Monday, 9 August 2010

Dans edge Outlaws, 4-2 in first-round playoff

By TY

Central Division Playoff Box Score

DANVILLE -- Aaron Brandt threw five shutout innings to remain undefeated as the Danville Dans defeated the Nashville Outlaws 4-2 in the Prospect League's Central Division Playoff game at Danville Stadium on Monday. The Outlaws fell behind 3-0 after the second inning and struggled to get runs off the Danville pitching staff.

With the loss, the Outlaws end the season with an impressive 30-24 overall regular season record, including a Central Division best 16-10 in the second half of the season which allowed the franchise to clinch a playoff berth in their inaugural season of playing in the Prospect League.

Offensively, Drew Fann (Vanderbilt) led the Outlaws with two hits on Monday as Kevin Smith (LSU-Shreveport), Andrew Brouillette (LSU-Shreveport), Greg Bachman (Austin Peay) and Bryan Johns (Vanderbilt) all had one hit apiece.

Nashville starter Taylor Haydel (Western Kentucky) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in three innings of work.

Right-hander Kevin Crumb (Buffalo) was sharp in relief, tossing three innings of one-hit, scoreless relief to go along with four strikeouts and no walks.

Closer Jon Ivie allowed one walk and no hits in a third-of-a-inning to finish the season without allowing a single earned run.

The Outlaws would like to thank everyone for their support of a great first season of Nashville Outlaw baseball. Special thanks goes out to everyone who was involved in the Outlaw movement and a successful run to the playoffs in the franchise's inaugural season.

Outlaws face Danville in playoffs Monday

DANVILLE -- The keys to success this summer for the Danville Dans have been pitching and defense.

So, it should come as no surprise that those two areas are going to be critical tonight when the Dans host the Nashville Outlaws in the Prospect League’s Central Division playoff game at Danville Stadium.

“We need to throw strikes and play solid defense,’’ Danville manager Steve Bieser said. “If we can do that, I think we will be able to manufacture a few runs and have an opportunity to win the game.’’

The Dans, who won the first half title in the Central Division, are sending right-hander Aaron Brandt to the mound tonight against the Outlaws.

In two previous appearances against Nashville, Brandt has allowed seven runs — only five earned — in 13 innings, while walking two and striking out 10.

“They are a really good hitting team,’’ said Brandt, who is 5-2 this summer for the Dans. “I really proud to get this opportunity in the postseason.

“I love pitching at Danville Stadium, especially with the great support that we’ve received all year from the fans.’’

The Outlaws, the second-half champions, have a .267 team batting average and they aver 5.5 runs per game.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Commercial-News playoff preview

Friday, 6 August 2010

Outlaws sweep Rex, clinch playoffs!!!

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Doug Joyce's two-out RBI walkoff-single in the bottom of the seventh inning drove in Johnny Amann (Judson) propelled the Outlaws defeated Terre Haute 1-0 in Friday night's nightcap of the doubleheader. With the win, the Outlaws secured a playoff berth for the 2010 Prospect League playoffs.

Amann and Bryan Johns (Vanderbilt) drew one-out walks in the seventh before Joyce recorded the game-winning hit. It was only fitting that the team's RBI leader all season (Joyce) drove in the game winning run and arguably the biggest win of the year.

The Outlaws only had three hits in the nightcap after pounding out nine in the first game on Friday.

Joyce (Florida International), Kevin Smith (LSU-Shreveport) and Ryan McCauley all recorded hits.

Nashville starter PJ Francescon was terrific in game two, scattering just five hits in six shut-out inning. Francescon struck out fiveand walked four in the no-decision.

Navery Moore (Vanderbilt) struck out two in a rare one-inning of scoreless relief to earn the win.

The Outlaws will close out the regular season tomorrow as they travel to Dubois County to play the Bombers. Saturday's game will start at 7:05 p.m.

Depending on what happens in tomorrow's final regular season games, a win would mean the Outlaws would host next Monday's (Aug. 9) playoff game in Nashville.

Stay tuned to NashvilleOutlaws.com for playoff information.

