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Fielders Shut out for First Time This Season

July 2, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Lake County Fielders News Release


Chico, California - For the first time this season, the Lake County Fielders (19-12) failed to score a run, as they lost their fourth consecutive game to the Chico Outlaws (13-18), 7-0, on Friday night. It was also the first time the Fielders were limited to scoring fewer than two runs in a game.

Chico took the lead in the bottom of the 1st inning, as shortstop Jay Pecci and second baseman Bobby Hill hit back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Two batters later, centerfielder Chris Lubanski singled in to score Pecci for the game's first run. Lubanski was forced out at second base off a groundball from third baseman Adam Buschini, but it also allowed Hill to score on the fielder's choice, making it a 2-0 Chico lead.

Lake County had an opportunity to tally a run in the top of the 2nd inning. Quentin Luquette and Patrick Brooks both singled with one out, putting runners at the corners. However, Brooks was caught stealing second base, and Joe Dempsey, who was at the plate at the time, struck out to end the inning.

Meanwhile, the Outlaws would add to their lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning against Fielders starting pitcher Zac Cline. With two outs, Lubanski singled to right field, but Fielders right fielder Argelis Nunez misplayed the ball, allowing Lubanski to take second base on the fielding error. The error allowed for Lubanski to score when the next batter, Buschini, hit an RBI single. The unearned run made it a 3-0 Outlaws lead.

It got worse for Cline in the bottom of the 4th inning, as he issued a leadoff double to Chico catcher Brandon Fowler and a single to left fielder Kurt Steinhauer. Two batters later, Pecci hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Fowler to score. Following a Bobby Hill walk that put runners at first and second with two out, right fielder Jake Rife came to the plate. Rife pulled a ball down the first base foul line, and it rolled a long way down to right field. Steinhauer and Hill came in to score, as Rife rounded the bases. By the time the Fielders could get the ball back into play, Rife was already on his way home, coming across to score a three-run, inside the park home run. That capped off a four-run inning for the Outlaws, giving them a 7-0 lead.

Chico starting pitcher David Roberts kept the Fielders at bay, despite having several opportunities to put runs on the scoreboard. Roberts, who was making his second start of the season, went seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits, striking out eight and walking a pair.

While the Fielders bullpen limited the deficit, the best chance on offense to score a run came in the top of the 8th inning. Nunez, C.J. Ziegler and Matt Mansilla all singled with one out in the inning to load the bases. But, the Fielders just could not bring home a run. Luquette flew out to right field and Brooks hit into an inning-ending fielder's choice forceout, as the Fielders left the bases loaded.

The Fielders will try to snap their four-game losing streak against Chico in the series finale on Saturday night. Dan Blewett (3-1) will take the hill for the Fielders in the last game of the team's six-week long, 32-game road trip. Saturday's games against Chico will begin at 7:05p (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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