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Fielders Drop Series Opener to Calgary

June 15, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Lake County Fielders News Release


Calgary, Alberta, Canada (June 14, 2011) - In a high-scoring, offensive-friendly tilt, the Lake County Fielders (12-6) couldn't keep up with the Calgary Vipers (10-8), losing the series opener by a score of 12-8.

The game began positively for the Fielders when Quentin Luquette led off the game with a walk and Rex Rundgren followed with a single. Two batters later, the Fielders tallied the first run on C.J. Ziegler's RBI single. Matt Mansilla would bring home Rundgren on a sacrifice fly, giving the Fielders a 2-0 lead after the top of the 1st inning.

However, Calgary came out with a fury in their half of the 1st inning. The first seven hitters that Fielders starting pitcher Dan Blewett faced all reached base. And, after the Vipers had accrued five runs on five hits, with two walks and a hit-by-pitch thrown in, Blewett got out of the inning with a double play and a strikeout. The Vipers would add another run in the bottom of the 2nd inning on a two-out RBI single from left fielder Drew Miller to make it a 6-2 Calgary lead.

An undeterred Fielders squad pulled together to comeback from the four run deficit. Luquette led off the top of the 3rd inning with a single. Two batters later, Argelis Nunez singled to put runners at the corners with one out. Then, Calgary starting pitcher Garret Holleran hit Ziegler to load the bases. Mansilla earned a bases-loaded walk, bringing in Luquette to make it 6-3. And, Brad Payne's groundout to first base allowed Nunez to come in from third base to score for Lake County.

Blewett responded with his bat to help himself on defense, hitting a single with one out in the top of the 4th inning. Luquette followed with a single of his own, and two batters later, it was Nunez's turn to shine. Nunez crushed a 2-0 pitch from Holleran, sending the deep drive down the line in left field, hitting off the foul pole for a three-run homer. Nunez, who hit his second roundtripper in as many games, returned the lead to the Fielders at 7-6. It would be the last time Lake County would be on top the rest of the game.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Calgary third baseman Louie Templeton hit a double with two outs and came home on second baseman Jimmy Rohan's RBI single, tying the game at 7-7. Calgary reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, when shortstop Wilver Perez hit a solo home run with one out off of Fielders reliever Ryan Carr.

The Fielders worked hard to tie the game in the top of the 7th inning. Mansilla led off the inning with a double and scored two batters later on a Patrick Brooks RBI single, to tie the game at 8-8. The tie didn't last once Carr (0-1) hit some trouble in the bottom of the 7th inning. Carr gave up a leadoff double to Calgary catcher Jeff Giacomini, who came in the game in the top of the 4th inning when starting catcher Justin Tellam was ejected after an argument with home plate umpire Brian Kreps. Rohan singled with one out before Carr was pulled for Steve Grife on a double switch. Grife gave up a sacrifice fly that brought home the run to give Calgary a 9-8 lead.

Calgary brought in right-handed reliever Chris Bodishbaugh to begin the top of the 8th inning. Bodishbaugh kept the Fielders at bay, striking out five in his two innings of relief. The strong outing from Bodishbaugh allowed Calgary to add to its lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, when Grife issued hits to the first three batters of the inning. All three eventually scored to give Calgary a 12-8 lead, putting the game out of reach for the Fielders.

The Fielders will have a short amount of rest before they play the second game of the four-game series against the Calgary Vipers. The second game of the series will be a Wednesday afternoon matinee at Foothills Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:05pm local (1:05pm central). The Fielders hold a two game lead over Calgary and the Edmonton Capitals in the North Division standings. You can listen to the game on 1220 AM WKRS or online at fieldersbaseball.com or wkrs.com.

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North American League Stories from June 15, 2011


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