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.

------------------------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------------------------

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.

Sunday's game re-scheduled for June 25

Tomorrow's scheduled 1:30 p.m. game at Table Mound Field against Bernard has been re-scheduled for June 25. The game will remain at Table Mound, but will be played at 1 p.m. Last night's rain outs at the Farley Tournament pushed Bernard's first round game to Sunday at 2 p.m., necessitating the change.

Saturday's game with Balltown postponed

Saturday's scheduled game at Balltown at noon has been postponed due to rain. An announcement on the game's re-scheduled date will come soon.

Ramblers capture elusive road win at Cascade

For the first time in eight years, the Ramblers pulled out a victory over the Cascade Reds on the road. A sloppy, wet field made playing conditions rough, but that failed to stop the Ramblers from notching a 6-3 win on Friday night.

Cory Davidson continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with a triple, two waks, two runs and one RBI to back winning pitcher Dan Spain. Spain went six strong innings, limiting Cascade to three runs (two earned) and six hits. Andrew Redman picked up his first save by throwing three nearly perfect innings. His only mistake was a ninth-inning plunking of Tom Andrews, who was quickly erased after getting caught off first on a line out to short.

Davidson's RBI single in the second scored Redman for the first tally of the game. Cascade got a run of its own in the second with Josh McQuillen's sacrifice fly to right field. Cascade then took the lead in the third when Marty Sutherland scored on an error on the second baseman.

The Ramblers (10-1) took the lead for good in the fifth inning when Jared Munson corked a two-run single to right field to make the score 3-2. Cam Stewart added a RBI single in the sixth for a 4-2 lead. Cascade put up its final run in the sixth to draw within one again, but Key West responded with two runs in the eighth on a Spain RBI single and a Munson bases-loaded walk.

Tim Carty led all players with three hits. Lead off man Tyler Sincock reached base twice on a hit-by-pitch and a walk.

The Ramblers return to action on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. versus Dubuque in the first round of the Farley Tournament. Saturday's scheduled noon game at Balltown has been postponed.

Farley Tournament Schedule

Key West will begin play on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. versus Dubuque in the first round of the Farley Tournament. In Thursday night's first round action, Farley crushed Placid and Peosta squeaked by Worthington.

Here is the complete first round schedule:

Thursday:

Farley 17, Placid 1

Peosta 1, Worthington 0

Friday:

Epworth vs. Zwingle, 7 p.m.

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

Saturday:

Dyersville vs. Bellevue, 6 p.m.

Dubuque vs. Key West, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday:

Cascade vs. Balltown, 4 p.m.

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

Briggs' walk-off double lifts Key West

Key West and Farley appeared destined to go to the 11th inning after Jared Munson and Dan Spain were retired to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning in a 3-3 game. But a two-out 2-2 pitch nailed Michael Jimenez and set the stage for Chris Briggs' heroics. Briggs crushed a 1-1 pitch to right field for a double, sending Jimenez in to score the winning run all the way from first.

The Ramblers (9-1) beat Farley for the third time this season in as many tries with Tuesday night's 4-3 win at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta. Andrew Redman pitched 3.2 innings of dominant relief to pick up his first win of the season. Redman struck out six and gave up just two hits.

Redman came in after starter Curt Dixon faced the first four hitters in the seventh and left men on first and second. Dixon had cruised through the first four innings, facing the minimum and throwing only 39 pitches. But a Chris Kerper RBI single in the fifth and a Jesse Lawler RBI single in the seventh put Farley within striking distance. Brian Miller then evened the score with a bloop RBI double off Redman in the seventh.

Dixon looked like he might breeze to victory after Justin Kuhle gave the Ramblers a 3-0 cushion in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Kuhle lined a high change up from Billy Schmitt into the left center gap and cleared the bases. Farley responded by tagging Dixon with three earned runs to chase him from the game after 6.1 solid innings of work.

Briggs finished 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles. Cory Davidson and Cam Stewart each went 2-for-4 with two singles.

The Ramblers will be back in action on Friday for a 7 p.m. contest at Cascade in an EIHL date.

O'Connor moves to 3-0 in victory over Farley

Sean O'Connor pitched brilliantly again as the Ramblers brushed off Saturday's loss to Dubuque and defeated the host Farley Hawks, 5-1, Thursday night.

O'Connor pitched eight innings and allowed only a single run and three hits. He struck out nine while walking one. O'Connor bumped his record to 3-0 on the season.

Neither team could put a tally on the scoreboard until Tim Carty's sixth-inning sacrifice fly drove in Dan Spain, who reached on a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error on the catcher.

The Ramblers (8-1) then added four runs in the seventh frame to open up a 5-0 lead. Andrew Redman began the outburst with a one-out hit-by-pitch. Justin Kuhle singled to shallow right field and Cole Boge followed a Cory Davidson strikeout with a RBI single to left center. Jared Munson, who went 2-for-3 with a double, then singled home Kuhle. A wild pitch on strike three to Tim Carty allowed Boge to score, and another wild pitch brought home Munson to give the Ramblers their final run of the ballgame.

Farley got its lone run in the seventh when Andy Seabrooke scored on a wild pitch. Farley starting pitcher Billy Schmitt tossed five shut out innings before giving way to reliever Brian Miller, who was tagged with the loss.

Ryan Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth-inning to cap Key West's eighth win of the season. Andrew Redman got his first start of the season in the field for Key West. He went 0-for-3 but lined out sharply to center field twice.

Farley will get another shot at Key West on Tuesday when the Ramblers host the Hawks at 7 p.m. at Peosta.