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Where Winning is Tradition

Vipers Jolt Jays 7-2

Tallmadge Stays Atop SSBL With Win 

  Tallmadge, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers (14-4) kept a firm grip on first place in the SSBL with a 7-2 win over the 16U Blue Jays at Dave Young Field.  Tallmadge completed the season sweep of the Jays playing errorless baseball and banging out 10 hits in the win.  Michael Strand got the start for Tallmadge and pitched a solid four innings leaving the game with the score tied at 1-1.  The Vipers would score six runs in the final two innings to secure the win.  Nick Heimbaugh would get the win in relief.

Vipers Finish 3-1 at Tiretown Classic

4-3 Semi-final Loss Stops Tournament Run

 Kent, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers (13-4) finished the weekend with a 3-1 record at the Tiretown Classic.  Tallmadge won their pool and advanced to the final four where they lost 4-3 to Lewiston, NY a team they had defeated earlier in the tournament.

    Ironically it was Lewiston who the Vipers played in game one and Tallmadge defeated the Knights 9-1.  Thomas Hobson got the win for the Vipers allowing one run on two hits.  The game was called after five innings due to the run rule limit.  Michael Strand led the offense going a perfect 3 for 3 on the afternoon.  Danny Blake, Tucker Linder and Thomas Hobson all had two hit performances in a 12 hit Viper attack.

   Tallmadge scored 10 runs on just five hits but took advantage of nine walks in game two as they defeated Streetsboro 10-1.  Tommy Yakubowski got the win in relief allowing one run on two hits over three innings.  Johnny Taylor had two hits, while teammates Michael Strand, Yakubowski, and Nathan Jackson added singles.  Tucker Linder, Strand and Ryan Gaffney had two RBI's each on the day.

   In the final pool play contest Tallmadge squared off against the Ohio Eagles.  The Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but it was to be short lived as the Vipers sent 12 batters to the plate scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first.  Tallmadge would roll to an 11-3 win in five innings with Matt Shomo getting the complete game win.  The Vipers pounded out 14 hits led by Danny Blake who finished 3 for 4.  Thomas Hobson and Nick Heimbaugh each had two hits.  All eleven players scored a single run for the Vipers.

   Tallmadge would face Lewiston, NY in a rematch for the right to advance to the finals.  The teams would exchange single runs through the first seven innings and would head to the eighth tied 2-2.  Tallmadge left the bases loaded twice and couldn't get the big hit as Lewiston made several big plays to stop potential rallies by the Vipers.  The Knights would score twice in the top of the eighth with a two out, 2 RBI single.  Tallmadge would draw to within one at 4-3 when Tucker Linder led off the inning with a triple and scored on a Hobson sacrifice fly.  The game would end with the tying run at second.

   "It was a good tournament for us, I think we had the team to win it all but we just couldn't come up with the one hit to open up the game in the semi's," said Joe Wagner.  "We hit the ball hard all day but right at them.  They made the plays and it was a great game, well played by both teams." 

Vipers Hold on For Win Over Tigers

Five Run Fifth Fuels Tallmadge Win

Tallmadge, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers improved to 10-3 with a 7-6 win over the 16U Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers.  The win completes a SSBL regular season sweep of the Tigers.  Southpaw Johnny Taylor got the win in relief and Nathan Jackson picked up the save out of the Viper bullpen.

     Tallmadge jumped out to a 2-0 lead scoring twice in the bottom of the second on a two run RBI double off the bat of Zack Wagner.  Falls would tie the game in the fourth and then take the lead with a single run in the fifth.  The Vipers roared back with a five run sixth to take a lead they would never give up.  Nick Heimbaugh had a two run double in the inning.

     The Vipers pounded out 10 hits in the game.  Matt Shomo and Danny Blake led the attack with two hits each.  Taylor, Tucker Linder, Michael Strand and Jackson also had hits for the winners.

Picture Perfect!

