Vipers Open Winter Camp at KSU
Kent,Ohio

     The 2007 Tallmadge Vipers opened winter camp at KSU last weekend.  Ten players including pitchers and catchers were on hand as the team begin adjusting to longer bases and lead-offs.  "We have a lot to go over as we are coming out of Little League rules and field demensions.  It's a whole new ball game," explained Manager Tom Linder.  "The swings looked pretty good from everybody during our first practice I will have to admit though."

The Vipers will continue indoor winter workouts at KSU through February.  "We can get a lot accomplished in here while there's still snow on the ground."

     Vipers Open at Tallmadge Tournament

Tallmadge, Ohio
     The Tallmadge Vipers will open the 2007 season Friday night at 8:15pm at Lions Park against the Nordonia Thunder as part of the Tallmadge Early Bird Tournament.  The Vipers finished their Spring training camp with a workout at Howe Road Park last night.  "We've been outside for a lot of our practices but tonight was the first time we were able to get on a dirt infield and the guys looked pretty good," said Manager Tom Linder.
     The Vipers will play games two and three of pool play on Saturday at 9pm and 3:45pm at Howe Road Park.  "We want to play as many games as we can on this opening weekend so we have to keep winning to do that.  I don't think anybody knows much about any of the teams in the tournament, so we just need to worry about our game and not wonder how good or bad our opponent might be." 
     Tallmadge has an abundance of pitchers so the possibility of five games in three days should not be a problem for the Blue and Gold.  "We have all of the pitchers from last years 12 year old All-Star team and have actually added two more so I think we have pretty good depth on the mound," explained Linder.

    Vipers Finish 2-2 in Tallmadge Tourney
Tallmadge, Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers opened the season by playing their way into the semi finals of the Tallmadge Tournament.  "We did some things very well, especially in the hitting department.  We scored 34 runs in four games.  We still need some time to work on our fielding at these distances and just adjusting to the different things that are new to our pitchers," said manager Tom Linder.  "We lost two one run games and nobody pitched more than three innings, so I am very happy with where we are."
     The Vipers opened pool play with a 9-1 win over the Nordonia Thunder.  Lefty Kyle Atchison got the win pitching three shutout, hitless innings.  Matt Shomo pitched two solid innings in relief with 6 K's.  Shomo also was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI's at the plate.  Danny Blake and Atchison each had two hits for the Vipers.
     Tallmadge pounded Copley 12-0 in 4 innings in game two.  The locals had 11 hits led by Nathan Jackson who was 3 for 3 with 2 RBI's.  Jake Alexander and Thomas Hobson had two hits for Tallmadge.  Ryan Gaffney and Matt Shomo each had one hit and two RBI's.  Michael Strand had an RBI single for the Vipers as well.
     Tallmadge lost 5-4 in the final game of pool play to the Jackson Jaguars.  The game was tied at 2-2 in the fifth.  "We just took too long to get the bats going."  The Vipers had just six hits in the game with five coming in the final four innings.  Michael Strand and Tucker Linder had two hits each for Tallmadge.  Danny Blake and Matt Shomo had singles for the Blue and Gold.
    Tallmadge entered the semi-finals against the Jackson Jayhawks and jumped out to a 2-0 lead following RBI doubles by Linder and Thomas Hobson.  The Vipers would trail 8-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh when things got very interesting.  Four straight hits and all of a sudden Tallmadge trailed by four with the bases loaded and two outs.  Tucker Linder cleared the bases with a double to the fence but the Blue and Gold weren't able to plate the tying run.
     "We learned a lot about what we need to work on so it was a very good tournament for us.  We are still learning to play real baseball, but we've learned something in every game," explained Linder.
     The Vipers host The Ohio Thunder at The Jaycee's park Tuesday night at 6pm in the first game of SSBL league play.
 

