Times-Advocate, 1988-05-04, Page 37May 11, 1988
imes-
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
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Page 1A
BLOWN SHOE -- Joe Martens (centre) loses his cleat as he competes Esbroeck (left) stands ready to help out on the play. Centennials defeated
for the ball during Exeter Centennials' first game of the season. John Van Chatham 2-0 Sunday afternoon.
Ailing Express still competitive
EXETER - The 1988 version of
the Exeter Express is starting the
season with two strikes against
them, but despite their problems
general manager Gcary Penhale is
confident the team will be near the
top at the end of regular schedule.
Strike one: Express has lost the
talents of Don McDonald. McDo-
nald actcd as the centre piece for the
team last year as second baseman
and lead-off batter. Travelling be -
HERE'S THE PITCH -- Dave Atthill shows good form as he prepares to
let fly with a pitch during an Exeter Express practice Sunday. Express be-
gin their regular season on the road when they travel to Strathroy tonight
(Wednesday).
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came a problem for McDonald, a
resident of Clinton. That and other
personal commitments led him to
pack it in with the Express.
"There's no doubt about it -- we're
going to miss Denny," Penhale
said Sunday during an Express prac-
tice. "He was our best player."
Strike two: Exeter's pitching staff
has been depleted by injuries before
the team has suited up for their first
game of t}ie season.
Steve Pearce is suffering from a
sore shoulder while Jeff Fuller is
out with a bad elbow. Fuller is still
a big question mark for the club as
he may be moving to Toronto.
Paul Elston, a left-hander who
played in Thorndale two seasons
ago, is another prospect for Ex-
press. He just moved to Exeter but
has a broken wrist and won't be
ready for action until mid June.
The news isn't all bad for Ex-
press, however. Right hat1dCrs Paul
Gilmour and Kevin Drager arc
healthy and Dave Hunt, a knuckle -
ball expert who pitched for Stratford
Hiliers for 14 seasons, may be join-
ing the roster. Hunt is currently in
Saskatchewan.
Express is long on relief pitchers
as well. Dave Atthill, Barry Bayn-
ham and Dave Shaw are all capable
relievers. Shaw, a defcnceman with
New York Rangers when he's not
playing ball in Exeter, is a talented
short-stop with a strong arm and a
heavy bat.
Pcnhalc is happy with the catch-
ing duo of Gilmour and Kevin
Hem.
"We're sitting pretty good in thc
catching department," Penhale said.
"Both (Gilmour and Hern) have
pretty good arms and they can both
hit.
Doug Fairbairn, Dave Hayter and
Walt Parkinson, who is out of the
line-up with pulled stomach mus-
cles at present, will be•sharing first
base.
At second, Rob Dickey and Steve
Mcrncr will try to fill McDonald's
shoes while third base will be con-
trolled by Baynham and Will Sent-
jens. Brian Horner may also play
third base, but because he lives in
Toronto, he will only be available
on weekends.
In the outfield, Bob Murray is the
only new face. Coming from Zu-
rich, Murray's speed makes him a
promising prospect. Greg Hern,
Achill, and Pete Heency will be
out there with Murray. It isn't
known at this point whether Dave
Bogart and Brian Mercer will be
back this season.
League arrangement
The Great Lakes Men's Baseball
League schedule has been slightly
altered this season because Thorn -
dale dropped out of competition.
Express will be playing in thc
southern division.
Exeter will play each Senior team
-- Walkerton, Scaforth and Strath-
roy -- six times through triple
home -and -home series. They will
also meet the Junior teams in the
South -- Exeter Co-op Juniors,
Strathroy and Lakeside.
"We'll be one of the top two
teams in the league, I fig-
ure,"Pcnhalc said Sunday.
"Strathroy's supposed to be strong
this year.
"We're pretty good defensively. it
all depends how the bats go. The
main thing is the pitching -- it de-
pends how that goes."
It
Royals lose opener
EXETER - Exctcr Royals opened
thcir inaugural season in the South
Pcrth Fastball Lcaguc Sunday
night on a losing note when they
dropped a 12-5 decision to Si Mar-
ys Staffcns.
A six run outburst in the bottom
of the seventh inning broke a 5-5
tic and propelled St. Marys to the
victory.
Leading the Staffens at the plate
was winning pitcher Mike Shackle-
ton with a three run homer in the
decisive inning.
in all, the St. Marys club totalled
17 hits off Exeter pitching.
The Royals, who led 3-2 alter
three innings, managed 12 hits.
Starting pitcher Scott Brintnell
led the way with three hits in five
trips.
Dan Heywood, Doug Todd and
Pete Tuckey contributed two hits
each.
Royals next game will he at
home Thursday night at 9 p.m.
against Tavistock Merchants.
Campbell .leads Juniors
The South Huron Junior Badmin-
ton team showcd the Seniors that
they too can make a big impression
in the Conference.
Eight Juniors competed in the
Huron -Perth Tournament last Wed-
nesday and six played well enough
to proceed to W.O.S.S.A. Saturday
(May 14) in Wingham.
