8/10/2002- A's finish Season with disappointing losses
Ada bowed out of the Region 12C tournament with a 2-1 loss to the Moorhead Miners in a loser-out game, as the Miners avenged Ada's 10-7 opening round victory of the previous weekend. As has plagued them at times throughout the season, Ada could not seem to get the big hit when they needed it. The A's consistently put the ball in play during the game, but it was right at the defense. Josh McMenamy pitched another excellent game, but took the tough loss.
The A's found themselves in the loser-out game after a hard-fought and heartbreaking loss to the Moorhead Brewers the previous Saturday night. Ada led much of the game, which was a see-saw affair. The A's took a three run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, knowing a win would secure another state tournament berth. Luck was not on the Athletic's side, however, as the Brewers came back for a 11-10 victory.
Ada closes out the season at 21-12, marking their eighth consecutive non-losing campaign, and their fifth 20-win season in the past seven years.
7/26/2002- Ada wins Crookston Series
Tyler Norland allowed only 2 hits and struck out 10 Crookston batters as Ada cruised to a 10-1 victory and took the playoff series 2-0. The Athletics were paced by a well-balanced offensive attack led by Josh McMenamy and Jamie Aanenson. Cackling Crookston coach Jim Karn was ejected midway through the contest for arguing, which has become a routine occurrence in recent years. However, he maintains solace in the belief that his squad has never yet been defeated on the field, but at the hands of incompetent umpires.
With the victory, the Athletics qualify for the Region 12C Tournament which begins Saturday, August 3 at Mattson Field in Moorhead, MN. Ada's record is now 19-9.
7/24/2002- Athletics Take 1-0 Lead in Crookston Series
The host Athletics broke open a relatively close game in the late innings to take an 11-1, eight inning contest against the Crookston Reds in the Norman-Polk League playoffs. Big run-scoring hits by Josh McMenamy and Mike Gullingsrud spurred the late-inning onslaught. Neil Goss, Dallas Everson and Chris Ellingson also put forth multiple-hit efforts to help the cause. McMenamy pitched a complete game, allowing four hits with 10 strikeouts. Due to scheduling conflicts with Crookston's home field, Game Two of the series will be in Ada on Friday, July 26 at 7:30 PM.
7/24/2002- Athletics Face Crookston Reds in Playoffs
Ada will face off with the Crookston Reds in a best of three game series to determine the league representative in the Region 12C playoffs that will be held August 3 & 10 at Mattson Field in Moorhead. The Ada/ Crookston series will start on Wednesday, July 24 in Ada. Game Two will be Friday, July 26 in Crookston. Game times are 7:30. Game Three, if necessary, will be Sunday, July 27 in Ada. The runner-up in the series will have to take part in a playoff between North Border & West Central League runnerups to qualify for the Region Tournament.
7/23/2002- A's Fall to Moorhead Brewers
Moorhead jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead over host Ada, and held on for a 7-4 victory. The Athletics put numerous runners in scoring position, but could not manage to get the clutch hit. After allowing a few runs in the early innings, Brady Schwab shut down the Brewers lineup for the A's, but took the loss. The Athletics are now 17-9.
7/21/2002- Ada Sweeps Roseau
Ada took the long, long, LONG trip to Roseau and came away with a sweep over the Royals 6-0 and 9-2. Tyler Norland picked up the shutout win the first game, while Everday Wes Hanson picked up the win in the second game. The A's had consistent hitting and run production up and down the lineup in the two wins. The highlite of the day was the first base performance of "Superman" Kent Johnson as he made several outstanding plays, including a diving catch of a foul ball by the dugout where he actually flew parallel to the ground for eight to12 feet before snagging the ball. The A's record is now 17-8.
7/18/2002- Athletics defeat Crookston 6-4
The visiting A's took a 6-4 contest from arch-rival Croookston on Thursday night. Ada took advantage by some crucial run-scoring hits by Brady Schwab, Dallas Everson an Keith Hanson to take the win and move to 15-8 on the season.
7/16/2002- Bats catch on fire
The A's quiet bats finally caught fire as they pounded out 17 hits in a 17-10 victory over the Fargo Mudhens. Brady Schwab led the hit parade with four, and several other A's put forth multiple hit efforts. Tyler Norland picked up the win in relief, as the A's record goes to 14-8. In an interesting note, Kent Johnson was literally carried away by mosquitos after the game. He was found later enjoying a lemonade at the Ada Liquor Store.
7/14/2002- Athletics take 4th in Bemidji Tourney
Ada came away with fourth place in the annual Rosco Bemidji Amatuer Tournament over the weekend. In the opener on Friday, the A's fell to a strong Alexandria Clippers squad 11-1. That was followed by a 3-1 victory over Sauk Centre on Saturday, and a 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Bemidji Mudcats on Sunday in the Third Place Game. In other news, Josh "Kenny" McMenamy came away with the "King of the Dock" award with a resounding victory over Keith "Kalves" Hanson. Mike Gullingsrud and honored guest Aaron "AJ" Johnson earned the coveted canoe award.
7/72002- Ada takes two from Quad Cities Storm
The A's squeaked out two extra-inning victories over a spunky Quad Cities contingent at Midway Stadium near Johnstown, ND. Once again, a thin A's squad could muster only nine players. Ada fell behind in the first game until they rallied to tie the game in the seventh, and exploded for 5 runs in the top of the eighth to take a 10-5 decision. Zach Poehler snagged the victory on the mound, while Wes Hanson demonstrated his hitting prowess with two base hits. Game 2 was a similar story, as the A's struggled to piece together hits to score runs. In the top of the ninth inning, Keith "Kalves" Hanson hit a sacrifice fly to plate the go ahead run for a 4-3 win. Wes Hanson pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, while Tyler "The Franchise" Norland picked up the win in relief. The A's are now 11-6.