Hillis, Ivie lead Outlaws into first-place

By TY


NASHVILLE, Tenn - Andy Hillis (Tennessee) allowed just one hit in six shutout innings and Jon Ivie (Belmont) struck out two in a scoreless seventh as the Outlaws defeated the Terre Haute Rex 2-0 Friday at Hawkins Field to move into sole possession of first place.

Hillis (3-3) struck out six and walked five in six shut-out innings to pick up the win while Ivie pushed his scoreless innings streak to 27.1 innings while earning his team-leading 10th save of the year.

Drew Fann (Vanderbilt) and Andrew Brouillette (LSU-Shreveport) led the Outlaws with two hits apiece in game one Friday as Nashville outhit Terre Haute 9-1 in the game.

With two games left in the regular season, the Outlaws stand alone in first-place in the Central Division of the Prospect League.

Game two of tonight's doubleheader is still in progress.

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Outlaws move into first, top Richmond


By TY

Box Score | Standings | Schedule | Faith & Family Night Friday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Outlaws used a four-run sixth inning to break open a two-run game en route to beating Richmond 8-3 at Hawkins Field on Wednesday. With the win, the Outlaws move into a tie for first-place in the central division with the Terre Haute Rex.

The Outlaws (28-23 overall, 14-9 second half) have now won seven of their last 10 and 11 of their last 15 games dating back to July 17.

On Wednesday, the Outlaws were paced by a strong pitching performance from Taylor Haydel who allowed just two runs, one earned on seven hits in seven innings to improve to 5-2 on the season.

Haydel answered the call once again for the Outlaws with the playoffs on the line. The Western Kentucky product struck out four and walked two to pick up his second straight win in his last two outings. Haydel has been a workhorse for the Outlaws all summer long, tossing a team-high 58 innings while posting a staff-starting rotation best 2.79 ERA in 10 appearances.

The Outlaws took advantage of sloppy defensive play by the RiverRats who committed five errors in the game.

With Nashville leading 4-2, the Outlaws broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits, including back-to-back, two-run double by Doug Joyce and two-run single by Greg Bachman.

The Outlaws finished with 11 hits in the game, while Richmond had 10. Doug Joyce (Florida International), Greg Bachman (Austin Peay), and Ryan Emery (Arkansas State) led the Outlaws with two hits apiece while five others recorded at least one hit.

Reliable Lee Thompson (St. Catherine) tossed two innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits to go along with two strikeouts.

Nashville will host co-central division leader Terre Haute tomorrow for what will be a double-header at Hawkins Field. Game one of the doubleheader will start at 6 p.m., with game two to follow. After Thursday the Outlaws will host Terre Haute on Friday at 7:05 p.m. in what will be the last home regular season game of 2010. Friday will serve as the last Faith & Family Night. On Friday, American Idol’s Phil Stacey will play at 5:30 p.m.

The Outlaws only have three home games left so be sure to come out and cheer on the team as they play for a right to go to the playoffs!

Tuesday, 3 August 2010

Outlaws split two games with Richmond Tuesday

By TY

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Updated Standings | Remaining Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Outlaws split a pair of games with Richmond on Tuesday, winning 4-3 in a resumed extra inning contest that was originally played on July 17, before falling 8-4 in the nightcap.

Game one Tuesday began with the game tied at three in the top of 11th with the Outlaws serving as the visiting team on the scoreboard.

After both teams went scoreless in the 11th, the Outlaws took a 4-3 in the top of 12th as Jack Lupo (Vanderbilt) led off the inning with a single and then advanced to second on a stolen base off Richmond pitcher Chuck Ghysels. Four pitches later, Ryan McCauley (Niagara) drove in Lupo with an RBI-double to left-center to give the Outlaws a 4-3 lead.

Jon Ivie (Belmont) started game one Tuesday as he continued as the pitcher of record from where the game was originally suspended back on July 17th. After the Outlaws took a 4-3 lead in the 12th, Ivie retired the RiverRats in order in the bottom of the 12th to preserve the win for Nashville.

