Cavaliers had a season to remember (Leader-Telegram: Ben Peterson) - 10/02/2009  01:44 PM

With football season well underway, to some the 2009 campaign of the Eau Claire Cavaliers may easily be forgotten.

But to the staff, coaches and players, it couldn't be more memorable.

The Cavs finished with a record of 43-20, claiming second place in the Wisconsin State League. Eau Claire was an impressive 28-11 within the friendly confines of Carson Park.

Not that it was easy.

The Cavaliers stumbled a bit out of the gate and went 6-4 on an early 10-game roadtrip.

"We started off with two really tough opponents," manager Mark McHorney said of Chaseburg/Coon Valley and the Melrose Indians. "We were just treading water at first.

"On the road we started to find out a lot about ourselves. We learned what it takes to win."

It also helped that the Cavs returned to Carson Park for 15 games in a 23-game stretch, including a 13-game homestand.

"We got on a decent roll after that point," McHorney said. "We had a good feeling about ourselves and what we were doing."

The Cavaliers had a 15-game winning streak stretch from June 14 to July 4, outscoring opponents, 122-36

When the streak ended, the Cavaliers were 30-11 and on their way to another successful season. According to McHorney, pitching was the key.

"Our pitching was very credible this year," McHorney said. "We got decent contributions from a lot of guys on the team."

More important than the pitching was the chemistry and dynamic that the 2009 roster provided. There were local kids, returning team leaders, and a whole set of new and unheard-of players.

Catcher Ryan Iverson and pitcher Phil Isaksson played together at Eau Claire North. Pitchers Ben Kincaid, Brady Sand and Chevy Tollefson each played at Eau Claire Memorial.

Pitcher Tyler Martin and catcher Kyle Trewyn were two of the biggest surprises on the team.

The pair play their collegiate ball at Cardinal Stritch University and were unknown to McHorney as the season began.

But they couldn't have made a bigger impact.

Martin threw a no-hitter against the Addison Braves on July 26. He finished the season 6-1 with an ERA of 2.88. He led the team in strikeouts with 53 and opponents batted just .196 against him.

Trewyn served as the "voice" of the Cavaliers.

The outspoken motivator kept the team motivated in the dugout and at practice.

He also helped with his ability to play a role. Trewyn's statistics weren't particularly impressive. He batted .256 with just one extra-base hit and six RBIs. Trewyn was clutch, however, and he was always willing to lay a bunt down or take a walk.

"Trewyn caught a lot of innings early for us and his leadership has really propelled this team," McHorney said. "Kyle just did a tremendous job both on the field and off."

McHorney looks forward to building the team for next season, the 40th in Cavaliers history.

"It's the people behind the scenes that make the whole thing possible," McHorney said. "They've been around for a number of years making this all possible. It's those people who really bind everything together. It's a large time and financial commitment but they do it year after year."