In an unexplicable turn of events, the Senators suffer their sixth straight defeat (longest in franchise history) to a very beatable Margate team on Sunday. Early in the contest the Senators bats banged out 6 hits and plated 3 runs. After that it was back to sleep for the Township Lumber as they managed 6 hits over the final 8 frames. Bruce Shaw was strong through five as his defense played nearly flawless baseball. It wasn't until fifth when Margate walked around the bases to the tune of 5 runs on a single hit and the assistance of a petulant umpiring staff who bracketed in the strikezone. Joe Fortunato came in and held the Margate squad scoreless for the remainder of the game.

 The Sens did manage to hit the most extra base hits in a single game when they collected 4 doubles. Notable offensive performance was turned in by John Mader who singled, doubled, scored a run and knocked in one as well.  Frank Chandler picked up 2 more of his league leading 13 stolen bases in the afternoon as well.

Washington Twp. will be at Deptford HS to host the 2007 Colonial Division Champion, Marlton A's who earlier in the season swept the Sens in a shutout doubleheader. The A's currently sit in second place in the American Division with the Senators dwelling in the cellar for the time being.

Player of the Game: John Mader (2 for 4, 2B, RS, RBI) 

The tide of bad luck to hit Senatorville can be equated to the tsunami that wiped out portions of Asia. This time a short staffed team playing in stifling heat played a major role in the loss to the Colonial Division Jersey Devils. Once again Ed Horner pitched well but due to only two outfielders on patrol and a patchwork infield, Ed found himself holding the short end of the stick...again.

Carrying the team this week was Frank Chandler whose 4 for 5 with a HR performance was not enough to push the Senators over the hump. On a day where the humidity was comedically ridiculous, the 8 players who played soldiered on the best they could.

The Sens look to begin a charge to reclaim their season this week as they host the Margate Hurricanes at Deptford Varsity. It is make or break time for the old dynasty who many have already written off as out of the playoffs.

Player of the Game: (Frank Chandler (4 for 5, HR, SB, 2 RS) 

Awful is an understatement as the punchless Senators got swept 3-0 and 9-0 versus divisional opponents Marlton A's. They were handled by the cherubic looking hard throwing A's ace, Chris Murray, in the first game then got lulled into malaise by a very vanilla performance by Aiden Lawler in the night cap. Ed Horner threw well enough in the first game to deserve a win but with the lack of run support did not allow him to be successful. Bruce Shaw threw 4 strong innings but a couple of dinks and dunks by the A's spelled the end of the day for the Sens.

 Not much to report offensively except for new comer Bill "Bull" Radeke going 3 for 4 on the day and reaching base each time he stepped to the plate. Notable play was turned in by John Mader who threw out A's 3B Marcus John at the plate who had tagged up on a ball hit to Medford.

Player of the Day: Bill Radeke (3 for 4, RE) 

The Gloucester Rays dropped a dime on the Sens behind the pitching of Brian Walker. The big lefty went the whole way, striking out 9 while only surrendering 5 hits on the day. Notable performances turned in by Bruce Stowell who collected 2 hits while outfielders Frank Chandler and John Mader made half a dozen excellent catches in the outfield.

 Player of the Game: Bruce Stowell (2 for 3)

The finalists of the 2007 season squared off in their first of 3 regular season meetings at Washington Twp. HS on Sunday. Both squads were missing key personnel but still managed to produce another classic battle between two of the leagues best teams.

 The story of the day was the new guy, Josh Copskey who notched his first win as a Senators while collecting his first hits and homerun. Also enjoying a big day was John Mader who picked up 3 hits and Mike Pavlik who blasted a 3 run shot of his own.

The victory over the Rays brings the Sens record to 2-2 and in a 3 way tie for second in the division.

 Player of the game: Josh Copksey (WP, 3 for 3 HR, 2 RS)

The Sens squared off with former division rivals, Camco Mudcats, on the carpeted infield of Eastern High School. Bruce Shaw and Brandon Christy kept hitter on both sides at bay for several innings until the Cats were able to take a 2 run lead which lasted until the 7th when the Sens scratched back and took a lead in the top of the 9th. Camco tied it up and the game went into the 12th where Scott Lyle broke the tie with a gap double which scored Camco manager, Glen Henson, from second base.

 Notable performances on the day were turned in by Gary Barbara who went 3 for 4 with a game tying and go ahead RBI as well as Allen Stowell who remained red hot by going 2 for 4. The Sens travel to Gloucester for a pivitol double header against the 3 time Champion Rays.

 Player of the Game: Gary Barbara (3 for 4, 2 RBI) 

In an otherwise hard fought contest, the games was marred by substandard umpiring and gross disregard for the safety of players by a UTEK player on two occassions.