Ivie finished the game with three scoreless innings of relief to go along with three strikeouts and two walks to improve his scoreless innings streak to 26.1 innings. Tuesday’s win for Ivie was his first since July 2, as the Belmont standout is primarily used in closing situations.

Matt Borgschulte (Western Kentucky), Doug Joyce (Florida International) Greg Bachman (Austin Peay) and Andrew Brouillette led Nashville with two hits apiece in the resumed game one.


In the nightcap, Richmond jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first as they took advantage of three free passes (two hit batters and a walk) while collecting two hits off Nashville starting pitcher Austin Bridgewater (Carson-Newman).

Trailing 2-0, the Outlaws responded with three runs on three hits in the fourth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Joyce, Lupo and Borgschulte had singles in the inning. Borgschulte’s one-out, two-RBI single allowed Joyce and Kevin Smith to score.

After Nashville went up 3-2, Richmond quickly retook the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth and then tacked on another in the eighth and three more in the ninth to knock-off the Outlaws 8-4 in the night cap. (Click here to see box score)

Bridgewater took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings of work. Bridgewater struck out five, walked three and hit two batters.

Lee Thompson (St. Catherine) threw the seventh and the eight innings, allowing two runs on three hits while Matt Fitton (Sacred Heart) surrendered three walks and two runs on one hit in one-inning of relief.

Offensively, Kevin Smith led the Outlaws with a 2-for-3 effort and two walks to raise his Prospect League leading batting average to .372.

By splitting two games on Tuesday, the Outlaws remain one game behind Terre Haute for the second-half central division title race.

Nashville only has five regular season games left, with four of them coming at home at Hawkins Field in Nashville.

The Outlaws will play Richmond again tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:05 p.m., before hosting division-leading Terre Haute for three games on Thursday and Friday. Thursday game against Terre Haute will be a double-header with the first game starting at 6 p.m. with the second game to follow.

To secure tickets log onto www.nashvilleoutlaws.com or call the Nashville Outlaws at 615-866-1040.

Monday, 2 August 2010


Outlaws topple Dubois County, 12-6

By TY

Box Score | Season Stats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A night after collecting just five hits, the Nashville Outlaws pounded out 14 hits en route to a 12-6 win over Dubois County at Faith & Family Night at Hawkins Field Sunday. Five Outlaws recorded at least two hits in the win.


With the win, the Outlaws improve to 26-22 overall, including 12-8 in the second half of the season. Nashville continues to make a strong push to the postseason, having won 9 of their last 12 games since July 19. In addition, with Terre Haute losing to Quincy on Sunday, the Outlaws pulled within 1.5 games of the Rex for the central division second-half title race.

Dubois County (19-29, 9-13) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and led 3-1 until the fourth inning.

In the fourth, the Outlaws sent 10 batters to the plate while scoring six runs on seven hits to take a 7-3 lead. Ryan McCauley (Niagara) notched two singles in the inning while Ryan Emery (Arkansas State), Jack Lupo (Vanderbilt), Greg Bachman (Austin Peay), Kevin Smith (LSU-Shreveport) and McCauley drove in at least one run in the inning.

The Bombers scored one run in the top of the fifth on a throwing error by Outlaw starter Navery Moore (Vanderbilt).

With a 7-4 lead, Nashville tacked on two more runs in the sixth as Bryan Johns (Vanderbilt), Doug Joyce (Florida International) and Smith tallied hits in the inning.

Dubois County cut into Nashville’s five-run lead in the top of the eighth with two runs on three hits while taking advantage of an Outlaw error to make it a 9-6 game.

The Outlaws would eventually break the game open in the bottom of the eighth with three more runs on three hits. Smith led off the inning with his second double of the game and then scored on Joyce’s RBI-single to center in the very next at-bat. Following a Bachman single, and walk to McCauley, Andrew Brouillette (LSU-Shreveport) was then hit by Emerson Morillo with the bases loaded allowing Joyce to score. Three at-bats and two outs later, Bachman scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch by Morillo.

