Frattali Sac Fly Caps Crazy Black Bears Win
July 15, 2012 - West Coast League (WCL)
Cowlitz Black Bears News Release
Longview: July 15, 2012: For fans who enjoy baseball games with more plot twists than blockbuster Hollywood movies, Sunday was their type of game. Brian Frattali (Portland) had a sacrifice fly to score Alex Rubanowitz (UC Riverside) in a close play at the plate for walk-off 4-3 win in 11 innings.
The Black Bears had to come from behind after Kitsap took a 1-0 lead on a home run in the fourth inning. Following a Kitsap error with two outs in the sixth, Kyle Kuck (Santa Ana) hit a two-run home run to put the Black Bears ahead. Brian Carroll crossed the plate in the eighth to give the team a two run advantage.
However, Kitsap got the score to 3-2 in the ninth before a ground ball that could have ended the game was misplayed by a Black Bears infielder; the game-tying run scored on the error.
Kevin Sprague (UC Riverside) was the winning pitcher for the Black Bears. He induced a double play to end the top of the 11 th . Rubanowitz led off the bottom of the 11 th with a single and Frattali eventually came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. He lifted his sac fly to the outfield on a full count.
Cole Irvin (Oregon) pitched six excellent innings, allowing only one run while striking out six. Taylor Williams (Mt. Hood) struck out three in his two scoreless innings of work.
With the win, the Black Bears are now 15-19 in WCL play and just two games behind the Bend Elks for the second playoff spot in the West Division.
The Black Bears next home game is Friday, July 20th against the Wenatchee AppleSox. It will also be the third annual Gallery of Diamonds Diamond Dig! The first 200 women through the gate will dig for diamonds after the game.
2012 Cowlitz Black Bears Ticket Packages are available by calling (360) 703-3195 or please visit us on-line at www.cowlitzblackbears.com
The Black Bears are members of the West Coast League, a nine-team, professional style wood-bat summer college league. The WCL features pro prospects from major conferences across the country. More than 120 WCL alums played affiliated professional baseball last season, and 14 ex-WCL stars played in the Major Leagues. For more information on the league, visit www.westcoastleague.com.
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