HOMESTEAD RANCHERS

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RANCHERS SWEEP CAL-SAG TO MOVE INTO PENTHOUSE IN THE NORTH!!!

PALOS, IL: The Homestead Ranchers defeat Cal-Sag 8-3, 8-4, and 3-1 to move atop the North Division of the GPCBL.

In the first game, Mike Guinane pitched 6 strong innings and John Saleh closed up shop as the offense took advantage of some wildness of the CalSag staff and added some timely hitting en route to an 8-3 win. Stellar defense by Bob Cook and 2-out hits by Chris Kruppe and Aaron Hopson in the victory.

In Game 2, Andrew Touhy scored 3 times with 4 hits along with big hits by Cook and Hopson as Butch Biela and John Saleh were brilliant out of the bullpen to secure the win.

Game 3 saw Matt Rupert dominate early before handing the ball to Chris Metz and Saleh again to seal the deal. Cook, again, supplied the key blow and defensive gem in the 7th to turn back a late charge by the ChannelCats.

"These were total 'team wins'. It's a cliche--but very accurate in this case. Our pitching has given our offense a chance this past month and our lineup has responded with some big hits" said Coach Phil Apostle. "Rupe and Metz were huge today. I thought Butch really attacked the zone, too. The sleeper in this run is Saleh. The guy is lights out right now. He--along with that kid from Indiana--are the best closers I've seen this summer."

Monday night the Ranchers will be home to Southland Vikings--winners of 9 straight. "Kid" Cassidy will get the ball.

DIRECTIONS TO GROSCHE FIELD (THE RANCH): 200 WEST GREENWOOD AVENUE, WAUKEGAN IL 60087

NEXT GAME 7/17 - vs. Steel City Aces 1:00PM at Silver Cross!

Armed with wood bats and 8 charter franchises, the Great Plains Baseball League will be home to close to 200 players with hopes of being a draft pick or to keep their skills sharp and enjoy their summer with shorter commuting time. The league will have two divisions--North & South. The Ranchers will be in the North Division and roster 20 players between the ages of 19-22. AcademyELITE has been working diligently for two years to bring this franchise to a reality and we're proud to offer this unique ballclub to our community. It won't be easy to make this team, but a great time is promised to all those who can be a RANCHER!

AcademyELITE founder and President Phil Apostle and Director Zach Martin have spent much of the past two season working toward a collegiate franchise; "Each year, it seems, we have a handful of guys looking for quality playing opportunities that can't find 'em. We help train these guys through youth baseball and on into high school--they leave for college, which is a goal for most of our guys, and then what? It can take a couple of weeks to place a single player with a ballclub. We have more than 30 kids playing in college from AE right now. Now they can work, travel less, spend time with family and improve their game against quality competition of other college players--and our professional scouting base grows every day, it seems." Martin adds, "It's a natural and necessary progression for us. We have big plans for this ballclub. Starting with our free skill development clinics we're doing and the community outreach for special needs kids--we're excited to make a positive impact in the community as well as on the field."