

Despite the ugly EIHL championship effort, Key West still has a chance to set a team record for wins in a season. The 2008 Ramblers currently hold the record with 31 victories.

Key West will play Balltown at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in first round action of the Peosta Tournament. Spain will toe the rubber for the Ramblers.

Tonight's Peosta Tournament games postponed

Tuesday's Peosta Tournament games have been postponed due to rain. Key West's first round game with Balltown has been re-scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Ramblers will be in action tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Farley versus Cascade in a EIHL semifinal game. The winner will play immediately after, about 8:30 p.m., against Dubuque, which beat Farley in the other semifinal match up. Ben Cottrell is the likely starting pitcher for Key West.

More 2010 photos

Current stat leaders

Hitting:

Games: Justin Kuhle, 35

Plate Appearances: Chris Briggs, 146

Runs: Jared Munson/Dan Spain, 31

Walks: Munson, 18

Home Runs: Briggs, 7

Runs Batted In: Briggs, 32

Stolen Bases: Spain, 16

Doubles: Spain, 8

Total Bases: Briggs, 72

Batting Average: Munson, .400

On Base %: Munson, .508

Slugging %: Tim Carty, .560

Pitching:

Games: Cole Boge, 14

Games Started: Boge, 10

Innings Pitched: Ben Cottrell, 67.1

ERA: Cottrell, 2.54

Wins: Cottrell, 9

Saves: Boge, 3

Strikeouts: Cottrell, 65

Complete Games: Boge, 4

Opp. Batting Avg: Spain, .154

This week's schedule

Monday: Off.

Tuesday: Versus Balltown, 8:30 p.m. at the Peosta Tournament.

Wednesday: Versus Cascade, 7 p.m. at Farley (EIHL Semifinal game); EIHL championship day and time TBD.

Thursday: Possible second round game in the Peosta Tournament. Key West would play the winner of Bellevue/Cascade at 8:30 p.m. if it beats Balltown Tuesday.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Prairie League playoffs -- game days and times TBD; semifinal and championship rounds of Peosta Tournament.

Ramblers clinch division, beat Zwingle

Sunday afternoon's match up between Zwingle and Key West (27-16) meant little to the Ramblers. They had already clinched the American Division title in the Prairie League with an 11-3 league record entering the game. The 4-2 victory over Zwingle in Bernard simply added the cherry on top.

Key West first baseman Chris Briggs came through with the big blow in the seventh, breaking a 1-1 tie with a long home run against the wind and over the right field fence. The two-run shot, Briggs' seventh homer of the season, put the Ramblers up 3-1 and on their way to another win.

Zwingle starting pitcher Travis Lyons stifled the Ramblers through the first five innings. Key West couldn't even push across a run until Andy Crane replaced Lyons in the sixth inning. Crane hit Jeff Bushman with a pitch to force in the first Key West run with the bases loaded in the sixth. Bushman added another RBI with a double to tally the Ramblers' final run in the seventh.

Cory Davidson (3-0) collected the win on the mound for Key West. He went six innings, allowing just one hit, six walks and one earned run. Cole Boge earned his third save in the ninth, though he gave up three hits and a run.

Infielder Roberto Rivera notched two hits for the second straight game, going 2-for-2 with a double and two walks. Key West rightfielder Alex McKinley went 2-for-3, including a double and a run. Briggs' home run added to his Key West single-season total base record. He has 72 total bases.

The Ramblers now turn their attention to the Peosta Tournament, where Key West plays Balltown at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Peosta Tournament Schedule

(August 15-21)

First Round

Sunday:

Peosta vs. Worthington, 1 p.m.

Placid vs. Monticello, 2:30 p.m.

Bernard vs. Rickardsville, 4 p.m.

East Dubuque vs. Dyersville, 5:30 p.m.

Monday:

Zwingle vs. Dubuque, 7 p.m.

Epworth vs. Farley, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday:

Bellevue vs. Cascade, 7 p.m.

