2001 WORLD SERIES GAME ONE

Severn Overpowers Tempe, Takes Game 1

 TEMPE- The Severn Express took one step forward in their quest for a repeat as World Series champions with a 9-6 victory over the Tempe Tempers. Led by Frank Thomas, the Express bats handled Tempe’s Randy Johnson easily.  “ I just wasn’t on today,” said Johnson, the probable National League Cy Young Award winner. “ In the World Series, you want to come out, make a statement, and set a tone to lead your team to victory. I just wasn’t able to do that tonight.”  The first few innings of the game saw a lot of scoring, with both sides taking turns with the lead. A pair of Thomas home runs, along with homers by Jeff Kent and Raul Mondesi, powered the Express to a 9-5 lead. A Larry Walker solo shot in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Tom Davey put the Tempers within three, but they were closed out by Mike Myers.  “That was nice, to get the first win out of the way,” said Severn first baseman Frank Thomas. “ You have to take advantage when Randy has a night off, because another one might be a long time coming.”   Severn starter Mike Hampton picked up the win, giving up 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings. The Express bullpen held the Tempers to only one hit the rest of the way, the home run to Walker. A controversial moment came when Tempe reliever Dave Weathers hit Eli Marrero with a pitch and was ejected. Earlier in the game, Matt Herges plunked catcher Brook Fordyce.

Game Notes: Frank Thomas went 3-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI…Roberto Hernandez took the loss out of the bullpen for Tempe…Both teams combined to use 14 pitchers…Hampton was the starter in Game 6 of the World Series last year, where he received no decision but Severn won the series… Dave Weathers became the first player in MWBL history to be ejected from a World Series game.