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Chico Holds Off Late Comeback to Defeat Fielders

June 26, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Lake County Fielders News Release


Chico, California (June 25, 2011) - Despite a late-inning offensive surge, the Lake County Fielders (19-9) could not bring in the tying run in the top of the 9th inning against the Chico Outlaws (10-18), losing the second game of their series, 3-2.

Chico took the scoreboard first, taking the first lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Centerfielder Chris Lubanski led off the inning with a double and catcher Al Quintana followed up with a base hit to right field. Fielders right fielder Argelis Nunez overthrew the cutoff man, electing to throw home. Quintana took second base on the throw home, but when Fielders catcher Joe Dempsey threw to second base to try to get Quintana out, Fielders shortstop Rex Rundgren misplayed the ball. The error on Rundgren allowed Lubanski to trot home, scoring the game's first run. Quintana scored two batters later when Chico left fielder Pat Terry hit a ground-rule double to right-center field, making it a 2-0 Outlaws lead.

The Fielders bats were stymied against Chico starting pitcher Jason Stevenson. Stevenson, who was making his second start of the season, didn't allow a runner to reach third base in his first seven innings of work. The Fielders managed just three hits in those first seven innings, as they were unable to get a run around to score. The closest the Fielders came to scoring was in the top of the 7th inning on a deep fly ball off the bat of C.J. Ziegler. However, Terry reached back over the wall in left field, making an outstanding catch to rob Ziegler of what would have been a solo home run.

The Outlaws added to their lead in the bottom of the 7th inning, when first baseman Darrick Hale and Terry had back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Following a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Danny Gonzalez, it was Stevenson's turn to help his team on offense. With the Fielders infield playing in on the grass, Stevenson was still able to turn a ground out into a run-scoring play, as Hale rushed in to score on the slow-rolling grounder. Chico took a 3-0 lead into the 8th inning, but Stevenson hit a bit of a snag in that inning.

Dempsey got the offense going in the top of the 8th inning, with his one-out single to left field. Next up was pinch-hitter Brad Payne, who replaced starting pitcher Zac Cline. Payne slyly popped up a bunt that landed untouched down the third base line, and was able to beat the throw to first base, reaching on an infield bunt single. Brandon Newton was able to draw a walk to load the bases, signaling the exit of Stevenson. In came reliever David Slovak, who issued a run-scoring groundout to Rundgren, and got out of the jam with Lino Garcia's groundout to end the inning, leaving runners in scoring position.

Fielders reliever Ben Paxton held serve in the bottom of the 8th inning, allowing the offense to enter the top of the 9th, down just 3-1. Nunez led off the inning with a solo homer off Chico closer Omar Aguilar, landing over the centerfield wall to cut the deficit to 3-2. Following a Ziegler groundout, left fielder Matt Mansilla drew a walk and third baseman Patrick Brooks singled to right field. With the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run on base, the Fielders seemed poised to make a late comeback. However, Dempsey popped out in foul territory and pinch-hitter Quentin Luquette looked at called strike three to end the game, leaving those runners on base to end the game.

The Fielders will try to win the series against Chico on Sunday night in the third and final game of the set. First pitch is scheduled for a 7:05p local start time (9:05pm central). You can listen to the game on 1220 AM WKRS or online at fieldersbaseball.com or wkrs.com.

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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.

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