Wrapping things up

The Giants won their final game of the 2009 season 2-1 over the visiting Clarinda A's after losing 9-4 to the Beatrice Bruins on Wednesday night. The Golden Giants final record for 2009 is 18-15 in the MINK and 19-16 overall.

This would normally mark the start of the post-season for the Giants, but the team will forego playing in an NBC Regional this year due to player injuries and some other roster departures.

Thanks to all the players, coaches, staff and fans for making this season possible. See you next year!

Topeka Capital-Journal: Giants end season with win

Clarinda @ Topeka updates

We're underway. Ryan Frevert is the starting pitcher for the Giants.

1-0 Giants after one inning. Leadoff batter Jake Brown scored on an RBI single by Nick Martini.

Still 1-0 Giants after 1 1/2.

Still 1-0 Giants after two complete.

Still 1-0 Giants after 3 1/2.

Still 1-0 after four complete.

Still 1-0 Giants after five. Tobi Cowdin comes in to pitch the top of the sixth for the Giants. Frevert pitches 5 innings giving up only 2 hits.

1-1 tie after 5 1/2. Clarinda scores on an RBI double by their leftfielder (#23).

Still 1-1 after six. Brett Mize comes in to pitch the top of the 7th.

Still 1-1 at the stretch.

Giants go ahead in the bottom of the 7th on an RBI single by Martini. Kurt Spomer comes on to pitch the top of the 8th. 2-1 Giants after seven.

Still 2-1 Giants after 7 1/2. Stephen Thompson comes in to pitch the bottom of the 8th for the A's.

It's a fun atmosphere at Lake Shawnee tonight. Joel Ricketts is currently "pinch hitting" for the PA announcer. Fans love the accent.

Evan Marshall comes in to pitch the top of the 9th. 2-1 Giants.

1-2-3. Giants win 2 to 1.

-- Post From My iPhone

One more game in 2009

From the team president:

Dear Friends and Family,

The Giants season is coming to a rapid close. The 2009 season will be ending on Saturday night, July 18th, against the Clarinda A's. Many of us that follow the Giants team know, the season has not ended like we had hoped: injuries and player situations beyond our control have taken their toll on the team's success. This outcome has been disappointing to all that root for the Giants. Our last game this season will be Saturday night against Clarinda, I want to invite every one out to enjoy the ball game and say goodbye to the 2009 edition of the Topeka Golden Giants.


This season has not ended like we wanted, but, we had a fun battle for first for several weeks and saw some really exciting high level baseball this summer. Some positive highlights this summer were...

1. We have found a home, The Shawnee County Baseball Complex is our home, we love it. It will be ready for big time next year.
2. We have started using promotions in-game and will only get better.
3. Word is getting out,our attendance has been increasing.
4. Our talent level has increased and will only get better.
5. Fourth of July
6. Saint Francis Night (June 4th 2010 Opening Night next year)


Things that will improve next season.
1. Facilities, rest rooms, concessions closer, covered bleachers.
2. More home games.
3. More between innings action.
4. More corporate nights (like St. Francis)
5. Play teams from farther away


If you have positive suggestions please let me or one of our staff know and we will take that in consideration for next season. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to those that want good baseball in Topeka, we are improving every year, soon we will have what we want.


Warm Regards;


Brett Cowdin

Giants fall 10-0 to Mudcats

The Topeka Golden Giants fell another game behind the divison leading Chillicothe Mudcats last night. Final score was 10-0, Mudcats over Giants.

The Giants will face the Beatrice Bruins at 7:00 tonight at Lake Shawnee.


Topeka Capital-Journal: Mudcats whip reeling Giants

Big game tonight

Topeka host the first place Chillicothe Mudcats in a 7:00 game at Lake Shawnee tonight. With only three games left this will be the Giants' only remaining chance to pick up a full game on the division leaders.

Unfortunately, youth baseball will again take priority for me, so there will be no live updates to the blog. Hopefully a webcast will be available via the Chillicothe website.

Topeka @ Beatrice scores?

Anyone out there have the results of last night's games in Beatrice?

If so, please leave a comment below.

Catching up

The Giants defeated the Mustangs 5-4 on Thursday night in Topeka and then lost to the Mustangs in a 13 inning marathon in St. Joseph. I believe the Mustangs and the Giants are tied for second in the division with 17-11 MINK records. (The St. Joe paper has Topeka in third at 17-11 overall and 17-12 in the league, but that isn't mathematically possible. You can't have more league games than overall games.) Chillicothe won two against the Ozark Generals, giving them sole possession of first place in the North.

The Giants play in Beatrice tonight, then finish the regular season with a three game homestand on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. Tuesday night's game against Chillicothe could be key in deciding the divsion.

Topeka Capital-Journal: Giants win one in the 9th
St. Joseph News-Press: Mustangs drop anopther to Topeka
St. Joseph News-Press: Coy gives Mustangs walkoff win

Topeka @ St. Joe updates

3-0 Mustangs after one complete.

4-0 Mustangs after three complete.

So far in the 4th, the Giants have scored 5 runs. Still no outs. Mustangs just pulled starting pitcher Austin Anderson in favor of Dominic Marchesi.

