Fifth Straight Victory for Vipers

Published on May 28, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers finished one hit shy of a franchise record with 21 in their 18-7 victory over the Victoria Seals at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. With the victory the Snakes have now won five in a row and in the process swept the three game series against Victoria. Calgary did all of their damage in five innings with a six run third highlighting the action. The Vipers improve their record to 6-1 and remain in first place in the Golden Baseball League's North Division.

Jorge Mejia tied a franchise record for hits in a game by going five-for-six with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Mark Okano reached base in all six plate appearances for him going three-for-three with two walks and a hit by pitch while scoring and knocking in three runs. Drew Miller went three-for-five with four runs scored and batted in.

Evan Greusel (1-1) recorded his first victory of the season in pitching five innings and striking out six. Out of the bullpen Reggie Rivard threw two scoreless innings and Alan Webb tossed a inning and a third of shutout ball. Josh Karp (0-1) received the loss in giving up ten runs in his three innings.

For the first time in this series the Seals opened the scoring as in the top of the first inning Chris Van Rossum doubled and Sergio Pedroza singled him home for a 1-0 lead.

The Vipers quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame as Fehlandt Lentini doubled, Nelson Castro was hit by a pitch, Mejia singled to load the bases, and Miller hit a grand slam for a 4-1 advantage. For Miller it was his league high fourth long ball of the season.

Six more runs were added to the lead in the bottom of the third as Mejia singled, Rick Guarno doubled him in, Miller reached with a base hit, Mark Okano drove in a run with a single, Ivan Reyes singled to load the bases, Rob Recuenco walked to bring in a run, Castro plated one with a base knock, and Mejia made it 10-1 with a two-run double.

In the bottom of the fourth three more tallies were added as Miller was hit by pitch, Okano walked, Terry Mermer cashed a run with a single, Reyes reached on a fielder's choice, and Colin Moro knocked in two with a double for a 13-1 advantage.

Victoria did some damage in the fifth inning scoring five runs on five hits for a 13-6 score. Jamar Hill singled, Pedroza walked. Brian Rios singled to load the bases, Matt Kavanaugh plated a run with a sacrifice fly, Petey Montero doubled in another, Bret Levier doubled in two, and Wilver Perez singled in a fifth tally with a base hit.

In the bottom of the inning Miller reached on a fielding error by shortstop Levier and scored on a towering two-run home run off the bat of Okano for a 15-6 lead.

Three more runs were added in the bottom of the sixth as Moro doubled, Yuki Matsumoto singled, Mejia drove in a run with a hit, and Guarno plated two more with a double for a 18-6 advantage.

The Seals scored one in the ninth when Levier, and Perez singled and Hill knocked in the final run with a base hit for the 18-7 score.

The Vipers now head out on their first road trip of the season starting on Friday May 29th at 8:05 PM MDT in a first place showdown with the Chico Outlaws. Hideki Nagasaka (1-0) will start for Calgary against Andrew Alvarado (0-0). Nagasaka won his first start of the season going five innings and giving up five runs while striking out three. Alvarado picked up a no decision in his first start after going six innings and allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out seven.

Game two of the series is on Saturday May 30th at 8:05 PM MDT and will feature Erik Dessau (1-0) against Jo Matumoto (0-0). Dessau picked up a complete game victory in his first outing in a rain shortened five inning affair where he gave up three runs on five hits while striking out three. Matumoto took a no decision in his first appearance after giving up four runs in four and two-third innings while striking out four.

This three game series will wrap up Sunday May 31st at 7:05 PM MDT with Joe Sergent (1-0) toeing the rubber against Evan White (1-0). Sergent has made two starts now and has given up only one earned run in 11.2 innings while walking only two and striking out six. White meanwhile went all nine innings for the win in his one and only start giving up three earned runs on ten hits while walking only one and striking out nine.

Calgary plays the back half of this six game road trip on Monday June 1st, Tuesday June 2nd, and Wednesday June 3rd all at 8:00 PM MDT against the Yuma Scorpions.

The Snakes return to Calgary and Foothills Stadium Friday June 5th at 7:05 PM MDT to open a seven game in six day home stand against the 2008 Golden Baseball League Champion Orange County Flyers for four games and then three games against the St. George RoadRunners.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 403-277-2255 or by stopping in at the Vipers Ticket Office at 2255 Crowchild Trail N.W. All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from May 28, 2009


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