Balltown vs. Key West, 8:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Wednesday:

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

Zwingle/Dubuque vs. East Dubuque/Dyersville, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday:

Bernard/Rickardsville vs. Epworth/Farley, 7 p.m.

Bellevue/Cascade vs. Balltown/Key West, 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Friday:

Quarterfinal winners, 7 p.m.

Quarterfinal winners, 8:30 p.m.

Consolation

Saturday:

Semifinal losers, 6 p.m.

Championship

Saturday:

Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.

Key West to make fourth straight EIHL playoff appearance

Coaches John Knabel and Paul Carty will lead the Ramblers back to the EIHL playoffs for the fourth straight time. Key West earned the no. 3 seed in the playoffs, meaning it will take on no. 2 seed Cascade.

The Ramblers, who went 11-5 in EIHL play, will travel to Farley to play Cascade at noon this Sunday. All EIHL playoff games will be held at Farley, who gets homefield advantage because of its status as the no. 1 seed.

No. 1 Farley will play no. 4 Dubuque at 1:30 p.m., immediately following Key West's semifinal match up. The two winners will meet Sunday in the championship after the conclusion of the two semifinal games, some time around 3 p.m.

In last season's EIHL semi-final game, the Ramblers were defeated 12-4 by no. 1-seeded Cascade in Cascade.

Key West last captured a league title back in 2008 when it beat East Dubuque and Farley to win the Prairie League championship.

Cole Boge (4-4) will take the mound again for the Ramblers on Sunday.

Ramblers escape Worthington

With the Key West bats struggling through the first five innings, Dan Spain provided a shot in the arm with 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of starting pitcher Greg Farrey.

Worthington actually led 3-1 after five innings before the Ramblers (24-15) chipped away with a run in the sixth and then took the lead with three in the seventh. Justin Kuhle came up with another big hit, driving a soft liner into leftfield for a two-run single in the seventh to give the Ramblers a 5-3 lead. They would add one in the ninth and win 6-3 Wednesday night in Worthington to improve to 11-4 in EIHL play.

Farrey had to be pulled with one out in the fifth after allowing three straight hitters to reach--two singles and one walk. He gave up four hits, four walks and three earned runs and did not factor into the decision. However, Farrey recorded his first two-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Spain picked up the win. He struck out six and did not give up a run. He also doubled and scored Key West's second run of the game.

In addition to Farrey's two hits, Kuhle, Jared Munson and Roberto Rivera added two-hit games of their own. Worthington's Jason Ostwinkle went a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk.

Chris Briggs took sole possession of Key West's single-season RBI record when he drove in his 30th run of 2010 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Spain held the previous record with 29 RBI in 2008.

With Wednesday's victory, Key West will likely appear in the EIHL playoffs, which begin this Sunday. The EIHL playoffs are held at the home field of the team with the top record.

The Ramblers next game is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Zwingle.

Current Prairie League standings

American Division

1. Key West: 9-3
2. Farley: 9-5
2. Peosta: 9-5
4. East Dubuque: 7-6
5. Balltown: 4-7
6. Placid: 2-11

National Division

1. Bellevue: 13-1
2. Bernard: 9-4
3. Zwingle: 8-5
4. Epworth: 4-8
5. Luxemburg: 3-10
6. Bankston: 0-12

Make up games

Today's early blog post originally stated that this week's make up at Worthington had be re-scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. However, the game will actually be played this Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Worthington.

Sunday's scheduled game against Epworth at Table Mound, which was rained out, will now take place Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at Table Mound and will be a seven-inning game. Other make up dates will be posted as they are announced.

Seabrooke steals show, Farley prevails

Andy Seabrooke showed why many consider him one of Eastern Iowa's top pitchers in a 3-2 Farley victory Sunday night over the Ramblers (23-15) at the Dyersville Tournament. Seabrooke did not even allow a baserunner until the seventh inning in a dominant complete game, nine strikeout performance.

As if that weren't enough, Seabrooke put a dagger in Key West's heart by delivering a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, just out of the reach of Chris Briggs at first.

