Comeback Falls Short

Published on July 7, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers rallied late but were defeated 10-9 by the St. George RoadRunners at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George, Utah. In the back half of a double-header the Vipers fell behind 5-0 early before mounting a comeback and eventually leading 8-7 into the bottom of the fifth inning. However three runs in that inning by the RoadRunners put them in front for good. The first half champion Snakes see their record fall to 25-16 with the loss.

St. George grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the first inning with singles from Ryan Stevenson and Greg Lemon, and a run batted in double off the bat of Wiki Gonzalez. Seth Loman followed with a two run shot for the 4-0 lead.

The RoadRunners loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning on a Cody Nowlin single, Gonzalez double, and Dustin Hicks being hit by a pitch. With a walk Liu Rodriguez picked up a RBI and made the score 5-0.

Calgary came all the way back in the top of the fourth inning starting with a Carlos Duncan walk, Felix Jose single, and Kevin Price RBI base hit. Drew Miller followed by reaching on a error by first baseman Gonzalez that allowed both Jose and Price to score. Nelson Castro followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, took second base on a passed ball, and scored on a Travis Drader RBI single. Drader moved up to second base on a Jorge Tang groundout and scored on a Colin Moro RBI base knock to tie the game at five.

In the bottom of the inning St. George retook the lead with a Stevenson walk and a Claudio Arias two run long ball for the 7-5 score.

The Vipers took their first lead in the game in the next half inning with a Jose single, Price walk, and Miller's 13th homerun of the season for the 8-7 lead.

Back and forth the game continued in the bottom of the fifth inning with singles from Hicks, Rodriguez, and Wayment to load the bases. Stevenson tied the game with a RBI groundout and Lemon made the score 10-8 with a two run base hit.

The scoring continued in the next half inning on a Jorge Mejia walk, Duncan reaching on an error by second baseman Lemon, and a Jose RBI single to bring the Snakes within one run at 10-9.

Calgary starter Ryan Schurman (1-3) took the loss and has now dropped three straight starts.

Tuesday July 8th at 7:05 PM (MDT) this series continues with Joe Sergent (1-0) taking the mound. Another twin-bill will be played Wednesday July 9th at 4:05 PM (MDT) with Jordy Alexander (3-3) and Evan Greusel (6-1) toeing the rubber. After a day off the road trip concludes and the second half of the season begins against the Edmonton Cracker-Cats Friday July 11th, Saturday July 12th, and Sunday July 13th.

On Tuesday July 15th Snakes' Manager Mike Busch will lead the 20-man Golden Baseball League All-Star squad as they take on the United League's All-Stars in a battle of two of the top independent leagues in San Angelo, Texas. Joining Busch from the Vipers will be ace and pitching coach Evan Greusel, designated hitter Felix Jose, and outfielders Darryl Brinkley and Drew Miller.

The Snakes return home to Foothills Stadium Friday July 18th at 7:05 PM (MDT) for "Paint the Park Pink" weekend. Friday's game will open a six day home stand which will feature seven games against the Chico Outlaws and the Yuma Scorpions.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from July 7, 2008


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