Stallions Up Next

Big win last night as the Railroaders handed the RiverDawgs their first loss of the season. Tonight we hop on the Stallions for another ride. A victory against Muhlenberg would even Fulton’s record to 3 wins and losses, a record currently held by the Stallions.

The Stallions are averaging about 7 runs a game through six games, as do the Railroaders through 5 games. In a total 278 plate appearances, the Stallions have struck out 69 times, walked 58 times, produced 41 hits with 39 RBI. Their team batting average is .203.

The Railroaders on the other hand, through 5 games, have gone to the plate 182 times with 31 strikeouts, 30 walks, 31 hits and a to total of 29 RBI. Team average is .219. A fairly close match with the Stallions except they strikeout and walk more often on average.

Pitching for the Stallions is somewhat better than the Railroaders. At a team 5.24 ERA, the Stallions are under the Railroaders 8.33 ERA. They’ve given up less hits total at 43 in six games and the Railroader have handed out 50 in only 5 games. Mulhenberg has walked by batter with 53 total, while Fulton given up 35 total in one less game played. However, the Stallion do strikeout more with 58 total with the Railroaders striking out 36 total.

A quick note on errors, Fulton has 15 through 5 games and Mulhenberg also has 15 through 6 games.

The Railroaders need to be on their game again tonight, as well as the Fans. Important game to win before going on the road for three straight days, to Hoptown, Henderson and Owensboro.

See you at the Yard or on TeamLine, 7:05 PM first pitch.

Tough game tonight with the RiverDawgs

The undefeated Owensboro RiverDawgs appear to play small and have achieved success in doing so. In their 5 wins they have total 32 runs on 35 hits, which only include 3 doubles and one homerun. They have 7 stolen bases. Their pitching is serving them well too. 13 runs and 33 hits over 5 games. Struck out 41 of 178 batters faced.

Our Railroaders on the other hand in 4 games have produced 23 hits (includes 4 doubles and 2 homers) and collected 24 runs. Stolen bases total 5. Those numbers seem to match up perfectly at the plate with the RiverDawgs. Both teams average about 6 runs and 6 hits a game, and a faction over one stolen base.

So what gives with our Railroaders (other than the normal slow start we’ve experienced over the years)? Well pitching seems to be an issue early on. There have 44 hits allowed and 47 runs scored against us. That’s average of 11 hits per game, and almost 12 runs average given up. A total of 27 batters walked (average 6.75) and with a team ERA of 9.871 .

A few issues in the field as well, We had 13 total (3.25 per game) errors. Mix that with the mound results and you have a 1-3 start.

Tonight’s game will be chance to begin a turnaround. A defeat of the leading OVL team should boost the morale both on and off the field. Tomorrow the Stallions come to town. Let’s win the next two and even our season.

See you at the Yard or online TeamLine. Josh will be a little late getting on air, but I'll hold down the press box until he gets there.

The Flash is coming to Fulton

The 1-1 Henderson Flash are at the Yard tonight to play the 0-2 Railroaders. So far we haven’t been able to maintain enough steam to get our first win of the season. Still being short of players isn’t helping either. Perhaps tonight will bring about a turnaround. Rumor has it we have another pitcher aboard, maybe that will be the spark we need to play for a victory.

Speaking of sparks, we need our Fans to get to the Yard by game start which is at 6:00 PM today. I want to remind everyone that Sunday games at home will always begin at 6 PM this season.

The forecast indicates better weather and a little cooler for the game tonight. Should be a nice night for baseball. Oh yeah, there’s always great food to be had. Come on out to the Yard and help support our guys.

A Day to Regroup

Well the new crew may be few (for the moment), but the ice has been broken on the field of play. After an unplanned break in the schedule on Friday, the boys are away to play in Paducah, hopefully to spoil the opening day festivities for the Chiefs.

Tomorrow the Railroaders will be Home for a Sunday evening game starting on 6:00 PM. Our opponent will be the Henderson Flash who are also currently 0-1. Tonight the Flash are hosting the Stallions who handed them defeat yesterday.

Remember, you can follow tonight’s game on GameChanger. I believe they also stream radio, but can’t remember the site and the Chiefs website is not good at providing links (or information for that matter). They should fix that.

Fire it up, Railroaders. Let’s get a win…..Game starts in 15 minutes . . .

Let’s try again tonight - NOPE, Rained out

Last night’s game against the Hoppers certainly wasn’t what we were looking for. Tonight the Chiefs come to Fulton to take on the Railroaders.   While Fulton continues to wait for more players to arrive, our current team of 15 will have to try again to get their first victory of the season.  The cheese have yet to break the ice on the 2018 season, as their game last night was rained out. The Railroaders at least have that advantage going into tonight‘s game.

The weather looks to be holding, but it will be warm for sure.  Let’s hope the Railroaders make it hot on the field and get the win.

 This game rescheduled for Monday, June 11. 

Firing up for another Season of Baseball beginning Tonight.

Baring the threatening weather, the Railroaders will open tonight at home in the Yard and take on the Hoptown Hoppers.  With a 24-16 in 2017, the Hoppers were 1st in the West Division and 2nd in the OVL overall. The Railroaders finished last in the West with a 18-22 record in a tight group including the Chiefs and Miners.  For 2018 there are no divisions. All 8 teams remain grouped together (I wonder why?).

Moving on to the home opener here in Fulton.  The Railroaders and Hoppers have always produced good games together. Fulton will be the underdog once more, with the Hoppers getting a little more time to prepare. The Railroaders full roster has not yet arrived, but 15 (maybe plus) will be on hand to put up a good fight.

Last year’s home opening (2nd game of the season) saw the Railroaders come from behind in the 10th inning with a walk off grand slam homerun. A victory tonight against the Hoppers would be not only a great start, but also a big win against a good adversary. The Fans can help by supporting the guys at the Yard.

Lots of new changes are coming this year for the Railroaders and the OVL. New scoring, stats and game information with GameChanger. The Railroaders website will be upgraded over the course of the season. And of course TeamLine for all Railroader home games will remain with audio and video available.

I’m looking forward to 2018 as it will be my last year blogging. Several new personnel will be handling various jobs around the Yard. I urge everyone to welcome and support their efforts. I certainly do! 

Comments are welcome, even during the game. TeamLine announcers will be watching. “Play Ball!”

Final Comments for 2017 Season

The Railroaders final game has closed the 2017 season for Fulton. The ups and downs of the season are now a part of our history and of course our memories.

Our opening game in Fulton is one we’ll never forget; coming back in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 outs down by 5 runs and scoring 6 that included a game winning walk off grand slam. It was certainly one for the books.

Sweeping a doubleheader against the top of the league Bombers at the Yard, and beating them in their own League Stadium to begin the post season playoffs.

Although we had a questionable start for the first half of season and loss a few key players to injury, the team didn’t quit and their desire to battle to the end was contagious. They didn’t let their mistakes stop them and came back in several games to win or make it close.

As one broadcaster from another team put it, “The Railroaders are the most dangerous team to play” and I agree. No lead was safe enough to count them out. Sure, the Railroaders were beaten soundly in a couple of games, but they did not give up. That says a lot about each and ever player on the Railroaders.

I wish the best of luck to every one of the 2017 players and the hope future endeavors are successful. We the Fans, Families, and Management salute you!

If you’d like to leave your comment, here’s the place to do it. Until next year when the train rolls again!.