CalL1 Visalia Rawhide

Weber Gives Rawhide a New Hope

Published on May 5, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release


VISALIA -- The former Fresno State Bulldog hit a walk-off double with the bases loaded on Friday night to give the Rawhide a 6-5 victory over the High Desert Mavericks at Rawhide Ballpark. After blowing an early 4-0 lead, the Rawhide needed a spark late to keep on with their winning ways.

Once again, the Rawhide (13-16) jumped out on top of their opponent early. Jon Griffin put the Rawhide up 1-0 with a monster solo home run to center field off of Mavericks starter James Gillheeney in the 2^nd inning. It was Griffin's fifth home run on the season and his 15^th RBI.

The Rawhide almost scored again in the inning on a well-hit ball down the left field line from Keon Broxton. However, Raywilly Gomez was gunned down at the plate on a good relay from the left fielder and shortstop to prevent any further runs from scoring.

Chris Owings continued to swing a hot bat on Friday night. After Garrett Weber and Mike Freeman led off the bottom of the 3^rd with consecutive singles, Owings brought everyone home with a deep shot to left field to give the Rawhide a 4-0 lead. It was Owing's third home run in the past five games.

The Mavericks (16-13) were able to respond right away in the top of the 4^th inning. Rawhide starter Andrew Chafin gave up a lead off double to John Hicks. Steven Proscia and Michael McGee followed with back-to-back singles to get High Desert on the board. Mario Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to score Proscia from third to cut the Rawhide lead to 4-2.

After Chafin issued an uncharacteristic lead off walk to Patrick Brady, Brad Miller followed with a home run to right field to tie the game up at four runs a piece. Chafin, who had only issued six walks all season, seemed to struggle with his command as he issued a season-high four walks. The most surprising statistic was perhaps his lone strikeout on the evening. The California League strikeout leader has punched out no less than six batters in each of his other five starts.

In the top of the 7^th inning, Mavericks second baseman Stefan Romero gave High Desert their first lead of the evening with a home run to left field off of Rawhide reliever Jeremy Erben. The ball was hit so far that it almost hit one of the lights on the left field light pole.

Blake Cooper (1-2) held the score at 5-4 in the top of the 9^th to set up the thrilling bottom of the 9^th for the Rawhide.

After Gomez walked, Keon Broxton was hit in the head by a pitch as he was attempting to move Gomez over via the sacrifice bunt. Carter Bell was able to reach on an infield single, even though he was attempting a sacrifice bunt himself.

That set it up for the former Fresno State Bulldog, Garrett Weber. Weber drove an 0-1 pitch to the deep part of left field off of the outfield wall to score Gomez and Broxton to give the Rawhide a 6-5 walk-off victory.

These two teams will play a double-header tomorrow with the first match scheduled for 5 pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.RawhideBaseball.com.

Check out the Visalia Rawhide Statistics

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California League Stories from May 5, 2012


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