Giants bat around! It's 7-4 Giants after 3 1/2. RBIs by Boudreaux, Melanson, Urban, Williams, Marshall and a 2-run homer by Martini. Brett Mize comes in to pitch the bottom of the 4th, replacing McGreevey.

Mustangs pick up a run in the bottom of the 5th on a Houston Slemp fielder's choice. 7-5 Giants after 5.

Mustangs pick up two runs so far in the bottom of the 6th. Giants pull Mize in favor of Spomer. Still no outs. 7 all.

Mustangs pick up two additional runs as the bottom of the sixth drags on. 9-7 Mustangs after six complete.

Giants strand three in the top of the 8th, but do score two runs and tie the game. RBIs from Tuttle and Brown. 9-all after 7 1/2.

Still 9-all after 8 complete. Great stretch at first by defensive replacement Josh Cryer saved a run.

Giants fail to score in the top of the 9th. Still tied at 9.
Frevert comes in to pitch the bottom of the 9th.

Frevert works out of a bases loaded jam, getting three consecutive outs. 9-all going into the 10th.

Giants strand 2 in the top of the 10th. Still tied at 9.

Still 9-9 going into the 11th.

Still 9-9 going into the 12th.

Giants leave the bases loaded in the top of the 13th. Still knotted at 9.

Mustangs win with an RBI double in the bottom of the 13th, 10-9.

-- Post From My iPhone

Thursday Preview

A message from the Team President:

With Topeka, St. Joe and Chillicothe in a virtual tie for first, Tanner Poppe will take the mound for the Giants to try and get a game lead on St. Joe in the standings. It will all come down to the next 2 weeks of the season for the berth to the National Championship in Wichita, come out and support the Giants. Tomorrow night is also St. Francis Night so lots of give aways and fun on the field.


See you there!

Giants win 7-1 in Sedalia

Just caught the end of the webcast. Final score was 7-1, Giants over Bombers.

Giants rally past St. Joe

From the Topeka Capital Journal:

The MINK League baseball race has hit the home stretch.

With two weeks left in the season, Topeka is in third place but nipping at the heels of first-place St. Joseph, and the Golden Giants drew closer with a 9-8 win over the Mustangs on Tuesday at Lake Shawnee.

The Golden Giants (16-11, 15-10 MINK) came back from a 5-0 deficit, scoring nine runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to edge the Mustangs (20-11, 16-10 MINK).

From the St. Joseph News-Press:

This was the first of a stretch of three crucial games this week against the Golden Giants, who will host St. Joseph again on Thursday, then come to St. Joseph for a Friday night clash. The Mustangs have held a thin lead over Chillicothe in the MIAA’s North Division, with Topeka a close third.

Tuesday night’s victory gives the Mustangs their second straight loss, following a road setback Sunday at Chillicothe.

Topeka has won four of its last five, after having its three-game winning streak halted on Sunday in Clarinda, 12-4.

So it looks like both Topeka and Chillicothe are within a half game of St. Joseph, and the Giants have a real opportunity to make up some ground this week.

Upcoming Games

Giants play the Bombers in Sedalia, Missouri at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night. A webcast may be availiable.

The next home game will be Thursday night against the St. Joe Mustangs, also a 7:00 p.m. start. There is a possibility of a webcast of that game as well. (However there will be no live blog updates, as I have a youth baseball committment that evening.)

Topeka and St. Joe then face off again, Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph.

And the Giants' final road game of the year will be Saturday night (the 11th) in Beatrice.

They will then close out the regular season with a three game homestand facing Chillicothe on Tuesday the 14th, Beatrice on Wednesday the 15th, and Clarinda on Saturday the 18th.

St. Joe @ Topeka updates

Joel Ricketts is the starting pitcher for Topeka.
According to the St. Joe fans Ben Baker is starting for the Mustangs.

0-0 after one inning.

Both teams strand a couple of baserunners in the second. Still no score after two complete.

5 runs for St. Joe in the top of the third. 5-0 Mustangs after 2 1/2.

Still 5-0 Mustangs after three innings.

Still 5-0 after four complete.

5-5 tie game after five innings! Giants pick up 5 runs in the bottom of the fifth. Runs scored on a triple by Martini, a single by Cryer, a double by Melanson and a two-run homerun by Stephon Williams.

Pitching change for St. Joe going into the bottom of the 6th: new pitcher is Dominic Marchesi. Still tied at 5.

Adam Davey scores on a 2-out single by Nick Martini. 6-5 Giants going into the 7th.

Mustangs retake the lead on the top of the 7th. A 2 RBI triple by Houston Slemp followed by an RBI single by Johnny Coy makes it 8-6 Mustangs at stretch-time.

Pitching change with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. New Mustang pitcher is Jordan McLaughlin. Still 8-6.

Another pitching change at 7 2/3 innings. Mustang pitcher is now Drew Garwood. Bases loaded for the Giants but score is still 8-6.

Two runs score on a Chance Tuttle single. Tied at 8. Another run scores on an error. 9-8 Topeka after 7 complete.

