November 20, 2002

Penny Brings Salem Back to Life

SALEM, NH - Brad Penny took the spot in the Salem pitching staff that once belonged
to Darryl Kile.  How appropriate that it would be Penny who would rise to the 
occassion and become the stopper this team so desperately needed.  In addition to
ending Salem's two game losing streak in this best-of-seven League Championship
Series, Penny also tossed a complete game, giving an overworked Salem bullpen a 
desperately-needed day of rest.

"I can't tell you how huge that was," said Salem pitching coach Rick Reuschel.  
"Brad has thrown some big games for us this year, but this was by far the biggest of
them all.  He reminded me of a young me - about fifteen years and fifty pounds ago."

The only runs the Cowtippers would need today came on a second inning home run by
Lance Berkman off Los Altos starter Ramiro Mendoza.  Craig Wilson then went back-to-
back to make it a 3-0 game.

The Undertakers' only run came in the fourth inning on a leadoff homer by Larry
Walker.  It was one of only five hits the Undertakers managed today.

Salem tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth on a two-run shot by Mike Cameron, and
three in the seventh on three straight RBI hits off a beleaguered Ryan Franklin.
A Ray Durham home run in the eighth off Franklin gave Salem the 9-1 lead that would
be today's final score.

"All I have to say is thank you, Brad Penny," said Salem manager Mike Glander.  
"After two mentally- and emotionally-draining games, it was nice to sit back and 
enjoy a 9-1 blow-out."

"There was some talk prior to the game about another OLCS sweep of the Cowtippers,"
said Penny, "and I wasn't going to put up with that.  I don't care what happened to
this franchise in the past.  This ain't your daddy's Cowtippers.  We're going to
put up a fight to the end just like we have all season long.  We're not just going
to lie down and roll over.  We're not the Undertakers' lap dogs.  And we're not
going to be humiliated in front of our own fans in our own house."