Vipers Open SSBL Play with 13-3 Victory
Tallmadge,Ohio

     The Tallmadge Vipers opened the 2007 SSBL season with a 13-3 victory over the Ohio Thunder Blue.  The locals pounded out 14 hits in the victory.  "We learned a lot of valuable lessons from the tournament games over the weekend and the guys used them very well tonight," said coach Joe Wagner.  "It was a well played game all the way around."
     Tucker Linder got the win for the Vipers pitching four innings of no run, no hit baseball.  Ryan Gaffney, Jake Alexander, and Nathan Jackson closed out the final three innings for Tallmadge.
     Matt Shomo continues his hot start this Spring going 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's.  Zach Wagner also collected 3 RBI's for the Blue and Gold.  Gaffney was a perfect 2 for 2 on the day, while Linder and Michael Strand each had two hits and two RBI's for the Vipers.  Tallmadge had the first six batters reach and score as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first.  "We've been hitting the ball very well in all five of our games," said Wagner.  The Vipers have scored 47 runs in their first 5 games.
     The Vipers Thursday game was rained out and has been rescheduled for Sunday at 11am in Green.

One is the Loneliest Number!
Another One Run Loss for Vipers, This Time in Ten Innings
Green, Ohio

     For the third time this season the Tallmadge Vipers lost by a single run.  In an extra inning affair at Green, a two out single with the bases loaded gave the southern Vipers a 3-2 win over the snakes from the Circle City.  "This was one of the best played and entertaining games I've been involved with," said manager Tom Linder.  "I just wish we could have come out on the winning side of it."
     The contest featured outstanding pitching from both teams as well as outstanding defense.  Tallmadge collected four hits but added 11 walks in the game.  "We had runners in every inning but one.  We just didn't get the big hit with runners in scoring position.  Their pitchers did a good job of working out of trouble."
     Trailing 1-0 in their last at bat, Nathan Jackson drove a ball to right field that was misplayed and Matt Shomo scored easily from third to tie the game.  Tallmadge would take the lead 2-1 in the top of the tenth when Thomas Hobson crushed a ball to the base of the fence in dead center field scoring Kyle Atchison from third.  "I understand these guys won this league last year.  If that's the case, I think it shows just how close our guys are.  We had some chances and we'll continue to get better.  Three losses by one run, we can obviously play with everybody."
     Kyle Atchison was 1-2 with three walks, Hobson, Danny Blake and Tommy Yakubowski added hits for the Blue and Gold.
     Tallmadge will host the Ohio Thunder at Jaycee Park on Howe Road Tuesday night at 6pm.

Vipers Roll Thunder, Weather Storm, Win 2-0
Tallmadge 2-1 in League Play After Shortened Victory

Tallmadge, Ohio
     The Tallmadge Vipers scored almost as quickly as the lightning strikes that surrounded Howe Road Field Tuesday night.  The Vipers scored twice in the bottom of the third and made it stand up in a weather shortened four inning 2-0 win over the visiting Thunder Orange.  "We were trying to get the game through the fourth, we knew the weather was coming and our schedule is pretty full the next couple of weeks and we didn't want to try and reschedule if we didn't have to," explained manager Tom Linder.  The game was stopped three times due to lightning in the area.
     The Vipers would return to the field for the bottom of the third following a twenty minute delay.  Michael Strand led off the inning with a line drive single to centerfiled on the first pitch he saw.  Strand put himself in scoring position with a steal of second base.  Jake Alexander picked up the RBI with a single to right field.  Alexander moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a Danny Blake sacrifice fly to right centerfield.  The two runs proved to be the difference as the weather moved in during the top of the fifth inning ending the game.  Tucker Linder quieted the Thunder until the real thunder arrived throwing a two hit shutout with eight strikeouts and no walks.  "I was very proud of the way Michael and Jake stayed focused following the delay.  Obviously their two runs were very big.  I thought Tuck did a nice job on the mound mixing pitches and hitting spots," said Linder.  "Thunder is a very good team.  They have a solid pitcher in Polland and their second baseman Waldron made some great defensive plays against us."
     The Vipers are off until this weekend when they participate in the Ohio Eagles Tournament in Kent.  Saturday games are scheduled for 10am and 2pm.