Ed Horner (0-0, Sv, 3.60 ERA) gave the Sens 4 stellar innings until needing to leave the contest. Joe Fortunato (0-1, 4.16 ERA) came in and pitched 4 2/3 rds solid innings while pitching to an ever shrinking strike zone. To the credit of the opposition, Paul Julio (2-0, 1.08 ERA) threw 5 strong innings to survive a late Senator run to get the victory.

 Again starring at the plate was SS Allen Stowell who went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Allen is currently tied for the league lead in hits with 7 on the season.

 Player of the Game: Allen Stowell (3 for 4 RBI)

In what has become a disturbing trend to the Senators faithful, the Rumors Bar & Grille Phillies (formerly Voorhees) defeated the Washington Twp. Senators 12-0 in 8 innings on Sunday.

Tadd Kozeniewski (1-0) had Senator hitters lunging and pulling off pitches all morning as he turned in a Jamie Moyer-like performance. Phillies hitters battled Bruce Shaw (0-1) with newly acquired Roarke Birsner and Joe Cruz both hitting homeruns. Bruce gave way to Henry Williams who went the rest of the way.

 The lone bright spot on the day was turned in by SS Allen Stowell who managed 2 hits on the day. The Senators were short Ed Horner, Gary Barbara and rookie hurler Josh Copskey this morning.

The Senators look to rebound next week in their "home" opener next week at Deptford HS where they will host UTEK (2-0).

 Player of the Game: Allen Stowell (2 for 3)

The new look Senators opened their 2008 season versus Ed Kenney's Riverside Pirates on Sunday. It was a back and forth battle all day as the spunky Pirates team took the Senators to their limit. Bruce Shaw fanned 8 Pirates hitters befor giving way to Josh Copskey who worked a 1-2-3 6th. Henry Williams shook off some rust and notched 4 strikeouts and the win. The 2006 season MVP Ed Horner (clap, clap, clap) came in and shut the door to pick up the save.

 Notable offensive performances were turned in by the 2007 MVP (crowd roars) Frank Chandler (3-5, 3B, SB), John Mader (3-4, 2 RS), Joe Fortunato (3-4, 2B, 3 RS) and Bull Radeke (2-4). Defensive highlight of the game occured when John Mader through out a baserunner at first base from rightfield.

 Player of the Game: Joe Fortunato

The Washington Township Senators officially unveiled their new uniforms for the 2008 season today. The Nats will be sporting an all white vested uniform with red piping this season to replace the familiar Cardinal Red jersey that have come familiar to SJMSBL opponents. The jersey will have the 1969 Washington Senators "W" right chest with the number on the lower left side. The letter and numbers will be red with blue trim andthe pants will also have red piping. This is the first uniform change for the Senators in their history. The closest they came was the alternate blue jersey worn several season ago.

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The management and administration of the Washington Township Senators convened on December 1st to begin addressing the issues that confront the team heading into the new season. Topics such as the roster, fundraising and the potential league rule changes headed the agenda and after 4 hours the off season agenda was set.

 In 2008 the Senators roster will look pretty much as it did when the team walked off the field after their second consecutive trip to the finals against the 3 time defending champion Devil Rays. Question marks remain around a couple of players from the '07 campaign such as Ray Jobson and Dave DeRuchie. Ray Jobson may have his sites set on a return to his roots in the RVL where he played several seasons. His decision is based on work and family committments but he has communicated that he may return to Township in 2008 where he would gladly be welcomed back. Dave DeRuchie has made overtures about moving to the Over 38 team next season. Dave's speed on defense would definitely help either Senator team. Both Ray and Dave anchored the corner positions in the outfield the previous season and their departures would require the team to look for adequate replacements from either within the organization, free agency or tapping into the other local leagues. 

Much of the direction that the team will go in when addressing roster moves hinges on the potential changes that the SJMSBL is looking into making for the 2008 season. Currently there is a referendum being presented to the managers of the league whether to lower the age requirements league wide. The impact on this incarnation of the Senators would open the door to 25 year old players. Naturally the team will look to attract talent from the Tri-County juggernaut Conlin Baseball team for an infusion of youth and talent.    

An issue that lies on the periphery of the Senators offseason agenda is the potential for a new uniform. The idea being tossed around at the moment is that of an all white uniform with a vest jersey. The change in uniform would depend upon the offseason fundraising efforts that are being planned to begin in January and February. The events that are being planned will be a Casino Night and a Beef and Beer event. The goalis to fundraise enough to cut the out of pocket expenditure of each returning player by half as well as provide the funding for new uniforms.