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July 25, 2008

Mariners ready for Legion tourney

Clinton County draws tough opening assignment in American Legion tourney

PLATTSBURGH -- The Clinton County Mariners will be at home this weekend in the District 4 Tournament, but some might wonder how much of an advantage it will be.

"We've only been home twice this summer," reminded Mariners' coach John Flynn, whose team has fashioned a 17-7 record making stops in Utica, Vermont, Granville and Norwood.

Clinton County hosted two tournaments, but the latest -- The Alex Turner Memorial last weekend -- was cut short by rain.

"It (the rainout) didn't help us. We would have played Ogdensburg and then either Glens Falls or Saratoga; games we really needed to play to get ready for the districts," Flynn said.

If there is any consolation, the rest of the district also has had to make do with the uncooperative weather.

"Everybody is in the same boat," he added.

The Mariners managed to squeeze in a practice outdoors Tuesday and then worked out at the PSU Field House Wednesday night.

"Last night (Wednesday) we were inside and it was great," Flynn said. "We got a chance to hit and throw. We're ready to go."

Clinton County will not have it easy. The Mariners wound up in what is acknowledged to be the tougher bracket and with Anaconda out of the Capital District for their first game today, at 6 p.m., at Lefty Wilson Field.

"I think we got the hardest draw of anybody," Flynn acknowledged. "Anaconda is probably the No. 1 team in the tournament and to draw them first is quite a challenge."

Mohican Post and St. Johnsville round out the bracket. On the other side will be Norfolk, Granville, Saratoga and Amsterdam.

The eight-team tournament is double elimination over two weekends, but there is a lot riding on that first game.

"If we lose (to Anaconda), we'd have to turn around and play again at 9 o'clock Saturday morning," Flynn related. "If you lose the first game then you need to win three games just to make it to next weekend. You don't want to lose the first game in a double-elimination tournament."

The Mariners are in great shape for the tournament. Nick Lamica and Pat Shaughnessy were slowed by injuries the first couple of weeks, but are back at full strength for the districts.

Flynn was hedging on naming a starting pitcher Thursday, wondering whether Anaconda will go with Dave Filak, who was the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year at Oneonta this spring.

"It's either Lamica or (Alex) LaFountain. I'm going to sleep on it one more night," Flynn said.

"Lamica has been our big guy and he's rested and ready. But LaFountain has won four games for us and when he's pitching, we're better defensively because we can use Lamica in center."

The Mariners, and all the Legion teams, for that matter, will have to extend themselves in the postseason with all games nine innings rather than the seven-inning contests they've been playing.

"I don't think you can ask a guy (pitcher) to go nine just yet," Flynn said. "That's why we've giving Joe Kirkpatrick and Aaron Tenbuuren some innings the last couple of weeks to give us those guys who can come in in relief."

Flynn has been impressed with the Mariners' all-round play.

"We've played well defensively and, with the exception of the Wooden Bat Tournament, we've been hitting well," Flynn added. "And, I can't say enough about team chemistry; it's made my job as a first-year coach a lot easier. The older kids have really taken upon themselves to help the younger kids."

Tory Bouyea comes into the weekend leading the Mariners in hitting with a .454 batting average. Frank Buksa is batting .400 with Shaughnessy at .400. Tenbuuren (.375), Mark Leta (.367), Brett Bosley (.333) and Will Flynn (.333) also have been stinging the ball for the Mariners.

LaFountain enters with a 4-1 won-lost record while Lamica is 3-0, Flynn, 3-1, and Shaughnessy, 2-1.

The tournament gets under way this afternoon with all eight teams seeing action today. Norfolk and Granville will kick things off at 1 p.m. at South Acres with Mohican Post and St. Johnsville doing the honors at Lefty Wilson Field at 2 p.m.

Four more games are scheduled for Saturday with two at each site and two Sunday at Wilson Field. The weekend survivors will advance to the semifinals next weekend at Chip Cummings Field.

First-round games

Today

South Acres Field

Norfolk vs. Granville, 1 p.m.

Saratoga vs. Amsterdam, 4:30 p.m.

Lefty Wilson Field

Mohican Post vs. St. Johnsville, 2 p.m.

Anaconda vs. Clinton County, 6 p.m.

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