Big sixth lifts Outlaws
August 10, 2006 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
Entering the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday at Nettleton Stadium, the Chico Outlaws led the Yuma Scorpions 2-1. By the time the bottom of the sixth inning ended, it was a different game, as the Outlaws tallied eight runs in two innings and cruised to a 10-3 victory.
Chico starter Brian Kroll was magnificent, as he became the Golden Baseball League's first eight-game winner. He tossed eight innings of two-run ball and allowed six hits to go along with seven strikeouts. The Fullerton Flyers also won Wednesday, so the Outlaws' lead in the GBL's second half standings will remain at 1 1/2 games. Chico is now 16-6 in the second half; Yuma is 7-15.
Desi Wilson went 1 for 5 for Chico, good enough to extend his hit streak to 12 games, and every Outlaws starter except Jesse Kovacs recorded at least one hit, part of an 11-hit barrage against Yuma pitchers. Steve Dunham (3-5) started for the visitors and left after just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs, four earned, and walked six.
Chico began the scoring in the bottom of the second with a triple from Mike Mallory. He scored on Craig Kuzmic's RBI single and Kuzmic scored later in the inning on a strange play. With Todd Gossage on first and Kuzmic on third, the Outlaws tried a double steal. Catcher Jacob Guzman's throw ended up in the outfield and Kuzmic scored on the error.
The Scorpions answered with one run in the fourth. Guzman singled and moved to second when Billy Malone drew a walk. Two groundouts enabled Guzman to score and cut the Chico advantage to 2-1. The Scorpions scored once more in the seventh on a groundout and in the ninth on an RBI single from Eric Pringle.
The big blow in the four-run fifth inning was Jason Van Meetren's double to right-centerfield that plated Bobby Gandolfo, Wilson and Kuzmic. Before that, Wilson had knocked in Jason Matteucci, who had doubled to lead off the inning.
The next four-run inning for Chico was a barrage of singles, walks and a double. Kovacs and Matteucci walked, while Gandolfo plated a run with an RBI single. Mallory knocked one in with a double and Kuzmic collected his second RBI with a single. Van Meetren finished the scoring with an RBI groundout, his fourth ribbie of the night.
With the series tied at one win apiece, the Outlaws will look to take the rubber match of the series Thursday night. Grant Gregg (5-4) is scheduled to start for Chico while Yuma plans to send Chris Langlois to the mound. First pitch at Nettleton Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Golden Baseball League Stories from August 10, 2006
- Huskins Named Player of the Week - San Diego Surf Dawgs
- Big sixth lifts Outlaws - Chico Outlaws
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