Seabrooke's game-winning hit came after Key West staged an improbable rally in the top of the seventh to tie the score. Leading 2-0 entering the seventh, Seabrooke lost his bid for a perfect game when Tyler Sincock reached on an error after his slow roller got under the glove of Farley second baseman Tyler Hefel. Dan Spain then broke up the no-hitter with a base hit to left field.

After Tim Carty hit into a fielder's choice, Justin Kuhle struck out and Briggs was walked intentionally, Jared Munson came to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. Munson dribbled a grounder to third baseman Billy Schmitt whose wild throw to first trickled down the right field line, allowing two runs to score on the play. Munson was credited with an infield RBI single--Schmitt's error brought home the second run. Cory Davidson struck out to end the inning.

Key West starting pitcher Cole Boge returned to the mound in the bottom half, hoping to send the game to extra innings. However, Jesse Lawler got hit by a pitch to start the inning--his third hit by pitch of the game--stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on Seabrooke's line drive down the first base line.

Boge threw his second straight complete game, going 6.1 innings. He gave up seven hits, three earned runs and three walks to go with two strikeouts.

Cole's sister, Katrina Boge, represented the Ramblers as "Miss Key West" in the tournament's annual queen pageant.

**Make up date announced: Key West will play at Worthington Wednesday at 7 p.m. in an EIHL duel. The two teams were originally scheduled to play July 15 but were rained out. Greg Farrey is the probable Rambler starting pitcher in a game Key West needs to win to clinch an EIHL playoff spot.

Today's 1 p.m. game postponed

Today's scheduled 1 p.m. contest between Key West and Epworth has been postponed due to rain. A make up date will be arranged between the coaches.

Tonight's game versus Farley at the Dyersville Tournament has not been postponed.

Dyersville Tournament Preview

The Ramblers (23-14) travel to Jenk Field to play the Farley Hawks at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow in first round action of the 60th annual Dyersville Tournament. It will be the fifth meeting of the season between the two teams. Key West has taken three out of the first four contests.

Cole Boge will take the mound for the second straight game for the Ramblers, who have been off since Monday night's victory over Dyersville. Boge threw a nine-inning complete game against Dyersville to pick up his fourth win of the season. He lowered his ERA to 3.55.

Key West last played Farley July 30. Farley dominated that game, winning by an 11-0 score. The Ramblers won the first three meetings, each by just one run. Key West has had success against Farley the last several seasons, however, the Ramblers dropped four of six to Farley in 2009, losing by a combined total of seven runs in the four losses. In the most important game pitting the two teams, Key West beat Farley in the Prairie League semifinal game.

Farley has been hot of late as they beat Balltown 9-0 Thursday and drubbed Cascade 12-3 on Friday. Kevin Corkery picked up the win over Balltown, while Russ Bolibaugh earned the victory against Cascade. This perhaps gives Farley the option of throwing ace pitcher Andy Seabrooke in Sunday night's date with Key West.

The Ramblers will counter with a lineup that boasts four regulars with batting averages of at least .336: Jared Munson .402, Dan Spain .396, Tim Carty .341 and Chris Briggs .336. Briggs leads the team in home runs (6), RBI (29) and total bases (67).

Should Key West win Sunday, it would advance to play the winner of Cascade/Balltown Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

On the opposite side of the bracket, Dyersville, Peosta, Zwingle and Bernard all won first round games played Thursday and Friday.

Saturday games:

Dubuque vs. Rickardsville, 7 p.m.

East Dubuque vs. Bellevue, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday:

Cascade vs. Balltown, 6 p.m.

Key West vs. Farley, 8:30 p.m.

Cottrell goes six strong for Bucks

Making his Waterloo Bucks debut Friday night, Ben Cottrell threw six solid innings, allowing three hits, three walks and three runs (two earned) with two strike outs.

Cottrell got a no decision in the Bucks' 4-3 loss to the Battle Creek Bombers in the second game of a doubleheader at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo. He fired 86 pitches, 54 for strikes.

Cottrell expects to get at least one more start for Waterloo, whose final game is scheduled for Aug. 16.