Vipers Bring Home Hardware Locals Runner-up at Eagles Invitational Kent, Ohio      The Tallmadge Vipers made it to the Final Four for the second time this season in as many tournaments.  However, this time the Blue and Gold went a step further securing a bid to the championship final.  The Vipers fell 4-2 to a Grove City, Pa. squad in a game every bit worthy of its championship status.  "That was an excellent baseball game by a couple of pretty good teams," said manager Tom Linder.  Each team committed just one error.      Grove City scored three times in the top of the first to take an early lead.  The Blue and Gold stranded six runners through the first three innings including a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the first, before breaking through with two runs in the sixth inning.  Grove City would add a single insurance tally in the top of the seventh for the final score.  Kyle Atchison, Tucker Linder, Tommy Yakubowski, Matt Shomo and Nathan Jackson all had singles for the Vipers.  "They were a very good hitting team and we shut them down for the most part we just couldn't get the big hit with runners in scoring position," explained Linder.      Tallmadge made it to the finals with an 11-3 five inning run rule semi-final win over the Buckeyes pounding out 10 hits in the victory.  Tucker Linder picked up his fourth win of the season with a four inning no hit performance.  Jake Alexander led the hit parade with a 3 for 3 day at the plate.  Linder added 2 hits and four RBI's.  Danny Blake had a single and scored three times, while Kyle Atchison, Tommy Yakubowski, Nathan Jackson and Ryan Gaffney all added singles.  The Vipers lost catcher Zack Wagner in the first inning when he was sent to the emergency room after taking a back swing to the left forearm.  X-rays were negative for a fracture and Wagner is day to day with a severe bruise.     Tallmadge lost in pool play to Diamond Sports 6-1 but advanced to the final four because of the advantage in run differential.  Tallmadge opened the tournament with a 10-0 win over North Canton.  Kyle Atchison picked up the win in the four inning run rule affair.  Tallmadge moved to 2-0 in pool play with an 11-6 win over the Ohio Jayhawks.       "We continue to learn something from every game and I am very proud of where these guys are at this point of the season."     The Vipers will host the Ohio Hornets in a home and away two game series starting on Tuesday at Howe Road Park.

Hornets Sting Vipers at Home
Mistakes Cost Tallmadge in 7-3 Loss

Tallmadge, Ohio
     Perhaps suffering from a weekend tournament "hangover" the Blue and Gold gave up 5 unearned runs on 3 errors and lost 7-3 to the visiting Ohio Hornets.  "One or two errors and it was game over.  One error led to four runs and you can't do that and have any expectation of winning," said manager Tom Linder.  In spite of out hitting the Hornets ten to eight, Tallmadge could only push 3 runs across the plate. 
     The Vipers led 3-1 in the top of the fifth when the Hornets scored four runs with two outs.  "We needed one pitch...one play and just didn't get it.  They (Hornets) had very good at bats and cleared the bases with a double, you have to give their kids credit they battled very well."
     Tommy Yakubowski and Zack Wagner each had a 2-3 outing at the plate.  Danny Blake hit the ball hard four times and came away with two hits on the day.  Kyle Atchison, Matt Shomo, Nathan Jackson and Michael Strand each added a hit to the Viper cause.  "I'm glad to see Tommy and Zack have their hits find the holes.  Those two have been hitting it hard all year...just right at people."
     The Vipers (7-6 (2-2) SSBL) and Hornets will meet on Wednesday as Tallmadge takes to the road in league play.

Vipers Pound Hornets in Nest 11-2
Atchison has Happy Homecoming

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    What a difference a day makes.  Just 24 hours removed from a loss to the Ohio Hornets on their home turf the Vipers (8-6(3-2)SSBL) traveled to Keyser Park and cranked out 14 hits in an 11-2 SSBL league win.  "We talked about the loss at home and how much the errors hurt us and today we played error free ball," said manager Tom Linder after the game.  "We got good pitching, timely hitting and solid defense....it's pretty simple if you can get that."
     Tallmadge put toether a 14 hit attack and broke a 2-1 contest open in the top of the fourth inning scoring three times on four hits, including a triple to the fence by Falls native Kyle Atchison.  Atchison was playing at home for the first time this season.  Danny Blake, Atchison, Tommy Yakubowski, Zack Wagner, and Michael Strand all had two hits for the Blue and Gold.  Nine of the ten Tallmadge players had at least one hit and one run scored.  "We are starting to get production from the top to the bottom of the line-up.  When we get that consisently we will win a lot of games."
     Tucker Linder (5-0) got the win going three solid innings and Kyle Atchison picked up his first save with four innings of outstanding relief work.  "Tucker didn't have the same kind of stuff he had over the weekend but he battled for three inning and Kyle was as good as I have seen him," observed Linder.  Atchison didn't allow a ball two count on any of the 13 batters he faced.  "Kyle got ahead early in the count and that allowed him to really go after batters."
     The Vipers will take the weekend off before returning to league play next week. 