Linder Throws Perfect Game, Bats Boom in 20-0 Win Over Jays 

Copley, Ohio

     It may have only lasted four innings but it was quite an impressive showing none the less.  Tallmadge (9-3) crushed the 16U Ohio Blue Jays Monday night 20-0 behind a 16 hit offense and a four inning perfect game from Tucker Linder.  The Vipers have strung together six straight wins.

     Tallmadge scored twice in the top of the first, four times in the second and broke the game open with a 14 run, 10 hit third inning.  "It wasn't as if the Blue Jays were kicking the ball around.  In fact 13 of the 14 runs were earned runs in the big inning.  We just hit the ball hard all over the field," said Tom Linder.  The Vipers took advantage of seven walks and three hit batsmen over the course of the game.  The Viper offense also continued it's consecutive stolen base streak going 11 of 11 in the game.  Tallmadge has stolen 41 straight bases without being caught, a span of six games.  On the season Tallmadge is 68 of 70 in the stolen base department averaging just over five steals per game. 

     Tucker Linder was dominating on the mound needing just 52 pitches over four innings retiring every batter he faced including six by strikeout.  "Anytime you have a performance like that you also have to look at the guys behind the pitcher.  Our guys played flawless defense behind Tuck.  Tommy Yakubowski did an awesome job behind the plate, our guys call their own game so I guess that makes Tommy perfect too."  

     Johnny Taylor continues an all-star season at the plate going 4 for 4 with four RBI's and scoring four runs.  Taylor leads the team with 15 stolen bases in 12 games.  Matt Shomo was 3 for 4 with three RBI's.  Nick Heimbaugh and Nathan Jackson had two singles each.  Tommy Yakubowski had a single and a double with two RBI's.  Zack Wagner, Linder, and Michael Strand all had singles for the Vipers.

     Tallmadge will host the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers at Dave Young Field Wednesday night at 6 PM. 

Dad's Day Double Dip

Vipers Sweep Falcons in Father's Day Doubleheader

Tallmadge, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers (8-3) gift wrapped a double header sweep of the 16U West Akron Falcons on Father's Day Sunday afternoon by scores of 14-5 and 8-2.  "I guess there are a lot of things you could be doing on father's day but I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than watching our guys play a couple of great games," said Tom Linder.

     Tallmadge opened the day with a 14-5 win in game one pounding out 14 hits.  The Vipers took a 2-0 lead they would never give up in the bottom of the first when Tucker Linder hit a 2 run homerun 340 feet to the opposite field, his second round tripper of the year.  Johnny Taylor rode home on the blast after reaching on an error.  Tallmadge would add two more in the bottom of the second when Zack Wagner and Ryan Gaffney both scored on groundball outs.  The Vipers would put the game out of reach scoring two in the fourth, five in the fifth and three more in the sixth to end the game.  Thomas Hobson (2-0) got the win going 5 and 2/3 innings, striking out five.  Tommy Yakubowski led the 14 hit attack with two singles and a double.  Wagner had two singles, while Danny Blake and Thomas Hobson each added a single and a double. Taylor, Nathan Jackson, and Matt Shomo each had a single.  Nick Heimbaugh had an RBI double to the wall in left field.

     In game two, Matt Shomo pitched a complete game four hitter enroute to his second win of the season.  The Vipers made the best of eight hits in the 8-2 victory.  Michael Strand had a pair of doubles and 2 RBI's.  Hobson, Shomo, and Wagner all had singles in the win.  Linder, Danny Blake and Yakubowski all had a double for the Vipers.

     Tallmadge will travel to Copley High School for a 6 PM meeting with the Ohio Blue Jays on Monday night. 

Sweet Revenge...With a Slice of Humble Pie

Vipers Avenge Loss With 7-6 Win Over Hornets

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

     After a 17-9 loss to the 16U Ohio Hornets five days ago Tallmadge has won three in a row including the rematch against the Hornets Monday night 7-6.  Tallmadge combined great pitching, outstanding defense and an 11 hit offensive attack to improve to 6-3 on the season.  Thomas Hobson fresh back from vacation got the win going a solid five innings on the mound.  "It was nice to come here and get the win on their field, especially after the way we played against them the last time.  I was very proud of the way our guys focused on playing the game the right way and how they made plays tonight.  The Hornet's are a very talented team, but they like to "yap" a lot and our guys just did their talking on the field.  It's too bad because like I said, the Hornet's are very talented but they get so busy doing other stuff they forget to focus on the game and that makes them beatable," said Tom Linder after the win.