Cottrell to pitch for Waterloo Bucks tonight

Ramblers star pitcher Ben Cottrell has been added to the roster of the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League. Cottrell will take the mound tonight for the Bucks in the second game of a doubleheader against the Battle Creek Bombers at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

According to the Northwoods League website: "The Northwoods League is a summer baseball league comprised of teams of the top college players from across the nation and North America. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid (this preserves their NCAA eligibility)."

The Waterloo Bucks' roster includes college players from the University of Iowa, the University of Illinois, LSU, Butler and Wartburg.

Cottrell, a semi-pro all-star this season, leads Key West with a 9-2 record and a 2.54 ERA in 67.1 innings. For Loras College this past season, Cottrell threw 24.1 innings and posted a 4.81 ERA with 23 strike outs.

The Northwoods League gives players such as Cottrell the opportunity to showcase their skills to a wider audience and gain exposure. Current major leaguers Andre Ethier, Curtis Granderson, Juan Pierre and Josh Willingham at one time played in the league.

Dyersville Tournament bracket

The Dyersville Tournament got underway tonight with host Dyersville taking on Luxemburg at 7 p.m. The Ramblers will play Sunday night at 8:30 against Farley. The bracket is at left.

(Click image to enlarge)

Ramblers in college baseball

(Name: Year in school, College)

Cole Boge: Senior, Loras -- Player Profile.

Chris Brewer: Junior, Clarke -- Player Profile.

Chris Briggs: Junior, Clarke -- Player Profile.

Tim Carty: Graduate of Loras College where he pitched.

Ben Cottrell: Sophomore, Loras -- Player Profile.

Cory Davidson: Junior, Clarke -- Player Profile.

Greg Farrey: Senior, Loras -- Player Profile.

Matt Knabel: Played freshman season at Wartburg.

Jared Munson: Senior, Clarke -- Player Profile.

Andrew Redman: Freshman, Iowa Central Community College.

Dan Spain: Currently an assistant coach at Clarke; also played two seasons at Clarke.

*Photo from clarkecrusaders.com.

New Ramblers season records set in 2010

New Individual Records:

-Home Runs: Chris Briggs - 6 (previous record: Spain/Redman - 3)

-RBI: Chris Briggs - 29 (tied with Spain's 29 in 2008)

Individual Records in jeopardy:

-Batting Average: Spain - .411 in 2009 (Munson currently hitting .402, Spain - .396)

-Hits: Spain - 53 in 2009 (Briggs and Spain currently have 40, Munson has 39)

-Total Bases: Spain - 68 in 2009 (Briggs currently has 67, Spain has 57)

-Stolen Bases: Spain - 17 in 2009 (Spain currently has 15, Munson has 14)

-Runs: Sincock - 37 in 2007 (Munson currently has 29, Spain has 28)

-OBP: Jared Munson - .517 (previous record: Carty .467 in 2008)

-Wins: Schauff - 10 in 2008 (Cottrell currently has nine)

-ERA: Schauff - 2.29 in 2007 (Cottrell currently has a 2.54 ERA)

New Team Records:

-Home Runs: 15 (previous record: 11 in 2009)

-Triples: 6 (ties previous highs of 2007 and 2008)

Team Records in Jeopardy:

-Batting Average: .276 in 2007 (currently .290)

-OBP: .384 in 2007 (currently .387)

-SLG: .352 in 2007 (currently .388)

-Runs: 225 in 2007 (currently have 217)

-Doubles: 65 in 2008 (currently have 50)

-Total Bases: 446 in 2008 (currently have 423)

-Stolen Bases: 73 in 2009 (currently have 64)

-ERA: 3.71 in 2008 (currently 3.85)

Boge tosses complete game gem

Cole Boge gave up only one run and six hits in a complete game effort to give the Ramblers an important 6-1 victory over Dyersville at Jenk Field Monday night. Boge's 122-pitch masterpiece places Key West at 10-4 in EIHL games, putting them in position to possibly secure a fourth straight playoff bid.

