Orleans Cardinals

Thomson Pitches Cardinals to Another Win

July 18, 2008

South Yarmouth, Mass. – With the All-Star selection process just a day away, RHP Matt Thomson (San Diego) entered today with a decent shot at making the team. After his performance in the win over Yarmouth-Dennis this evening, he is pretty much a lock.

Thomson tossed eight shutout innings and tried to convince Manager Kelly Nicholson to let him finish the game. After tossing 103 pitches, Nicholson let the bullpen finish a job well done by Thomson. He walked just one, allowed three hits and struck out five in what was the best start the Cardinals staff had received all season.

“Throwing to contact keeps your pitch count down and your defense in the game. Having a lead makes my job so much easier because you can get away with pitching to contact. It allows me to relax a little bit and really attack hitters,” Thomson said.

The performance gives him a team best 1.56 ERA and a 3-0 record on the season.

The Cardinals jumped out of the gates early tonight with a run in the first. 2B Matt Bowman (Nevada), DH Alex Hassan (Duke) and 3B Rich Poythress (Georgia) hit three consecutive singles as Poythress drove in Bowman for the first run of the game.

In the second, SS Cole Figueroa (Florida) led off with a solo home run for his second shot of the season. Later, OF Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton) was hit by a pitch. He swiped second and third before coming to the plate on a passed ball. It gave Orleans a 3-0 lead as Brown scored without a pitch being put into play

The Cards would extend their lead again in the third. Hassan led the frame off with a single. Poythress walked and then 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) picked up a base hit to score Hassan. After an intentional walk was issued to Figueroa to load the bases, Brown drew a walk as well. It brought in the fifth run of the game for the Cardinals.

Poythress had an excellent day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored, a stolen base and a RBI. Hassan also had a multi-hit effort at the plate.

LHP Isaac Morales (Cal State L.A.) came on in relief to pitch the ninth. He allowed two hits but preserved the shutout for the Cardinals.

For Orleans, it is their fifth win in a row. They have not lost since July 10^th when they dropped a 1-0 decision to Hyannis. The Cardinals are now 12-1-1 in their last 14 games and 13-2-1 in the month of July.

Tomorrow the Cards will return home and host the Cotuit Kettleers for the final time this year. Orleans is 1-1-1 in the season series with Cotuit and played the Kettleers to a 4-4 tie the last time the two squads met. First pitch will take place at 7:00pm EDT and be broadcast live on OrleansCardinals.com.

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Home Cards News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Thomson Pitches Cardinals to Another Win July 18, 2008 South Yarmouth, Mass. – With the All-Star selection process just a day away, RHP Matt Thomson (San Diego) entered today with a decent shot at making the team. After his performance in the win over Yarmouth-Dennis this evening, he is pretty much a lock. Thomson tossed eight shutout innings and tried to convince Manager Kelly Nicholson to let him finish the game. After tossing 103 pitches, Nicholson let the bullpen finish a job well done by Thomson. He walked just one, allowed three hits and struck out five in what was the best start the Cardinals staff had received all season. “Throwing to contact keeps your pitch count down and your defense in the game. Having a lead makes my job so much easier because you can get away with pitching to contact. It allows me to relax a little bit and really attack hitters,” Thomson said. The performance gives him a team best 1.56 ERA and a 3-0 record on the season. The Cardinals jumped out of the gates early tonight with a run in the first. 2B Matt Bowman (Nevada), DH Alex Hassan (Duke) and 3B Rich Poythress (Georgia) hit three consecutive singles as Poythress drove in Bowman for the first run of the game. In the second, SS Cole Figueroa (Florida) led off with a solo home run for his second shot of the season. Later, OF Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton) was hit by a pitch. He swiped second and third before coming to the plate on a passed ball. It gave Orleans a 3-0 lead as Brown scored without a pitch being put into play The Cards would extend their lead again in the third. Hassan led the frame off with a single. Poythress walked and then 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) picked up a base hit to score Hassan. After an intentional walk was issued to Figueroa to load the bases, Brown drew a walk as well. It brought in the fifth run of the game for the Cardinals. Poythress had an excellent day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored, a stolen base and a RBI. Hassan also had a multi-hit effort at the plate. LHP Isaac Morales (Cal State L.A.) came on in relief to pitch the ninth. He allowed two hits but preserved the shutout for the Cardinals. For Orleans, it is their fifth win in a row. They have not lost since July 10^th when they dropped a 1-0 decision to Hyannis. The Cardinals are now 12-1-1 in their last 14 games and 13-2-1 in the month of July. Tomorrow the Cards will return home and host the Cotuit Kettleers for the final time this year. Orleans is 1-1-1 in the season series with Cotuit and played the Kettleers to a 4-4 tie the last time the two squads met. First pitch will take place at 7:00pm EDT and be broadcast live on OrleansCardinals.com. (Unofficial Box Score)