Nashville’s Moore earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits in six innings. The Franklin, Tenn., native struck out seven and walked four while throwing a 106 pitches.

PJ Francescon (Trevecca Nazarene), Kevin Crumb (Buffalo) and Jon Ivie (Belmont) all threw one inning of relief Sunday.

Ivie threw a scoreless ninth to run his season-total scoreless innings streak to 23.1 innings.

Offensively, Johns and Joyce led the Outlaws with three hits apiece while Bachman, McCauley and Smith had two each. Smith went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI to raise his batting average to .375, which currently leads the Prospect League. Emery also continued his hot bat Sunday, finishing 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.


Nashville gets a much-deserved day of rest tomorrow after playing 10 games in the last 11 days.

The Outlaws will host Richmond (26-23, 12-10) on Tuesday and Wednesday at Hawkins Field. Tuesday will feature two games as the Outlaws and River Rats will resume the July 17th-game that was tied 3-3 in the top of the 11th when the game was suspended due to lightning. Following the conclusion of the first game, Nashville and Richmond will play a second game approximately 20-30 minutes after the completion of the first game.


Other notes: Prior to the start of the game on Sunday, former Major League All-Star Kent Bottenfield and Gospel Music Academy Award winner Erik Bledsoe performed on the concourse next to Hawkins Field and Vanderbilt Stadium.

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Outlaws top Dubois County, 8-5

By TY

Box Score

HUNTINGBURG, Ind. – A four-run sixth inning proved to be difference for the Nashville Outlaws on Saturday as they defeated Dubois County 8-5 despite being outhit 12-5.

With the win, The Outlaws improve to 25-22 overall, including 11-8 in the second half of the season. Heading into Sunday, Nashville trails Central Division leader Terre Haute by 2.5 games with seven games remaining in the regular season. Out of the seven remaining games, six of them will be at Hawkins Field in Nashville.

Kevin Smith (LSU-Shreveport) led the Outlaws once again on Saturday, going 2-for-2 with a two runs scored and a walk to raise his batting average to a team-best .368. Smith also improved his hitting streak to eight straight games.

Jared Fancher (TCU) was the only other Outlaw to record more than one-hit Saturday, finishing 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI.

Doug Joyce (Florida International) went 1-for-3 with an RBI-single and sacrifice fly to collect his team-high 30th run batted in.

Matt Fitton (Sacred Heart) earned his fourth win of the year Saturday, tossing 3.2 innings of three-hit scoreless relief.

Kevin Crumb (Buffalo) threw a scoreless seventh and eight innings to lower his season ERA to 1.84 while Jon Ivie (Belmont) retired the Bombers in order in the ninth to earn his team-leading ninth save of the year.

Ivie and Crumb combined have thrown 48.1 innings this year for the Outlaws while posting a combined 0.56 ERA. Ivie and Crumb have struck out a combined 44 batters while walking 11.

Lee Thompson (St. Catherine College) was once again a bright spot for the Outlaws, tossing a season-high 6.1 innings of one-run relief. The southpaw allowed five hits while striking out five and walking three to lower his season ERA to 1.61. Thompson has struck out 21 and walked nine in 22.1 innings since joining the team on June 30.

The Outlaws will return home to Nashville for the start of their final six-game homestand tomorrow night. Nashville will play Dubois County at 6:05 p.m. CT on Sunday during Faith & Family Night.

Sunday’s festivities will feature a musical performance by former Major League All-Star Kent Bottenfield and Gospel Music Academy Award winner Erik Bledsoe prior to Outlaws game against the Dubois County Bombers. Bledsoe will be the opening act as the music will begin on stage at around 4:30 p.m. with the game to follow at 6.

With a great night of music, fellowship, and baseball planned, Sunday will also offer something for everyone’s sweet tooth, as Little Debbie will sponsor the Faith & Family Night with the Nashville Outlaws. On August 1st, Little Debbie celebrates its 50th anniversary. All fans in attendance will be greeted with a special treat from Little Debbie as they enter the Hawkins Field gates.