At the plate, Justin Kuhle made his two singles count. His two out RBI single in the third drove home the first run of the ballgame. Kuhle then gave the Ramblers (23-14) a comfortable cushion with a two-run single in the top of the ninth to make the score 6-1.

Jeff Bushman, Dan Spain and Tyler Sincock also tallied two hits apiece. Jared Munson tripled and scored three runs.

Chris Briggs' streak of 10 straight at bats with a hit ended when he grounded out to first in the first inning. He finished 1-for-5.

A Ramblers victory in one of their final two EIHL games (vs. Worthington and Cascade) gives Key West a shot at one of four playoff spots. A win in both games would likely clinch a berth.

Key West is scheduled to play two games Sunday Aug. 8. Its first contest will take place at Table Mound at 1 p.m. versus Epworth. The Ramblers will then travel to Dyersville for tournament action against Farley at 8:30 p.m. The Queen Pageant is also scheduled for that night.

Season Statistics

(Through 36 games):

Hitting:

Chris Briggs: .342 BA, .411 OBP, .579 SLG, 129 PA, 114 AB, 23 R, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB, 7 2B, 1 3B, 32 GP.

Justin Kuhle: .252 BA, .312 OBP, .279 SLG, 125 PA, 111 AB, 17 R, 0 HR, 20 RBI, 2 SB, 2 2B, 31 GP.

Jared Munson: .404 BA, .517 OBP, .479 SLG, 118 PA, 94 AB, 26 R, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 13 SB, 5 2B, 1 3B, 27 GP.

Dan Spain: .396 BA, .478 OBP, .573 SLG, 113 PA, 96 AB, 27 R, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 15 SB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 26 GP.

Tim Carty: .353 BA, .486 OBP, .600 SLG, 108 PA, 85 AB, 19 R, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 2 SB, 6 2B, 26 GP.

Matt Knabel: .272 BA, .315 OBP, .321 SLG, 89 PA, 81 AB, 11 R, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, 4 2B, 24 GP.

Tyler Sincock: .230 BA, .364 OBP, .257 SLG, 88 PA, 74 AB, 17 R, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB, 2 2B, 20 GP.

Cole Boge: .254 BA, .353 OBP, .324 SLG, 85 PA, 71 AB, 9 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 2 2B, 28 GP.

Cam Stewart: .262 BA, .388 OBP, .292 SLG, 80 PA, 65 AB, 12 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 11 SB, 2 2B, 24 GP.

Jeff Bushman: .255 BA, .357 OBP, .298 SLG, 60 PA, 47 AB, 12 R, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 3 SB, 2 2B, 17 GP.

Brandon Bauer: .188 BA, .278 OBP, .208 SLG, 58 PA, 48 AB, 5 R, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 1 2B, 19 GP.

Cory Davidson: .289 BA, .426 OBP, .395 SLG, 47 PA, 38 AB, 8 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 1 2B, 14 GP.

Chris Brewer: .242 BA, .395 OBP, .273 SLG, 43 PA, 33 AB, 8 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 1 2B, 16 GP.

Pitching:

Ben Cottrell: 9-2 W-L, 2.54 ERA, 67.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 65 K, 50 H, 23 BB, 3 CG, .211 BAA.

Greg Farrey: 3-4 W-L, 4.56 ERA, 51.1 IP, 1.56 WHIP, 39 K, 57 H, 23 BB, 2 CG, 2 SV, .273 BAA.

Cole Boge: 3-3 W-L, 4.01 ERA, 49.1 IP, 1.52 WHIP, 43 K, 59 H, 16 BB, 2 CG, 2 SV, .277 BAA.

Dan Spain: 2-1 W-L, 2.39 ERA, 26.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 28 K, 12 H, 22 BB, 1 CG, 1 SV, .138 BAA.

Chris Brewer: 2-2 W-L, 5.24 ERA, 22.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 25 K, 13 H, 13 BB, 1 SV, .167 BAA.

Cory Davidson: 2-0 W-L, 0.69 ERA, 13 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 14 K, 10 H, 3 BB, 1 CG, .217 BAA.

2010 Photo Gallery