GAME PREVIEW: GRIZZLIES AT STEELHAWKS

Alaska Team Continues East Coast Swing in Lehigh Valley

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks welcome to the Stabler Arena this Saturday, the Fairbanks Grizzlies from the great state of Alaska. The two teams are the furthest west and furthest east teams in the league respectively. This will be the first meeting between the two non-conference opponents. The Grizzlies, who have won eight straight games since beginning the year 0-3, are fresh off a victory against the Reading Express last Sunday by a score of 60-45. The Steelhawks themselves were able to snap their seven game losing streak last weekend against the Richmond Revolution by a score of 38-35.
The Grizzlies currently sit in second place in the Pacific Division by just a half game behind the Tri-Cities Fever whose record is 8-2. They boast a talented squad with the IFL’s leading Running Back Romandre Gibbs. On the season, the Fairbanks runner has 650 yards on the ground and ten scores and has been a catalyst for a Grizzlies offense which is built on physicality up front and speed on the outsides. The Steelhawks will have to account for Gibbs and talented Wide Receiver Tony Taylor at all times.

The Steelhawks running game has been their strength all year, and that was no different in last weekend’s victory over the Richmond Revolution. Isaiah Grier added two more scores on the ground and Ryan Leafey and Dom Stewart added a rushing score each themselves as the three combined for over 130 yards rushing. The Steelhawks rank 6th in the league on the ground. New starting Quarterback Andre Sloan El will look to build the team’s first winning streak as he goes under center this Saturday.

“We’ve had some success on the ground of late,” stated Steelhawks Head Coach Rich Britt. “I don’t see us shying away from throwing the ball this weekend either, even though the Grizzlies boast one of the league’s top defensive units. We can’t be intimidated by their record, and what they’ve done lately. We just need to go out there and play our game and give max effort for four quarters.”

Kickoff for the game is slated for 7 p.m., Saturday May 21st with doors opening at 6 p.m. Fans coming to cheer on the Steelhawks are urged to wear their black and Vegas gold in support! Tickets for the game can be purchased by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100, via the Steelhawks Website (www.lvsteelhawks.com), thru ticketmaster, or by visiting the Stabler Arena Box Office at 124 Goodman in Bethlehem. For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.The game, deemed Race For Adam Night, will serve as a fundraiser for the Race for Adam. The Race for Adam Foundation, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to funding research projects to find a treatment and cure for Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C) and related neurodegenerative disorders, began in 2005. In July of that year, Sean and Amy Recke’s seven-year old son, Adam, was diagnosed with NP-C, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no cure. Due to the family’s kindness and respect for everyone, the community came together to help them; they are a family who has shown great patience, strength and hope in this time of urgency. Adam has touched the lives of everyone he has met, and continues to embrace life with a perfect smile. With the support of the community, a seed of hope has grown and continues to branch through events that will promote awareness and funding for research into NP-C and related neuro-degenerative disorders. The Foundation is named in honor of Adam Recke.

Season ticket flex packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football!

The Pigs played well as a team tonight and they was no clear cut individual effort tonight as the Pigs beat the SWB Yankees 7 to 3.

Looking good team! Looking real good!

Hopefully they can put some distance between themselves and SWB with 3 more games to go up in Moosic, PA.

Tomorrow is an early game, a 10:35am start so be sure to have your radio handy in the morning.

My apologies for the delay, here is the link:

http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&task=listliveevents&Itemid=223

Corrected link, just look for our chat and join.

With Vance Worley’s return to the Ironpig’s roster it leaves the team with 6 starters. Yes, International League pitcher of the week Brian Gordon, I consider a starter. The big question is, do the Phillies see him that way?

While Gordon has been great over the past couple weeks since coming off the disabled list, he may find himself in the bullpen yet again. This said even more so since Grilli was placed on the Disabled list this morning. It saves room on the roster (and saves Chapman a tank of gas) but it leaves the Pigs heavy on the starter side.

So far, Shoeless Eddie Bonine and Nate Bump have eaten the most innings with 37.1 each with Bass and Feierabend close behind.

The rotation:

1. Vance Worley – this is the no brainer. He’s going to continue. Depending on Joe Blanton’s recovery and success the Phillies want him throwing on schedule.

2. Eddie Bonine – Bonine had a great start to the season but is leveling off. His recent control problems are reason for worry but I don’t see him leaving the rotation just yet.