Curtis Hamilton comes in to pitch the top of the 8th for the Giants.

No runs for St. Joe in the top of the 8th.

Still 9-8 going into the top of the 9th. Hamilton still on the hill for Topeka.

Ryan Frevert comes in to pitch with one out and a Mustang runner on first base...and gets a ground ball for a double play. Giants win!

-- Post From My iPhone

St. Joe @ Topeka Tonight

A webcast may be availiable from 105.5 in St. Joe.

Giants fall in Clarinda

From the Topeka Capital-Journal:

The Topeka Golden Giants had a three-game winning streak halted with a 12-4 loss Sunday at Clarinda, Iowa.

The Giants, who are off Monday, are 14-10 in the MINK League and play North Division leader St. Joseph Mustangs on Tuesday at Lake Shawnee.

Game in Clairnda tonight

No webcast. If you have a score for it, please leave a comment below.

Giants win big in Chillicothe, win close one at home

Was able to find out at tonight's game that the Giants won 10-0 in Chillicothe last night. Tanner Poppe apparently threw a 1 hit shutout for the Giants.

Tonight's game was a back and forth affair with Sedalia, but the Giants managed to defeat the south division leaders in the bottom of the 10th. (See below for details.)

Sedalia @ Topeka updates

1-0 Topeka after one inning. Nick Martini hit a solo homerun to right center.

Still 1-0 Topeka after two complete.

Tied at 2 with three complete. Bombers score on an RBI single by McCormack and a walk with the bases loaded by Knight. Giants answered in the bottom half with an RBI single by Stroth.

Bombers up 3-2 after 3 1/2. They score on a broken bat single by Paxton.

Still 3-2 with four complete.

Still 3-2 Bombers with five complete.

Still 3-2 after six.

Tied 3-all after seven. Giants score on an RBI fielder's choice by Josh Cryer. Bases were loaded and the Bombers attempted to get a force out at first then home. Since the out at first took away the force out, the runner was safe at home. This led to an usual scene where the Bombers manager appeared to argue that his own first baseman had not had his foot on the bag.

Giants up 5-3 after a 2 RBI triple by Chance Tuttle in the bottom of the 8th.

Giants closer Kurt Spomer replaces starter T. J. McGreevey after the first two Bomber batters reach base. Still 5-3.

Bombers tie it up on a 2 Rbi single by Reed. They go ahead on a single by Wegener. 6-5 Sedalia after 8 1/2.

We're in extra innings. Stroth scores on a pinch hit sac fly by Stephon Williams. Tied at 6 going into the 10th.

Spomer shuts down the Bombers in the top of the 10th. Still 6-all.

Giants win it on a walkoff RBI double by Martini.
7-6 Giants over Bombers.
-- Post From My iPhone

Pennant Race

From the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune:

With a 13-7 loss last night at tonight’s Chillicothe opponent, the Clarinda A’s, Topeka’s Golden Giants are a game back of the Mudcats. The ultra-tight North race now sees Clarinda only 1 1⁄2 games off Chillicothe’s and St. Joe’s pace and last-place Beatrice (Neb.) only two out of the lead.

Upcoming games

The Giants play in Chillicothe again tomorrow night at 7:00. A webcast should be availaible. They then return home for the a 4th of July showdown with the Sedalia Bombers on Saturday. Saturday's game will start at 6:00 p.m., so that it will likely conclude before the "Spirit of Kansas" fireworks display at Lake Shawnee begins. T.J. McGreevey is the announced starter for Saturday's game. On Sunday the 5th the Giants have another road game scheduled in Clarinda.

The Giants' league record was announced as being 12-9 at the game tonight. With tonight's win they are 1-1 in non-league games, which would mean 13-10 overall.

Junction City @ Topeka updates

Defensive struggles lead to a long top of the 1st for the Giants. 2-0 Generals.

Giants answer with a Nick Martini solo shot to right. 2-1 Generals after 1 complete.

Still 2-1 after 2 complete.

Giants tie the game on an RBI single by Adam Davey. 2 all going into the top of the 4th.

Jake Brown scores in the bottom of the 4th on a Nick Martini sacrifice fly. (After advancing on a sac bunt by Justin Boudreaux.) 3-2 Giants going into the 5th.

Generals answer in the top of the 5th. It's tied at 3 after 4 1/2.

Still 3 all after 6 innings.

Big inning for Topeka in the bottom of the 7th. 5 runs on 3 hits. RBI by Davey, Brown (2), Tuttle and Boudreaux. Golden Giants are up 8-3 going into the 8th.

Still 8-3 at the middle of the 8th.

Giants add a run in the bottom of the 8th on an Adam Davey sac fly. 9-3 Topeka.

It's gone final. Topeka's 9 runs came on 13 hits. Giants also had 3 errors in the field. Junction City scored 3 runs on 10 hits, no errors.

-- Post From My iPhone

Game in Clarinda tongiht

Looks like the Giants lost two games in Chillicothe last night. Tonight they travel to Clarinda to face the A's. There's no webcast availaible, so if you know the results, please pass them along to your fellow fans by leaving a comment below.