Caps Complete Double-Header Sweep Over Maui
July 1, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Edmonton Capitals News Release
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Capitals swept Thursday's night's double-header against Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 6-4 and 4-1 at TELUS Field, and have now won all three games during their 2011 Canada Day Series presented by Mott's.
The Caps and Maui played a pair of seven-inning games on Thursday, as a result of Wednesday's game getting postponed due to rain. Edmonton got back-to-back solid starting pitching performances from Rory Shortell and Albie Lopez, to go along with some timely hitting to sweep the double-header.
Shortell gave up four runs, but only two were earned, and surrendered just four hits while striking out four Maui batters through 6.1 innings to pick up the game one win, while Tom Boleska earned the save. Lopez was just as sharp in game two, scattering seven hits and one run with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Brandon Villafuerte picked up the win despite only pitching 0.1 innings, while Bartolome Fortunato pitched a scoreless seventh for his fifth save of the season.
Catcher Lou Santangelo and shortstop Enrique Cruz hit back-to-back solo home runs to lead the Caps offence in the first game, with Santangelo and first baseman Brent Metheny each recording two hits. Centre fielder Steve Brown hit a triple, while Metheny and third baseman Carlos Duncan belted doubles, to account for the big hits in game two. Right fielder Tom Collaro was the lone Caps player to record multiple hits in the second game with a pair of singles.
The Caps have now won 11 of their last 15 games to give them an impressive 21-12 record on the North American League season. They are now just 0.5 games behind the Lake County Fielders for first place in the North Division and overall in the NAL.
Next up for the Caps is the much anticipated Canada Day game as part of the Canada Day Series presented by Mott's featuring $3 Caesars all series. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and the game starts at 7 p.m., with the best seats in all of Edmonton to watch the river valley fireworks display later in the evening.
The series concludes on Saturday also at 7 p.m. with Edmonton Oilers 2011 first-overall draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins throwing the ceremonial first pitch and signing autographs. Twenty lucky fans at the game will win front-of-the-line privileges to meet the top prospect, and there will also be a silent auction for an autographed Nugent-Hopkins retro Oilers jersey.
The Capitals are the city's most affordable entertainment option in the summer featuring Edmonton's largest patio! Season seats start at less than $9 per seat. Individual game tickets start at $10 in advance and can be purchased at the Capitals Box Office (10233 - 96 Ave) during regular business hours Monday through Friday, at any Ticketmaster location, online at capsbaseball.ca or via phone at 780-414-GOAL (4625).
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North American League Stories from July 1, 2011
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- Fielders Suffer Third Straight Defeat to Chico - Lake County Fielders
- Caps Complete Double-Header Sweep Over Maui - Edmonton Capitals
- Outlaws win in extra inning game - Chico Outlaws
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