     Tallmadge sent notice this would be no replay of the first contest as the locals scored four times in the top of the first.  Danny Blake led off with a walk, followed by a perfect bunt for a base hit by Johnny Taylor.  Both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.  Tucker Linder hit a hard ground ball to short that ricocheted off the shortstops leg and into centerfield scoring both runners.  Hobson singled up the middle and went to second on a balk by the pitcher.  Matt Shomo brought Linder home with a groundout to third and Hobson scored on a single to right by Nick Heimbaugh for a quick 4-0 lead.  Hobson kept the Hornets at bay until the third when they scored three unearned runs on three Tallmadge errors to make it a 4-3 game.  The Vipers would respond with a four run top of the fourth.  The big blow of the inning was a two run double to the fence in left by Shomo.

     The Hornets would add single tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth to make it a 7-6 game.  Tallmadge stopped several Hornet rallies with outstanding defense.  The Vipers used double plays to end both the first and second innings and cut down runners from the outfield on two occasions.  After scoring three times in the third the Hornets tried to tag and send a runner to third on a deep fly to right field but Linder threw a laser strike to Shomo who put the tag on the runner out by four steps.  In the fifth, Johnny Taylor gunned down a runner at third trying to advance from first on a single.  "Being aggressive on the bases is one thing, but they ran themselves out of at least four innings tonight.  This isn't Little League, these guys can make plays."

     Thomas Hobson got the win in his first start of the season.  "Thomas gave us just what we needed, he threw well and set up the bullpen by getting us through the fifth," said Linder.  Johnny Taylor pitched the sixth and Tucker Linder picked up the save with a scoreless seventh.

     Johnny Taylor was perfect on the day going 4 for 4 with three singles and a double.  Taylor leads the Vipers with a gaudy .560 batting average.  Nick Heimbaugh was 3 for 4 and is now 7 of 11 in the three game win streak.  Nathan Jackson had a single, Blake had a double and scored twice.  Hobson and Linder each scored twice.

     Tallmadge will host 16U Canton McKinley on Wednesday night at Dave Young Field in Tallmadge with the first pitch scheduled for 6 PM.  

Bats Boom...Bucs Beaten

Vipers Sweep Ohio Bucs in Doubleheader

Tallmadge, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers (5-3) used 18 hits scoring 22 runs in a doubleheader sweep of the 16U Ohio Bucs on Saturday afternoon at Dave Young Field.  The Vipers won 15-3 in a shortened first game and completed the sweep with a 7-1 win in game two.  "We continue to hit well and we got the pitching and defense today to put a couple in the win column," said Tom Linder. 

     Starting pitcher Matt Shomo gave up one run in the top of the first but his teammates picked him up scoring six runs in the bottom of the second.  Shomo would work four and a third innings for the win scattering five hits and seemed to get stronger as the game went on.  "Matt has been under the weather the past week and I think it took him a little while to get in sync.  He threw well over the final three innings."  When Shomo reached his limit Michael Strand came on to get the final two outs of the game. The Vipers blew the game open with a seven run fourth inning highlighted by a grand slam homerun off the bat of Tucker Linder.

     Nick Heimbaugh helped power the Viper offense scoring four times on two singles and added an RBI.  Eight of nine Vipers scored in the game and five scored at least twice.  Danny Blake drove in five runs with two singles and two bases loaded walks.  Johnny Taylor, Matt Shomo and Strand had two singles each.  Tommy Yakubowski chipped in with a single in the 12 hit attack.

