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July 21, 2009

Mariners face Stampede in elimination contest

By JOHN CORYER



PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County Mariners head coach John Flynn expected the Anaconda Indians and Saratoga Stampede to be his team's toughest competition while trying to win the American Legion District IV Playoffs.

The Mariners will now likely have to go through both, starting with today's 4 p.m. elimination contest against the Stampede in Schenectady.

Tonight's 7 p.m. contest has the Indians, the only unbeaten team remaining in the double-elimination event, taking on the Norfolk Rovers at 7 p.m.

If the Mariners win today and stay alive, they would play Anaconda on Friday at 7 p.m. should the Indians eliminate the Rovers.

"Absolutely, I'm not surprised," Flynn said. "People were saying they (Saratoga and Anaconda) would be the best two teams, and we're running out of teams to play.

"We're feeling good about ourselves right now and our confidence level is high — but not too high. We're a loose team."

The Mariners (17-11 overall) are 2-1 thus far in the tournament, with wins over the Tri-County Eagles and St. Johnsville, and a 9-4 loss to Anaconda, when they held a 4-3 lead going to the eighth inning.

"We were able to rebound quickly from our loss to Anaconda and that was good," Flynn said. "Now we've been able to get a little bit of rest.

"Last year, we lost our first two games and were eliminated. This year, we've won two out of three and had a chance to win the third. Our at-bats are getting better and we're learning how to compete. I don't think anyone is better than us."

Flynn has just about his entire pitching staff ready to go today.

"Everyone is ready, excect for (Matt) Brown, who threw a complete game on Sunday against St. Johnsville," Flynn said. "He might have a batter in him.

"We're going with Alex LaFountain to start. But I'll have a short leash with him because it's do-or-die right now."

The Mariners and Saratoga have met once this season, with the Stampede recording a 9-4 victory in the Annual Brian Mehan/Alex Turner Tournament in Plattsburgh.

The Stampede, however, had some of the wind taken out of their sails in Sunday's 14-1 loss to Anaconda — marking the first setback for Saratoga in the event.

"We're looking to win and return to the scene of the crime for a rematch with Anaconda on Friday," Flynn said. "The Anaconda game was one of our most intense ones."

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