Vipers Taste Sweet Revenge in 8-3 Win
Tallmadge Avenges Earlier Tournament Loss to Jayhawks

Tallmadge,Ohio
     The Tallmadge Vipers got timely hitting and good defense when it counted along with a four hit pitching effort from Tucker Linder in a league win at Howe Road Park Tuesday night.  The 8-3 win over the Jackson Jayhawks avenged an earlier season 8-7 loss during the Tallmadge Tournament.  "With the exception of the four errors in the second and third innings, we got our act together and played pretty good ball.  We got hitting throughout the lineup again and didn't let the third inning miscues destroy us for the entire game," said manager Tom Linder.  "I couldn't be more proud of how some of the individuals and the team as a whole responded to a pretty ugly defensive third inning."
     Jackson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a wild pitch strike three, stolen base and a ground out.  The Vipers (9-6(4-2)SSBL) scored two runs in the bottom of the inning without the aid of a hit themselves.  Two lead off walks and a ground ball to the right side put the runners in scoring position for the locals.  An error at shortstop and a Ryan Gaffney sac fly gave the Vipers the lead 2-1.  The Jayhawks would take the lead in the third with two unearned runs thanks to three Viper errors.
     Tallmadge would take the lead for good in the bottom of the third with an RBI groundout by Nathan Jackson and two out RBI singles by Michael Strand and Gaffney.  The Vipers would make it 7-3 in the fourth with RBI's from Zack Wagner and Jackson.  Jackson would pick up his third RBI of the day with a one hop double to the fence in right center scoring Matt Shomo from first for the eighth run of the game.  Shomo scored four times for Tallmadge.
     Tucker Linder (6-0) got the complete game win scattering four hits and striking out seven while giving up one earned run.  "Tuck threw well and he got some pretty good support from his defense after the third.  Tommy Yakubowski had a nice game at short and Strand made a major league running catch of a ball hit to right field.  Again, the kids did a great job of putting a bad inning behind them," praised Linder.
     Tallmadge will hit the road in league play for a double header on Sunday.

Vipers "Hang Ten" (+4) on Blue Wave
Tallmadge Sweeps New Philly 7-2, 7-2 in Twin Bill

New Philadelphia, Ohio
     The Tallmadge Vipers hit the road on Sunday and took both ends of a double header with identical 7-2 scores over the Blue Wave of New Philadelphia.  "We were sleepwalking a little bit in game one and we were lucky to win in extra innings.  We looked more like the Vipers in game two," said manager Tom Linder.
     Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh in game one the Vipers (11-6, 6-2 SSBL) scored two runs without a hit, aided by two Blue Wave errors, Tallmadge pushed the game into extra innings.  With runners on second and third a pick-off attempt by the pitcher at third sailed high and out of play.  "Our coaches did a nice job of questioning the ground rules because at first they weren't going to allow both runs to score, but the umpires got together after we questioned them and made the right call," explained Linder.  The Blue and Gold pushed five runs across the plate in the top of the eighth and Ryan Gaffney got the win in relief of Matt Shomo and Nathan Jackson.  Matt Shomo went the first five innings allowing just one run but was given a no decision.  "Matt has done a nice job on the mound all year, he just has had some bad luck when it comes to putting one in the win column," said his manager.  Gaffney, Tucker Linder, Michael Strand and Kyle Atchison all had two hits for the Vipers.
     Tallmadge made game two a little less dramatic building a 4-0 lead through five innings.  The Blue Wave would break through with a single tally in the sixth, but Tallmadge would extend their lead to 7-1 with a three run sixth.  Kyle Atchison pitched a solid six innings for the win.  Zack Wagner had two hits and scored twice, while Atchison, Jackson, Strand, and Gaffney each added singles.  Jake Alexander crushed a 2 RBI triple for the Blue and Gold cause.
     Tallmadge will play host to the PBA Diamond Trotters on Tuesday at Howe Road Park.  The Diamond Trotters are atop the league standings without a loss.

