Mormon Baseball

Nik Turley’s strong pitching and the struggles of opposing pitcher Blake Treinen combined to give the Trenton Thunder the win in the first game of the 5-game Eastern League Championship yesterday. In 6 innings Turley struck out 10 and gave up 5 hits and 3 walks while allowing 2 runs. In contrast, Treinen lasted just 2 2/3rds and gave up 5 runs.

Perhaps this was also Turley’s present to himself, as today is his 24th birthday.

Meanwhile, Clayton Mortensen didn’t get a chance to pitch, as the Omaha Storm Chaser’s game yesterday was rained out. Instead, the team will play a double header today.

Did not play: Mitch Maier (DL); Clayton Mortensen (P – pitched Thursday); Bryan Harper (P – pitched Friday)

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AAA teams:

Each of the two AAA leagues have league conference playoffs, championship series, and then the champions of each league then meet in a single game AAA championship, scheduled for September 17th in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

International League

• Mitch Maier, Pawtucket Red Sox, International League, North Conference Champions (on disabled list — did not play so far)
  * The Red Sox defeated the Rochester Red Wings 3-2 in a 5-game series played Sept. 4-8
  * The Red Sox lead Durham Bulls 1-0 in the 5-game League championship series held Sept. 10-14.
  * If they win the League Championship, they play the Pacific Coast League champion in the Triple-A Championship held September 17th.

Pacific Coast League

• Clayton Mortensen, Omaha Storm Chasers, Pacific Coast League, Amerian Northern Conference Champions
  * The Storm Chasers defeated the Oklahoma City RedHawks 3-0 in a 5-game series played Sept. 4-8
  * They play in the 5-game League championship series Sept. 10-15 against the Salt Lake Bees.
  * If they win the League Championship, they play the International League champion in the Triple-A Championship held September 17th.
• Mitch Talbot, Las Vegas 51s, Pacific Coast League, Pacific Southern Conference Champions (on disabled list — did not pitch)
  * The 51s lost to the Salt Lake Bees 3-1 in a 5-game series played Sept. 4-8

AA teams:

The top two teams in each of the two divisions in the Eastern League play each other in a 5-game series to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Nik Turley, Trenton Thunder, Eastern League, Eastern Division 2nd place team
  * Trenton Thunder beat the Binghamton Mets 3-0 in a 5-game series Sept. 4-8.
  * The Thunder lead the Harrisburg Senators 1-0 in the 5-game League championship series Sept. 10-14.

A+ teams:

Each of the two divisions in the Florida State League play division series between the winners of each half of the season to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Taylor Cole, Dunedin Blue Jays, Florida State League, North Division 1st half winner
  * Dunedin Blue Jays were eliminated in a 2-game series Sept. 3-4 by the Daytona Cubs. Cole did not pitch in either game.

A teams:

Midwest League

The first and second place teams from each half of the season from each of the two divisions in the Midwest League qualify for the playoffs. The winner of each half season plays the second place team from the other half season to determine who plays in a division series that determines the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Marcus Littlewood, Clinton LumberKings, Midwest League, Western Divison 2nd half 2nd place team
  * The LumberKings were eliminated by the Beloit Snappers 0-2 in a 3-game series September 4-6

South Atlantic League

Each of the two divisions in the South Atlantic League play division series between the winners of each half of the season to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Bryan Harper, Hagerstown Suns, South Atlantic League, first half winners, Northern Division
  * Suns beat the West Virginia Power 2-1 in a 3-game series Sept. 4-7.
  * The Suns are tied with the Savannah Sand Gnats 1-1 in a 5-game League Championship Series Sept. 9-14

I will try to keep us all up-to-date with the status of these Mormon minor leaguers over the next couple weeks. Enjoy the minor league post season!