The Brockton PostBROCKTON--Brockton Rox bench coach Ed Nottle said setting a new franchise record for wins is an important milestone, but Rox players are keeping their eye on the real prize.
"For a team, the whole thing is to get into the playoffs and win the ring," Nottle said.
Tuesday night the Rox broke the club's franchise record for wins by beating the New Hampshire American Defenders in a dramatic come-from-behind, extra-innings victory.
The win beat the old record of 50 set five years ago when Nottle was head coach.
"It was my record they broke," Nottle said. (pictured at right talking to pitcher John Kelly)The team is expected to accumulate a few more wins as the season wraps up Monday following a four-game series against the Worcester Tornadoes in Worcester.
After the Worcester series the team travels to Quebec for the opening game of the playoffs.
Last night the Rox added win 52 to the record. (Pitcher Jeff Long, pictured above, named Can-Am League Player of the Week, was the starting pitcher in last night's 52nd win, but did not factor in the scoring.)
Coach Chris Carminucci said the record is an incentive for the players to perform at a high level heading into postseason play.
The Rox secured a playoff berth last week and Carminucci said the goal of setting a record will help keep players focused and give them something to play for as the season winds down.
"We're a streaky team," Carminucci said. "Hopefully this will help us play the way we can, because if we don't we can easily lose in the playoffs," he said.
Carminucci said the team does not have enough games left to set the Can-Am League record, which is believed to be 65 wins.
The team opens the playoffs Thursday in Quebec for the first of two games in the semifinals.
The team that wins three of five games will move on to the finals and take on the winner of the New Jersey-Worcester matchup.
Quebec leads the standings with a 29-14 record, followed by the Rox at 26-17. Quebec has won six in a row and the Rox four.
Rox President Jack Yunits said he is thrilled with the team's play and is hoping for another championship banner to hang at Campanelli Stadium.
"Whoever is the winner of the Quebec-Rox matchup could very well be the champs," Yunits said.
The Rox haven't won the title since 2003.
Yunits said the only disappointment this season has been the numerous days of rain this summer and a roiling economy that has put a damper on attendance.
He said attendance is down about 400 patrons a night.
"We'll make it through," Yunits said, adding, "Go Rox."
(Mayor James Harrington pictured above, left, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at last night's Rox game).
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