Vipers Stumble in Extra Innings
Tallmadge Falls 8-2 to League Leader Alliance

Tallmadge, Ohio
     For the second time in three games the Vipers (11-7, 6-3 SSBL) went into extra innings and for the second time in three games Tallmadge sent the game into extra innings when the locals scored two runs in their last at bat.  "This was an excellent game against one of the best teams in the league.  They are a true travel team and we had our chances to pull out a win but just couldn't get it done," said Tom Linder.
     It was a real pitchers dual as both teams sent theirs aces to the mound for the start of the game.  Tucker Linder went five innings allowing four hits and no runs while his counterpart for the Trotters went 5 and 1/3 innings scattering three hits and allowing no runs.  Alliance scored two runs in the top of the sixth but the Blue and Gold battled back to tie the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh.  Tallmadge gave up six runs in the top of the tenth as night was falling and the game was approaching three hours in length.  "We were without two starters, (Hobson, broken wrist and Atchison, sick) both pitchers and our two and four hole hitters.  We could have used both of them tonight,"said Tallmadge manager Tom Linder. 
     Danny Blake led the Tallmadge attack with three hits, while Matt Shomo, and Jake Alexander had two hits each for the Vipers.  Linder, Tommy Yakubowski, and Ryan Gaffney each added singles.
     Tallmadge will play five games over the next week beginning with a road contest Tuesday at Firestone Park's Field 2 versus the Thunder.

Thunder Rolls over Vipers 9-2
Five Run Fifth Spells Defeat for Tallmadge

Akron, Ohio
     The Thunder Orange gained a regular season split in SSBL play with a 9-2 win over the Vipers.  The Thunder scored five times in the fifth inning and gave Tallmadge starter Tucker Linder his first loss of the season.  With the game tied 2-2 the Thunder strung together five straight hits and put the game away with good defense and pitching that held the Vipers (11-8, 6-4 SSBL) to just five hits.  "Tuck wasn't at his best, but I was disappointed he didn't battle more.  As a pitcher you are gonna have days when you just don't have it, but that's when you have to be twice as tough mentally.  Danny Blake did his job going 2 for 3 in the leadoff spot, but we were 0-9 in the 2,3,4 spots of the order and that won't win you games. They (Thunder) played great defense turning a couple of double plays," said manager Tom Linder.
     The Thunder picked up an unearned run in the bottom of the first and Tallmadge tied the game in the top of the second following a lead-off double by Matt Shomo and an RBI ground out by Nathan Jackson.  Shomo and Danny Blake combined for four of the five Tallmadge hits, Jackson had the other.  "We did not have that many good at bats in the game.  These were not dominating pitchers but they kept us off balance and we didn't adjust."  The Thunder picked up another run in the bottom of the third and Tallmadge would tie it with a single tally in the top of the fifth before lightning struck for the Thunder in the bottom of the inning.
     "We got on the kids a little after the game for lack of energy and maybe looking past these guys because they had beaten them before.  We were there physically, but mentally we didn't seem to be anywhere near the ballpark.  The good thing about baseball is you've got a game right around the corner and we'll see how they come back.  I have a lot of confidence in this group of young men."
     Tallmadge will host North Canton on Wednesday at Howe Road Park with the first pitch scheduled for 6pm.
    