7/6/2002- Doherty Ties the Knot!
Quick-witted and spunky Athletics outfielder Mark Doherty married Chantel Holien today in a quaint service in Fargo. Mark joins a very small and elite group of Ada A's now wearing wedding bands. A good time was had by all at the reception following the service and no arrests or damaged property was reported.
7/2/2002- A's split with Roseau, drop two to Merchants
In the sweltering heat on Saturday, Ada split a pair of games with the visiting Roseau Royals. In Game One, Dallas Everson's two RBI double was the key in lofting the A's towards a 3-1 victory. Zach Poehler was stellar on the mound in gaining the victory. The A's struggled in the second game, however, as they appeared to perfect the "Att 'em Ball" and dropped a 7-3 decision.
A short-handed Athletics squad faced off with the Jamestown Merchants Sunday in Jamestown. The A's were only able to bring nine players, but hung tough in the first game. Jamie Aanenson's two RBI single in the top of the seventh tied the game at 4 apiece, but the Merchants were able to push across a run in the bottom of the frame to snag the victory. Wes Hanson pitched well, allowing only 7 hits, but took the tough-luck loss. Game Two did not treat the A's so well, as they dropped a 12-0 decision. Wes Hanson's twin brother Les started on the mound and took the loss.
6/27/2002- A's defeat Thieves 12-8
The Athletics snared a come-from-behind victory Thursday night with a 12-8 win over the Thief River Falls Thieves, in Thief River. The Thieves held leads of 4-0 and 5-2 early on, but the A's put together a 6-run 7th inning to take a 12-6 and never looked back. Chris Haarstick opened on the mound, while Neil Goss took the win with three innings of relief work Ada is now 8-3.
6/22/2002- Two game split moves record to 7-3
After a lengthy layoff due to rainouts and cancellations, the Athletics shook off the cobwebs and split two games this week, losing to the Fargo Mudhens 8-4 and then slapping Crookston 7-1. Against Fargo, a shorthanded A's squad struggled at the plate. Pitcher Wes Hanson held the Fargo bats mostly in check for six innings, until a late barrage sunk the A's. The next night against rival Crookston, the golden arm of Josh "Kenny" McMenamy mowed down 13 Reds hitters, and allowed only 5 hits in a 9-inning complete game.
6/9/2002- A's snatch Perham Tourney crown
The Athletics went 3-0 in the Perham Pirates tournament over the weekend. This is the second time in three years the A's have captured the crown in this tournament. In Game 1, Josh "Kenny" McMenamy had a dazzling performance on the mound, assisted by some key defensive plays, as Ada squeaked by Morris 1-0. This was followed by 5-4 extra inning victory over the host Perham Pirates. Dallas Everson picked up the win on the mound, while Keith Hanson drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning. In the championship, the A's faced-off with a talented Pelican Rapids squad, under gale-force wind conditions blowing straight in. The A's utilized their "small ball" skills and took advantage of several Pelican errors to snatch an 8-1 victory. Tyler "The Franchise" Norland picked up the win on the mound, allowing only two hits in six innings of work.
Other occurences during the weekend included another plant encounter by Brady "Bob" Schwab, a temporary kidnapping of Mark Doherty by local yokels, a record-setting tab at Zorbaz, a chance encounter with Andrew Dice Clay, and a thwarted carwash incident involving parties that shall remain anonymous.
6/7/2002- Athletics move to 3-2
Ada moved their record to 3-2 with two convincing wins this week. On Tuesday, the A's rode the solid pitching of Zach Poehler to trounce the Thief River Falls Thieves 10-1 in the "neverending game". Arch rival Crookston shimmied into town Thursday evening and sauntered home after an 8-inning, 11-1 loss to the A's. Chris Haarstick had a strong performance on the mound, while Garret Magner and Tyler "The Franchise" Norland paced the A's offense with hits and RBI's aplenty.
In other news, the A's have recently acquired a mascot, Yertel the Turtle. Team leaders are frantically researching turtle habitat and diet resources. Mark Doherty, Vice President of Fundraising Consultation, is trying to raise funds. Long, long, long-range plans are to possibly construct a riding arena for Yertel to give rides to area youth.
6/2/2002-Season Opener
The Athletics inaugerated the 2002 season this past weekend by splitting a home doubleheader with the Jamestown Merchants (1-3, 3-1) and dropping a match with the Moorhead Miners (1-5) at Mattson Field in Moorhead. The Ada offense has struggled to string together hits during the adjustment to wood bats for the season. The defense and pitching, however, has been solid, featuring some oustanding plays. In the Jamestown twinbill, crafty lefthander Wes Hanson stifled the visitor's bats, but took the tough-luck loss. Game Two saw flashy newcomer Matt Tradewell and veteran Neil "Curly" Goss combine for a solid outing, with Tradewell picking up his first win in an A's uniform. On Sunday, Josh "The Thompson Tornado" McMenamy struck out 10 batters, but the opposition was able to take advantage of some key hits to take the victory. The A's record stands at 1-2.
3/25/2002- Preseason Potpourri
The A's have just concluded two strenuous weekends of unofficial Board of Directors meetings held at the Embassy Suites in Minneapolis, MN. The Board discussed many topics, but were only able to come to a consensus on one topic- inspired by Keith Hanson, the "Official Ada A's Team Song" of the 2002 season will be "Signs", by Tesla. Thanks for your inspiration, Keith!
In other news, Kent Johnson managed to make it through another weekend of reffereeing at the Ada Booster Club Basketball Tournament without a "Net Monster" incident. However, the batting cage in the Ada gym continues to lurk on the shadows of the sideline and could strike at any time. Watch out Kent!!!
