Gzira 24, Pembroke 8

The Mustangs posted their first win of the season much to the embarrassment of the Pembroke Torpedoes who were pounded for 24 runs by the Mustangs. Pembroke came into the game still on an emotional high from their stunning victory over Mellieha but that was quickly turned around after the Mustang batters jumped on their pitching for 13 runs after three innings. The Mustang lineup hit 17 for 34 to register a rare team batting average of .500. Victor Calleja hit 4 for 5 and with that performance, now leads the league with a .667 batting average. Daniel Swift made stealing 5 bases look easy and Patrick Pace pulled his customary homerun against Torpedo pitching over the leftfield fence. The devastating result for the Torpedoes against a last place team will force them to reassess their strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the rest of the league.

Mellieha 7, Gozo 4

Despite hitting just 4 for 23 as a team and striking out 14 times against Gozo pitching, the 1^st place Mellieha Northenders managed to hold off an equally strong Gozo side for a 7 to 4 victory. Northender Jason Grech hit a double and triple in going 2 for 4 with 4 rbi’s. Rookie starting pitcher David Borg recorded his first national league victory while Keith Bartolo struck out 8 of 9 batters faced to earn the save. In losing a rare one at home in Kercem, the Gozo club hopes to get back to their winning ways in Kercem next week against Gzira.

MABS - PR

GOZO DEFEATED BY YOUNG MELLIEHA 18/03/02

Gozo suffered their first lost of the season against the Mellieha Northenders, which was played last Sunday. Poor hitting, unbelievable running errors and several fielding errors was the main reason why Gozo lost against Mellieha. Pitcher Charles Attard suffered his first loss of the season, after earning five runs in just three innings, but Attard threw seven strikeouts, which is the highest he has ever achieved in a league game. A running error by Charles Attard was probably the main reason why the team's morale went downhill. Attard, who is one of the leaders of the team, tried to steal home on two outs, and was tagged out on his way home. Gozo's offensive bats were kept silenced by pitchers David Borg and Keith Bartolo, who only earned three hits. Making his National League debut was Thunders' infielder Anthony Spiteri, who played in centerfield. A full report of the game will be posted on Friday. Gozo will now play against the Gzira Mustangs next Sunday at Kercem.

MNL HIGHLIGHTS 14/03/02

Mellieha 11, Gzira 8

An outstanding defensive play by Mellieha 2^nd baseman Nicky Bartolo in the 4^th inning, ended a threatening comeback by the Mustangs and sealed an 11 – 8 victory for the Northenders. Nicky robbed Mustang David Bonnici of a sure base hit when he dove to his left and snagged a looping line drive which would have surely scored a valuable run. Nicky then threw the ball to 1^st base to double up the Mustang runner who had not time to return.

A strong offensive start put the Mustangs ahead early but a shaky defense failed to hold the lead and paved the way for things to come. Mustang rookie Henrick Nieminen who took the loss in his pitching debut, failed to find any rhythm and so after 9 walks and 8 wild pitches to his credit, handed the ball over in the 4^th inning. Four Mellieha runs scored in that inning secured the win for Mellieha.

Pembroke vs Gozo

Postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a double header to be played on 7/4.

MABS - PR

GOZO VS PEMBROKE CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS 10/03/02

Today's game had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions that hit the Maltese Islands this weekend. The game is re-scheduled to the 7th of April.

CHARLES ATTARD MIGHT MISS OPENING DAY 28/02/02

Gozo's all-star player Charles Attard might miss the season's opener, after injuring his ankle. Doctors say that the ankle injury is not serious, though there is a possibility that his ankle will not fully recover by Sunday. Charles is also suffering from a thumb injury, which has been bothering him for over 2 years. He recently injured his thumb two weeks ago against Mellieha. Doctors will check out his thumb later next month.

GOZO LOSES EXHIBITION GAME VS MELLIEHA 21/02/02

It was a warm windy day for baseball, and Gozo hosted the Mellieha Northenders for an exhibition game, two weeks before the start of the season. Starting on the mound for Gozo was all-star pitcher Jeff Tabone, which pounded most of the batters in the two innings that he pitched. Unfortunately, in the top of the second, catcher Charles Attard had to stop catching, after jamming his thumb. Attard has been having thumb problems for over two years now, and was shifted to shortstop while Steven Galea took the catching position. Keith Bartolo pitched for Mellieha, keeping Gozo’s bats silenced. In the top of the third, Charles Attard got on the mound, and had a good inning, but was getting a bit wild later in the game, especially in the top of the fifth. Most of the runs scored during the game were off errors. Gozo scored some runs off lefty David Borg, who pitched well, but not so well for Gozo’s offensive bats. Making their debut for Gozo were Donald Drolet and Thunders’ shortstop Mario Hili. Drolet played on 2^nd base for Gozo and played pretty solid while Hili got the possibility to see most of the action, playing 3^rd base in the late innings. Mark Buttigieg and Steven Galea shared the sixth inning on the mound, but both of them walked most of the batters and 5 runs were scored against Buttigieg and Galea. The wind must have been a disadvantage for them, as they still lack pitching experience. Coming back on the mound in the seventh was Charles Attard, who struck out three batters and earned two runs. During that same inning, 2^nd baseman Andrew Muscat got injured during a collision with a Mellieha runner trying to steal 2^nd. The game ended after the top of the seventh, with Mellieha taking the win. Gozo will now face the Gzira Mustangs in two weeks time at Marsa.