     The Vipers used three pitchers to shutdown the Bucs in game two.  Michael Strand started the second game going two innings allowing a single run.  Taylor went four scoreless innings for the win and Nathan Jackson pitched a scoreless seventh.  Tallmadge had just six hits but took advantage of seven Bucs errors enroute to the 7-1 win.  Nick Heimbaugh remained hot at the plate going 2 for 4 with a single, a double and an RBI.  Linder, Yakubowski, Shomo and Strand all added singles for the Vipers.  "We played small ball a couple of innings and the guys executed very well.  We moved runners and found a way to get them home.  That's always nice to see.  It was a heck of a day for Nick Heimbaugh who was our best defender all day on top of what he did at the plate."

     Tallmadge will travel to Woodridge HS to take on the 16U Ohio Hornets on Monday night at 6 PM.

NOTES: Heimbaugh was 4 for 7 on the day scoring five times.  Lead off hitter Justin Dages has been placed on the injured reserve with back problems, but served as the first base coach on Saturday.  The Vipers who have been shorthanded, will have Thomas Hobson and Ryan Gaffney back from vacation on Monday but will be without Yakubowski for a week. 

Hornets Sting Vipers

Errors Costly in 17-9 Loss at Home

Tallmadge, Ohio

     Generosity begins at home, or so they say.  The Vipers (3-3) were very generous Wednesday night against the 16U Ohio Hornets  putting nine base runners on via the error.  The Hornets slugged their way to a 17-9 win over Tallmadge.  Because of the the Tallmadge miscues only eight of the runs were earned.  "We don't have a lot of power pitchers on this staff and we need to play good defense behind our guys on the mound.  In our three losses we have 15 errors and that is just not acceptable," lamented Tom Linder.

     The Hornets scored twice in the top of the first off starter Nick Heimbaugh (0-1) on two hits and two Viper errors.  Tallmadge responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning when Danny Blake scored on a triple to the wall by Tucker Linder.  Linder would come home on a groundout RBI to short by Tommy Yakubowski who leads the Vipers with 12 RBI's on the season.  A 1-2-3 second inning was followed by a forgettable seven run inning by the Hornets who took advantage of four errors in the inning.  The Hornets would score seven more runs in the fourth on seven hits.  Tallmadge answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 16-6 after four innings.  Nathan Jackson and Nick Heimbaugh each drove in a run and Danny Blake drilled a two run single to center.

     Tallmadge would put three runs on the board in the sixth on a two RBI single by Linder and Yakubowski picked up his second RBI of the day driving Linder home with a single.  "We're hitting the ball well and we are scoring runs but the errors are just killing us right now."

     Johnny Taylor continues his hot hitting and had a solid 2 for 3 day at the plate.  Blake had a single and scored twice.  Michael Strand also had a single for Tallmadge.

     Tallmadge will host 16U Ohio Bucs in a double header at Dave Young Field with game one starting at Noon.

Vipers Grab Tigers by Tail 10-4

Taylor Collects First Win

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers (3-2) knocked out 14 hits enroute to a 10-4 win on the road against the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers.  Rookie Johnny Taylor got the win pitching four innings scattering six hits and allowing only 2 earned runs.  "We had good at bats all game and really did a nice job on the bases as well," said Tom Linder.  Tallmadge finished the game with 10 stolen bases.  "I'm happy for Johnny, he was less than 100 percent and did a nice job.  I thought Nathan Jackson looked very good in relief also."  Jackson went three scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season.

     The Vipers got on the board in the top of the first with back to back singles by Taylor and Danny Blake to start the game.  A fly ball to center and a stolen base put runners at second and third for Tommy Yakubowski who singled them home.  The Tigers would score a single run in the bottom of the first and take a 3-2 lead adding two more runs in the bottom of the second.  Tallmadge would regain the lead for good after Tucker Linder reached on an error and scored on a Yakubowski triple to right field.  Yakubowski came home when the throw from the outfield skipped past the third baseman.  "They didn't have a fence and in any park that ball Yak hit would have been gone, it had to be about 375 feet."