Vikings Plunder Vipers in Extra Innings
North Canton wins 4-3 over Tallmadge

North Canton, Ohio
     The North Canton Vikings turned the tables on the Vipers on Thursday night.  Tallmadge had won the previous day in their last at bat and the Vikings took the measure of the Vipers with the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth tonight.  "We scored two runs and had three hits in the first inning then only scored once on two hits the rest of the game.  I think our guys went to sleep tonight after the early lead," said manager Tom Linder.  "Their pitchers did a nice job of keeping us off the scoreboard."
     North Canton tied the game in the bottom of the first with two runs off starter Tucker Linder.  Linder pitched six innings giving up six hits, striking out six and left with the game tied at three.  Ryan Gaffney was the hard luck loser in relief giving up two infield singles in the eighth inning.  An intentional walk loaded the bases before the game winning single.
     The Vipers (12-9, 7-5 SSBL) were held to just five hits in the game.  Michael Strand, Matt Shomo, and Zack Wagner all had singles, while Danny Blake and Tucker Linder each had a double for the Blue and Gold. 
     Tallmadge will hit the road for a double header in Louisville on Sunday.

Vipers Hit the Trail With Sweep of Pioneer Financial
Tallmadge Takes Pair of 4-3 Wins on the Road

Louisville, Ohio
     The Tallmadge Vipers improved to 14-9 overall and 9-5 in SSBL play with a sweep of Pioneer Financial by identical scores of 4-3.  "Seems like every time you turn around we are in another one run game," said Tom Linder.  "We played pretty good ball all day and got great pitching efforts from all our guys today."
     Kyle Atchison got the win in game one improving to 4-1 on the season.  Atchison threw a complete game for the first time this season.  "It was obvious he was getting tired late but he wanted to finish it and he did.  He gave up a couple of runs in the bottom of the seventh but shut the door with a couple of K's."  Five of the eight Pioneer hits and all three runs came in the final two innings.
     Michael Strand and Tommy Yakubowski had two hits each.  Danny Blake and Ryan Gaffney each had a single for the Vipers.  Matt Shomo added an RBI triple and Tucker Linder had two RBI's with a single and a sacrifice fly.
     Tallmadge scored three times in the bottom of the first in game two on a two run double by Linder and a fielders choice RBI by Jake Alexander.  Yakubowski tripled to lead off the bottom of the second and Atchison drove him home with an RBI double for a 4-0 Viper advantage.  That would be all the scoring as Tallmadge would hang on for the 4-3 win.
     Matt Shomo got the win going a solid six innings giving up two runs on seven hits.  Ryan Gaffney picked up the save after Louisville scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh.
     Danny Blake, Alexander, and Gaffney had singles, while Shomo, Linder, and Atchison all doubled.  Yakubowski had a triple for Tallmadge.
     Tallmadge will continue league play on the road as they travel to Alliance to take on the league leading PBA Diamond Trotters on Tuesday night, game time 6pm.

 Viper's Sweep Jackson Tournament Titles

Locals Perfect 9-0 in Back-to-Back Weekend Championships

     The Tallmadge Viper's might want to call Jackson, Ohio home after stringing together nine straight wins enroute to tournament titles in consecutive weekends.  Tallmadge outscored their opponents in the finals by a combined score of 25-4.  Tallmadge would continue their winning ways by finishing the 2007 season on a 12 game winning streak.  The Viper's finished the season 26-14.

     Tallmadge opened their run with a 12 -0 shutout over the Green Bulldogs and continued pool play with a 13-11 victory over the Ohio Jayhawks.  A 4-2 semi final win over the Jackson Jaguars put the Blue and Gold in the championship against the Ohio Jayhawks.  Tallmadge cruised to a 13-0 win in the trophy tilt.

     The Viper's returned to the scene of the crime one week later and defeated Pioneer Financial 5-2 in round one of pool play.  Tallmadge pounded the Buckeyes of Akron 11-1 and followed with an 8-7 win over Green to advance to the semi-finals.  The Ashland Bombers had lived up to their nickname winning all three pool play games quite easily.  The Viper's would quiet the Bombers and advance to the championship game with an 8-2 win.  In the final, Tallmadge got the bats going once again and pounded the Jackson Jayhawks 12-4 for the title.

     On the season, Tallmadge participated in five tournaments, winning two, finishing second in one and reaching the semi-finals in two others.