Gozo Tornadoes Official Website Report

HOT EXHIBITION GAME AGAINST MELLIEHA 15/02/02

Gozo will be playing an exhibition game this weekend against the Mellieha Northenders. The game will be held at the Kercem Field at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The last time that both teams met was in the Winter Tournament '01 where Mellieha won the game 2 - 1. This will be a tough game for Gozo, as stars like Keith and Nicky Bartolo, and their young prospect David Borg will try their best to make it two-in-a-row. Gozo will be without Silvio Sultana, who is in Ireland, and without Alison Mifsud. Last week Gozo added some spice to the team, as newcomer Don Drolet joined the Gozitan team and is expected to help fill the blanks that Mario Debono and Shawn Camilleri left this off-season. All fans are welcomed to see this exciting game. Box-scores and reports about the exhibition game will be put on the site as soon as possible. So, see you fans at the Kercem Field next Sunday at 1pm. Don't miss it!!!!

GOZO ARE NO LONGER THE TORNADOES!!!! 15/02/02

Coach Jeff Tabone and the rest of the team decided to change the name of our baseball team because our former name "Tornadoes" was being confused with that of the Pembroke Torpedoes. So, for the time being, the Gozitan team will be the Gozo Baseball Club.

FUTURE STARS FOR GOZO 09/02/02

Pre-season is back, and last Sunday, Gozo started their regular training in Kercem. The Muscat brothers, Andrew and Jason are back with the team, and they showed a lot of determination during practice. Coach Tabone also invited two new players from the Thunders to practice with Gozo, they are Thunders’ shortstop Mario Hili, and Thunders’ first baseman – catcher Anthony Spiteri. Although both players are only fifteen years old, Anthony and Mario should have a bright future ahead of them, and we hope that both players will improve their skills and be ready to compete at senior level as soon as possible.

Mario Hili, born in 1986, is a fast-paced athlete and has an excellent arm. He plays shortstop will be batting fourth in the Thunders’ line-up, as he has tremendous power for a fifteen year old. His throw accuracy and throwing speed are also promising. Last Sunday, Tornadoes’ coach Jeff Tabone helped Thunders’ coach Charles Attard with the youths, and he was impressed when Hili made a hard, accurate throw from short to first during a practice game. Hili’s determination to play baseball is surely helping him to improve his skills and will help him develop into a top class player very soon. In his first training session with the Tornadoes, Hili made good plays and great throws to first. What also impressed Thunders’ coach Attard (who also plays with the Tornadoes) was the way Hili was catching fly balls in the outfield. Hili never played that position, but still, he managed the pressure very well.

Gozo’s second young prospect goes by the name of Anthony Spiteri, he is a tall defensive player who judges the ball very well. Spiteri also has a good arm, and he throws with good speed and accuracy. With the Thunders Spiteri plays first base and sometimes plays as a catcher. His long reach and ability to judge the ball makes him a promising first baseman. Spiteri started catching two weeks ago, but should be ready for Opening Day in April. His catching skills are improving day after day and his flexibility will help him to be a quick catcher. He is also a good contact hitter who bats from the right side. He will probably bat after Hili in the Thunders’ batting line-up. Last Sunday, Spiteri handled the pressure of training with the Tornadoes for the first time, and he made good progress.

Both Hili and Spiteri are expected to give their best in the Tornadoes’ training sessions in order to achieve a spots on the senior team. Hili and Spiteri are also good friends, which helps them to enjoy their new adventure. We wish them the best of luck and we hope to see their continue the effort they made last Sunday.

Gozo Tornadoes Official Website

OFFICIAL WEBSITE GETS A NEW AND EASY LINK 03/02/02

Finally, an easy link for the Gozo Tornadoes Official Website. No more 100 lettered address for our website. Now, you can log on easily, by logging to www.gozobaseball.cjb.net. And that's not all. Our team now has a new look Guestbook, and a BRAND NEW Forum for all you people to post in your discussions about the team and baseball. Check out the two discussions already posted today. Tell all your friends about the new link and now it is easier to remember. Also, this afternoon, Gozo will start their after-Christmas training. More information about training and the new Tornadoes will be given later on.