Chris Campbell was the individu-
al South Huron star. Campbell won
the Huron-perth Junior boys singles
championship in a gruelling final
against a Clinton player.
Parichard Thepgnothink placed
second in girls' singles. Deb Regier
and Becky Morgan were second 'in
doubles, while Chris Gardner and
Rick Smith ended third in boys'
doubles.
All of these players will be
Please turn tb page 2A
Centennials shine
in season opener
EXETER - Exeter Centennials
collected the dividends for a solid
performance Sunday. afternoon
when they defeated Chatham 2-0 in
their Western Ontario Soccer
League home opener.
After playing through a scoreless
first half, Centennials were spurred
on by a goal from new -comer
George McEwan.
Mike Pratt added a marker later
in the second half to give Exeter
some breathing room.
Craig Winbow turned in a solid
perfommance as Exeter's goalkeeper,
turning several dangerous situa-
tions to Centennials' advantage.
Fullback Joe Martens also played
well for Exeter.
Centennials next see action May
22 when they travel to Nairn for an
afternoon game
Solid nucleus
Centennials have a good nucleus
on which to build a winning team
Sports
as they head into their second sea-
son in the WOSL.
Exeter turned in a regular season
record of seven wins, four losses
and three ties last season which
gave them third place in the highly
competitive Second Division West.
They were eventually eliminated in
the semi-finals by Simcoe.
If anything, Centennials are an
improved bunch in 1988.
Of last year's squad, 13 players
have returned this season. With four
new players and three "rookies" --
players who have come up through
the Exeter Minor Soccer system --
the team should have a good mix of
youth and experience.
"The rookies are probably more
experienced than we ever were," said
player -coach Dick Lord of the minor
soccer products.
"It's a big step for the guys corn-
ing up from playing 17 -and -under or
19 -and -under, but we'll be there."
Lord is also expecting good
things from Winbow. The goal-
keeper, a product of Exeter's 17 -and -
under team, is in his second season
with Centennials.
"He looks a lot better this year,"
Lord noted. "Confidence is half the
battle."
Though the team is strong defen-
sively, Lord worries that Centenni-
als may lack sharp -shooters in the
front lines.
"We might be a little weak on
the scoring punch," he said.
Centennials efforts against Chat-
ham seemed to dispel that concern,
however.
Centennials are one of nine teams
which make up the division. Along
with Chatham, Exeter will be fac-
ing Nairn, Real West (London),
Taxandria (Arkona), Wallaceburg,
Wallacctown, Strathroy and the
London Greeks.
KEEPER'S BALL Exeter Centennials'
makes a save and then hangs on to
in.
goalkeeper Craig Winbow
the ball as a Chatham player presses
Royals look promising in 88
Young and fronted with a sturdy pitching squad, Exeter Royals arc
jumping into the South Perth Men's Fastball League with high
hopes. The SPFL, one of the most competitive league's in the arca,
will be a tough one to crack, but Royals manager Fred Cook is
looking for his team to be competitive in their first season with the
organisation.
"I like the enthusiasm we've got this year because these young
guys are keen to play ball and we've been getting reasonably good
turn -outs to practices in the last couple of weeks," Cook said of the
club.
Right handed hurlers Dan Heywood and Scott Brintnell along with
left-hander Dennis Carty, a new Royals addition, will anchor a prom-
ising pitching unit. Brian Hodgins, who suffered a separated shoulder
playing hockey, is'expected to join the pitching line-up by July.
Greg Wise, who played for Stonetown Chargers last season, has
been picked up by Exctcr. Wise, primarily an infielder, also plays
outfield and has done some pitching.
New outfielders Brent Dawson and Al Pym arc also pitching possi-
bilities.
Tom Tordoff will take Royals catching duties and.Cook is hopeful
that Brian Sowerby will join the team as catcher.
"We've got lots of depth pitching -wise," Cook explained. "If Sow- .
erby comes out, we're going to have some depth catching."
Other new additions to the Exctcr club arc Rod Johnson, formerly
an infielder for Lucan Harry's, Doug Todd, a first baseman with
pitching skills, and Larry McCarter.
McCarter, Pym and Dawson were picked up when Exeter's men's
fastball league folded.
Carty and Kevin Lightfoot have signed cards for Royals but they
have both been signed with Lucan's new power house team. Their
services may not he available on a regular basis.
One other gem for Royals in their exhibition schedule has been
Derwin Hodgins, pitcher for Sarnia Ranson. Hodgins has been work-
ing out with Royals rather than make the long drive to Sarnia for
practices.
Royals arc going to need every advantage they can get in,the new
league. St. Marys Staffen's -- the team which was formed out of
Stonetown Chargers and Baird Lumber Kings this season -- have a
substantial talent pool to draw on.
"They're (St. Marys) down to the point now where they're culling
players that would be in the top six or seven on our team," Cook
said.
Staffen's (Wily handled Exctcr last Sunday (May 1) when Royals
were defeated 6-1 in exhibition play.
But despite the tough competition, Cook expects to see his team
play some grxxl ball this season.
"Hopefully we're going to get some interest in it because the cali-
bre is pretty high." ,