     The Vipers would add four more runs in the top of the fourth and single tallies in the fifth and seventh.  Tallmadge had a hit in every inning scoring at least a run in five of seven innings.  Yakubowski went 3 for 4 with 2 singles, a triple and four RBI's.  Matt Shomo who was under the weather still managed a 2 for 3 performance at the plate including two RBI's.  "We weren't sure Matt could even play and with only nine players he toughed it out for the team and did quite well."  Michael Strand got back on track offensively with three singles in four trips to the plate.  Linder had a single, double and an RBI.  Taylor was 2 for 4 with a couple of singles in the leadoff spot filling in for Justin Dages who was at his Spring High School Awards banquet.  Jackson had a double and Danny Blake had a single.  Every player (nine) scored a run for the Vipers.

     Tallmadge continues to play short handed with a couple of players on vacation.  "There isn't anything we can do about it, we have to play the hand we are dealt at the start of each game.  You won't find us making excuses."  The Vipers will host the Ohio Hornets Wednesday night at Dave Young Field with the first pitch slated for 6 PM.

Canned in Canfield

Vipers Eliminated at Battle of Border

Canfield, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers dropped back to back games on Saturday afternoon in pool play of the 2009 battle of the Border Tournament and did not advance with a 1-2 record.  The North Coast Stampede advanced from the pool with a 2-1 record, their only loss a 5-0 shutout at the hands of Tallmadge.  Tallmadge lost 9-5 to the Brownlee Lookouts and lost 11-8 to the Blue Devils of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  "On Saturday we were not very good in any phase of the game.  We gave up 27 hits in two games so it is obvious we didn't pitch very well and we had five errors in the loss to the Lookouts so defense wasn't a strong point either," said Tom Linder.

     Against the Lookouts Tallmadge jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one inning pounding out four hits in the inning and taking advantage of two errors.  The lead would be shortlived as starter Matt Shomo gave up four runs on four hits in the top of the second.  The Lookouts would add three more runs off reliever Nick Heimbaugh and the Tallmadge bats would fall silent without a hit until the fifth.  Tallmadge would end the game with just five hits and committed five errors in the game.  Tommy Yakubowski had two singles, Nick heimbaugh had a ground rule double over the fence while Justin Dages and Danny Blake had a single each.  Tucker Linder had two RBI's for the Vipers.

     A win in game two would allow the Vipers to advance to the finals.  Mt. Lebanon sent seven batters to the plate in the top of the first against starter Michael Strand and led 2-0 after one half inning.  Tallmadge would battle back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to lead 3-2 after one.  Tallmadge would be held scoreless over the next three innings and Mt. Lebanon would regain and add to the lead with three runs in the third and single tallies in the fourth and fifth.  Tallmadge would tie the game at 7-7 with a four run fifth highlighted by a three run double off the bat of Tucker Linder.  Linder would score the fourth run from third on a wild pitch.  The Vipers were again unable to keep their opponent in check giving up three runs on five hits the very next inning.  Trailing 10-7 Tallmadge got one run back in the bottom of the sixth but Mt. Lebanon covered that with a run in the top of the seventh.  The Vipers could only push one run across in the home half of the seventh for the 11-8 final.

     Tallmadge was without starters Thomas Hobson and Ryan Gaffney who were gone on vacation.  "Those guys help us in all three phases of the game and at times we missed them, but we just did not pitch well enough, hit well enough and play defense the way we are capable of.  We have never given up 27 hits and 20 runs in two games, ever.  We need to stop expecting things to happen and instead go out and make things happen."  The loss in game two erased an outstanding defensive effort from rookie centerfielder Johnny Taylor who made two Grady Sizemore like running and diving catches in the game.  "The first catch in the right centerfield gap was as good as you will see at any level."

     The Vipers will return to play on Tuesday as they travel to Water Works Park to take on the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers at 6 PM.

Tallmadge Adds Three to 2009 Roster

Heimbaugh, Dages and Taylor join Vipers

Tallmadge,Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers opened winter workouts at Kent State University recently and welcomed three new players to the fold.  Justin Dages, Nick Heimbaugh and John Taylor have been added to the Viper roster.

     Dages is an outstanding infielder who will see time at third base as well as second base and could be used in the outfield if needed.  Nick Heimbaugh is a lanky righthander who can pitch, catch and play shortstop.  John Taylor is another versatile player who will be used on the mound, in the outfield and possibly at first base.