3. Brian Bass – Bass’ recent complete game is a glimpse of what he can do for the Pigs. He came through strong on a day they were thin in the bullpen and that speaks volumes for a quality pitcher. He has allowed 7 HR this season so far.

4. Nate Bump – While Bump’s stats are very close to Bass, I gave Bass the edge with his recent performance.

5. Ryan Feierabend – Like Bass, Feierabend has been victim to the HR allowing a team high of 8. He has done well for us but does have that April 28th shelling on his line.

6. Brian Gordon – With a 1-0 record, a 0.36 ERA, only 1 earned run in 24.2 innings and an IL Pitcher of the Week award showcasing his 2011 season, I still think the Phillies will push him into the bullpen.

While he will get more starts this season with injuries and callups he has only 13 career starts prior to this year. It stinks for him, it stinks for us.

That’s my guess.. what is yours?

Well theoretically, tonight’s 4-3 win over the Norfolk Tide combined with SWB Yankee’s rainout, place the Pigs in a tie with SWB for first place in the IL North division but they are not. With a 21-15 record, Scranton’s .583 is still better than the Pigs .579 record. (22-16)

I didn’t see much of the game tonight. Just spent it relaxing in the warm dry club level catching up with friends. The highlight of my evening was watching a slightly (ok maybe more than slightly) inebriated fan walk full speed into the glass wall a good 3 feet from the door. He went down, hat went flying and the Ironpig employee at the door tried hard to disguise his smile. With nothing more than his ego bruised, he got up put his hat on and went on his merry way. It would have been a good one for the blooper reel though.

Also heard our very own Worley Bird, Vance Worley will be returning to the Pigs tomorrow as Roy Oswalt has been reactivated to the Phils. In fact, Worley is slated to start in Scranton tomorrow! Yes, the two first place teams will meet in a 4 game series that could leave one team with a nice push towards the top. We will be heading up there on Friday and I’m hoping that I will be able to bring a broom along.

That’s all I got tonight. Until tomorrow…

Glancing at the weather it looks like tonight will be miserably wet. The radar shows a storm passing by to the North and a gathering system over the Baltimore area around 5:00pm. The temperature won’t be too bad, mid 60’s throughout the night but at 5:00pm the chance of rain begins at 20% then jumps to 50% at 7:00pm (7:05pm game time) and up to 60% by 8:00pm and later.

So, will we have a game? It will probably start. It might or might not continue. Chances are we could have a few delays as this will be the thunderstorm type of weather bringing bursts of heavy rains.

The ONLY thing for sure is that the gates WILL open and Harry Kalas Talking bobbleheads will be passed out. No doubts there. None. Also, if you really need to have one.. am I am very serious about this.. I would get there no later than 4:00pm. The weather might scare some folks away, but if the past has taught us anything.. put a piece of wobbly plastic in front of someone and they will wait hours for it in the rain, in the heat and in the cold the same.

I, however, will be enjoying the game from the Club level tonight. If it rains I will be sharing wonderful baseball banter with the upper echelon and enjoying a wider alcohol selection not available from the cheap seats. How did I get the ticket, you ask? I went online and looked. It seems not all club level tickets were sold as season tickets and can be purchased for individual games. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? For me… it’s a good thing 🙂

See you there and be prepared to endure some weather and possibly a delay.

Just heard that Brian Gordon was named the International League Pitcher of the Week!

Gordon has been doing a great job coming off the Disabled list for the Ironpigs and filling their need for an additional starter.

Congrats Brian and keep it up! We’re behind you!

The Pigs lost 4-1 today to the Norfolk Tide spoiling a great performance by Brian Gordon.. Tomorrow is another day. But onto something better..

The Steel Hawks won this weekend!!!!

From the Steelhawks:

STEELHAWKS RUN TO VICTORY
Team Ends Seven Game Losing Streak

Bethlehem, PA: The city of Richmond, Virginia has become a favorite destination for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in their short existence, and Saturday was no different. The reason is two road victories in the southern city this IFL season. The Steelhawks used their potent rushing attack, lead by Isaiah Grier, Ryan Leafey, and Dom Stewart on the evening to secure a 38-35 victory on a rain soaked version of indoor football played outdoors.

The game was played outdoors because the Richmond Revolution were granted the ability to play indoor football, outdoors this season due to their arena being in the process of being built. The contest began with an hour weather delay due to lightning, and rained for most of the evening, but that did not deter the visiting Steelhawks.

