Flyers hang on for 8-7 win over Outlaws
June 4, 2006 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO, CA - A tightly-played pitcher's duel turned into a late inning free-for-all Saturday night at Chico's Nettleton Stadium, and despite scoring six runs in the bottom of the 9th, the host Outlaws fell to visiting Fullerton 8-7...the Flyers evening up the season-opening four game series at one win apiece.
Chico starting pitcher Brian Kroll and Chris Jakubauskas of the Flyers traded zeroes for the first six innings of the contest, with neither team mounting much of a scoring threat. In the 4th Fullerton's Peanut Williams was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on a double by Rick Elder...then in the bottom of the inning Chico got Desi Wilson to third with one out but couldn't push a run across. It stayed scoreless until the 7th inning - and that's when the game took a 180 degree turn.
The Flyers finally broke through in the top of the 7th when Kroll served up back-to-back homers to Elder and Chad Chop...then in the 8th Chop's two-out, two-run single off Outlaws reliever Kevin Beavers extended Fullerton's lead to 4-0. Chico answered with a run in the bottom of the 8th as Wilson doubled home Steve Booker...but in the 9th the Flyers jumped on Outlaws reliever Adam Gold for four runs to go up 8-1...Bret Levier's RBI double and a two-run triple by Williams providing the key blows.
Chico was down, but as they proved not out, as they batted in the bottom of the 9th. With a seven run lead, it looked like reliever Mike McTamney would have little trouble locking down the win for Fullerton. But Jason Van Meetren and Whit Pierce led off the inning with back-to-back doubles to make the score 8-2...then a walk to Jesse Kovacs and a single by Alex Froloff loaded the bases. Pinch-hitter Lino Garcia promptly singled home Pierce and knocked McTamney out of the game. Left-hander Matt Lincoln was summoned from the Flyers bullpen, but in the midst of striking out pinch-hitter Angelo Tavelli, he balked Kovacs home to make it 8-4. Wilson slashed an opposite-field double to left to plate Froloff and Garcia...then Mike Mallory followed with a single to right to drive home Wilson...suddenly the score was 8-7 and the Outlaws had the potential winning run at the plate with just one out. But with Fullerton hanging on for dear life, Lincoln got Craig Kuzmic to pop up to first...and Van Meetren ended the contest with a flyout to center...the Flyers escaping with the one-run victory and their first win of the 2006 season.
Jakubauskas (1-0) got the win, scattering five hits and striking out five through seven shutout innings; Lincoln was credited with the save...Kroll (0-1) pitched well, allowing just two runs over seven frames but was saddled with the loss. Chico has 12 hits on the night, with Wilson going 4-for-5 with three doubles...Mallory and Froloff also collected two hits. Levier had four of Fullerton's 13 hits, with Williams and Elder each chipping in with three safeties. The Outlaws and Flyers wrap up the series with a doubleheader Sunday at Nettleton Stadium beginning at 5:05pm - right-hander Chris Searle and regaining GBL Pitcher of the Year Grant Gregg will be on the mound for Chico...Fullerton is expected to counter with ex-Outlaw Jeremy Sugarman and left-hander Craig Frydendall.
Golden Baseball League Stories from June 4, 2006
- Flyers Get First Win - Orange County Flyers
- Flyers hang on for 8-7 win over Outlaws - Chico Outlaws
- Scorpions defeat Dawgs, 12-5 - San Diego Surf Dawgs
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