     "When we held our tryouts at the end of last season, it was important that we found some players who could play a variety of positions.  I think this group is exactly what we were looking for.  I already like their work ethic and they have fit right in with the rest of the team.  I am looking forward to the summer season," said coach Tom Linder.

     The Vipers are coming off a 24-7 campaign a season ago and are 50-21 the past two years.  "It will be a lot different this year as we won't get the guys until after they complete their high school baseball season.  We won't have as many practices and will be packing in a lot of games over a month and a half."

At Last...Vipers Open 2009 Season

Tallmadge Crushes Canton McKinley 21-5

Canton, Ohio

     It seemed like a long wait as members of the Vipers completed their high school baseball seasons.  It was well worth the wait, as the Vipers opened the season with a 21-5 win over the 16U Canton McKinley Bulldogs.  Tallmadge pounded out 17 hits and took advantage of nine walks issued by McKinley pitchers to start the season at 1-0.

     Right hander Tucker Linder got the win in the abbreviated contest due to the "mercy rule" going three innings giving up one unearned run on one hit with seven strikeouts.  Johnny Taylor pitched the final inning in his first appearance on the mound for the Vipers.

     Tallmadge opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first.  Thomas Hobson picked up the first of his four RBI's on the day with a sacrifice fly and Matt Shomo drove in the other run with a two out single.  The Vipers put up eight runs on three hits, four walks and three Bulldog errors in the top of the second.  Tallmadge added four in the third on four hits and seven runs on eight hits in the fourth invoking the 15 run mercy rule after four innings.

     Lead off hitter Justin Dages was officially 0-1 with four walks, four runs scored and 3-3 in the stolen base department.  Hobson had four RBI's with two singles and a double.  Danny Blake scored three times on a single and two walks.  Matt Shomo went 3 for 4 with two RBI's.  Taylor started the season off well with a single, two doubles, a sacrifice fly and three RBI's.  Linder drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.  Catcher Tommy Yakubowski was 2 for 3 on the day with four RBI's on a single and a bases loaded double.  Ryan Gaffney, Zack Wagner, Nathan Jackson and Nick Heimbaugh all joined the hit parade with a single each.

     The Vipers will open the home portion of their schedule at Dave Young Field in Tallmadge on Wednesday against the Akron West Falcons with the first pitch slated for 6 PM. 

Vipers Open Tournament With Win

Tallmadge Stops North Coast 5-0 in Pool Play

Canfield, Ohio

     The Vipers traveled East for the Battle of the Border Tournament and opened play with a 5-0 win over North Coast USA.  The Vipers used good pitching, outstanding defense and timely hitting to advance to tomorrows second game against Brownlee's Bombers.

     Tucker Linder got the start for Tallmadge and went five innings throwing a shutout on two hits and striking out seven.  The right hander did not walk a batter and retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced to improve to 2-0.  Nathan Jackson pitched shutout ball over the final two innings.  "The innings limitation for this tournament is going to be tough on us with two of our pitchers missing in action.  We are going to have to play solid defense and get good innings from a lot of different people if we are going to go deep into this tournament," said Tom Linder.

     It was all pitchers during the early going of the game before the Vipers broke through with three runs in the bottom of the third inning.  Nathan Jackson started the rally for Tallmadge with a lead off single to right, pinch runner Zack Wagner stole second and came home on a two out double to right center off the bat of Justin Dages.  Danny Blake followed with a blast 345 feet to the right field fence for an RBI triple.  Linder doubled to the gap in right center for the third straight two out RBI hit.  Tallmadge would add single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.  Michael Strand scored following a walk and a steal of second base in the fourth.  Strand scored on a wild pitch.  Blake was hit by a pitch in the sixth, stole second and rode home on an RBI single by Tommy Yakubowski.  The Vipers had seven hits in the game.  Justin Dages was 2 for 3 and Matt Shomo added a single to the offense for the Vipers.

     Tallmadge will continue pool play with two games on Saturday.  Pool winners will advance to the semi finals on Sunday.