The game did look bleek early as the Steelhawks found themselves in an early 18-0 hole courtesy of an early touchdown pass by Revolution Quarterback Monte Purvis, a two point conversion, a rushing score, and a field goal. However, unlike in recent weeks, the team did not let an early deficit get them down. Dom Stewart took a reverse inside the goal line for the first Steelhawks score, which was followed by a strong defensive stop and then a 35 yard scoring scamper by leading rusher Isaiah Grier.

“After that start we just settled down and continued with our original game plan which was to pound them with the running game,” stated Head Coach Rich Britt. “Zeke (Grier) ran his heart out tonight, Leafey provided and instant boost behind him with a long TD run, and Dom kept them on their heels as a motion receiver and potential rushing threat. With the conditions the way they were, we thought this three headed rushing attack would be able to find the endzone often, and that’s just what they did. I am very proud of our teams resiliency tonight.”

Ryan Leafey also took in a touchdown from 27 yards out with a nice high step and Linebacker Adrian McLeod intercepted a pass on the Revolution 6 yard and took it in for a score to close out the second quarter, however the team was still down 32-28 going into the half.

In the second half however the defense took over and only allowed the Rev’s to put up three additional points. Another 26 yard run by Grier allowed the team to tie the score in the fourth quarter. Then a 22 yard pass from new starting Quarterback Andre Sloan El to Stewart got the team in field goal range for the inevitable game winning kick from Paul Stoltz.

The win moves the Steelhawks to 2-8 with four games remaining on the schedule. The team returns home on Saturday, May 21st for a contest against the Fairbanks, Alaska Grizzlies at 7 p.m. The game, deemed Race For Adam Night, will serve as a fundraiser for the Race for Adam. The Race for Adam Foundation, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to funding research projects to find a treatment and cure for Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C) and related neurodegenerative disorders, began in 2005. In July of that year, Sean and Amy Recke’s seven-year old son, Adam, was diagnosed with NP-C, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no cure. Due to the family’s kindness and respect for everyone, the community came together to help them; they are a family who has shown great patience, strength and hope in this time of urgency. Adam has touched the lives of everyone he has met, and continues to embrace life with a perfect smile. With the support of the community, a seed of hope has grown and continues to branch through events that will promote awareness and funding for research into NP-C and related neuro-degenerative disorders. The Foundation is named in honor of Adam Recke.
Individual tickets are available online at http://www.LVSteelhawks.com or by calling the Stabler Arena Box Office at 610-758-6611. For flex pack season tickets for the remaining home games call the Steelhawks Home Office at 610-282-3100.

Season ticket flex packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited, so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football! For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.

How to better celebrate the recent victory than to get your car washed by the Steelhawks own Precious Metals Dance Team!

They will be holding a fundraiser next Sunday May 22nd from 12:00 to 4:00pm!

Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar
1510 N Cedar Crest Blvd
Allentown, PA 18104

Come out and support our great dancers and celebrate our team’s win!

It was a cool, misty night at The Coke tonight but it didn’t cool off the Ironpig bats who, for a second straight night swatted out 12 hits! Thanks to Philly Pretzels who will donate $60 to our National Brain Tumor Society fundraiser for this effort!

Tonight the story wasn’t so much the pitching as it was the resolve of the hitters.

Rich Thompson had the best night of the season for any Ironpig this season going 4-5 with 3 stolen bases to take over as the leading base stealer in the International league! (Columbus’ Carrera is second with 14, with 1 caught stealing) Thompson has not been caught yet this season!

Another Pig, Erik Kratz got the team back in the game with a monster solo HR over the bullpens. Kratz also had a 2 run hit to come out with 3 RBI for the game.

Herndon came on in the 6th and took home his first AAA win of the season. Starter Shoeless Eddie Bonine only lasted 2.2 innings looking like his control was a bit off, issuing 4 walks and allowing 5 runs.

We also got a glimpse of Jeff Larish at 3rd base. Ok, he doesn’t play there often but two throws to home from Left Field were cut off that, from my angle, looked like they should have gone through. Larish seemed to be the ring leader of a pop up that the entire infield watched fall onto the mound allowing 2 runs to score in the 4th inning.

Final score Ironpigs 8 Tide 7.

Tomorrow is an early game. Love those days. Baseball in the afternoon and we get to relax at home in the evening.

See you there!